BOROUGH OF HEIDELBERG
MINUTES
June Council Meeting
June 17, 2014 – 7:00 PM
The June 2014 Heidelberg Borough Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, in the
Heidelberg Borough Community Room, 1639 East Railroad Street, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance led by Council President Richard Pattinato.
Roll Call:
President Pattinato
Vice President Nolan
Councilman DeBar
Councilman Duda
Councilman Jordan
Mayor LaSota
Manager Kauer
Solicitor Tucceri
Chief Barkley
Present
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Ratify and pass the minutes from the 13 May 2014 and 20 May 2014 Council Meetings.
Motion was made by Councilman Duda, seconded by Vice President Nolan to accept the
minutes; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to acknowledge receipt of the June 2014 Borough Treasurer’s report was made by
Councilman DeBar, seconded by Councilman Jordan; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to approve and pay the bills was made by Vice President Nolan, seconded by
Councilman Jordan. Roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN –
YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment – (Agenda Items Only)
There were no comments regarding the Agenda items.
Borough Manager’s Report
The Borough Manager reported that the Borough was awarded a Community
Development Block Grant worth $18,500 for the reconstruction of Grant Avenue
between Hayes Street and Ellsworth Avenue. This grant application was filed in early
2013. He also reported that the Borough was awarded a foundation grant worth $5,000 to
assist with the reconstruction of the Ellsworth Avenue Playground from Martha’s Fund.
Special thank you to Heidelberg Police Sgt. Dennis Dixon for assisting us in seeing this
grant awarded. He stated that the Engineer is finishing this project’s plans and
specifications and we are currently working with the Commonwealth to secure contract
requirements to proceed with the project.
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Manager Kauer also reported that great progress is being made with the East Railroad
Streetscape Project. He stated that work is now starting to conclude and the vast majority
of the project should be complete by next month’s meeting. He informed Council that all
other noteworthy items were included in his written reported submitted to Council and
Mayor.
Solicitor’s Report
The Solicitor reported that he submitted a written activity report to Council and would
answer any questions.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor LaSota reported summary police statistics for the period May 1 through May 31,
2014. In this period, the Heidelberg Police responded to 56 calls for service and
collected $1,530.73 in fines.
On May 29th, Mayor LaSota reported that he attended the fourth in a series of Local
Government Academy courses on Best Management Practices for Local Police
Departments. He stated that the course was held in Carnegie and that much of the
information learned from this seminar are being shared with the HPD.
On June 2nd, he along with President Pattinato, attended the Heidelberg Planning
Commission meeting.
On June 7th, along with the First Lady, they weeded and cared for the Gas House Garden.
He reported that the butterfly bushes and some of the rose plants did not survive the past
winter season.
On June 16th, he represented the Borough at a meeting of the Allegheny Land Trust. He
stated that the trust is exploring urban co-op farming programs in the City of Pittsburgh.
On June 16th, he represented the Borough at the Chartiers Valley Education Foundation
Board Meeting that has held at the Middle School. He reported that he was offered an
additional 3-year term appointment as a board member.
Chief of Police’s Report
Chief Barkley reported that civil service eligibility testing is scheduled for July 2, 2014 at
the Allegheny County Police Academy. He also reported that the new police car is to go
to Ibis Tech this week to be equipped with the necessary police emergency equipment.
Old Business: None.
New Business:
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 614, an Ordinance requiring all persons, partnerships,
businesses and corporations to obtain a permit for any construction or development; providing
for the issuance of such permits; setting forth certain minimum requirements for new
construction and development within areas of the Borough which are subject to flooding; and
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establishing penalties for any persons who fail, or refuse to comply with the requirements or
provisions of this Ordinance. Motion was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by
Councilman Jordan; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to authorize the appropriate Borough Officials to execute an administrative
agreement by and between the Borough of Heidelberg and SHACOG for the purposes of the
Joint O&M Point Repair Project – Year 3. Motion was made by Vice President Nolan,
seconded by Councilman Jordan; roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES,
JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to authorize the appropriate Borough Officials to execute an administrative
agreement by and between the Borough of Heidelberg and SHACOG for the purposes of the
Joint O&M CCTV Inspection and Cleaning Project – Year 4. Motion was made by Vice
President Nolan, seconded by Councilman Duda; roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES,
DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried
unanimously.
Motion to authorize the appropriate Borough Officials to execute an administrative
agreement by and between the Borough of Heidelberg and SHACOG for the purposes of the
Sanitary Sewer Lining Project – Year 8. Motion was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by
Vice President Nolan; roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN –
YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to authorize the transfer from the General Fund to the following accounts:
Budgetary Reserve Fund - $5,000, Equipment Money Market Account - $20,000, Park Fund $25,000, Road Fund - $15,000 and Business District Improvement Fund - $1,000. (Note: fund
transfers represent the 2013 General Fund surplus of $66,000) Motion was made by
Councilman Duda, seconded by Councilman Jordan; roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES,
DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried
unanimously.
Motion to ratify the acceptance of a CDBG grant worth $18,500 for the Grant Avenue
Reconstruction – Phase 3 Project, and furthermore authorizing the Borough Engineer to
proceed with preparing plans and specifications relative to this project. Motion was made by
Councilman Duda, seconded by Vice President Nolan; roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES,
DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried
unanimously.
Motion to authorize the advertisement and public display of Ordinance No. 615, an
Ordinance of the Borough of Heidelberg, amending the Borough’s Zoning Ordinance Number
608, as amended, to amend Chapter 112 of the Heidelberg Code of Ordinances relative to nonconforming structures located within the R-1 residential district. President Pattinato expressed a
desire for Council to implement the recommendations of the Heidelberg Planning Commission
by placing a requirement to keep all healthy existing trees on non-conforming grounds. Motion
to adopt an ordinance without any tree restrictions was made by Vice President Nolan, seconded
by Councilman DeBar; roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – NO, JORDAN –
YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - NO; motion carried 3-2.
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Motion to reappoint Mr. Thomas Musgrove as an alternate member of the Heidelberg
Zoning Hearing Board with a term that is set to expire June 16, 2017. Motion was made by
Vice President Nolan, seconded by Councilman DeBar; motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEES
SHACOG
No report.
ROADS
Councilman Jordan reported that the Public Works has been active with the following
projects:
o Streetscape sign work
o Park Maintenance – installed third “Little Free Library” at Heidelberg Park on
May 21st
o General Sign maintenance around the entire town
o Grass Cutting of municipal lots
o Primary sanitary sewers and problem storm sewers were cleaned with the
SHACOG Vactor truck the week of June 2 – 6
o Crack Sealing has been scheduled for the 2nd week of July. The DPW foreman
will have temporary employees assisting him that week.
o Lincoln Avenue – water line replacement started and will last 4-6 weeks. Work
will run from Ellsworth Avenue to the dead-end.
o DPW Training:
 Bill Downey attended the W. PA. Conservancy’s Tree Tender Course on
June 14th
 Mark Turnbull completed three hours of pesticide certification training on
May 23rd.
RECREATION
Vice President Nolan reported on the following items:
 Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26th – she stated that the event was a success,
approximately 80 people participated.
 Bike-a-Thon on May 26th – she stated that the event was slow this first year, 8 bike
helmets were given out.
 Public Works dressed the topsoil and reseeded distressed areas of the Zero St. Tot-lot
on June 4th
 June Family Night – 6/13/14 – stated that the event was a success, 100 people
participated, free hot dogs were provided and the band “Local” performed.
 Soccer Camp – June 16-20th – 22 children are participating in the camp, and the two
coaches are being hosted by a Collier Avenue family. The coaches are from England
and Ireland.
 Seeking sponsorships of 2014 Community Events.
 Registration open for Snapology Camps. She stated that we need 10 children to
register in order to have the camp.
 Seeking Oktoberfest Craft Vendors.
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FLOOD CONTROL
Councilman DeBar reported that there have been no meetings of the Flood Control
Authority and that their 2013 Audit has been received by the Borough.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Councilman Duda reported that Public Works posted the new “One-Way” signage for the
section of West Railroad Street between First Street and Short Way.
He also reported that the Borough’s EMA Shelter Trailer responded to Mt. Oliver
Borough on June 8th to assist with the temporary shelter needs of the 50+ people
displaced after a significant block fire there.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman Jordan reported on the code items for the past month. He reported on the
permits issued since last council meeting:
o Occupancy Permits – 2
o Zoning Permits – 2
o Building Permits - 2
o Ordinance Violation Notices Sent Out – 8 (1 was for trash issues, 1
relative to an expired vehicle, 1 for a hazardous sidewalk condition, 1 for
multiple property maintenance issues at 1810 West Railroad Street and 4
for high grass issues)
Councilman Jordan also reported that he attended an occupancy inspection with the Code
Enforcement Officer of a property that recently sold where the former tenants took the
existing smoke detectors with them when they moved.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
Mayor LaSota reported that the Borough is looking for interested residents and / or
businesses to adopt the many garden areas along Route 50. The garden tenders will be
recognized at each adoption site with a sign stating who adopts each section.
He also stated that the Borough and County are accepting applications from residents
who wish to acquire a vacant lot in the Borough through the County’s 2014 Vacant
Property Recovery Program – the application information is posted on the Borough
website or the Borough Manager can assist you with it.
The Mayor also reported that he has been working with PENNDOT and Congressman
Murphy to correct the signage on I-376, in-bound to Pittsburgh to properly identify the
Carnegie exit as “Carnegie / Heidelberg” in both directions. Currently the exit is only
marked “Carnegie / Heidelberg” in the out-bound direction.
Lastly in regards to the streetscape project:
o Work is underway on the following:
 Sidewalk construction on the west-side
 Landscaping throughout the project limits
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
Storm sewer adjustments
Vice President Nolan also stated that the Borough will be participating in the “Downtown
Properties” program. Additional information about the program will be forthcoming.
Public Comment (General)
Mrs. Maryanne Morgan, 554 Grant Avenue, made complaint about the overgrown
hedges at 559 Grant Avenue that are blocking the stop signs on Jackson Street and
Hogans Way. Vice President Nolan also confirmed Mrs. Morgan’s remarks and made a
motion that was seconded by Councilman DeBar to have the property owner cut their
hedges. The Solicitor advised Council that such a motion is not allowed and that the
procedure would be for the Police Chief to contact the property owner and advise them to
cut the hedges or face possible fines.
Mrs. Walpurga Allen, 1707 Washington St., stated that she didn’t know which garden
was which in the listing of available gardens to adopt along Route 50. She also
questioned where the burning bushes are going along the streetscape project area. She
also stated that she has received compliments that the Borough is looking fantastic.
Mrs. Linda Farrow, 441 Fourth Street, questioned how the June 24th Town Hall
Meeting was advertised. The Borough Manager advised her that it was advertised in the
Tribune Review, Signal Item, on the Borough’s website, community message boards,
event boards and on facebook.
Good of the Order:
Councilman Duda stated that at the June 10th workshop meeting Councilman DeBar stated that
the new design of the Ellsworth Avenue Playground is stupid. He pointed out that Councilman
DeBar was present at the April workshop meeting when this design was presented and agreed
upon.
Councilman DeBar confirmed that he believes the design is flawed as the playground equipment
will be in the area of balls hit from the baseball area. He believes the idea is “stupid” and should
be reconsidered.
Executive Session: Council recessed to an executive session at 7:50 to discuss a legal issue;
they reconvened at 8:40 – no action was taken.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by Councilman Duda; motion
carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:41 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Joseph Kauer
Borough Manager
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