BOROUGH OF HEIDELBERG
COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, April 21, 2015, – 7:00 PM
Community Room, Heidelberg, PA 15106
The April 2015 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
Solicitor Tucceri
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Ratify and pass the minutes from the March 10, 2015 and March 17, 2015 Council Meetings.
Motion was made by Vice President Nolan, seconded by Councilman DeBar to accept the
minutes; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to acknowledge receipt of the April 2015 Borough Treasurer’s report was made by
Councilman Debar, seconded by Councilman Duda; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to approve and pay the bills was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by
Councilman Duda. Roll call vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES,
NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried.
Public Comment – (Agenda Items Only)
None.
Solicitor’s Report
The Solicitor reported that he submitted a written activity report to Council and would answer
any questions.
Mayor’s Report
The Mayor reported summary police statistics covering the period March 1 through March 31,
2015 where the HPD responded to 59 calls for service, police fines collected totaled $825.59.
Mayor LaSota also reported that part-time Patrolman David Walter has resigned his position
after three years of dedicated service to the Borough; the Mayor thanked Patrolman Walters for
his service. It was also reported that the Police Department is seeking the consideration of
Council to procure a new computer server because as of July, 2015, Microsoft will no longer
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support our current computer operating system, Windows 2003. Cost to replace the server is
$2,836.
The Mayor also reported that the Police Department has completed a traffic study and has
recommended the issuance of an on-street handicapped parking space in front of 507 Grant
Avenue.
On March 18, the Mayor reported that he received a letter of gratitude from the Southwest
Communities Area Chamber of Commerce, thanking him for presenting at the annual Manager’s
luncheon.
On April 6, the Mayor reported that he attended the grand opening of the new South Fayette
Township District Office of State Representative Jason Ortitay.
On April 25, the Mayor performed a wedding ceremony at the Borough Building, this ceremony
was his first same-sex marriage.
Old Business: None
New Business:
Motion to authorize the procurement of a police computer server at a cost not to exceed $2,836;
motion was made by Councilman Duda, seconded by Councilman Jordan; roll call vote was
taken: DEBAR – NO, DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – NO, PATTINATO - YES;
motion carried, 3-2.
Motion to hire Amanda Loutitt as the Borough Manager / Secretary / Treasurer; motion was
made by Vice President Nolan, seconded by Councilman DeBar; roll call vote was taken:
DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES, PATTINATO - YES; motion
carried.
Motion to overturn the veto regarding Ordinance No. 617, an Ordinance of the Borough of
Heidelberg, County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Section 78-5 (I)
of the Heidelberg Borough Code to remove references to firearms from that subsection. Motion
was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded Councilman Jordan, Mayor LaSota read his March
20th letter that outlined his reasons for the veto (note: letter is attached to Ordinance No. 617 in
the official Ordinance Book of the Borough of Heidelberg.) Solicitor Tucceri stated that there is
a lawsuit pending in the state courts that could cost the Borough considerable funds; thus leading
to the Solicitor recommending this Ordinance action. DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN
– YES, NOLAN – NO, PATTINATO - YES; motion carried 4-1.
Consideration to adopt Resolution No. 1-2015, a Resolution of the Borough of Heidelberg,
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, fixing the salaries and wages to be paid to the Administrative
Personnel for the calendar year 2015. Vice President Nolan suggested that the Manager should
receive comp-time for all after-hours Borough functions. The Solicitor recommended that it be
provided and worded as follows; Manager is to be provided time off in lieu of over-time for
hours worked for attending advertised meetings. Councilman DeBar questioned what the former
Manager received comp-time for. President Pattinato informed Council that the former Manager
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only received comp-time for meetings and did not receive comp-time for community functions,
disasters, emergencies, etc. Motion to go to executive session to discuss this personnel matter
was made by Vice President Nolan, seconded by Councilman DeBar; motion carried – Council
recessed at 7:35PM.
Council reconvened at 7:55PM: Motion to adopt Resolution No. 1-2015 amending section 7 of
the Resolution regarding comp-time so that the Borough Manager will receive time off in lieu of
overtime for time worked over a 40 hour work week in consideration for attending advertised
Borough Meetings; motion by Councilman DeBar, seconded by Councilman Duda; a roll call
vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES,
PATTINATO - YES; motion carried.
Motion to authorize the advertisement seeking bids for the Ellsworth Avenue Playground
Project. Motion was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by Councilman Duda; a roll call
vote was taken: DEBAR – YES, DUDA – YES, JORDAN – YES, NOLAN – YES,
PATTINATO - YES; motion carried.
Motion to authorize a handicap parking spot in front of 507 Grant Avenue was made by Vice
President Nolan, seconded by Councilman DeBar; motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEES
SHACOG
Vice President Nolan reported that she attended the March 19, 2015 SHACOG Meeting
that was held in Bethel Park. She stated that salt prices have stabilized and that this
year’s CDBG program is about to start accepting grant applications. Vice President
Nolan also reported that the CERT team is currently conducting investigations regarding
a pharmaceutical drug problem and that the annual banquet is scheduled for April 23rd at
the Club at Nevillewood.
Vice President Nolan also reported that she attended the ALOM Conference in Seven
Springs from April 9th to April 12th. She stated that the conference was very informative
and has resulted in many networks and advancements for the Borough including a free
dumpster for clean up day and members of the CVHS band to participate in the
streetscape parade on May 2nd. She also outlined many of the real estate tax programs
available to the citizen.
ROADS
Councilman Jordan reported that the Public Works crew has been active filling potholes,
cutting grass, and park maintenance. He also reported that the DPW has turned on all of
the utilities to the Park Comfort Station and that they applied herbicide to the park fields
to control weeds.
RECREATION
Vice President Nolan reported that the Committee met tonight and that they are working
on the annual Clean Up Day that is scheduled for April 25th, meeting at 8:30AM –
volunteers are needed. She reported that three dumpsters will be provided that day. It
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was also reported that work is progressing for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony that is
scheduled for May 25th at 10AM.
Councilman Duda questioned the cost of the dumpsters. Vice President Nolan stated that
she was quoted at $175 per dumpster, plus $36 per ton. She stated that costs should be
the same as 2014.
FLOOD CONTROL
Councilman DeBar reported that there have been no meetings of the Flood Control
Authority.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Councilman Duda reported that during the power outage two weeks ago, Public Works
were called out to place the temporary stop signs in the signalized intersections.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman Jordan reported that the Code Officer has been busy with the Rental
Operating License inspections; to-date he has inspected 119 units and has responded to 9
property maintenance complaints.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
Mayor LaSota reported that on April 15th, he attended, along with others from
Heidelberg, Carnegie and Scott, an award ceremony at the State Capitol to receive the
2015 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence for the Tri-Community
Revitalization Project. He also reported that State Representative Jason Ortitay presented
the Borough with a State Resolution congratulating the Borough for this accomplishment.
Public Comment (General)
Mr. John Clawson, 408 Second Street, deferred his comments until he can meet with
the newly appointed Borough Manager.
Mrs. Mary Anne Morgan, 554 Grant Avenue, expressed her dissatisfaction with the
conditions of the industrial properties on Industry Way including dirt and building
products littered about. She stated that Industry Way needs to be cleaned up. President
Pattinato stated that the Borough has been in contact with Collier Foundation Co., and
they have applied a dust suppressant to control their dirt / dust issue. The Solicitor
advised that this is a property maintenance issue and deferred the matter to the Code
Officer.
Mr. Thomas Allen, 1707 Washington Street, questioned if the military recognition
banners will be re-hung on Route 50 and this was confirmed that the DPW will have
them up for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.
Good of the Order: Members of Council welcomed Miss Loutitt to the Borough and
congratulated her on her appointment as the new Borough Manager.
President Pattinato declared the Meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.
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Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Richard Pattinato
Council President
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