BOROUGH OF HEIDELBERG
MINUTES
April Council Meeting
April 16, 2013 – 7:00 PM
The April 2013 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 Raymond Losego.
Roll Call:
President Losego
Vice President Duda
Councilman DeBar
Councilman Ferris
Councilman Kosol
Mayor LaSota
Solicitor Kaleugher
Manager Kauer
Chief Barkley
Present
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Ratify and pass the minutes from the 12 March 2013 and 19 March 2013 Council Meetings.
Motion was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by Councilman Kosol to accept the minutes;
motion carried unanimously.
Motion to acknowledge receipt of the April 2013 Borough Treasurer’s report was made by
Vice President Duda, seconded by Councilman Kosol. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve and pay the bills. Motion to pay the bills was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded
by Councilman Kosol; motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment – (Agenda Items Only)
No citizens present had any comment regarding the Agenda items.
Borough Manager’s Report
The Borough Manager reported that a grant application has been submitted to the
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the total
reconstruction of the Ellsworth Avenue Playground. Letters of support have been
received from Senator Fontana and Representative Kotik for our project.
He also reported that he has been working with the Borough Engineer to develop the
project specifications and bid documents for the 2nd Street Steps and Wall project. He
stated that the Borough is on track to having this project out to bid shortly so hopefully
this work can be completed by year’s end to compliment the adjacent streetscape efforts.
Lastly, Manager Kauer reported that volunteers with the Borough’s Community
Emergency Shelter Team will take part in a regional Red Cross Drill on Saturday, April
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27th here at the Heidelberg Fire Station. Other area Red Cross Teams are to come to
Heidelberg and practice with our team.
Solicitor’s Report
Solicitor Kaleugher reported that all of his month’s activity is outlined on his submitted
written report to Council.
He also informed Council and Mayor that he ran a legal advertisement in the Tribune
Review newspaper giving additional public notice to the owners of the former Wrights
Seafood Inn to remove the now-closed business signage from the property.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor LaSota led a moment of silence to reflect on the recent tragedy at the Boston
Marathon.
He then reported the summary police statistics for the period of March 1st through March
31st. He stated the Department responded to 40 calls for service, had three physical
arrests and collected $1,747.68 in fines.
The Mayor also reported that the HPD received a letter of commendation from the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for it diligence in crime reporting.
Mayor LaSota reported to Council on meetings he attended in the past month, they
included the following:
 March 25, ALCOSAN CMAC Committee Meeting at the ALCOSAN plant
 March 27, Stormwater Management seminar at the Green Tree Borough Building,
he stated that lots of interesting concepts were shared using rain gardens to reduce
runoff.
 April 15, Chartiers Valley Education Foundation Meeting at the Middle School,
he stated that the recent fundraiser was well attended and that positive feedback
has been received about it.
Chief of Police’s Report
Chief Barkley reported that warning tags are still being issued for violators who do not
obey the new stop sign at First Street and Ellsworth Avenue. He stated that citations are
planned to be issued within two weeks.
The Chief also reported that the HPD will be increasing enforcement efforts to monitor
the 15 MPH speed limit on Industry Way. Lastly, he reported that both he and Sgt.
Dixon will be attending a mandatory class on July 19th regarding changes to the
“JANET” police computer database.
Old Business: None.
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New Business:
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 609, an Ordinance of the Borough of Heidelberg, amending
Chapter 108 of the Code of the Borough of Heidelberg to authorize four way stop signs to be
installed at the intersection of First Street and Ellsworth Avenue. Motion was made by
Councilman Kosol, seconded by Councilman DeBar; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to authorize the advertisement and public display of Ordinance No. 610, an
Ordinance of the Borough of Heidelberg amending Chapter 108 of the Code of the Borough of
Heidelberg to approve and list all previously approved stop intersections and yield-right-of-way
intersections at which traffic control signs have been posted and to ratify the designation of these
various intersections as stop intersections and yield-right-of-way intersections within the
Borough of Heidelberg. Motion was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by Councilman
Kosol; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to authorize retaining the law firm: Campbell, Durrant, Beatty, Palombo & Miller as
special legal counsel for a police personnel matter. Motion was made by Vice President Duda,
seconded by Councilman Ferris; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to accept the resignation of Raymond Losego from the Civil Service Commission
effective 16 April 2013. Motion was made by Vice President Duda, seconded by Councilman
Kosol; motion carried unanimously.
Motion to appoint Mr. John Mahalchak to the Civil Service Commission to fill a term that is
set to expire 19 June 2015. Motion was made by Councilman DeBar, seconded by Vice
President Duda; motion carried unanimously.
Mayor LaSota then swore into office Mr. Mahalchak.
Motion to adopt the program guidelines for the East Railroad Street Façade Program and
subsequently authorize soliciting grant requests. Motion was made by Councilman Kosol,
seconded by Councilman DeBar; motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEES
SHACOG
Mayor LaSota reported that he attended the recent SHACOG Board of Directors Meeting
that was held on March 21st at the Castle Shannon Borough Building.
He stated that at this meeting Finley Township was accepted as the newest member to the
COG, effective April 1, 2013. The Mayor also reported that April’s meeting will be the
annual dinner on April 25th at the South Hills Country Club.
ROADS
Councilman Kosol reported that the new Public Works Laborer, Bill Downey started last
Tuesday, April 9th. He welcomed Bill to our staff.
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Councilman Kosol also reported that the electric garage door opener was installed at the
new DPW garage and that it has been well received. Lastly, it was reported that street
sweeping is scheduled for this Thursday and Friday, he urged all residents to follow the
temporary parking restrictions.
RECREATION
Vice President Duda reported that Clean Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 20th,
meeting 8:30AM at the Ellsworth Avenue Playground. The event is rain or shine.
Volunteers are needed; lunch and supplies will be provided.
He also reported that the Spring Neighborhood Garage Sale Day is Saturday, May 18,
7AM to Noon. Borough Wide, and that the Memorial Day Ceremony is scheduled for
Monday, May 27th, 10AM at Heidelberg Park’s Military Memorials.
Lastly, he informed Council and Mayor that the Oktoberfest Raffle is underway, tickets
are $10, and you get 2 numbers on the PA Daily Lottery. Proceeds benefit the Recreation
Committee.
FLOOD CONTROL
No report.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Councilman Ferris reported that the 4-way Stop Signs have been installed at First Street
and Ellsworth Avenue. The Police have been issuing warnings to people who do not
obey the new stop sign; citations will be issued after May 16th.
He also stated that the Public Works installed a handicap parking space in front of 1704
Washington Street; the site will be reviewed annually to see if the need remains. The
resident thanked the Borough Council and Mayor for the assistance.
Councilman Ferris informed Council that the Heidelberg VFD was awarded a FEMA
Assistance to Firefighters Grant for new fire boots and helmets for its firefighters and
new emergency radio equipment. He thanked Congressman Murphy for supporting our
firefighters and making this grant possible. It was also reported that the HVFD had its
fire hose tested and certified this past weekend. This project was provided for by the
Borough.
Lastly, he remarked to the audience that Borough Council is seeking interested residents
to serve a term of office as an Alternate Board Member on the Borough’s Civil Service
Commission. If interested, please send a letter of interest and resume to the Borough
Manager.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Councilman DeBar reported on the code items for the past month. He reported on the
permits issued since last council meeting:
Permits Issued since last meeting:
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Occupancy Permits – 3
Zoning Permits – 2
Building Permits – 1
Ordinance Violation Notices Sent Out – 5 (complaints regarding: trash and
expired vehicles)
Councilman DeBar reported that the Borough will provide three, 30 yard, dumpsters for
residents on Earth Day weekend (April 20 and 21). They will be stationed by each park
and are to accommodate household waste not otherwise taken during weekly pickup. He
encouraged residents to take advantage of this service and clean up their yards and
basements.
He also reported to Council regarding the Little Library Project. He stated that the Public
Works constructed and installed the library at the Ellsworth Playground. Councilman
DeBar reported that the Borough is seeking the donation of books for the program
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT
Mayor LaSota reported that the Streetscape Project is officially under construction.
Work started on April 8th in Scott Township, the contractor plans to start “hard-work”
here in Heidelberg the week of May 20th.
He also updated Council regarding the work on relocating the Columbia and Peoples Gas
Lines on Route 50 is almost complete. To make our streetscape possible, Columbia Gas
installed 1,800’ of new gas line and Peoples Gas Co. installed 600’. He stated that
without the support of these utility companies, this project would have not been possible.
Mayor LaSota also reported that Duquesne Light has approved the move of electric
services that cross Route 50 to be relocated to Oak Way. Duquesne Light has informed
the Borough that they will not charge the Borough for improvements to Oak Way’s
infrastructure to facilitate to move and that they also have waived the fee for the new
service drop. The Borough Manager is currently working with Councilmen Ferris and
Duda to calculate a potential cost to connect the private service drops to the building’s
service panels.
Lastly, he thanked the following people for volunteering to serve on the façade design
committee: Dawn Cindric, Kathy Molisky, Bob Koch, Joe Kauer and himself. He stated
that the program guidelines and applications will be distributed to the East Railroad
Street properties by next week. He encouraged all applicable properties to apply.
Public Comment (General)
No Citizens had any comment.
Good of the Order:
None.
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Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Kosol, seconded by Vice President Duda; motion
carried unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________
Joseph Kauer
Borough Manager
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