Bolivar Borough

This Meeting was recorded for Accuracy

Meeting opened by Lewis McLaughlin -President

Present: Jeffery Miller, Clark Baird-Mayor, Gladine McMaster and Sue Bartow & Keith StClair, & Lou McLaughlin

Absent: Brian Litzinger, Solicitor

General Public Heidi Speidel, Keith Vasas- GAI Consultant, Mellissa Miller, Amy Lichtenfels

Approval Aug minutes

After review motion made by Jeffery 2^nd by Keith to approve minutes. No objections. Motion passed.

Approval of Treasurer Report

Sue wants to go back to minutes again. Sue mention the funds to transfer to payroll was approved for $25,000. Why did Pat only transfer $20,000 to payroll? Don’t we have to correct the minutes to reflect this.

Pat said council kept debating to transfer $20,000 then $25,000, so after continued debate I only transferred $20,000. Jeffery said the minutes should not change. Pat said she just did not transfer the other $5,000 but if you want to make a deal from it then I will transfer the other $5,000

After review motion made by Jeffery 2^nd by Keith to approve treasurer report. No objections motion passed.

Solicitor Report:

None at this time. No report to be given.

Lou gave Jeffery a form from the county wanting us to pick a person or persons to attend the earned income meetings. Bolivar was not being represented. When the notice was sent the old attendees were Cassie and Sheri Burtop, so Pat gave the form to Tammie thinking it was for her to go to. In fact it was expected for us to go. Jeffery said he used to go and represent Bolivar Borough. Discussion was made on who to send to these meetings.

Jeffery said 10 to 15 years ago the board appointed him to attend the meetings. In the years that followed it was the tax collector who was appointed. The tax collectors never went to the meetings. The boro now has to attend the meetings. The earn income is collected by one entity county wide. The committee is looking to either keeping Berkheimer or Key Stone as the taxing district.

Jeffery suggested to ask Ligonier Valley School Board who represents them and see if he or she would be willing to also represent us. Keith said that member is the business manager Eric Kocsis. Keith texted Mr. Kocsis and he said he would represent us at the meetings that meet quarterly of the Board would not have a problem with that. He to let us know tomorrow. Motion made by Jeffery 2^nd by Sue to appoint Eric Kocsis from Ligonier Valley School Boards to represent Bolivar Borough at the Westmoreland County Tax Commission meetings. All in favor motion passed.

Special Guest “ Keith Vasas,- discussion on grants

We were approved for a pre application for a grant from South Western PA Commission.

So the application is 36 pages long and a way more substantial complication. The application instructions itself is 107 pages long. Will have to play up on bike paths, sidewalks, transportation and etc. They also want to take a look at how much storm water is coming from yards and streets. If water is collected it has to be discharged and where it goes. Don’t know if ii will be 100 % or not. You could get 100% of construction or maybe not. We still need to come up with 20%. If you have a $400,000 project you will need $80,000 match.

Keith estimated it will take $3800 to do this application because of the large amount of paperwork needed to be done. After much discussion Jeffery made motion to rescind application for SPC Transportation Grant, Sue 2^nd, motion all in favor motion passed.

Pat gave Lou the 2026 CDBG program to bring up. The grant is due by Sept 30^th. Jeffery motions to approve the application for Keith to do the 2026 CDBG and Sue 2nds the motion, all in favor motion passed.

Jeffery suggested to work on the Market Street project side for this grant.

Public Comment:

Heidi Speidel

Lee running late, ask me to ask you to sponsor category 4 local share grant on behalf of the Fire Company which is due end of September. He will be the grant administrator but the Municipality will have to submit it. It is for $250,000 and will cost us absolutely nothing and do no work. Just need 2 signatures. He just found out today and that the grant was just presented to the county. It is not costing the Borough any money we just have to approve and sign it.

Jeffery asked what the grant is for. Heidi said the $250,000 is for equipment.

Jeffery motions to sponsor the grant, 2^nd by Lou, all in favor motion passed. Heidi asked who Lee should contact. Jeffery said either him or Pat. Jeffery gave Heidi his cell number.

Amy asked about the sidewalk in front of her house. Who is responsible for fixing it up after it gets tore up? She wanted to know if the sidewalk should be put back the same way it was. Amy said it was the water company and the electric company then took the pole out.

Jeffery said we have an Ordinance to replace after they destroy. Lou said we have to contact them and not you. Lou said he will get hold of Water Company and Penelec.

Old Business:

Update on Pro Disposal Dumpster

Pat contacted Pro Disposal and was told if a dumpster was stolen they would replace the first one at no charge but if another was stolen it would be on us to pay for. Sue asked what the difference between them. Jeffery said $20 Motion made by Jeffery to keep the old dumpster 2^nd by Lou all in favor motion passed.

Update on grants

Already covered this subject with Keith Vasas. We know we are already getting the CDBG grant for 5^th Street project but just do not know when the funds will be released since the state budget has not passed. Yet.

Update on purchase agent for parks

Pat said at last parks meeting Myers Miller was approved to be the purchase agent for them. We just now need council approval as well to put Myers on the Lowes account for purchases.

Sue motions to approved Myers Miller, 2^nd by Lou all in favor, Jeffery abstains, motion passed.

Update on new boro worker

Executive meeting called at 7:40 PM. By Lou Personnel matter.

Executive meeting completed at 7:45 PM.

Motion to bring Ron Houck back as Boro worker - Sue yes, Jeffery – will change my mind. I do have reservations because of Ron history on walking out, but also recognize the Borough needs a worker, and I did not feel we had any other qualified candidates for the position. Keith yes, Gladine no. Lou yes. Motion passed.

Ron to come in s $15 per hour for 17 hours a week. Must complete a physical, drug and alcohol test and also his driving record. Before he can start.

Lou also read a letter from Pat to Council resigning her position as Secretary/Treasurer. After 16 years of service I am resigning for personal family reasons. It has become too much to handle parks, the Borough and family medical issues. She is willing to work thru mid October until they get a person to replace her. Pat is willing to train the person and help in getting her government log in’s. The person must also be willing to be the sec/treasurer for parks and recreation as well.

Pat is also requesting to be in on the interviews for the position as she knows the job details. Jeffery made motion to advertise for Treasurer/ Secretary, Lou 2^nd the motion, all in favor motion passed. Lou said he wants to Thank Pat for all her years of work at the Borough. A lot of people don’t understand just how much is required.

Sue wanted to get the word out and have a cut-off date until Sept 22, and have interviews on the 26^th so at next meeting we can appoint someone.

Where do we want to advertise? Jeffery suggested Latrobe Bulletin, Indiana Gazette, and Facebook.

Heidi suggested Froggy 95.

Pat said the position is not just something you can walk into. Jeffery would like council to consider we have a budget coming up. We are looking into late October, is there enough time for you to give us a budget. Jeffery said we will try to reinvent a budget if we tried to do it ourselves. Pat said right now she is working in the evenings. Pat said she wants everyone to know that I will not always be available to come to work and have the bills paid but they will be done at home rather than down here. I will try to stay on as long as possible to train someone. I cannot give you a certain date. I check daily the emails and will ensure everything gets done.

Keith said he honestly seeing Pat in the background for almost thru next year. Pat said I cannot guarantee I will be here at the Borough every Tuesday and Thursday but I will be down here sometime during the week.

Lou, Sue and Jeffery all said Pat will still be paid. Jeffery said once we hire another person we can sit down and decide how much training is needed. Until then Pat will still be paid.

New Business:

Consolidated statues changes booklet.

Everyone received a new update statues for code book from Borough Association. If you lose it you will need to pay for another one. This one is free.

No other new business.

Pat said she has one thing that she needs to bring up. We are having Pro One Paving to asphalt the alleyway and driveway. Ben West is going in with us on the cost. Pro One is also going to fix the busted roadway on 3^rd Street in front of the driveway. It will not be a cost to the Borough. Jeffery thought there was brick under the roadway. Pat said the brick only goes to the alley way. There is no base under the asphalt. They are going to put a base under the road and seal the asphalt. It will be a half cut.

Jeffery wanted to know when it will happen. Pat said sometime around the 18 th or 19^th of Sept to start.

They have to put a PA 1 call in first.

Lou said to ask if they would be able to put asphalt on the patch that was cut on 3rd Street between Shaffer and Water Street at the alley way.

Sue asked about an audit when I leave. Are we going to have to pay for an audit and then again at end of year. Pat said that it is supposed to be done, but again since it is so close to the end of the year that would be up to council to decide. On legal aspect Sue asked Jeffery about this. Jeffery said it would be ok to wait until the end of the year.

Correspondence

Citizens Ambulance – no action taken
Virginia Dohey – HIP Camp – Lou read about the camp along Creek Road in Fairfield TWP open to public.
Westmoreland County Borough Assoc Letter – upcoming meeting at the Barn in Greensburg Sept 22
America 250 PA at Ft Ligonier Days – everyone got a flyer on this event.
Sewage Minutes for anyone wanting to look at.
Upcoming training thru LTAP if anyone wants to go.
DCED sent a letter notifying Municipalities that if their DCED report is not completed by April 1^st each year they will no longer receive their Liquid Fuel funding.
The electric company wants to know if we have permit requirements for roads and sidewalks. They are replacing pole in the town.

Jeffery said we do and send them a copy of the permit.

Mayor Report

Hedges along 6^th Street have been cut.

Pool below his house had stagnant water has been drained out.

That’s all we got.

Sue asked about Overly property. Pat said last month it was suggested to send to Brian for him to handle which was done at a cost of $2.44

Sewage Report

Jeffery said meeting is next week.

Street Commissioner Report

Lou said some trees were cut by Connie D’s property that was growing out on the road.

We got tires for the zero turn.

Don is working past the Stumble Inn cleaning up the grass along the curbs.

Street opening on 9^th Street opening by Gas Company. Gravel is running down the street. Need to contact the gas company and let them know they need to fix. The issue is on 9^th Street and Lincoln.

Pat will pull the PA 1 Calls and get the serial numbers and company who did the work.

Truck was taken and the oil changed and inspection done. 1 of the recalls has been done.

We also got a case of grease for the zero turn and Kubota. Pat picked up a case of grease at Tractor Supply.

Parks & Rec

Mellissa said gun bash at Legion November 8^th. Tickets are $25. If anyone interested she has the tickets.

Sept 13, Movie at the park at dusk. Lelo and Stitch.

Sept 22, new playground equipment is being installed at lower park. We are paying the company who built it will be installing it.

Early next year another piece of playground equipment will be installed at the top playground.

Fall fun day will be held at bottom field Oct 25, request permission to have a limited bon-fire. If council approves then Fire Company will be contacted to be on hand. Sue motion to have bonfire, 2^nd by Keith, all in favor motion passed.

We are requesting when the budget is being completed you allow funds for some trees to be cut down and other trees pruned. I don’t have bids for it but they need to be done. She can call and get bids if needed.

I contacted a company called the Community Foundation of the Alleghany’s. We apply for grants and get denied because we are not 5013C and never will be. Municipalities are not eligible for this classification. This company out of Johnstown will receive money on our behalf. They will also handle the IRS requirements. They will take 5% of the fees for handling the paperwork. Parks is asking the Borough to approve the Community of the Alleghany’s as a receiver for the Borough. It will not cost the Borough nothing.

Gladine says she will approve. Sue does not want to agree to anything until Jeffery says it is ok. Jeffery said he has not researched it. She has asked Jeffery to check with Brian to see if it is ok.

Is there a 2^nd to Gladine’s motion. Keith recommends to wait to next month. Motion fell thru for lack of 2^nd.

Mellissa said she can have them come and talk to council on this matter.

Jeffery motion to close the meeting, 2^nd by Lou all in favor motion passed. Meeting ended 8:40 PM.

No other business

Respectfully,

Patricia Betts

Secretary/Treasurer