The following elected officials were present: R. Carlucci; M. Cheberenchick; P. Coffey; N. Kovach; J. O'Malley; R. Zezulewicz; D. Baumgarten. Council Member T. Kirk was absent. The following appointed officials were present: T. Hartswick, Manager; D. Biondo, Solicitor; S. Torris, Tax Collector, H. Lane, Police Chief.

The minutes of the August 11, 2003 council meeting were presented. Ms. O'Malley motioned to approve the minutes; Mr. Carlucci seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Mr. Zezulewicz called for public comments or requests. Being none; Mr. Zezulewicz officially closed the public comment portion of the meeting.

Bid Openings: Mr. Hartswick presented a bid through the SHACOG Purchasing Alliance for rock salt from North American Salt Company. Mr. Coffey motioned to award the bid to North American Salt Company; Ms. Kovach seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Public Hearings: Nothing to report.

Civil Service Commission: Nothing to report.

Real Estate Tax Collectors Report: Ms. Torris reported August collections of $7,329.53 leaving a balance due of $80,922.36.

Ms. Torris discussed attendance at a Sheriff's Sale which included several Castle Shannon properties.

Mr. Carlucci reported the County of Allegheny 2003 taxable value for Castle Shannon Borough was revised from $301,337,998.00 to $300,988,298.00.

Council Committee Reports:

Building and Grounds: Ms. Kovach stated the borough engineer will forward the final modifications to the Hamilton Park Phase II Options. The equipment will be ordered promptly to utilize the grant funding. Mr. Coffey questioned where the half basketball court would be placed and stated the borough needs a full court. Ms. Kovach answered the placement would be adjacent to the middle level pavilion. The half court was chosen since the full basketball court cost would be $123,000.00. Mr. Cheberenchick commended Ms. Kovach on the park renovations.

Christmas decorations for the street lights in town were briefly discussed.

Finance: Mr. Cheberenchick motioned to ratify the August Treasurer's report; Ms. Carlucci seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Library: Ms. O'Malley stated the parking lot paving will be delayed until next year due to the conduit installation.

Planning and Codes: - Mr. Ross discussed the Sleepy Hollow property inspections. A photographic log has been compiled and letters are being sent to the property owners.

Public Safety: Mr. Carlucci presented the Fines & Fees Report: District Court Fines-$2,700.22; Parking Citations-$310.00; Report Fees-$135.00; Meter Fines-$260.00; Alarm Fines Received-$650.00; Alarms Billed-$250.00. Police calls - 411.

Mr. Carlucci presented a $6,400 proposal from Trans Associates for a traffic analysis at the Willow Avenue and Baldwin Street intersection. Ms. Kovach questioned the status of a former traffic study. Chief Lane discussed installation of an island to direct traffic. Ms. O'Malley stated that a former traffic study would be outdated since Bockstoce Street is now closed, and the traffic will be increased due to the Castle Ridge development. Ms. O'Malley questioned why the original island was removed. Mr. Cheberenchick responded stating that the island was too low, and vehicles could travel over it. Chief Lane stated the certified traffic study would be necessary to submit to the state and protect the borough's liability. Mr. Zezulewicz asked Mr. Hartswick to secure a copy of the former traffic study, if completed, and forward to the borough engineers for a design.

Public Works: Nothing to report.

Editorial Board: Mr. Zezulewicz announced a deadline for articles of October 6th. Ms. Kovach suggested securing a printing quote from a local company.

MRTSA: Mr. Cheberenchick reported that figures have not been submitted by Mt. Lebanon. At this time, MRTSA has not decided to join the SHRDC center.

Municipal Associations:

Allegheny County Boroughs Association: Nothing to report.

Allegheny League of Municipalities: Nothing to report.

South Hills Area Council of Governments: Nothing to report.

Police Pension: Nothing to report.

Earned Income Tax Collector's Report: Nothing to report.

Engineer Report: Mr. Hartswick presented a change order for the Sleepy Hollow Construction Project for installation of two storm sewer manholes and relocation of an existing sewer line. Mr. Coffey motioned to authorize the appropriate officials to execute the change order; Mr. Carlucci seconded; Mr. Cheberenchick voted no; all in favor; motion carried.

Manager's Report: Mr. Hartswick presented the 2004 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the police pension and non-uniformed pension plans. Mr. Cheberenchick motioned to accept the MMO's; Ms. Kovach seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Mr. Hartswick presented a request to refund the Hamilton Park fee of $100.00 to the Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Coffey motioned to refund the fee; Mr. Cheberenchick seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Mr. Hartswick presented a request to waive the Hamilton Park fee of $100.00 for the Castle Shannon Senior Citizens Group. Ms. O'Malley motioned to waive the fee; Mr. Cheberenchick seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Ms. Kovach questioned a proposal for a Regional Tax Claim Bureau. Mr. Carlucci stated Allegheny County and Philadelphia are the only two counties in Pennsylvania without a tax claim bureau, and discussed Allegheny County's prior attempt at a tax claim bureau which was cost prohibitive due to the number of tax exempt and unusable properties. Mr. Hartswick stated various municipal associations are in favor of a regional tax claim bureau.

Mayor's Report: Mayor Baumgarten announced a Mayors' Association meeting on September 18th with Jim Roddey and Dan Onorato as speakers.

Planning Commission: Nothing to report.

Solicitor: Ms. O'Malley motioned to appoint the Port Authority of Allegheny County and its contractor as agents of the Borough of Castle Shannon for purposes of replacing/installing a concrete storm sewer at its Stage II Light Rail construction site near the corner of Willow Avenue and Castle Shannon Boulevard and further authorizing the appropriate borough officials to execute any and all agreements, authorizations and other documents necessary to complete the replacement/installation of that concrete storm sewer pipe and carry out the purposes of this motion; Mr. Carlucci seconded; all in favor; motion carried.

Keystone Oaks: Nothing to report.

Zoning Hearing Board: Nothing to report.

Other Business: Mr. Zezulewicz recognized Mr. Larry O'Leary, 929 Chestnut Avenue and Mr. Rob Mazzarini, 1429 Blossom Hill. Mr. O'Leary and Mr. Mazzarini are representatives of the Castle Shannon Youth Association who wanted to discuss the installation of dug outs at Hamilton Field. Mr. Zezulewicz stated that plans need to be submitted to the borough for approval. Mr. O'Leary questioned if the installation could be completed by volunteers. Mr. Zezulewicz agreed and requested that all work be coordinated with Dave Ross for structural codes and esthetic appearance. Mr. Zezulewicz also suggested that a meeting with the 2004 CSYA board and borough council should be scheduled to discuss the next year.

Ms. Kovach questioned the field conditions due to the use of the new field rake. Mr. O'Leary and Mr. Mazzarini stated the fields were well maintained.

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