Public Meetings - Dormont, Pennsylvania

The Dormont Borough Council held its voting session on September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, 1444 Hillsdale Ave., Pittsburgh, PA. The meeting covered a consent agenda, multiple action items, and reports. Key actions included approving a $25,000 contribution to the Dormont Volunteer Firemen's Association, adopting the Active Transportation Plan, and authorizing several financial and administrative measures. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted. Consent Calendar - Approved the resignations of Marc Ford from the Safe Mobility Commission and Crossing Guard Gordon Bushman, both effective August 17, 2026. - Approved Margaret Smith, Michael Scotto D'Antuono, and Luis Infante Rincon as volunteers with the Dormont Fire Department, as recommended by Chief Stakich. - Approved the July 2026 and August 2026 Police Department Reports, July and August 2026 Fire Department Reports, and the July 2026 Building and Code Enforcement Report. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were recorded during the registered comments or public comment portions of the agenda. Discussion Items - Proclamation 4, 2026 — Hunger Action Month: Council approved designating September 2026 as “Hunger Action Month” in the Borough of Dormont. - Resolution No. 15, 2026 — Records Destruction: Authorized the destruction of specific borough records. - Ordinance No. 1661 (amending Ordinance No. 1659): Removed the prohibition on prepayment from the $1.5 million General Obligation Note Series A of 2026, aligning the ordinance with the note and closing certificate issued by Brentwood Bank. - Resolution No. 16, 2026: Appointed Dinsmore & Shohl LLP as Bond Counsel and PNC Capital Markets LLC as Investment Banker through December 31, 2027, for bond issuance advisory services; designated council and administration officers to assist in the process, and declared the Borough’s official intent to reimburse capital expenditures paid before bond issuance. - Active Transportation Plan: Motion to approve

The Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee met on September 1, 2026, to review agenda items for the upcoming voting meeting and discuss several infrastructure, community, and administrative matters. Key topics included the establishment of a pension advisory committee, updates on the Street and Music Festival, approval of an Audubon grant, road program adjustments, and a major lead line replacement project by PA American Water. No public comments were made. Discussion Items - Pension Advisory Committee (Executive Committee): Council reviewed a resolution to create a pension advisory committee. Concerns were raised about the use of "oversight" in the title, as an advisory committee should not have oversight authority. Members suggested requiring quarterly meetings, an annual report to council before the budget process, and a mechanism for council to request meetings. The committee composition was debated: to avoid an even number of union and management representatives, a ninth resident member was proposed, to be nominated jointly by the unions from a list of three qualified residents. The resolution was postponed to the October meeting for further refinement. - Street and Music Festival (Recreation & Community Affairs): Kristen Turner, event manager, reported that vendor applications (108 received) must be reduced to approximately 60. Sponsorships have surpassed the $15,000 goal, currently at $16,500 with 24 sponsors (up from 13 last year). A safety meeting is scheduled for September 15, and a pre-festival vendor call will be held in late September. New additions include a Kid Zone expansion with dance groups (Element Dance and PMT) and potential appearances by Grimace from McDonald's. Council members were asked to volunteer as MCs for musical acts. - Audubon Society Grant (Recreation & Community Affairs): Council moved to accept a $2,000 grant from the Western PA Audubon Society for the Dormont Bird Town program. The funds will be spent by the end of June 2027, and the Bird Town committee will return with a specific spending list for approval. - Home for the Holidays (Recreation & Community Affairs): Plans were discussed to add a light-up night the evening before the parade, including tree lighting at Hillsdale Park. The Dormont Fire Department will assist with hanging lights. Cost estimates for lights will be presented at the October meeting. Council considered light colors and noted potential issues with twinkle lights for medical reasons. A planning committee is forming; volunteers were requested. - Road Program (Property, Supplies & Public Works): Engineer Dan Draft reported that work on Crosby Avenue halted due to sidewalk non-compliance issues. The plan is to complete the section between Beverly and the dead end this year, with sidewalk repairs at no cost to the borough, and defer remaining blocks to 2027. The resulting savings ($200,000) will fund all alternate streets listed in the bid ($90,000), with about $105,000 remaining. Options for using the surplus include additional alley paving, which is a priority based on pavement management data. A decision on additional work will be made at the September supercommittee meeting, with a change order to follow. - PA American Water Lead Line Replacement (Property, Supplies & Public Works): The company plans to replace lead service lines in 575 homes across three census tracts (4722, 4721, 4723) from February 2027 to May 2028, at no cost to residents. The work will be on both customer and company sides, disturbing streets and sidewalks. Council emphasized proactive public education to ensure resident participation, as failure to sign agreements could result in service disconnection. Coordination with the borough's road program and police department was discussed to minimize traffic disruptions. An informational evening for residents is planned. - Engineer’s Report – Other Items: The sanitary sewer O&M contracts are proceeding with CCTV and manhole rehabilitation. The Dormont Junction land development project (station redesign) has been submitted for planning commission review. The park project received final DCNR approval; bidding is expected within 30–45 days, with a potential award at the November voting meeting. - Energy Efficient Fixtures (Finance & Legal): Council discussed a motion to approve $7,040.01 for purchasing energy-efficient fixtures and equipment through the PA Act 129 rebate program, covering the recreation center, borough administration building, and public works garage. This is a first-come, first-served rebate, and council expressed strong support. - Bond Counsel and Investment Banker (Finance & Legal): A resolution was discussed to appoint Dinsmore & Shohl LLP as bond counsel and PNC Capital Markets LLC as investment banker through December 31, 2027, to advise on potential bond issuance for capital projects. The resolution does not commit to issuing bonds but establishes the professional relationship. It will be placed on the voting agenda. - Rec Center Rental (Planning, Sustainability & Inclusion): A motion to approve the rental of the rec center for the Dormont Public Library’s fundraising event on October 24, 2026, for $185, using councilmember Fabus’s public funds, was moved to the voting agenda. Key Outcomes - Postponed Actions: The pension advisory committee resolution was postponed to the October meeting for revisions. Additional road program decisions (use of surplus funds) will be discussed at the September supercommittee meeting. - Approved for Voting Meeting: The following items will be added to the September 8 voting meeting agenda: - Motion to accept the $2,000 Audubon grant (with future list of expenditures). - Motion to approve $7,040.01 for Act 129 energy-efficient fixtures. - Motion to approve resolution appointing bond counsel and investment banker. - Motion to approve rec center rental using public funds (with amendment to note funding source). - Next Steps: The engineer will provide cost estimates for alley paving and coordinate with PA American Water on road program alignment. A resident engagement plan for the lead line replacement will be developed, including website updates, social media, and an informational meeting. The park project will proceed to bid immediately.

The Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee met on August 24, 2026, at 6:05 PM to review items scheduled for formal action at the September voting meeting. Mayor Jason Walsh, Council President Amie Downs, and Councilmembers Kate Abel Fabus, Chris Kipp, Joshua Munson, Chris Rieger, and Daniele Ventresca were present; Councilman Shawn Melvin was absent. No registered comments were submitted. Council noted that an executive session was held on August 17, 2026, to receive legal advice. Executive Committee - Council reviewed a motion to accept Marc Ford's resignation from the Safe Mobility Commission, effective August 17, 2026, and discussed filling the vacancy. - Council reviewed a motion to accept the resignation of crossing guard Gordon Bushman, effective August 17, 2026. - Resolution No. 14, 2026, establishing the Borough of Dormont Pension Board, was reviewed following earlier creation of an ad hoc pension committee. - The Finance Director appointment line was intentionally left blank; the manager is expected to recommend a candidate before the September voting meeting. Finance & Legal Committee - The committee reviewed an amendment to Ordinance 1659 to remove language prohibiting prepayment of the up-to-$1,500,000 General Obligation Note, Series A of 2026, bringing it in line with the Brentwood Bank obligation note and closing certificate. - Motions to approve the 2027 Police and Non-Police Pension Plan Financial Requirements and Minimum Municipal Obligations were reviewed. Manager John Stinner explained these MMO worksheets are a regular September item; payments are typically made in the new year, and a tax anticipation note would be factored into next year's revenue. - Resolution No. 15, 2026, authorizing destruction of specific records, was reviewed; the records include outdated tenant registration reports. - Resolution No. 16, 2026, to appoint Dinsmore & Shohl LLP as bond counsel and PNC Capital Markets LLC as investment banker through December 31, 2027, was discussed at length. Council President Downs initially asked to table the appointment, saying council had not yet discussed whether to pursue a bond. Anthony Didka of Dinsmore & Shohl explained the resolution also declares intent to reimburse certain capital expenditures under federal tax law, does not commit the borough to borrowing, and that bond counsel and the investment banker are not paid until a deal closes. The committee discussion then moved on without formal action. - PNC Institutional Asset Management was reviewed for appointment as investment advisor. Henry Wilson and Brian Capuzzuto introduced themselves; Capuzzuto would serve as the borough's investment advisor and oversee pension assets. - A motion to approve Act 129 Energy Efficiency and Rebate Program payment for LED fixtures and equipment was reviewed. Nate explained that Act 129 recoups ratepayer funds for energy efficiency projects. Planned retrofits include 35 fixtures at the rec center, 66 at the borough garage, and 274 at the borough administration building; LED fixtures cost $10 each compared with typical prices of $50-$100. Firehouse savings were estimated at about $1,600 per year with a 0.5-year payback. The project is planned as a DPW winter project. - Proclamation 4, 2026, designating September 2026 as Hunger Action Month in Dormont, was reviewed in connection with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and Allegheny County Councilmember Alex Rose. Public Safety and Building & Code Enforcement Committee - Motion to approve Margaret Smith, Michael Scotto D'Antuono, and Luis Infante Rincon as new volunteer firefighters; one is already certified and two are new to the fire service. - Motion to declare as surplus and sell the 2017 Ford Explorer with VIN 1FM5K8AR6HGC90335 from the Dormont Police Department through Perryopolis Auto Auction. - Motion to approve the annual $25,000 contribution to the Dormont Volunteer Firemen's Association; the fire chief confirmed the funds are spent on volunteer firefighters through reimbursements and stipends. Recreation and Community Affairs Committee - No agenda items were listed. Councilmember Ventresca requested adding acceptance of a $2,000 PA Audubon Society grant for Dormont Birdtown to the September agenda; the funds are expended by PA Audubon, not received by the borough. Council asked for additional documentation before adding it. - Councilmember Ventresca reminded council about the Dormont Dash on the coming Sunday at 8 a.m., with 172 runners registered and 14 volunteers still needed. Property, Supplies, and Public Works Committee - Motion to approve the SHACOG salt bid from American Rock Salt Co., LLC at $160 per ton for bulk rock salt for the 2026-2027 winter season was reviewed. Manager Stinner noted the price doubled from last year due in part to the elimination of barge-only traffic, and warned of significant budget cost increases. - Councilmember Rieger requested adding use of his $2,000 public good funds toward Keystone Oaks cross country and track warm-up suits, total cost $4,600, to the September voting agenda. Planning, Sustainability & Inclusion Committee - Motion to approve the Active Transportation Plan, 'Our Streets', was reviewed. Manager Stinner described it as an active transportation and safety action plan, developed over about a year, and said it will help the borough qualify for traffic-safety grants. He stated it is not related to TOD, LRT, or PRT. - Councilmember also mentioned a request to use public good funds for the library's Halloween-themed fundraiser at the Rec Center on October 24; it was held for additional rental cost information. Public Comments - Leslie Conk, of 1103 Biltmore Avenue, commented that the Active Transportation Plan reportedly references Biltmore Avenue and plans for greater transit-oriented development in Dormont. Council responded that the plan is part of the comprehensive plan and encouraged residents to direct questions to council. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the Supercommittee discussed items for the September voting meeting. - The Finance Director appointment, bond counsel/investment banker resolution, and other listed motions remain pending formal action. - Items requested for addition to the September agenda include the PA Audubon grant acceptance, the use of public good funds for Keystone Oaks warm-up suits, and possibly the library Halloween fundraiser pending rental cost information.

This combined public hearing and special voting meeting considered Ordinance No. 1660, which amends Chapter 210 of the Borough Development Code to regulate vape shops in Dormont. The agenda for this meeting listed the date as August 24, 2026, but the provided meeting metadata indicates the date was August 25, 2026. This summary uses the date supplied with the transcript, and the discrepancy is noted for context. Public Hearing on Ordinance 1660 - Solicitor Margaret Cooney (Tucker Arensberg, P.C.) provided an overview: the ordinance adds a “permitted use with conditions” process for reviewing applications for new vape shops, establishes review standards, and imposes conditions on approved shops. The amendment was submitted to the Allegheny County Planning Division and the Dormont Planning Commission. Legal advertising was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on August 9 and August 16, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public hearing. One attendee briefly asked for clarification on the proposal and was directed to the full text available on request. Special Voting Meeting (6:00 PM) - Council President Amie Downs led the meeting. Roll call was taken: all members present except Councilman Melvin. - Council member Kipp made a motion to approve and enact Ordinance 1660. Council member Fabus seconded. - Solicitor Cooney again summarized the ordinance for those who arrived after the public hearing: the ordinance creates a permitted‑use‑with‑conditions process for new vape shops and defines council’s review standards. - No further discussion or questions from council members. Key Outcomes - Motion to approve Ordinance 1660 carried unanimously (6‑0, with Councilman Melvin absent). The ordinance amends Chapter 210 (Development Code) to regulate vape shops, update Article III’s permitted‑use‑with‑conditions process, and add general standards for permitted uses with conditions and special exceptions.

The Dormont Borough Planning Commission met at 6:00 PM on August 20, 2026, to discuss a proposed draft ordinance regulating vape shops, smoke shops, and tobacco stores. The supplied agenda and raw transcript are dated March 10, 2026, which conflicts with the recorded August 20, 2026 meeting date. No formal vote was taken; the meeting served as a working session to compile planning commission comments for Borough Council. Consent Calendar - Roll call showed full attendance by commission members, including Nathan, Patrick Fight, Corey Bruegel, Gary Zameri, Bill Gordon, and Lisa Spaziani. - There were no minutes from the previous meeting to approve and no old business. Public Comments & Testimony - Gary Klamovich (1218 Oklahoma) expressed wholehearted support for the ordinance and for a full prohibition in residential and transit-oriented districts. He strongly supported the 1,000-foot separation from existing vape shops and cited two Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court cases - Wine On Court v. Armstrong Township (2009) and Phillips v. Zoning Hearing Board - as upholding 1,000-foot restrictions for nuisance-type businesses. He also suggested revenue-based classification instead of item counts, raised concern about inadvertently targeting cigar bars such as The Blind Fox, and supported signage and hours restrictions. Discussion Items - Definition of a covered tobacco store, smoke shop, or vape shop: The draft defined covered stores by principal purpose and by tobacco products making up 20% or more of total merchandise. Commissioners debated whether to use merchandise count, sales revenue, or a primary-purpose test; noted that gas stations, convenience stores, and bars selling cigarettes as a secondary item could be affected; and discussed loopholes that could be exploited by adding unrelated merchandise. Several commissioners felt 20% was too low and suggested 30-40%, while others noted that percentage-of-sales language is harder for staff to enforce and that Bridgeville's 'primary source of revenue' model may be better. - Distance and zoning: The draft would allow vape shops only as a conditional use in the commercial district, prohibit them in residential and transit-oriented districts, and require a 1,000-foot separation from existing shops. Existing shops are clustered within roughly 1,500 feet of each other, and a 1,000-foot buffer would limit but not eliminate future shops. One commissioner described 1,000 feet as roughly the distance from CVS to past Slapshots. The council president noted that if all existing shops were removed, two new shops could still open at opposite ends of the borough, so the buffer is not a complete ban. - Conditional-use and application process: New vape shops would need planning commission approval and a public hearing, unlike most new businesses. Questions were raised about the number of application copies, whether the commission could hear applications on its regular two-month cycle, and whether zoning hearing board variances would still be possible. - Ventilation and smoking: The draft's ventilation requirement was viewed as too vague. Commissioners discussed specifying 12-15 air changes per hour or 60-100 CFM per smoker, and whether vents would affect sidewalks or public rights-of-way. There was general consensus to instead prohibit smoking on vape shop premises, following Bridgeville's approach, which could eliminate the need for detailed ventilation standards. One commissioner cautioned against loopholes involving other airborne contaminants. - Alcohol, cigar bars, and other products: Commissioners recommended carve-outs for genuine cigar bars such as The Blind Fox, noting that The Blind Fox maintains its cigar-bar liquor designation at roughly 10-15% of quarterly sales. The draft's 20% threshold could unintentionally capture such businesses or create a change-of-use issue. Commissioners also identified gaps in the draft covering glass paraphernalia, e-liquid refilling, oils, CBD/THCA products, and similar items, while recommending that licensed medical marijuana dispensaries be explicitly exempt. The council president noted that recreational marijuana legislation, if passed, would likely preempt local regulation. - Bridgeville model and other council work: The commission reviewed Bridgeville's recently adopted vape shop rules, which include a 500-foot distance, a primary-source-of-revenue definition, prohibition of self-service displays and on-premises smoking, and no sales to or employment of minors. Staff agreed to share Bridgeville's zoning language. The borough manager also noted that the sign ordinance had already been amended to reduce wattage and window signage, and council is working on a fee schedule that may include fees for skill games and electronic amusement machines. Key Outcomes - No motion was made and no formal vote was taken. - The commission reached consensus to recommend that Borough Council revise the draft to: align the definition more closely with Bridgeville's ordinance; replace or substantially raise the 20% merchandise/sales threshold; close loopholes for glass, oils, refilling, and cannabinoid products; explicitly exempt medical marijuana dispensaries and genuine cigar bars; add a no-smoking provision; and keep the conditional-use and 1,000-foot distance requirements. - Individual commissioner comments were to be sent to the commission secretary within one week; the secretary would compile them within the following week for transmittal to Borough Council. The transcript references March 17 and March 24, 2026, as those internal deadlines, though the meeting date is recorded as August 20, 2026. A subsequent meeting may be needed to review the revised ordinance.

The Safe Mobility Commission (SMC) of Dormont, Pennsylvania, met on August 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM (note: the agenda listed August 18, but the meeting occurred on the 19th per the official record). The meeting focused on long‑pending traffic safety petitions, updates from contracted engineers Gateway, and the resignation of a commission member. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 2026 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (all present in favor, none opposed). Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made; no attendees joined online or in person beyond commission members and staff. Discussion Items - Council Meeting Attendance Schedule: Future council meeting attendance was assigned to commission members: July 6 (EM), August 3 (CY), September 8 (WS), October 5 (EM), November 2 (LG), December 7 (CY). Members noted that recent council meetings did not include items relevant to the commission. - Gateway Engineering Updates: The commission discussed the status of recommendations from Gateway Engineers for two intersections: Dormont/Dwight and Peermont/Latonia (now Biltmore). Key points: - Gateway is transitioning its project manager/engineer; the new manager started the prior week and is catching up on all borough projects, including these traffic studies. - The commission requested that the June meeting minutes (which contained specific context and requests) be sent to Gateway to expedite follow‑up. - For Dormont/Dwight, Gateway had suggested moving the crosswalk near the pool, adding a raised crosswalk, pedestrian signs, and possibly a flashing beacon (deemed too expensive and poorly sited). Reducing road width and adding a bike lane were discussed but the bike lane would end abruptly. A separate cost analysis for the five‑point intersection at Dormont and Dwight is being prepared under the borough’s Active Transportation Plan (ATP) by TOOLL, with an update expected in September. - For Peermont/Latonia, a safety audit was planned to justify whether a stop sign or other measures should be added. - Two resident petitions for traffic calming remain with Gateway; no progress has been reported due to the project transition. - Concerns About Gateway Workflow: Several commissioners expressed frustration with Gateway’s slow response and lack of cost estimates. One commissioner noted that they have been “highly skeptical of Gateway” since joining the commission, citing delays across multiple borough boards. Staff (Melinda) explained that the president of Gateway Engineers is now serving as the borough engineer and that Friday meetings are occurring to address backlog. A commissioner requested that Borough Manager John provide a written summary of Gateway’s progress on SMC projects at the next meeting. Another commissioner pointed out that the long wait times (up to two years) for petition responses were unfair to residents who followed the proper process. Staff acknowledged the concerns and said they would relay them to the manager. - Resignation of Marc Ford: Marc Ford resigned from the commission via email to members. The commission thanked him for his service. Melinda outlined the replacement process: the vacancy will appear on the September council consent agenda for approval; applications will be solicited via the borough’s Boards and Commissions website; the commission may review applicants, interview them, and provide a formal recommendation to council. Final approval is expected by the November council meeting. A quorum for the commission will be three out of four members during the interim. Key Outcomes - The June meeting minutes were approved unanimously. - The commission directed staff to forward the June minutes to Gateway to ensure new project manager context for pending studies. - Concerns about Gateway’s performance were formally noted; staff will escalate to Borough Manager John. - The process to replace Marc Ford was confirmed: vacancy posted in September, applications accepted, commission recommendation to council by October/November. - No votes were taken on substantive policy changes.

The Dormont Human Relations Commission (HRC) met on March 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Members present included Opal, Rosa, Melinda (borough staff), and Council Representative Kate Fabus. The meeting focused on updating meeting procedures, planning Pride and Porchmont events, and improving community outreach. Consent Calendar - Approved previous meeting minutes after discussion on improving format for public clarity. Melinda provided guidance on minute-taking best practices. Discussion Items Meeting Procedures & Agenda Transparency - Melinda and Kate advised that the HRC, which makes recommendations rather than binding votes, can discuss items not on the agenda under “Discussion Items” but should avoid formal decisions. The commission agreed to err on the side of including more agenda items for transparency. Pride Event Planning (June 28, 2026) - Opal presented a budget proposal: $60–$100 for candy, stickers, and temporary tattoos. After discussion, the group amended to $150 to allow flexibility for additional fun items. Kate noted that booth fees are typically waived or donated by council members. - Motion to allocate $150 for Pride passed unanimously. - Opal and Kate discussed volunteer needs; members interested in helping were invited to contact Opal. Newsletter & Social Media - Rosa proposed ideas for upcoming posts: a spring cleaning/porch preparation post and a May post promoting Pride and Porchmont. Melinda suggested connecting posts to council proclamations (e.g., Pride proclamation). - The group decided Rosa would create a content calendar spreadsheet for the year, including both newsletter and social media concepts, to be reviewed at the next meeting. Resource List Project - Lisa was absent. The chair reported that Lisa is compiling a database of community resources relevant to the HRC’s scope (housing, employment, social services) for potential use on the borough website. Porchmont Planning - The commission reviewed goals: 75 porches (up from 54 last year), more diverse participation, better outreach to apartment residents and older neighbors, and increased accessibility. - Date selection: Options were August 29 (last Saturday of August) or September 26 (last Saturday of September). September 12 was ruled out due to Rosh Hashanah consensus. The group decided to survey past Porchmont hosts via email to choose between the two dates, rather than a public poll. - Branding & art: Discussed using Canva for consistency, potentially commissioning a local artist (Josh) for a series of porch paintings, and/or a community contest for a new image. The group agreed that a separate logo and an annual poster could be developed. - Outreach assignments: - Opal volunteered to lead apartment outreach in high-density areas, including posting flyers inside building entrances. - The chair will draft an email to other boards, commissions, and organizations (Dormont Arts, DCDC, etc.) to invite participation. - Melinda offered to raise the library’s potential engagement (e.g., hosting a porch at the library parking lot) at the library board meeting. - Rosa will take charge of nailing down design files, font from last year’s artist (Annie), and creating sample Canva color schemes. - Accessibility strategy: A member expressed interest in leading this; the group noted it would be assigned to either Joanna or Lisa for development. - Block parties: Discussed a social media campaign promoting block parties. The chair asked if the borough could sponsor a few block party permits (cost = forgone revenue), but Kate and Melinda cautioned that borough budget constraints may make this difficult. The group agreed to present a list of low-cost requests to council in April, framing them as items that do not require new spending. - T-shirts & merch: Kate will explore a print-on-demand model with Catman Doo (Capmandu) for Pride and Porchmont gear, to avoid leftover inventory. The group supported including Porchmont in those conversations. Key Outcomes - Vote: $150 allocated for Pride (approved unanimously). - Decision: Porchmont date will be determined by survey of past hosts (August 29 vs. September 26). - Assignments: - Opal: apartment outreach. - Chair: outreach email to community organizations. - Rosa: design files and Canva mockups; content calendar. - Kate: explore print-on-demand with Catman Doo. - Accessibility strategy lead: to be finalized (Joanna or Lisa). - Next steps: Rosa to circulate content calendar before next meeting; Opal to work with Melinda on survey for Porchmont hosts; accessibility plan to be drafted; block party proposal to be refined for council presentation in April. - Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:12 PM.

Note: The agenda provided for this meeting is dated December 16, 2025, but the instructions specify the meeting date as August 19, 2026. This summary reflects the content of the agenda and transcript. The Dormont Human Relations Commission (HRC) held a virtual meeting on August 19, 2026 (per instruction; agenda dated December 16, 2025) to discuss 2026 goals, planning for the upcoming year, and elect a new chairperson. The meeting began at 7:07 PM and adjourned at 8:00 PM. Policy Updates - No policy updates were reported. The agenda item for policy updates was completed without discussion. Discussion: 2026 Goals & Planning - The commission reviewed a draft goals document organized into themed categories: Procedures & Structure, Housing, Community Connections, and Employment/Employers. - Short-term priorities (1-2 years): Establish a mediation request process (per ordinance), resolve email access for all commissioners, update the accessible parking policy (target completion by June 2026, with council vote in June), hold Pride event in June, Porchmont event in September, and a photo scavenger hunt in spring 2026. - Mid-term priorities (3-5 years): Create an onboarding packet with digital HRC resources, develop a resource referral packet (possibly started sooner), explore a Dormont Mutual Aid Network, and host job fairs or employer workshops. - Long-term priorities (5+ years): Develop a communication plan, review building code enforcement for accessibility, partner with Safe Mobility Commission on pedestrian-friendly streets, and a public arts project (e.g., mural on the salt shed at the pool entrance). - The commission decided to focus on a few concrete goals for 2026: accessible parking policy, Porchmont, and the photo scavenger hunt. The "Humans of Dormont" social media campaign was deferred to a future year with content collection beginning now. - Members agreed to assign roles and set internal deadlines to avoid year-end scrambling. Key Outcomes - Chair Election: Joanna was nominated and unanimously elected as the new chairperson of the HRC. Lisa expressed support, noting Joanna's experience. The chair position will be reconfirmed annually, aligning with council reorganization in January. - Communication Preferences: The commission agreed to use email for substantive discussions with clear subject lines matching the topic, and text messages for urgent or time-sensitive matters. No new platforms (e.g., Slack) will be adopted. A future discussion on effective use of Google Docs was noted. - Next Steps: Staff (Melinda) will resend the updated goals document with highlighted priorities. The January 2026 meeting will address the accessible parking policy update with Megan (external expert), and the commission will begin assigning roles for events and planning deadlines. - The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

The Dormont Recreation Board met on August 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM in a hybrid format. The board debriefed recent events, reviewed the 2026 budget, and finalized event planning for the year. Event Debrief: Holiday Parade & Cookies with Santa - The board reported that hot chocolate ran out early. Starting with 300 packets, they estimated a need for 400–500 in the future. - Cookie decorating was popular but created a mess at the church. Board members suggested using cookie markers and providing baggies for easy transport. - The board will coordinate with the church to have pre‑made hot chocolate inside and improve timing communication. - Attendance was estimated at fewer than 400 children (based on 130 cookies with only 2 left over). - High school students (via teacher Jess) donated 15 dozen cookies and volunteered; the board plans to continue this partnership. - The board noted feedback that vendors were too spread out at the Home for the Holidays event and recommended consolidating them in future years. House Decorating Contest Update - Seven households registered for the contest. - Voting will begin the following Sunday and run for two weeks; winners will be announced shortly after. - Prizes include $50 gift cards from three local businesses. Best block/street receives a shout-out. - Board members will distribute flyers door-to-door to encourage additional registrations. Budget Review - The board reviewed a three‑year budget history (2023–2025) and the proposed 2026 budget. - The 2026 rec board functions budget is $8,000 (down from $12,000–$16,000) due to property tax increases; actual spending has been around $7,000–$7,500. - Movies in the Parking Lot has a separate $3,000 budget; film licensing costs about $1,200 annually. - The Dormont Dash generated $9,000 in revenue and incurred $7,231 in expenses, allowing a $2,550 donation to the memorial fund. - Easter egg hunt costs were $1,600 in 2025, compared to $1,935 in 2024 and $945 in 2023. - Yoga in the Park cost roughly double due to more sessions; the Story Stroll remains inexpensive. - The board agreed to review the budget quarterly and consider end‑of‑year investments in signage and equipment. 2026 Event Planning - The board tentatively assigned leads for most events (to be confirmed with calendars): - Easter Egg Hunt: two volunteers - Movies in the Parking Lot: two volunteers - Yoga in the Park: one volunteer (backup) - Story Stroll: one volunteer - Dormont Dash: one volunteer - Trunk or Treat & Movie: one volunteer - Street & Music Festival Kids Zone: one volunteer - Cookies with Santa: one volunteer - The board discussed adding adult‑friendly programming, such as a movie night at Hillsdale Park or piggybacking on National Night Out, and exploring author events or painting classes. - They will look into purchasing longer cables for the movie sound system and acquiring A‑frame signage. - The board also considered using the rec center for indoor movies on rainy days. Board Openings - The board currently has one vacancy and expects a resignation, creating a second opening. - A volunteer interest form will be created and promoted at events and in the borough newsletter. Key Outcomes - The board will order 400–500 hot chocolate packets and coordinate with the church for pre‑made hot chocolate. - Cookie decorating will use markers and baggies to reduce mess. - Flyers for the House Decorating Contest will be distributed door‑to‑door. - The 2026 budget was reviewed and accepted; quarterly reviews will be scheduled. - Event leads were assigned for most events; final confirmation pending calendar checks. - Thank‑you notes will be sent to Northwood Church and the high school. - A volunteer interest form will be created. - The meeting adjourned at 8:02 PM after a motion was seconded and approved.