OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bethel Park Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2025

Municipal Council — Monday, October 13, 2025
BodyBethel Park, Pennsylvania
SessionMunicipal Council
DateMonday, October 13, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 40:39

Transcript — Verbatim
0:43

Good evening, everyone.

0:44

I'd like to welcome you to the October 13th regular council meeting at 7:30 p.m.

0:49

Um, Miss Denny, would you please call the role?

0:52

Mr.

0:52

Consul Macam.

0:53

Here.

0:53

Miss Kamanaki?

0:55

Here.

0:55

Mr.

0:55

Oaks.

0:56

Here.

0:56

Mr.

0:57

Sensei.

0:57

Here.

0:58

Mr.

0:58

Janisek.

0:59

Here.

0:59

Mr.

1:00

Jenkins.

1:00

Here.

1:01

Mr.

1:01

Espinor?

1:02

Here.

1:03

Miss Garris?

1:04

Here.

1:04

Miss Glynn.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Nine members present.

1:07

Can we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:11

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:16

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:19

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:28

I'd like to turn out a chair announcements.

1:30

And first, I'd like to uh announce it.

1:32

Uh remember it's breast cancer awareness month, and please uh keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers that I had the deal order that was affected uh with breast cancer.

1:41

Um, also we had uh two executive sessions for personnel items September 22nd and October 13th.

1:49

Now I'd like to turn to the reports of the officials and the library director.

1:55

Good evening, everyone.

1:56

My name is Christine.

1:58

I'm the director of our public library, where we provide opportunities to explore, learn, create, and that.

2:04

I just have two items this evening.

2:06

Personally, um, all the residents who donate to the library during the 10th annual Love Your Library month during September.

2:14

The library raised 42,460 and 87 cents.

2:19

Um part of the funds raised are eligible for the 200,000 match pool that's provided annually by the Jack Buncher Family Foundation for all of the 46 libraries in Allegheny County.

2:31

And I want to say a special thank you to our friends of the library who donated $25,000 of those funds.

2:39

These are funds that they raised on behalf of the library during the year.

2:43

Um those funds will be used for the installation of ADA automatic door openers on the library's two interior doors.

2:49

So thank you.

2:50

There are friends here this evening.

2:52

And just an announcement that the friends of the library gender happy hour will be take place on Friday, October 17th from 6 to 8 p.m.

3:00

Tickets are $30 each or two for $50.

3:02

If you join the French, you get a discount.

3:12

So it is a 21 and over event because there will be alcohol served.

3:15

So we hope to see you on Friday.

3:17

That's all.

3:18

Thank you very much.

3:19

Thank you, Christine.

3:19

Any qu uh questions at all?

3:25

Like to switch to the police chiefs report and Chief Arm.

3:29

Good evening, everyone.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████████████████████████████36%
Procedural████████████████████20%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Community Engagement████████8%
Public Works Maintenance█████5%
Animal Welfare█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Bethel Park Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2025

The Bethel Park Municipal Council held its regular meeting at 7:30 PM on October 13, 2025, with nine members present. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by announcements, reports from officials, public comments, and votes on consent agenda, bills, and a zoning ordinance amendment. Key highlights included a fire dispatch transition, the presentation of the Citizen of the Year award, and a resident dispute over duck regulations.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes and Bond Reduction: Approved minutes, Bethel Trails Residential Development Bond Reduction Request Number 5, miners park bathroom change orders, 2025 road program pay application and change order, 2024 road program change order and pay application, 2025 storm sewer CCTV and cleaning contract pay application, and 2025 sanitary sewer projects change order and pay application. Motion carried 9-0.
  • Bills and Payroll: Approved bill list 2025-1013 in the amount of $1,622,197.24. Motion carried 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Duck Ordinance Dispute: Resident Joy Valdenary (2905 Greenwald Road) stated she had been cited for keeping ducks, which she argued were not prohibited under the original ordinance. After a September vote to include ducks in the ordinance, she received subsequent violations and was reported to Allegheny County and the state for a manure maintenance plan, which she says she complied with. She requested written confirmation that she is not in violation or that she is grandfathered. Council responded that the ordinance is on hold and will be reviewed at an upcoming committee meeting.

Reports and Presentations

Library Director Report

  • Director Christine reported that the 10th annual Love Your Library month (September) raised $42,460.87. Of that, $25,000 came from the Friends of the Library and will be used for ADA automatic door openers. The Friends of the Library happy hour will be held Friday, October 17th, 6–8 PM (tickets $30 each or two for $50).

Police Chief Report

  • Chief Kevin Arm announced Halloween trick-or-treating on Friday, October 31st, 6–8 PM. He provided safety tips (start at 6 PM, use flashlights, cross at corners, check candy). Upcoming events: Trunk or Treat at South Hills Assembly (Oct 18, 2–4 PM), South Park Shop event (Oct 19, 12:30–3 PM), Crime Watch meeting (Nov 3, 7 PM at community center). Toy collection for Presents from Police will begin in November, benefiting Children's Hospital, Sunrise School, and Children's Institute.

Fire Captain Report

  • Captain Jonathan Mark reported September calls: 3 structure fires, 1 brush fire, 2 EMS assists, 6 gas leaks, 4 electrical conditions, 1 vehicle into a structure, 1 medical helicopter landing, 1 vehicle accident, 1 water condition, 1 police assist, 8 good intent calls, 2 smoke conditions, 14 fire alarms, 2 CO alarms — totaling 47 calls. He thanked participants in the recent open house.
  • Dispatch Transition: Effective November 3, 2025 at 6 AM, the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company will be directly dispatched by Allegheny County 911. Businesses with monitored fire alarms may update their dispatch number to 412-473-3370 (optional; using police dispatch will cause delays). Contact Fire Chief Dave Gerber for questions.

Manager's Report

  • Manager Melissa Denny reported a successful job fair; a spring job fair is planned. The final farmers market of the year will be held October 14th (3–6:30 PM). No Cook Tuesdays start next week at the community center. Budget process continues. Electronic recycling event will be November 11th at South Park Way pool (for Bethel Park residents and businesses). Fall community cleanup will be October 18th (9 AM to sunset).

Mayor's Report

  • Montour Trail Recognition: Mayor Jack Allen presented a plaque to the Friends of the Montour Trail for their community service. Representative Peter (speaker) noted that volunteers laid over 1,500 tons of crushed limestone on the Bethel branch this summer, logging 823 hours. They requested periodic police presence at parking lots and support for a trail bridge over a planned traffic circle at Logan Road and Patterson/Irishtown Roads.
  • 90+ Luncheon: Approximately 110 people attended; two were over 100 years old, and one turned 107 on October 11th.
  • File of Life Program: Amy Rosenko from Tri-Community promoted free File of Life kits (magnetized pouch for refrigerator with medical info) available at the base. She also mentioned a boots and blankets drive.
  • Lions Club Fall Fest: Representative Beth Janiszak promoted the family fall fun fest on October 18th (2–6 PM at Lions Park) with games, food, and a beer truck; $20 family pack. Proceeds support blind and hearing-impaired charities.
  • Halloween Events: A parade will be held October 25th (organized by Public Works). The annual Halloween contest needs judges; call Janet Davin at 412-831-6800 ext. 211.
  • Citizen of the Year: The Mayor presented the 2025 Citizen of the Year award to Christopher Van Dyke. Letters described his work with the Black Hawk Relief Fund (formed after 2018 floods), helping families with electrical repairs, utility bills ($3,000 collected for one family), holiday meals, and transportation. Van Dyke thanked the community.

Discussion Items

Zoning Ordinance Amendment for Adaptive Reuse

  • Councilmember Jenkins moved to authorize staff to send a proposed zoning ordinance amendment (Ordinance 10-13-25A) on adaptive reuse to the Planning and Zoning Commission and county planners for comments, with a public hearing to be scheduled later. Motion seconded and carried 9-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda and bills approved unanimously.
  • Zoning ordinance amendment for adaptive reuse referred to planning bodies and county planners; public hearing pending.
  • Duck ordinance dispute: Ordinance placed on hold; council committee will review regulations.
  • Fire dispatch will transition to Allegheny County 911 on November 3, 2025.
  • Multiple community events announced: last farmers market (Oct 14), fall cleanup (Oct 18), Lions Club fall fest (Oct 18), Halloween parade (Oct 25), trick-or-treat (Oct 31), electronic recycling (Nov 11), Crime Watch (Nov 3).
  • Montour Trail Friends and Christopher Van Dyke were officially recognized.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I'd like to welcome you to the October 13th regular council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Um, Miss Denny, would you please call the role? Mr. Consul Macam. Here. Miss Kamanaki? Here. Mr. Oaks. Here. Mr. Sensei. Here. Mr. Janisek. Here. Mr. Jenkins. Here. Mr. Espinor? Here. Miss Garris? Here. Miss Glynn. Here. Nine members present. Can we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I'd like to turn out a chair announcements. And first, I'd like to uh announce it. Uh remember it's breast cancer awareness month, and please uh keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers that I had the deal order that was affected uh with breast cancer. Um, also we had uh two executive sessions for personnel items September 22nd and October 13th. Now I'd like to turn to the reports of the officials and the library director. Good evening, everyone. My name is Christine. I'm the director of our public library, where we provide opportunities to explore, learn, create, and that. I just have two items this evening. Personally, um, all the residents who donate to the library during the 10th annual Love Your Library month during September. The library raised 42,460 and 87 cents. Um part of the funds raised are eligible for the 200,000 match pool that's provided annually by the Jack Buncher Family Foundation for all of the 46 libraries in Allegheny County. And I want to say a special thank you to our friends of the library who donated $25,000 of those funds. These are funds that they raised on behalf of the library during the year. Um those funds will be used for the installation of ADA automatic door openers on the library's two interior doors. So thank you. There are friends here this evening. And just an announcement that the friends of the library gender happy hour will be take place on Friday, October 17th from 6 to 8 p.m.

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