Bethel Park Municipal Council Meeting - July 14, 2026

The Bethel Park Municipal Council held its regular meeting on July 14, 2026. The meeting included appointments to boards, reports from department heads on library services, police and fire statistics, community events, and several policy approvals. Residents raised concerns about traffic safety near the new Elm Tree Center school and the cost of community center rentals. The council approved a revised fee policy for nonprofit use of the community center and sent an adaptive reuse ordinance for review.

Consent Calendar

• Approved appointments: Kevin Sheehan and James Donohoe as alternates to the Zoning Hearing Board (terms to Dec 31, 2029), and Lindsay Flynn and Carrie Brunk to the Parks and Recreation Board (terms to Dec 31, 2026). Each passed 9-0.
• Approved consent agenda items A through J (9-0).
• Approved bill list for $1,209,719.70 (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charlie Trevis (resident of 55357 drive) expressed concern about the lack of public input on traffic control plans for the new Elm Tree Center school. He noted that only six weeks remain until school opening and criticized the council for not holding a town meeting. He described the King School/Stolz Road intersection as dangerous due to fast traffic, limited sight lines, and potential winter hazards. He argued that a four-way stop sign on the hill would cause backups and stuck vehicles, and that the borough's reliance on state road jurisdiction does not absolve responsibility for resident safety.
• Sandy Demas noted that under the proposed $800 flat fee for community center use, her group's cost would rise from $546 (for three rooms, stage, kitchen, three alcohol permits, two hours overtime) to $950 when including liquor licenses. She requested attention to this discrepancy.

Discussion Items

• Reports of Officials:
  • Library Director Christine Macintosh reported May statistics: 9,140 visitors (avg 326/day), 18,272 physical items and 7,472 electronic items borrowed (saving patrons $669,000), 66 on-site and 164 outreach programs with nearly 3,000 attendees. She promoted the RAD Pass, Experience Kits, and the July 25th Art & Music Festival.
  • Police Chief Arnold announced the successful transition to Allegheny County 911, reminded residents about Paul Miller's Law (hands-free cell phone use), e-bike age restrictions, the upcoming school supply drive, and National Night Out on August 4th.
  • Deputy Fire Chief Rob Hustleman reported 75 incidents in June, 835 total man hours, and promoted the inaugural Citizens Fire Academy in September.
  • Manager Miss Denny highlighted the farmers market cow appreciation day, ongoing road work, and the launch of a new recreation software platform.
  • Mayor Allen added details on the Art & Music Festival opening reception, yard waste drop-off, and upcoming concerts.
• General Policy and Finance:
  • Reduction of Bethel Park Chronicles: Approved reducing publication to three times per year to cut costs and align with programming (9-0).
  • Community Center Use Fee for Nonprofits: Originally proposed at $800 not including liquor licenses. Councilor Jenkins successfully amended to remove the exclusion, making the $800 cover all fees including liquor licenses. The amended policy passed 9-0.
  • MOU with Teamsters 205: Approved regarding elimination of municipal dispatch and severance for existing employees (9-0).
• Planning and Zoning:
  • Adaptive Reuse Ordinance: Authorized sending a draft ordinance to the Bethel Park Planning and Zoning Commission and Allegheny County Planning Commission for review. The ordinance would allow adaptive reuse of certain buildings (hotels, offices, former institutional structures) in the C3 district and others under conditional use. Passed 9-0.
• Public Works and Maintenance:
  • Sodium bicarbonate supply for wastewater treatment: Awarded to Barbers Chemicals Inc. at $0.34395/lb for two years (9-0).
  • 2026 crack sealing project: Awarded to Russell Standard Corporation for $114,790 (9-0).
  • Raw pump house rooftop AC unit: Awarded to Wayne Krause Inc. for $13,813 (9-0).

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous (9-0).
• The temporary nonprofit rental policy now includes liquor licenses in the $800 fee, effective for events booked by August 1, 2026.
• The adaptive reuse ordinance will undergo review by planning commissions.
• Road work continues on Sarah Street, Dennis Drive, Florida Avenue, Murray Avenue, King School Road, and Saddle Book Drive.
• Upcoming events: Art & Music Festival (July 25), National Night Out (August 4), Citizens Fire Academy (September), and summer concert series.
• Note: The transcript dates the meeting as July 13, 2026, but the provided meeting date is July 14, 2026.