Bethel Park Municipal Council Meeting – October 12, 2026

The Bethel Park Municipal Council held its regular meeting on October 12, 2026, with all nine members present. Council heard reports from the library director, police chief, fire department, municipal manager, and mayor; received public comment; and voted on consent items, bills, workers' compensation trust participation, traffic-ordinance amendments, a major land development, a vape-shop ordinance, and public works purchases. At the start of the meeting, council moved the athletic field damage cost recovery fee to the October 26 committee meeting for additional discussion.

Chair Announcements & Agenda Change

• Council held a personnel executive session from approximately 6:45 to 7 p.m.
• A motion to waive the agenda and move the athletic field damage cost recovery fee from the General Policy & Finance agenda to the October 26 committee agenda passed 8–1, with Mr. Oaks voting no.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved consent agenda items A–N, described by the motion-maker as routine approvals including minutes, payment approvals, and sanitary sewer project payment applications, by a 9–0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ken Crowley (2020 Millennium Court), speaking with Steve Von Block for baseball/softball, asked council to slow down the athletic field damage cost recovery process. He said the organizations are not against the fee schedule and support it, but want to work together through their field coalition; they have invested tens of thousands of dollars in the fields. He raised concerns that the current policy has no appeals process, that damage attribution could be arbitrary, and that pre-existing issues such as tire tracks at Simmons front field and dying grass at Simmons back field might be blamed on them. He offered to meet with council at the fields.
• Corey and Amanda Ingram, owners of the Bethel Park Dairy Queen and Bethel Park residents, spoke in support of the Emory Property Management LLC development at 2302 Old Bethel Church Road. They said the improved plaza, parking, and drive-through would benefit customers and families, create jobs, and serve their own children; they also supported the sidewalk waiver because there is already a sidewalk on the opposite side and the current Dairy Queen property has no sidewalk.
• Aaron Brenickey, veterinarian medical director at Bethel Park Animal Clinic, spoke in favor of the new Dairy Queen location, saying nearby businesses would give clients better options while waiting for pet care.
• Ray Quadros, a resident and American Dairy Queen franchise business consultant, said relocating Dairy Queen would help the business grow and revitalize the area.
• Herb Schaefer, pastor of Newsong Community Church, supported the development and praised the Ingrams' community involvement, including Rotary participation; he said the project would provide a safer venue for families.
• Tracy and Tom Flaherty, managers of the current Dairy Queen, supported the development and said the drive-through would help families with small children and seniors with mobility needs. They also expressed concerns about the current location next to a vape shop, including drug activity and unsafe conditions for children.
• Jay Wells, secretary of the Bethel Park Lions Club, shared a story of late Mayor and former Fire Chief Reno Virgili entering a burning house to rescue a person, and noted Virgili's 51-year Lions Club membership. Council observed a moment of silence.

Reports of Officials and Department Heads

Library Director Report

• Christine MacIntosh reported September library use: just under 9,600 visitors (average 342 per operating day), just under 20,000 physical items borrowed, 7,800 electronic items borrowed, and about $1,718,000 in estimated replacement value.
• The library hosted 75 on-site and 30 outreach programs with 1,629 attendees.
• Donations during Love Your Library month exceeded $10,000, eligible for a Jack Buncher Foundation match historically at 25 cents per dollar, estimated to add about $2,500.
• Upcoming events include a fall festival on October 17 and a Halloween bash on October 28 from 6 to 8 p.m., co-sponsored with the municipality; costume contest winners receive a 2027 splash park season pass.

Police Chief Report

• Chief Arnold announced trick-or-treat on Saturday, October 31, 6–8 p.m., with officers patrolling and handing out candy, and reviewed safety tips.
• Upcoming participation: first responder day at Lowe's on October 17, South Hills Assembly trunk-or-treat on October 17, South Park Shops event on October 18, the municipal Halloween bash on October 28, and the next crime watch meeting on November 18 at 7 p.m. at the community center.

Fire Department Report

• First Captain John Mark reported 119 calls in September: 34 fire/CO alarms, 30 wires down, 15 motor vehicle crashes, 13 structure fires, 9 service calls, 4 water situations, 3 elevator rescues, 3 gas leaks, 3 brush fires, 2 public lift assists, 2 hazmat incidents, and 1 vehicle fire.
• The department logged 357 emergency response hours, 144 training hours, and 532 event hours, totaling 1,033 hours. Firefighters averaged 3.9 calls per day, with 37 calls during the September 3 storm.
• The annual open house drew 300–350 residents; the inaugural Citizens Fire Academy graduated six participants.
• He announced the passing on October 10, 2026, of Reno Virgili, past chief and mayor, noting 72 years of fire company service; a service will be held at David Henry's funeral home on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Municipal Manager Report

• Miss Denny highlighted the October 28 Halloween bash with a street closure, emergency vehicle trunk-or-treat, costumes, crafts, games, and a DJ; costume winners announced at 7:30.
• A free TV and electronics recycling event is scheduled for November 7 at South Park Wave pool; No Cook Tuesdays run 4–7 p.m. at the community center.
• The final fall yard waste drop-off is October 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; there will be no more until spring.

Mayor's Report

• Mayor Allen offered condolences for Reno Virgili, who was mayor from 1982 to 1994 and executive director of the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association.
• He noted there will be no Halloween parade this year, with the Halloween bash in its place; Halloween contest judges and nominations are still needed, with winners announced November 9.
• Six polling places will move for the next election because elementary schools have closed; affected wards include 3-1, 5-1, 9-1, and 9-2.
• The mayor recognized Your Personal Image (Leanne Radigan and Jackie Romano) for 40 years of business, opening in November 1986.

Discussion Items and Votes

Workers' Compensation Trust

• Council approved the Delaware Valley Workers' Compensation Trust Agreement and Addendum effective October 1, 2026, for workers' compensation insurance, 9–0.
• Council also approved Resolution R-10-12-26A authorizing Bethel Park's participation in the Delaware Valley Workers' Compensation Trust, 9–0.

Traffic Ordinance Amendments

• Council approved Ordinance 10-12-26A amending Chapter 65 to prohibit truck traffic on Orchard Park Drive, 9–0.
• Council approved Ordinance 10-12-26B amending Chapter 65 to install a stop sign at Donegal Drive at Marvel Valley Drive, 9–0.

Emory Property Management Major Land Development

• Sidewalk waiver: Council granted a sidewalk requirement waiver for the Emory project, subject to a sidewalk delay agreement. One council member, Mr. Jenkins, opposed waivers generally and wanted to keep sidewalks for walkability and safety; another council member supported the waiver, noting waivers are regularly granted and the existing Dairy Queen building received one. The motion carried 5–3, with one abstention: Ms. Kamaneki abstained citing the PA Code of Ethics due to a family member with financial interest.
• Major land development approval: Council approved application 2025-0019 for the proposed retail development at 2302 Old Bethel Church Road, subject to the applicant addressing all outstanding comments in Gateway Engineers' October 9, 2026 review letter. Mr. Jenkins opposed, citing traffic congestion at Horning Road/Route 88 and Broughton Road/Route 88, reduced pedestrian safety, the development's fit with the area, and a traffic study estimate of over 600 trips per day. Mr. Oaks supported the project, citing the planning commission's recommendation, changes made by the applicant, and the benefit of new small businesses. Another council member argued the project would fill vacant space and move traffic away from Route 88. The motion carried 7–1, with one abstention.

Vape Shop Ordinance

• Council approved Ordinance 10-12-26C amending Chapter 69 to regulate vape shops as a permitted use subject to specified conditions, 9–0. One member said the ordinance was a long time coming and would address resident concerns.

Public Works Purchases

• Council approved the purchase of a 2027 HV 507 SFA Class 8 vocational truck for $232,906 from the sewage fund capital budget for a new sludge truck at the wastewater treatment plant, 9–0.
• Council approved a mutual release and settlement agreement with Lone Pine Construction Inc. to finalize the Clark Avenue Pedestrian Bridge project contract, 9–0.

Key Outcomes

• Athletic field damage cost recovery fee referred to the October 26 committee meeting (8–1).
• Consent agenda items A–N approved (9–0).
• Bill list 2026-1012 in the amount of $2,900,847.79 approved (9–0).
• Workers' compensation trust agreement and resolution approved (9–0 each).
• Orchard Park Drive truck prohibition and Donegal/Marvel Valley stop sign approved (9–0 each).
• Emory land development sidewalk waiver approved (5–3, with one abstention) and major land development approved (7–1, with one abstention).
• Vape shop ordinance approved (9–0).
• Sludge truck purchase and Clark Avenue bridge settlement approved (9–0 each).