Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Dormont Borough SuperCommittee met on April 21, 2025, to discuss a proposed metal flower art installation in Hillsdale Park, park signage from Pennsylvania Correctional Industries (PCI), a cleaning services contract bid, updates to board appointment procedures, revisions to the Public Good Expenditure Policy, the status of swings removed from Dormont Park, and other items.
Flower Art Presentation: Jen Koehler of Dormont Arts and artist Josh Ruffing presented a proposal for seasonal metal flower sculptures on the hillside of West Liberty Avenue in Hillsdale Park. The installation would include 5–6 large flowers and several smaller ones, spanning about 40 feet. Ruffing will cover materials ($1,500–$2,000) and labor ($1,500–$2,000, likely donated back to Dormont Arts), and will perform maintenance for at least 10 years at no cost. The art would become borough property, with Ruffing assuming no injury risk. A small sign or plaque acknowledging contributors would be placed at the site. Council members expressed enthusiasm but raised questions about liability, placement to avoid tripping hazards and interference with landscaping, and the need for a maintenance schedule in a memorandum of understanding. The artist emphasized that art should be accessible to all, regardless of ability to pay. Council planned to vote at the May meeting.
Park Signage: Crystal Rhodes from PCI presented signage options made from compressed foam, which resists warping and cracking. She proposed a 4x8 foot single-sided sign for Beg Snyder Park, including posts and shipping, for $2,363.31. The signs are hand-painted with exterior acrylic paint and can be maintained with mild dish detergent and car wax. PCI also produces park furniture from Pennsylvania hardwoods or metal. Council discussed a comprehensive, uniform branding approach for all parks before proceeding. No immediate decision was made, but PCI’s services were noted for future consideration.
Cleaning RFP – Patton Building Services: Steven Patton, president of Patton Building Services, presented his company’s proposal in response to the borough’s cleaning RFP. The company, with 43 years in business, does not subcontract work, provides employee background checks and drug screening, and currently serves Upper St. Clair. Council asked about experience cleaning police cells and deep cleaning. Patton stated they were the most competitive bid. The start date originally specified May 1 would need adjustment due to a 30-day notice requirement to the current contractor. The proposal will be added to the May meeting agenda for possible approval.
Board/Commission Appointment Procedures: Council discussed updating rules for appointments. Melinda, borough staff, reported six applicants for the Planning Commission, three for Human Relations, two for Civil Commission alternate, and one for Recreation. Applications and resumes have been sent to commission chairs for familiarization. Council debated whether applicants should appear before the respective boards before council interviews. They agreed to send applications to all council members for review and aim to make appointments at the May meeting. A standardized application process with core questions (e.g., reasons for applying, relevant background) will be developed for the future. An attendance policy (80% of meetings suggested) was considered, but details were left for later refinement. Council also discussed the importance of communicating expectations to appointees via formal letters.
Public Good Expenditure Policy Amendments: Councilmember Beth presented proposed amendments to the Public Good Expenditure Policy, including: no requests after the final voting session of the year (changed to November voting session to allow processing), carryover of unused funds to the next budget year (but no further), and clarification on reimbursement timelines (within 30 days). Discussion also covered retroactive requests and what happens when council membership changes (standing in the shoes of the predecessor). The amendments will be revised and circulated for a vote in May.
Goodwill Fund Request: Councilmember Danielle Ventresca indicated she would formally request $2,000 from her Goodwill Fund to pay for materials for the flower art installation, contingent on council approval of the project. She asked that the artist provide invoices for purchases and noted that taxes would not be reimbursed.
Park Swings – Removal and Next Steps: Council discussed the recent removal of swings from Dormont Park (located above the ballfield and at Memorial Park). The removal was based on a playground audit that recommended replacement of hardware and swing closure hooks but did not mention fall zone issues. Council expressed frustration over lack of communication about the removal and concern about community reaction. They decided to clarify with the auditor whether the fall zone was evaluated, and to verify with the borough’s insurance carrier whether the swings are covered. If replacement and fall surface upgrades are needed, costs would be unbudgeted and could require reallocating capital funds (e.g., bathroom updates, website redesign, safe mobility projects). A follow-up report with pricing and clarification will be presented at the next meeting.
Ribbon Cutting Planning for Beg Snyder Playground: Council discussed planning a ribbon cutting for the new playground. They decided to post a save-the-date on social media (May 3 at 10:30 AM) indicating the playground is open for use and that a formal event with details will follow. A small working group may plan additional activities, media outreach, and photos.
Progress. I am accompanied to order. This is the super committee meeting for April 21st. 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. Okay, we don't have any registered comments. Um we're going to move Danielle's committee recreation and community affairs to the top because there's a few presentations so that that way you guys are not sitting through a whole meeting. So Danielle, go ahead. Thank you. You must have the option of staying here for the whole meeting if you want. We always welcome that. First up, we have a flower art presentation. Um we have Jen Kaler and Josh Raffing, and uh this is a project that Dormont Arts is proposing. He has one hit the microphone button over here over there. Thank you. And then if you could say your names just for the record so that Joshua Ruffian. Thanks. Okay, I guess. Um so this proposal is to the borough of Dormont for their consideration and approval. Um Dormont Arts is I'm working with them to commission um metal art to go into Hillstill Park. Um I've been doing metal art and I've been partnered with Dormont Arts and Dormont in general um for a couple of years. Um if you just take a walk around, you see a lot of my artwork in uh several several yards in the area. Um the art installation, um, we're looking at putting it on the hillside of West Liberty, West Liberty Avenue, the length of the park as well as scattered throughout the park with approval. Um the art will be situated in the center area, spanning about 40 feet. The installation will consist of it approximately six large flowers of different kinds, uh, five or six small flowers, um, and then numerous smaller ones as we come down the hillside. Um as they're installed, obviously we do our best to secure them in a way to prevent fast theft, but that's kind of impossible these days. Um objects could be put could be placed throughout the park and in the trees. Um there's sketches throughout the proposal on the front page and the third page. Um all of the sculptures, we're not disrupting any of the plants that are in the hillside or the trees or anything like that. Um we'll just put them around in you know as they fit. Um and then we go to the second page. Um it would be seasonal because I do know that they do put Christmas decorations up and whatnot throughout the year, but we're looking more so kind of I think spring summer kind of installation. Um I myself um will remove them what at the end of the time, uh store them at my own garage, um, and replace uh the sculptures if anything should get damaged or broken. It's hard to break them, but you can um uh for at least 10 years or up to uh the borough's discretion on how long you want the installation to be um at no cost. Um and I also will be doing any maintenance to them, so that means uh if something needs resprayed, like a color fades or clear code needs redone or something cracks and needs to re-welded, I would do that with no additional cost, um, which is what I do for everybody across the board. So that's kind of my line to um. However, once installed in the park, um the park, the art installation then becomes uh property of the borough. So at that point, I do not assume any risk of injury. Um that then is there and becomes technically yours for the time that it's