Dormont Borough Council Voting Session - November 3, 2025

The Dormont Borough Council held its regular voting session on November 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM in council chambers. Council honored graduates of the 2025 Citizens Fire Academy, heard pedestrian-safety testimony, approved the consent calendar, and acted on 17 action items, including advertising a 12.47-mill real estate tax rate and the 2026 budget, approving a new police collective bargaining agreement, and tabling one donation-bin location item.

Citizens Fire Academy Graduation

• Chief Stackich recognized the second annual Citizens Fire Academy class, with 11 participants, up from 6 last year. Participants trained with hose lines, ladders, vehicle extrication, and EMS skills. Certificates were presented; a joint burn with Mount Lebanon was scheduled for the following Saturday.
• Council President and other council members thanked Chief Stackich, Dawn Tang, Kevin, career staff, and volunteers for organizing the program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Will Dodds, of 1449 Alabama Avenue, reported that his 3-year-old son was struck by a car in a crosswalk while having the right-of-way with a flashing walk signal near Hillsdale and West Liberty. He asked the borough to pursue safety changes, including an all-walk signal, and said he had already spoken to the Safe Mobility Commission and Borough Manager. The child was reported to be fine.
• Council President Mazzocco called the incident 'horrifying,' said pedestrian safety is a priority, and outlined ongoing PennDOT discussions about a West Liberty road diet, intersection audits, grants for striping, and follow-up meetings about signaling and crosswalks.
• Mayor Walsh said police cannot be at every intersection with two officers per shift; he endorsed engineering changes and noted targeted enforcement could be done if council funds overtime. Council also discussed the possibility of additional enforcement at West Liberty crosswalks; Mayor Walsh mentioned the Click It Ticket program with Mount Lebanon.
• In general public comments, Michael Rutello, of 1636 McFarlane Road, asked about the cost of weekly recycling pickup or an additional recycling cart. Council President said the borough is reviewing the garbage contract and would look into the cost difference.

Committee Reports

• Legal/finance reported on the second draft of the DCDC pantry MOU and 2026 budget discussions.
• Public safety reported on the Citizens Fire Academy; Councilman Ledford praised the program.
• Recreation and community affairs advertised a backyard birding basics program at the library on Wednesday, November 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
• Property, supplies, and public works noted a completed road digest and an upcoming committee discussion.
• Planning, sustainability, and inclusion reported beginning Commonwealth studies on shared services consolidation and home rule charter in light of the borough's financial situation.
• Business district relations commended borough staff for communication with businesses during Potomac work and promoted two action items.

Mayor's and Council President's Reports

• Mayor Walsh reported two Click It Ticket enforcement shifts; the first shift produced 8 contacts, including warnings for seat belts, registrations, and two warnings for obedience to traffic-control devices. He also noted a drug take-back event at CVS, usually collecting about 70 pounds of medication.
• Council President Mazzocco reminded residents to vote on Election Day, November 4, and encouraged participation in a tree planting on November 11.

Solicitor's and Borough Manager's Reports

• The solicitor said Ordinance 1656 would set the 2026 tax millage rate at 12.47 mills, and a zoning ordinance amendment had been sent to Allegheny County for review with a November 24 comment deadline. He recommended DCDC board members abstain from the pantry MOU vote under the Ethics Act, and noted employment and collection matters for executive session.
• Borough Manager John Stinner reported record attendance at the Dormont Street Music Festival, a finalized 2026 budget in theory, a tentative public works contract to be voted on next month, a new police CBA, progress on the Dormont Junction transit-oriented development and station redesign after next year's NFL draft, and planned Commonwealth studies on regionalization and home rule charter.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the October 2025 minutes; September 2025 expense report; September 2025 monthly repayment summary; September 2025 police report; July, August, and September 2025 building and code enforcement reports; and September 2025 animal control report. No opposition was noted.

Action Items

• A. Small Business Saturday Proclamation: Approved, designating November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday. Council members encouraged shopping locally, noting local businesses are the community's lifeblood and give back through donations.
• B. Ordinance 1656 advertisement (12.47-mill tax rate): Approved 6-1 to advertise the ordinance; final adoption would occur in December. The dissenting council member argued reserves are high, citing a $2 million sewer fund and a $1 million reserve fund, about 27% of the budget; questioned Potomac project cost estimates and road selection; proposed cuts to facade grants, sidewalk program, and solar-powered meters; and expressed concern for elderly residents on fixed incomes.
• C. 2026 budget advertisement: Approved 6-1 to advertise and display the proposed 2026 budget, with final approval expected next month.
• D. Police CBA: Approved the Dormont Police Association collective bargaining agreement for January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.
• E. Administrative Clerk hire: Approved hiring Kaitlyn Weiss as Administrative Clerk effective November 13, 2025, filling the vacancy created when Rachel Cooner moved to building and code.
• F. DCDC Free Pantry MOU: Approved 5-0 with two abstentions; Councilmembers Fabus and Mazzocco abstained because they serve on the DCDC board, consistent with the solicitor's Ethics Act recommendation.
• G. Cronin Enterprises waiver: Approved a waiver of the 15-day contract submission requirement for the Pop Murray Field Retaining Wall rebid; the agenda's 'Re-Bed' was corrected as a typo for 'rebid.'
• H. Settlement for 1661 Memorial Drive: Approved an $8,000 release and settlement with the Estate of Cheryl A. Williams and Paul Williams, paid from the General Fund, related to a 2021 sewer backup caused when borough lining work blocked a lateral line.
• I. Dump truck purchase: Approved purchase of a 2025 Ford F-600 4x4 DRW dump truck from Woltz and Wind for $129,055 under COSTARS contract #025-E22-401.
• J. Sewer grouting change order: Approved the change order from State Pipe Services, Inc., resulting in a net contract decrease of $8,810.05, for an amended contract price of $70,934.95.
• K. Winter salt bid: Approved the SHACOG salt bid from Compass Minerals America, Inc., at $88.32 per ton for rock salt bulk delivery for the 2025-2026 winter season, with municipal options for two additional years. The prior bid was $84.96 per ton.
• L. Hillside playground designer: Approved Berliner Seilfabrik Play Equipment Corporation as the Hillside Engagement Designer for the Next-Generation Playground. Berliner will provide climbing implements and two slides; a Nov. 18 public engagement and mid-December display were announced.
• M. Mission Partners donation bin: Tabled. The motion to approve placing a donation bin next to the Boy Scouts can collection trailer was tabled to next month pending solicitor review of whether an RFP is necessary; one council member noted the borough would not receive revenue from the bin.
• N. Flower art installation supplies: Approved use of Public Good Funds up to $1,500 for supplies for artist Josh Ruffing/Dormont Arts for the Hillsdale Park flower art installation, with funding from Councilperson Ventresca.
• O. Birdtown stickers/banner: Ratified $277.85 in Public Good Funds for Birdtown Committee stickers and banner, funded by Ventresca.
• P. Rec Center rental: Ratified $175 in Public Good Funds for the November 1, 2025, Dormont Arts fundraiser rental, funded by Ventresca.
• Q. Business district maps: Approved, as amended, authorization of Public Good Funds not to exceed $1,971.36 for Dormont Business District Maps, funded by Councilperson Downs. The amendment directed any leftover funds to Home for the Holidays expenses, and then to replacement of flags on West Liberty Avenue.

Discussion Items

• Council discussed renewing the recycling dumpster and pickup frequency. The dumpster contract is monthly and can be addressed in January; a cost quote for twice-monthly pickup was requested. Staff will coordinate ordering dugouts for the Pop Murray field project.

Executive Session and Adjournment

• Council moved into executive session to discuss an employment matter and a collection matter. The meeting then adjourned; no additional public votes were held in the recording.