Dormont Borough Council Voting Session - December 1, 2025

The Dormont Borough Council held its voting session on December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included approval of the consent agenda, adoption of the 2026 budget and tax rate, approval of grant applications, fee schedule, insurance policies, and other routine items. Council also discussed traffic signal issues at West Liberty and Wisconsin and the 2026-2027 pool concession stand contract. The meeting concluded with farewell remarks for outgoing Councilman Brandon Ledford and Council President Jennifer Mazzocco.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: November 2025 minutes, October 2025 expense report, monthly repay summary for October 2025, October 2025 police, fire, and animal control reports, November 2025 sanitary sewer engineer report, and appointment of Borough Manager John P. Stinner as the Borough's Franchising Authority Board Member Representative.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the public comment period. However, council members and staff offered tributes to outgoing Councilman Brandon Ledford and Council President Jennifer Mazzocco, including gifts and certificates.

Discussion Items

• West Liberty and Wisconsin Traffic Light Issue: The traffic signal at the intersection had malfunctioned due to misconfigured detector settings in the Wavetronics radar, which were corrected on November 20, 2025, at 1:00 PM. PennDOT also noted that the detection zone for Wisconsin extended properly but was not placing correct calls. The Dormont Village parking lot now allows both in and out, which could affect circulation, but that is a private property matter. Additionally, the rapid flashing beacon at West Liberty and Kelton is being installed, with work expected to be completed this winter. The existing equipment at Dell and McFarland will remain until new equipment is operational.
• 2026-2027 Pool Concession Stand Contract: The contract is under discussion with no substantive changes from the previous agreement. The borough has installed a new floor and is addressing internal temperature concerns. The contract is expected to be brought for approval in January.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 1656 (Tax Rate): Adopted after an amendment to strike a whereas clause referencing the 2026 budget (which had not yet been adopted). The final tax rate is set at 12.47 mills for 2026. The amendment and the ordinance as amended passed unanimously.
• Resolution 20 (2026 Budget): Approved unanimously. Councilmember Rieger thanked staff and noted the budget includes improvements to recreational facilities and the road program. Borough Manager Stinner confirmed all salary recommendations and performance reviews are included.
• Resolution 21 (CDBG for ADA upgrades – Dormont Park): Approved. The grant will fund eight fully landscaped ADA-accessible parking spots near the large pavilion, replacing two spots at the pool lot. Borough Manager Stinner noted the large pavilion recently received a new roof from insurance funds.
• Resolution 22 (CDBG for ADA improvements – Beggs Snyder Park): Approved. This is a "moonshot" application for approximately $100,000 to make the playground fully ADA accessible. The resolution packet was blank, but council confirmed it mirrors the prior resolution's structure.
• Resolution 23 (2026 Fee Schedule): Approved. Councilmember Rieger flagged concerns about gambling amusement device fees ($750 per device per year) and the proliferation of vaping/skill-game stores. He requested a report on compliance and possible zoning changes. Councilmember Kipp noted the process should move from police to code enforcement. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24 (Personal Property Surplus): Approved for a 2011 Ford F-350 dump truck and accessories from public works.
• 2026 Insurance Policies: Approved for property/liability (MRM), professional (Greenwich Insurance Company), and Dormont Fire Department (VFIS). Renewal with the same provider.
• Windstream Settlement: Approved. The borough negotiated a final bill of $15,558.40 from an original $73,000 for services provided. The settlement releases all mutual claims.
• Ellis & Associates (Aquatic Safety Services): Approved for 2026-2028. Renewal for training and audits.
• 2025 Road and Alley Program Change Order 1 and Payment Application 1: Approved. This concludes the 2025 road program; punch list items are being executed.
• Tree Maintenance Services: Approved for Gary's Tree Service at $14,400 for street tree maintenance.

Council Member Farewell Remarks

• Council members and staff gave heartfelt farewells to Councilman Brandon Ledford, who is stepping down after four years. He was praised for his leadership, public policy expertise, community engagement, and friendship. Ledford thanked everyone and expressed his desire to focus on family time. Council President Jennifer Mazzocco also received thanks and a plaque for her two years of service; she highlighted upcoming events and handed over leadership.

Other Reports

• Solicitor's Report: Update on Teamsters labor contract negotiations (four-year term, executive session discussion), preparation of the tax ordinance, the Windstream settlement, and a follow-up letter to a resident about traffic concerns.
• Borough Manager's Report: Noted completion of Pop Murray retaining wall challenges, punch list items from the road program, increased insurance coverage, hosting of utility coordination meeting, Connect meeting on crisis communications, mural addition at the pool, new staff hire, and receipt of a $100,000 gaming grant for phase two of the next-generation playground. Thanked Councilman Ledford and Councilwoman Mazzocco for their leadership.