Dormont Borough Council Organization Meeting - January 5, 2026

The Dormont Borough Council held its organization meeting on January 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM (with a swearing-in at 6:30 PM). The council elected new officers, approved several action items, heard public comments regarding a PennDOT road diet proposal, and received reports on grant awards totaling approximately $1.2 million for the next generation playground.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the December 2025 minutes, November 2025 expense report, monthly repay summary for November 2025, November 2025 police reports, November and December 2025 fire department reports, 2025 year-end fire department report, October and November 2025 building and code enforcement reports, November 2025 animal control report, and December 2025 sanitary sewer engineer report. All motions carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marc Ford, 2953 Espy Avenue: Expressed strong concerns about the PennDOT road diet design for West Liberty Avenue. He argued the design failed to include proven safety measures for pedestrians and vulnerable users (e.g., speed management through design, safe crossings), despite PennDOT's Vision Zero policy. He urged council to push for a design that better balances vehicle flow with pedestrian safety, noting that enforcement costs fall entirely on the borough. He also congratulated council on the Safe Streets for All grant and noted improved plowing of the path through Beg Snyder.
• Ed Mory, 1200 Utgosa Avenue (during the second public comment period): Criticized PennDOT's presentation for being unprepared—unaware of local schools and major crossings—and focused on traffic flow over pedestrian safety. He highlighted concerns about the proposed conversion of the Illinois Avenue light to a one-way in, making it harder to exit. Council member noted PennDOT was adamant that the road diet would go forward but agreed to revisit concerns; stressed the importance of not losing the opportunity for a road diet.

Reports

• Borough Manager's Report (John Stinner): Announced the borough was awarded a $200,000 Safe Streets for All grant for traffic studies near the next generation playground. Additionally, two $100,000 grants (Local Share Account) for playground surfacing and a picnic pavilion, plus a $680,000 Fish and Game Service grant, totaling $1.2 million for the playground. Also reported on a park sustainability fund with Mt. Lebanon Community Foundation, a utility coordination meeting, and the appointment of Patrick Connors as new SHACOG executive director.

Discussion Items

• Council discussed committee structure for the new term. Council President Amie Downs requested members submit their top three committee preferences by Monday, January 12, and proposed that chiefs and department heads not be required to attend every supercommittee meeting unless specifically needed, to give them evenings back.

Key Outcomes

• Election Results:
  • Council President: Amie Downs (unanimous).
  • Council Vice President: Chris Kipp (unanimous).
  • Council President Pro Tempore: Daniele Ventresca (unanimous).
• Action Items:
  • 11A: Ratified the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local Union #249 for January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2029 (approved).
  • 11B: Approved Pay Application Request No. 1 for Pop Murray Field retaining wall to Cronin Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $48,153.05 (approved).
  • 11C: Approved the 2026-2027 pool concession stand contract with Fork One Two Services, LLC, a renewal with updated property improvements (approved).
  • 11D: Authorized advertisement of a public hearing on Monday, February 2, 2026, for proposed amendments to Chapter 210 of the Borough Development Code (approved).
  • 11E: Authorized advertisement of the proposed adoption of Ordinance 1657 amending Chapter 210 of the Borough Development Code (approved).
• Committee Structure: Council agreed to set committee assignments based on member preferences by January 12; chiefs not required at every meeting unless needed.