Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee Meeting – January 19, 2026

The Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee met on January 19, 2026, to review committee assignments, council rules, appointments, employment agreements, and multiple 2026 professional service contracts and payments. No registered public comments were received and no formal votes were taken; many items are expected to return as motions at the February voting meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No registered comments were submitted; the borough manager reported that none were on file.
• Two online attendees acknowledged the meeting with a smiley-face emoji, but offered no public comment.

Discussion Items

• Executive Committee – Council Committee Assignments: The manager presented chair and vice-chair assignments for committees of the whole. Assignments included: Danielle Ventresca (Chair) and Chris Kip (Vice Chair) for Community Affairs and Recreation; John Zanko (Chair) and Danielle Ventresca (Vice Chair) for Business District Relations and Development; Josh Munson (Chair) and Chris Rieger (Vice Chair) for Public Safety; Chris Rieger (Chair) and Jen Mazzocco (Vice Chair) for Finance; Kate Fabus (Chair) and Josh Munson (Vice Chair) for Planning, Sustainability & Inclusion; and Chris Kip (Chair) and Kate Fabus (Vice Chair) for Public Works. No objections were raised.
• Executive Committee – Council Rules: The council reviewed draft council rules; no suggestions had been submitted. Members agreed that the rules need updates to reflect the current organization process, committee procedures, public comment, scheduled public meetings, and appointments. The executive committee will prepare amendments and bring back an updated document, with a possible vote in early March.
• Executive Committee – SHACOG Appointment: The current SHACOG seat is being replaced because Chris Kipp asked to step back due to his role as vice president of council. Josh Munson agreed to serve; a motion will be considered at the February voting meeting.
• Executive Committee – ACBA Appointment: Daniele Ventresca agreed to serve as the borough's Allegheny County Boroughs Association representative after the matter was raised at the December boroughs association meeting; a motion will be considered at the February voting meeting.
• Community Affairs & Recreation – Rec Board Resignation: Members discussed accepting Johanna Dickman's resignation from the Recreation Board, effective January 13, 2026, citing increased work obligations. This will leave two openings on the board. The manager plans to post the application process within the next week or two; openings also exist on the Shade Tree Commission and the Human Relations Commission.
• Finance & Legal – Manager Employment Agreements: The committee reviewed proposed borough manager and assistant borough manager employment agreements for 2026 and 2027. Language adjustments were made after discussions; these are scheduled for approval at the February voting meeting. Chris Rieger verified that the agreements are two-year terms that follow municipal elections.
• Planning, Sustainability & Inclusion – Planning Commission Reappointment: Members discussed reappointing Eamon Geary to the Planning Commission for a term from January 6, 2026 through January 1, 2031. Geary is one of the longest-serving members and a former chair; no questions or concerns were raised.
• Public Safety – Medical Rescue Team South Authority Payment: The committee reviewed a proposed payment of $201,357.12 to Medical Rescue Team South Authority for 2026 services. Staff noted the borough had budgeted $225,000, resulting in a cost savings of roughly $23,600; the payment is the annual one-time payment.
• Property, Supplies & Public Works – Gateway Engineers Work Authorizations: The committee reviewed six proposed 2026 work authorizations: general engineering and consulting up to $10,000; general traffic engineering up to $5,000; sanitary data management up to $22,000; sanitary sewer operation and maintenance up to $70,000; road program up to $70,000; and road opening permits up to $5,000. Staff noted the borough will assume sanitary sewer work from Wayne McVicar on March 31, 2026, and the $70,000 O&M authorization reflects that transition.
• Property, Supplies & Public Works – Robinson Pipe Cleaning Payment: Members reviewed a recommendation from sanitary sewer engineer Wayne McVicar to pay Certificate #1 to Robinson Pipe Cleaning Co. for the 2025 operation and maintenance contract. The agenda lists the amount as $63,700.12, while the transcript states $63,712.12; the discrepancy was not resolved in the meeting record. Staff said a final change order would finish the contract about $6,000 under the contract amount and would be added to next week's agenda.
• Property, Supplies & Public Works – Road Program Process: Staff discussed changes to how the road program is planned. The borough contracted with Pavement Management Group to survey and grade all borough streets, but some grades have been questioned by council. Pavement Management Group is scheduled to attend the January 26 meeting to explain the grading process and support development of a five-year road program that can be coordinated with utility work.
• Reappointments to Safe Mobility Commission and Stormwater Authority: The committee discussed reappointing Wyatt Scherer to the Safe Mobility Commission for a term from January 6, 2026 through January 1, 2031, and Frank Stumpo to the Dormont Stormwater Authority for a term from January 1, 2026 through January 1, 2031. Council member Chris Kipp noted that Stumpo's reappointment documentation was missing; the Stormwater Authority manager conveyed that Stumpo wanted to be reappointed.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken during the meeting. Council moved to an executive session to discuss a personnel matter and then adjourned.
• Committee assignments were reviewed without objection and will continue under a committee-of-the-whole structure.
• The executive committee will return with amended council rules, with a possible vote in early March.
• Appointments for Josh Munson (SHACOG) and Daniele Ventresca (ACBA), along with the borough manager and assistant borough manager employment agreements, are set to be put forward at the February voting meeting.
• Recreation Board vacancy applications are expected to be posted within one to two weeks.
• Pavement Management Group is expected to appear on January 26, 2026, to answer council questions about road condition grades and the five-year road program.