Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee Meeting – February 16, 2026

The Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee met on Monday, February 16, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered committee reports and items generally slated for the March voting meeting. No registered comments were received at the start, and no public comments were offered before adjournment.

Executive Committee

• Borough calendar introduction: The administration introduced an internal borough calendar to keep council and staff informed about borough-sponsored and borough-adjacent events, committee and board meetings, MOU organization activities, and large facility rentals. Kat will be the sole editor, and the calendar is separate from the public website calendar.
• Amendment of Resolution 12 of 2017, Rules of Council: Council discussed proposed updates, including applying the Sunshine Law to borough committees, commissions, and boards, requiring published agendas and minutes, and correcting telecommunications rules to match the Borough Code. Track-changes and clean versions were circulated; a final amendment is planned for the March meeting.
• Community and Communications Manager job description: Council reviewed a revised job description prepared with the borough manager and assistant manager. The day camp and pool manager will now report to the assistant manager, event management will be assigned at management discretion, and large-scale events such as the Dormont Street Music Festival and Dormont Day will continue to be contracted to Kristen Turner. Redundant or ambiguous language was removed. Council feedback is due before the March vote.
• Advertising the Community and Communications Manager position: The motion to advertise the position will accompany approval of the job description at the March voting meeting.

Community Affairs & Recreation

• Next Generation Playground schematic and RFP: The Playground Coordination Committee recommended moving forward with Gateway Engineers’ schematic drawings and authorizing Gateway to prepare a request for proposals for playground construction. Input from the committee included reviewing new hillside slide and rope-course renderings, reconfiguring equipment so the tot lot and swings are grouped in the middle while removing the cozy pod spinner and keeping the accessible merry-go-round, and incorporating shade near bench areas. Tree removals by the stormwater authority require replacement, and a landscaping plan is included.
• Grant funding and timeline: No grant funds can be spent until the grant documents are signed; the borough expects those documents by the end of February. The tentative schedule calls for March approval of the schematic and RFP authorization, April advertisement of the RFP with a 45-day bid period, bid opening and scoring on May 15, a Playground Coordination Committee review on May 18, bid award at the June meeting, groundbreaking around July 4, and 9 to 12 months of construction.
• Fundraising and communications: Council discussed a public communications plan for the playground project, a fundraising subcommittee, and donation ideas such as benches, bricks, and fence slats. A communications plan was requested for the next supercommittee meeting.

Finance & Legal

• Audit services engagement: Council discussed a motion to approve the engagement letter with Maher Duessel for auditing services for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. The 2025 audit fee is $18,500, payable after the audit is completed. The auditors are scheduled to begin the 2025 audit; pricing is comparable and the firm is familiar with the borough.
• Financial policies: Council discussed Policy 1.1, General Fund Requirements, and Policy 1.2, Unreserved Fund. The unreserved fund policy targets a reserve around 15%, with the current level around 12%. The policies will be incorporated into the new budget process.
• Investment policy and community foundation: A draft investment policy based on Mount Lebanon’s model may need to be retooled because Mount Lebanon is a home rule charter and the Borough Code is more restrictive. The solicitor is reviewing allowed investments and expects to provide an update by the end of the month. Council noted that the funds involved are non-tax revenues from credit card transactions, permit sales, and similar sources, and that the outcome could affect the borough’s relationship with the Mount Lebanon Community Foundation.

Property, Supplies, and Public Works

• Emergency snow removal payment: Council discussed a motion to ratify payments totaling $77,934.80 to Mike B and Son Construction for emergency snow removal help during Winter Storm Fern. The expense was not budgeted; funding would come from the general fund and available liquid funds. Outstanding costs include Dormont Concrete, salt replenishment, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission charges of approximately $6,500 to $7,000 plus about $1,500 to haul salt.
• Storm cost review and equipment: No state reimbursement information has been received yet, and the borough expects an update at the March 3 emergency management quarterly meeting. Council President Downs requested a storm cost summary for the first quarter budget review, and Councilman Munson suggested analyzing the cost-benefit of purchasing a skid steer for snow removal and summer projects.

Public Safety

• Captain resignation and separation agreement: Council discussed a motion to accept Captain Kevin Bratkowski’s resignation and ratify the separation agreement as of February 5, 2026. The agreement was not in the packet but was to be sent to council; it becomes a public record once signed.
• Full-time firefighter job description: The fire chief presented a job description formatted consistently with other borough positions. It covers fire suppression, fire prevention, community outreach, and code enforcement. Council asked for at least a 30-day posting period; the closing date was left TBD. A psychological evaluation is included as part of the civil service process.
• Firefighter recruitment and civil service process: Council discussed whether the motion to advertise should instead direct the Civil Service Commission to prepare an eligibility list, since the commission is responsible for advertising, screening, and certifying candidates. The solicitor will provide a memo on the legal parameters, including whether the commission needs its own solicitor. The goal is to have a firefighter appointed by June 1 or the June council meeting.
• License plate reader software renewal: The chief requested renewal of the borough’s license plate reader software at $2,850 per year for two years, totaling $5,700. Council voted to add this item to the agenda for discussion; no final approval was given.

Other Business

• Recreation plan special committee: A special committee was announced to help create a recreation plan, provide feedback on the RFP, and recommend a consultant. It was described as a seven-member committee, though a longer list of names was read aloud. The goal is to complete the plan before the end of the year to satisfy grant requirements.
• Baseball field project update: Mark provided an update on the baseball field project. The wall is constructed, the second pay application was submitted, and remaining work includes drainage tie-ins and dugout concrete slabs. Dugouts are expected in early April, and field restoration is the priority for the April 25 opening day deadline.

Key Outcomes

• No substantive motions were voted on during the meeting; most items are scheduled to return at the March voting meeting.
• Council voted only to add the license plate reader software renewal item to the agenda for discussion.
• The solicitor will provide legal guidance on civil service commission authority and Borough Code investment restrictions.
• Expected March actions include the Rules of Council amendment, Community and Communications Manager job description and advertising motion, playground schematic and RFP authorization, audit engagement letter, financial policies, snow removal payment ratification, firefighter resignation and separation agreement, and firefighter job description and recruitment motions.
• Playground next steps: advertise RFP in April, open bids May 15, review May 18, and consider award at the June meeting.