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Record of Proceedings

Dormont Borough Council Voting Session - March 2, 2026

Borough Council & Boards — Monday, March 2, 2026
BodyDormont, Pennsylvania
SessionBorough Council & Boards
DateMonday, March 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 42:09

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Recording in progress.

Speaker 2

0:05

Good evening.

0:06

Like to call this meeting of the viral Dormont Council, our voting sessions order March 2nd, 2026.

0:13

If you would please rise.

0:17

Connor Geer and TJ Chesbrough.

0:20

Did I butcher those names?

0:21

Are we good?

0:22

So please come up and join and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:28

Allegiance to I think States of America.

0:32

And to the Republic, which is standard.

0:34

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for

Unassigned speaker

0:39

all.

Speaker 2

0:40

I'm gonna keep you guys both there, please.

0:47

During the winter storm, obviously had a lot more snow than we had expected.

0:52

And in many cases, that many of our residents were able to clear and take care of.

0:57

And the two of you, along with your scout leader, uh volunteer your time.

1:02

And more importantly, there's arms and all of your energy to clear um cars and other structures that people weren't able to do so.

1:10

And so just on behalf of council and Mirror, we wanted to say thank you very much.

1:15

And we have certificates of appreciation for both of you to thank you for the time and effort that you put in and all the help that you gave to our community.

1:22

We're very grateful.

Unassigned speaker

1:24

Do

Speaker 2

1:25

you want to do

Speaker 3

1:25

photos at all?

Speaker 2

2:47

Thank you, guys.

2:48

Appreciate that.

2:49

With that, do we have any registered comments from the public?

2:53

No.

2:54

Let's go ahead and go to committee reports.

2:57

Um

Unassigned speaker

3:00

just

Speaker 2

3:00

gonna throw it out there.

3:01

Let me start with uh councilmember Mazako, also representative Alex Mazako,

Unassigned speaker

3:06

and

Speaker 2

3:06

report for business district relations.

Speaker 1

3:09

Um we I don't have a report, we didn't have any items on the agenda this month.

3:13

We did talk in our kind of initial meeting about some of the things that I think have come

Unassigned speaker

3:16

up

Speaker 1

3:17

um recently around um skill games and vape shops, and I know that that's still in the works as far as what kind of options we have at our disposal.

3:28

So um that wasn't quite ready for discussion quite yet on like the full agenda, but that's what

Unassigned speaker

3:32

we

Speaker 1

3:33

had brought up as a discussion topic in our pre-meeting.

3:36

So um, aside from that, though, I don't have anything else to report from the committee.

3:40

Thank you.

Speaker 2

3:41

Councilmember Favis.

Speaker 4

3:43

Thank you.

3:43

Uh planning sustainability and inclusion does not have anything on the agenda tonight.

3:47

We did discuss um we are in the last year of our strategic plan.

3:52

We discussed that at our meeting last week.

3:54

Uh and John gave a very nice update where we are with some of those things.

3:59

Um, one thing we discovered is that we have not um completely addressed the language access plan initiative from

Unassigned speaker

4:06

that,

Speaker 4

4:07

uh, which was one of our goals

Unassigned speaker

4:09

in

Speaker 4

4:10

the access doormont section of that.

4:12

Um so I imagine that is what John and I will be discussing in our pre-meeting this week, and we'll have some items for future agendas.

Speaker 2

4:21

Thank you.

4:21

Councilmember Chris.

Speaker 5

4:25

Uh, we met with Adam Gephardt from Gateway Engineers to talk about road program for this year.

4:32

Our focus is on 12th alley, Crosby, and Tennessee.

4:38

Am I missing

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works████████████████████20%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Public Engagement████████████12%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Community Engagement█████5%
Parking Management█████5%
Historic Preservation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Dormont Borough Council Voting Session - March 2, 2026

The Dormont Borough Council held a voting session on March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with presentation of certificates of appreciation to two members of Scout Troop 238 for their volunteer work during Winter Storm Fern. Council then heard committee reports, comments from the Mayor, reports from the Solicitor and Borough Manager, and took action on a number of items including approving schematic designs for a new playground, adopting a 2026 road program, ratifying emergency snow removal payments, and accepting a fire captain's resignation. The meeting concluded with approval of a donation bin location and a discussion on pension payment information.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from February 2, 16, and 23, 2026.
  • Approved December 2025 Expense Report.
  • Approved Assistant Manager's Reports for January and February 2026.
  • Approved January 2026 Police and Fire Department Reports.
  • Approved January and February 2026 Engineer Reports.
  • Approved February 2026 Sanitary Sewer Engineer Report.
  • Approved January 2026 Building and Code Enforcement Report.
  • Approved December 2025 and January 2026 Animal Control Reports.
  • Reappointed George (Trey) Papuga III to the Civil Service Commission for a term from January 6, 2026 through January 1, 2031.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were registered.

Committee Reports

  • Business District Relations (Councilmember Mazzocco): No formal report; discussed skill games and vape shops in pre-meeting but not yet ready for full agenda.
  • Planning, Sustainability and Inclusion (Councilmember Fabus): No action items; discussed last year of strategic plan and unmet language access plan goal; further discussion with manager planned.
  • Road Program (Councilmember Rieger): Met with Gateway Engineers; focus on 12th Alley, Crosby, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
  • Street & Music Festival (Councilmember Ventresca): Presented scope of services from Turnstyle Results for festival coordination.
  • Personnel (Councilmember Munson): Discussed replacing outgoing roles with votes on agenda.
  • Finance and Legal (Councilmember Rieger): Reviewed engagement letter with Maher Duessel for auditing (2025-2027) and two financial policies (General Fund Requirement and Unreserved Fund). Investment policy tabled due to differences between borough and home rule municipality templates.

Mayor's Comments (Mayor Jason Walsh)

  • Announced receipt of new Dodge Durango police vehicle (budgeted previous year).
  • Recognized police department for vehicle care; noted need for a new vehicle next year.
  • Reported full staff at merchant meeting and initial discussion on alternative funding.
  • Coordinated with Keystone Oaks Police and Dormont Elementary to improve traffic safety after resident complaint.
  • Noted Park Mobile app presentation; formal response still needed. Councilmember Rieger added that Meter Feeder contract issues are being addressed.
  • Recognized the passing of Bernie Clissavage, former owner of Bernie's Pharmacy.

Council President's Report (Amie Downs)

  • Expressed appreciation for council engagement and positive changes.
  • Thanked police, fire, public works, and administration for Winter Storm Fern response.
  • Encouraged volunteer support for Dormont Historical Society.
  • Congratulated Councilmember Mazzocco on election as State Representative.

Solicitor's Report (Tucker Arensberg)

  • Provided update on street opening ordinance: being expanded to a right-of-way opening ordinance covering sidewalks, driveways, and streets with unified permit and rules. Draft to manager by March 3.
  • Clarified process for hiring a full-time firefighter: identified 2016 civil service rules; needs Civil Service Commission meeting to advertise position. Rules for police may be separate.
  • Reviewed contracts for Sprint/T-Mobile and MOU for mission partners.

Borough Manager's Report (John Stinner)

  • Updated on ArcGIS system being built by Gateway Engineers: overlays for asset management, sewer systems, utilities, and a new permitting module. Employee beta testing underway; public access planned later.
  • Circulated second iteration of PRT bus route changes for council feedback.
  • Reported on Shacog salt situation: Compass Minerals was unprepared; no cash liquidation damages, only credits against future orders. Manager will submit documentation to Shacog.
  • Noted Shacog new website and availability of notary services.
  • Announced Shacog recognition dinner on October 15, 2026.
  • Congratulated Fire Chief Stackich on admission to the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.

Action Items – Key Outcomes

  • 12a: Proclamation for Eagle Scout – Unanimously approved proclamation honoring Caleb Alexander Anthony (Troop 23) for achieving Eagle Scout rank.
  • 12b: Amend Rules of Council (Resolution 12, 2017) – Approved with one opposed. Updated rules to reflect actual council operations.
  • 12c: Community and Communications Manager Job Description – Approved and authorized advertisement. Position modified to shift management duties to assistant manager; role to also serve as Right-to-Know officer.
  • 12d: Next Generation Playground Schematic Drawings – Approved Gateway Engineers schematic as recommended by playground coordination committee.
  • 12e: Authorize RFP for Playground Construction – Approved. Final step council can take until DCNR contract executed.
  • 12f: Dormont Street & Music Festival Scope of Services – Approved $13,000 contract with Turnstyle Results for festival coordination planned for October 10-11, 2026.
  • 12g: Auditing Services Engagement (Maher Duessel) – Approved for fiscal years 2025-2027. Pricing in line with market; small budget variance noted.
  • 12h: Financial Policies 1.1 and 1.2 – Approved General Fund Requirement and Unreserved Fund policies. Foundational for upcoming budget formulation.
  • 12i: 2026 Road Program – Approved and directed Gateway Engineers to prepare bid. Roads include: 12th Alley, Amon Street, Barron Alley, 6th Alley, Tasco Alley, Laska, Lehman Alley, Second Alley, Lyndon Avenue, Janet Way, Illinois, Crosby, plus add-ons Amon Street and Beacon Hill.
  • 12j: Ratify Emergency Snow Removal Payments – Approved $77,934.80 payment to Mike B and Son Construction. Funding to come from general fund.
  • 12k: Accept Fire Captain's Resignation and Separation Agreement – Approved ratification of Captain Kevin Bratkowski's resignation effective February 5, 2026.
  • 12l: Direct Civil Service Commission to Prepare List for Full-Time Firefighter – Approved to replace resigned captain. Follows solicitor's process guidance.
  • 12m: License Plate Reader Renewal – Approved $5,700 renewal with PlateSmart Technologies for two years at West Liberty and Pioneer. Part of regional consortium; rates may rise as partners splinter.
  • Donation Bin Location (from discussion items) – Approved location of mission partner's donation bin next to Boy Scouts can collection trailer after taking item from table.

Discussion Items

  • Boy Scouts Can Collection Trailer / Donation Bin – Council took from table and approved donation bin location alongside the Boy Scouts trailer. Solicitor confirmed no conflict with offering opportunity to other organizations.
  • Pension Payment Information – Mayor requested update. Council President Downs stated that individual meetings will be scheduled with council members to address questions, followed by discussion at the next Finance and Legal super committee meeting.

Public Comment

  • No public comments were offered in person or online.

Adjournment – Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good evening. Like to call this meeting of the viral Dormont Council, our voting sessions order March 2nd, 2026. If you would please rise. Connor Geer and TJ Chesbrough. Did I butcher those names? Are we good? So please come up and join and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Allegiance to I think States of America. And to the Republic, which is standard. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I'm gonna keep you guys both there, please. During the winter storm, obviously had a lot more snow than we had expected. And in many cases, that many of our residents were able to clear and take care of. And the two of you, along with your scout leader, uh volunteer your time. And more importantly, there's arms and all of your energy to clear um cars and other structures that people weren't able to do so. And so just on behalf of council and Mirror, we wanted to say thank you very much. And we have certificates of appreciation for both of you to thank you for the time and effort that you put in and all the help that you gave to our community. We're very grateful. Do you want to do photos at all? Thank you, guys. Appreciate that. With that, do we have any registered comments from the public? No. Let's go ahead and go to committee reports. Um just gonna throw it out there. Let me start with uh councilmember Mazako, also representative Alex Mazako, and report for business district relations. Um we I don't have a report, we didn't have any items on the agenda this month. We did talk in our kind of initial meeting about some of the things that I think have come up um recently around um skill games and vape shops, and I know that that's still in the works as far as what kind of options we have at our disposal. So um that wasn't quite ready for discussion quite yet on like the full agenda, but that's what we had brought up as a discussion topic in our pre-meeting. So um, aside from that, though, I don't have anything else to report from the committee. Thank you. Councilmember Favis. Thank you. Uh planning sustainability and inclusion does not have anything on the agenda tonight. We did discuss um we are in the last year of our strategic plan. We discussed that at our meeting last week. Uh and John gave a very nice update where we are with some of those things. Um, one thing we discovered is that we have not um completely addressed the language access plan initiative from

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