Dormont Borough Council Voting Session - August 4, 2026

The Dormont Borough Council held its voting session on August 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM per the agenda (the agenda header lists August 3, 2026; the provided timestamp is August 4, 2026). Council approved the consent agenda and all ten action items by voice vote, heard public comment on the proposed West Liberty Avenue housing development, and adjourned to executive session to seek legal advice.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to approve consent agenda passed by voice vote; included approval of minutes from July 6, July 20, and July 27, 2026; June 2026 Police Department Report; June 2026 Building and Code Enforcement Report; July 2026 Engineer Report; May 2026 Animal Control Report; June 2026 Animal Control Report; and appointment of Councilperson Shawn Melvin to the MRTSA Board through December 2026, completing the vacancy left by Mr. Ledford's resignation.

Committee Reports and Manager Updates

• Business District Relations and Development: Councilperson Melvin reported the July 29 business mixer at Arsenal Cider, held with the Southwest Chamber of Commerce, drew about 25-30 local business representatives. He is assembling options for Dormont Village parking ahead of the next supercommittee meeting.
• Planning, Sustainability, and Inclusion: Councilwoman Fabus noted the Human Relations Commission is organizing Porchmont for September 26 and the Recreation Board and Bird Town Committee will host Family Bird Night in Dormont Park on August 5 (registration capped).
• Finance and Legal: The finance chair reviewed action items on the TAN payoff, SWIF premium, and Captain Tang's resignation. The assistant manager completed a second-quarter budget review; budget meetings will start in September. Management presented the possible Tri-COG Land Bank participation to address library properties at minimal risk and expense to the borough.
• Mayor Walsh: Reminded residents of National Night Out at the fire station from 6-8 p.m. the following day, and gave updates on merchant meetings, the executive director search, and a new ambulance delivery/fleet changes.
• Borough Manager: The borough passed its annual safety inspection; building/code inspection of assets was completed with minor issues being handled; Dormont Pool passed Allegheny County's annual spot examination; RFPs for an investment advisor and finance director are being advertised; summer day camp is in its final week; and all federal COVID relief paperwork has been concluded. He publicly thanked Assistant Manager Melinda Sabo.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comment was limited to three minutes per speaker; no online speakers were recognized.

• Gary Kremert (1728 Hillsdale Ave.) opposed the proposed Section 8 housing on West Liberty Avenue. He argued that introducing a large number of lower-income residents—he cited over 180 units—would create crime concerns, and he pointed to higher crime rates and lower median incomes in neighborhoods he compared with Dormont.
• Karen McClellan, identifying herself as representing 'the MS 800 families of our neighborhood alliance,' opposed Penrose LSC as developer, citing its record with Hayes Manor and McKees Rocks (recently voted down by McKees Rocks) and alleging it specializes in resident relocation and displacement. She said the alliance filed a Right-to-Know request with the borough manager and asked when the project will be on a voting agenda, noting PRT and Penrose reportedly plan construction in spring 2027.
• A resident named Gina thanked council for the TOD website but criticized it as one-sided, saying it omits zoning overrides, parking and infrastructure concerns; she asked for more transparency and open public forums and urged council to represent residents, not Penrose or PRT.
• Leah (1729 Hillsdale Ave.) questioned whether the site can absorb new units and cars given existing parking problems on West Liberty, asked whether business owners were surveyed, and requested annual tax-revenue projections.
• Daniel Webb (1229 Kelton Ave.) said he is generally in favor of affordable housing and the review process, citing his past work with Habitat for Humanity Greater Pittsburgh and noting Dormont rents rose from about $860 in 2017 to over $1,200; he asked for detailed analysis of tax outlay, revenue, traffic, and infrastructure so residents can make an informed judgment.
• Bob Dow (14 Overbrook Blvd.) voiced concerns about parking, infrastructure, traffic control, fire/police protection, taxes, and the burden of a 40-year tax easement on limited-income residents; he asked for a feasibility study before the developer's deadline and suggested upscale housing in that area and affordable housing in areas already designated for rehabilitation.
• An unnamed speaker raised concerns about added sewage, water, and drainage loads and asked who would pay for utility upgrades if 180 units are built.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution 14, 2026, adopting the Emergency Operations Plan (10A).
• Authorized advertising an amendment to Ordinance 1659 to remove the prohibition on prepaying the $1,500,000 General Obligation Note, Series A of 2026, so the ordinance matches the note and Brentwood Bank closing certificate (10B).
• Authorized advertising a public hearing and subsequent special voting meeting for an ordinance to regulate vape shops and update conditional-use and special-exception standards in Chapter 210 of the Development Code; a voting meeting was targeted for August 24 (10C).
• Approved payment of the $750,000 2026 Tax Anticipation Note to Brentwood Bank with interest and fees, totaling $765,445.61 (10D).
• Accepted the resignation of Captain Don Tang effective July 7, 2026, with thanks for his service (10E).
• Approved payment of a previously approved $95 Public Good Fund request for the Flower Art Installation at Hillsdale Park (10F).
• Approved a Public Good Fund request for up to $300 for the Friends of Dormont Pool brunch fundraiser on August 9; funds cover pool rental, party area, and admission for up to 20 people (10G).
• Authorized advertising the Request for Proposal for Recreation Plan Services pending Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) approval (10H).
• Approved renewal of the State Workers' Insurance Fund premium for the Dormont Volunteer Fire Department at $17,749 (10I).
• Approved the updated Memorandum of Understanding between Keystone Oaks School District and the Dormont Police Department, including Appendix A (10J).
• No council member raised a separate discussion item; the meeting proceeded to public comment.
• Council moved into executive session to seek legal advice (not as previously said, negotiation) and then adjourned without further action.