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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Dormont Borough SuperCommittee Meeting – August 12, 2026 (Note: Agenda/Transcript Date Conflict)

Borough Council & Boards — Wednesday, August 12, 2026

BodyDormont, Pennsylvania

SessionBorough Council & Boards

DateWednesday, August 12, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 45:00

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

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

0:02

All right.

Speaker 1

0:04

To order this super committee meeting for October 27th, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:10

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:17

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

0:24

Okay.

0:30

Is October 27th, which is the seventh um anniversary of the True of Life shooting.

0:36

And just wanted to read the names of those that on that day, and um so that we can remember them and reflect on the tragedy that that was.

0:46

And um, so we were Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Judge, Cecil Rosenthal, Dilma Rosenthal, Remy Simon Sobensin and Daniel Stein's and Irving and be a blessing.

1:01

Um we do not need registered comments, and so we'll go into the 2026 budget discussion, which is at the top of our agenda.

1:09

Um I believe for this was to kind of put a pin on a bow on our decision about um expenditures and the millage increase.

1:21

So do you the sharing thing, or are we just kind of having that discussion?

Speaker 2

1:32

Um I can bring up the different scenarios that was presented by um that John sent out on Friday.

1:38

He should also be here at some point um to be able to discuss further if there's any questions.

1:45

I'm here.

Unassigned speaker

1:46

There you

Speaker 2

1:46

go.

Speaker 3

1:47

Okay, John.

Unassigned speaker

1:50

I

Speaker 2

1:50

just assume all those John Sinners were fake.

1:52

So I changed my name so that I would actually be Melinda Sabo this time since it's a little more confusing if the John Stenner.

Speaker 4

2:01

All right.

Unassigned speaker

2:02

John

Speaker 4

2:03

paper looks like a lineup, like it's trying to figure out how tall you are.

Speaker 1

2:08

Did you get arrested

Unassigned speaker

2:09

at

Speaker 1

2:09

the CMA?

Speaker 5

2:10

I did not get arrested at CMA.

Speaker 1

2:14

There's still time.

2:18

So I think so.

2:21

Basically, just to catch everybody up for those that were here.

2:23

We talked about

Speaker 6

2:25

here and

Speaker 1

2:26

we're here.

2:26

We kind of increase, which would give us enough money to put um a decent chunk into the rainy day fund, and then also would give us a little bit on top of the road program and would give us uh flexibility to consider uh an extra project, such as potentially the planning for the built-more retaining wall um or something of that nature, something around $50,000.

2:58

So

Unassigned speaker

2:59

I

Speaker 1

3:00

think we're able to, you know, take a chance to just and those who weren't here, especially Kate, um, make sure he's okay with it.

3:07

Because Amy goes on for that part, but you're just not.

Unassigned speaker

3:11

So

Speaker 1

3:11

we don't know what you think.

3:12

And so before we get too much further.

Speaker 4

3:27

I I just I know that I expressed two things, which was that I thought both the facade improvement and the sidewalk program that Brandon brought up could potentially wait, and then I thought it was maybe bad optics to start a new program when we were also increasing taxes.

3:44

But in talking to people as well as reflecting on it, I had a lot of people say that they felt that being able to say that we're starting the sidewalk program and using some of the money for that is actually uh it's a good return on investment, if you will, to say that we're investing in something that we know that our taxpayers need and can use, and it also ties into sort of the safe mobility concepts and us being a walkable community.

4:08

So um the facade improvement grant, I don't really have

Unassigned speaker

4:11

a

Speaker 4

4:12

decision on one way or the other, even though I know I'm business district relations, but I've not heard from people one way or the other that it's you know it's overused or underused, or there's not enough there, or their prop program doesn't work the way it's supposed to.

4:26

So I don't have um, we certainly don't have a line of people waiting to get in it either, but I would I'm gonna reverse my prior position and say let's leave the sidewalk program

Unassigned speaker

4:37

in.

Speaker 7

4:40

I had similar thoughts.

4:41

Um I obviously I'm the one that wrote the facade grant stuff, so clearly I stand by it.

4:49

However, um

Unassigned speaker

4:51

I

Speaker 7

4:52

do, you know, I think it's something that if we take a year or two off and come back to it, it's not going to be the end of the world.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

Um the sidewalk was going to be one thing that I was gonna say.

Speaker 7

5:03

I felt we we did need to keep doing and moving forward on it's something we've been talking about for a really long time.

5:10

People are excited about

Unassigned speaker

5:12

it.

Speaker 7

5:13

Um so I would like to find a way to keep that in.

5:18

Um, I think we've also talked about you know this, these numbers, and John, you explained it probably much better than I will in terms of we have to budget for the full expense of the playground, but we hope we don't have to pay for the full expense of the playground that we'll raise funds and we will have a little more room to play with as we can chip away at some of those costs on the playground.

5:43

Um

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Works█████████████████████████████29%

Revenue Management███████████████████████████27%

Public Safety████████████12%

Public Engagement████████8%

Budget Equity Analysis███████7%

Fiscal Sustainability██████6%

Procedural████4%

Economic Development████4%

Transportation Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Dormont Borough SuperCommittee/Agenda Meeting – August 12, 2026

Note on date discrepancy: The meeting agenda and raw transcript reference October 27, 2025, but the instruction for this summary specified the date as August 12, 2026. Both dates are reflected here to maintain accuracy.

The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance and a remembrance of the seventh anniversary of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. The main focus was on finalizing the 2026 budget, including a proposed millage increase, and receiving updates from borough committees. No registered public comments were received, and no remote participants spoke during public comment.

2026 Budget Discussion

Council reached consensus on a 1.5 mill increase for 2026, which would fund a projected revenue gap, contribute to the rainy day fund, support the road program, and provide approximately $50,000 for an extra project (e.g., planning for the Belmore retaining wall).
Sidewalk program: Councilmember Amie Downs reversed her earlier position, now supporting the inclusion of the sidewalk program in the budget, citing positive feedback from residents and alignment with walkability goals. Councilmember Brandon Ledford also advocated for keeping the program. Councilmember Chris Kipp agreed, noting that visible investments like sidewalks help justify a tax increase to the public.
Facade improvement grant: Council decided not to remove the line item from the budget, but acknowledged it may not be fully used and could be marketed more or less aggressively based on demand. Councilmember Downs noted no strong public feedback for or against the program.
Councilmember Brandon Ledford emphasized the need to monitor long-term expense growth beyond 2026 and start discussions on revenue diversification soon.
Next steps: The ordinance for the 1.5 mill rate will be drafted by Council President Mazzocco and the solicitor, and an updated budget will be circulated by the borough manager.

Business District Relations and Development Committee

Small Business Saturday Proclamation: Councilmember Amie Downs presented a draft proclamation recognizing the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday. The proclamation will be added to the November 3 voting agenda.
Public Good Funds for Business District Maps: Motion to authorize expenditure of up to $1,971.36 from Councilmember Downs’ public good funds for Dormont business district maps, to be printed in time for Small Business Saturday. The maps are being led by Forge and will feature a cartoonish style. Discussion clarified that if the maps are not printed by year-end, the expenditure can carry over under the $2,000 threshold. Councilmember Jennifer Mazzocco questioned the reimbursement process; it was determined that if businesses pay taxes, the borough cannot reimburse tax portions. The motion will be voted on at the next voting meeting.
Flags: Councilmember Downs offered to use remaining public good funds to replace flags on West Liberty Avenue. Discussion also covered flags on Potomac Avenue, with suggestion to fund those from the civic celebrations line item rather than public good funds. Council will obtain cost estimates and consider a rotating replacement schedule.

Planning, Sustainability, and Inclusion Committee

Councilmember Kate Fabus introduced a discussion on long-term revenue strategies, prompted by borough manager John Stinner’s projections that expenses will outpace revenues annually after 2027.
Options discussed:
- Home rule charter: Would allow the borough to create taxes beyond property tax, but requires a referendum and is a heavy lift. Councilmember Amy Downs noted it should not be pursued solely for financial reasons. Council will gather more information, including DCED guides and case studies from other municipalities (e.g., Wilkinsburg recently passed home rule). Councilmember Fabus will place the topic on her committee’s agenda for next month.
- Shared public services: Studies by the Commonwealth for police and fire are free; the police study takes about three months. Borough Manager Stinner noted similar studies in previous roles. Council expressed interest in starting these studies soon.
- Trash collection: The current contract costs the borough $250,000–$500,000 per year. Council is exploring options through the COG and shared services. Manager Stinner noted that the COG will examine shared services broadly in coming years.
Councilmember Chris Rieger asked about obtaining a consultant for the home rule process; the solicitor, Tucker Arensberg, has home rule clients but hasn’t taken a borough through the transition from borough code.

Public Safety, Building & Code Enforcement Committee

Chief Stakich reported that the Citizens Fire Academy is nearing completion with 11 participants. They will undergo EMS/CPR training on October 28. Graduation is scheduled for the November 3 voting meeting, and a burn event will follow on November 8 in conjunction with Mt. Lebanon’s CFA.

Parking and Park Mobile Discussion

Mayor Jason Walsh raised an email from Park Mobile seeking a decision on their parking payment service. Council had received a presentation the previous month.
Councilmember Mazzocco requested a comparison between Park Mobile and the current provider, Meter Feeder, including fee structures. Administration will provide details at the December supercommittee meeting.
Mayor Walsh noted that the new solar kiosks in the Dormont Village parking lot are positioned along the road, not near the sidewalk, causing accessibility issues for patrons of businesses in the lot. Signage is being ordered; public works will install temporary signs. Council also discussed whether to charge for handicap spaces (borough currently does not). The location of the kiosks is part of the original design; long-term relocation is under discussion.
Councilmember Amie Downs asked that public works hang Christmas decorations by Small Business Saturday; Manager Stinner confirmed this can be done.

Key Outcomes

Budget decision: Council agreed on a 1.5 mill increase for 2026, retaining the sidewalk program and keeping the facade grant line item. The borough manager will prepare the ordinance and an updated budget.
Proclamation and public good funds: The Small Business Saturday proclamation will be voted on November 3. The motion to authorize up to $1,971.36 for business district maps will also be on the voting agenda.
Home rule and shared services: Council will begin information gathering; free commonwealth studies for police and fire will be pursued. A more detailed discussion on home rule is set for the next committee meeting.
Citizens Fire Academy: Graduation at the November 3 voting meeting; burn event November 8.
Park Mobile: Administration to provide a cost comparison with Meter Feeder by December. Council will also review the Meter Feeder contract regarding a price increase.
Parking lot signage: Public works to install signs indicating paid parking and app options. Handicap accessibility concerns will be addressed.
Executive session: Council adjourned to executive session to discuss a legal matter and a personnel issue.

Meeting Transcript

All right. To order this super committee meeting for October 27th, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Is October 27th, which is the seventh um anniversary of the True of Life shooting. And just wanted to read the names of those that on that day, and um so that we can remember them and reflect on the tragedy that that was. And um, so we were Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Judge, Cecil Rosenthal, Dilma Rosenthal, Remy Simon Sobensin and Daniel Stein's and Irving and be a blessing. Um we do not need registered comments, and so we'll go into the 2026 budget discussion, which is at the top of our agenda. Um I believe for this was to kind of put a pin on a bow on our decision about um expenditures and the millage increase. So do you the sharing thing, or are we just kind of having that discussion? Um I can bring up the different scenarios that was presented by um that John sent out on Friday. He should also be here at some point um to be able to discuss further if there's any questions. I'm here. There you go. Okay, John. I just assume all those John Sinners were fake. So I changed my name so that I would actually be Melinda Sabo this time since it's a little more confusing if the John Stenner. All right. John paper looks like a lineup, like it's trying to figure out how tall you are. Did you get arrested at the CMA? I did not get arrested at CMA. There's still time. So I think so. Basically, just to catch everybody up for those that were here. We talked about here and we're here. We kind of increase, which would give us enough money to put um a decent chunk into the rainy day fund, and then also would give us a little bit on top of the road program and would give us uh flexibility to consider uh an extra project, such as potentially the planning for the built-more retaining wall um or something of that nature, something around $50,000. So I think we're able to, you know, take a chance to just and those who weren't here, especially Kate, um, make sure he's okay with it. Because Amy goes on for that part, but you're just not. So we don't know what you think. And so before we get too much further. I I just I know that I expressed two things, which was that I thought both the facade improvement and the sidewalk program that Brandon brought up could potentially wait, and then I thought it was maybe bad optics to start a new program when we were also increasing taxes. But in talking to people as well as reflecting on it, I had a lot of people say that they felt that being able to say that we're starting the sidewalk program and using some of the money for that is actually uh it's a good return on investment, if you will, to say that we're investing in something that we know that our taxpayers need and can use, and it also ties into sort of the safe mobility concepts and us being a walkable community. So um the facade improvement grant, I don't really have a decision on one way or the other, even though I know I'm business district relations, but I've not heard from people one way or the other that it's you know it's overused or underused, or there's not enough there, or their prop program doesn't work the way it's supposed to. So I don't have um, we certainly don't have a line of people waiting to get in it either, but I would I'm gonna reverse my prior position and say let's leave the sidewalk program in. I had similar thoughts. Um I obviously I'm the one that wrote the facade grant stuff, so clearly I stand by it.

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