Safe Mobility Commission Meeting Summary – August 19, 2026

The Safe Mobility Commission (SMC) of Dormont, Pennsylvania, met on August 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM (note: the agenda listed August 18, but the meeting occurred on the 19th per the official record). The meeting focused on long‑pending traffic safety petitions, updates from contracted engineers Gateway, and the resignation of a commission member.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the June 2026 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (all present in favor, none opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made; no attendees joined online or in person beyond commission members and staff.

Discussion Items

• Council Meeting Attendance Schedule: Future council meeting attendance was assigned to commission members: July 6 (EM), August 3 (CY), September 8 (WS), October 5 (EM), November 2 (LG), December 7 (CY). Members noted that recent council meetings did not include items relevant to the commission.
• Gateway Engineering Updates: The commission discussed the status of recommendations from Gateway Engineers for two intersections: Dormont/Dwight and Peermont/Latonia (now Biltmore). Key points:
  • Gateway is transitioning its project manager/engineer; the new manager started the prior week and is catching up on all borough projects, including these traffic studies.
  • The commission requested that the June meeting minutes (which contained specific context and requests) be sent to Gateway to expedite follow‑up.
  • For Dormont/Dwight, Gateway had suggested moving the crosswalk near the pool, adding a raised crosswalk, pedestrian signs, and possibly a flashing beacon (deemed too expensive and poorly sited). Reducing road width and adding a bike lane were discussed but the bike lane would end abruptly. A separate cost analysis for the five‑point intersection at Dormont and Dwight is being prepared under the borough’s Active Transportation Plan (ATP) by TOOLL, with an update expected in September.
  • For Peermont/Latonia, a safety audit was planned to justify whether a stop sign or other measures should be added.
  • Two resident petitions for traffic calming remain with Gateway; no progress has been reported due to the project transition.
• Concerns About Gateway Workflow: Several commissioners expressed frustration with Gateway’s slow response and lack of cost estimates. One commissioner noted that they have been “highly skeptical of Gateway” since joining the commission, citing delays across multiple borough boards. Staff (Melinda) explained that the president of Gateway Engineers is now serving as the borough engineer and that Friday meetings are occurring to address backlog. A commissioner requested that Borough Manager John provide a written summary of Gateway’s progress on SMC projects at the next meeting. Another commissioner pointed out that the long wait times (up to two years) for petition responses were unfair to residents who followed the proper process. Staff acknowledged the concerns and said they would relay them to the manager.
• Resignation of Marc Ford: Marc Ford resigned from the commission via email to members. The commission thanked him for his service. Melinda outlined the replacement process: the vacancy will appear on the September council consent agenda for approval; applications will be solicited via the borough’s Boards and Commissions website; the commission may review applicants, interview them, and provide a formal recommendation to council. Final approval is expected by the November council meeting. A quorum for the commission will be three out of four members during the interim.

Key Outcomes

• The June meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
• The commission directed staff to forward the June minutes to Gateway to ensure new project manager context for pending studies.
• Concerns about Gateway’s performance were formally noted; staff will escalate to Borough Manager John.
• The process to replace Marc Ford was confirmed: vacancy posted in September, applications accepted, commission recommendation to council by October/November.
• No votes were taken on substantive policy changes.