Borough of Tarentum

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included presentations of proclamations honoring the Tarentum Book Club and three Eagle Scouts (A. Godinez, A. Karmazin, and K. Babinsack). The Council addressed communications regarding the Orr Blockhouse Project, Spray Park hours, and interest in joining the Planning Committee. Committee and department reports covered Police, Code Enforcement, Engineering, and Manager updates, including finance updates on water system replacements and grant information. New business motions involved approving the payment of January 2026 Borough bills, designating the Tribune Review as the official newspaper, ratifying the advertisement for a Special Council Meeting on March 25, 2026, and approving reappointments/appointments to the Planning Committee and as Junior Council Person and Municipal Management Fellow. The Council also approved an Eagle Scout project request for the Orr Blockhouse, allocated $2,000 for the 250th Anniversary Parade, awarded a contract for pump house chemical feed and tank mixers to Tuggle for Enterprises, authorized adjustments to Spray Park Hours, and approved a resolution authorizing the renumeration of certain properties on Ormond Street for 911 purposes. Furthermore, motions were prepared to advertise ordinances related to approving schedules with American Municipal Power, Inc. for the Bright Mountain Solar and Potomac Energy Center.

The meeting commenced with the Call To Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Silent Prayer or Reflection, and Roll Call, noting a waiver of telephone participation rules due to a weather-related state of emergency. Proclamations were scheduled for recognition of Darrin Kelly, Ronald "Ron" Borczyk, Stone Sobieralski, and AmazonPIT5, while proclamations for Kofi Collections, Sam Hens-Greco, Lawerence Stanley, Nicholas Vitale, Richard Proud, the Allegheny County Youth Laureate Program, and Jaison Mikelonis were read into the record. All pending appointments, including those for Jordan Botta, Lissa Geiger Shulman, Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, and Alex Rose to various boards, were referred to the Committee on Appointment Review. New Business involved the referral of several ordinances to respective committees, including one proposing a referendum on term limits for the Chief Executive, another codifying County services regardless of immigration status, legislation regarding the Allegheny County Jail and Jail Rape Elimination, changes to procurement processes, a new Article for Tax Exemptions for Longtime Owner-Occupants, an updated Ethics Code, and the renaming of Youghiogheny River Bridge No. 1. A motion to adopt version 2026.1 of the Rules of Council was held for the next meeting. Finally, a summary of approved Executive actions for December 2025 was received and filed.

The meeting involved several proclamations honoring individuals such as Mayor Jack Brown, Chief Dean Helenski, and Council Members Jack Betkowski, Anita Prizio, and Bob Macey. Other proclamations recognized the remodel of the Brentwood Civic Center, the dedication of the Pleasant Hills Borough New Municipal Building, the Pittsburgh Pride Choir's contributions, service to Wilkins Township, the retirement of Telecommunications Officer Ed Burik, and the opening of The Connect Laundromat in Wilmerding Borough. Certificates of Recognition were presented to the South Fayette Lions Girls Soccer Team and members of the Richland Volunteer Fire Department. Key actions included passing a motion to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2025 meeting. Appointments were approved, including the re-appointment of Sarah Roka to the Retirement Board and the appointment of Councilman Paul Klein and Damon Young to the Carnegie Library Board, and Brandon Markosek to the Allegheny County Housing Authority Board. An ordinance establishing a protocol for expeditious autopsies for individuals who died in the custody of the Allegheny County Jail was passed. New business included granting permission for a 25-year Lease Agreement for the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum. Motions were passed re-establishing the Budget Transfer Committee, accepting the donation of two horses for the Police's Mounted Unit, and authorizing Steel Rivers Council of Governments (SRCOG) to continue using property in Round Hill Park as a training facility. A motion was also made authorizing the Solicitor to pursue legal remedy against the Commonwealth regarding the uniformity of the reassessment system.

The Council Meeting addressed several operational and administrative matters. Key discussion points included a presentation of the ten-year review of Borough finances and operations, and consideration of a request from Rams Youth Football to utilize a borough building for meetings. The Council reviewed committee and department reports, including the 2025 Annual Report and the proposed 2026 demolition list. New business focused heavily on organizational appointments for 2026, such as adopting Robert's Rules of Order, appointing the Borough Solicitor, Engineer, Auditor, and confirming various committee chairpersons. Motions were presented to pay the December 2025 Borough bills, approve the 2026 Recreation Board calendar, allocate remaining 2025 fire funding to the three Borough fire departments, and approve Resolution 26-01 regarding Highway Occupancy Permits. There was also a discussion regarding possible appointees to the EMS Authority.

The meeting included the reading of a proclamation recognizing Wilkins Township Commissioner Sylvia Martinelli for her public service. Key legislative actions under Unfinished Business involved the Committee on Budget and Finance passing for Chief Executive Signature an Ordinance establishing the tax levy for Fiscal Year 2026, an Ordinance amending the fee schedule for various County Departments (including the adoption of Amendment Innamorato 1), and a Resolution adopting the 2026 Fiscal Year Operating Budget (also including the adoption of Amendment Innamorato 1). Additionally, resolutions were passed regarding the 2026 Fiscal Year Capital Budget and the Grants, Special Accounts, and Agency Fund Budgets, all requiring Chief Executive Signature. New Business included the referral of an ordinance to establish a protocol for expeditious autopsies for individuals who died in County Jail custody, and several other bills related to Health Department rules and regulations, a lease renewal for the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, and a temporary real property tax exemption program for improvements in deteriorated areas of Pittsburgh.