Cory Ruff

The council received reports from various municipal departments and heard presentations from community members regarding ongoing demolition and rehabilitation projects, upcoming library events, and green space planning. Key actions taken included the adoption of the 2026 Amended General Fund Budget, approval of the Tri-COG Land Bank's disposition plan for a specific property, and authorization for the sale of a municipal vehicle. The council also approved donations to local organizations, authorized the payment of bills and payroll, held an executive session to discuss personnel matters, and finalized the hiring of a new sanitation laborer.

The meeting agenda included motions to approve the agenda and reports from the Engineer, Code Enforcement, Mayor, DPW/Sanitation, Fire, Tax Collector, and Manager/Treasurer. New business items involved the adoption of the 2026 Amended General Fund Budget for $1,997,908.00, consent to the Tri-COG Land Bank's proposed disposition plan for property at 1014 4th Street while waiving the sixty-day notice period, approving a $250.00 donation to the Braddock North Braddock Little League, approving a $300.00 donation to the Unity Baptist Church for their Back to School Giveaway, authorizing the advertisement and sale of a Borough-owned 2008 Ford F-350, and approving borough bills and payroll. The council also planned to discuss hiring a Sanitation Laborer at $21.00 per hour following a temporary executive session.

The meeting agenda was approved, followed by reports from the Engineer, Code Enforcement, Mayor, DPW/Sanitation, Fire, Tax Collector, and Manager/Treasurer. Citizen comments included a request from the NBVFD Trustee regarding past due taxes for VFD #3 and a discussion on demolitions and property updates by MVI. Carnegie One advised on library programs and a forthcoming School Board meeting. New business primarily involved unanimous approvals: directing the Borough Manager to prepare recommended amendments to the 2026 Borough Budget based on updated revenue projections, adopting resolutions ratifying prior council actions for the sale of real property at 313 Hawkins Avenue and 1014 Bell Avenue, and numerous appointments to various commissions and boards, including the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Commission, EZCB Board, Tri-COG Land Bank, PSAB voting delegate roles, and the CONNECT Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. A motion to exonerate delinquent trash collection charges for a specific property failed. The borough bills and payroll were approved. The meeting included a temporary adjournment for an executive session to discuss personnel issues.

The meeting agenda included directing the Borough Manager to prepare recommended amendments to the 2026 Borough Budget based on updated revenue projections. Key new business involved the approval and adoption of two resolutions (RESOLUTION 26-01 and RESOLUTION 26-02) ratifying prior council actions and authorizing the execution of indentures for the sale of two specified borough-owned real properties. The agenda also included multiple motions for appointments to various boards and commissions, such as the Eastern Regional Mon Valley Police Commission, the EZCB Board, the Tri-COG Land Bank, the PSAB, and the CONNECT Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. Finally, there was a motion to authorize the exoneration and forgiveness of delinquent municipal trash collection charges for a specific church property, and a motion to approve the borough bills and payroll.

The Borough Council Meeting agenda included several key actions for the upcoming fiscal year 2026. Discussions involved the proposed 2026 budgets for the General Fund, Sanitation Fund, Sewer Fund, and Liquid Fuels Fund, which required adoption following public availability. Council considered adopting resolutions to establish the 2026 meeting schedule, approve an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Borough of Braddock for code enforcement services, and set the 2026 borough fee schedule. Other business included approving the ALCOSAN sewage rate increase, approving the employment agreement for the Code Enforcement Officer, advertising for a Sanitation Laborer position, approving the acquisition and disposition of specific vacant properties, and enacting the 2026 Real Estate Tax Ordinance. Personnel matters addressed during an executive session included ratifying disciplinary action against a Public Works Operator and accepting the separation and resignation of two Crossing Guards.