Louis Ransom

The agenda includes presentations from various stakeholders regarding pension funds, infrastructure projects, and community initiatives. Key action items involve the consideration of an ordinance to amend the Home Rule Charter regarding council member compensation, approval of resolutions for land development and sanitary sewer connections for the Braddock Locks and Dam and U.S. Steel projects, and the consolidation of the ARP ESSER fund with the general fund. Additionally, the council will address by-law updates for the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments, funding for the Juneteenth celebration, the contract for the Borough Manager, and standard departmental reporting including finance, taxes, solicitor, and public works.

The council meeting addressed several infrastructure and community projects, including the approval of a $165,000 grant application for Washington Street Park, the award of the CD50 Catch Basin project to KGD, and the approval of the Alcosan sewage pipe takeover bid. Further actions included authorizing grant projects for paving on Braddock and Talbot Avenues, participating in county CDBG and HOME programs, and applying for a PA DCNR grant for the Center Street playground. The council also approved a donation to the Greater Pittsburgh Regional Civics Bee and provided a letter of support for Greater Valley Community Services. Departmental reports were accepted, and public participants advocated for regional green space planning and expressed safety concerns regarding traffic speed on Corey Avenue.

The meeting agenda includes discussions regarding the advertisement of ordinances to regulate the release of balloons and to restrict parking in borough-owned lots after 10 PM. The council will consider ratifying an official proclamation honoring the late Councilman William Zachery and presenting an honorary key to the borough to his family. Additionally, the meeting will involve the review and acceptance of various administrative reports, including those from the TCVCOG, enterprise zone, tax collector, solicitor, mayor, engineer, public works, fire department, police department, code enforcement, finance, and the borough manager, alongside the payment of outstanding bills.

Key discussions and actions during this special meeting included the call to order and roll call, followed by public participation where citizens raised concerns regarding the Litter Committee status, the need for council unity, political processes, resident residency, and basic government knowledge. Actions taken involved the ratification of Glenn Terry's hiring as Braddock Borough Manager with an annual salary of $53,000 effective July 11, 2022, and the ratification of Sergeant Jamie Speelman as Interim Chief of Police effective July 1, 2022. Additionally, the council approved obtaining a mentor from the Peer Mentor Program for the Borough Manager. The meeting concluded with an adjournment.

The key topics for this set of meetings/agendas included motions related to hiring personnel such as a Borough Manager, Police Officers, and school crossing guards, and accepting resignations. The Council planned to advertise ordinances adopting the International Property Maintenance Code and the International Fire Code, as well as an ordinance raising the earned income tax for 2024. Financial matters involved paying Satira Construction for work on a catch basin replacement and pipe replacement, and paying for various equipment and services. Other discussions focused on applying for a Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant for Sanitary Sewer System Repairs, reviewing the Preliminary Budget for 2024, and managing Halloween party expenditures. The Mayor's report noted that the Borough was expecting to exit Act 47 status in July 2023.