[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6374342,"mediaKeyId","2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb","parentId",2144800,"title","Creek Street project moves forward; borough to cover roughly $355,000 after conservation grant","audioSeconds",51,"startMs",1021000,"endMs",1072000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb&start=1021&end=1072","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb/thumbnail_1021000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6374342/Munhall/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Creek-Street-project-moves-forward-borough-to-cover-roughly-355000-after-conservation-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374342-39c5488bf6092dd6e3d2b10e8e271cb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776048964&Signature=ic-RA3Rb18XaUjRhKDvHV-1SAl5PeNCYRBLzCPOUcDjsggtz6aSPrqZRA60~WHLA4mCe3WuUUKV3MWy3HoOJxzit8Y3uTGX~tbQIfpb4gdBaiuVVmmoN3A34AD2vQi6SK61HWuefm5o01YaPOs4WqXiO2oyEbqRDyvB4bcRDhfT1JCSitMLO-p7Cww5VRyzBeAHrjiu3zXhwRu3fYkl5jjz8h3y5zH2NLNHcP2Xekfi0GT2N5ldHoVYGGX7~iS3nigHk4UYQ9HVd0HyIY882uFL~q9qVvKAzFQKphK9NYrF1nqjABa1yxeqexrj1EjqlOc4D4IspvMorW~~jo~BjhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Munhall Borough, PA","date","2025-01-23T12:22:48Z","article","Munhall Borough Council received an update at its Jan. 21 meeting that the Creek Street reconstruction project will move forward after finalizing contracts with the chosen contractor.

The borough engineer reported a contract amount of $497,473 for the Creek Street work. The borough secured $142,000 from the conservation district, leaving a remaining balance of approximately $355,000 to be covered by the borough. Council members confirmed the money for the project was budgeted in the current year.

Engineering staff said contracts will be exchanged with the contractor shortly and that a separate catch basin project administered through the Council of Governments (COG) is complete pending a punch list.

Council asked for cost clarification on the Creek Street contract and the manager confirmed the grant and budget status; the payment plan and schedule will be included in the contract documents to be returned to council for records.

Ending: Contracts will be finalized and the engineer will return with a schedule and project oversight details; funding has been identified in the current budget to cover the borough’s share.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Munhall Borough - Council Meeting - 1/21/25","oneSentenceSummary","Engineer and manager updated council that the Creek Street reconstruction is proceeding with a contract amount of $497,473 and a $142,000 conservation district grant, leaving the borough responsible for the remaining balance, which was budgeted.","taxTitle","Munhall, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374347,"Council questions $93,000 in Transdev overages; staff to present contract and a repair‑approval policy",203,4230000,4433000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb&start=4230&end=4433","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb/thumbnail_4230000.jpg","/articles/6374347/Munhall/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Council-questions-93000-in-Transdev-overages-staff-to-present-contract-and-a-repairapproval-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374347-be2697a69f8beb51f4173faa2558cd2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776048964&Signature=Cpo5SGP5AegyLW-34wQHpka8L5M-iyicHvKUamJN1kRnomSYWW8~7U58T8AnVj-AvngOFGJ6VfgadDSRhwFVEmWwPA-eE3Vh-bME5aaj8MBZM43xlBEAyFDva1kAnsQlogqiz-YR-hhOBGLxneJe6NlJAGMOM0LeRB8layhEHeU-FvZXGuZ7KYT9iTTHpEG91dH3RoALVStuRJ03mtYM~-u-rJP6zIFE04RTt-2dL5qXJCcNoaXOKx-mlJdWYi14bduk5gOarANmTkwmlsFHEzbIAYTwrRZzljXpFw3fS3-FkSNNib4HLtQ32-4PYAAsty50A3mv9L0MLQXCk4PaRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Munhall Borough Council on Jan. 21 directed staff to produce a clearer accounting of vehicle maintenance overages billed by Transdev and to draft a policy defining approval thresholds after council members raised concerns that driver behavior and lack of invoice oversight had driven repair costs above the contract amount.

Council members reviewed a summary showing about $93,000 in noncontract work and overages charged to Transdev over the covered period. The manager and public‑works staff described the overages as repairs not covered under routine wear, including damages they characterized as avoidable.

“There's $93,000 in noncontract work,” a council member said while reviewing packet materials, and asked who had authorized the invoices. The manager responded that he would provide a better‑organized report and the Transdev contract to show what is covered by the base contract and what constitutes an overage.

Council asked that the manager and solicitor develop a written procedure establishing financial approval thresholds for vehicle repairs and parts — i.e., what level of repair the public‑works director or police/fire chiefs can authorize without prior manager or council approval. The manager agreed to return with a revised policy and the full Transdev contract for review at the next workshop.

Council did not take immediate disciplinary action; members requested a breakdown by month and by vehicle to identify any patterns of unusual repair activity and to isolate nonwarranty costs.

Ending: Staff will provide the Transdev contract, a month‑by‑month invoice breakdown, and a draft repair‑approval policy for council review at the next workshop.","Council members flagged roughly $93,000 in noncontract vehicle repair and overage charges to Transdev and asked staff to return with a clearer invoice breakdown and a policy that sets approval thresholds for vehicle repairs and maintenance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374352,"Attorney explains Homestead-style tax exoneration program; Munhall council to review forms",689,2082000,2771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb&start=2082&end=2771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb/thumbnail_2082000.jpg","/articles/6374352/Munhall/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Attorney-explains-Homestead-style-tax-exoneration-program-Munhall-council-to-review-forms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374352-ef56be89be10c4dfd73f4beb5bd4b83f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776048964&Signature=VqQvp62I6LlG5Vj4iKoERyM6DrGSRmQvsDsLG16x5LLOpr2eAcDKrsAY8IkB4JL~~IdNuA0QD3RC1FWj5kGx2841V~7MzS6IH~v0sCJrTNrP9pi612VTxxeMUeG~iUODsQpiXy6c9nrYyjOHkIA97TOdaTIyVgMHkl20AaBKNWzVAIFIBSk1CULXLXEKw0Dw3rOWuSZsTFK4O1UyA8CysfkOjja4R-Mko6Y7P9NcNQxKOFpqAIsO0GASSjyq0sZI8ZlmFia5xDqZYDVDQhHi7RLd3~gZR5eDCiK778gbTMFvsYL-br7~VVUvIiBh7evuqDgF7KgGTFBPbsJ1oAmK9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An attorney who has worked with Homestead Borough described a tax‑exoneration program at Munhall Borough Council’s Jan. 21 meeting and urged officials to examine the model as a way to return tax‑delinquent, dilapidated properties to productive use.

Brett Solomon, an attorney and title agent who said he handled several Homestead exoneration petitions, told council the program gives vetted buyers a window to rehabilitate properties and, by petition to court with county and school‑district consent, can result in exoneration of prior delinquent taxes when certain investment thresholds are met. Solomon said the county and Homestead school district previously cooperated on earlier cases but that the Steel Valley School District has since changed its position, making district buy‑in a critical factor in feasibility.

“Homestead has been pretty successful with it,” Solomon said, describing cases where developers invested more in rehabilitation than the amount of delinquent taxes to restore properties to taxable, occupied status.

Council members asked manager and staff to obtain Homestead’s application forms and program materials for review. Several members emphasized that the school district’s consent is necessary; Solomon said no developer will commit to a project without prior assurance the school district would agree to any exoneration of its portion of delinquent taxes.

The solicitor noted the program in Homestead operates through a petition to court rather than a borough ordinance and that council should consider whether to adopt a formal administrative framework or rely on the court‑petition approach.

Council directed the manager to obtain the Homestead forms and any sample documentation and to report back; Solomon offered to forward sample forms he has used. Council did not take a final vote on implementing the program.

Ending: Council members said they would discuss the program further at a workshop and would attempt to coordinate with Steel Valley School District officials before taking formal action.","Attorney Brett Solomon described a tax‑exoneration program used in neighboring Homestead to encourage private rehabilitation of tax‑delinquent properties. Council asked staff to obtain Homestead forms and study feasibility, noting the school district's cooperation is essential.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6374357,"Munhall council approves bills, hires officer and auditor; Shields elected council president",346,4595000,4941000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb&start=4595&end=4941","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2144800-d7333b116aecf267d88156ab33543ceb/thumbnail_4595000.jpg","/articles/6374357/Munhall/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Munhall-council-approves-bills-hires-officer-and-auditor-Shields-elected-council-president","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6374357-d19fd5382984c724b4ebce8740c41c6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776048964&Signature=SV8gr~i9EkN52N4qLnxVx-1lC~iwl5RoAU-DLv492iZeMG8YepvGbSJlO1P7d-mLPTnS7zYu7XUbijf7qS9lgUcomg6DEChWhI3m5az1rwD4waAhyt0z9v~IrE1Da9AwgmaqZtlnJvdCThBt4L~PmLc5NIeyfCWr11AlmLebwOin9zsSDsl-LNvq-b~BOBtAIqQL0tj~8EJt1CUFXWSdX2jIrnV7dXfSt1jNRZsVYsfymO~dRxeDuFpwdtR6oZ03jig479w4jRv2ribhi~VCj0YeyJZVEQ1vhCEvPhzIQk7cO9xZ7hfCh2uq~DnDWvC7x7sqAFDsbvNLs2Eslmp4EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Munhall Borough Council on Jan. 21 approved monthly bills totaling $878,172.79 and payroll for the period — $317,311.16 — and completed a series of personnel and contracting votes including hiring a conditional police officer and selecting a financial auditor.

The evening’s votes came amid extended public comment about council dysfunction and the announced resignation of Councilman Kevin Ondo. Council also elected Mr. Shields as council president after nominations and a unanimous vote.

Council voted to hire a conditional full‑time police officer, Tatum O’Barto, pending required physical and psychological testing. The police chief described O’Barto as “young” with prior municipal experience and a clean record; the appointment passed after a motion and second and a voice vote in favor.

Council approved Zelenovsky Axelrod LLC as the borough’s auditor for 2024 at a quoted price of $20,500 and set the auditor contract for execution. Council also approved retroactive salary adjustments for specified nonunion administrative employees (an hourly increase for employee 100248 and 3% increases for two other employees, retroactive to Jan. 1) and voted to terminate the employment of employee 100265 as discussed in executive session.

Several proposed items were tabled for further consideration, including a fundraising/placemaking program called My Legacy. Council instructed staff to return with additional details or presentations where requested.

Votes at a glance

- Bills and expenses: Approved — $878,172.79 (motion, second, voice vote; tally not specified in the minutes packet).
- Payroll: Approved — $317,311.16 (motion, second, voice vote; tally not specified).
- Auditor contract: Approved — Zelenovsky Axelrod LLC, $20,500 (motion carried).
- Police hire: Approved — conditional appointment of Tatum O’Barto as full‑time police officer (conditional on physical and psychological exams).
- Personnel: Approved — termination of employee 100265 (executive session discussed); approved retroactive raises for administrative employees noted above.
- My Legacy fundraising program: Tabled (motion carried).
- Council leadership: Approved — Mr. Shields elected council president (motion, second, voice vote; carried unanimously).

The council president nominated attendees for the upcoming ALON spring conference and staff were directed to finalize registrations. The meeting ended after routine departmental reports and public comment.

Ending: Council president Shields said he would work to mediate council tensions going forward and the council scheduled follow‑up items for the next workshop and the February voting meeting.","At its Jan. 21 meeting Munhall Borough Council approved payment of December bills and payroll, hired a conditional police officer, engaged an auditor for 2024, and elected Mr. Shields as council president. The meeting also produced personnel actions and votes to table several items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Creek Street project moves forward; borough to cover roughly $355,000 after conservation grant

Council questions $93,000 in Transdev overages; staff to present contract and a repair‑approval policy

Attorney explains Homestead-style tax exoneration program; Munhall council to review forms

Munhall council approves bills, hires officer and auditor; Shields elected council president