Monroeville council swears in new police commander, approves budgets and grant applications

Monroeville Borough Council on Feb. 10 swore in Jason Safer as commander of the Monroeville Police Department and accepted several routine and policy measures, including budget approvals, appointments and grant-authorizing resolutions.

Mayor Biondo opened the meeting with the borough's annual state-of-the-municipality address, citing adoption of the 2026 operating and capital budgets and the adoption of a five-year capital improvement program. The mayor highlighted an announced purchase of the Monroeville Mall by Cypress Equities and said the developer, in partnership with Walmart, is proposing an investment exceeding $300,000,000 to revitalize the mall and surrounding area. "We anxiously await plans for this site and expect them to be presented to the public very soon," the mayor said.

The meeting formally swore in Jason Safer. In taking the oath, Safer pledged to "enforce the laws and ordinances of the municipality of Monroeville" and to "preserve the peace," language used during the ceremony.

Council then handled routine business: approval of minutes; reports and tax-collection paperwork; a list of bills and budget transfers; the payroll report; and capital improvement purchase orders. The council appointed Dr. Grisock to a first term on the Monroeville Convention and Visitors Bureau and nominated several residents for advisory-board vacancies.

On policy items the council approved a motion to advertise an ordinance to enter an intermunicipal agreement through the Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments to establish a fire code and board of appeals under the International Fire Code. Council also approved a resolution setting the municipal tax collector's bond at $10,000,000 per year for 2026—29 and authorizing its purchase under the municipal charter.

Council approved a resolution authorizing submission of a grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program to fund a comprehensive open-space, recreation and greenways plan. Councilmembers and parks staff said the grant would be matched with local resources from proceeds of the community-pool sale and would support future park rehabilitation, trail extensions and related projects.

Council approved a consent assessment of civil penalty with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for alleged Solid Waste Management Act violations involving Patty Villanova; the item had been discussed at a previous meeting.

Staff updates included a report that Allegheny County denied the borough's tax-exemption request for the Monroeville Convention Center on the grounds it was not public use; staff said they will appeal the decision to the Bureau of Property Assessment Review and that the appeals process could take an estimated four to six months, with taxes paid in the meantime and potential refunds if exemption is later granted.

During the public-comment periods residents raised neighborhood issues. Cherry Samuel of 738 Cottonwood Drive asked the borough to address on-street parking that she said blocks driveways and creates safety hazards on a bend; she suggested outreach letters to neighbors. Deborah Becker, speaking for Garden City neighbors, said the Court of Common Pleas reversed the borough's earlier denial of the Willowcrest subdivision and urged council to consider an appeal, citing concerns over road cartways, traffic-study shortcomings and flooding risks.

The meeting concluded after council business and member remarks. A motion to adjourn passed.