Canonsburg council minutes
A half-dozen residents expressed their concerns to Canonsburg Council at its September meeting.
Robert Humble, 345 W. Pike St., approached council for a third time to complain about the noise at the outside bar at the Last Call Bar and Grill. Humble said he called 911 regarding noise issues after 11 p.m. and that employees and the owner of the establishment came to his front door and threatened to press harassment charges.
Donna Brockway, 26 Strabane Ave., also expressed concern about noise issues with the Last Call Bar and Grill. She said she had been awakened two times after midnight due to noise, but she had not called 911. Police chief Alex Coghill said the police department had not observed laws being broken, but that she should call the Liquor Control Board to file a complaint. Councilman John Severine stated that every town has outside patios and that the Last Call may move out of town because of the complaints and the town will lose business.
John Rakoczy, who owns property at 102 and 104 W. Pike St., said while fire inspections are a good thing, the fire inspector harasses tenants. He questioned why the fire inspector can “come and go at his discretion” and use the Knox Box to obtain access to his property and asked why an adjacent property, not owned by him, is not subject to the same inspections.
Merle Mathia, 511 Euclid Ave., questioned the legality of a commercial business on the corner of Weaver and Second streets, which he said is a residential area. Council discussed whether the issue was parking or zoning, and Severine noted that the property was vacant for three years and cannot be grandfathered in as a commercial property under the new zoning ordinance. Council president R.T. Bell asked borough manager Denise Lesnock to verify that proper permits for the business had been obtained.
Lisa McGuiness of Giffin Avenue asked about the traffic at the intersection near Walgreens and the bridge, noting that the light in front of the railroad track is not in sync with the light at the intersection. Coghill said the light delay is to clear traffic in front of the railroad track. McGuiness also noted that the right-hand turn towards McClelland Road is causing congestion on both lanes, especially with the new development. Bell noted that it took the borough six years to get the lights installed; Mayor David Rhome will inform PennDOT about the concerns.
Melissa Monahan, 536 Euclid Ave., approached council regarding the handicap vehicles on her street. She discussed a ticket she received for not having her handicapped placard displayed, noting that about a half-dozen out-of-state vehicles have been parked on her street for more than 30 days. She added that everyone in violation should be ticketed, not just some people. Council suggested she contact the code enforcement officer.
Pickleball progress
Jess Rigby, with Friends of the Park, displayed a print of the proposed pickleball courts for Town Park, which were given preliminary approval by KLH Engineer Veronica Bennett. Councilman Eric Chandler said a contract is needed stating that Friends of the Park will be responsible for maintaining the courts. With Chandler voting “no,” and Councilman Fran Coleman absent, council granted permission to Friends of the Park to use a portion of the Passante Parking Lot for the construction and operation of the pickleball courts.
In other business:
- KLH Engineering said two bids had been received for the electrical upgrades at the senior center, recommending that the award be given to low bidder S.E. Schultz Electric for $45,200. Council unanimously approved the recommendation. KLH Engineering is developing a 5- and 10-year master plan for the pool. Public Works director Tom Lawrence said the leak at the pool needs to be addressed as it is losing a lot of water.
- Councilwoman Tina Bails said Town Park pool was closed just two days in the 2018 season. She also noted that a new slide will be installed by the end of October. The pool concession stand may have to be put up for bid next season – or operated in-house by the borough.
- Council approved the transfer of a restaurant liquor license from the City of Monongahela to Duritz’s Enterprises, Inc.
- Council unanimously hired Robert Jeffrey Smith for the Civil Service Commission.