# Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee Meeting – April 20, 2026

The Dormont Borough Council Supercommittee met on April 20, 2026, to discuss and act on agenda items including public comments, committee reports, and resolutions. Key topics included a vape shop zoning amendment, lifeguard services for Castle Shannon, sanitary sewer programs, street opening regulations, and hazard mitigation plan adoption.

### Public Comments & Testimony
- Helen Klamovich (1218 Oklahoma Avenue) raised concerns about a neighbor parking in an alley, creating safety and nuisance issues; council promised follow-up.
- Megan McLean (resident, business owner, pediatric nurse) expressed strong support for the vape shop zoning ordinance, citing harm to children and community character; she clarified it applies only to prospective shops.
- Natalie (S.B. Avenue resident and Potomac business owner) shared negative experiences with a neighboring vape shop (police incidents, disruptions) and supported limiting such businesses.
- Autumn Brownlee (not present) submitted a question about parking permit limits; council referred the matter to the solicitor for a May memo.
- Later: Helen Klamovich asked whether the vape shop ordinance would ban sandwich board advertisements for existing shops; council clarified it affects sales, not ads, and applies only to future shops.
- Chief Jeff Stack (1125 Dormont Avenue) expressed safety concerns about sending minor lifeguards to Castle Shannon (transportation, handling unruly patrons); council acknowledged and said further discussion needed.
- Dana (29 through one Mattern – likely 2901 Mattern) requested increased police visibility in Potomac and expressed concern about losing senior lifeguards to Castle Shannon.

### Discussion Items

#### Executive Committee
- Mayor Walsh requested $500 from the Public Good Fund to sponsor the Keystone Oaks Marching Band for the South Hills Memorial Day Parade, a long-standing practice. Council approved.

#### Business District Relations & Development Committee
- Council discussed and motioned to authorize the Borough Solicitor to send the vape shop zoning ordinance amendment to Allegheny County for review and comment. Key changes: narrowed definition to "vape shops" (excluding tobacco/cigar shops), removed percentage formula, clarified prospective application. Council requested adding explicit language that it applies only to future shops and sending the revised version to the Planning Commission. The motion was approved.

#### Recreation and Community Affairs Committee
- Lifeguard Services for Castle Shannon Splash Pad: Council debated a proposal to provide a lifeguard to Castle Shannon’s splash pad (May 23–Labor Day). Concerns included insufficient staffing, training timeline, transportation for lifeguards, supervision, and liability. No vote taken; council directed Borough Manager John Stinner to gather more details and discuss at the next supercommittee meeting. Alternative training assistance was suggested.
- Resolution No. 9, 2026: Council approved a resolution formally requesting $100,000 in GEDTF grant funding for the Dormont Next Generation Playground Pavilion from the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, authorizing execution of agreements and local matching funds. The grant was already awarded; the resolution updates the authorized signatory to Council President Amy Downs.
- Ordinance No. 1659: Council discussed advertising a $1,500,000 general obligation note for the playground. The note includes a two-year interest-only period while the project is completed, then amortization over five or ten years. Council requested that the full ordinance (not just the bank letter) be included in the next meeting packet; advertising was deferred until then.

#### Finance & Legal Committee
- Resolution No. 8, 2026 (Destruction of Specific Records): Council discussed approving destruction of various records, including PRT park-and-ride letters possibly relevant to transit-oriented development. Members requested that documents with historical value be scanned before destruction, and that any additional items for destruction be added to the list by the next meeting. Approval was deferred to the next supercommittee meeting.
- Energy Contracts with KeyTex Energy: Council discussed authorizing the Borough Manager to lock in market rates for electricity ($0.11300–$0.12500 range or better) and natural gas ($4.28–$4.44 range or better). The broker recommended 18–24 month terms due to market volatility from the Iran war and capacity changes in 2028. Council requested quick broker feedback on whether a longer term (e.g., 36 months) would be beneficial. No vote taken; further information pending.

#### Property, Supplies, and Public Works Committee
- 2026 Sanitary Sewer Programs (Items A–D): Council approved motions to direct Gateway Engineers to prepare bids for four programs: operation and maintenance, open cut repair, lining, and manhole rehabilitation. Council requested that bidders provide clear plans for road closures, detours, and communication with the public.
- Ordinance No. 1658 (Street Openings): Council discussed a comprehensive ordinance updating standards for street openings, excavations, pavement cuts, curb-to-curb restoration, and bond/insurance requirements. Several questions raised: sidewalk repair timeline (proposed 30 days; council considered 60), designee language, definition of public utility, requiring bonds for all excavations, restoration timeframes for utilities, and insurance levels (placeholder $1 million). Engineer specifications were received late and will be included in the next packet. Council continued discussion of the ordinance to the next meeting.

#### Public Safety and Building & Code Enforcement Committee
- Resolution No. 7, 2026: Council unanimously approved adopting the Allegheny County 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan, a standard five-year update required by FEMA to qualify for state and federal disaster funding.

### Key Outcomes
- Approved $500 Public Good Fund expenditure for Keystone Oaks Marching Band sponsorship.
- Approved sending vape shop zoning ordinance amendment to Allegheny County for review; will add explicit prospective language and share with Planning Commission.
- Approved Resolution No. 9 for $100,000 GEDTF playground pavilion grant.
- Directed that ordinance language for $1.5 million GO note be provided for next meeting; advertising deferred.
- Approved directing Gateway Engineers to prepare bids for four sanitary sewer programs.
- Approved Resolution No. 7 adopting the 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Deferred decision on lifeguard services for Castle Shannon to next meeting pending manager’s report.
- Deferred approval of records destruction resolution to next meeting pending scanning of historical documents.
- Deferred approval of energy contracts pending broker feedback on longer-term options.
- Continued discussion of Ordinance No. 1658 street openings; engineer specifications to be included in next packet.