[1:20] Was

[1:31] it from the

[1:37] » Yeah, she said it was just from the rain.

[3:44] Good. >> You being short? No, I don't.

[3:53] » Good evening, everybody. The time is now 7:01 p.m. I would like to call this

[3:57] regular voting meeting to order. Today's date is Monday, August 10th. Um, I'll

[4:02] rise for the pledge of allegiance, please.

[4:06] To the flag of the United States of America and to the for it stands one

[4:12] nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

[4:20] » Thank you. Roll call, please. Michelle >> here.

[4:26] » Present. >> Mr. Lyn,

[4:28] » present. >> Mrs.

[4:30] » here. >> Mr.

[4:33] Mrs. here.

[4:36] » Here

[4:41] » um Vice President Pollock couldn't be with us this evening. He had a procedure

[4:44] a couple days ago, so we'd like to wish him the best in a speedy recovery. Um

[4:49] number four, report from burough boards and commissions.

[4:54] And number five, reports fire chief.

[5:01] My name is Hayden. I'm a captain with Jefferson Hills fire. I'll be giving

[5:04] Chase his report for him. He's not able to make it. I believe he's on his way,

[5:08] but I don't think he'll be here in time. Uh 54 incidents, eight of which were

[5:13] overlapping, nine of those were out of town. We had an average response time of

[5:16] 5 minutes and 46 seconds. Two notable incidents, we had a crash on 837 with

[5:22] enttrapment and engine one and two came across a gunshot victim, which they

[5:25] subsequently treated in the city of Claron. Other than that, I don't have

[5:29] anything to add to the rest of his written report unless you have any

[5:32] questions. >> And Mr. Havertock, I have a report for

[5:35] the incidents we responded to at Jefferson Hospital.

[5:38] » Oh, he he said that you requested that. >> Yeah. And actually, one other thing to

[5:42] add, we did start our smoke detector program with the Red Cross, I believe.

[5:46] Councilman Bus, you asked about that. >> Yes.

[5:48] » Last time. So, that is ruled. We do have four people scheduled now and more calls

[5:52] coming in, emails coming in to schedule more.

[5:54] » Perfect. Yeah, I did see the post. Caitlyn, if you could piggyback off of

[5:58] their post, uh it was on the JHFR Facebook page. That would be great and

[6:02] we can share that. Um also, Captain Craig, I know you guys were

[6:05] [clears throat] busy over the last 24 hours, so um you just praying that you

[6:09] guys are all safe. Thank you for helping all of the residents. We really

[6:12] appreciate it. >> Thank you all.

[6:13] » Thank you. >> Can you give that to Michelle?

[6:16] » Yes. >> Um EMS is not present this evening.

[6:21] Consulting engineer. I didn't hear back from today, so I

[6:25] think he's got >> Okay.

[6:28] Uh, finance officer, Mr. Haverto. >> I have nothing to add

[6:32] » tonight. >> Public works uh director is not present.

[6:35] Police chief, >> I have nothing to add to my report. I

[6:38] just wanted to thank uh everyone, all first responders, uh our residents,

[6:43] public works, uh we had a significant uh weather event today and we weathered the

[6:48] storm. Uh, not to say that pun, but it it was difficult for a couple hours

[6:53] there, but we want to thank everybody for understanding the road delays we

[6:57] had. Uh, we had flooding, trees down, and everybody uh helped out. Uh, thank

[7:02] you. >> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Yeah, I just

[7:05] wanted to piggy back on that. I wanted to say thank you to our police, public

[7:09] works, fire department. Everybody was amazing today. I know there were tons of

[7:13] comes calls coming in all at the same time and everybody did the best they can

[7:17] and just a big thank you to everyone and I'm glad that everyone [snorts] was

[7:20] safe. >> Thank you, manager Glister.

[7:24] » Uh nothing additional unless there's any questions and uh just sort of piggy

[7:29] piggybacking off of what the chief and mayor were just saying. Uh definitely

[7:33] some significant weather uh Friday uh a little bit Saturday and even today. And

[7:39] uh we're getting a high volume of phone calls as well for uh you know asking the

[7:44] bur to look into certain issues and things like that. So um you know bear

[7:48] with us uh you if you call the office you'll get a call back. Don't forget we

[7:52] have our online uh forms that can be submitted as well. Uh but either way if

[7:57] you reach out to us we will uh take a look into that and be back in touch with

[8:01] you. That's all I have. >> Thank you madam solicitor.

[8:03] » Uh thank you madam president. I have nothing to add to my written report.

[8:06] » Okay. Number six, burough resident taxpayer comments on agenda items. We

[8:11] have a handful here. Just to repeat and go over the rules of decorum while

[8:16] speaking uh during a public meeting, you have a 4m minute time period. Please do

[8:21] not go over that. If you are getting close to your four minutes, please

[8:25] finish with your um your sentence that you are in at that time or we will ask

[8:30] you to please have a seat. Um any outbursts will be warned twice after the

[8:34] second warning. you will be removed by or asked to be removed by our chief of

[8:38] police. Uh in no apparent order, uh we're going to go with Josh Rogers and

[8:44] just come up to the podium, speak loudly into the microphone. Uh state your name,

[8:48] address, and nature of business. >> Sure. Uh name is Joshua Rogers, 128 Ray

[8:55] Large Ray Large Road. Um just to speak on the EQT Drury. I just met the fine

[9:00] man from EQT here. Take it easy on him. He got a 17-month-old at home, so Um, as

[9:06] we all know, I'm not going to speak too much because I already spoke the other

[9:08] day, but uh, we all got a job here to do. We I understand that there is place

[9:14] for industry and there is also places where industry shouldn't be. Um, and

[9:20] unfortunately for you, EQT couldn't draw drill us out of this community. So, you

[9:26] know, so we're going to continue to speak. We've been doing this for a long

[9:29] time and we're not going anywhere. Um, and we're going to make sure that uh

[9:34] hopefully the council remembers what they're here for and um what their job

[9:41] and responsibilities are as well and uh what the responsibilities is as a

[9:45] parent, community member, and also a council member. So that's all I have.

[9:50] » Thank you, Mr. Rogers. Uh next, Rosa Hacka.

[10:05] My name is Rosa Hackla. I'm at 3051 Chestnut Ridge Drive. Good evening.

[10:11] Thank you for posting the Borrow Jefferson on the Borrow of Jefferson

[10:15] Hills uh the lease and addendum um on Friday. After reviewing the documents

[10:22] and re listening to the August 5th meeting, I have several additional

[10:25] questions regarding this complex matter that I respectfully request council

[10:30] address. My questions fall into two categories. Technical questions related

[10:35] to the lease and addendum and questions and concerns related to the process

[10:39] procedure and transparency. I have four examples of the technical

[10:43] questions I would like the council to address. How pooling and unitization

[10:48] activities be monitored to ensure accuracy and compliance? How will

[10:52] royalties be calculated when the borrow's parcels are included in a pool

[10:56] or unitized unit? Has EQ identify adjacent owners whose mineral rights

[11:01] would be included in the pool or unitized unit? If adjacent owners

[11:06] declined to lease, how would that affect the borrow's lease terms and revenue

[11:11] share in process procedures and transparency? Kindly confirm that I

[11:17] capture these dates correctly based on the August 5th meeting. Mr. Habtock

[11:22] stated that EQT first contacted the borrow in August of 2025.

[11:27] My notes reflect that the solicitor stated the lease and addendum were

[11:31] negotiated and finalized in January of 2026 and that her team had been

[11:36] negotiating with EQT for over a year. Can the solicitor confirm whether

[11:41] January 2026 is correct and if her team negotiated the signing bonus and royalty

[11:47] terms? Councilwoman Buy stated that her

[11:52] memorandum of non-surface oil and gas lease shows a revision date of February

[11:57] 9, 2026 and she did not receive the memorandum until July 31st. Can each

[12:02] council member clarify when they first became aware of the EQT negotiations and

[12:08] when they received the memorandum for review prior to the August 5th agenda

[12:11] discussion. I am concerned that the late distribution of documents to council

[12:15] members and residents on such complex matter risk a rush decision. I am also

[12:21] concerned about limited resident participation as several residents were

[12:25] unable to attend last week or this week's meeting due to previously

[12:29] scheduled travel due to the end of school uh end of

[12:32] summer. Additionally, after reviewing the recorded meeting multiple times, I

[12:36] note the solicitor's response to council woman's beauty regarding February 9th

[12:42] memorandum where the solicitor stated for over a year we have been negotiating

[12:47] because our job is to get the best deal of for the borrow. So we were unable we

[12:51] were able to increase the royalty percentage and the pre per acre payment.

[12:56] This was one of the many drafts over the past year. I don't know of any time

[13:00] frame. I knew from Mr. coverstock. The project was going forward regardless.

[13:05] It's just whether the burrow would allow the project to go under and receive a

[13:08] decent amount of money. This raises several procedural questions. Is the c

[13:14] is it council standard procedure to formally vote via motion and second

[13:19] before directing the solicitor to negotiate on behalf of the burrow? If

[13:23] such a vote is required, when did it occur? Given some council members stated

[13:28] they were unaware of the potential EQT lease until July 31st. Why is a decision

[13:33] being fasttracked without adequate time for a special discussion? Can borrow

[13:39] engage an expert such at as attorney John Smith to review the lease and

[13:44] addendum. There is a need for improved communication on complex matters such as

[13:48] this. Council could significantly improve communications and transparency

[13:53] by preparing an executive summary for residents. Such a summary would help the

[13:57] residents feel informed and confident that council is safeguarding community

[14:02] interest. An expert such as attorney John Smith should review the documents

[14:07] and >> you can finish your sentence if you

[14:10] » and residents need to be given the opportunity to participate in a public

[14:14] hearing. Thank you for your attention. >> Thank you. I was ready to stop. Melissa,

[14:20] [laughter] >> I appreciate it.

[14:21] » And I have copies of >> Is that your the copies of your

[14:25] question, your additional questions for this evening?

[14:28] » Yeah. >> Okay. Because the way we're we're

[14:31] setting this up um to hopefully have good respectful discussion is we're

[14:39] going to listen to the residents and their comments. Now, uh, we're going to

[14:43] have the gentleman from EQT come up as soon as we do the agenda item and I,

[14:48] myself and Mr. Glistister are taking notes, uh, so that we can ask the

[14:52] questions on behalf of the residents so that we're not interrupting and doing a

[14:57] back and forth with the audience and the gentlemen there because it just gets too

[15:00] hard for the minutes. So, if I could have a copy of your questions, Michelle

[15:04] can bring them up, that would be great. >> Thank you so much.

[15:12] That's okay. Thank you. >> Uh, next, Miss Judy Kaufman, please.

[15:24] » Thank you. >> Thank you so much. I feel um that many

[15:29] of the questions that I had have already been asked, but I'm I'm just going to be

[15:33] a little repetitious here. Um, my name is Judy Kaufman. I live at 3417 Woodwin

[15:39] Drive. I'm a lifelong resident of Jefferson Hills. I was raised in Gil

[15:43] Hall. I played pickup baseball in Gilh Hall Park uh when it was nothing more

[15:48] than a homemade dirty dusty ball field. Um I understand it's

[15:54] now being one of the sites that they're talking about with horizontal pipelines.

[15:59] So it holds a little bit near and dear to my heart of what's going to happen.

[16:04] It seems that every few years, I know most of you probably don't know me, but

[16:08] every few years I've been standing here at the podium trying to explain why I so

[16:13] adamantly want to protect our families and our community from EQT encroachment.

[16:20] I'm a nurse practitioner still practicing. Um, I hold a doctorate in

[16:25] public health. And in wearing both of those hats, I've spoken to the and

[16:30] addressed council regarding numerous health issues that have been the result

[16:34] of toxic, volatile um, organic compounds, carcinogenic emissions, and

[16:41] especially how they threaten pregnant women, unborn babies, newborn babies,

[16:46] children, and the elderly in our community. So, um, these are things that

[16:51] I I really felt very strongly about when we were looking into the possibility of

[16:56] fracking here in our community. This evening, however, I'm here with more

[17:01] questions than I am here with um, health statistics. I came here tonight to learn

[17:07] more about the proposed horizontal drilling in Jefferson Hills and

[17:11] particularly around Gilhal Park and around areas where our children may be

[17:15] affected. My first question uh I am a member of

[17:20] the um environmental advisory committee and um I'm wondering as a member why it

[17:27] is that we didn't hear anything about this about any proposals for leases with

[17:33] EQT. Um it's my understanding and and it's

[17:38] been validated that the solicitor was aware and the business manager have been

[17:43] aware of this for the past year and as EQT and as the not EQT but EAC as the

[17:51] name implies we're an advisory environmental committee and we give up

[17:56] our time to look at uh environmental issues here in Jefferson Hills and this

[18:01] is a big one and we have gone to 12 meetings since this started and we never

[18:06] heard anything about it. I really feel that I I'd like to know why we weren't

[18:11] part of the process. Um the other question I have is after reading so many

[18:17] stories over the past 20 years really about lawsuits damages caused by the gas

[18:24] and oil industry including EQT and uh the number of settlements here in

[18:29] Pennsylvania, West Virginia. I'm wondering why the council would ever

[18:34] want to consider signing a lease that could be detrimental to our health. I

[18:40] don't know if it is because we don't have enough information. Um, we only

[18:44] heard about this about three days ago and so there wasn't enough time, but we

[18:50] I'm really wondering this especially in light of many of the federal regulations

[18:55] that are regarding emissions of the uh volatile organic compounds or um the

[19:01] methane and detection as as well as equipment equipment repair

[19:07] equipment uh maintenance. They've been relaxed. And so again, this is at a time

[19:13] where we're not quite as protected as we were. And in addition, these regulatory

[19:18] burdens on the oil and gas industry have really been um diminished in in 19 in

[19:26] 2026. Also, so this is I'm wondering if it's a good time for us to do anything

[19:32] like this. The third question, and I think I'm going to be repeating what you

[19:36] just heard, is why this lease agreement is being rushed through without public

[19:41] hearings, without us really knowing. Um, it when we when we talk about this in

[19:48] health care, we talk about informed consent. And I think it's so important

[19:52] that we look at full disclosure full the issue being fully examined and presented

[19:59] to the public so that we know what the risks versus the benefits would be both

[20:05] from a health standpoint, a safety standpoint, from our homes and uh you

[20:11] know clearly homeowners have a right to know how this is going to be done. Will

[20:16] it affect uh any anything uh structures in their home especially knowing that

[20:23] you know mine subsidance issues have always been a major issue here in

[20:28] Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills. Um and do they know that insurance won't

[20:33] cover any damages that would be caused their mind subsidance that could be

[20:38] caused by fracking. So, I really would like to ask the council to think this

[20:44] through and to possibly, you know, schedule a public hearing so that the

[20:49] questions could be answered. I know I've run out of time and I really want to

[20:54] thank you. Um, I kind of diverted a little bit, but I appreciate the

[20:58] opportunity. Thank you. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Coffin.

[21:04] » Our next um agenda speaker is Jeff Steltzer.

[21:12] Hello, my name is Jeffrey Steltzer. I'm a resident here of Jefferson Burough and

[21:17] a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School. I reside at 733 Waterman Road.

[21:24] We stand at a pivotal crossroads in our region's energy history. Right across

[21:29] our borders, the infrastructure in Union Township is unlocking natural wealth

[21:34] from the Marcelus and Unico shale formations, bringing profound benefits

[21:38] directly to families right here in Jefferson Hills. Today, I want to talk

[21:42] about the immense promise this development holds for our community and

[21:46] address the misconceptions that often cloud the conversation.

[21:50] Natural gas extraction is a vital anchor of national prosperity. The Marcellus

[21:55] and Udica formations beneath us represent some of the cleanest burning

[21:58] energy deposits on the planet. By tapping these resources responsibly, we

[22:04] secure domestically produced energy that lowers home heating and electricity

[22:08] costs for working families. Furthermore, this activity pumps vital revenue

[22:13] directly into Jefferson Hills Burrow. That is why I strongly support the

[22:18] proposal to lease our burough owned oil and gas mineral rights to EQT.

[22:23] These funds flow straight to the municipal coffers to cover local costs

[22:27] and fund whatever community projects our residents and leaders choose to

[22:31] prioritize. Best of all, because the drill rig and well pad are situated

[22:36] across the border in Union Township, local residents will experience zero

[22:41] industrial truck traffic on Jefferson Hill roads. We get the financial reward

[22:46] and energy security without any added congestion on our streets.

[22:53] When large-scale industrial projects emerge near our neighborhoods, anxieties

[22:57] naturally arise. But we must separate sensationalized rumors from scientific

[23:02] reality. The myth of explosions. As someone who firmly supports safe,

[23:07] responsible development, I can state that modern well sites are engineering

[23:11] marvels governed by strict regulations utilizing advanced blowout preventers,

[23:17] automatic shut off valves, and 247 telemetry monitoring to ensure absolute

[23:23] safety. Concerns over creek pollution. Modern

[23:28] well construction uses heavyduty multi-layer steel casings cemented deep

[23:32] into the earth far below freshwater aquifers. This creates a concrete and

[23:36] steel fortress that completely isolates drinking water and local streams from

[23:40] production zones. Anxiety regarding air quality operators

[23:46] employ green completion technologies and vapor recovery units to capture

[23:50] emissions. Thanks to rigorous standards and continuous monitoring, local air

[23:55] quality remains well within safe thresholds. Sorry.

[24:04] Fear of mine subsidance and explosions. People occasionally wonder if drilling

[24:08] will destabilize old underground coal mines or trigger an underground

[24:12] explosion. Geologically, this is impossible. Underground coal mines sit

[24:17] merely a few hundred feet deep. Whereas Marcellus and UCL shell formations lie

[24:22] thousands of feet, a mile or more lower. Natural gas trapped in deep shell

[24:26] requires precise oxygen-free conditions and cannot migrate into or ignite

[24:31] abandoned coal mines. This massive rock layer acting as a natural buffer ensures

[24:37] zero structural or explosive impact on shallow mine voids.

[24:42] The infrastructure in Union Township and the resources flowing beneath Jefferson

[24:46] Hillsboro represents an extraordinary opportunity. They mean energy

[24:52] independence, lower heating costs, dedicated municipal revenue for our

[24:56] projects, and complete freedom from local truck traffic. By relying on facts

[25:01] and rigorous science, we can embrace this potential with absolute confidence.

[25:07] Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Steltzer.

[25:14] Um, I'm going to read. We have a couple of online submissions.

[25:19] U Laurens Saka 1089 Antler Drive. I was planning on attending this meeting in

[25:24] person. Um, wait, let me double check and make sure

[25:29] this is on EQT R. Okay. Um, however, at 2 o'clock this afternoon, a 4-inch water

[25:34] line opened up at our at my neighbor's yard, showering her home with 30 ft of

[25:38] water. This water then ran off her property and onto mine where it entered

[25:42] my home through a basement window. The water ran for the next hour because no

[25:46] one but Pennsylvania American Water can shut it off, which is something I plan

[25:50] to discuss at a future council meeting. In terms of the possible drill sites, I

[25:54] have some very serious reservations. I spent 10 years as a natural resource

[25:58] manager for Virginia State Parks and have dealt heavily with industrial

[26:02] projects and geology issues. I am currently an earth and space science

[26:05] teacher. I understand how these things work and what the geological processes

[26:09] are. I understand that fracking is the is in this manner is safely conducted in

[26:14] many places with limited negative outcomes.

[26:18] However, I also live in the Deer Park neighborhood where I know for a fact

[26:21] that the coal mine under my home is less than 100 ft down. I know that that

[26:26] entire area of Jefferson Hills where these drill sites are planned have been

[26:30] heavily undermined. I have looked at the maps for the sites that are essentially

[26:34] exactly where these drill sites are planned. I have concerns about a number

[26:38] of things that simply have not been discussed or even identified. How far is

[26:42] the mine below the surface in these areas? Are these aqua aquafers that

[26:47] could be polluted by the frack water? What kind of trucks and at what volume

[26:52] will they be driving on the newly repaired Peters Creek Road? How do you

[26:55] mitigate slippage between shale and coal layers above where the fracking will

[26:59] occur? And finally, what gives the bureau the right to decide what happens

[27:03] with our public property with no public input? [clears throat] Our burough is

[27:07] taking many steps in the right direction in terms of increasing recreational

[27:10] opportunities. The new Gil Hall Park, the updated plans to rehabilitate the

[27:14] buildings there, the fishing days along Peters Creek, these are all the things

[27:19] that are 100% a help to this community that could be negatively impacted by

[27:22] this project. The least you can do in this situation is table this vote and

[27:26] have a public hearing the way it should have been done in the first place in an

[27:29] open and transparent man manner.

[27:35] Um, next, Lisa Graves Marusi.

[27:43] Thank you. Um, I do want to address some of the things that have been said. I'm

[27:50] going to give you some real world examples. explosions.

[27:54] Indiana County and Alageney County or Indiana Township and Alageney County had

[27:58] a wellpad explode. You can check it on the Alageney County hazards mitigation

[28:03] plan and it's also in the SEC filings for the company. There was an explosion

[28:08] of the Revolution pipeline in Beaver County in which families I know ran for

[28:13] their lives while their animals were killed and their property was totally

[28:17] destroyed. Water pollution. I mentioned this at

[28:22] last week's meeting. Please make a note and look up Knob Fork, West Virginia and

[28:27] New Freeport, Green County, and Tyogga County. EQT, the very company that

[28:34] you're contemplating signing a lease with, was responsible for massive water

[28:39] pollution damage in all three of those cases. Those are just the three that I'm

[28:43] citing tonight. Two of those, Knob Fork, West Virginia and New Freeport, ended up

[28:48] in litigation. In the Tyogga County situation,

[28:53] our organization provided the information to the D, which resulted in

[28:57] a $1.1 million fine because EQ EQT trashed waters of the Commonwealth.

[29:05] Union Township, Finleyville had massive mine subsidance damage from

[29:11] EQT or from Sonokco's uh lateral drilling and it's documented in the

[29:17] postet articles I gave you last week and I know that council is considering going

[29:22] to get the mine maps from the D to make sure you're not on that same mine

[29:26] formation which is the Cincinnati coal mine. So these are real things that not

[29:31] only could happen, they absolutely have happened. So what you're contemplating

[29:38] carries risk. I also did some checking for you. The question was, can the

[29:44] company just take the gas? They're going to take it anyway, so you may as well

[29:47] get paid. Absolutely false. I found out that that would demonstrate

[29:52] theft and trespass. You cannot do that. So, I'm going to reiterate my

[29:58] recommendation to council that you please have a special counsel, John

[30:03] Smith, who has litigated on behalf of Jefferson Hills against EQT twice and

[30:09] one, including once at the PA Supreme Court, have him review the lease, have

[30:15] him work with you and your solicitor to make sure that the interests of

[30:20] Jefferson Hills are being protected. Please do not just take EQT's word for

[30:25] it because I just rattled off examples of real world situations where risks

[30:30] have happened. It's not an a matter of if, it's when.

[30:35] And finally, I would please ask that council consider holding a public

[30:39] hearing because I think this is a major decision that should not be just

[30:43] unilaterally made by council. I believe the public has a right to be involved.

[30:48] Thank you very much. >> Thank you.

[30:52] I think that was everyone in the audience. If I'm missing anybody, please

[30:55] let me know. Um I have one more here from Kathleen Lower. Uh just wanted to

[31:00] say Oh, this is not a Yes, it is. Sorry. Uh just wanted to say it sounds like a

[31:06] good idea to do the garbage fee yearly for the savings to the burrow. Also, we

[31:10] like our current garbage company. I feel they do a good job and hope we are able

[31:14] to renew with them when the time comes. When it comes time to renew and you are

[31:17] comparing different companies, if you decide to go with a company that uses

[31:21] those auto arms to lift and empty the cans, can you negotiate that for those

[31:25] of us who want the smaller cans that can get them? Uh, I think Mr. Haptock is

[31:29] doing a great job at looking for the ways to cut expenses in the burrow. And

[31:33] we certainly agree with Mrs. Lower. Um, thank you everyone.

[31:39] Okay.

[31:46] Okay. Agenda item number seven. Motion to approve the monthly bills. A

[31:51] » motion. >> Second.

[31:53] » Motion by Councilman Bence. Second by Councilman Lynch. All those in favor say

[31:57] I. >> I. Any opposed?

[32:00] » Motion carries. Number eight. Motion to approve monthly payroll.

[32:04] » A motion. >> A motion. Motion by Councilwoman Rido.

[32:07] Second by Councilman Bence. All those in favor say I. I.

[32:10] » Any opposed? Motion carries.

[32:14] Number nine. Motion to approve minutes of agenda meeting July 1st, 2026.

[32:19] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Bence.

[32:22] » I'll second it. >> Second by Councilwoman Buucy. All those

[32:24] in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[32:30] Number 10. Motion to approve minutes of regular meeting July 6th, 2026.

[32:35] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Bence.

[32:37] » I'll second. >> Second by Councilwoman Mirez. All those

[32:39] in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Number 11. Motion to

[32:45] approve the permanent appointment of Officer Daniel Moreny as full-time

[32:49] police officer for the Jefferson Hills Police Department after successful

[32:52] completion of a 12-month probationary period per the Burough of Jefferson

[32:56] Hills Civil Service rules and regulations section 3.20 probationary

[33:00] period. >> A motion.

[33:01] » I'll second. >> Motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[33:04] Councilwoman Mirez. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

[33:09] » Motion carries. Number 12, motion to approve the permanent appointment of

[33:12] Officer Drake Cypold as full-time police officer for the Jefferson Hills Police

[33:16] Department after successful completion of a 12-month probationary period per

[33:20] the Burough of Jefferson Hills Civil Service Rules and Regulations, section

[33:24] 3.20 probationary period. >> A motion.

[33:27] » Motion by Councilwoman Mis, second by Councilman Bence. All those in favor say

[33:31] I. >> I. Any opposed?

[33:33] » Motion carries. Number 13, motion to adopt ordinance

[33:37] number 926 amending the burough code regarding the economic development

[33:41] commission EDC. Um motion >> motion by Councilman Lynch.

[33:45] » I'll second. >> Second by Councilwoman Buccy. All those

[33:48] in favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Number 14. Motion to

[33:53] authorize preparation and advertisement of an ordinance amending chapter 15

[33:57] motor vehicle and traffic of the Burough Code of Ordinances to regulate

[34:01] recreational motorized vehicles. >> A motion.

[34:04] » Second. Motion by Councilwoman Marico, second by Councilman Bence. All those in

[34:08] favor say I. >> I.

[34:09] » I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number 15.

[34:13] Motion to authorize preparation and advertisement of an ordinance amending

[34:16] chapter 16 parks and recreation of the burough code of ordinances.

[34:21] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Ben.

[34:23] » Second. >> Second by Councilman Lynch. All those in

[34:25] favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Number 16.

[34:31] Motion to approve a memorandum of understanding between the Jefferson

[34:34] Hills Police Department and the West Jefferson Hill School District as

[34:37] required by article 13-a of the public school code of 1949, popularly known as

[34:43] the Safe Schools Act for years 2026 through 2027.

[34:46] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[34:49] Councilman Bence. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

[34:54] » Motion carries. Number 17. Motion to approve a memorandum of understanding

[34:59] between the Jefferson Hills Police Department and the Steel City Steel

[35:02] Center School for Career and Technical Education as required by article 13- of

[35:08] the public school code of 1949, popularly known as the Safe Schools Act

[35:12] for years 2026 and 2028. >> A motion.

[35:16] » Motion by Councilman, second by Councilwoman Buccy. All those in favor

[35:19] say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Number 18. Motion to

[35:25] approve the 2027 minimum municipal obligation in the amount of $3,812

[35:30] for the service employee pension and $477,28

[35:35] for the police pension. >> Motion.

[35:37] » Motion by Councilman Lynch. >> Second.

[35:39] » Second by Councilwoman Rido. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

[35:44] » Motion carries. [clears throat] Number 19. Motion to re renegotiate contract

[35:49] with legal service tax services subject to solicitor and council approval if

[35:53] possible or to terminate if necessary. >> A motion second.

[35:57] » Motion by Councilman Lynch, second by Councilman Bence. All those in favor say

[36:00] I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Number 20. Motion to

[36:06] enter into possible agreement with Jordan Tax subject to solicitor and

[36:09] council approval in regard to garbage user fees.

[36:13] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Ben.

[36:15] » Second. Second by Councilman Lynch. All those in favor say I.

[36:18] » I. >> I.

[36:20] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[36:24] » Number 21. Motion to authorize the proposed leasing of burrowowned oil and

[36:28] gas mineral rights for parcel number 883-R250

[36:32] and parcel number 100005-R1000

[36:37] to EQT, including review of lease terms and possible authorization to execute an

[36:42] agreement. At this time, we're gonna have Andrew from EQT to step to the

[36:45] podium and um and we'll start our conversation.

[36:55] » Hi, how are you all this evening? >> Good. How are you? Thank you for being

[36:58] here, especially on short notice. We appreciate it.

[37:00] » Yeah, absolutely. Happy to be here. >> Uh so, just a little background on me.

[37:05] My name is Ryan Mather. I'm one of our land acquisition.

[37:07] » Sorry, did I called you Andrew? Uh I 100% honest I'm not not sure about that.

[37:12] I apolog So Andrew is uh one of my director reports and works for me on as

[37:16] a a land man on our team. So >> And you are Ryan?

[37:18] » Yes ma'am. I am Ryan. Thank you. >> So I am one of our land acquisitions

[37:23] managers here um who works in southwestern Pennsylvania and

[37:27] specifically on the Sarah development that is being proposed with the lease

[37:31] hold here at at hand. So um please let me know what questions how you would

[37:36] like to go through this. uh follow your lead here.

[37:39] » I think um first and foremost, council probably has specific questions that

[37:43] they would like to ask and then um I'm going to try and check through a lot of

[37:48] our resident questions. Um hopefully we can get answers to as many as possible.

[37:53] » Yes, ma'am. >> And then um you know, I think we can

[37:56] talk a little bit about uh you know, the traffic, the truck traffic and things of

[38:01] that nature as well. So, council, we'll open it up to you.

[38:06] I'll start it off. Um, first off, thank you for being here on such short notice

[38:10] again. Um, I guess we could just start out here with the basics if you can

[38:15] answer. Um, so can you explain uh exactly where the Sarah Well pad is

[38:20] located and where the proposed lateral will travel in relation to Gil Hall Park

[38:26] and the Peters Creek Road properties and if you know approximately how many feet

[38:30] below these properties um or how many feet below those properties the ladder

[38:35] will be. >> Yeah, absolutely. So our current PAT

[38:38] site it's existing. We built it in 2022 on Finleyville Road in Union Township.

[38:44] Um, we have already drilled on that pad site and we've actually traversed

[38:48] Jefferson Hillsboro properties. So from the elevation of the pad site to where

[38:53] we enter the Marcela shale is about 7,500 ft down. So where the wells will

[38:57] traverse the properties should we come to terms here would be right around that

[39:01] depth. It would be right around 7,500 ft deep.

[39:06] And can you also um based upon of what we reviewed so far that this is a

[39:12] non-surface lease correct and I so um basically um can you are you able to

[39:21] uh answer that that EQT would not be permitted to construct or operate any

[39:28] surface equipment on bur own property. >> Yes sir that is correct. We will not be

[39:33] doing any surface activity whatsoever inside of Jefferson Hillsboro.

[39:45] » Were neighboring um property owners informed of the task at hand?

[39:52] » Are just to clarify, are you asking, have neighboring property owners

[39:55] executed leases with EQT? Have they been notified that this could possibly

[39:59] be a future project for you? >> Uh I forgive me I'm I'm not 100%

[40:07] following. So we have approached all of the surrounding neighbors of these

[40:12] properties in general and we have either begun executing oil and gas leases with

[40:17] them, negotiating leases with them. But yes, we have been surrounding anybody

[40:20] that was identified within our production footprint, we have reached

[40:23] out to. >> I hope that answers your question.

[40:37] » As far as noise levels go, are is that all just concentrated at the well pad or

[40:44] the movement of your operation? Does that involve burrow property at all or

[40:50] how is that how's that ex once it's extracted? How's that moved away from

[40:54] the facility? >> Yeah. No. Uh again, great question. So,

[40:57] we have specific truck routes uh that all vehicles will have to be taking.

[41:01] There are pipelines that are already connected to the pad. As I mentioned

[41:04] before, it's already built. It's in service. There are already wells drilled

[41:07] and producing from the pad site itself. Uh some of which traverse

[41:12] burrow residents, not burrow owned property, but burrow residents. Uh any

[41:16] and all trucks that leave and come to and from the site have to follow the

[41:20] bonded routes. Other it's all monitored by the D. And in regards to noise,

[41:25] that's kind of a tricky question uh because a lot of it is topography based.

[41:29] If you are on top of a hill and a pad is down below you, you may hear some of the

[41:33] noise that's going to be traveling up. Uh we also conduct sound studies upon

[41:38] spotting the locations as well as working with other entities through the

[41:41] D and try to mitigate as much noise as we possibly can. We've also switched

[41:46] over to electric drilling crews and frack fleets to try to help mitigate as

[41:49] much noise as possible. And we do take that into consideration, but there won't

[41:53] be anything different this time than what there was the first round of

[41:56] drilling. [snorts] >> Thank you.

[42:00] » I take that back. The only thing that will be different is we will be there a

[42:03] shorter period of time.

[42:07] » What is the timeline for such a project? So we have actually already begun

[42:12] drilling the top holes that are on on the pad side itself. So there we bring

[42:17] in a series of rigs. You set your conductor casing uh to begin with at

[42:21] first and then you will drill your top hole uh which is the section that goes

[42:25] out to your kickoff point uh which is about 1,000 feet above the formation

[42:28] where you're going to land and then you begin your horizontal and then followed

[42:31] by your hydraulic fracturing process. So we are currently targeting top the the

[42:37] current drilling for our top hole outside of our conductor will be later

[42:40] this month uh followed by the horizontal after the turn of the year. Um and then

[42:45] hydraulic fracturing will follow that uh with completion by summer uh 27.

[42:50] [snorts] So you're you're looking May June for

[42:53] when first sales volumes will be be moving.

[42:58] » What what chemicals do you use during this process? So it it's a combination.

[43:03] Um this is all can be found on frackfocus.org. Uh so each company uses

[43:08] their own proprietary blend. They they have a special unique series that they

[43:11] use. Um really it's you can get into a laundry list of things. Uh but the nuts

[43:17] and bolts of it um you're going to use guar gum to help things stick inside of

[43:22] the formation. It's used in ketchup, jellies, things of that nature.

[43:25] Surfactants to try to help lubricate the sides of the shell as you were beginning

[43:29] to pump under high pressure. Um there are acids involved. Uh so these are base

[43:35] formations. The marcellus where we're currently targeting is a base formation.

[43:38] You mix an acid with a base, it becomes neutral. Same same thing here. You're

[43:41] just rounding off some of the edges of what the the sharp jagged shale would be

[43:46] when it comes under pressure and begins to crack. Um and then a bioside which is

[43:50] used for bacteria treatment. So that is a very rough base generic highle

[43:56] thousand foot overview coverage of what's there. There's pH balancers,

[43:59] scale inhibitors, a multitude of other things that go into it. But if you want

[44:02] the comprehensive list, it's all right there on frackfocus.org. [snorts]

[44:11] » There's also fromaldahhide and a laundry list of other pretty dangerous VOCC's.

[44:19] [clears throat] >> The residents that received letters,

[44:23] they have contacted me. Some of them con some of them said they got their letter

[44:27] in December. Some of them say they got a letter in March. All right.

[44:32] » Um what was it? Since they had various times that

[44:38] they got these letters, is the route under the earth being processed as to

[44:45] where you want to go? Like why would they have different times that they got

[44:50] these letters? >> Yeah. So a lot of that is based upon the

[44:54] development of the project itself. There's going to be differences and and

[44:59] as you're working through you may find different challenges that present

[45:02] themselves where you have to look at it and approach it slightly differently.

[45:06] And as we are navigating those situations and those scenarios that

[45:10] changes where our ultimate war path would ultimately end up and what our

[45:14] development profile could look like. So there's a multitude of reasons that that

[45:17] come with that. But also with even with drilling technologies and capabilities

[45:21] uh we are a very large company who's very active and as we learn and we test

[45:26] some of our capabilities as to where we can go on our overall drilling and

[45:30] development that also has an impact but these ones are

[45:34] it was broken up in stages uh for the western side now to the eastern side of

[45:38] what our development looks like. It could have been they were originally

[45:41] targeted in the western side now we're focused on the eastern side. So [snorts]

[45:44] if they do not want the drilling underneath their homes,

[45:50] » then you circumvent that. >> Yes, ma'am. So, as it was stated

[45:55] earlier, we are not allowed to drill and develop a property where we do not

[45:58] control the working interest of a lease. That is what's known as a bad faith

[46:02] trespass if you do that, which is illegal and against the law. That is not

[46:06] something we we ever intend to do. >> Okay. Thank you. Mhm.

[46:13] » For this particular scenario on these two parcels of land, is there um is

[46:18] there um sourcing, storing, treating, disposing of water?

[46:23] » No, ma'am. >> No. Okay. That would just be with a well

[46:26] pad. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am. That is with a well pad.

[46:28] » Sorry. Um, can you talk a little bit about how

[46:34] when the gas is removed and royalties are paid out to whomever owns that

[46:41] property, who oversees that? Is it the D who oversees? How much gas is retracted?

[46:48] How much royalties is going to that person? And if EQT is being um truthful.

[46:55] » Yeah. So u there are audit provisions that we will incorporate inside of

[47:00] leases uh that give you full rights to audit your your interest. So EQT as an

[47:05] operator we report all of the total production to the DP and that shows

[47:11] roundabouts where where our total production lies. Now with that we will

[47:15] send out division orders to each individual owner who has an agreement in

[47:20] place with us. Those division orders will outline your net revenue, excuse

[47:23] me, re net revenue interest, how that number is calculated, which forgive me

[47:29] if I'm getting ahead of myself here. You're going to take your total unit

[47:31] acreage and you divide that by the acreage each individual shareholder

[47:36] owns. So for simple math here, we'll say it's a 600 acre unit. They own a 68 acre

[47:41] parcel. That's 10% of the production would be allocated to that individual.

[47:44] You then take that percentage and multiply it by their royalty rate. That

[47:49] is how you come up with a net revenue interest that is all distributed in your

[47:53] monthly revenue statement. Whenever production is reported and revenues are

[47:57] paid, you will have your NRI breakdown for your individual versus the entirety

[48:02] of the unit that you are participating in. So there are multiple ways that it

[48:06] can be audited, but we do report our total production numbers to the state

[48:09] through monitored through the D. >> Okay. Um and this particular lease is

[48:14] for a five-year term. >> Yes, ma'am. [clears throat]

[48:17] » Is that full stop? Yes, ma'am. >> Five years.

[48:19] » Yes, ma'am. I >> I have a question or I'm sorry if you're

[48:23] not. Are you okay? Thanks. Um is this might be a dumb question, but is the

[48:27] burrow tax exempt from such >> I don't think that's a dumb question at

[48:33] all. >> I don't think that's a dumb question and

[48:35] I'm not 100% positive. Um I like railroads for example, I know most of

[48:39] them are taxexempt. I'm not sure about the burrow. I would have to look into

[48:43] that. >> Okay.

[48:47] Yeah, sorry that's not my specialty there. I apologize. [snorts]

[48:53] » Um, all right. I think I got most of like the lease contracts and a lot of

[48:58] the questions that I had from some residents were pertaining to the fact of

[49:02] whether or not a well pad um would be on this property. That is absolutely not

[49:08] true. >> That is correct. There will be no

[49:10] surface disturbances, damages, anything upon surface of burrow owned property.

[49:17] One of the questions that was raised uh last week was uh with this one proposed

[49:22] lateral going underneath the Gil Hall Park, uh we're currently spending a lot

[49:25] of money investing in the playground. We're going to be investing in the

[49:27] building there. Um >> is there any chance the fracking could

[49:31] cause damage at the surface level from the death below? And if so, how how does

[49:36] EQT handle that? >> Yeah, so again, great question. So being

[49:40] that we are 7,500 feet down more or less um there is limited chance of there

[49:45] being any kind of a surface impact from a subsidance claim. However, if there is

[49:50] that one in the million then EQT has put provisions inside of the lease

[49:54] agreements under the subsidance provision that would be our

[49:57] responsibility to fix, maintain, repair whatever else is there. So as much as

[50:01] you all don't want it, we don't want to weigh more than what you guys don't.

[50:05] [snorts]

[50:08] Is that in our agreement >> in the lease? Yes, it is. There is a

[50:13] full liability clause in here. >> And just [clears throat] to clarify, I

[50:17] believe in the lease that the draft lease that was negotiated, any damages

[50:22] that are result of your activities are your responsibility. Yes, ma'am. And

[50:26] you've agreed to indemnify and hold the burrow harmless. So, there would be no

[50:29] financial repercussions to the burrow at all.

[50:32] » Yes, ma'am. That is correct. I I've been I don't mean to, you know,

[50:37] put you on the spot here, but I've I've lived in Washington County and I've

[50:41] witnessed people that have had damage to their property and

[50:44] » what that was negotiated within their their lease and it's still problems were

[50:49] there and weren't taken care of financially by the company.

[50:55] » So, what what's your question with that one? I'm sorry. Well, they were promised

[50:58] that if there was damage, subsidance, anything to their property that EQT

[51:02] would come and take care and rectify the situation and it didn't happen.

[51:07] » So, if you don't mind to speak with me after that and give me some specifics,

[51:10] we can absolutely look into that to try to get you an answer or get a little

[51:14] more guidance, I would happily uh look into that and and investigate that. If

[51:18] if there is a correlation and connection that we have been proved. So there have

[51:22] been some other instances here spoken this evening where we were tied and

[51:27] connected to certain pieces. Um there was no substantial evidence that

[51:32] actually tied us to that. We were given approval from D and other governing

[51:37] authorities. It's outside of ours uh that we we can we will gladly take a

[51:43] look at whatever this would be that you were referencing and uh try to get you

[51:48] some answers on that. >> Thank you.

[51:55] Um, can you speak a little bit about the truck routes?

[51:59] » Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. So, um, bear with me just

[52:03] » proposed truck routes, I should say. >> Yeah. No, so I mean the these truck

[52:06] routes are going to be exact same as what we did the first time. So, all

[52:10] truck traffic will be coming from the Union Township side. There will not be

[52:14] anything inside of the burrow. So, as we did on the last one for, and again, bear

[52:20] with me. This goes through different truck routes for for different size

[52:23] vehicles here. So, anything that's less than 14 ft and less than 11 ft 6 in

[52:28] wide, uh they will take the turnpike and then onto Finleyville Road. For anything

[52:33] that is greater than 14 in or greater than 11' 6 in, it goes from I7 and then

[52:38] travels north through 519 uh onto Thomas 84 Road through Lynen Road into Venicia

[52:44] Rankintown onto Finleyville Oram. So, everything stays

[52:47] » everything bypasses. Yes, ma'am. There will not be a single truck unless it's

[52:51] just a someone who lives inside of the burrow who is traveling to work. That

[52:54] would be the only instance where you're going to see any kind of traffic.

[52:57] » Sure.

[53:06] » Um without chaos erupting,

[53:11] I just want to make sure I have answered or gotten at least a lot of your

[53:16] questions answered. Miss Taka, you had a number of them. Um, like I said, I went

[53:20] through them and some of them pertained to whether or not there was going to be

[53:22] a well pad and then those stemmed from more questions on the well pad, which is

[53:28] non-existent. Um, is there anything that I missed?

[53:39] » The Sarah. >> Yeah.

[53:41] » Yes, ma'am. The Sarah Wellad. >> Yes.

[53:43] » Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah.

[53:44] » Okay. Um, and you were I think she was the only person we got a list of

[53:48] questions from like on paper. So, I just want to make sure that we had some of

[53:53] them answered. Um, council, mayor, staff, any anyone else?

[53:59] » I have a couple things I'd like to say. >> Um,

[54:03] in talking with you, I I I feel that they've had their timeline set in stone.

[54:10] And you know, for us as a burrow, I don't think it's beneficial to rush this

[54:13] process at all. Um, I would like to know why in the

[54:19] beginning that we weren't suggested to have a

[54:23] public hearing when this all sort of fell in place and we were approached

[54:29] with this. Um, I'm a little concerned with that and I would like to make a

[54:34] motion to table this. I'll second it.

[54:39] » Okay. >> I just want to make sure everybody got

[54:42] their questions and comments in first before we vote.

[54:45] And I can speak to the fact that this most things that come from negotiations

[54:52] and contracts stem from our finance committee meetings, which is a

[54:55] subcommittee just like we have a million other subcommittees within council. We

[55:00] have a public works committee that have council members on it that do their due

[55:05] diligence. They communicate with the staff. We have a finance committee that

[55:10] does the exact same thing. So until everything is completed, eyes are

[55:14] dotted, tees are crossed, and this is something that is legit that needs to be

[55:19] and will be put on the agenda. That is when all of council is that's that's the

[55:25] standard. That's the precedent we've sent. We've said,

[55:28] » but it's also been on the solicitor's report for a year. Correct.

[55:32] » And there is no legal requirement for a public hearing. Just putting that out

[55:35] there. However, with that said, over a number of issues that have risen

[55:42] here in Jefferson Hills, I am pretty confident in saying that this council

[55:49] and our former council along with Vice President Hillary Bud have listened to

[55:53] the residents and we have taken the precautions and the steps to say we need

[55:58] to slow down. Perhaps we need to table this. Perhaps we need to look into this.

[56:03] So, there are it hurt. It hurts. But I know that's what we what we we are here

[56:08] for on council to do this job when accusations are made that we are not

[56:13] being transparent and something's going ary and this and that. But this right

[56:18] here is how we communicate with you guys. This is our agenda. I can I can

[56:24] visualize um if we were to say something back it

[56:30] last year that there was an email there was an email from this gentle or Andrew

[56:35] and I thought it was spam and I had no idea and I forward it to staff because

[56:40] it is their job and our job to see if things are legit and then from there on

[56:47] we take it to our subcommittees. From there on it goes to council. From there

[56:52] on it ends up on an agenda if it becomes an item. That's the process. That's

[56:57] always been the way that we have done things here. I think this how many years

[57:01] has I have I been here? I don't know almost

[57:04] six or seven. Um so the accusations that we weren't being transparent. This is

[57:10] how we communicate with you with the the small context of road roads being closed

[57:17] and things of that nature where we have opened up social media so we can

[57:21] communicate more with you all. But something of this nature in in my

[57:27] opinion, I I think that it needs to be trusted

[57:31] with council that we understand your concerns and when that case is required

[57:37] for us to take some time and table it, that's exactly what we're going to do

[57:41] and that is why we put it on the agenda so that we can hear your comments. We

[57:45] can't put things that may not come to fruition

[57:49] on social media six months in advance. you guys would be here with pitchforks

[57:54] and and and torches every single council meeting, which I believe you would have

[57:58] the right to be because that's stirring up

[58:01] unwanted or maybe, you know, miscommunication.

[58:06] So until something comes to a legit stop where it is time to present to

[58:13] council, it goes on the agenda and and it yes, it seems like this was rushed,

[58:19] but it was not rushed on purpose. It was it was completed. It goes on the agenda

[58:24] now. It's in council's hands to say we need to either take a look at this or

[58:30] may perhaps some members want to vote tonight. So, um, that was my two cents.

[58:36] I just want to state clarity on how things end up on agenda items, our

[58:41] subcommittees that we have. That's what all of us are here to do with our time

[58:47] that we volunteer. Yes.

[58:51] » Sure.

[58:56] » Correct.

[59:03] I have question

[59:15] the whole process you described

[59:19] it's good and it's and it's going to have its cracks right

[59:25] but for a cancelled person not to have that document until July 31st, Friday.

[59:33] » None of us had the document until that date.

[59:36] » So did no one had did anybody know about this before July 31st? I

[59:41] » I just explained the process. >> I I get it. But but you guys want to

[59:46] talk. Don't you talk about hey these things are

[59:50] » we we cannot talk. It it is it we cannot talk amongst ourselves with a council

[59:55] unless it is an executive session over real estate personnel and um legal

[1:00:01] issues. We are not allowed to talk. That is um that is violating the sunshine

[1:00:05] act. >> So the earliest notification we got you

[1:00:11] all got about this was on July 31st. >> The exact lease

[1:00:16] » you knew although >> the final lease. Yes. the draft and and

[1:00:21] the negotiations have been in the solicitor's report for a year which all

[1:00:24] of council gets. >> So is that part of the reports we get

[1:00:29] that we do >> that you do?

[1:00:32] » Yeah, that's not part of any of the agenda. So

[1:00:35] » that's basically so the staff's reports is basically how everything is

[1:00:41] communicated with council so that we are not in a violation of the sunshine act.

[1:00:46] So, so you were aware that it was in the process of negotiation.

[1:00:50] » Correct. >> So, it's not like we don't know that

[1:00:53] this is going on with EQ because correct >> Brian is running one way and the

[1:00:57] solicitor is running >> another way. Correct. It was, hey, this

[1:01:01] is what's going on and we know what's going on.

[1:01:03] » Correct. >> So, you guys have been communicated.

[1:01:07] » Okay. >> Um,

[1:01:12] council mayor, anybody else? Um, I have something to say real quick. Um, well,

[1:01:17] we we do have members here of the EAC and um, and

[1:01:22] I, you know, I I believe the responsible course right now, you know, I I support

[1:01:27] tableabling the matter, lying REAC, an opportunity to review, uh, the

[1:01:31] agreement. Um, you know, provides perspective to council. And I just also

[1:01:37] want to be clear that, you know, this is not a reflection of all the work that

[1:01:40] went into the lease that's already been done. I you know I com I commend our

[1:01:44] burough solicitor, our burough manager, our finance director, uh the finance

[1:01:49] committee and everyone involved in reviewing and negotiating this agreement

[1:01:54] and you know got us to this point where I mean this can be you know cordally

[1:01:58] discussed and um discussed excuse me not discussed

[1:02:03] um but with the amount of due diligence that's already taken place um I I

[1:02:09] appreciate that effort you know everything you know trying to, you know,

[1:02:13] not only protect like, you know, the burrow from an environmental standpoint,

[1:02:17] but also, you know, the legal and the financial in, you know, interests. And

[1:02:22] so my request, you know, for the additional review with the EAC, it's not

[1:02:26] intended to undermine the work or, you know, not signaling support or oper, you

[1:02:31] know, opposition to the lease. You know, it's just another layer I just like to

[1:02:35] see get done, you know, for the, you know, before we make this decision. So I

[1:02:40] that's all I needed to say about that. >> Okay. Anybody else have any comments? We

[1:02:44] have um two motions to table on. >> Yes. I would just like to address uh

[1:02:49] Madam Solicitor. Yes. It was in the report that you were negotiating a lease

[1:02:55] for six months that I have been on counsel and I've asked you questions

[1:03:00] regarding that. But specifics, especially the location of where was

[1:03:06] never revealed until last week. That specific where underneath the park

[1:03:13] and under on Peters Creek Road. That was never identified.

[1:03:17] » It was never hidden. If you had asked, I would have happily provided you the

[1:03:21] information. And we do not ever provide. There were probably 20 drafts of this

[1:03:26] lease that went back and forth because again we our job was to try to get as

[1:03:30] much money and tried to protect the burrow from any liability. So if you had

[1:03:34] seen every draft over the past year, it would have been ridiculous. So if you

[1:03:38] had asked where it was, it certainly would not have been hidden from you.

[1:03:41] Well, sometimes you >> I'd also like to remind council that we

[1:03:45] get notifications because of what happened

[1:03:49] um maybe I don't know how many years ago, but when the act 14 started coming

[1:03:53] out and councilwoman was very vocal in the fact that you know all of council at

[1:03:58] that time I was very new and did not know much of what was going on as far as

[1:04:03] act 14 and oil and gas. Um she was adamant in the fact that all of council

[1:04:08] members should receive every act 14 that comes to the burrow since that and that

[1:04:12] was many years ago every council member has been sent um every act 14 that comes

[1:04:18] through the burrow. Uh I haven't had time to look back in my notes to see if

[1:04:23] there there were quite a few that came from the Sarah well pad. So you know

[1:04:27] that's another avenue that council should be keeping an eye on as well. We

[1:04:32] have rights you know as a burrowing district uh burrow to where this is

[1:04:37] happening to put in some safeguards for ourselves as far as traffic and things

[1:04:42] are concerned.

[1:04:46] » Um okay so two motions to table Councilwoman Rido and Councilwoman Buy.

[1:04:52] All >> yes.

[1:04:53] » All those in favor say I. >> I.

[1:04:56] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:05:00] I was wondering if I could motion also to have a public hearing.

[1:05:06] » I'll second that. Also

[1:05:14] » on the table. >> Yes.

[1:05:16] » Okay.

[1:05:21] » Um I personally have no issue with the

[1:05:25] public hearing. I don't.

[1:05:32] We'll leave it up for a vote. Motion by Councilwoman Buucy for public hearing.

[1:05:38] Second by Councilwoman Rita. All those in favor say I.

[1:05:42] » I. >> I. Any opposed?

[1:05:47] » Okay. Motion carries.

[1:05:53] » You have to amend this motion.

[1:05:57] Um, I think what we >> Go ahead. What does that motion exactly

[1:06:03] say? >> Why don't you just Well,

[1:06:08] I think we t technically should do a motion to amend the agenda just to keep

[1:06:12] the record clear. So, why don't you do someone do a motion to amend the agenda,

[1:06:17] go through the vote for that, and then do the motion for the public hearing.

[1:06:20] » I'll make a motion to >> amend the agenda. Yes. The agenda.

[1:06:25] » Motion by Counciloman Rece, second by Councilwoman Buccy to amend the agenda.

[1:06:28] All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

[1:06:32] » Motion carries. >> Then

[1:06:35] » make I would like to make a motion to hold a public hearing.

[1:06:39] » And I'll second that. >> Okay. Motion by Counciloman Rido to hold

[1:06:44] a public hearing. Second by Councilwoman Buucy. All those in favor say I. I. Any

[1:06:49] opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:06:55] I apologize. I was just trying to get my bearings. Thank you for your time.

[1:06:58] Everything down. Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. >> Do we have to put in what what the

[1:07:01] public hearing is for?

[1:07:06] » I mean, >> just having a public hearing.

[1:07:07] » You are. I mean, it's not a required under the MPC. So, you just having a

[1:07:11] public hearing. >> Thank you.

[1:07:12] » Uh, do you want to pick a date just for the advertisement so Mr. Glistister is

[1:07:17] prepared?

[1:07:25] Um, I guess you could probably get us some dates, send them to us.

[1:07:29] » Would that work? >> I think the question is how timely. I

[1:07:34] know. Uh, I'm I'm sorry, I don't know your last name, Ryan. Uh, but the issue

[1:07:41] came up about the timeline. So, I don't know if you want to

[1:07:44] coordinate that in reference to a timeline.

[1:07:49] I'm so sorry. >> Okay. They asked about the dates of a

[1:07:53] public hearing. All right. So, I I said that I don't you know, you have a

[1:07:59] timeline already formatted from what you said. So, do do

[1:08:06] they know what the does anybody know? Do we have information on when that

[1:08:10] timeline is? >> Yes, ma'am.

[1:08:12] » We as council people Yes, ma'am.

[1:08:17] » Okay. I don't I don't have it.

[1:08:21] » We had a a phone call with uh >> Ryan and Andrew today at 1:00.

[1:08:29] » Okay. >> To prep for tonight

[1:08:32] » in order for us to ask questions for this evening as well and to get more

[1:08:38] specifics on this so that we are able to

[1:08:42] disseminate it to the public. >> Um so did you give the dates? Yeah, he

[1:08:47] said like you had three dates. I don't remember exactly what they were.

[1:08:51] » 24th, I think, was one of >> you had so many dates. That's why I'm

[1:08:55] I'm just trying to figure out. And you had horizontal and then you had fracking

[1:09:00] the you had those dates. Would you like to repeat those so that they How about I

[1:09:05] follow up in writing them'll get everything out?

[1:09:14] » Yes. In writing would be much better. Yes. And that can go directly to Mr.

[1:09:18] Haverstock and Mr. Gallister. That way they can pass it out to council as they

[1:09:23] typically do. When they pass out things of that nature, they do put in

[1:09:27] highlight, please do not respond to all because we are not allowed to respond.

[1:09:32] So that's how we communicate. >> Okay. Thank you. I think we should also

[1:09:36] provide some time for the EAC to meet and discuss this since the a lot of the

[1:09:42] people on that's completely up to the EAC and there have been a few meetings

[1:09:46] canled. >> Well, they they're not cancelled. We're

[1:09:48] actually we were actually adjourned for the summer. Our next meeting is uh

[1:09:52] Thursday, September 17th, but depending on what the uh time frame is. Um Rick,

[1:09:59] I'm sure you could probably answer this better than I could. Um, we can I mean

[1:10:02] we we can always convene like an emergency session and review everything

[1:10:06] then.

[1:10:09] » Okay. And >> I I'd like to ask Ryan a question. When

[1:10:13] we get those dates, are we permitted to have those dates like put on the

[1:10:18] website? Is that or is that considered confidential or

[1:10:23] » No. So I mean the hard part with that is they are fluid.

[1:10:30] business practices may not necessarily give specifics as to our exact start

[1:10:36] date because there's always going to be flows whether you have operational

[1:10:40] efficiencies you run into delays trying to move your rig if you have maintenance

[1:10:44] there's a lot of variance that goes into right we can get ballparks

[1:10:49] » right >> but yes I mean

[1:10:50] » okay so because you said like I I just remember fracking you said was going to

[1:10:55] be in 2027 like okay you know I the one all right you can have a general

[1:11:01] ballpark. Um, that way that's also information because I'm assuming not

[1:11:07] just the fact of the burrow property. I don't know if individual residents that

[1:11:12] received letters were also given that information.

[1:11:16] » So I I'm thinking they should know too, >> you know.

[1:11:22] » Yeah. That's fine. So the folks who have executed leases with us, they they will

[1:11:28] have general is those who had received letters that had not chose and elected

[1:11:33] not to move forward. They were also given a date as to what our cut off

[1:11:37] point was going to be. So, we've already passed that cut off date. Um, so we're

[1:11:42] we we are sensitive to to time on things just from an operational perspective.

[1:11:47] However, this is a unique scenario. So, we we can work with you all on on dates

[1:11:53] here. >> Thank you.

[1:11:55] » One last thing, too. I did contact the D in California and the gentleman tomorrow

[1:12:00] will be getting back to me with specific websites where you can pinpoint where

[1:12:06] coal seams are undermining has happened. So we'll have I'll share that with

[1:12:11] everybody as soon as we get that. >> Are they only there on Tuesdays? I

[1:12:14] remember Lisa saying you have to go on Tuesday.

[1:12:18] » Yeah, but there >> they have updated things now. I guess

[1:12:22] you can do things electronically now. You can put in specific coordinates,

[1:12:26] addresses, and it will tell you everything. The mind the the mind maps

[1:12:30] are a little bit harder to read online, but you can still get a general idea of

[1:12:35] where those lie. >> Okay. Thank you for doing that.

[1:12:39] » Okay. >> One more thing we forgot to talk about.

[1:12:43] Also, one of the requests from the residents was uh that the burrow contact

[1:12:46] John Smith, the attorney, and we did reach out to him end of last week and uh

[1:12:50] he did get back to us today. So, we're going to continue some discussions

[1:12:53] there. Yes.

[1:12:57] Okay. Thank you all very much. Um, all right. We're going to move to number 22.

[1:13:04] Motion to approve quote number 043020226

[1:13:08] from Graham River Productions in um in the amount of $11,300

[1:13:14] for the purchase and installation of a projector system in council chambers.

[1:13:18] » A motion. >> Motion by Councilwoman Merz. Um second

[1:13:22] by councilwoman Buucy. All those in favor say I. I.

[1:13:25] » I. Any opposed? >> I'd just like to make the comment that

[1:13:28] this uh Graham River Productions, they have serviced us very well throughout

[1:13:33] the years and uh the fact that he researched what would be the best fit

[1:13:39] and economically and financially a good fit for us. I I certainly appreciate

[1:13:44] those efforts.

[1:13:49] » Okay. Number 23. Motion to authorize the termination of a lease agreement between

[1:13:53] the Bureau of Jefferson Hills and McNeely Realy Associates regarding field

[1:13:57] use at 1900 State Route 51 pursuant to terms of the lease.

[1:14:03] » Oh, motion >> motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[1:14:07] Councilman Bence. All those in favor say I.

[1:14:10] » I. I. >> Any opposed?

[1:14:19] Number 24. Motion authorized the termination of the agreement between the

[1:14:23] Burrow of Jefferson Hills and Cintas pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

[1:14:27] » Motion. >> Can I just clarify before you vote? This

[1:14:30] is just for public works uniforms, not for the um medicine boxes.

[1:14:34] » Okay. >> Motion by Councilman Lynch.

[1:14:38] » Second. >> Second by Council Councilman Bence. All

[1:14:41] those in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Number

[1:14:46] 25. Motion to adopt resolution 25-2026 approving the sale of the 2017 Ford

[1:14:52] Interceptor VIN number 1 FM5K8 AR5HGC90343

[1:15:00] for $2,800 to the best responsible bidder through the Peropoulos Auto Sales

[1:15:05] Auction. >> A motion

[1:15:06] » motion by Councilwoman Rita. >> Second.

[1:15:08] » Second by Councilman Lynch. All those in favor say I.

[1:15:10] » I. >> Any opposed?

[1:15:13] » Motion carries. Number 26. Motion to adopt resolution 26-2026

[1:15:19] authorizing application to to gaming economic development tourism fund GEDtf

[1:15:24] grant application in the amount of $171,000

[1:15:28] on behalf of Southeast Regional EMS for triband radios.

[1:15:32] » Motion >> motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[1:15:34] Councilwoman Marce. All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed?

[1:15:38] » Motion carries. >> Number 27. Motion to adopt resolution

[1:15:43] 27-2026 authorizing application to gaming

[1:15:47] economic development tourism fund GEDtf grant application in the amount of

[1:15:51] $317,047.50

[1:15:55] for the Andrew Riley Memorial Park restroom and concession stand project.

[1:15:58] » Motion >> motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[1:16:01] Councilman or I'm sorry, Councilwoman Maris. All those in favor say I. I.

[1:16:06] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:16:10] » Number 28. Motion to accept $50,000 in CD52 funding for the Beetle Park ADA

[1:16:15] accessibility improvements phase 1 project.

[1:16:18] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Ben.

[1:16:20] » Second. >> Second by Councilman Lynch. All those in

[1:16:22] favor say I. >> I. I.

[1:16:24] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:16:28] » Number 29. Motion to authorize advertising for bids for the Gil Hall

[1:16:32] Community Center or Center GBU addition renovation project.

[1:16:36] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Benz.

[1:16:38] » Second. >> Second. Second by Councilwoman Buucy.

[1:16:40] All those in favor say I. I. >> I.

[1:16:42] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Number 30. Motion to

[1:16:47] approve application for payment number one and final by Alageney Fence

[1:16:50] Construction in the amount of $54,65.60 for the Deck Hockey Rink Fence project

[1:16:56] subject to receipt and approval of the maintenance bond.

[1:16:59] » Motion. >> Motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[1:17:01] Councilwoman. All those in favor say I. >> Any opposed?

[1:17:06] » Motion carries. Number 31. Motion to approve work authorization dated July

[1:17:10] 23rd, 2026 from Gateway Engineers Incorporated for civil engineering

[1:17:15] services for the Gilhal Community Center GBU addition renovation project in the

[1:17:20] amount not to exceed $16,000. >> A motion.

[1:17:22] » Motion by Council Councilman Lynch, second by Councilman Bence. All those in

[1:17:26] favor say I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:17:33] Number 32. Motion to approve work authorization data July 23rd,

[1:17:37] 2026 from Gateway Engineers Incorporated for the phase 1 geo plan transition in

[1:17:43] the amount not to exceed $65,000. >> A motion.

[1:17:47] » Motion by Councilman Lynch, second by Councilman Bence. All those in favor say

[1:17:51] I. >> I. I.

[1:17:52] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:17:56] Number 33. Motion to approve work authorization dated August 6th, 2026

[1:18:00] from Gateway Engineers Incorporated for act 152, House Demolitions in the amount

[1:18:05] not to exceed $5,000. >> All motion.

[1:18:08] » Motion by Counciloman Bucci, second by Councilman Bence. All those in favor say

[1:18:12] I. I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries.

[1:18:16] » And this was not on the agenda last week. This was an ad. Uh we were waiting

[1:18:20] on some stuff through the county that finally came through. Uh this was for

[1:18:24] our 2024 act 152 uh grant uh dem grant application. It was we were awarded

[1:18:32] $62,000 for demolition of um three properties. Uh this is for a property on

[1:18:38] Collins Avenue, a co a property on State Street, and a property on Cochran Mill

[1:18:45] Road. the one on Cochran Mill Road we may ultimately not be able to do just

[1:18:48] because uh for legal clearance purposes we weren't able to uh get the clearances

[1:18:53] we we need. So we're talking with the county about the potential to modify the

[1:18:58] scope, but they're pretty tough on that one. So we may have to uh may not be

[1:19:02] able to get that one done. But anyways, we got the uh the information or we got

[1:19:06] the uh the go-ahhead to start moving with this. So we want to get these

[1:19:09] houses taken down as well. >> Is that the one right next to Precision

[1:19:13] Auto Body? It comes up like right out at Steely

[1:19:16] Tunnel. >> 613. It's 613 Cocker Mill Road.

[1:19:20] » Is that where >> I believe it is?

[1:19:22] » It probably is >> for Rod Campus.

[1:19:26] » Oh, no. Then it is not. It's on the other. It's you would come out of the

[1:19:31] tunnel and you turn left. It's on the left going down.

[1:19:35] » Okay. Thank you.

[1:19:40] » Um number 34. A motion to refer zoning ordinance amendment regulating data

[1:19:45] centers and data center accessory uses to the planning commission and the

[1:19:49] Alageney County Planning Department and to advertise for public hearing and for

[1:19:53] potential adoption. >> Second jeez motion by Councilman Lynch,

[1:19:58] second by Councilwoman Rido. I know we're all excited about getting this one

[1:20:02] completed. All those in favor say I. >> Any opposed?

[1:20:06] » I don't want that here. [laughter] >> Motion carries.

[1:20:10] Um, thank you to everybody who worked diligently to get that on the agenda and

[1:20:15] we are glad that we can move that up and get that rolling too.

[1:20:19] » Should we tell people no data centers have approached any of us?

[1:20:23] » Yes, >> just so everyone knows.

[1:20:24] » Correct. >> No one's we're not having a data center.

[1:20:27] [laughter] >> We can have other things, just not the

[1:20:29] data center. >> Um, number 35, Burough resident taxpayer

[1:20:33] comments on non-aggenda items. We do not have any. Uh, so this evening, general

[1:20:37] business, we'll start with um, Councilman Lynch.

[1:20:42] » I actually have nothing further. Thank you very much.

[1:20:44] » Okay, Councilman Rido, >> I just wanted to thank Ryan for taking

[1:20:48] time out of his evening away from his baby. I know that [clears throat] that's

[1:20:52] difficult. And also, thanks to all the first responders today. And, you know,

[1:20:58] anybody that had damages today, I wish you the best. And I hope I'm hopeful

[1:21:03] that you can recover quickly. That's all I have.

[1:21:07] » Thank you, Councilwoman Marz. >> I have nothing more to add. Thank you,

[1:21:11] » Counciloman Benz. >> Bad news. School starts Tuesday the

[1:21:15] 25th. So, get these kids off our street soon and back to learning. That's all I

[1:21:20] got. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Bec.

[1:21:23] » Yes. I only have uh one thing. I want to thank uh the motion 29 about the Gilh

[1:21:30] Hall Community Center. You know, uh years ago uh when I was first on

[1:21:35] council, I remember the very first month we put in $45,000 to fix the GBU paint

[1:21:41] and redo things. You know, with this improvement,

[1:21:46] uh it can also, you know, as they have stated, serve as another community

[1:21:51] center. All right, that and if you ever went to the library and tried to book

[1:21:56] the community center room over there, it's frequently used. All right, so I I

[1:22:03] really am looking forward to having that Gil Hall be a focal point. I used to say

[1:22:08] at meetings, 3,000 cars drive up and down here and and this they're going to

[1:22:14] see what their tax dollars are being used for. Whereas Beetle Park, Andrew

[1:22:19] Riley Park, T Park, you still have to drive in. That is in plain view of

[1:22:25] everybody. And I'm sure the feedback from them fixing up the playground. And

[1:22:31] uh they we did get $120,000 for playground equipment years back that

[1:22:36] they also allocated for that. It it will be a very good improvement for our

[1:22:42] community. And I'd like to thank everybody who made that possible and

[1:22:45] move forward in that direction. >> That's all.

[1:22:48] » Thank you. >> And be safe out there for the next four

[1:22:51] days. It's supposed to still rain. >> Yeah, I appreciate those comments as

[1:22:56] well. I think that it definitely was a group effort and I'm I'm very thankful

[1:23:00] that uh like I said last meeting that this council sees the need for our

[1:23:04] recreation and our updates and improvements for our our parks and our

[1:23:07] community in a in a general speaking manner. So, um, anything else? No. With

[1:23:13] that, I will ask for, um, a motion to adjurnn.

[1:23:16] » Motion. Second. >> Motion by Councilman Lynch, second by

[1:23:18] Counciloman Bence. Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Council Voting Meeting 8-10-26

Transcript