Oakmont Borough Council Notebook: September Work Session

Here's a roundup of some of the items discussed at the Sept. 6 Oakmont Council meeting:

Council Discusses Petition to Keep Parking Intact on College Avenue

Building owner Jim Siciliano’s submitted a petition, dated Aug. 18, requesting perpendicular parking remain on College Avenue.

It was discussed by council, Siciliano and Siciliano’s  lawyer, Rich Luciana, at Tuesday’s meeting.

Siciliano had discussed his issues with council’s proposed plan to change the parking on College Avenue by his buildings—Allegheny Plaza 1 and Allegheny Plaza 2—from perpendicular to parallel parking at last month’s meeting to which Council President Tim Favo asked Siciliano to submit a formal request to council about the situation.

According to Luciana, changing the parking would eliminate much needed parking in that area—from 14 spots down to five. Siciliano said he had an agreement with the borough 28 years ago that he would create and maintain this parking area, however, there was no signed agreement.

“I’m puzzled as to why after 28 years and no recorded accidents in this area, the borough would change it,” Luciana said. “These changes would seriously impact [Mr. Siciliano’s] bottom line.”

The petition, signed by Siciliano, his tenants, employees and customers of the shops at the location, stated that this change would affect the area negatively because of the lack of parking for customers and employees. According to Siciliano, one of his tenants already left to rent elsewhere because of the uncertainty of these spots.

Favo cited safety as the reason this area was being looked at, however, Siciliano said there have only been three minor accidents in the last 28 years as a result of drivers backing out of those parking spots.

“This intersection is changing, though,” Favo said. “With the [Edgewater Development] coming in and more traffic, it’s going to get busier.”

Luciano suggested council wait two to three years and perform a traffic study before making a decision about the parking. Councilman John Donovan agreed that waiting and getting the proper data about the area was a good idea.

“How do we know what’s going to happen?” he said. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to give it time.”

No decision has been made at this time.

Garden Club Announces New Committee and Proposes Gift to Oakmont

Christine Little, president of the Oakmont Garden Club, announced the formation of a new committee that will focus on the beautification of Allegheny River Boulevard’s merchant section.

Members of the Upper Boulevard Beautification Committee requested council vote next week on accepting its offer to replace the 10 trash receptacles on the boulevard with newer, more visually appealing receptacles. The borough will be asked to help with the removal of the old receptacles and the installation of the new ones the Garden Club would pay for.

The new receptacles would be similar to ones around the city of Pittsburgh, Shadyside and the University of Pittsburgh. Little said she hopes council would approve this gift next week so work could begin to install the new receptacles and have them in place by the Annual Christmas Parade and Celebration on Nov. 19.

Members also are requesting the borough to form a partnership with the committee to care for the greenery—including weeding—along the boulevard.

“I think it’s a no-brainer to get these trash cans,” Councilwoman Laurie Saxon said. "We could probably get groups and businesses to help with the weeding and upkeep of the boulevard.”

Money Transferred to Capital Roads Fund

In order to accommodate for an overage in the budget for catch basin and sink hole repairs, Borough Manager Bruce Jamison said funds were moved from the general fund to the capital roads fund. According to Jamison, there have been more repairs on catch basins and sink holes in Oakmont that expected this year.

There are still six more repairs needed to which council will determine if those repairs are needed in 2011.

Riverside Park Renovations

According to Jamison, Northern Athletic Construction is now working at the park full time and removed a tennis court last week.