CASTLE SHANNON REVITILIZATION CORPORATION
6:30 P.M. minutes-csrc-3-2011.htm
CASTLE SHANNON MUNICIPAL BUILDING

MINUTES

         The March 9, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Castle Shannon Revitalization Corporation (CSRC) was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Michael Warhold.

ATTENDANCE: Michael Warhold, Harry Munson, Brad Johnson, Lisa Goodyear. Others in attendance: Tom Hartswick, Lori Miller (recording).

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On motion by Mr. Munson, seconded by Ms. Goodyear, the Minutes of the CSRC Board Meeting of February 9, 2011 were approved as presented.

STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Hartswick presented two invoices from DELTA Development: Invoice Number Three - $4,325 and Invoice Number Four - $7,457.50. Ms. Goodyear motioned to approve the invoices; Mr. Johnson seconded; motion carried.

Mr. Munson questioned if DELTA had provided the board with a summary of the last stakeholders meeting. Mr. Hartswick responded that it has not been received as of this date.

With the governor’s proposed budget cuts, the Main Street and Elm Street programs have been eliminated. Two new programs were proposed: Keystone Communities Program and Core Communities Program. Mr. Hartswick will contact Rick Viglione, Western Regional Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. In addition, the Irwin Project with Don Henderson has had their funding cut. It was noted that through our association with the PA Downtown Center, many of the borough’s successful programs were inspired, i.e. the banner program and the community garden.

OLD BUSINESS

Carpenters Building: Mr. Johnson and his brother are still interested in purchasing the carpenter’s building. Water is draining onto the carpenter’s building from Kimmie’s Restaurant.

Delta Development: DELTA’s final draft will be presented March 15th, and the steering committee will meet two weeks later. A final presentation should be scheduled in April to council and the stakeholders. Mr. Warhold and Ms. Grass are working with Congressman Tim Murphy to get the funding released for the earmark.

DIRECTOR/COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Warhold asked the committee for inexpensive ideas to beautify the downtown area this summer, i.e. clean up sidewalks and weed. Ms. Goodyear proposed purchasing hanging baskets and/or planters with flowers where the street trees have expired. Mr. Munson suggested fixing the wall by the bridge by the trolley tracks by getting a mold and pouring in cement. Mr. Johnson recommended purchasing benches. Mr. Warhold suggested having an event in the parklet.

Mr. Munson suggested getting the businesses more involved in Community Day and local events. In addition, Mr. Munson suggested getting a group of volunteers together to power wash buildings and/or paint facades to show public interest and get publicity. Ms. Goodyear suggested soliciting donations towards a beautification project and having a banner/sign with the names of people who donated.

Mr. Johnson suggested selling coupon space in the newsletter for local businesses, where a portion of the proceeds could be used for revitalization projects. Mr. Warhold stated that council is considering changes to the newsletter, i.e. advertising and shorter time frames. Mr. Munson will make a proposal to borough council to prepare the newsletter.

Mr. Warhold talked to the CEO of the railroad about painting the trestle. The CEO stated that repainting bridges is not budgeted. It was noted that a wooden piece of the bridge fell onto Castle Shannon Boulevard. Ms. Goodyear stated that the railroad should be put on notice about the potentially dangerous condition.

The board agreed to donate $150.00 to Mike’s Pizza towards his new sign. Ms. Goodyear has the criteria necessary for signage.

Mr. Warhold discussed the possibility of hosting a golf outing as a fundraiser for revitalization.

Community Garden – Mr. Munson asked the borough to arrange for a p.w. truck to transport the cherry trees from Lowe’s to the garden site when the crop arrives.

NEW BUSINESS

A children’s consignment shop is opening at the former Charlie’s Treasures location. Gallery of Floors is going out of business.

Ms. Goodyear pointed out a house across from Ms. Kovach’s shop on Park Avenue that needs demolished.

The borough’s project was approved for the Local Government Academy Intern program. Castle Shannon’s project generated the most interest from the students. Mr. Warhold and Mr. Hartswick will interview five students. The chosen intern will create a business database and visit the local businesses to gather data for the borough’s earned income tax base for Act 32 collections.

Jim Aiello met with bankers and Dennis Davin (Allegheny County) and Senator Fontana. The funding gap has been reduced to $2 million. Mr. Aiello has already spent $340,000 on architectural designs and over $1 million on the entire project thus far. We are cautiously optimistic that construction will possibly start this year.

ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Warhold then called for any other business. Ms. Goodyear motioned to adjourn; Mr. Johnson seconded; motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted
Thomas C. Hartswick