Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Dormont public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
34 issues with medium priority
Cookies with Santa 2026
The annual Cookies with Santa event on December 5 will move into the church basement alongside Home for the Holidays vendors, with cookie decorating kept. Residents will find Santa and decorating in the Home Room after the parade.
Home for the Holidays tree lighting
The popular holiday lights contest returns with plans for about 100 reusable yard signs — roughly double last year — after many residents missed the signup. A municipal building pickup-and-return system is proposed to make scaling easier.
Business district parking overhaul
Council is reviewing parking needs with an eye toward 2027 solutions, and has begun discussing renewing the Dormont Village parking lot contract and its meter vendor contract.
Paving program wrap-up
Felino will mill streets this week and lay base and wearing courses next week; the 2026 paving program should be done within two weeks.
Speed data reliability and speed-display bias
Police speed data across three streets shows almost no serious speeding, but commission members worry the visible speed display makes drivers slow down — meaning the data may not reflect normal driving. They floated buying a small independent counter to check the police collector's numbers.
Potomac Avenue Street Light Replacement
The borough's existing Potomac Avenue lights are out of production with no parts left, so a replacement decision is coming one way or another. A cheap quote through the Act 129 rebate program drew aesthetic objections, and members want to look at other options — possibly with grant help — before committing.
Municipal building aging HVAC
The roof AC units are 22 years old and replacement costs doubled to about $29,000 per unit. Council leaned toward setting aside $30,000 from the loan rather than hoping they hold.
Braig Snyder ballfield future after school district pulls access
DABA can no longer use the Dormont Elementary field, so the borough is weighing a quick $10–15,000 fix of the Braig Snyder T-ball field or applying for a Pittsburgh Pirates matching grant for a full Dura Edge conversion (up to $50,000 with the match).
Pool filtration system lifespan
$10,000 for a feasibility study plus new actuator valves should buy the borough about five more years to plan a full filtration room replacement.
Illegal gambling machines enforcement
Council President Downs flagged that some vape shops stay afloat on skill games, and the borough plans to tackle that separately later this month. The borough manager said a rewritten fee schedule may raise fees on gaming machines in establishments.
Free tax assistance site proposal
Just Harvest could run a free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site — including bilingual service — in the borough building's community room from January to April 2027, the first of its kind in the South Hills. Council is sorting out conflicts with groups that already use the space.
Commission Vacancies and Recruitment
The commission is losing a member, and the borough has openings on several boards. A new application process is in place, and PA child abuse clearances are now required for all volunteers.
Recreation Plan Grant Extension and Pashek MTR Award
Dormont has DCNR grant money for a recreation plan but the clock is running out. A state-recommended RFP waiver would let the borough hire Pashek MTR directly and extend the grant one year.
Dormont Street and Music Festival 2026
The festival is on track with stage production, sponsors, safety planning, and vendor logistics all set. Volunteers are still needed — applications are on the borough website.
2027 Pension Funding Obligations Set
Council approved the minimum municipal obligations for both police and non-police pensions for 2027 — part of the borough's required retirement funding.
New finance director hired
Cynthia Stevens starts as finance director October 12, filling a key post just as the borough begins putting together next year's budget.
Bond financing groundwork for capital projects
Council cleaned up the Brentwood Bank loan language and hired bond counsel and an investment banker — the pieces being put in place to borrow for upcoming big-ticket capital projects.
Dormont Volunteer Fire Department recruitment
Three new volunteers are ready to join, and the annual $25,000 contribution to the firemen's association continues — money that goes straight back to the volunteers as stipends and reimbursements.
SS4A grant funds frozen pending contract
Federal Safe Streets for All money has been awarded but is frozen until the borough signs the contract — a key reason the Dormont/Dwight calming work can't start.
Keystone Oaks School District / Dormont Police MOU
The updated memorandum of understanding between Dormont police and Keystone Oaks School District sets reporting requirements and adds new Appendix A reflecting recent school code changes.
$750,000 Tax Anticipation Note Repayment
Council paid off the $750,000 note taken earlier this year to cover pension obligations, costing $765,445.61 with interest and fees.
Emergency Operations Plan adoption (Resolution 14 of 2026)
The borough adopted its updated Emergency Operations Plan, which must be refreshed every two years and would have expired August 31.
Porchmont 2026 Planning and Host Recruitment
The commission's second annual Porchmont porch-festival is taking shape, with a focus on better outreach to marginalized communities this year. Dormont Arts wants in, a donated painting will anchor the poster, and a save-the-date is targeted for early May to avoid getting lost among other fall events.
Future of the Human Relations Commission
With thin attendance, a deferred agenda, and a departing staff liaison, the commission acknowledged it's been 'winging it' and that Council plans to clarify the HRC's scope and future direction after Porchmont.
Adult movie night rescheduled
The board is piloting a 21-and-up style event: a screening of "10 Things I Hate About You" on July 30 in Hillsdale Park, aimed at giving adults more rec programming since most events skew family-oriented.
Personnel transitions in borough administration and fire department
Assistant Manager Melinda Szabo is leaving August 24, Day Camp Director Kie McCrae has resigned, and Deputy Chief James Kolesky is retiring through the DROP program after 26 years. Council is handling succession in executive session.
Dormont Dash and Street Fair planning
The September race had to move to Sunday, August 30 because the timing company wasn't available. Swag bags are out this year, but the board is chasing food trucks, bagels, and grocery-store sponsorships to keep the post-race experience strong.
Five-year road program and condition rankings
The borough engineer presented a comprehensive, color-coded road condition list that will drive the five-year road program, factoring in utility and road-opening permits to avoid repaving streets twice.
Pension Investment Advisor Search
The updated RFP for a pension investment advisor is ready for a June 1 vote. If approved, it runs 60 days, then interviews and a recommendation, with an appointment by September.
Fire Department Hiring — Lucas Dewit
Dormont filled its fire desk officer/apparatus operator position with a hometown firefighter who started as a junior member at 16; he was sworn in at the meeting.
Borough Parking Lot Maintenance
A local business owner and Trash Free Dormont volunteer called out the borough for letting its own paid parking lots fill with trash, with overflowing cans and debris. He wants weekly cleanups and answers on why paying parkers should tolerate it.
Porchmont Accessibility and Inclusion Outreach
The commission wants wheelchair-accessible Porchmont stops but the borough's hilly topography limits options. Members debated whether to include Back Alley as a stop versus keeping the event non-commercial, and plan outreach to renters and the senior high rise.
Road and signal infrastructure projects
Pay requests totaling about $343,800 for the Dell/McFarland road work, a new flashing beacon at W. Liberty and Kelton, and the W. Liberty/Dormont signal replacement — all expected to be reimbursed by grants.
Special events permit ordinance
Draft Ordinance 1660 would require permits and fees for events drawing 500+ people, covering police, fire, and EMS costs for out-of-borough groups. Council sent it to a workshop instead of advertising it, wanting input from affected organizations first.