Concerns over the cost of a part-time code enforcement officer are causing Oakmont council members to rethink the position.

At a meeting Monday night, council member Tim Favo put forth a motion to suspend the code enforcement officer's activities, effectively immediately. He said the interim borough manager could take care of issues on a daily or emergency basis.

Attorney Shawn Gallagher, representing borough Solicitor Robert Shoop, said that individual had to be certified to handle the many code enforcement issues and he did not know whether interim Manager Daniel Mator had such certifications.

In addition, he said he would need to review the contract to determine what actions the borough was permitted to take.

In the past, code enforcement was handled by the borough manager. Council determined it to be 10 percent to 15 percent of his/her duties and decided to sub those duties out. The current officer is the firm Professional Code Services, with $10,000 budgeted. The expenditures to date for this position are $44,000.

Mr. Favo said he believes the officer has had a lack of guidance from council. A system that is "fair, equitable, and systematic" is needed within the borough's fiscal parameters, he explained. "We spend hours talking about a farmer's market and we don't seem to care that we will be $60,000 over budget on the code enforcement."

He said that over time, enforcement has gone from moderate to lax to overzealous.

Vice President Paula Calabrese said council needed to discuss the matter further. She was concerned that members were saying that Mr. Mator was not providing guidance, but now wanted him to do the job.

Mr. Mator said he expects the two-day-a-week position to cost no more than $70,000 for the year. The problem, he said, is that the borough got so far behind in enforcement in the last couple of years, there is a higher initial outlay of money to bring it up to speed.

Now that someone has been issuing citations, he explained, people will start taking care of their property and the cost, over time, will decrease.

Council member Nancy Ride asked that the motion be amended to allow the officer to work one day a week or serve as representation at legal proceedings until further discussion. The officer had worked as many as three days a week, but currently works two.

Mr. Mator was not able to provide figures received from code enforcement citations, but said the revenue that comes in does not cover the cost of the service. But, he added, it is a quality and safety issue.

"The goal isn't to punish citizens or make money," Mr. Mator explained, "but for residents to take care of their property in compliance with the code."

Mr. Favo said he would withdraw his motion if council agreed to discuss the issue and come to a conclusion at its meeting Monday. Council also requested that the code enforcement officer attend the meeting to talk about the position.

Council tabled for further discussion a request from a merchant to place tables in the red brick area between the curb and sidewalk on Allegheny River Boulevard.

Some members expressed concern that approving this request would open the borough to numerous similar requests throughout the business area. There also were concerns about safety and lack of space.

Council also approved advertising for a new borough solicitor without giving a reason for the action. The vote was tied 3-3, leaving Mayor Bob Fescemyer to break it in favor of advertising.

Council President Michael Federici and members Dru Taliaferro and Ms. Calabrese voted to advertise. Mr. Favo, Allan Kennedy and Ms. Ride voted against. Cheryl Zentgraf was absent.

Council adjourned the meeting until Monday, when it will follow a workshop meeting continued from July 6. The workshop meeting will begin at 7 p.m.