Somerset Borough Council Minutes
Council Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following meeting.
Meet the Somerset Borough Council Members and Staff
Public Comment Policy
The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa. C.S. 701, et seq.) provides that the Board or Council of a political subdivision shall provide a reasonable opportunity at each advertised regular meeting and advertised special meeting for residents of the political subdivision or for taxpayers of the political subdivision or to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation which are or may be before the Board or Council prior to taking official action. (710.1).
To assure compliance with the Act, to inform members of the public who may wish to make comment, and to provide for predictable and orderly implementation of the public comment period, Somerset Borough Council has adopted this Public Comment Policy.
2013 Council Meetings |
| January 28th |
| February 25th |
| March 25th |
| April 22nd |
| May 20th |
| June 24th |
| July 22nd |
| August 26th |
| September 23rd |
| October 28th |
| November 25th |
| December date to be announced. |
*Council has traditionally rescheduled its November and December meetings based on the timing for budget adoption and the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The rescheduling will be done closer to these dates.
SOMERSET BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
August 26, 2013 – 7:25 p.m.
Meeting was called to order by President Ruby Miller, opening with recitation of the Pledge to the Flag.
Present:
Council Members: Ruby Miller, Frank Koval, Judy Pyle, Fred Rosemeyer, Wanda Miller, and Scott Walker.
Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr., Borough Manager; Michele Enos, Assistant to the Manager; Brett Peters, Director of Finance; George S. Svirsko, Director of Public Works; John J. Dirienzo, Jr., Borough Solicitor; Randy Cox, Chief of Police; Tom Reilly, Consulting Engineer; William Meyer, Mayor.
Announcement
President Miller announced that an Executive Session was held on August 26, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of Collective Bargaining negotiations, ending at 7:25 p.m.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Ms. W. Miller moved; Mrs. Pyle seconded to approve minutes of the July 22, 2013 Public Hearing.
Unanimously Carried.
Mr. Koval moved; Ms. W. Miller seconded to approve minutes of the July 22, 2013 Council Meeting.
Unanimously Carried.
General Public Comments
Jerry Lyons, Somerset Fire Department
Mr. Lyons congratulated Police Chief Cox and the Department for their excellent job coordinating the National Night Out event. This event allows them (Fire Department) the opportunity to show the public their equipment.
Motion
Mr. Rosemeyer moved to donate $100.00 to the Somerset Fire Company Golf Tournament, from citizens of Somerset Borough – seconded by Mr. Walker.
Unanimously Carried.
Administrative Business
Payment of Bills
Mr. Koval moved to pay the following bills, seconded by Mr. Walker:
Check Numbers: 22296 to 22496 Total Amount: $862,102.42
Unanimously Carried.
Old Business
James Onstead Zoning Map Change Ordinance
Solicitor Dirienzo said the map change was approved, with the zoning change from R-3 to B-1, requiring an ordinance amendment. There are only two addresses to go with three lots (the two that have been used) and not enough people were notified in order to do all three lots. He said Mr. Onstead would like to move on and order a sign for the two lots currently approved.
Mr. Onstead indicated to Mr. Dirienzo that we could proceed, based upon the two front lots, and he could have the zoning changed for the back part done separately at another time.
Conference Attendance Policy
Mrs. Pyle said they discussed the benefits of webinars, seminars, etc. and it was felt that more information could be obtained from webinars. Mr. Vinzani pointed out that a webinar is available for future viewing as well.
Further discussion covered fees, travel distances/mileage, hotel costs.
New Business
Somerset County Economic Development Council - Dues Request
Mr. Vinzani presented our annual dues request, based on 10 cents per person in the Borough. This year the amount is $627.70.
Motion
Ms. W. Miller moved to pay our Economic Development Council dues in the amount of $627.70 – seconded by Mr. Walker.
Unanimously Carried.
Somerset County Redevelopment Authority
Mr. Vinzani reported that the second Public Hearing for use of our year 2013 monies was held, programmed for continuation of the Columbia Avenue sanitary sewer emergency line. We are now doing three demolitions with our current year’s monies, and will be programming some of the year 2014 monies for additional demolition and the sanitary sewer project.
Motion
Mr. Walker moved, Ms. W. Miller seconded to execute the Cooperation Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority for administration of the year 2013 CDBG funds.
Unanimously Carried.
Kuhn/Dunlap Subdivision
Mr. Vinzani described this lot line change – a request to deed a small strip of land to the adjoining property. This requires a subdivision approval by Council following review, then approval recommendation by the Planning Commission. It meets the requirements.
Motion
Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mr. Koval seconded approval of the Kuhn/Dunlap subdivision request.
Unanimously Carried.
Public Works Committee
Mr. Vinzani said we are in need of a skid steer, excavator and backhoe. We received prices through the State contract held by Cleveland Brothers, Industrial Park. Our deal with them includes trade-ins and a discount, for a total of $132,647.00 from our Capital Reserve fund for equipment purchases. In answer to questions from Ms. W. Miller and Mr. Rosemeyer, he confirmed that other companies were considered; the equipment is new; and that this is a State Program, not State Surplus. We will begin to look at purchasing a dump truck.
Motion
Mr. Koval moved, Mrs. Pyle seconded to purchase the excavator, skid steer and backhoe.
Unanimously Carried.
Resignation
Concerning the letter of resignation submitted by Council Member Paul Urbain, Mrs. Ruby Miller mentioned that replacement names are available. They discussed procedures for new elections, timing, etc.
Motion
Mr. Walker moved, Mr. Rosemeyer seconded to regretfully accept the resignation of Paul Urbain, effective September 15, 2013.
Unanimously Carried.
A letter of appreciation will be mailed to Mr. Urbain.
Committee, Administration, Special Reports
Manager’s Report
Manager Vinzani reported the following:
- He attended a Penelec Legislative meeting held to introduce us to their local representatives. They explained their electric grids and why certain areas of the Borough do not have power at certain times.
- Our Public Works Departments were provided with flagging training by a certified trainer from Selective Insurance. We had 21 employees certified.
- He and Mr. Peters met with our health care providers to discuss changes that may be implemented next year, under the Affordable Healthcare Act.
- Our Finance Committee met August 16, 2013.
- We had an Emergency Ready Profile completed at our Public Works Building, and a similar one at the Borough Building, at no cost to the Borough.
President’s Report
President Ruby Miller presented the following report:
- The County Boroughs Association meeting will be held in Meyersdale on September 19th at 6:30 p.m.
- Information on whether an organization is charitable when making a donation can be obtained by calling the listed phone number or e-mail, available in the Borough News.
- She will be attending the Route 219 Opening Ceremony along with the Mayor. She sent a letter to the DeVilbiss Company on behalf of Council, congratulating them for remaining in Somerset, and commended the property owners on improvements to the yard of a house behind the post office.
Engineer’s Report
Mr. Reilly updated Council on the water tank installation – the concrete work is completed.
Public Works/Equipment Committee
Mr. Walker thanked Council for approving purchase of the equipment. He questioned the work being done at intersections. Mr. Vinzani explained that after flushing the water system we often find leaking or broken valves.
Public Safety Meeting
Mr. Rosemeyer reviewed the Public Safety Committee meeting. They discussed Police Negotiations. Bike purchases have been ordered; Chief Cox said one is ready to be picked up, and they expect one to be available in September.
A letter of appreciation was suggested to be sent to Sergeant Appel for National Night Out. Chief Cox added that other officers also participated, and he will provide names.
Mr. Rosemeyer said they discussed vehicles and may be asking for the detective’s car next year. He said they will have the new officer, Chris Hemminger, attend the September meeting. She is nearly completed with her field training, with a formal swearing-in scheduled for next month.
He said their re-accreditation assessment will occur next Tuesday and Wednesday, and invited those interested to attend.
Finance Committee
Mr. Rosemeyer presented the following Finance Report:
General Fund Revenues: 80.2% - Expenses: 54.69%
Water Fund Revenues: 75.12% - Expenses: 80%
Sewer Fund Revenues: 56.54% - Expenses: 56.44%
Mr. Peters started the process of the year 2014 Budget. He asked to receive the Department Heads’ requests by the first part of October.
Somerset, Inc.
Mrs. Pyle reported the following:
- The Somerset Inc. Committee had dinner in Trinity Park. The cost sheet for the park is available, and they have applied for additional grants.
- Somerset Inc. is celebrating their 20th Year Anniversary next year.
- The Garden Club wishes to thank the Borough and Public Works Director, Mr. Svirsko and his team for the watering help and flower plants.
- The Economic Development Committee will meet on Thursday. They recommend having a person from Uptown join each meeting to learn what they have to offer or look into starting a business.
Adjournment
Ms. Wanda Miller moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Koval.
Unanimously Carried.
8:10 p.m.
____________________________
Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr., Ph.D.
Somerset Borough Manager/Secretary