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Somerset Borough Council Minutes

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Council Meeting September 22, 2014 – 7:00 p.m. 

Meeting was called to order by Ruby Miller, Council President, at 7:30 p.m., opening with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Present:

            Council Members present: Ruby Miller, Fredric Rosemeyer, Judy Pyle, Sue Opp, Steve Shaulis, and Gary Thomas.  Scott Walker, Mayor, was also present. Borough Manager Vinzani, Solicitor Dirienzo Consulting Engineer, Tom Reilly; and Public Works Director Svirsko also present. (Sign-in sheet is available on file.)

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

            Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Rosemeyer seconded to approve minutes of the previous meeting held August 25, 2014.
Unanimously Carried.
Payment of Bills

            Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded to pay the following bills:

            Check Numbers:  24487 to 24626                  Total Amount:   $389,972.18

                                                                                                            Unanimously Carried.
Finance Committee Report

 At the 66.67% point of the year, Mr. Rosemeyer presented the following Finance Report:

            General Fund
Revenues: 77.12%
Expenses: 62.87%

            Water Fund
Revenues: 84.20% (including Pennvest Loan)
73.61% (without Pennvest Loan)
Expenses: 69.33% (with the Water Loop Project)
61.43% (without the Water Loop Project,)

            Sewer Fund
Revenues: 64.05%
Expenses: 62.20%

             
New Business

(a) Fraternal Order of Eagles

            Mr. Thomas moved to approve free metered parking at the Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of Edgewood and Patriot for an event held September 6, 2014 – motion seconded by Mrs. Opp.
Unanimously Carried.
(b) Union Street Playground

            Mrs. Miller asked for the MEI quote for a security system at the Union Street Playground– Mr. Vinzani said this was previously given to Council and is open for discussion.  The amount is $11,975.00. Mrs. Miller said the quote consisted of 7 cameras, three licenses, two wireless radios and two pole switches.  She will send letters to the VFW, Eagles, and other possible cash sources for donations.
Mr. Vinzani said we need to decide if 24-hour surveillance is needed. If so, it will require 24 hours of employee time devoted to doing nothing more than watching the tapes of one single day of surveillance. Is this what we want? They discussed other security camera systems, and decided to table this item pending receipt of additional quotes.

(c)  Request for Sponsorship           

Motion

            Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to donate $100 to the Somerset Volunteer Fire Department Golf Tournament, as requested.
Unanimously Carried.
(d) Resolution No. 2014-06

            Concerning reimbursement for the SR 0031 Widening/Safety Improvement Project, Mr. Reilly explained that this Resolution is part of the reimbursement package that the Borough sends to PennDOT, as part of the Project.
The Resolution seeks 83% of the total cost of the relocation.  The Project consists of widening the roadway with some intersection re-alignment at end of Neilan Drive.  Mr. Reilly explained that we do the design, and then provide the design to PennDOT for inclusion into their construction contract. Their contractor would then do the relocation work. 

            Mrs. Miller asked for a motion to accept the following Resolution:

Resolution No. 2014-06

            In accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design Manual – Part 5, Chapter 3.2, the Borough of Somerset does hereby authorize the submission of the attached request for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to provide a fixed 83 per centum reimbursement to the Borough of Somerset for all costs incurred in relocating our water facilities located in public and private right-of-way and affected by S.R. 0031 – Roadway Safety Improvement Project necessitated by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Highway Improvement in Somerset County.

            Also that the President of said Borough be authorized and directed to sign a Utility Reimbursement Agreement on its behalf, and that the Secretary be authorized and directed to attest the President’s signature on the Utility Reimbursement Agreement for this Highway Project.

            ADOPTED as a Resolution this 22nd day of September, 2014.

            Mr. Rosemeyer moved, and Mr. Thomas seconded to accept Resolution No. 2014-06 as written and read.
Unanimously Carried
(e) Fire Department Request                                                                     

            Mr. Vinzani said he received a request from our Fire Department to adopt an ordinance allowing them to charge for false fire alarms. Mr. Thomas explained that false alarms are taking a toll on the Department’s membership and becoming a major issue. Mr. Dirienzo said there is a State law regarding alarm systems. 

(f) Planning Commission Term Appointment

Motion
Mr. Thomas moved, Mr. Rosemeyer seconded to appoint Sean Garrigan to the Somerset Borough Planning Commission, to fill the unexpired term of Dan Pensiero.

                                                                                                            Unanimously Carried.

Committee, Administration, Special Reports

Manager’s Report

            Mr. Vinzani reported the following:
He attended the County Drought Task Force meeting.  All water companies report adequate water levels.  We are several inches below normal precipitation but our supplies are adequate.
He attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony at Trinity Park, along with Sue Opp and Judy Pyle.
He attended the annual Flight 93 Memorial Chapel Ceremony, held on September 11th.
Our Finance Committee met on September 19th.   Our Year 2015 Budget was reviewed.
He and Ms. Enos attended a meeting sponsored by the Somerset County EMA to update the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, generally adopted by all municipalities in the County.  The Plan lists disasters that may occur in a municipality; the intent is to design a game plan to address these matters.
A Blight Seminar will be held on October 3rd at Seven Springs.  He asked for those interested to register.
The Leaf Collection Program is scheduled for October 20-24, and November 17-21.  Labels will be available including instructions.  A drop-off will be offered at the Public Works garage.
Christmas decorations will be installed at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday November 9th.

President’s Report

            Mrs. Miller asked about any Laurel Mountain tax bills.  Mr. Vinzani said he will check on this. 
The Somerset County Banquet was held; 32 were present, with two from PSAB and next meeting (election night) will be November 20, 2015 at Hosses’ or Oakhurst.

Engineer’s Report

            Mr. Reilly reported the following:
The Preconstruction Job Conference for the Lagoon Liner Replacement Project was held Friday.  A Preconstruction Job Conference will also be held for the Bakersville Water Treatment Plant structural repairs on Thursday.
The Pennvest Water Project is additional work that we are attempting since we are under budget on this project.
We received the Public Water Supply Permit from DEP, and are waiting for the Stream Crossing Permit that we expect to get soon.

            Mrs. Miller asked about our options on the Hickory Hill reservoir – whether repair or replacement.  Mr. Vinzani said he is attempting to find funding for this through our Water Fund revenues and or a loan through Pennvest.  They spoke about timing – Mr. Reilly said PennVest has two to three meetings a year and all permits must be in hand 60 days prior to the application.  They discussed age of the tank, and need to review the financial plan and costs. 
Mr. Vinzani pointed out that we would need to match the annual debt service on the Pennvest loan on this project; otherwise reduce services in the fund or increase rates, plus consider replacement versus repairs since the tank is 70 years old.  It was decided to table this decision for further information.

Public Works/ Committee

            Mr. Thomas reported the following Public Works Projects:
Trees at the intersection of Rosina and Sanner, Garrett and Edgewood were trimmed.
Stop signs were replaced at Race and Rosina, and North Center and Saylor Streets. Lines and parking stalls were painted at the Public Safety Building.  A water leak was repaired on the 12-inch line along Plank Road.  Mowing was completed along Coxes Creek stream banks; driveways patched along West Main Street and crosswalks painted around Somerset Hospital.  New Enterprise finished our paving projects for the year.  Flags/banners were repaired along North Center Avenue. Grass was mowed along the breast of the dam near the water treatment plant and water taps made for the Borough Building.  Potholes were patched on Spring Alley, and storm sewer inlets installed along Dott Avenue.
Mr. Thomas added that routine work was performed, consisting of watering uptown plants, mowing on Borough properties, trash pickup, meter pit readings, grease trap inspections at restaurants, water testing and monthly unloading of chemicals at our water treatment plant
They are considering checking on a government program for purchase of a used or new truck.   They discussed parking arrangements that were made for football games.

Public Safety Committee

            Mr. Rosemeyer said he sits on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Somerset County.  He is concerned about our detectives doing investigations at the County jail.  He said he was considering the overtime issue – there are three County detectives.  Many hours were spent in several investigations this year at the jail.
A problem was mentioned concerning handicap parking spots being used without a placard, especially with the vending trucks.   They spoke about referring this to the Chief when it occurs, so that we could issue a ticket. 
A suggestion was made for Council to do a Proclamation to Twin Lakes for “Red Ribbon Week” in October, to acknowledge the work that they do.  Mr. Vinzani asked for the details and said he will arrange this.

Somerset Inc. Representative

            Mrs. Pyle reported the following:
Groundbreaking for Trinity Park was held.  The bid process for the first phase will be started in November, which will pay for all drawings.  They are looking for the 80-20 grant that they applied for, plus other grants.  The “Dinner in the Park” produced a profit of approximately $1,000.00.
The “shooter showdown” fundraiser netted $3,500.00 – all donated.  We had 9 major sponsors, with 57 participating.  All expressed interest in continuing this next year, along with the Fire and Ice Festival.
The bank building across from the hospital was sold.  Mrs. Pyle said doctors may be moving in and there will be extra space to rent.

Somerset Volunteer Fire Department

            Mr. Thomas reported 396 fire calls as of September 30th.  Calendars will be available by next month.

Solicitor’s Report

            Mr. Dirienzo stated that he and the Chief came to an agreement on the physical exam protocol for Civil Service applicants, and he prepared the necessary ordinance to replace the existing one.  The new one parallels the physical exam, methods, and procedures of the Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission, called MOPEC.
He said it was advertised and ready for Council’s consideration.  He presented the following Ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO. 1363

AMENDMENT TO THE SOMERSET BOROUGH POLICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ORDINANCE RULES AND REGULATIONS

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Borough Council of Somerset Borough, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and it is hereby ordained and enacted by the authority of same;

            Section 1.  All portions of all the Somerset Borough Police Civil Service Ordinance, as amended, together with all portions of the Somerset Borough Police Civil Service Commission  (Commission) Rules and Regulations, providing for the examination, testing and evaluation of all Civil Service applicants for police officer, for physical abilities and physical agilities, are hereby amended so as to require that the testing of all such applicants shall be performed by the Commission according to the practices, procedures, standards and evaluations then in effect by and under the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) as created and authorized by Act 120 of the Pennsylvania Legislature (53 Pa. C.S. 2161, et seq.).
            Section 2.  In the event Act 120 is hereafter amended, and/or in the event MPOETC amends its regulatory provisions, then such resulting changes, if any, to practices, procedures, standards and evaluations for physical abilities and agilities to be applied by the Commission shall be automatically amended to include all such changes to Act 120 and MPOETC regulatory provisions.
            Section 3.  When applying the provisions of this Ordinance, the Commission shall parallel applicable provisions of MPOETC regulations to the greatest extent reasonably possible, but may temporarily adjust or delete any provision which, by unanimous vote of the Commission, is found to be unduly financially burdensome, or not capable of implementation by reason of physical limitations on available facilities.  
            Section 4.  All Ordinances or portions of Ordinances, together with all provisions of the Somerset Borough Civil Service Rules and Regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance, are hereby repealed.
            Section 5.  This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon passage by Borough Council and approval of the Mayor.
ENACTED AND ORDAINED this 22nd day of September, 2014, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Somerset.

            It was questioned whether a re-test can be taken in the event of failing the physical.  Mr. Dirienzo said he does not believe MPOETC has the opportunity for a re-test.   

Motion

            Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to adopt the above Ordinance, No. 1363

                                                                                                Unanimously Carried.
Mayor’s Report

            Mr. Walker commended Mr. Rosemeyer on working with the County in getting the County detectives to address future incidences at the jail.  The amount of time devoted to these incidents takes time away from our officers.  This is especially important now that school is back in session.
He sits on the Board at Twin Lakes and attends Board meetings at the Drug Free Community Association. 
He suggested setting up a distribution point for Red Ribbon Week.
Civil Service physical testing is in place.
We now have better motorcycles on the street, with majority of the cost donated by the American Legion and VFW.

Motion

            Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Pyle seconded to enter into Executive Session for personnel matters.

                                                                                                Unanimously Carried – 8:27 p.m.

            Executive Session ended at 9:05 p.m. – regular Council Meeting resumed.

Motion

            Mr. Thomas moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Mr. Rosemeyer.

                                                                                                Unanimously Carried – 9:06 p.m.

______________________________
Benedict G. Vinzani, Jr.
Somerset Borough Manager/Secretary