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.
2016 Council Meetings |
| January 25th |
| February 22nd |
| March 28th |
| April |
| May |
| June |
| July |
| August |
| September |
| October |
| November |
*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.
COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET
Organizational Meeting
January 4, 2016 - 7:00 pm
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Walker, opening with recitation of the Pledge to the Flag.
Roll Call - (Borough Council Members)
Present were the following members of Borough Council: Ruby Miller; Fred Rosemeyer, Judy Pyle, Pam Ream, Sue Opp, Steve Shaulis, and Gary Thomas. Mayor Scott Walker was also present.
Additionally present were Michele Enos, Borough Manager; John J. Dirienzo, Jr, Borough Solicitor; George Svirsko, Public Works Director; and Josh Summits, Assistant Manager.
Nominations for President of Council
Pam Ream nominated Ruby Miller for President of Council, motion seconded by Fred Rosemeyer. Gary Thomas moved that the nominations be closed, seconded by Sue Opp.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Nominations for Vice-President of Borough Council
Ruby Miller nominated Fred Rosemeyer, Sr. as Vice President of Borough Council – motion seconded by Sue Opp.
Gary Thomas moved that nominations be closed, seconded by Steve Shaulis.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Nominations for President Pro-Tem
Sue Opp moved to nominate Judy Pyle as President Pro-Tem – motion seconded by Fred Rosemeyer. Gary Thomas moved that the nominations be closed, seconded by Sue Opp.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
President of Council Assumes Chair
Resolution No. 2016-01
Mrs. Enos explained that our Official Depository for Borough accounts is currently Somerset Trust Company.
Motion
Gary Thomas moved, Judy Pyle seconded to appoint Somerset Trust Company as our official depository for Years 2016-2017.
Resolution No. 2016-1
WHEREAS, it has been the policy of the Council of the Borough of Somerset to designate its Depository every two years, and;
WHEREAS, it is the desire of Council to continue with the same Depository for the years 2016 – 2017;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Somerset Trust Company is hereby named the Depository of Borough funds for the years 2016-2017, provided that Somerset Trust Company enters into a Depository Agreement with the Borough of Somerset, and pledges as security for all Borough accounts, an amount of securities equal to 120 percent of the total amount of all Borough funds.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-02
Mrs. Miller presented the Resolution establishing meeting dates for the Council of the Borough of Somerset for years 2016-2017. Borough Council Meeting dates are scheduled for the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Motion
Sue Opp moved to adopt Resolution 2016-02; motion seconded by Judy Pyle.
Resolution No. 2016-2
WHEREAS, The Borough of Somerset has conducted its regular monthly meetings at a specified time, date and location which have proven convenient to the Public;
NOW THEREFORE, We, the Council and Mayor of the Borough of Somerset, desiring to continue successful publicized meetings, hereby designate the fourth Monday of each month in the calendar years 2016 – 2017 at 7:00 p.m., Municipal Building, 347 West Union Street, Somerset, PA for regular meetings. When the regular meeting date falls on a Borough Holiday, the meeting will be held on the following day, Tuesday, at the same time and place.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-03
Mrs. Enos explained that information concerning a grant program through DCED for a Façade Improvement Program was included in last week’s notes. A Resolution is necessary in order to submit the application for funding.
The Resolution states that we will be applying for $50,000 - a 50-50 grant, matched by either the property owner or use of a façade grant improvement fund, for those who fall within a low-moderate income range. It does not come out of Borough funds.
Motion
Judy Pyle moved, Gary Thomas seconded, to execute filing of the DCED Grant Application for Façade Improvement Programs.
Resolution No. 2016-3
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FILING OF A PROPOSAL FOR FUNDS THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DCED), COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.
WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset is desirous of obtaining funds from the Departments in the amount of $50,000.00 to start a Façade Improvement Program designed to stimulate private investment in properties, foster an attractive environment, and preserve the historical and architectural heritage of properties.
WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset will assure the provision of the full local share of project costs.
WHEREAS, that the Borough of Somerset will reimburse the Commonwealth for the State’s share of any expenditure, found by DCED to be ineligible.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Borough Manager of the Borough of Somerset is directed to execute a certificate attesting to the adoption of this resolution and to furnish a copy of the Resolution to the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Adoption of Resolution No. 2016-04
Mrs. Enos explained that this is an application for funding to undertake sidewalk improvements in the 100 block areas in our Central Business District.
Total cost is $500,000. The only Borough contribution would be the engineering, which is estimated to be approximately $26,000.
Motion
Steve Shaulis moved to execute the PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant application for Uptown Sidewalk Improvements – motion seconded by Judy Pyle.
Resolution No. 2016-4
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FILING OF A PROPOSAL FOR FUNDS WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has made available to municipalities certain funds under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to undertake identified eligible projects;
WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset is desirous of obtaining funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), TAP in the amount not to exceed $500,000 to undertake the sidewalk improvements throughout the Borough of Somerset;
WHEREAS, the Borough of Somerset will assume the provision of the full local share of project costs not eligible through TAP funding;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Borough of Somerset, Borough Council do hereby authorize the Borough Manager to submit an application for assistance to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Sergeant-at-Arms
Motion
Fred Rosemeyer moved to appoint Randy Cox as Sergeant-at-Arms – motion seconded by Sue Opp.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Fire & Ice Festival
Regarding free metered parking during the Fire & Ice Festival, January 15th through 17th, Ruby Miller asked if the “tags” can be placed on the meters. Michele Enos said we can do the “tags”, made in-house, and Blake Hauger can collect the money.
Motion
Pam Ream moved, Sue Opp seconded, to use “wire/tags” on the meters during time of the Fire & Ice Festival to designate free parking.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Mrs. Miller announced that the Finance Committee will remain the same, with Fred Rosemeyer, Pam Ream, Ruby Miller and Gary Thomas as Alternates.
Additionally, Mrs. Miller announced that the Public Works Committee will consist of Gary Thomas, Sue Opp, and Steve Shaulis, with Judy Pyle as Alternate.
Gary Thomas Appointment to Somerset Borough Planning Commission
Motion
Sue Opp moved; seconded by Pam Ream, to appoint Gary Thomas to serve on the Somerset Borough Planning Commission
Motion Unanimously Carried.
Mrs. Miller announced that the Public Safety Committee will be – Fred Rosemeyer, Pam Ream and Judy Pyle.
Concerning the Grus matter, Solicitor Dirienzo asked that we avoid details since we would be the adjudicator in this type of local agency decision.
Adjournment
Gary Thomas moved, Sue Opp seconded to adjourn.
Motion Unanimously Carried.
8:00 p.m.
________________________
Michele Enos
Borough Manager/Secretary