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 25th |
| May 23rd |
| 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.
Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
February 22, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.
Meeting was called to order by Council President Ruby Miller, opening with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call
Council members present: Ruby Miller, Fred Rosemeyer, Judy Pyle, Pamela Ream, Sue Opp, Steve Shaulis, and Gary Thomas.
Others Present:
Borough Manager Michele Enos; Director of Finance Brett Peters; Public Works Director George Svirsko; Consulting Engineer Tom Reilly; Solicitor Jack Dirienzo; Chief of Police Randy Cox; and Assistant Borough Manager Joshua Summits also present.
Executive Session Announcement:
Mrs. Miller announced that an Executive Session was held at 5:30 p.m. this date to discuss Personnel Matters.
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Pyle seconded to approve the January 4, 2016 Borough Council Organizational Meeting Minutes.
Unanimously Carried.
Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded to approve the Borough Council Meeting Minutes of January 25, 2016.
Unanimously Carried.
General Public Comments
Scott Glover introduced himself, stating that he recently encountered a sewer problem at a building he owns in the Borough’s Central Business District. He mentioned that he recently lost “Crazy Alice’s Café” as well as other tenants, and is asking for the Borough’s help to do the street excavation work, since the Borough has the necessary equipment.
Administrative Business
Payment of Bills
Mrs. Pyle moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to approve payment of the following bills:
Check Numbers: 27141 to 27285 - Total Amount: $383,046.78
Unanimously Carried.
New Business
(a) Resolution No. 2016-07
Mrs. Enos reported that she received a call from the Commonwealth regarding a Road Paving Project on Route 281 which includes an upgrade to the traffic signals. The request must be made by the Municipality since we do the maintenance.
A Resolution is required by Council for this Signal Upgrade Application to PennDOT, for replacement of traffic light signal equipment at the intersection of Stoystown Road and North Pleasant Avenue, with no cost to the Borough. This is part of Penndot’s Construction Project and LED lights will be installed.Mrs. Ream moved, Mr. Rosemeyer seconded to approve the Resolution No. 2016-07.
Unanimously Carried.
(b) Request from Scott Glover for Borough to assist in the repair of his sewer lateral
Concerns were expressed about the Borough performing work that is actually the responsibility of the property owner and setting the precedent to perform the same work for others having the same problem. There was no Motion on Mr. Glover’s request. Therefore the lack of a Motion means his request does not get done.
(c) Daily American 10K/5K Fitness Challenge
Mrs. Miller said the Finance Committee is recommending a donation of $200 dollars to benefit the Somerset County Food Pantries and Somerset County Drug-Free Communities.Motion
Mrs. Ream moved, seconded by Mr. Rosemeyer, to recommend this donation benefitting the Somerset County Food Pantries and the Somerset County Drug-Free Communities.
Unanimously Carried.
Committee, Administration, Special Reports
Manager’s Report
Mrs. Enos presented the following report:
- A request was received to have a crosswalk installed at South Franklin Avenue and Garrett Street near the School District. She will contact Penndot for our requirements.
- Our application for Pennvest Funding was submitted on February 18th for the Hickory Hill Water Tank Replacement Project.
- January 31st our Volunteer Fire Department, Somerset Businesses and Utility Companies removed our Uptown Christmas Decorations.
- On February 1st our Civil Service Commission held its Bi-annual Organizational Meeting and adopted the updated Civil Service Commission Regulations.
- Our Municipal Authority met February 15th to organize and adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission for the Pennvest application for the Hickory Hill Storage Tank Replacement Project.
- The “CDL Reasonable Suspicion Training” course was completed by “Work Net”, with certifications coming out this week.
- Several residents from East Race Street signed a Petition requesting that we look at the condition of the road. This will be reviewed with Public Works Committee.
- Mr. Svirsko added that pothole repairs on East Union Street will be completed tomorrow.
President’s Report
Mrs. Miller thanked all for approving the Hickory Hill Water Tank Replacement Project, at the Municipal Authority meeting.
Engineer’s Report
- Mr. Reilly reported that the Pennvest application was submitted. The Pennvest Board Meeting is scheduled for April 20th and should determine whether the Borough receives a funding offer – the application amount was $1,806,000.00.
- We are bidding the project for the Bakersville Water Treatment Plant Control system.
- The Public Works Building Roof Replacement Project contract documents are executed.
Public Works/Equipment Committee
Mr. Thomas explained that due to the Executive Session, a committee meeting will be held next Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Public Safety Committee
Mr. Rosemeyer reported the following:
They met with the Mayor, Chief of Police and Mr. Thomas to review the January 18th memo regarding the reports on overtime, etc,
Finance Committee
Mr. Rosemeyer reported that they met February 19th and reviewed various requests for donations. The Committee recommended approving the Daily American’s request. He presented the following “Year-to-Date” Financial Report (January 1st through January 31st - the 8.33% point of the year.
General Fund:
Revenues: 3.27%
Expenses: 7.53%Water Revenue Fund:
Revenues: 7.59%
Expenses: 8.42%Sewer System Fund:
Revenues: 7.92%
Expenses: 6.09%
He thanked Ms. Enos and Mr. Peters for their help in keeping expenses under control.
Somerset Inc. Representative
Mrs. Pyle reported:
- Somerset Inc. represents 5 subcommittees.
- Discussed how grants are being held up because of the Commonwealth’s budget problems.
- She attended the Economic Development Committee meeting, along with Mr. Summits.
- Mrs. Pyle attended the Trinity Park Committee meeting. Fund Raising is the main concern. Grants are available and are being applied for.
Somerset Volunteer Fire Department
Mr. Thomas reported that the Department received 154 calls since October.
The new ladder truck is scheduled to be delivered by the end of March.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor not present. No Report.
Adjournment
Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Pyle seconded to adjourn.
Unanimously Carried - 7:34 p.m.
________________________
Michele Enos
Borough Manager/Secretary