Somerset Borough Council Minutes
Council Meeting 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.
2017Council Meetings |
| January 23rd |
| February 27th |
| March 27th |
| April 24th |
| May 22nd |
| June 26th |
| July 24th |
| August 28th |
| September |
| October |
| November |
| December |
*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
May 22nd, 2017 7:00 p.m.
Meeting was called to order by President Ruby Miller, opening with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call:
Council Members Present: Ruby Miller; Judy Pyle; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis; and Gary Thomas. Council Member not present: Fred Rosemeyer. Mayor Scott Walker also present.
Also present were the following: Borough Manager Michele Enos; Director of Finance Brett Peters; Chief of Police Randy Cox; Solicitors James Cascio and Chad Pritts; and Consulting Engineer Jake Bolby.
Announcements:
(a) None
Approval of Previous Council Meeting Minutes:
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Thomas seconded to approve the April 24th, 2017 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Award of Bids:
(a) None
General Public Comments:
(a) None registered.
Administrative Business:
(a) Communications – There were no communications.
(b) Payment of Bills.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded to approve the payment of bills numbered 29371 – 29497, totaling $615,725.46.
Motion Unanimously Carried
Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
There is no old business.
New Business:
(a) Resolution No. 2017-06 – Consider adopting the amended Building Permit Fees effective June 1, 2017.
Resolution No. 2017-06
WHEREAS, The Council of the Borough of Somerset has adopted the Uniform Construction Code and;
WHEREAS, fees for various building permit activities are to be established through Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Somerset;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, and it is resolved that the following fees shall be established for various building inspection activities effective June 1, 2017:
Construction Costs Permit Fees
$ 0 to $ 1,000 $ 30.00
$ 1,001 to $ 2,000 $ 40.00
$ 2,001 to $ 3,000 $ 50.00
$ 3,001 to $ 4,000 $ 60.00
$ 4,001 to $ 5,000 $ 70.00
$ 5,001 to $ 6,000 $ 80.00
$ 6,001 to $ 7,000 $ 90.00
$ 7,001 to $ 8,000 $ 100.00
$ 8,001 to $ 9,000 $ 105.00
$ 9,001 to $10,000 $ 110.00
$ 10,001 to $11,000 $ 115.00
$ 11,001 to $12,000 $ 120.00
$ 12,001 to $13,000 $ 125.00
$ 13,001 to $14,000 $ 130.00
$ 14,001 to $15,000 $ 135.00
$ 15,001 to $16,000 $ 140.00
$ 16,001 to $17,000 $ 145.00
$17,001 to $18,000 $ 150.00
$18,001 to $19,000 $ 155.00
$19,001 to $20,000 $ 160.00
For construction costs over $20,000, the fee shall be $160.00 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000 of construction or fraction thereof.
All Permits Permit Fees
Application Fee $ 25.00
Plumbing Permit – New or Replacement
Residential $ 35.00
Commercial $ 50.00
Electrical Permit Permit Fees
Residential Electrical Inspections
for Rough and Final Inspection $ 50.00
Electrical Inspection for Swimming Pools,
Storage Sheds, and Hot Tubs $ 25.00
Commercial Electrical Permit Fee $25.00
Commercial Electrical Inspections performed by a “Third Party” at an additional cost to owner.
Mechanical Permits Permit Fees
Residential (New or Replacement) $35.00
Commercial (New or Replacement) $50.00
Plan Review Fees
One & Two Family $100.00
Three or more family $150.00
All Commercial 10 Sheets or Less $200.00
All Commercial 11 Sheets or More $400.00
Demolition Permit Fees
Residential (Includes application fee)
First $1,000.00 of project cost $ 35.00
Each additional $1,000.00 $ 7.00
Commercial (Includes application fee)
First $1,000.00 of project cost $ 35.00
Each additional $1,000.00 $ 7.00
Driveway Permit Fees
New Driveway (Includes application fee) $ 35.00
Replacement (Includes overlay or enlarging) $ 10.00
Sidewalk Permit Fees
Sidewalk Permit – New $ 35.00
(Includes application fee)
Sidewalk Permit – Replacement $ 10.00
Sign Permit Fees
Sign Permit – New or Replacement $ 25.00
(Plus $1.00 per square foot)
(Includes Application Fee)
Excavating Permit $ 50.00
Fence Permit Fees
New Fence (Includes Application) $ 35.00
Replacement of Existing Fence $ 10.00
Ms. Enos stated this was discussed at the Committee of the Whole Meeting. She mentioned that the last Building Permit Fee adjustment we had was ten years ago. So this adjustment more appropriately reflects the cost we actually have involved in
inspections and processing applications. Ms. Enos stated that we are recommending the approval of Council at this time.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Ream seconded to adopt the amended Building Permit Fees effective June 1, 2017.
Motion Unanimously Carried
(b) Resolution No. 2017-07 – Consider authorizing a resolution requesting a 75% reimbursement from the PA Turnpike Commission to relocate our water facilities due to construction of the North Center Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.
RESOLUTION NO. 2017-07
In accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Design
Manual - Part 5, Chapter 8.1.C, the Borough of Somerset does hereby authorize
the submission of the attached request for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to provide
a 75.00 per centum reimbursement to the Borough of Somerset for all costs, less any betterments,
incurred in relocating our water facilities affected by S.R. 0601, Sect. 02B – North Center Avenue
necessitated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Bridge Replacement in Somerset County.
Also the Manager of said Borough be authorized and directed to sign a
Utility Reimbursement Agreement on its behalf and that the Director of Finance________
be authorized and directed to attest the Manager’s signature on the Utility
Reimbursement Agreement for this highway project.
Motion
Mr. Thomas moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to authorize a resolution requesting a 75% reimbursement from the PA Turnpike Commission to relocate our water facilities due to construction of the North Center Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.
Motion Unanimously Carried
(c) Sewer Plant Trickling Filter Project – Consider authorizing a Change Order increasing the amount of the project $46,000.00 to replace the distributor arms and installation of a Sluice Gate Valve in the amount of $6,380.00. Total Contract Price $181,380.00. The value of the increase for this charge order is $52,380.00.
Ms. Enos explained that this Sluice Gate Valve is something we did have budgeted in our Capital Budget for this year in the Sewer Plant. So this is something that had been previously authorized when we prepared the budget. She stated that we didn’t have the cost and estimate for the installation when we met at the Committee of the Whole meeting to discuss it, but it has come through since then. The total cost to do this would be $6,380.00. Hickes Contracting will already be in to do the Trickling Filter and the Distributor Arm.
Mr. Reilly discussed what a Sluice Gate Valve is, and how it works to allow the operators to direct the water flow to and from the lagoon.
Motion
Mrs. Ream moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to authorize a Change Order increasing the amount of the project $46,000.00 to replace the Distributor Arms and installation of a Sluice Gate Valve in the amount of $6,380.00. Total Contract Price $181,380.00. The value of the increase for this charge order is $52,380.00.
Motion Unanimously Carried
(d) Water Treatment Plant – Consider authorizing the purchase of a 2017 Ford F-250 with Lift Gate under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program in the amount of $38,963.00. (This amount includes our 2008 Ford F-250 trade-in value of $2,500.00)
Ms. Enos stated that she wanted to include this truck purchase, for the Water Treatment Plant, to be considered for action at the meeting tonight. She stated that
they have moved some Capital Projects over to next year to accommodate for this unbudgeted expense.
Motion
Mrs. Pyle moved, Mr. Thomas seconded to authorize the purchase of a 2017 Ford F-250 with Lift Gate under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program in the amount of $38,963.00. (This amount includes our 2008 Ford F-250 trade-in value of $2,500.00)
Motion Unanimously Carried
Chief Cox mentioned that the State Senate approved a bill having to do with body cameras. It is now going over to the House. Discussion ensued concerning having a letter sent to Representative Carl Walker Metzgar, and some of the surrounding Representatives. This matter may be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Mrs. Pyle mentioned that Regina Coughenour is making it a point of going to the County Commissioners to try to get internet service to the Uptown Area
Mrs. Pyle also mentioned that the Somerset Inc. Annual Membership Meeting is May 25th at 5:30 at Servpro, and anyone is welcome to come.
Executive Session – None Requested.
Adjournment:
Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Mrs. Ream.
Motion Unanimously Carried
7:15 p.m.
_____________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/Secretary