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.
2017 Council Meetings |
| January 23rd |
| February 13th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| February 27th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| March 13th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| March 27th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| April 10th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| April 24th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| May 8th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| May 22nd Council Meeting 7 PM |
| June 12th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| June 26th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| July 10th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| July 24th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| August 14th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| August 28th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| September 11th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| September 25th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| October 9th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| October 23rd Council Meeting 7 PM |
| November 13th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| November 20th Council Meeting 7 PM |
| December 11th Committee of the Whole Meeting - 5 PM |
| December 18th Council Meeting 7 PM |
*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
Committee of the Whole
December 11th, 2017 5:00 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; Fred Rosemeyer; Judy Pyle; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis; and Gary Thomas. Mayor Scott Walker also present.
Absent was Junior Council Member Maria Weimer.
Also present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Chief of Police, Randy Cox; Solicitor James Cascio; and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly and Jake Bolby.
Announcements:
(a) None
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:
(a) All minutes are approved at the regular Council Meeting.
General Public Comments:
(a) None Registered.
Policy Agenda:
Old Business:
(a) None
Executive Session – To discuss personnel matters.
New Business:
(a) Request Form Submitted by Council Member Ream:
1. Would like to discuss any issues or concerns from Council members in regards to utilizing B. Vinzani as a consultant in lieu of an Assistant Manager.
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved, motion seconded by Mr. Thomas to move into Executive Session.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:02 pm
Council back in regular session at 5:34 pm
(b) Request Form Submitted by Manager Enos:
1. Tax Rate Ordinance for 2018 – Discussion.
Ms. Enos mentioned that if the Tax Rate changes, then we are required to advertise that change. She stated that this has already been done. Ms. Enos stated that Council has to pass the Ordinance establishing the ½ mill increase that we have incorporated in the 2018 Tax Rate Ordinance. It will come to a formal vote, for approval, at the next Council Meeting.
2. Adoption of Final Budgets for 2018 – Discussion.
Ms. Enos explained that the Adoption of Final Budgets for 2018 will also appear at next week’s Council Meeting. She stated that this is everything that has been discussed in the last 3 months. This includes the Operating Budgets and Capital Budget. The final adoption is scheduled to be set next week’s Council Meeting.
3. Appointments/Reappointments to various Boards and Commission – Discussion.
She stated that each year, effective January 1st, we always have vacancies to our Boards and Commissions. We have terms expiring for the Municipal Authority; Planning Commission; Zoning Hearing Board; UCC Code Appeals Board; Civil Service Commission; and Vacancy Board. She stated that this will also be included on next week’s Agenda. The effective dates will not apply until January 1, 2018.
4. Letter from Senator Stefano – Discussion concerning Act 42.
Ms. Enos stated we received a letter from Senator Stefano concerning Act 42. She stated that this is something Governor Wolf signed into Law House Bill 271. It was passed by the General Assembly. She stated that the Act 42 is concerning Gaming License. Ms. Enos stated that Municipalities who do not want to participate in a potential casino coming in, have to officially “opt-out” by Resolution before the end of this year. If Council does not want to be considered one of the Municipalities for a casino, then we have to pass, by Resolution, to “opt-out.” By “opting-out” the Borough
will be removed from being considered in the potential casino process. Discussion was held among Council on this subject. It was decided upon by Council not to “opt-out.”
(c) Donation Requests:
1. Humane Society of Somerset County - Requesting us to consider a donation for year 2018.
Mrs. Miller stated that this will be considered on the Agenda at the next Council Meeting.
(d) Year to Date Financial Report – Provided through the month of November 2017.
Mr. Peters distributed the information for the Year to Date Financial Reports through November 2017 to Council. Mr. Peters explained the new format on the Financial Reports. He mentioned that we are 91.67% of the way through the year. The following Funds Revenues and Expenditures are based through the month of November 2017:
General Fund: Revenues – 95.79%; Expenses – 86.21%
Water Revenue Fund: Revenues – 144.63%; Expenses – 130.46%
Sewer System Operating Fund: Revenues – 87.48%; Expenses – 85.68%
Mr. Peters stated that if Council had any questions, to reach out to him, and he would try to address them as best as he could.
(e) Manager’s Report - Reports distributed to Council for all departments for the Month of November 2017.
(f) President’s Report - Given by Ruby Miller.
Mrs. Miller thanked Steve Shaulis and the Fraternal Order of Eagles for all the Christmas lights, and stated that they were beautiful.
(g) Somerset Inc. Report - Given by Judy Pyle.
Mrs. Pyle stated that all their events were a success, but the traffic control was chaotic. She stated that they need to do something to handle this problem, because she was the only volunteer who showed up to help in this regard. It was mentioned that they need to find volunteers earlier in the planning of these events. Mrs. Pyle stated that if anyone had any ideas, or suggestions, on how to go about getting volunteers that are devoted to the community, and always dependable, she would welcome the suggestions. A resulting discussion, among Council, was held on this issue.
(h) Somerset Volunteer Fire Dept. Report - Given by Steve Shaulis.
Mr. Shaulis mentioned that they had a total of 29 calls for November. He stated that with their year starting on October 1st, it takes the total number of calls, since October, up to 56 so far.
Mr. Shaulis stated that the Cash Calendars are still on sale.
He mentioned that the Fire Department has one more meeting coming up where they will nominate Officers. He stated that as of right now, it looks like the current Officers will remain the same for next year.
Mr. Shaulis also mentioned that the Fire Department’s Annual Banquet will be on January 5, 2018.
(i) Engineer’s Report - Given by Jake Bolby.
Mr. Bolby stated that the only thing they have outstanding now is a permit relating to the Sewage Treatment Plant. He stated that this permit is to modify an existing permit. He stated that this permit cycle is every 5 years.
Mr. Bolby also stated that they have been providing support on normal tasks with permits and projects. He also stated that they are ready to go into the next year with the list of projects that are developed in the budget.
Adjournment
Motion
Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Mrs. Ream
Motion Unanimously Carried.
6:16 p.m.
_____________________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/Secretary