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Somerset Borough Council Minutes

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Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
October 22, 2018 at 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; Fred Rosemeyer; Judy Pyle; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis and Gary Thomas.  Mayor Scott Walker also present.

 

       Also present were the following:  Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Solicitor, James Cascio; Chief of Police, Randy Cox and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly and Jake Bolby.

 

Announcements:

  (a) Jonathan Wagner – Introduction and Swearing-In of Mr. Wagner as part of the

       Junior Council Program.

 

       Mr. Rosemeyer welcomed Jonathan Wagner, and his family who were in attendance, and stated that the Borough Council appreciated that he was willing to serve as a Junior Council Person for Somerset Borough. 

 

       Mr. Wagner was then Sworn-In as a Junior Council Member by Mr. Rosemeyer. 

      

Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings:

  (a) September 10th, 2018 – Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

 

Motion

       Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded to approve the September 10th, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes.         

                                                                            Motion Unanimously Carried

 

  (b) September 24th, 2018 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes

 

Motion

       Mr. Thomas moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to approve September 24th, 2018 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.

                                                                             Motion Unanimously Carried

 

 

Award of Bids:

  (a) None

 

 

General Public Comments:

  (a) None

 

 

Administrative Business:

  (a) Communications (none)

 

  (b) Payment of Bills:

 

Motion

       Mrs. Ream moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the payment of bills numbered 31915 – 32054 totaling $963,513.24.      

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

Policy Agenda:

 

Old Business:

  (a) None

 

New Business:

  (a) Proclamation for Red Ribbon Week – Consider authorizing a Proclamation in support of Red Ribbon Week to be held October 23, 2018 thorough October 31, 2018.  

 

       Commissioner Walker thanked all of Borough Council, and the whole Board, for participating in Red Ribbon Week once again this year.  He mentioned that this is the 33^rd year for Red Ribbon Week. 

 

       Commissioner Walker mentioned that they had a very successful rally at the Court House last week.  He thanked Borough Council for the Proclamation, and for the ability to “paint everything red” in the streets of Uptown Somerset. 

 

       Rebecca, the coach for Drug Free Communities, and a counselor at Twin Lakes, was also present.  She brought out that she coordinates all the Red Ribbon activities within the School Districts and the County. 

 

       She added that all the winners from the rally, that were presented their awards, will be announced in the newspaper.  Pictures, along with their essays, will also be printed in the newspaper.

 

       Mayor Walker read the following Proclamation of “Red Ribbon Week” out loud to all present at the Council Meeting.   

 

 Proclamation

Red Ribbon Week October 23rd – 31st 2018

WHEREAS, The Borough of Somerset values the health and safety of all its citizens; and

 

WHEREAS, substance abuse is particularly damaging to one of our most valuable resources, our children, and a contributing factor in the three leading causes of death for teenagers – accidents, homicides, and suicides; and

 

WHEREAS, it is the goal of Red Ribbon Week and the Borough of Somerset to involve families, schools businesses, churches, law enforcement agencies and service organizations in all aspects of this campaign and establish an atmosphere that supports awareness, education and on-going initiatives to prevent illegal drug use, and

 

WHEREAS, the Red Ribbon Week Campaign theme promotes family and individual responsibilities for living healthy, drug-free lifestyles, without illegal drugs or the illegal use of legal drugs,

 

Therefore, Be It Proclaimed: I, Scott A. Walker, serving as Mayor of the Borough of Somerset do hereby proclaim October 23rd – 31st, 2018 as Red Ribbon Week in the Borough of Somerset.

 

             Rebecca presented Red Ribbons to all Council Members. 

 

Motion

       Mrs. Ream, Mrs. Opp seconded, to authorize the proclamation in support of Red Ribbon Week to be held October 23, 2018 thorough October 31, 2018.

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

       Commissioner Walker mentioned that The Law Enforcement Technology Enhancement Program was awarded a grant of $150,000.00 for the first year, and $105,000.00 for the second year.  He stated that it will help provide our Municipal Departments with electronic equipment they need in their Police cars, and in their Police Stations.

 

       Commissioner Walker mentioned that he and Chief Cox are working with the Chief’s Association to provide this needed equipment to all 15 Municipal Departments in Somerset County.  He stated that there was a Chief’s Meeting today, and they are proceeding forward with this. 

 

       Chief Cox stated that all are grateful to Commissioner Walker for all his efforts in making this possible. 

 

       Commissioner Walker wanted to thank United Way for the use of their Grant Writer. He mentioned, and wanted to thank, Mr. Travis Hutzell who has been invaluable in his hard work, as well. 

 

  (b) Earnest & Loretta Weyant Subdivision Request – Consider authorizing the subdivision request to sub-divide one parcel into 4 separate parcels located at the corner of Hickory and Sunset Drive.  (The Planning Commission has reviewed this request and is recommending its approval.)

 

       Ms. Enos mentioned this is a simple subdivision plan where it was one parcel, separated into 4.  The Planning Commission has reviewed the request, and determined that it falls within the guidelines.  The Commission is recommending its approval to Borough Council.

 

Motion

       Mrs. Ream moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the subdivision request to sub-divide one parcel into 4 separate parcels located at the corner of Hickory and Sunset Drive.

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

  (c) Joshua & Carly Brougher Subdivision Request – Consider authorizing the subdivision request to deed a parcel of land to the adjoining property located at 262 Marker Drive and 142 Elm Street.  (The Planning Commission has reviewed this request and is recommending its approval.)

 

       Ms. Enos mentioned that this is another simple subdivision request.  She stated that they are just deeding property from theirs to an adjoining property owner. 

 

Motion

       Mr. Opp moved, Mr. Rosemeyer seconded, to approve the subdivision request to deed a parcel of land to the adjoining property located at 262 Marker Drive and 142 Elm Street. 

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

  (d) Commonwealth of PA - Grant Agreement - Consider authorizing the execution of a grant agreement between the Borough of Somerset and the Commonwealth of PA in the amount of $108,500.00 for the Highland Park Looped Waterline Project.

 

       Ms. Enos mentioned that this is a standard contract agreement that was reviewed by Solicitor Cascio.  We are certifying to stick within that budget.

 

Motion

       Mr. Thomas moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to authorize the execution of a grant agreement between the Borough of Somerset and the Commonwealth of PA in the amount of $108,500.00 for the Highland Park Looped Waterline Project.

 

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

  (e) Professional Services Agreement – Consider executing the professional services agreement with The EADS Group for the administration, inspection and permitting fees for the Highland Park Looped Waterline Project. (Est. $10,280.00)

 

Motion

       Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Thomas seconded, to execute the professional services agreement with The EADS Group for the administration, inspection and permitting fees for the Highland Park Looped Waterline Project. (Est. $10,280.00)

 

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

 

       Mr. Rosemeyer mentioned that the PSAB Conference was held at Seven Springs Resort.  He brought out that several people from Borough Council attended.  He expressed that it was a good Conference, and that Seven Springs always does an excellent job. 

 

       Mr. Rosemeyer also mentioned that there was a bus trip over to Flight 93. He said that many people in attendance were never there.  He stated that, as always, people were impressed. 

       Borough Council Members who attended the Conference, stated that several different programs were excellent. 

 

       Mrs. Miller reminded all of Borough Council that the County Banquet was coming up in November, 2018.  She also reminded Council that the next Committee of the Whole Meeting will be held Monday, October 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

 

       Mr. Thomas and Mr. Shaulis reminded all of Borough Council that the Christmas decorations will be going up on November 4^th, 2018. 

 

       Mr. Thomas thanked Ms. Enos for getting the roads paved before the end of the month.  He mentioned that he went along with Mr. Chuck Glessner, recently, and looked at all the roads that were done.  He expressed that they all looked really good.  He stated that, hopefully, we can continue to pave more roads with the next budget. 

 

       Mr. Rosemeyer disclosed that we are in the process of losing our Warden.  He said he is going to Dauphin County.  He mentioned that he is also the President of the Pennsylvania Prison Warden’s Association.  Mr. Rosemeyer stated that he is glad that he is getting a nice job promotion, but stated that he will also be missed. 

 

       Mrs. Ream mentioned that she recently attended an education seminar for her job.  She stated that one of the programs she attended was on the increase in the use of guns in healthcare. 

 

       One of the things she realized, from listening to the speakers, was that she felt that the Somerset Borough Police needed to be recognized.  Mrs. Ream stated that the hospital is unique, in the sense, that they place a lot of calls to the Borough Police, and they come quickly in response to their calls. 

 

       Mrs. Ream mentioned that a lot of the other hospital speakers she listened to are located in a smaller area, like we are, and do not have regular security on their campus or do not have armed Police Officer’s to respond to their needs.  Mrs. Ream stated that some hospitals do have armed Officers on site.  She stated that the Somerset Police Officers have always come to the hospital, and helped, when the hospital needed them. 

 

       Mrs. Ream mentioned that they are starting a Clinical Support Team at Somerset Hospital that she is going to head up. She brought out that she will be including some of their training through the Somerset Borough Police Department. 

 

       Mrs. Ream expressed that she wanted to recognize Chief Cox and his Staff, because they really lend a hand to Somerset Hospital when they are in need.

 

       Mrs. Miller congratulated Mr. Rosemeyer on the Hometown Hero article in the newspaper.

 

Executive Session – None requested.

 

                                                                           

ADJOURNMENT:

       Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Shaulis.                       

 

 Motion Unanimously Carried

 7:25 p.m.      

 

                                                                                                   

                                               

                                                                _____________________________________

                                                                      Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/Secretary