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.
2019 Council Meetings |
| April 8th 5:00 PM Committee of the Whole Meeting |
| April 22nd 7:00 PM Council Meeting |
| May 13th 5:00 PM Committee of the Whole Meeting |
| May 28th 7:00 PM Council Meeting (Please note that we will be meeting on Tuesday, instead of Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday) |
*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
March 11th, 2019 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; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis and Gary Thomas. Absent was Council Member Judy Pyle.
Also present was Mayor Scott Walker.
Present were the following: Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Solicitor, James Cascio and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly and Jake Bolby. Also present was Junior Council Member Jonathan Wagner.
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
New Business:
(a) Request form submitted by Manager Enos:
1. 2014 F-550 Dump Truck Bid – Consider awarding the bid to Tri-Star Motors in
Somerset, PA for a 2014 F-550 Dump Truck in the amount of $48,744.00 (This
item was tabled until March 11th for consideration)
Mr. Thomas disclosed that this truck was brought to the Borough Garage.
He stated that upon testing the dump on the truck, the dump worked to his satisfaction. He therefore made the motion to proceed with accepting the bid.
Motion
Mr. Thomasmoved, seconded by Mr. Rosemeyerto award the bid to Tri-Star Motors in Somerset, PA for a 2014 F-550 Dump Truck in the amount of $48,744.00
Motion Unanimously Carried
2. Donation Requests – Discussion concerning the following requests for donations.
a) Daily American – Fireworks Display for July 6th.
Ms. Enos mentioned that,in 2018, Borough Council donated $600.00 to the fireworks display. This annual request was recently received from the Daily American. This donation request will be included on the Agenda at the next regular Council Meeting.
3. 2018 Towmaster Trailer – Discussion concerning the request to purchase a 2018
Towmaster Trailer under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program in the
amount of $9,527.00 (Water Distribution Dept.)
Ms. Enos brought out that this trailer was not an item that was discussed during the budget discussions. She stated that we currently had the opportunity to purchase this trailer.
Ms. Enos explained that purchasing the F-550, would leave $30,000.00 in the Water Distribution Budget. She brought out that this trailer would add no additional costs in the Water Distribution Department Fund. The cost of this trailer is $9,527.00.
Ms. Enos explained that the trailer would be used for the Water Distribution Department, but could also be available for the Public Works Department as well.
Ms. Enos also mentioned that there is also a “Class A” Certified Borough employee, in the Water Distribution Department, that can operate this trailer legally. This item will be on our March 25th Agenda for consideration.
(b) Year to Date Financial Report – Provided through the month of February 2019.
Mr. Peters distributed the Year-to-Date Financial Statements, through February 2019, to members of Borough Council. He mentioned that we are 2/12ths of the way through the year, or 16.67%.
General Fund: Water Fund: Sewer Fund:
Revenues – 8.21% Revenues – 15.45% Revenues – 14.93%
Expenses – 16.34% Expenses – 17.81% Expenses – 14.47%
Mr. Peters stated that after Borough Council had an opportunity to look at the details, if they had any questions, he would get their questions answered.
(d) Manager’s Report – Reports distributed to Council for all departments for the month of February 2019.
Ms. Enos stated that if Borough Council had any questions, after taking the opportunity to look at the Departmental Reports, feel free to call her at any time.
(e) President’s Report - Given by Ruby Miller.
Mrs. Miller thanked Mayor Walker for providing the meal for the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Mrs. Miller also reminded all of Borough Council that the County Boroughs Association Banquet is on March 21st, 2019.
Mr. Rosemeyer mentioned that the County Boroughs Association Banquet will be held at the Community Building in Berlin. He brought out that the meal will be provided by EADS Engineering. He also mentioned the speaker that will be present for the Banquet, and invited all to attend.
(f) Somerset Inc. Report - Given by Judy Pyle.
(Mrs. Pyle was not in attendance, therefore, no report was given)
(g) PSAB Report – Given by Fred Rosemeyer.
Mr. Rosemeyer mentioned that Jeff Heishman, Deputy Executive Director for PSAB, is retiring after 30+ years. Ed Knittel will now be promoted to the Deputy Executive Director.
Mr. Rosemeyer also mentioned that the PSAB Conference will be held in Hershey, PA June 9th-12th, 2019.
Mr. Rosemeyer brought out that he recently had two different conference calls with PSAB. One call was regarding the Constitutional By-laws, and the other was regarding the Finance Committee.
Mr. Rosemeyer disclosed that the PSAB Association is doing extremely well financially, and is very strong.
Mr. Rosemeyer stated that a meeting was recently held with the Boroughs Association regarding attendance at the Property Rental Inspections Program being held on April 10th, 2019 in Westmoreland County from 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. He stated that the PSAB will be sponsoring this program.
(h) Somerset Volunteer Fire Department Report - Given by Steve Shaulis.
It was disclosed that Somerset Volunteer Fire Department did not provide a monthly report to be delivered to Borough Council for the month of February 2019.
(i) Engineer’s Report – Given by Jake Bolby.
Mr. Bolby stated that the contractor is scheduled to begin the State Hospital Water Tank Painting Project on March 14th, 2019.
Mr. Bolby brought out that the Sewer Plant Project is finished, and everything is functioning. Everything at the Plant will be “wrapped up” after the grass can be planted.
(j) Mayor’s Report – Given by Mayor Walker.
Mayor Walker brought out that, since the last Council Meeting, he was invited to speak to local school students at their Government Classes. He stated that it went well, and a lot of questions were asked by the students.
Executive Session – To discuss matters of potential litigation and police personnel issues.
Motion
Mrs. Reammoved, seconded by Mrs. Oppto go into Executive Session to discuss
matters of potential litigation and police personnel issues.
Motion Unanimously Carried
5:25 p.m.
Back in Regular Session:
6:03 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion
Mr. Thomas moved to adjourn, motion seconded by Mrs. Opp.
Motion Unanimously Carried
6:04 p.m.
_______________________________
Michele A. Enos, Borough Secretary