Index Reorganization Meeting, January 4, 2016 Page No. Adjournment 13 Appointments Council Chair Lewis 2 Council Vice Chair Arcuri 2 Personnel Appeal Board Merrell, Berquist, Ball 3 SHACOG Kosir, Lewis 3 Solicitor Smith 3 Engineers Gateway, LSS Engineering, TPD 4 Cable TV Sandala 4 Construction Appeal Board Bowman 5 EQB Trunzo Resignation 5 Library Board Adler, Danyo 5 Parks & Rec. Rafferty, Vukela 6 Peters Creek Sanitary 6 Peters Township Sanitary Crall 6 Planning Commission Magrino, Smith 7 Youth Commission Conrad 7 Zoning Hearing Board Milfeit 8 Sewage Council Silvestri, Zuk 10 Approval of Minutes 11 Executive Session 12 Miscellaneous Organization News Paper Observer-Reporter 8 Council Meetings 8 Municipal Liens 9 Miscellaneous St. Benedicts Fish Fry 11 eloop 12 Workshop Dates 14 Ordinances Salary Range No. 793 11 Payroll and Bills 12 Resolutions Police Payroll Deductions No. 1-01-16 9 1
Council Reorganization Meeting Monday, January 4, 2016 7:30 PM Council Chambers, Municipal Building 610 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317 Oath of Office Judge John DiSalle administered the oath of Office to Frank Kosir and. Roll Call Present: James Berquist, David Ball,, Frank Kosir, Monica Merrell, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., Also: Michael A. Silvestri, Township Manager Paul Lauer, Assistant Township Manager Mark A. Zemaitis, Township Engineer Edward J. Zuk, Planning Director Pledge of Allegiance 1. A./B. Chairman/Vice-Chairman Mr. Ball served as Council Chairman Pro Tem. 1. A. Election of Chairman Vote: To nominate as Chairman of the Peters Township Council for the year 2016. Moved by Frank Arcuri, seconded by James Berquist Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 1) Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist,, Frank Kosir Abstain: Monica Merrell 1. B. Election of Vice-Chairman Motion: To nominate Frank Arcuri as the Vice Chairman of the Peters Township Council for the year 2016. Moved by, Seconded by James Berquist Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 1) Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist,, Frank Kosir Abstain: Monica Merrell 1. C. Personnel Appeals Committee 2
Mr. Lewis appointed council members Ball, Berquist and Merrell to the Personnel Appeals Committee. 1. D. SHACOG Representatives Council appointed Mr. Kosir as the primary representative to the SHACOG Board and Mr. Lewis as the alternate. 2. A. Solicitor John Smith of Smith Butz is the current solicitor; he bills at an hourly rate of $120; no increase is proposed for 2016. Motion: To reappoint Smith/Smith Butz as the Township Solicitor for the calendar year 2016. Moved by James Berquist, Seconded by Frank Arcuri 2. B. Engineers The Gateway Engineers have been the Township s consulting engineer since 1978. LSS Engineering is the alternate consulting engineer. Gateway has been primarily represented by Stacey Graf. Stacey Graf s rate of $101 per hour is increasing to $105 a 3.97% increase. Traffic Planning and Design (TPD) is represented by Michael Mudry, his rate is increasing by 4% for projects under $10,000 and a 6% for projects over $10,000 projects. Motion: To reappoint Gateway Engineers as the Township s Consulting Engineers for the 2016 year; LSS Engineering as the alternate engineering firm and Traffic, Planning and Design as the Traffic Engineers. Moved by Frank Arcuri, Seconded by David Ball 3. Board Appointments Council reviewed the list of candidates for boards. Added to the list already recommended for interviews were Greg Orphal and William Kinavey. Interviews will be scheduled at 7:30 on January 11 th. Mrs. Merrell did not recognize Mr. Wiley, and will talk to him as the remainder of Council is familiar with him. 3. A. Cable Television 3
There is one position up for renewal this year; Mr. Richard Sandala (2014) is seeking appointment. The term is a 3 year term that would expire January 2019 Motion: To reappoint Richard Sandala to the Cable Television Board with a term to expire January 2019. Moved by Monica Merrell, Seconded by Gary Stiegel Jr. 3. B. Construction Appeals Board Mrs. Rebecca Bowman s (2005) term is expiring and is requesting appointment. A 3-year term would expire January 2019 Motion: To reappoint Rebecca Bowman to the Construction Appeals Board with a term to expire January 2019. Moved by Frank Arcuri, Seconded by Frank Kosir Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 1) Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist, Frank Kosir, Abstain: Monica Merrell 3. C. Environmental Quality Board There is one position expiring, Rose Trunzo (2006) and she is not seeking appointment. Terms are for five years and would expire January 2021. Motion: To accept the resignation of Rose Trunzo from the EQB and to thank her for her service. Moved by Monica Merrell, Seconded by 3. D. Library Board The term length is 3 years expiring January 2019. There are two positions expiring, Carol Adler (2009) and Frank Danyo (2014), both requesting appointment. Motion: To reappoint Carol Adler and Frank Danyo to the Library Board with terms to expire January 2019. Moved by David Ball, Seconded by Frank Arcuri 4
3. E. Parks and Recreation Board These are 3 year terms expiring January 2019. There are two expiring terms; one is a School District recommended appointment. Ed Raferty (2015) is seeking reappointment. John Vukela (2014) is not seeking appointment, but is willing to serve until a replacement is selected. Motion: To reappoint Ed Rafferty (School Board appointee) to the Parks and Recreation Board with a term to expire January 2019. Moved by James Berquist, Seconded by Monica Merrell Motion: To reappoint John Vukela to the Parks and Recreation Board as an interim position until a permanent replacement can be found. Moved by Frank Arcuri, Seconded by James Berquist 3. F. Peters Creek Sanitary Authority There is no Peters Township members terms expiring. Mr. Silvestri would note that Mr. Come is now chairman. Council took no action. 3. G. Peters Township Sanitary Authority There are 5 members on the board and terms are for 5 years. Michael Crall (2011) is seeking appointment; the term would expire January 2021. Motion: To reappoint Michael Crall to the Peters Township Sanitary Authority with a term to expire January 2021. Moved by Gary Stiegel Jr., Seconded by Frank Arcuri 3. H. Planning Commission 5
There are three 4 year term expiring, that of Mr. Tom Carey (2004), Aaron Smith (2015) and Rocco Magrino (2013) Mr. Carey is not seeking appointment. In addition a partial term of Mr. Kosir is up and Council may now appoint up to 3 alternates. Somehow 3 terms are expiring at the same time, this needs to be rectified, Mr. Silvestri would appoint 2 terms to expire in 4 years, Mr. Kosir s term in 3 years and filling Mr. Carey s term for 1 year, this will balance out the terms. The alternate position would be a term would expire January 2019. Motion: To reappoint Rocco Magrino and Aaron Smith and to the Planning Commission with terms to expire January 2020. Moved by Frank Kosir, Seconded by Frank Arcuri It was noted that Mr. Wiley is interested and he has experience on the board. Mrs. Merrell also noted Mrs. Legowicz is also interested and has past experience on the board. Mr. Silvestri noted Mr. Wiley is not interested in a full term. Motion: To appoint Mr. David Wiley to fill the term of Mr. Kosir, which expires January 2019. Moved by Frank Arcuri, Seconded by Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 1) Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist, Frank Kosir, Abstain: Monica Merrell 3. I. Youth Commission One term is expiring, Tammy Conrad (2006) and she is seeking reappointment. This is a 3 year term that will expire on 1/2019. Motion: To reappoint Tammy Conrad to the Youth Commission with a term to expire January 2019. Moved by James Berquist, Seconded by Frank Arcuri 3. J. Zoning Hearing Board The only term expiring is Frank Milfeit (2013) and he is requesting to be appointed to a new term; this is a 5 year term expiring 1/21. Motion: To reappoint Frank Milfeit to the Zoning Hearing Board with a term to expire January 2021. 6
Moved by Monica Merrell, Seconded by James Berquist 4. A. Official Newspaper To meet Township advertising needs, a daily newspaper of countywide circulation is required. The Observer-Reporter is the Township s current newspaper for legal ads. The cost last year was $3.74 per line (this rate did not increase), Mr. Silvestri has not yet obtained information as to the 2016 rates, and he may have them for this meeting. The Post Gazette would be $6.15 per line. Motion: To designate the Observer-Reporter as the official Township newspaper for the calendar year 2016. Moved by James Berquist, Seconded by 4. B. Council Meetings Motion: To establish Council dates as the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 PM with the exception of Monday, December 26; changing to the third Monday, December 19. Moved by Frank Arcuri, Seconded by Monica Merrell Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist, Frank Kosir, Merrell, Robert Lewis 4. C. Municipal Liens Below is a list of currently liened parcels excluding the Garbage Liens. Principal Amount Amount Owner Year Liened Outstanding Purpose Sugar Wood Assoc (farm deferral) 1989/2008 $23,358.13 $18,822.57 Water Line Michael & Colleen Clawges 2010 1,500.00 500.00 Road Ernest & Bridget Benchek 2010 9,392.03 0.00 Road Total $34,250.16 19,322.57 Property Maintenance Code Liens: Robert & Stephanie Bedillion 2013 $318.70 Total $ 318.70 7
No action is required by Council. Mr. Silvestri noted that he passed out an updated lien list that is now up to $88,130.35, the amount has doubled since last year. Mr. Silvestri is recommending the larger ones be put up for Sherriff s sale to encourage others to pay. Mr. Berquist questioned the properties that sold and we did not receive payment. Mr. Silvestri stated we are waiting to see if the funds come in. The Township notes the liens in the no lien letters, but that does not always mean that the payment is made to the Township. Mr. Arcuri would like to get information on the anticipated cost to collect. Mr. Lauer noted is the costs would be paid by the property owner. It was noted that our lien may be subordinate to other liens including the mortgage. Mr. Lauer stated that he feels most will be paid, it is not that most cannot pay, but chose not to pay. Motion: To authorize the Township Manager to execute liens on properties that are in arrears three years or more in groups of 10-12 starting with the largest numbers and going down the list. Moved by Monica Merrell, Seconded by David Ball Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist, Meghan Jones-Rolla, Monica Merrell, 4. D. Police Payroll Deductions Council is required by Act 600 to annually review payroll deductions for Police pensions. If actuarially feasible, the Council can reduce the amount from 5% to what is needed. Based on the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) and actuarial certification, if the police officers have a 5% payroll deduction, the Township s payments for police pensions net of employee contributions will be $460,012, which will exceed the amount of funds received from the state by approximately $310,982. Mr. Silvestri is recommending that the 5% maximum contribution continue to be withheld from the police pays. Motion: To adopt Resolution No. 01-01-16 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF PETERS TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA TO REQUIRE POLICE OFFICERS CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER ARTICLE III, CONTRIBUTIONS, PARAGRAPHS OF THE PETERS TOWNSHIP POLICE PENSION PLAN AMENDED AND REINSTATED JANUARY 1, 2005. Action: Adopt Moved by James Berquist, Seconded by Frank Arcuri Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist, Meghan Jones-Rolla, Monica Merrell, 4. E. Sewage Council 8
Motion: To reappoint Mr. Silvestri and Mr. Zuk, respectively, to the Washington County Swage Authority for the year 2016. Moved by Frank Arcuri, Seconded by Frank Kosir 4. F. Depository The Township will need to bid this service in midyear. Mr. Silvestri does not expect PNC to continue to provide the service at no cost going forward. No action is required at this time. Council took no action. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion: To approve the minutes of the December 14, 2015 Council Meeting. Moved by Gary Stiegel Jr., Seconded by Frank Arcuri Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 6, No = 0, Abstain = 1). Yes: David Ball, Frank Arcuri, Gary Stiegel Jr., James Berquist, Frank Kosir, Robert Lewis Abstain: Monica Merrell 6. Audience Comments - There were none. 7. Unfinished Business There was none. 8. New Business 8. A. St. Benedict Fish Fry St. Benedict is requesting signs for their fish fry. Included is the letter of approval for last year; Mr. Silvestri would assume Council will make a similar approval. Mr. Silvestri recommends approval at the 3 bridge signs subject to availability and the two Valley Brook locations. Mr. Fred Abrew representing St. Benedict Parish, he is requesting permission to place signs for their fish fry on both their signs on Valley Brook and Friar and also on their sign at Valley Brook and Route 19 for a period of February 8 to March 19, 2016. They are willing to remove their signs when other organizations wish to use the bridges, recognizing their request is for a period longer than normal. Motion: to approve the request by St. Benedict the Abbot Church for a special permit to advertise their annual fish fry from February 8 to March 19, 2016 recognizing in fill by other groups as needed. Moved by Monica Merrell, Seconded by James Berquist 9
8. B. Salary Range Ordinance for 2016 The proposed salary range ordinance holds the initial salaries at the current rate, as was done in the past four years. The remaining rates are proposed to be increased by 1.8%. The maximum rate for Grade 3 which includes the Deputy Police Chief was increased by 3.8% as the current salary exceeds the range. In addition Mr. Silvestri incorporated various part time library positions into the ordinance. In 2015, the increase in the range was 1.5%. Mr. Silvestri is proposing that be authorized to provide increases of up to 2.5% based on the performance evaluation system that was implemented in 2013. Mrs. Merrell noted that cost of living adjustments are not being given to Social Security recipients and the military and we need to be cognizant that many residents are not receiving increases. Mrs. Merrell noted the part time library positions and asked if job descriptions have been created. Mr. Silvestri stated they have not, but will be prepared. Mr. Arcuri questioned that some positions are at minimum wage but one in Recreation is $8.25. Mr. Silvestri noted that a number of years ago when we started the recreation center that we were having problems hiring qualified positions for the CRC desk and we increased that position above minimum wage. Motion: To adopt Ordinance No. 793 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE HOME RULE MUNICIPALITY OF PETERS TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE HOME RULE CHARTER, COMMENCING THE FISCAL YEAR 2016. Action: Adopt Moved by James Berquist, Seconded by David Ball 9. Correspondence PTSA Tap in request This is a request to the DEP for 60 tap in requests in the Donaldson s Crossroads Watershed. This is required due to the Corrective Action Plan. There are no restrictions for the Brush Run Watershed. eloop Recycling Mr. Silvestri just received this letter Wednesday afternoon; eloop is cancelling the Township s electronic recycling as they have not been contracted by electronic equipment manufacturers to collect. The Township will be discontinuing collection as the current facility is overloaded with devices due to the holiday replacements. He will notify the public and will also be looking for alternatives. Most likely the Township will have to charge residents. 10
Mr. Silvestri said as of January 1, 2016 Public Works has stopped taking electronics. He is suggesting a one day a month drop off. Most likely it will be on a fee basis. As of January 5 th Washington County has started a collection, 1 day a month at the Washington County Fair Grounds. It should be noted that Waste Management does not take any type of electronics. 10. Payroll & Bills Motion: To approve the Payroll and Bills as follows: General Fund: Checks # 144189 144268; Payroll Account: Checks # V110276 V11054; 44543 44563. Moved by David Ball, Seconded by Monica Merrell 11. Reports As stated last month, due to the revised schedule some departmental reports were not available in time for the last docket. Reports submitted for review and discussion: Police, Library, and Cable TV 12. Miscellaneous School Board Workshop Mr. Silvestri is proposing the workshop be February 1, 2016. Two key topics are the cost distribution for assessment appeals and the pool feasibility study. Consensus of Council was to set a meeting with the Peters Township School Distinct on February 1, 2016 at the School District facilities. It was also noted on January 12, 2016 there is a county sponsored public meeting on the countywide reassessment at the middle school auditorium. 13. Next Agenda 14. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 PM. 11 Michael A. Silvestri Township Manager
Executive Session Council was updated on a legal matter in reference to a police report received relative to the issue associated with the Alexander/Orawiec and DiBattista property owners. 12