Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 19, 2015 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Loren Kase, Regis Synan, Joan Kearns, Josh Lorenz, and William Vance. Councilmen Jeffery Kepler and Dave Perry were not in attendance. Also present were Mayor Robert Brooks, Chief Administrator James R. Morrison, Solicitor George Kotjarapoglus, Finance Director Diane Heming and Municipal Engineer Joe Dietrick. MAYOR BROOKS WELCOMES THE SAMPSON FAMILY YMCA Mayor Robert Brooks said the YMCA has always been a part of Murrysville, formerly conducting basketball programs in the Franklin Regional school gym, and serves the Murrysville, Monroeville and Plum communities. He introduced Kelli McIntyre, Executive Director of the Sampson Family YMCA, and Gary Nowading, District Vice President of YMCA of Pittsburgh. Mr. Nowading spoke about expanding the YMCA and naming it in honor of the Miles Sampson family. Ms. McIntyre then presented a power point program showing the facilities and photos of many of the programs held at the YMCA. The Sampson Family YMCA is the first one in the Pittsburgh region to install a professional teaching kitchen and is beginning children’s cooking classes. There is a full-time child development center, new aquatic facility (including a warm-water therapy pool), fitness center & exercise studio, gym, 3 outdoor pools, deck hockey rink, ball field & pavilion. She spoke about service learning projects, partner agencies, corporate volunteers and donor recognition. She invited residents to stop in and take a tour of the facility. Mayor Brooks presented Ms. McIntyre with a citation in recognition of the YMCA’s commitment to provide quality programs to Murrysville residents. PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing on the Capital Improvements Program for FY 2016-2020 began at 7:25 p.m. Finance Director Diane Heming did a brief overview of the Program, which is a five-year plan and includes projects that will cost $10,000 or more or that will have a life span of five years or more. Items covered are road projects, major equipment, parks & recreation improvements, and building structures. There are reserves maintained in the capital reserve projects fund that are used for future projects coming up in order not to have to get hit with a large amount in one year. The plan total is $13,209,000, of which 70% is allocated for road projects, 14% for vehicle & equipment replacement, 11% for emergency equipment loan repayment and a vehicle purchase for Sardis Vol. Fire Dept. in 2018, 4% for park improvements and 1% for buildings & land. She explained that a reserve was set up in 2015 for the Rails to Trails project in cooperation with Westmoreland County; that reserve is continued through the five-year plan with an additional $10,000 being set aside each year, so that at the end of the five years it will total $100,000. A Welcome Center is planned for 2016-2017 to be built on the Roberts property. The Twin Oaks Road reserve had an additional $50,000 added, bringing the total to $250,000. The road and bridge reserve is being increased, with $1,100,000 added to that reserve; a good portion of that amount will be used over the next five years for major road improvements. Mr. Morrison explained the difference between major and minor roads. The major roads included in the current plan are Sardis in 2018 and Old William Penn in 2019-2020. Ms. Heming explained some of the funding sources: 1.9 mills of real estate taxes dedicated directly into the capital projects; liquid fuels allocation from the State, which is based on road mileage and turn back funds; turn car 8/24/15 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 19, 2015 back funds have been received from two structures, Logan Ferry, and Wiestertown Roads. The final loan for the four fire trucks purchased in 2006 will be paid off this year. With the current revenues coming into the fund and the transfer from the general fund, all projects will be able to be completed and keep the fund balances solvent. Mr. Morrison discussed the money budgeted for the pre-emption on Route 22 to upgrade the signalization program; there will be equipment purchased for the emergency vehicles to enable them to pre-empt the red light to control traffic flow along Route 22 during an emergency. There are also plans to erect a digital announcement board along Route 22 and remodel the Community Center. Because of the change in the style of the police vehicles, the cost to equip the new vehicles is around $5,400 more than the old cars. She explained that cost will show up for a few years until the equipment can be recycled into the new vehicles. Police radios will also be updated and replaced between 2016-2018; parts are currently not available, so when a radio breaks, it will be replaced. Phase I of the Channel 19 upgrades will be finished in 2015, and cameras and video equipment will be upgraded in 2016. Regarding the General Fund, Ms. Heming explained that the plan recommends that the General Fund be projected out five years to ensure that any dedicated millage into the Capital isn’t needed for the General Fund. At the end of 2020, the Municipality will still be meeting its 20% fund balance requirement and the General Fund should be solvent. Mayor Brooks commented that the Municipality received an AA+ rating from Standard & Poors this year and congratulated Ms. Heming on her work. Mrs. Kearns said Council is grateful to Ms. Heming and all the Directors for watching the pennies. There were no questions from the audience or Council and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:42 p.m. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None. Mr. Lorenz moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Kase seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE B. INVESTMENTS AND TRANSFERS C. JULY 15, 2015 MEETING MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Mr. Synan moved to approve the Consent Calendar items. Mr. Kase seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY INPUT: None. car 8/24/15 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 19, 2015 WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 12A. DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FOR FY 2016-2020. Following a public hearing on this item, there were no additional comments from Mr. Morrison or Ms. Heming and no questions from Council. Mayor Brooks was pleased to note that there is no proposed tax increase during the next five years. The CIP will be on the September agenda for a vote. COUNCIL - ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13A. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO READVERTISE AN RFP FOR THE RENOVATION PROJECT AT THE MURRYSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER. Mr. Synan moved to approve re-advertisement. Mr. Kase seconded. Ms. Heming reminded Council that this item was brought before Council in April and sent out for bids. No bids were received and Ms. Heming said she believes that was because of the bonding requirements. She said a few of the requirements were changed and she hopes that some bids will come in. Mr. Morrison explained that the code requires that a 10% bid bond be provided, as well as a performance bond and a two-year maintenance bond of 100%, and tying up that significant amount of money is difficult for small contractors. If no bids are received this time, Mr. Morrison said he will have to speak to the Solicitor to see if the project can proceed under some other terms in order to accomplish the project. There were no questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Synan – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Lorenz –yes, Mr. Vance – yes. Motion approved. 13B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE WCTA LOCAL SHARE ASSESSMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,250.00. Mr. Kase moved to approve the assessment for the period beginning July 1, 2015 and ending June 30, 2016. Mr. Lorenz seconded. Mr. Morrison said he believes the bus service and the future development of a Park ‘n Ride are critical to Murrysville because of the number of residents working in the city. He said the Municipality has to support the mass transit program in the county in any way it can. There were no questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Synan – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Lorenz –yes, Mr. Vance – yes. Motion approved. car 8/24/15 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 19, 2015 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SP-14-13, DINZEO SUBDIVISION TWIN OAKS DRIVE, R-R ZONING DISTRICT, 2 LOTS. Mr. Synan moved to approve. Mr. Vance seconded. Municipal Engineer Joe Dietrick explained a “general permit,” which is issued for an area less than one square mile. The permits are already issued, so essentially, Ms. Dinzeo already has a permit – she just needs to apply for it. Mr. Morrison suggested that the conditions referenced in Section 6 of the briefing be included in the motion. Mr. Synan agreed to add to his motion to include the conditions and have Ms. Dinzeo acknowledge that she accepts the conditions. Mr. Vance seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Synan – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Lorenz –yes, Mr. Vance – yes. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: 15A. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR DPW-6-15, WASHINGTON STREET CDBG PROJECT. Mr. Lorenz moved to advertise upon receipt of approval from Westmoreland County. Mr. Kase seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Synan – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Lorenz –yes, Mr. Vance – yes. Motion approved. 15B. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR DPW-7-15, BRANTHOOVER CUT-OFF PROJECT. Mr. Synan moved to advertise. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Dietrick explained the proposed project design, showing the connection of Old William Penn Highway to the jug handle at Branthoover off of Rt. 22. He said getting a permit from PennDOT to access the jug handle was the most difficult part of the project, but it has been issued. Mr. Lorenz asked about the sightlines coming off Rt. 22 up to Old William Penn, looking to the left. Mr. Dietrick it is a straight shot for several hundred feet and there is no sightline problem. The vegetation is currently a problem, but that will be cleared away. There were no additional questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Synan – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Lorenz –yes, Mr. Vance – yes. Motion approved. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ACTION ITEMS: None. car 8/24/15 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 19, 2015 ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Kase moved to adjourn. Mr. Lorenz seconded. All present voted aye. The Council Meeting concluded at 8:15 p.m. The Regular Voting Meeting was broadcast on local government Channel 19. A true copy of the Council meeting DVD is available for the public to purchase from the Municipality of Murrysville and is in the Murrysville Public Library for review. car 8/24/15