Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 7, 2016 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Josh Lorenz, Tony Spadaro, Loren Kase, Joan Kearns, and Jamie Lee Korns. Absent from the meeting were Councilpersons Jeffery Kepler and David Perry. Also present were Mayor Robert Brooks, Chief Administrator James Morrison, Solicitor George Kotjarapoglus, Finance Director Diane Heming, Municipal Planner Allen Cohen and Executive Assistant Cherie Weber. PRESENTATION BY MAYOR BROOKS TO DIANE HEMING (2016 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD) PRESENTATION BY THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR TO CINDY DAUGHERTY (2016 EXCELLENCE IN MURRYSVILLE AWARD) Mayor Brooks commented that he and the Chief Administrator look back over the year to see what has happened to make a difference by someone who has gone over and above his or her duties before giving special recognition to employees of the year. Mr. Morrison showed a power point presentation of the Community Center, before and after the renovations. He explained the changes to the different areas of the Center and commented on all the work put into the plan by Diane Heming and Cindy Daugherty, as well as other staff and Public Works personnel. It was also noted that a new parking area has been created in the rear of the building for easier access to the Senior Center. Mayor Brooks introduced Diane Heming, who said the entire project took approximately 18 months to plan and complete. He commented on her 25 years of service and the pleasant way she presents herself to the public. Ms. Heming said she enjoys working in Murrysville because she has worked with the same people for a number of years and they have grown more as family than co-workers. Mayor Brooks then presented Ms. Heming with the Outstanding Achievement Award plaque. Mr. Morrison commented that he never knows when Cindy Daugherty is working because of her schedule, but he can always tell she’s been around because everything is clean, the paint is fresh, and she is always smiling. Cindy has been employed by the Municipality for 27 years; she has painted the Municipal Building twice, the Community Center once; and plants flowers around the buildings every year. Mr. Morrison presented Cindy with an engraved plaque with sincere appreciation for her work. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None. Mrs. Lee Korns moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. NOVEMBER 16, 2016 MEETING MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Mr. Lorenz moved to approve the Consent Calendar items. Mr. Kase seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. car 12/29/2016 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 7, 2016 COMMUNITY INPUT: Bill Ott of 527 Pheasant Run Drive came before Council for the third time to discuss an ongoing problem he has been having with FTMSA since 2003 with no resolution as yet. He presented slides showing the sewer issue at his property at Old William Penn Highway/Tarr Hollow Road and comments made by FTMSA’s consultant in 2013 regarding the system-wide sewer assessment program. He discussed the numerous flooding that has occurred at his property, the incorrect installation of a check valve and damage to his property from sewage. His expenses are approaching $90,000 in damages and legal fees. Mayor Brooks asked if there had been any mention of inserting a grinder pump. Mr. Ott said that was mentioned, but only within the past several weeks. He said none of his homes have been damaged as a result of flooding from outside water; it’s only been from the sewage coming up through the floor. After the first two floods, Mr. Ott lost his flood insurance and all expenses are his personal responsibility. Mayor Brooks said he is sorry that Mr. Ott is making no progress in resolving the problem and asked any other residents that might be having similar issues to contact the Municipality to make staff aware of the problem. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None. ENGINEERING: None. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11A. DISCUSSION ON ORDINANCE NO. 959-16, 2017 FEES ORDINANCE. Mr. Morrison explained that staff did a comprehensive review of the fees ordinance and there were a number of recommendations made, some pertaining to fees that hadn’t been updated in several years, some having to do with a new on-line system that will be put in place. Council was provided with a briefing that enumerated the various sections of the ordinance that are proposed to be updated and Mr. Morrison asked for comments or questions from Council. Mrs. Kearns asked if the $5.00 fee charged for using the on-line rental system is to cover the cost that the Municipality has to pay and was told that was so. Mayor Brooks said there have been no tax increases for several years; however, fees increase almost every year and asked if those increases were merely recovery of costs. Mr. Morrison said that is correct, and the only people that will pay the fee are those that use the on-line system for reservations or ordering permits, etc. There were no other questions or comments from Council. 11B. DISCUSSION TO ESTABLISH A COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE USE OF MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, GROUNDS AND PUBLIC SERVICE SIGN. Mr. Morrison said that as staff reviewed the fee ordinance, there were extensive debates on who and how to charge certain groups. The questions centered around how different groups that use the facilities are defined, i.e. service groups, non-profit groups, 501(c)(3) groups, and it was found that groups are charged different rates. After much debate, staff couldn’t come up with a firm recommendation to Council; therefore, it is car 12/29/2016 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 7, 2016 recommended that a sub-committee of Council be established to work with staff to define the groups and help standardize the fees. Also, with the new public services sign being built, guidelines would need to be decided on its use and fees. The sub-committee would then bring recommendations to Council for discussion and/or approval, which may (or may not) involve an amendment to the Fees Ordinance. 11C. DISCUSSION ON REVISION TO SP-3-16, SHEETZ REBUILD LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN, ROUTE 22 AND SCHOOL ROAD SOUTH. Bob Franks, Project Manager for Sheetz, Brian Gillis (Sr. Real Estate Site Selector) and Brandon Simpson (project consultant) were all in attendance. Mr. Franks explained that, while going through the approval process for the Murrysville project, a new prototype design was developed for a store in Morgantown, which was very well received and there was a lot of discussion about trying to get this same type of store in Pennsylvania. He explained the lay-out of the facility and that the entrances, car wash, gas canopies & tanks would all remain the same. The only difference would be the location of the building, which would be slightly different because the width and depth of the building would change. The site would also have a drive-thru and additional parking was added. He showed renderings of the exterior of the building and described a few changes in the brick; a lot of the signage will be eliminated; windows have been added to meet Murrysville’s 20% glazing requirement. Mayor Brooks asked about the depth of the area at the drive-thru. Mr. Franks explained that the drive-thru lane would be 12’ wide with 5’ landscaping, a 30’ wide travel path and 20’ for parking. Mrs. Kearns had concerns about the distance around the drive-thru and the fact that parked cars will have to back through two-way traffic. Mr. Franks said that is a pretty typical dimension and cited back-to-back parking in mall lots. There was more discussion on the traffic situation in this area and a suggestion was made that the area be signed as one-way for safety reasons. Mr. Kase said he travels a lot and is intimately familiar with a lot of the Sheetz stores. He cited the Blairsville store, which has a similar lay-out, and said he has never encountered a problem or found the traffic pattern to be troublesome. Mr. Franks said that, from a circulation standpoint, this is exactly what was done at the W. Virginia location and there have been no issues or problems. Mr. Lorenz said he doesn’t foresee much traffic going southbound on the east side of the building. Mayor Brooks said he likes the one-way idea and that it would be safer. Mr. Franks explained the stacking lane for drivers waiting for their orders to be delivered. Mrs. Kearns asked about the employee parking location (front of the building) and asked if the east side of the building could be designated for employees. Mr. Franks said that could be done. There was no further discussion. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None. car 12/29/2016 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 7, 2016 COUNCIL - ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13A. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE NO. 956-16, 2017 TAX ORDINANCE. Mr. Lorenz moved to approve the advertisement. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. Finance Director Diane Heming advised all that there is no proposed tax increase for 2017. 13B. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE NO. 957-16, 2017 SALARY ORDINANCE. Mr. Kase moved to approve the advertisement. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Ms. Heming explained that the ordinance sets salary ranges for all employees and includes the 3% adjustment recommended by the personnel committee. It has all the hourly and salary ranges for both collective bargaining unions and all the administrative staff. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. 13C. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE NO. 959-16, 2017 FEES ORDINANCE. Mr. Lorenz moved to approve the advertisement. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. 13D. CONSIDER APPROVAL TO ESTABLISH A COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE USE OF MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND PUBLIC SERVICE SIGN. Mrs. Lee Korns moved to establish a subcommittee of Council to work with staff to review and develop changes to Ordinance #903-13, an ordinance that defines non-municipal uses of municipal facilities and Policy #6-99 regulating the banners at Tarr Hollow and Wilson Road. Mr. Kase seconded. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. Councilpersons Spadaro and Lee Korns agreed to work on the subcommittee with Council President Kearns. 13E. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE NO. 960-16, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE MURRYSVILLE CODE, CHAPTER 47, PERSONNEL POLICIES, TO ESTABLISH THE 2017 CONTRIBUTION LIMIT OF $2,600 FOR FLEXIBLE MEDICAL SPENDING ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS. Mrs. Lee Korns moved to authorize advertisement of the Ordinance. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Cherie Weber explained that this is simply a housekeeping issue and the Personnel Board suggested amending Chapter 47 car 12/29/2016 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 7, 2016 since the IRS has increased the limits for Flexible Spending Accounts to $2,600. It was suggested to remove some of the verbiage out of Chapter 47 because there was previously an exhaustive list of what was and was not covered with the flexible spending account. Employees will be directed to look at the Affordable Care Act for what is covered. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. 13F. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF APPOINTING RICH RUPNIK AS A DEPUTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR FOR THE MURRYSVILLE-EXPORT EMA. Mr. Lorenz moved to approve Mr. Rupnik’s appointment. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. Ms. Weber gave a summary of Mr. Rupnik’s service to the community and White Valley Fire Department and advised that he is well versed in emergency management. The former coordinator has passed away and Mr. Rupnik has volunteered to step into the position. With the winter season upon us, Ms. Weber asked for approval as soon as possible in the event the EOC needs to be activated and also that he can begin his training. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. 13G. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE ORDINANCE NO. 961-16 FOR PURCHASE OF THE BAILEY HOUSE. Mr. Spadaro moved to approve the advertisement of Ordinance No. 961-16, authorizing the purchase of property at 3963 Reed Boulevard, Murrysville, PA known as the Bailey property. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison advised that if Council approves the advertisement, an Agreement of Sale will be prepared and if the Ordinance is passed, he anticipates closing on the property after the first of the year. The appraised value of the property is $143,000. Mrs. Kearns said the location of the property is important because of its proximity to the Community Center and Haymaker Field and to the proposed future development that may occur in that area. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. 13H. CONSIDER APPROVAL TO RENEW THE COOPERATIVE PURCHASING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE AND THE BOROUGH OF EXPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2017 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2021. Mr. Lorenz moved to approve the Agreement. Mr. Kase seconded. Upon a roll call: Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns - yes. Motion approved. car 12/29/2016 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 7, 2016 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF REVISION TO SP-3-16, SHEETZ REBUILD LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN, ROUTE 22 AND SCHOOL ROAD SOUTH. Mr. Spadaro moved to approve the revisions. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Morrison suggested that the conditions outlined in the Council briefing be included in the motion and that if Council is agreeable with the discussion on signage, that be added as an additional condition, as well as employee parking, and request that Sheetz acknowledge those conditions if approved. Mr. Lorenz asked if Sheetz would be impacted at all if Council tables the vote until the items under discussion are resolved and put into tangible form for Council’s review. Mr. Franks said Sheetz would be agreeable as long as they understand what the items are. Mr. Franks said if the design reaches a point where it becomes difficult, Sheetz would probably default back to the plan that Council has already approved. Mrs. Kearns said if the information is presented to Council soon, they should be able to make a decision at the Dec. 21 meeting. Mr. Lorenz moved to table this item until December 21, 2016. Mr. Kase seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: None. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ACTION ITEMS: None. Mr. Spadaro moved to keep the heat on in Council Chambers until 9:00 p.m. Mr. Lorenz seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Kase moved to adjourn. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. The Council Meeting concluded at 8:33 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 12/29/2016