Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Tony Spadaro, Loren Kase, Josh Lorenz, and Jeffery Kepler. Absent from the meeting were Council members, Jamie Lee Korns, David Perry, and Joan Kearns. Also present were Mayor Robert Brooks, Chief Administrator James R. Morrison, Finance Director Diane Heming, Public Works and Parks Director Bob Bell, Recreation Director Carly Greene, Municipal Planner Allen Cohen and Special Events Coordinator Amy Wengrzyn. MAYOR BROOKS WELCOMES REDSTONE HIGHLANDS Mayor Brooks welcomed John Dickson, President/CEO, who gave a history of Redstone and its introduction into Murrysville in 2002. He said Redstone serves approximately 600 seniors per year; he is honored to be recognized by the Mayor and Council and thanked them and the community for their support. Linda Dickson has been in the field for 30 years and with Redstone for 15 years. She spoke about the facilities and amenities at Redstone and her love for working with the residents. Joining her parents was Elizabeth Dickson, who volunteers at Redstone. Lisa Dormire is vice president for Mission Support and came to Redstone from being a Presbyterian pastor and chaplain and has been working in non-profit administration for quite a while. Her role is to ensure that the residents receive benevolent care and she also said that Redstone is always looking for volunteers to help in many different capacities. Mr. Dickson explained that there are different levels of care for the residents: independent living, personal care, skilled nursing care and senior independence, which offers home care, home health and hospice services. Mayor Brooks presented the group with a citation in recognition of Redstone’s outstanding service to older adults. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE B. INVESTMENTS AND TRANSFERS C. JANUARY 3, 2017 MEETING MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Mr. Kepler moved to approve the consent calendar items. Mr. Kase seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY INPUT: Alyson Holt of 4830 Primrose Lane asked why four Council members voted to decrease the minimum setback from 800’ to 750’ in the Oil and Gas Ordinance and why they were unwilling to explain why each thinks 750’ or lower is adequate protection for the nearest non-consenting neighbor. She presented photos of what Marcellus flaring looks like at 800’ from a well pad and 1,000’ from a well bore. The pictures showed activity on the well pad in both 2013 and 2015 and noted that the activity is not temporary. car 2/28/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Mr. Lorenz said there will be additional public hearings on this and all Council members will respond to her questions. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9A. DISCUSSION CONCERNING A 2017 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ISSUE. Finance Director Diane Heming distributed packets of information to each Council member and gave a brief history of how and why the emergency equipment fund was started. In 2002, the Municipality borrowed about $4,000,000, of which $1,200,000 went into the emergency equipment fund as seed money. Subsequently, interest rates fell, the millage didn’t increase to the rate expected, and the cost of equipment increased over the projected 5%. The fund is sufficient to purchase a truck for Sardis in 2018, but after that, there needs to be an influx of money in order to fund the next purchase (2022, Murrysville VFD ladder truck). She then reviewed the existing debt (emergency equipment and 2011 bond issue) and a comparison of the existing debt vs. 2017 refinancing and additional borrowing. Staff is proposing to refinance all the PEMA loans, the emergency equipment loan, the existing 2011 bond issue, and add $2,000,000, which would essentially consolidate all debt into one borrowing and have the debt service take over all of the loans. The additional $2,000,000 would be set aside for emergency equipment ($1,000,000) and park development ($1,000,000). She then explained the interest rates and payment schedule and said that, overall, this is a better deal because of the term of the loan and the lower rates in the beginning (2% for the first 5 years). Staff got information from two banks on the proposed borrowing. She said they have tried to stay away from a bond issue because the issuance costs are high and it’s a long process and the banks have usually been very good; however, this time, it appears that the general obligation note will be a better deal. Mr. Lorenz summarized: consolidate the debt, increase the amount being financed by $2,000,000. That will take the Municipality out into the foreseeable future so that the needed equipment improvements can be made; should not affect the budget; should not result in any tax increase. Ms. Heming said that is correct and it would take the Municipality to at least 2026 or 2027, as well as provide funding for future park improvements. Mr. Lorenz asked when this is proposed to come before Council. Mr. Morrison said if Council likes the concept, staff will proceed to work with bond counsel and come back to Council at the March 1 meeting. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11A. DISCUSSION ON THE SELECTION OF DATES FOR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR ORDINANCE NO. 930-15, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE REGULATING OIL AND GAS DRILLING, AND ORDINANCE NO. 955-16, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE. car 2/28/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 Municipal Planner Allen Cohen said this is a follow-up to Council’s prior discussion at which time it was decided what information should be changed in the latest versions of the ordinances and he reminded them that any substantive changes require further review by the County and the local Planning Commission for a period of 45 days before a public hearing can be held. Taking into consideration that the documents were forwarded the prior week, the earliest that a hearing can be scheduled is March 30, and the earliest regular Council meeting date would be April 5. Council will have to decide whether to have the hearing the same night as the Council meeting or on a separate date. Mr. Kase said he would prefer to have more members of Council available before making a decision on when to hold the public hearing. A tentative date was set for April 5 for the public hearing, but this will be discussed further at the March 1 Council meeting. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 12A. DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED SPORTS FIELDS MANUAL. Recreation Director Carly Greene explained that she has had meetings with Mr. Morrison and Bob Bell to discuss the use and care/maintenance of the sports fields. She reviewed Resolution 521-07 and found the content to be appropriate, but felt the need to more clearly define to the group that use the fields how to reserve and care for the fields. They developed a field manual that they would like to have added to the Resolution as an amendment. Mr. Kase said he thinks it’s important for this information to get out to the board members of the organizations, as well as the volunteers that assist at events so they know how to take care of the fields. It will also set expectations as to how the Municipality would like the fields to be maintained. He suggested providing a copy of the manual at the field house or concession stand for referral. Mr. Lorenz suggested sending a copy to all organizations that use the fields and ask that it be provided to all of the coordinators and coaches, thereby putting them all on notice of what is expected of them. It was the general consensus of Council members that this manual is a good idea. COUNCIL - ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 964-17 – POLICE PENSION CONTRUBITION RATE. Mr. Spadaro moved to approve the ordinance specifying the rate of pension contribution with respect to the police pension plan for the calendar year 2017. Mr. Kepler seconded. Finance Director Diane Heming explained that this is general housekeeping to meet the State pension requirements; the contribution is 5% of their earnings. There were no questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. car 2/28/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 13B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 967-17, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO 857-12 TO AMEND THE COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCEDURES. Mr. Kepler moved to approve the ordinance. Mr. Kase seconded. This item is to bring Murrysville’s ordinance in line with the State’s requirements. The State has been updating the requirements annually based on the cost of living increases so staff would like to stay in line with those requirements. There were no questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 13C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION NO. 667-17, A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE INVESTMENT POLICY FOR THE MUNICIPAL PENSION PLANS. Mr. Spadaro moved to approve Resolution 667-17, amending Resolution 579-1, the investment policy for the Municipal pension plans. Mr. Kepler seconded. Ms. Heming explained that this is a housekeeping item, but also a change in one of the types of investments. Staff did a general “clean-up” of the documents, striking some of the types of investments no longer available. The main difference is to change the private equity investments to private debt investments. If Council approves the resolution, staff would like to move forward with investing about $1.2 million of current pension assets which are in more of a fixed money market-type investment into the private debt accounts. There were no questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 13D. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 966-17, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TDHE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE’S ORDINANCE NO. 961-16 (WHICH AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE FROM DREW BORST LOCATED AT 3963 REED BLVD. IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE FOR THE SUM OF $143,000.00, AND IDENTIFIED BY THE WESTMORELAND TAX MAP OFFICE AS PARCEL NO. 49-14-01-0-059, AND UNIFIED PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NO. 49-07091-00000) TO PROVIDE THAT MURRYSVILLE WAIVES ITS “EXCLUDED PARTY” STATUS UNDER THE PENNSYLVANIA REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX LAW AND AGREES TO SHARE EQUALLY THE TWO PERCENT (2%) TRANSFER TAX, 1% BY SELLER AND 1% BY MURRYSVILLE. Mr. Kepler moved to approve the ordinance. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Morrison reminded Council that the Solicitor explained the reasons for amending the ordinance at the last meeting and presented two options. Council directed the Solicitor to prepare the ordinance to split the realty transfer tax, which is the ordinance up for approval. The amount to be paid by the Municipality would be $1,430.00. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. car 2/28/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 13E. CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE MURRYSVILLE AAUW TO HOST A CANDIDATES’ NIGHT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017, FROM 7:00 TO 9:30 P.M. Mr. Spadaro moved to approve the use of Council Chambers by the AAUW. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Morrison explained that there is an existing policy on use of Municipal facilities for political events and AAUW made application for this event, which is done every election cycle. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 13F. CONSIDER AFFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF SCOTT HILTY AS THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING. Mr. Kase moved to affirm the appointment. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mayor Brooks advised that Mr. Hilty has accepted the Municipality’s offer of employment, gave his background information and education, and told Council that he is desirous of appointing Mr. Hilty as Director of Engineering. His salary will be $98,500, his time will be shared with Export, and he will begin working on March 20. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 13G. CONSIDER MOTION TO TABLE ORDINANCE NO. 968-17, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO DOMINION TRANSMISSION, INC AN EASEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTALLING ONE GAS PIPELINE ON A PORTION OF ONE TRACT OF MUNICIPAL LANDS COMPRISING A PART OF THE MURRYSVILLE COMMUNITY PARK FOR THE PAYMENT OF $81,000.00. Mr. Kase moved to table the ordinance and direct staff to reinitiate negotiations with Dominion. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Morrison advised that some Council members asked him to renegotiate the price offered by Dominion and, therefore, asked that this item be tabled until such time as staff could have further meetings with Dominion representatives. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF DATES FOR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR ORDINANCE NO. 930-15, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE REGULATING OIL AND GAS DRILLING, AND ORDINANCE NO. 955-16, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE. Mr. Spadaro moved to table the discussion of scheduling the public hearings until the March 1 meeting. Mr. Kase seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. car 2/28/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 ENGINEERING: 15A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 965-17, AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE GRANT OF LAND AND STORMWATER DETENTION FACILITIES FROM FOREST RIDGE DEVELOPMENT, L.P. TO THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE. Mr. Kase moved to approve the ordinance accepting property and stormwater management facilities from Forest Ridge Development. Mr. Kepler seconded. Mr. Morrison explained that this is standard procedure and that the engineer has reviewed the facility and recommended approval. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 15B. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE THE 2017 OVERLAY PROJECT, DPW-1-17. Mr. Kepler moved to authorize the advertisement. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Morrison explained that this is the annual road improvement program and that $1.25 million has been budgeted in the capital reserve. A list of recommended roads was included with the Council briefing as recommended by the engineering department. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 16A. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE AT THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND COMMUNITY CENTER. Mr. Kepler moved to authorize the advertisement of DPW-2-17 for bids for landscape maintenance at the administration building and community center. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Public Works Director Bob Bell explained that a lot of money was spent last year improving the 20+ year-old landscaping around the administration building and community center. He would like to hire a landscaper to keep the landscaping standards up and to showcase the buildings. Mr. Kase noted that public works employees had previously done this work and asked if it would be a cost savings to hire a landscaper. Mr. Bell responded that it should be a savings because employees had previously spent a lot of time on the maintenance of the landscaping and it is the public works department’s main goal to get back on the roads and in the parks. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 16B. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR ROUTE 22 AND STREETSCAPE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE PROJECT. Mr. Kase moved to authorize the advertisement of DPW-3-17 for bids for Route 22 and Streetscape landscape maintenance. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Bell advised that this project was previously contracted and the contract expires this year. It includes the islands on Route 22 and tree trimming at Streetscape. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. car 2/28/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2017 16C. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR THE CLEANING OF RESTROOMS IN THE PARKS. Mr. Spadaro moved to authorize the advertisement for a 3-year contract, renewed annually, for the cleaning restrooms at 5 locations and in the parks. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Bell said the Municipality has gotten away from using port-a-johns in several areas and has previously used public works personnel to clean the restrooms. He would like to put a bid request out to have a contractor clean the restrooms twice a week, and ask for bids for cleaning only, as well as cleaning and stocking supplies. The bid would incorporate the restrooms proposed to be constructed at the Roberts property. Mr. Kepler asked if twice a week would be sufficient during the season when the parks are heavily used. Mr. Bell said he believes it would because some of the sports teams help out by cleaning up after their events. Mr. Spadaro asked if the company would supply all paper products. Mr. Bell said that would be determined once the bids are received. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 16D. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SPORTS FIELDS MANUAL. Mr. Kepler moved to approve an amendment to Resolution No. 521-07 to define the policy for usage of Municipal sports fields and recreational facilities to include the Field Manual as part of the Resolution. Mr. Kase seconded. There was no further discussion or questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ACTION ITEMS: Mr. Kase had a concern about the number of yard signs turning up in the Municipality and asked if that could be addressed. Mr. Morrison said it could, and suggested the corner of Tarr Hollow and Old William Penn where the banners are hung is another area of concern. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Kase moved to adjourn. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. The Council Meeting concluded at 8:25 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 2/28/2017