Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Joan Kearns, David Perry, Josh Lorenz, Tony Spadaro, Jamie Lee Korns, and Jeffrey Kepler. Councilman Loren Kase was absent from the meeting. Also present were Mayor Robert Brooks, Chief Administrator James R. Morrison, Solicitor George Kotjarapoglus, Finance Director Diane Heming, Municipal Engineer Scott Hilty and Municipal Planner Allen Cohen. MAYOR BROOKS WELCOMES TWILIGHT WISH Mayor Brooks welcomed Christy Stahl, a representative of the Twilight Wish Foundation. She explained that most of the wishes granted to seniors are basic needs wishes, such as dentures, hearing aids, lift chairs, co-pays for diabetic shoes, etc. Ms. Stahl gave some background information on the organization (it was founded in 2003 and became the first national senior wish granting organization in the country) and said all funds raised are through fundraising events and all money raised is used to provide wishes in Westmoreland County. The group’s motto is “Celebrating Seniors and Making Dreams Come True.” She presented several slides of seniors in the area having their wishes granted and noted that 1/3 of all wishes granted are for veterans. She explained how people could get involved by sponsoring a wish, making a donation or volunteering with the group. Mayor Brooks thanked Ms. Stahl and presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Municipality. PUBLIC HEARING A Public Hearing was held at 7:20 p.m. on the proposed amendments to the 2017 Capital Reserve. Finance Director Diane Heming explained that a budget amendment is needed when projects exceed the budgetary limits and additional funds are needed. It also provides a better comparison for the auditors when looking at the year-end books and the planned projects. She said there are a lot of amendments, but the total value of additional funds needed to move from reserves was only $152,000. The major issue with the capital budget was the borrowing done earlier this year which paid off all of the PEMA and emergency equipment loans, so if the capital reserve hadn’t been amended those line items would be very different than what the actual year-end expenses would be. That would “flag” the auditors and it’s not a necessary item to be flagged. There were costs incurred for bond counsel and the remaining revenue of the borrowing was posted in the community park reserve and emergency equipment reserve. With regard to the Miracle Field playground project grant, when the budget was prepared, staff wasn’t sure of the totals and funding stream, so it wasn’t put in the budget. Staff later became aware of the projected total cost, the DCED grant was awarded, and funding came from the Miracle League. That amendment was added: $186,000 in revenue and $186,000 in costs. Even though it was a wash, it flowed through the Municipality’s books and Ms. Heming felt it was necessary to get it recorded. The Welcome Center was originally in the budget for $250,000 and when the final estimates come in at closer to $450,000 the funding streams also changed and Ms. Heming wanted to have those clearly recorded. A state car 8/25/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 grant in the amount of $50,000 was received, $175,000 was received from the County, and the Municipality contributed $250,000 toward that project. The last item noted was the purchase of the Bailey property. Money was set aside in the general fund for potential land purchase but the capital budget didn’t include it because, at the time it was prepared, staff didn’t know if it would be purchasing anything in 2017. It was just reserved in the general fund in case it happened. Once it was decided to purchase the property, the cost of the purchase and renovations needed to be listed showing the money coming from the general fund. Council had no questions and the Public Hearing was closed at 7:25 p.m. A Public Hearing was held at 7:25 on the proposed 2018-2022 Capital Improvements Program. Diane Heming explained that to be included as a capital project, it must have a value of $10,000 or more and have a useful life of at least 5 years. She directed Council to page 5 of the CIP and noted the total cost of projects is $15,741,300, with the bulk of the projects being road improvements. $1.6 million is allocated for equipment and vehicle replacement, $3 million for purchase of emergency fire vehicles, $1 million for park improvements and construction at MCP, and $200,000 in facility upgrades and community development. Mr. Morrison explained that there are programs/grants available for removal of dilapidated buildings in the community. He said staff had begun identifying abandoned homes and homes in a state of disrepair that could qualify and have come up with 19 so far. Staff partitioned the community into sections and are surveying each section to find properties that would qualify. Ms. Heming continued to discuss the major sources of revenue to fund the projects: liquid fuels money from the state (almost $5 million), $4.5 million from designated millage for capital projects, $2,500,000 transferred from the general fund, $1 million from real estate taxes dedicated to emergency equipment, $800,000 (1/2 mill) dedicated for road improvements. The total of that income will fund the proposed $15 million in expenses. Ms. Heming then explained the projects specifically planned for 2018 and discussed the costs and funding. Mr. Kepler asked the reason for the proposed purchase of an all-terrain vehicle and was told that will be used to provide police assistance on the Heritage Trail. Ms. Heming discussed the wetlands mitigation project and said it’s a DCNR project and staff hopes to get grant funding. This project is to enhance the corner of Farm Rd. and Wiestertown – build a pavilion, overlook and plantings to enhance the buffer close to the origin of Steele’s Run, which is a high-quality water stream. If the grant is not provided, that project will not be done. She discussed the park improvements scheduled for 2 parks: Bear Hollow - replace playground, install flush bathrooms, repair pavilion roof, tennis courts, parking lot, backstops & fencing ($150,000); Sardis – replace roofs on 2 pavilions and add any amenities that may be useful ($30,000). The 5-year CIP doesn’t propose any new borrowing or tax increase. There were no questions from Council or anyone present in the audience. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m. car 8/25/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA UNISTED AMENDMENTS: REMOVE: Workshop Items – 12A. A presentation of a proposed memorial area for the disposition of human ashes. ADD: Council Action Items – Item 13C. Appoint of Jan Swearingen to an unexpired term on the Library Board. REMOVE: Council Action Items - Item 16B. Consider approval of the Murrysville Community Park Concept Plan – Phase III. ADD: Item 19A. Executive Session – Real Estate Matter – will occur immediately after Workshop and before Action Items. Mr. Lorenz moved to approve the agenda as amended. Mr. Kepler seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE B. INVESTMENTS AND TRANSFERS C. JULY 19, 2017 MEETING MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Mr. Kepler moved to approve the consent calendar items. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY INPUT: David Nader of 3015 Lexington Court presented concerns to Council about the condition of School Road South and pleaded with Council to take back that road from PennDOT. He spoke at length about the lack of maintenance of School Road South, not just the road, but the overgrowth along the sides of the road growing out to the edge of the road; ravines with no guide rails. He would like to see the Municipality care about the residents on that side of town as it does for the residents on School Road North. He has spoken with several officials at PennDOT and has been advised that Murrysville must start the process to take back the road and asked if staff would PLEASE look after the residents on that road. Mayor Brooks agreed with Mr. Nader and said staff has tried to talk with PennDOT and has offered to do snow removal and other maintenance, for a price, but PennDOT is not willing to pay to have the Municipality do anything to try and make it better. Mr. Morrison said if someone wants to get to PennDOT, he/she must go through the State Legislator. Mr. Morrison can make phone calls and write letters, but the action doesn’t come unless it goes through the Legislator and he said he would be happy to address it with Rep. Evankovich. Mr. Nader said the PennDOT representatives he spoke with said they are willing to get the road up to standards if Murrysville will take it back. Mr. Morrison said the issue is what PennDOT considers standards and what Murrysville considers standards, and once the Municipality takes it over to what PennDOT is willing to pay to meet PennDOT’s standards, it becomes a long-term maintenance issue for the Municipality because it doesn’t car 8/25/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 meet the standards of the Municipality’s roads. There are a lot of different factors involved. Mrs. Kearns said staff and Council are aware of the issues and will move ahead in trying to figure out how to resolve them. Lynn Full, 5001 Greensburg Road, had concerns about why she hadn’t received the 2017 per capita tax and was told that she lived in Washington Township, not Murrysville, and should be voting in Washington Township. All of her other taxes are mailed to her home except for the per capita tax. Mr. Morrison said he will check with 911 to determine how her address is listed there and will also check with Keystone on the tax matter. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9A. A DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE PLACEMENT OF A SOLAR ARRAY FOR THE SEARS HOUSE. Mr. Morrison reminded Council that this project was identified in the 2017 Capital Improvements Program and proposals were solicited for the installation of panels on what is known as the “chicken coop” behind the Sears House. The original budget for the project was $40,000 and the lowest proposal received from SolarPro was just under $15,000. While doing the panels, which are guaranteed for 25 years, he believes the roof should also be replaced. WiFi will be available to give staff daily reports on the efficiency of the solar power. In speaking with the Franklin Regional superintendent, this will be made part of one of the STEM projects for the upcoming year. It will be a demonstration project for the community and a learning project for the students. Mr. Perry asked if the chicken coop panels prove to be viable, would staff consider putting them on the administration building. Mr. Morrison said this is his first experience with panels and relied on some expert opinion from Mr. Kepler who reviewed the proposals and said he believes this should be something staff should look at going forward. He suggested that the community center would be an ideal project. ENGINEERING: 10A. A DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE REDUCTION OF A BOND FOR THE VILLAS AT HERITAGE ESTATES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. Municipal Engineer Scott Hilty told Council that the Meritage Group has requested the bond be reduced from $104,000 to $79,000. There were three improvements that had been completed as to the plan and staff is recommending the bond reduction. There were no questions from Council. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11A. A REVIEW OF A PROPOSED OUTLINE FOR THE REGULATION OF INJECTION WELLS. As a follow-up to the discussion at the last meeting, Municipal Planner Allen Cohen explained that Council was given a framework of what an ordinance should or shouldn’t include for discussion and feedback, which would be the start of a pending ordinance. It is suggested that the zoning ordinance be amended to define the use and car 8/25/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 to categorize it in a zoning district or districts. In this instance, the framework would allow injection wells only in the B District and only as a conditional use. Certain requirements would also be added, such as: requirements for distance from the site to residences, location requirements in terms of type of roads (high-access, arterials, or collector roads), allowing for traffic concerns to be addressed, establishing that all performance standards in the code which deal with nuisance concerns that a use can generate be addressed, all requirements be established (federal, state and environmental) as part of the approval process, and location of any injection well from a property line. There are also specific areas in which regulations can occur, i.e., noise, seismic activity concerns, lighting requirements and impacts on site, fencing & security, and traffic study because of the number and volume of truck vehicles utilized. All of these considerations would form the framework for discussion of a pending ordinance; Council could authorize moving forward with this through staff, Planning Commission or a task force. It is hoped that a framework ordinance can be brought before Council soon to begin the process; this would protect the Municipality from any application while proceeding with the development of the ordinance and going through the whole adoption process. Mr. Lorenz said he would like to include the Planning Commission in the process. Mr. Morrison added that there have been some discussions about the viability of injection wells because of the geology, and the Murrysville sands being on an incline, which does not promote the storage of liquids. Staff will proceed with developing a pending ordinance under the assumption that the potential exists for the use in the community and then have discussions with the Planning Commission. Mrs. Kearns said she assumes if outside expertise and funding were required staff would seek both. Mr. Morrison said it would. Mrs. Lee Korns mentioned that there was prior discussion on a cap for the funds and Mr. Morrison said $3,000 was still okay. There was no further discussion. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 12A. A PRESENTATION OF A PROPOSED MEMORIAL AREA FOR THE DISPOSITION OF HUMAN ASHES. This item was removed from the agenda. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council adjourned to an Executive Session at 8:17 p.m. to discuss a Real Estate Matter and reconvened at 8:28 p.m. There was no action coming out of the session. COUNCIL – ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13A. CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPALITY’S ACT 537 PLAN – PUCKETA CREEK. Mrs. Lee Korns moved to approve the advertisement. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Morrison explained that Council received a copy of the amendment done by FTMSA, which is to include the 37 properties which are in Murrysville but adjacent to the Washington Twp. line improvement to permit those properties access for car 8/25/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 environmental concerns. After the public hearing, which will be held prior to the September 6 Council meeting, a resolution will be drafted accepting the amendment and then the agreements will be executed. Upon a roll call vote: Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Perry – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 13B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A TAX EXEMPTION FOR D. FRALIC, AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDING AT 3885 BROOKSIDE LANE, APARTMENT 401, MURRYSVILLE, PA. Mrs. Lee Korns moved to approve a veteran’s exemption for real estate for Dorothy Fralic beginning with the tax year 2018. Mr. Kepler seconded. Mr. Morrison explained that Mrs. Fralic is eligible for veteran’s affairs benefits and this request must be approved every 3 years. Staff received a petition from Veterans’ Affairs and Council must authorize an exemption. There were no questions from Council. Upon a roll call vote: Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Perry – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. 13C. CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF JAN SWEARINGEN TO THE LIBRARY BOARD. Mrs. Lee Korns moved to approve the appointment. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Perry – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None. ENGINEERING: 15A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REDUCTION OF A BOND FOR THE VILLAS AT HERITAGE ESTATES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. Mr. Kepler moved to approve reduction of the performance bond being held for the completion of the required improvements at The Villas at Heritage Estates development to an amount of $79,634.70. Mr. Perry seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Perry – yes, Mr. Lorenz – abstained as he lives in the development, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 16A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A PARK BENCH AT PLEASANT VALLEY PARK. Mr. Spadaro moved to approve a memorial bench donation from Lynn Gurrentz to be placed in Pleasant Valley Park. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mrs. Kearns – yes, Mr. Perry – yes, Mr. Lorenz – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Mrs. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Kepler – yes. Motion approved. car 8/25/2017 Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, August 16, 2017 16B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE MURRYSVILLE COMMUNITY PARK CONCEPT PLAN – PHASE III. This item was removed from the agenda. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None. ACTION ITEMS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Spadaro moved to adjourn. Mrs. Lee Korns seconded. The Council Meeting concluded at 8:34 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 8/25/2017