Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice, Loren Kase, Jamie Lee Korns, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro and Carl Stepanovich. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison, Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus, Director of Finance, Diane Heming, and Public Works Director, Bill Paiano. Mayor Synan was absent. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Mac McKenna, Carl Stepanovich, Loren Kase, Jamie Lee Korns, Dayne Dice, Tony Spadaro, Toni Brockway, and Mayor Synan-absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. February 19, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to approve the consent calendar items. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna– yes, Mr. Stepanovich–yes, Mr. Kase–yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Ms. Brockway – yes. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that he has Mayor Synan’s comments for this evening. Friday Fish Fry at Sardis Volunteer Fire Company is 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Call 724-327-3987 for take-out orders. They wish to apologize for running out of fish last week and will be better prepared for the large demand. Get there early. The Glass Recycling “Pop-Up” Collection Event is Saturday, March 28th at Veterans Field parking lot from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The AARP will provide tax prep assistance for those who qualify at the Murrysville Community Center on Friday, February 7 and 21, March 6 and 20, and April 3 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Please contact your local AARP office for more information. Team Up for the March for Parks is Saturday, March 21, 9:00 a.m. at the Sport Zone. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that this Friday, staff will be meeting with GetGo for the pre-construction conference. Activity will be seen down there soon. COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. McKenna: Nothing to report from the Parks and Recreation Commission. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Ms. Brockway: Murrysville Community Library is excited to announce that they are hosting an annual junior and senior division chess tournament on March 14th at 9:00 a.m. Play begins at 9:30 a.m. Bring a chess set if possible. Each player will receive a participation certificate. Trophies will be awarded to each division’s first, second, and third place winners. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 12th. Please contact the Library to register. There is a free beginner’s gardening program to be held on March 10th at 6:30 p.m. Speaker Becky Griffith, owner of Shadowwood Gardens in Latrobe, will talk about the key factors in starting a healthy, flourishing planting, whether it be a container patio garden, a vegetable plot, or a backyard flower garden. This is a joint program hosted by the Library and the Murrysville Garden Club. No registration is necessary. Dr. Lee Korns: Nothing new to report from the Pension Committee; however, Frank Burnette is here this evening with a presentation on the Municipal pension plan. Mr. Kase: The EAC did meet and had a brief discussion on the Hoy parking lot, which is going to be extended. Mr. Stepanovich: The Planning Commission did not meet yesterday. Their next meeting is scheduled for March 17th. Mr. Spadaro: Medic One had a meeting the other night. Their balance sheet is quite impressive. They talked about their heavy volume of calls averaging 50 per day, including wheelchair calls for the wheelchair van. Medic One will be purchasing two new vans at $100,000 each. Their fund raising subscription program is going on now. The cost is $55 per family or $35 for seniors. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. Presentation by Frank Burnette, Morrison Fiduciary Advisors, on the status of the Municipal Pension Plans Frank Burnette, Morrison Fiduciary Advisors, made his annual presentation to Council on the past year’s pension performance. Mr. Burnette stated that they have an investment committee that governs the municipal pension plan. The pension plan covers police and non-uniform employees in a defined benefit as required by State law. MFA has been advising the fund for about fifteen years. The plan is doing well and is virtually fully funded. The actual cost to the municipality and the burden in terms of funding after State aid comes in, is still a very manageable expense for the Municipality of Murrysville. Last year the returns in the fund were exceptional at 21.38% for the year. The total fund is now valued at approximately $26.2M and has realized a 10-year annualized return of 8.87%. The fund is fully diversified with 9 different and complementary investment styles. All of the fees and all of the administrative services and paying all of the checks for retirees is covered under the 63 basis point cost allocation. The dedication of the pension committee, which consists of Jim Morrison, Diane Heming, citizen representatives Mark Miller and Larry Shultz, along with Liaison, Dr. Jamie Lee Korns and occasionally Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus, have responded well to the consultant and have provided significant savings to the taxpayers of the Municipality. Mr. Stepanovich ask that if it gets to the point of overfunded, is there a reduction in what the Municipality and/or individuals have to pay into the pension fund? Mr. Burnette answered yes, but it’s not as noticeable vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 as you might think. If you become overfunded, the surplus will be used as a credit over a 10 year period. If you have one really good year, it would be averaged with the previous years. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11.A. A discussion to consider the reduction in membership of the Zoning Hearing Board from five members to three members Mr. Morrison stated that the Municipal Planning Code provides for a minimum number of Zoning Hearing Board members, as it does for the Planning Commission being five members, in this case the Zoning Hearing Board being a minimum of three members. Two years ago a Zoning Hearing Board member resigned and the Board moved forward with four members. This past year, one member’s term expired and no applications of interest were received for the position. The Zoning Hearing Board was established by Ordinance No. 110-75 with three members. In 2006 it was expanded to five members by Resolution No. 497-05. Council may want to consider, given the difficulty in finding board members in general, changing back to a three member Board. If the number of board members is reduced, that puts more of a burden on the Solicitor, which being paid hourly may increase the cost moving forward. Mr. Morrison stated that in his opinion, it makes a better representation for the community that there be a full board and not continue to search for members. If Council would want to proceed with this, staff would develop a resolution identifying the Board as three members and the three members that would be appointed and their terms. Mr. Morrison stated that he sent an email to Pati Lindauer, a member of the Zoning Hearing Board, asking for her opinion and the opinion of the other members on this. If he gets a response, he will provide it at the next meeting. Mr. Kase asked if there was a reason why the number was changed from three to five back in 2006. Mr. Morrison stated that, at that time, even the Planning Commission was changed from five to seven members. He believes that the elected officials, at that time, were trying to get more citizen input and expanded the boards. Mr. McKenna asked if there were four members on the board now and Mr. Morrison answered no, that there were three because one member’s term expired. Mr. McKenna asked if it was a possibility of having an alternate on some of these boards. Mr. Morrison stated that would be possible for the ZHB and the Planning Commission, but the composition of the board and how that Board carries out its responsibilities is governed by the Municipal Planning Code. The appointments and the composition would need to be in accordance with the MPC. Dr. Lee Korns suggested that maybe the Charter should be looked at and the rules around allowing community members who have the time, the interest, and the experience to serve on more than one volunteer board or commission. Mr. Morrison noted that in the case of the Zoning Hearing Board, you can’t be a member of staff or the Planning Commission. Mr. Dice stated that the Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission kind of became intertwined. Mr. Dice agreed to taking ZHB to three members and finding an alternate and with Planning Commission pass a resolution to find at least one alternate. vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 12.A. Consider Award of the North Hills Storm Sewer Project to W.A. Petrakis in the amount of $76,500 Mr. Paiano stated that this is a long-term job between Public Works and Engineering from 2018. The resident at 3274 North Hills Road had a slide which involved approximately 300 cubic yards of dirt in the backyard. The hill was secured after 350-400 man hours and thought the problem was corrected. A pipe was changed out and restoration was done to the whole yard. Shortly thereafter, there were some complaints about low spots and sinkage in the yard. After a very severe storm, the yard had let go again. After cameraing on July 7, 2019, it was determined there was a separation in the 24 foot terracotta pipe. The pipe is 20 feet deep or better, at which time KU Engineering put together a proposal on what would need to be done to correct the problem. The proposal went out last week and three bids were received, with one bid being incomplete. The low bid was $76,500 received from W.A. Petrakis Contracting Company. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Consider Approval to Enter into an Agreement with Industrial Appraisals to Provide an Updated Appraisal for Municipal Properties, Machinery and Equipment for Insurance Purposes at a Total Cost of $6,490.00 Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to approve entering into an agreement with Industrial Appraisals to provide an updated appraisal for municipal properties, machinery and equipment for insurance purposes at a total cost of $6,490.00. Mr. Kase seconded. Ms. Heming stated that the Municipality has dealt with Industrial Appraisals for about 10 years. They did a full appraisal of all the properties, photographs with all the dimensions and footage and acreage of the buildings and put it in a report and valued it at that time. This is used for insurance replacement values. Every year after that, staff had sent the insurance company any additions or deletions and adjusted the appraisals based on the market for insurance purposes. It has been 10 years now and she suggests that another appraisal be done because a lot of things have changed and it should be updated with appraisals for the municipal properties, machinery and equipment. It’s up in the air right now on if they will be able to do the traffic signals and street lights. This will not be ready for the April renewal of our insurance, but if there are significant adjustments, the carrier will adjust it. In April of next year, it will be updated. Then we will continue yearly to do the re-appraisals through their actuarial, and then another appraisal in another 10 years. Mr. Kase asked if this would not be the burden of the insurance company. Why would the insured be allowed to determine, even by a third party, the value of all assets? Ms. Heming stated that anytime they buy a vehicle, a truck, or build a splash park, the municipality provides all of the costs to the insurance provider. Mr. Morrison stated that the municipality’s insurance company has not challenged the values. vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna– yes, Mr. Stepanovich–yes, Mr. Kase–yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Ms. Brockway – yes. 13.B. Consider Approval of Ordinance No. 1021-20, Specifying the Rate of Pension Contributions with Respect to the Police Pension Plan for the 2020 Calendar Year Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1021-20, specifying the rate of pension contributions with respect to the Police Pension Plan for the 2020 calendar year. Mr. Kase seconded. Ms. Heming stated that each year, Act 600 requires that an ordinance be passed setting the rate of contributions that police officers make into their police pension plan. This is set by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but still requires an ordinance be done and approve by Council each year. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna– yes, Mr. Stepanovich–yes, Mr. Kase–yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Ms. Brockway – yes. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider re-approval of S-4-19, Powers Subdivision, Two Lots, R-R Zoning, 4913 Logan Ferry Road Ms. Brockway made a motion to consider re-approval of S-4-19, Powers Subdivision, a two lot subdivision located at 4913 Logan Ferry Road, tax parcel 49-03-00-0-023, R-R Zoning. Mr. McKenna seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this is a subdivision previously approved by Council. Because of financial reasons, the applicant never got the plan recorded and the 90 days expired. The plan now needs re-approved. There were no changes made from the original approval. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna– yes, Mr. Stepanovich–yes, Mr. Kase–yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Ms. Brockway – yes. ENGINEERING: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 16.A. Consider Award of the North Hills Storm Sewer Project in the amount of $76,500 Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to consider award of a contract for DPW-2-20, North Hills Storm Sewer Replacement Project in the amount of $76,500. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Paiano stated that this $76,500 will entail hooking on a good section of pipe to the existing pipe. The area is very inaccessible and will be a challenge to get in there and fix it. This is one of the reasons why this project went out to bid. Mr. Morrison noted that the pipe is 20 feet deep and beyond our capabilities here. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Mr. Stepanovich amended his motion to include the name of the contractor as W.A. Petrakis Contracting Company and verifying the amount of $76,500. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. Upon a roll call vote on the amended motion: Mr. McKenna– yes, Mr. Stepanovich–yes, Mr. Kase–yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Ms. Brockway – yes. OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Morrison stated that the saga of the custodial service continues. A proposal was received today from a private firm and will be meeting with representatives of the Blind Association on Friday to take them through the buildings. NEW BUSINESS: None ACTION ITEMS: Dr. Lee Korns suggested to start looking into the Municipality’s conditions and regulations around having folks be allowed to serve on more than one board where not otherwise restricted by the code. Mr. Dice stated that this will begin as an investigation to see if we wanted to do something like that, what it would require and the limitations. Dr. Lee Korns stated that we want the community to be as robust as possible, and want to involve volunteers as much as possible. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Dice adjourned the meeting to an executive session to discuss a legal litigation matter. No action is anticipated coming out of the meeting. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 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. vmp -6-