Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice, Jamie Lee Korns, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. Council member Loren Kase was absent. MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE RECOGNIZES THE MURRYSVILLE WOMAN’S CLUB AS THE 2019 RECIPIENT OF THE MURRYSVILLE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Mr. Dice stated that the Murrysville Women’s Club was originally established 100 years ago to teach women about the political process in voting in response to the Women’s Suffrage Movement. In 1922 the club secured the donation of the building which would serve as Murrysville’s first community library. In the 1940’s the club volunteered at hospitals during World War II. In 1958 the club broke ground on the Murrysville Community Center, which was eventually donated to the Municipality. In 1976 former club president Anna Cotter circulated a petition to rename the area “Murrysville” in place of Franklin Township. In 1983 the club gave out its first non-traditional scholarship to an adult women who was looking to further her education. The club has an annual art show, fashion show and Christmas tea as fundraisers towards these scholarships and also supports local emergency response organizations. Mr. Dice presented the award to President, Jan Bollinger along with several other ladies representing the Woman’s Club. A PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING ORDINANCE #1018-20, AN ORDINANCE PROPOSING THE VACATION OF A PORTION OF CARSON STREET BETWEEN OLD WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAY AND RING ALLEY A Public Hearing was held at 7:07 p.m. concerning Ordinance No. 1018-20. Mr. Morrison stated that as required by the Ordinance, a letter was sent to adjacent property owners. No comments were received. Mr. Chuck Hergenroeder, representing the two petitioners, David Beatty and Georgeanne Spinello, stated that the alley is between their two businesses. There are no utilities. There is a municipal drainage pipe and the deed to the two owners will contain a right-of-way for the drainage pipe. The petitioners are in support of their request for a vacation of a portion of Carson Avenue. Mr. McKenna moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Kase seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:09 p.m. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Dayne Dice, Toni Brockway, Loren Kase – absent, Jamie Lee Korns, Mac McKenna, Carl Stepanovich, Tony Spadaro and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, June 17, 2020 CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. Accounts Payable B. Cash Investments and Transfers C. May 20, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Dice noted that he will abstain from any accounts payable matters or any cash investments related to KU Resources because he has done work for them. Mr. Spadaro made a motion to approve the consent calendar items. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that the Glass Recycling “Pop-Up” collection is scheduled for Saturday, June 20th at Veterans Field parking lot, 4200 Sardis Road, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Municipality of Murrysville and Republic Services. PennDOT is going to be replacing bridge #74414 located on Greensburg Road, which will not be closed. However Hankey Church Road will be closed and detoured June 15 to October 27 and Old Greensburg Road will be closed and detoured August 25 to October 27. On Saturday, June 27th at the Murrysville Community Park Wetlands at 10:00 a.m., you can enjoy a walking tour, see some baby birds, and more. If you have any questions, call the Recreation Department at 724- 327-2100 x131. On Sunday, June 28 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Roberts Trailhead Murrysville Visitors Center, join Naturalist Sue Miller to learn about the Birds of Murrysville. If you have any questions, call the Murrysville Recreation Department at 724-327-2100 x115. Tuesdays at Townsend dates are June 23, June 30, July 7 and July 21. Bring your chairs for free live performances in the park from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that he brings bad news tonight. As a result of the Covid-19 shutdown of various municipal facilities (the Community Center, Senior Center, pavilions and the fields), there was over $14,000 returned in permit fees. That $14,000 does not include loss revenue. Our earned income tax collection as of May comparison of 2019 is down $100,000 and real estate collection is down $77,000. This is falling close to what staff had predicted. Some good news is that short term disability provided through NBS sent in a dividend to the municipality for $1,400. COMMUNITY INPUT: None vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, June 17, 2020 LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. McKenna: Parks and Recreation Board met at Townsend Park last Tuesday. Concerts in the Park are starting back up along with some other events. Information will be on the website. Ben Sampson has been working on stewardship. Mr. Morrison noted that in Council’s dropbox, he posted stewardship plans for several of the parks that have been completed over the years. He encourages Council to take a look at those. They have been very professionally done and are very valuable to the community. Mr. McKenna stated that the use of the parks and the trail are at an all-time high. Sloan School is going to have outdoor learning with their green space and wetlands. Parks and Recreation may be able to implements programs through that once the school is up and running. There were some homemade signs on the Duff Park Trail asking people to pick up after their dog. These are not signs put up by the Municipality. Ms. Brockway: The Library is open for curbside appointments Monday through Saturday between the hours of 12:00 – 3:00. You can place an item on hold through the catalog or call the Library. When your item comes in, the Library staff will call you to schedule an appointment. For returns, the book drop is open 24 hours a day. They meet tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Lee Korns: The Pension Committee did not meet. Mr. Stepanovich: The Planning Commission is going to meet on July 7th. Mr. Spadaro: Nothing to report from Medic One. They meet tomorrow night. Mr. Dice: FTMSA is going to meet June 25th here at the Municipal Building. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. A discussion concerning Ordinance #1025-20, an ordinance directing and requiring the connection of all occupied buildings and certain structures with public sanitary sewers in Murrysville on premises accessible thereto; directing and requiring the abandonment of privy vaults, cesspools, sand mounds and septic tanks on such premises; providing for the method of connection between occupied buildings and certain structures said sanitary sewers and for the inspection thereof; providing for the issuance of permits; establishing exemptions in certain circumstances; and the payment of the expenses of Murrysville and FTMSA Mr. Morrison stated that this is one of the requirements of the COA and Mr. Long, Solicitor for FTMSA, drafted an ordinance and is here to answer any questions. Mr. Wes Long stated that he drafted an ordinance and is here to answer any questions that Council and the Mayor may have concerning the new inflow and infiltration ordinance that the Municipality is required to pass as part of the Consent Order and Agreement that was entered into with and between Murrysville, Export, Penn Township, Salem Township and the Borough of Delmont back in August 2019. Under the COA, a new inflow and infiltration ordinance, better known as a lateral resale ordinance, must be adopted by each Municipality within one year of the date of the COA. The proposed ordinance, which he drafted, has been reviewed with revisions made by the FTMSA Board Members and also has been reviewed by the vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, June 17, 2020 attorney for the DEP. Mr. Long stated that he went back to 1969 when the original sewage scheme was put together and the ordinance was a mandatory connection ordinance. Over the years, there have been many ordinances so the ordinance he proposed is a quantification of the past ordinances in Murrysville regarding sewage issues included in one ordinance. FTMSA is having a meeting on Thursday, June 25, here in the Municipal Building. FTMSA accomplishments to date with the engineering work that’s being done are way ahead of schedule with the requirements of the Consent Order and Agreement. Marvelous work is being done by Mr. Rumbaugh and his cohorts along with Gibson-Thomas Engineering. Mr. Stepanovich asked Mr. Long for an example of an exemption in certain circumstances. Mr. Long stated that the DEP permitted certain exemptions. In the connection, the standard for the Authority has always been that if an improvement is constructed or an improvement exists and a sanitary sewer line is constructed, either of which are within 200 feet of each other, the improvement on that piece of property must be connected to the sanitary sewer system. There was talk about doing a monetary exemption and the Board decided to stay at the current 250 foot distance requirement. If you are closer than 200 feet, you have to connect. If you are over 200 feet, it is optional. Regarding the inflow and infiltration requirements, there are three exemptions that the DEP was OK with. 1) If it is a transfer between husband and wife pursuant to a divorce or something of that sort; 2) If it is in connection with the administration of an estate; 3) If a property owner had difficulties with the sewer lateral within the last 5 years and that the property owner had repaired the sewer lateral and were issued a certificate of sewer lateral that it was compliant with the ordinance and if the purpose was only for refinancing of a mortgage. Dr. Lee Korns stated that she thought there already was a mandatory ordinance. Mr. Long stated that there is. It was the first ordinance passed in the 1960’s. He did not change that. He just put everything into one ordinance. Dr. Lee Korns asked if residents have to apply for an exemption. Mr. Long stated that they still have to receive an exemption by the authority to not tap in. Dr. Lee Korns stated that she knows that the Municipality doesn’t have any funds to allocate to help families tap in, but is there any source that a family could talk to for federal or state loans. Mr. Morrison stated that with water connections, low interest loans are made available or state loans might be available. The Water Authority has also made payments available over a period of time. There are options available to consider if there was a line extension. Mr. Long stated that FTMSA does not do internal financing to the best of his knowledge; however, there are income based grants from the US Department of Agriculture on initial connections. Most people when building a home will just roll that cost into their mortgage. Mr. Long noted that once a property is inspected, it is good for 3 years. Mr. Morrison stated that he will bring this back to Council at the next meeting for authorization to advertise. ENGINEERING: 10.A. A discussion regarding award of a contract for DPW-3-20, Bridge Repair Project for the Cal-Ken, Logan Ferry and Heather Highlands bridges Mr. Morrison stated that 3 bridges were identified, Cal-Ken, Logan Ferry and Heather Highlands, as needing remedial repairs as a result of the bi-annual PennDOT inspection. The engineer developed specifications which were bid out. Two bidders accepted the contract documents. One responded with a price of vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, June 17, 2020 $78,355. The engineer went through a process with the low bidder to check their qualifications and work history. A letters was received back, and they are qualified. Under Council Action Items, it is proposed to award the contract to Pugliano Construction Company in the amount of $78,355 to repair all three bridges. Construction will begin probably late July and be completed in 30 to 60 days. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Consider approval of Ordinance # 1024-20, an Ordinance extending the State of Emergency in the Municipality of Murrysville Mr. Dice stated that Dr. Lee Korns has made a suggestion before the meeting that instead of voting on this at every meeting, that Council vote to approve the State of Emergency Ordinance in perpetuity just going forward. When Council wants to take away the Ordinance, they could vote then. Mr. Morrison stated that the Code specifically states the ordinance automatically expires in 61 days following passage. Mayor Synan agreed that it would have to come back every 61 days, if necessary. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1024-20, an Ordinance extending the State of Emergency in the Municipality of Murrysville. Mr. McKenna seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider authorization to advertise a public hearing for Ordinance #1026-20, an ordinance adopting regulations for wireless facility development in the public right of way Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to consider authorization to advertise a Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 1026-20, an Ordinance adopting regulations for wireless facility development in the public right-of-way. Ms. Brockway seconded Mr. Morrison stated that the Planning Commission has been working with Attorney, Joe Cortese, who developed a draft ordinance for their review and comment. That took about two months to review and go through it. Mr. Cortese had made a presentation and the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing, which no public comment was received. The Planning Commission recommends that Council consider adoption of the ordinance. This would be advertisement for the Public Hearing to initiate the process. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, June 17, 2020 ENGINEERING: 15.A. Consider award of a contract for DPW-3-20, Bridge Repair Project for the Cal-Ken, Logan Ferry and Heather Highlands bridges Mr. Spadaro made a motion to award a contract to Pugliano Construction Company for DPW-3-20, Bridge Repair Project for the Cal-Ken, Logan Ferry and Heather Highlands Bridges in an amount not to exceed $78,355. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council adjourned to an Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. No action coming out of this session was anticipated. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The Regular Voting Meeting and Public Hearing were 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-