Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice, Loren Kase, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison, Director of Finance, Diane Heming and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. Council member Jamie Lee Korns was absent. PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO VACATE UNOPENED PORTIONS OF CERTAIN STREETS, ROADS AND ALLEYS IN THE SECOND ADDITION TO THE PEDORA PLAN OF LOTS IN THE WHITE VALLEY SECTION OF MURRYSVILLE A Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. concerning a proposed ordinance to vacate unopened portions of certain streets, roads and alleys in the second addition to the Pedora Plan of Lots in the White Valley section of Murrysville. Mr. Morrison noted that adjacent property owners were notified by certified mail of this public hearing and was also advertised in the local newspaper. Attorney, Chuck Hergenroeder stated that the roads in the plan of 1912 have not been open, maintained or used and are not needed. They are asking that the unopened streets be vacated in order to do a development in keeping with the demographic study which has been done for this R-3 zone for a residential development for individuals over 55. Jim Rhoades, 5075 Pennsylvania Street: Mr. Rhoades stated that his main concern is traffic and respectfully requests that the developer take that into consideration. There are a lot of people who walk in that plan, ride their bikes and walk their animals. It would be nice if there were other outlets or road areas to help alleviate some of the traffic on the main street. Adam Britz, 5073 Pennsylvania Street: Mr. Britz stated that he is a property owner east of the Whispering Springs Plan and echoes Mr. Rhoades’ concerns as far as traffic. Pennsylvania Street is a 50 foot road. The road at the end of his driveway is 24 feet wide. A school bus or garbage truck does not fit on a 24 foot wide road. The original development was to make the streets wider and even put sidewalks in. There are around 69 units in Whispering Springs x 2 cars per unit on a road, that’s not very wide, every morning and evening. Please take into consideration doing something with the road. Mr. Dice stated that when things get to that stage, they will make a note that they have to pay attention to the traffic situation and roads in that area. Mr. Stepanovich moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. McKenna 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: Mac McKenna, Jamie Lee Korns - absent, Carl Stepanovich, Dayne Dice, Toni Brockway, Tony Spadaro, Loren Kase and Mayor Synan. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 2, 2020 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. Approval of August 19, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Spadaro made a motion to approve the August 19, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes. Mr. McKenna seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that the Murrysville-Export Rotary Club is having an Oktoberfest on September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company pavilion. There will be German style food and beer from local food trucks and breweries along with German music and a Lederhosen contest. For tickets call 724-309-2771 or email tpauly@ventanapa.com. Glass Recycling “Pop-Up” Collection Event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM at Veterans Field parking lot, 4200 Sardis Road. This is sponsored by the Municipality of Murrysville and Republic Services. Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling 2020 Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be Saturday, October 24th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (pre-registration required), 355 Pleasant Unity Mutual Road, Greensburg. Cost is $.85 per pound or $.75 per pound for Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling members. For membership information, visit www.westmorelandcleanways.org or call 724-879-4020. Curbside Household Hazardous Waste/Electronics Collection: Republic Service Customers within Delmont, Export and Murrysville have the option to recycle their HHW and/or electronics curbside. Call 724-887-9400 for more details and/or to schedule a pick-up. Kickball will be held September 8 – October 13 on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM at Kovalczik Park. Wiffle Ball will be held Thursdays at 6:00 PM from September 10 – October 15. This is for kids ages 6-12, $15 per player per session. Register online: https://murrysvilleparecreation.com/541/Youth-Programs. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: None COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Spadaro: Medic One meets later this month. Mr. Stepanovich: The Planning Commission met yesterday. Krystal Lake subdivision is going to be a 3-lot subdivision along Hilty Road. There were no foreseen problems. The Lodovico Landscaping Plan was submitted and approved. The rest of the plans required for the building of an office building across from Wendy’s is mainly in Monroeville and will be handled by Monroeville. Bruce Corna was at the meeting representing Hillstone Village, which will be at the southwest corner of Route 22 and Harrison City Road. Price ranges will be $400,000 - $600,000. There will be 20 single family dwellings and 22 carriage homes. vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 2, 2020 The entrance will be off of Harrison City Road. There will be a Home Owners Association. Streets will be the responsibility of Murrysville. The senior high-rise is going to be called Senior Apartments. An ordinance was drafted by Mr. Morrison with input from the Planning Commission. There are two parts; 1) being the high- rise itself, and 2) covering senior facilities in R-1, R-2 and R-3 and what will be required by Housing for Old People Act (HOPA). The next meeting will be in October. Mr. Kase: The EAC was concerned over protection of wetlands in the development proposed off Harrison City Road and how not to disturb them. Ms. Brockway: September is library card sign-up month. Call the Library at 724-327-1102 to learn how to register for your free library card. Don’t forget about the Library’s curbside and in person appointments. The Library will be having a Fall Reading Challenge. Look for more details on their website at murrysvillelibrary.org in the next couple of weeks. Mr. McKenna: Parks and Recreation will meet on September 8th. Mr. Dice: FTMSA did meet. The Bel Aire Pump Station project has been completed. They did purchase a new generator for the main pump station at a cost of $197,800. No bids were received for the sewer line interceptors. All Municipalities have passed the required I&I Ordinance. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. A discussion concerning a propose amendment to Section 220 – Zoning of the Murrysville Code to permit multiple story multiple-family dwelling units designed and operated specifically for occupancy by residents who are 55 years old or older, where 80% or more of the occupied units in the development are occupied by a resident who is 55 years or older in the “B” Business zoning district. Mr. Morrison stated that for some time, there has been discussions for providing the opportunity for people transitioning out of their homes into smaller lots, small dwellings and apartment type living. The Planning Commission began review of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance to provide a concept under the PRD Ordinance. Staff was directed to provide recommendations to amend the ordinance to accommodate both apartment units and single family units that meet the requirements of HOPA to address the age group of 55+. At least 85% of the units have to be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older. The community, meaning the Home Owners Association, establishes, publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate intent that are required under HOPA, and that the community complies with rules issued by the Secretary of the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which includes such things as doing annual census of the population in the housing units to ensure they are meeting those guidelines. There is a company that has a desire to building a high rise here in Murrysville. In most instances, these buildings are three, four, or five stories high, which are not accommodated in the R-Rural Zoned Districts. Most are in the B-Business District. Apartments are not permitted in the B District. The Planning Commission will probably be finished on amending the residential districts by the October meeting. The PRD Ordinance is set up now to give flexibility to the developer on lot sizes and opportunities to be creative within these developments. Hopefully by the second meeting in October, staff can present to Council, an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and a Public Hearing to amend the Ordinance. vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Mr. Spadaro asked if he knew how much the rentals might be. Mr. Morrison stated that Clover Development approached the Municipality several months ago and had offered a design of rentals that would be around $1,200 - $1,400 a month depending on the square footage. Mr. Stepanovich stated that the minimum square footage was 600. Any idea of how large they might get? Mr. Morrison answered that they will probably be around 1,000 square feet for a two bedroom and 600 square feet for a single bedroom unit. Mr. Kase asked about the Conditional Use of 55 and older communities. If down the road, they can’t meet that demand of 55+ for the high rise, how would that be addressed? Rob Jack, representing Clover Development stated that at that point it would then be a Change of Use and if it’s in the Code, would have to come back before Planning Commission and Council for another Occupancy Permit or have it written in the approvals. Mr. Dice asked if an Occupancy Permit or some type of rental permit would have to be issued for every individual unit in the building. Mr. Morrison stated that currently if there is any change of residency in an apartment, there would be an inspection and there would be an inspection every three years. Mr. Morrison noted that a statement could be added to the ordinance that a Change of Use would require re-approval. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Consider approval of the revised 2021 Minimum Municipality Obligation (MMO) for the Police Mr. McKenna made a motion to approve the revised 2021 Minimum Municipality Obligation for the Non- Uniform and Police Pension plans in the amount of $540,822. Ms. Brockway seconded. Ms. Heming stated that the amount was incorrect. The total amount for both Non-Union and Police Pension plans is $667,574. The Police Pension amount is $433,130 and the Non-Uniform is $234,444. Mr. McKenna made a motion to amend the revised 2021 Minimum Municipality Obligation for the Non- Union and Police Pension plans in the amount of $667,574. Ms. Brockway seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. Upon a roll call vote on the original motion with the changed amount to $667,574: Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 2, 2020 13.B Consider approval of the 2021 – 2025 Capital Improvements Program Mr. Spadaro made a motion to approve the 2021 – 2025 Capital Improvements Program. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Ms. Heming stated that this is the same plan presented to Council in August. Amendments can be made to this until the Budget is done in November. Mr. Morrison noted that we are looking for new revenue sources for 2022 and 2023. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. 13.C Consider approval to renew the Fiduciary Liability Policy with Chubb for the period September 2020 to September 2021 in the amount of $5,460 Ms. Brockway made a motion for approval to renew the Fiduciary Liability Policy with Chubb for the period September 2020 to September 2021 in the amount of $5,460. Mr. Kase seconded. Ms. Heming stated that this is the liability insurance used to cover the pension obligation and our responsibilities for both pension plans. The limits of liability remain the same as the current policy at $1,000,000 each claim and $1,000,000 in aggregate. There is no deductible. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. Dice – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None ENGINEERING: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to adjourn to an Executive Session at 7:43 p.m. regarding a legal matter. No action coming out of this session was anticipated. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 2, 2020 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-