Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 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, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. RECOGNITION OF THE THOMAS FAMILY’S DONATION TO PURCHASE THE POLICE K-9 Chief Seefeld stated that in January 2003, when he became Chief in Murrysville, one of the first initiatives the Police Department took was starting a K-9 Program. It has been a very successful and worthwhile program. When Argos retired in 2019, George and Maxine Thomas requested a meeting to discuss the K-9 Program and generously agreed to fund the next K-9 Program for the Municipality. This involved purchasing the dog and paying for the training for the K-9 team. Sargent Kettren, who had served around 10 years as handler with Argos, agreed to be the handler for the new K-9, which will be the third to serve the department. Chief Seefeld stated that to show some appreciation back to the Thomas’ for their generosity, they were offered to pick a name for the K-9. The Thomas’ provided five names and Sargent Kettren chose the name Magnus, which means “great one”. Chief Seefeld stated that with heartfelt thanks, he appreciates what George and Maxine Thomas has done for the Police Department with helping out financially. Not only are they helping to protect our officers, but they are helping the community. Sargent Kettren, with Magnus by his side, talked about the K-9 Program. Some of the capabilities of the K-9 are finding narcotics and finding people through tracking. Sargent Kettren felt that Magnus would be a good tracking dog and in the 9 months of training, tracking is one of his strong points. Magnus was born in Budapest, Hungary. Sargent Kettren voiced his appreciation to the Thomas’ for supporting for K-9 Program. Chief Seefeld presented a plaque from the Police Department to George and Maxine Thomas in appreciation and recognition for their support to the Murrysville Police Department K-9 Unit, K-9 Magnus, 2020. Mr. Thomas stated that they are firm believers in the Police Department and what they do in protecting our community. He believes that K-9s are invaluable and hopes and prays that Magnus will do what he needs to do to protect Sargent Kettren, the police force and the citizens of Murrysville. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Carl Stepanovich, Mac McKenna, Dayne Dice, Jamie Lee Korns, Toni Brockway, Loren Kase, Tony Spadaro, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that Mr. Kotjarapoglus would like to report on a pending legal matter in the Executive Session. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. Accounts Payable B. Cash Investments and Transfers C. August 5, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Dice noted that he will abstain from any accounts payable matters or any cash investments related to KU Resources. Stepanovich made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that a Glass Recycling “Pop-Up” Collection Event is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Veterans Field parking lot, 4200 Sardis Road. This is sponsored by the Municipality of Murrysville and Republic Services. Oktoberfest sponsored by Murrysville-Export Rotary Club is on September 25th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. 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. Donations will be taken at the door. Franklin Regional Backpacks-to-Go Program was developed in response to ongoing needs of FR students with no weekend access to the school breakfast and/or lunch program. Children enrolled in the program, by parent request, will take home a backpack with food and return the backpacks on Monday morning to be re-filled for the next designated Friday. Every child is eligible with no financial requirements. To enroll, a parent should contact their child’s FR counselor at 724-327-5456. Trick or Treat, which is optional, will be Saturday, October 31st from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Adhere to social distancing guidelines. Please turn your porch lights off if you do not want to participate. This will be up to parental discretion on if you want your child to go out or not. Celebrate Murrysville with Fireworks, September 26th at Murrysville Community Park. Parking opens at 5:30 p.m. Donations are encouraged. Guests must remain at their vehicle. Bring chairs and snacks. No tax dollars are being used. All will be covered with contributions. Some contributors to date are Mr. Richard Kacin, Mr. Ed Little, The Bowser Family, The Goritz Family, Mr. Ben Sampson, Long & Long, State Representative Brooks, and the Mayor himself. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that GetGo is now under construction. Today in the Penn Franklin and tomorrow in the Tribune Review, the advertisement for Finance Director will be there. The ad has also been sent out to five professional organizations to be included on their on- line advertising. Staff is also contemplating doing a story in the Penn Franklin and maybe the Trib about the difficulties the Municipality has had over the last year and a half attracting talent to the community; not only administrative positions, but also public works positions. vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Public Works returned to their 8 hour a day, 5 days a week workweek. A follow-up to the discussion last meeting on the pension plan was distributed. Notice from the State was that our total distress score was zero. So we are in good shape. Mr. Morrison stated that we encourage people that are going to attend the fireworks to look online on the website or other social media to see the map identifying parking areas at the park and not use the berm of Wiestertown Road. COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Stepanovich: The Parks and Recreation Foundation met on September 8th. The officers will be decided at the next meeting. As far as donations, contact Carly Greene or send any donation checks in care of the Municipality of Murrysville. A position is open on the Foundation, which will be advertised and discussed this evening. Fireworks will be Saturday, September 26th. The Financial Report was approved with a balance of $12,759.84. Ms. Brockway: The Library Board meets tomorrow. The Library is sad to announce that Youth Services Coordinator, Carol Siefken, is retiring after 33+ years. If your life was touched by Carol, please share your stories with the Library at murrysvillelibrary.org. The Library thanks Carol for her lifetime commitment to the Library and wishes her a happy retirement. Murrysville Community Library 2020 Autumn Reading Challenge runs October 1st – 31st. Preregistration begins today. Mr. McKenna: Parks and Recreation met on September 8th. The Farmer’s Market has had a lot of attendance and all of the vendors are very happy. Tuesdays at Townsend are over, but was very successful and well attended. Public Works seems to be caught up in all the parks with cutting and trimming. Benches are all fixed and being painted. The Oktoberfest is coming up along with the fireworks celebration and trick or treating. Mr. Dice: FTMSA meets tomorrow. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Consider authorization to advertise Ordinance #1027-20, the Pedora Plan Street Vacation Ordinance Ms. Brockway made a motion to authorize to advertise Ordinance #1027-20, the Pedora Plan Street Vacation Ordinance. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that the Public Hearing was held at the last meeting. The next step in the process is advertisement of the Ordinance. There was correspondence sent out to Council both from a nearby property owner and by Solicitor, Mr. Kotjarapoglus. Mr. Kotjarapoglus stated that his view was that anything legislative in character is something that any member of the public can input whether it be on the matter or during the open session. Mr. Hergenroeder stated that all of these roads on in the middle of their property and don’t go anywhere near other property. They are asking that the unopened streets to vacated in order to develop the parcel under the R-3 zoning requirements. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider approval of the proposed Lodovico landscaping plan Mr. Spadaro made a motion to consider approval of the proposed Lodovico landscape plan conditioned on the zoning approval by the Municipality of Monroeville of the land development plan. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that there is a site plan in the documents folder which shows the boundary line between Murrysville and Monroeville. Parking and 90+% of the plan is on the Monroeville side. A decision was made that this would go through Monroeville’s Land Development review process. The portion, north along Route 22 in Murrysville, was to be landscaped to support development of the building. Murrysville’s landscaping requirements were passed on to the developer and he agreed to meet the requirements. The Planning Commission recommends acceptance of the landscaping plan. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. 14.B. Consider authorization to advertise for public hearing for the Hillstone Village PRD, a planned residential development proposing to subdivide and develop a 37 acre tract located along Harrison City Road currently identified as Westmoreland County Tax Parcel 49-20-00-0-026. vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Ms. Brockway made a motion to authorize advertising for a public hearing for the Hillstone Village PRD, a planned residential development proposing to subdivide and develop a 37 acre tract located along Harrison City Road currently identified as Westmoreland County Tax Parcel 49-20-00-0-026. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that we are required by Ordinance to hold a public hearing because the PRD is a zoning change on the zoning map. Mr. Morrison was not sure if the public hearing will be on October 7th or the 21st. This plan is currently working its way through the Planning Commission with a public hearing being held on October 6th. There are tight time requirement that have to be met for a public hearing and plan approvals for PRDs. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: 15.A. Consider release of Villas at Heritage bond in the amount of $79,634.70 Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to consider release of the bond being held for the completion of the Villas at Heritage Estates development site in the amount of $79,634.70. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that The Villas at the Heritage Estates is now complete and has been inspected by the Municipality. The bond can be released. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 16.A Consider approval of a contract with Kellner’s Fireworks, Inc. to exhibit fireworks for a Drive-In Fireworks Event in the amount of $6,400.00 Mr. McKenna made a motion to consider approval of a contract with Kellner’s Fireworks, Inc. to exhibit fireworks for a Drive-In Fireworks Event in the amount of $6,400.00. Mr. Kase seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this is the fireworks event mentioned by the Mayor earlier. This is being done through the kindness of Murrysville residents. Bring your popcorn and lawn chairs and enjoy the fireworks display. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. 16.B Consider accepting the resignation of a resident-at-large position on the Parks And Recreation Foundation Board and advertising the vacant position vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to accept the resignation of a resident-at-large position on the Parks and Recreation Foundation Board and advertise the vacant position. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that unfortunately, Tom Vincent submitted his resignation this week leaving a vacancy on the Foundation Board. Mr. Dice noted that a letter should be sent to Mr. Vincent thanking him for his service. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Mr. McKenna – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Kase – yes, and Mr. Spadaro – yes. Motion approved. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Morrison noted that PV Road has been completed with the seal treatment that we’ve been experimenting with and are pleased with the outcome. There were very few complaints. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council adjourned to an Executive Session to discuss a litigation matter at 7:38 p.m. No action coming out of this session was anticipated. ACTION ITEMS: None 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-