Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building and virtually via Zoom. Present at the meeting were Council members Jamie Lee Korns and Tony Spadaro along with Chief Administrator, James Morrison and Director of Finance, Diane Heming. Attending via Zoom were Council members Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice, and Mac McKenna along with Mayor Synan and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. Loren Kase and Carl Stepanovich were absent PUBLIC HEARING THE 2021 OPERATING BUDGET A Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. concerning the 2021 Operating Budget. Ms. Heming stated that the total proposed operating budget for 2021 is approximately $14,200,000. General Fund is $9,240,000 million, which is $120,000 less than the original 2020 Budget. Capital Projects are $4,040,000 which is equivalent to the original 2020 Capital Budget. Debt service payment for 2021 remains the same at $417,000. The value of a mil for 2021 is estimated to be 340,000 which is 1% greater than 2020. The Budget is balanced with no anticipated tax increase. Total mils remain at 12.15. The 1.50 mils that were reallocated from Capital Projects into the General Fund during the pandemic will remain in the General Fund. Debt service dedicated millage will now be sufficient to fund the balance of the 2017 borrowing unless some unforeseen issue arises which adversely effects real estate tax collections. In the General Fund, earned income tax collections make up 44% of total revenues. Normally this line item is projects to increase anywhere from 2 to 4%, however, due to the pandemic, this revenue item has been budgeted at 6% less than the original 2020 budget amount based on year-to-date collections. Under Personnel, overall salaries and wages were budgeted to increase along with health care costs. The Administrative Department personnel costs increased due to two additional positions that will be part of the transition team for the Finance Director and Chief Administrator positions. Engineering increased due to the inclusion of a consultant to help with in-house engineering. General Buildings and Grounds increased to account for a full-time custodian and to address maintenance items that were postponed during 2020. A new officer was included in the budget for the Police Department to replace one retiree. Fire and Medic One costs were transferred to the Special Purpose Fund. Community Development includes a new Planner position. Increases in the Public Works Department relate to staff turnover, salt costs and line painting. Recreation increased with personnel costs and contracted services for various programs and special events. Library contributions will move to the Special Purpose Fund. In the Capital Reserve Fund, capital projects for 2021 total $4,040,000 and include all projects outlined in the 2021 CIP. For 2021, the Special Purpose Millage Fund is re-established to account for payments made to the Community Library, the three fire departments and Medic One. Dedicated real estate millage, reallocated from the General Fund will be the main revenue source. This level of funding will remain in place until an alternative source of revenue is found for the General Fund. There was no public comment received. Dr. Lee Korns moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:11 p.m. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Jamie Lee Korns, Loren Kase-absent, Dayne Dice, Tony Spadaro, Toni Brockway, Mac McKenna, Carl Stepanovich-absent, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: Mr. Dice stated that there was one unlisted amendment, which would be 13.D. Consider an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Foundation. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to add agenda item 13.D. Consider an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Foundation. Mr. McKenna seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. Accounts Payable B. Cash Investments and Transfers C. November 4, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Dice noted that he will abstain from any accounts payable matters or any cash investments related to KU Resources. Mr. Spadaro made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Ms. Brockway seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that Franklin Regional Girls Volleyball Team won their first PIAA Class 3A semifinal match and will play for the State Championship on Saturday at noon. The location is yet to be determined. Good luck. The Franklin Regional Boys Soccer season came to a close in a 1 point loss to Mars for the Class 3A title game. After two championships, we want to thank the team, coaches, and parents for all the hard work and dedication. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that Josh Steele, the new Code Enforcement Officer, started on Monday. He is getting oriented, finding his way around the building and we’re looking forward to working with him. There have been no reported COVID cases amount the employees, however, several spouses or significant others of employees have tested positive, so we are keeping an eye on those individuals. Staff is all masked up in the building now and being cautious. The building has been closed to any outside traffic until further notice. Leaf pickup is November 21. Santa’s Workshop will be at Sardis Park on December 5th. Please remember to wear a mask if you are planning to attend. vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Dr. Lee Korns: The Pension Committee did meet. Dr. Lee Korns noted that she was unable to attend, but reported that year-to-date through September was 1.5%. We were estimated 1.1% through the end of October. Morrison, our advisor, is expecting a positive performance as the year continues. They were contemplating termination of the funds MLP and considering applying its cash balances in the Vanguard short term fund. Mr. Morrison stated that was done today. Mr. McKenna: Parks and Recreation met November 10th. Trick or Treat on the Trail was extremely successful with 200 children pre-registered and 30 businesses participating. Santa at Sardis is tentatively going to be December 5th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. With everything going on with COVID-19, that may be adjusted to two different time slots. Signs are going to be put up at the tennis courts specifying rules for using the courts. The vacancy on the Parks Foundation was discussed and will be taken care of this evening. Scout projects have been in the Mayor’s Report. Trail post signs are being installed at Townsend Park. Seth has already started fundraising for that project. Ben Sampson provided an update on the Trail GAP committee. Ms. Brockway: The Murrysville Community Library is glad to be a part of the Annual Giving Campaign, December 1st. Mayor Synan stated that he did attend the FTMSA meeting for Mr. Dice last week. They have a new vac truck and were able to complete 2788 feet of either cut or jet in October, 234 feet of line repair. Red Zone was able to camera and characterize 27,000 feet of 8 inch and 12 inch line. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. A Discussion of the Proposed 2021 Operating Budget Mr. Dice stated that this was just discussed in the Public Hearing. There were no other comments. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11.A. A Discussion concerning a Substantive Validity Challenge to the Official Zoning Map of the Municipality of Murrysville to property located at 6428 Buena Vista Drive, Tax Parcel 49-21-07-0-049 Mr. Morrison stated that there are two ways to proceed with a curative amendment. One is initiated by the property owner who is grieved by the text of the ordinance or the official map. The other is initiated by the Municipality. This was initiated by the property owner, Doctor Rivardo for the property at the corner of Buena Vista Drive and Route 22. This property has always been used as a commercial property, but was zoned as R-3 property. They are petitioning through the curative amendment to change the zoning of the property from R-3 to B-1 so that Doctor Rivardo can put a dentist office there. If Council is supportive of vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 this, the next action would be a Public Hearing scheduled at the next meeting. Mr. Dice stated that he feels this is a good idea. Attorney Hergenroeder, representing the dentist, noted that the substantive validity challenge was simply to correct a zoning oversight. It had been a real estate office, a tax business, a doctor’s office and chiropractic office. Each was given an occupancy permit; the zoning had just fallen through the cracks. This will fix that. 11.B. A Discussion concerning a Proposed Amendment to Chapter 220 of the Code of the Municipality of Murrysville, known as the Zoning Ordinance, to Permit a Conditional Use Senior High-Rise Apartments in the “B” Business District and Senior Community Planned Residential Developments in the “R-1”, “R-2” and “R-3” residential Districts Mr. Morrison stated that the Planning Commission was working on developing an amendment for the zoning ordinance to try to encourage development of housing for senior citizens. This was initiated about a year ago when a developer from Kentucky was looking at a parcel of property to build a high-rise for senior citizens. There is a demand here in the community for not only apartments, but single family homes. Council would have to specifically pass a resolution stating that the zoning ordinance is deficient. By this action, Council would be correcting this deficiency in the ordinance. The way the ordinance is set up, it is built around the PRD Ordinance and same approval process as the PRD Ordinance. The challenge in developing the ordinance was first for the high-rises identifying density and uses and where they were to be located. The Planning Commission is recommending that they go in the B-District. The challenge for residential was density; taking into account the desires of smaller yards and ranch type housing. If Council wishes to move forward with this, a resolution needs to be passed identifying the deficiency in the ordinance. If that passes, then a 908 Hearing (similar to the Conditional Use hearing for Titan Well) would need scheduled with a hearing officer, which could be the President of Council, where comments would be taken from the public and it has to be recorded. Mr. Dice stated that overall, it sounds like a good idea, especially the PRD element and increasing it to 62 years of age for anyone who wants to live there. How would it be verified that the people moving in there are 62 or over? Mr. Morrison stated that the responsibility would be in the convenants of the Home Owners Association. They are required by law to get evidence from the individuals and do annual census on that. Any Home Owners Association, the convenants are provided as a condition of approval and is reviewed by the Municipal solicitor. Dr. Lee Korns asked how a high-rise is being defined. Mr. Morrison stated that it would be 65 feet maximum height in the B-District, around five stories. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Consider approval of Ordinance No. 1030-20, amending Ordinance No. 1013-19, establishing the compensation and salary ranges of the employees of the Municipality of Murrysville for the 2020 Calendar Year vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1030-20, amending Ordinance No. 1013-19, establishing the compensation and salary ranges of the employees of the Municipality of Murrysville for the 2020 Calendar Year. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Ms. Heming stated that this is the same Ordinance that was presented for the 2020 Budget. A few positions were added and salary ranges were adjusted to match what the Personnel Board has recommended. Upon a roll call vote: Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, and Mr. McKenna – yes. Motion approved. 13.B. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 725-20, enacting the 2020 Operating Budget Mr. Spadaro made a motion to approve Resolution No. 725-20, enacting the 2020 Operating Budget. Mr. McKenna seconded. Ms. Heming stated that this is a summary of the second amendment to the 2020 Budget that was discussed at the last Council meeting. Mr. Morrison stated that one of the biggest concerns was the impact that COVID was going to have on our major revenue generators, both real estate and earned income tax. Real estate seems to be where they projected it to be. However, the earned income tax did take a hit as anticipated. Mr. Morrison stated that that the good news is, we are probably the only community in Westmoreland County that has shown any positive increase in its earned income year after year. We are still on the good side. Upon a roll call vote: Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, and Mr. McKenna – yes. Motion approved. 13.C. Consider approval of Ordinance No. 1033-20, an Ordinance re-establishing a Special Purpose Account for Purposes of Providing Financial Support to Medic One Mr. McKenna made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1033-20, an Ordinance re-establishing a Special Purpose Account for Purposes of Providing Financial Support to Medic One. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that Ms. Heming had reference this in her budget message that this is being moved from the General Fund into a Special Purpose Fund which will be funded with .2 mils of taxes. If there is need for future increases to support those organizations, it will have to go through real estate increases. Upon a roll call vote: Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, and Mr. McKenna – yes. Motion approved. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 13.D. Consider an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Foundation Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to appoint Paul Oris to Parks and Recreation. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Dr. Lee Korns asked when the appointment expires. Mr. Morrison stated that they are appointed annually to the Foundation. Mr. Oris is replacing a member that left, so this would be to the end of this year. Upon a roll call vote: Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, and Mr. McKenna – yes. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider Authorization to Advertise for a Public Hearing for Public Comment on the Substantive Validity Challenge to the Official Zoning Map of the Municipality of Murrysville to Property Located at 6428 Buena Vista Drive, Tax Parcel 49-21-07-0-049 Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to authorization to advertise for a Public Hearing for Public Comment on the Substantive Validity Challenge to the Official Zoning Map of the Municipality of Murrysville to property located at 6428 Buena Vista Drive, Tax Parcel 49-21-07-0-049. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this was discussed earlier for the property that Dr. Rivardo was interested in. Upon a roll call vote: Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Dice - yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, and Mr. McKenna – yes. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Morrison stated that there will be a presentation on the proposed gifted property- building as part of the Executive Session. NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to adjourn to an Executive Session to discuss a real estate matter at 7:57 p.m. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All present voted aye. Motion carried. No action coming out of this session was anticipated. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. vmp -6- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2020 The Regular Voting Meeting and Public Hearings 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 -7-