Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Toni Brockway, Loren Kase, Jamie Lee Korns, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison, Director of Finance, Diane Heming, Director of Recreation, Carly Greene, Code Enforcement Officer, Joshua Steele, and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. Council member Dayne Dice was absent. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Mac McKenna, Jamie Lee Korns, Carl Stepanovich, Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice - absent, Tony Spadaro, Loren Kase, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Kase led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. Accounts Payable B. Cash Investments and Transfers C. January 4, 2021 Council Reorganization Minutes Dr. Lee Korns 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 January 23, there will be a food drive at the high school. Garrett Deller volunteers with the Westmoreland County Food Bank and has established Franklin Regional High School as a collection point. Drop off is 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon or arrange for pickups between 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Additional food drive dates are February 20th, and March 20th. Murrysville filmmaker earns an honorable mention at Top Shorts on-line film festival: Dillon Black, son of Teri Black who served on the Parks and Recreation Commission, earned honorable mention in the “Best Original Story” category. A trailer for the film titled “What’s Left of Barry” is available on YouTube. An update on COVID-19: UPMC is now offering COVID-19 vaccines to both UPMC and non-UPMC healthcare workers, as well as seniors in our skilled nursing facilities. At this time, vaccines are not available to the public. UPMC hospitals, doctors’ offices, and clinics cannot provide patients with COVID-19 vaccines at this time. Currently, there is no process to pre-schedule a vaccine and no waiting list to join. The Pennsylvania Department of Health is finalizing a larger vaccine rollout plan. Allegheny Health Network, as of today, states that once the vaccine is available to you as determined by your state, you can get COVID 19 vaccine free of charge at a convenient location – like a local retail or AHN Pharmacy. You can search for locations at Vaccinefinder.org. Remember, some vaccines require two doses to be effective. It is extremely important you get both and follow the suggested timeline. You can find additional information by visiting the AHN website. They don’t have the vaccines yet, and probably won’t until mid-February. You will need to schedule an appointment where ever you go. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Westmoreland Conservancy Owl Prowl Night Hike will be January 29 at 4:30 p.m. at the Morosini Reserve off of Morosini Farm Court in Murrysville. The walk will be led by birders with ties to the Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club and the National Audubon Society. Murrysville’s 12 for 12: Registration is free. Hike, walk, bike, or run 12 miles in 12 weeks (January, February, and March) in Murrysville’s Parks or the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. Feel great, earn a cool sticker, and a chance to win a prize. For more information, go to www.murrysvilleparecreation.com. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that he is pleased to report that the club house has been delivered. Public Works is beginning some interior work. The waterline and sanitary sewer are now under construction. At the next meeting, the new ladder truck for the Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company will be discussed. Mr. Morrison strongly recommends that if Council has the opportunity, on Monday, January 25th at 6:30 p.m., Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company will sponsor an Open House (just for Council) to review the specifications on the proposed truck and go over the updates from the existing truck. A quarterly glass recycling program has been set up. The events will be Saturday, March 20th, Saturday, June 19th, Saturday, September 18th, and Saturday, December 18th, in the parking lot above Veteran’s Field from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Due to the hard work of the Franklin Township Municipal Sewer Authority and the implementation of the Corrective Action Plan, the Municipality of Murrysville has received 313 taps for the 2020-2021 year. The Municipality of Murrysville was recognized by the United States Census Bureau with the highest participation level of any other community in Westmoreland County. COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Spadaro: Medic One meets tomorrow night. Mr. Stepanovich: The Murrysville Parks and Recreation Foundation met on January 11th. They had a year- end balance for 2020 of $31,831.99. The Iron Rangers Donation Collection Box was approved at a cost of approximately $1,400 and will be installed by the Public Works Department. There was recertification of the corporate donation website. There have been over 500 Facebook followers. There will be a social entrepreneurship student group working with the Foundation. Next meeting is February 9th at 5:30 p.m. The Planning Commission, which met yesterday, voted Bob Mitall as Chairman, Jayne Hoy as Vice Chairman, Ed Patrick as Secretary, and Ryan Lemke as Vice Secretary. A presentation of Regan Ridge Villa, which are the townhouses to be built on Wilson Road, was given by Engineer, Ray Gusty. There were 17 conditions listed by the Municipal staff, in addition to 3 more added at the meeting. There was an existing property owner adjacent to Phase I who has a tree stand and wants to make sure that it would not be affected by the development. Preliminary approval was given and will be passed on to Council for the next meeting or after. Input is forthcoming from FTMSA, MAWC, and also the PADEP. They will have a homeowners association. The next meeting is February 2nd. vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Ms. Brockway: The Library has a new Youth Services Coordinator, Rebecca Martinazzi, that started on December 14th. She is providing weekly story time content available on the Library’s Facebook page and YouTube. The Library also has “make and take” crafts. You can call the Library at 724-327-1102 for more information. The Winter Reading Challenge is live until the middle of March. To learn more, visit the Library website at murrysvillelibrary.org. The next Library Board meeting is tomorrow, January 21st at 7:00 p.m. Mr. McKenna: The Parks and Recreation Board introduced Mr. Caruso, who joined the Parks and Recreation Board. Some of the events going on right now are the 12 for 12 during the months of January, February, and March. The club house is underway. Thank you to the Public Works Department for all the work they have done so far during the winter at the parks and trimming trees, fixing potholes, and various maintenances. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11.A. A discussion concerning the proposed upgrade of the Municipality’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and Data Management System Mr. Morrison introduced Josh Steele, Municipality’s new Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Steele has a great deal of experience and knowledge concerning the GIS System, which we have been trying to upgrade for the last two years. Mr. Steele followed through on the project and is here to make a presentation of what we are looking to do to upgrade, the cost, and a recommendation for Council to consider. Mr. Steele noted that the GIS System in place now is known as GeoPlan and was installed in the 1990s and hasn’t received an update since 2012. This version no longer receives updates or customer service support outside of our local GEODECISIONS representative, Kevin Scott. The new version is a web based version and allows more ease of access for Code Enforcement, Planning, Engineering, or anyone that needs to use it. Mr. Steele stated that he put in Council’s dropbox the three proposals that he received and the Geo upgrade would have the easier transition for the staff that uses the program. GEO is a Code Enforcement and management tool which he uses every day when a complaint is called in, or a safety issue, or aesthetic issue. With the new version he could access GEO on his phone out in the field instead of coming back to the office computer. The Engineering Department uses GEO and so does Parks and Recreation. Mr. Morrison stated that GEO is basically a data management system. All property records are stored in that system by address or lot number. Monthly reports are generated out of that data management system in GEO. All building permits and any violations are recorded in that system. It’s a nice tool and keeps the Building Inspector and the Code Enforcement Officer out on the road rather than in the office. Mr. Stepanovich asked if there was any coordination with the County. Mr. Steele stated that we use some of the County’s data right now for spectral imaging. Dr. Lee Korns asked if there was a cap on the licensing yearly rate. Mr. Steele stated that there is nothing in the contract about them having the ability to adjust that rate without a warning first. Kevin Scott had told him that the only way the rate would increase is if vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 the amount of licenses was increased. Dr. Lee Korns asked if there was a period of time that we are locked into that contract. Mr. Steele stated that we have a very good relationship with GEO and their leadership and would just have to give them notice. Dr. Lee Korns asked if the $18,000 was in the budget for this. Ms. Heming stated that this was budgeted for about two years ago and can be moved from the reserved capital. Mr. Kase asked if there was a data limitation or would there be additional fees if a large amount of data needed put in there. Mr. Steele answered no; there is no increase in prices or fees. Mr. Kase asked if there was a period we would receive technical support at no cost. Mr. Morrison stated that right now we have a contract with GEODECISIONS and Keven Scott is currently serving the role that Mr. Steele will assume at this point. So those costs will go away. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 12.A. A discussion concerning a Request for Proposal for qualified consultants to provide a Concept Plan for the proposed Outdoor Amphitheater Performance area at Murrysville Community Park (MCP) Ms. Greene, Director of Recreation, stated that one year ago a request for proposals (RFP) for qualified consultants to plan an outdoor amphitheater at Murrysville Community Park was advertised. The Municipality did receive five proposals from very qualified consultants, but they were beyond scope and beyond reasonable costs for that project. COVID then hit and it was decided to not build in the middle of a pandemic. Staff has rewritten the RFP to further detail cost proposals for each portion of the project where consultants will be needed and how it can be divided between the consultants, their subcontractors and public works. Ms. Greene presented some photographs of existing amphitheaters and stated that she has talked to several different companies that provide prefabricated structures. There is also an opportunity to consider a self-build to have a little more control over how it would be designed. Staff will look over the pros and cons of those options. The total project cost is estimated to be $600,000. The project will be partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) through a Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) grant. Mayor Synan noted that one of the Library Board members had stated that it would be a great facility to do children’s programs in the day time in the summer. Ms. Greene stated that she would like to break ground on the project by late spring or early summer. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Authorize to advertise Ordinance No. 1037-21, specifying the rate of pension contributions with respect to the Police Pension Plan for the 2021 calendar year Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to authorize to advertise Ordinance No. 1037-21, specifying the rate of pension contributions with respect to the Police Pension Plan for the 2021 calendar year. Ms. Brockway seconded. Ms. Heming stated that this was just housekeeping. The rate of pension contribution is set at 5% as stated in their collective bargaining agreement. vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. 13.B. Consider approval of contract with KM Computers for hardware and software support for the calendar year 2021 Mr. McKenna made a motion to approve the contract with KM Computers for hardware and software support for the calendar year 2021. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that the Municipality has used KM Computers since 2009. They have done a very good job and we have not had any issues since they came onboard. KM provides backup of our data, monitor our servers, and maintain other hardware and software for the Municipality. Mr. Kase asked if the pricing was reasonable. Mr. Morrison answered yes. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. 13.C. Consider authorization to advertise Ordinance No. 1039-21, an ordinance authorizing the lease of the Sears House, the Townsend House and the Bailey House. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to advertise Ordinance No. 1039-21, an ordinance authorizing the lease of the Sears House, the Townsend House. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated this is a renewal of the leases for the three properties that the Municipality owns. The renters have been very good, long-term renters. Council had mentioned last year that we should begin raising the rent little by little each year. This has a proposed rent increase of about 5%. Dr. Lee Korns asked if we were giving the tenants enough notice. The contract runs from February to February. Mr. Morrison stated that action from Council was needed first before he notifies the tenants. The increase would begin the month of February. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. 13.D. Consider Board appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Environmental Advisory Commission Mr. Stepanovich nominated Selena Barefoot to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. Kase closed the nominations. All those present voted aye. Selena Barefoot was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Council decided to hold off on the Environmental Advisory Commission nominations this evening. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 13.E. Consider selection of the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Mr. Stepanovich nominated Bob McKenna, Sr., as the 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. Kase closed the nominations. All those present voted aye. Bob McKenna is the 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Mr. McKenna has been lining Route 22 through Murrysville with more than 300 American Flags on holidays. Bob was a long-time member of the Murrysville Kiwanis Club which was where the "Flags Over Murrysville" project began. When the Kiwanis closed its doors, he moved the project to the American Legion. Bob moved his family to the Municipality of Murrysville in 1989. He served this country in the United States Marine Corp. He then became an English teacher at Wilkinsburg High School and an English Professor at Westmoreland County Community College. The Municipality of Murrysville has been lucky to have the volunteer services of Bob McKenna! COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider authorization to enter into contract with GEODECISIONS for the proposed upgrade of the Municipality’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and Data Management System in the amount of $18,070 Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to upgrade the Municipality GIS (Geographic Information System) and data catalogue/data management System in the amount of $18,070. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 16.A. Consider authorization to re-advertise a RFP for qualified consultants to provide a concept plan for the proposed outdoor amphitheater performance area at Murrysville Community Park (MCP) Ms. Brockway made a motion to authorize to re-advertise a RFP for qualified consultants to provide a concept plan for the proposed outdoor amphitheater performance area at Murrysville Community Park (MCP). Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Stepanovich asked Ms. Greene when she thinks the amphitheater would be started or completed. Ms. Greene stated that she would like to start breaking ground in the spring, early summer at the latest. That will depend on the RFP proposals and how quickly they can move through meetings and decision making. She would like to see it done this year, but the grant is until 2023 so we don’t need to rush. vmp -6- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Upon a roll call vote: Mr. McKenna – yes, Dr. Lee Korns – yes, Mr. Stepanovich – yes, Ms. Brockway – yes, Mr. Spadaro – yes, and Mr. Kase – yes. Motion approved. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council adjourned to an Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. to discuss a legal matter. No action coming out of this session was anticipated. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 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 -7-