Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Dayne Dice, Loren Kase, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison, Director of Recreation, Carly Greene, and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. Council members Toni Brockway and Jamie Lee Korns were absent. THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE RECOGNIZES FORMER FRANKLIN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER COACH RAND HUDSON Mayor Synan presented Coach Rand Hudson with a Meritorious Citation for his 11 years of service to the Franklin Regional Panthers Boys’ Soccer Team. The school district and community appreciates his devotion to the players and the program. With 144 wins, 6 section titles, back-to-back WPIAL Class 3A championships, 2 PIAA semi-final appearances and several state tournaments, we are proud of Coach Hudson and the program he has built. His leadership is one-of-a-kind and will be missed by all. Coach Hudson thanked the Mayor and Council for this recognition and stated that it was a pleasure to serve as Coach for Franklin Regional. This is a wonderful community we live in. THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE RECOGNIZES JERRY DEIBLE FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE VERTERAN’S COMMUNITY Mr. Dice stated that we love our Veterans here in Murrysville and presented Mr. Jerry Deible, a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, with a Meritorious Citation for his continuous service to Murrysville’s Veteran community by preserving our Veterans’ memorials, planting flags in the local cemeteries, participating in Veteran events and countless other acts of service. Thank you is not enough for your continued service. As quoted by General Douglas MacArthur “Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” Mr. Deible expressed his appreciation for this recognition. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Carl Stepanovich, Loren Kase, Toni Brockway - absent, Tony Spadaro, Jamie Lee Korns - absent, Mac McKenna, Dayne Dice, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. Approval of April 21, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to approve the April 21, 2021 Council Meeting Minutes. Mr. Kase seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that we recognized Coach Rand Hudson tonight for his 11 years as coach with the Franklin Regional Panthers. The Coach won 144 times with the Panthers, with 6 section titles and back-to-back WPIAL Class 3A Championships (2018 & 2019). The Panthers reached the PIAA semifinals in both of those years and made the state tournament several other times. In 3 years, Franklin Regional posted an astonishing 45 shutouts in 64 games. Congratulations to Coach Hudson. Tonight we also recognized Jerry Deible for his countless hours for Murrysville’s Veteran community. To prepare for Memorial Day, he recently pulled weeds at the Branthoover Cutoff memorial, spread mulch, and with scouts will raise a new flag at the memorial. Every year he plants flags in our cemeteries to honor our heroes and volunteers for veteran causes throughout the year. Thank you Mr. Deible. Franklin Regional tennis doubles are the first to win Class AAA WPIAL title. Congratulations! Register now for the upcoming speaker events. The Life of General Grant will be presented on May 7th via Zoom and Air Force One will be presented in-person at the municipal building on May 13th. You can contact Parks and Recreation for more information and to register. The Murrysville Woman’s Club will award a minimum of two non-traditional scholarships in 2021 in the amount of $3,000 each. For the past 39 years, the club awarded scholarships to adult women seeking higher education opportunities. All applicants must be 21 or older, demonstrate financial need, and show enrollment in higher education. Applications are due by May 15th. For details, call 724-327-8491. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that an anonymous letter was received regarding excessive braking, downshifting and Jake braking on Route 22. The issue came up in 2010 initially, and the municipality passed an ordinance regulating Jake Brakes on Route 22. Mr. Morrison noted that the municipality does not regulate traffic control on Route 22, so we had to get permission from the State of Pennsylvania in order to do that. In addition, Jake Brakes are standard equipment on large trucks. The only way to enforce a Jake Brake violation is to essentially pull the truck over and find that the brake is out of manufacture specification. The municipality has, in the past, done brake inspections along Route 22. The same resident may have contacted the State Legislator and the state has given the municipality permission to put a larger sign up. We can do that. COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Spadaro: Medic One meets in two weeks. Mr. Stepanovich: Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Foundation meet next week. Ms. Kase: EAC did not meet on the 27th due to lack of new agenda items. Mr. McKenna: Parks and Recreation meets next Tuesday. The upcoming event, Saturday, May 15th, is Chalk the Walk at MCP from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Sign up or volunteer to help would be appreciated. Mr. Dice: With their new consent plan, FTMSA has to test all the laterals in Murrysville. The original thought was to go into most people’s houses. FTMSA has negotiated this with DEP, where they no longer vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 have to go into people’s homes to test the laterals; they can do it via smoke test. One issue is that people could get a little bit of smoke in their homes. FTMSA is going above and beyond to get the word out to people through door hangers, door knocking, advertisements, and letters to neighborhoods that they will be in. Because the work is being done in-house, they will be saving around $3 million, as opposed to hiring a contractor. Mr. Dice just wanted to get the word out to be aware of these smoke tests. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 12.A. A Status Report on the Improvements to the Clubhouse at the Murrysville Community Park Mr. Morrison noted that if it wasn’t for the rain this week, the roof probably would have been started. The municipality received a commitment from a donor for $25,000 for some of the improvements at the clubhouse along with a donation for the installation of a front and back porch on the facility. Kish Boutique is making a contribution for the landscaping. It is planned to have the clubhouse available for rentals by mid-June. 12.B. A discussion concerning the 2021 Sumer Recreation Program Ms. Greene stated that the Playground Program has operated for more than twenty years on a drop-in basis Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for roughly seven weeks for $1 - $2 per day. Each year, participation has fluctuated and the ability to find qualified staff has become increasingly challenging. The program has historically operated in the red. The Playground Program was not able to operate in 2020 due to COVID-19 mitigation. Staff wanted to revamp the program for this year. Ms. Greene stated that she feels there is a need for kids to have the opportunity to be outside and play games and sports and do crafts. Several college students, who have attended the program in the past, have applied to the run the program. Compensation, in keeping with current wages, has been increased this year. The students are confident that they can attract volunteers from the high school and help grow the program. Staff is proposing to offer a five days a week program and narrow the number of parks that they visit down to Bear Hollow Park for two days and Murrysville Community Park for three days. The daily fee needs to be increased to $8 per day to cover the cost of wages and supplies to try to break even this year. Pre-registration will be offered for the entire eight weeks to have funds for supplies and to get the program started. Drop-in will still be offered, but at $10 per day. Staff feels this is very reasonable. Mr. McKenna asked how word gets out about the program and if staff can collaborate with the school and have the information sent home with each child in their book bags. Ms. Greene stated that was a great suggestion and they already plan on doing that. A folded booklet is sent home every year with a list of the summer programs available. They are in the process of getting this booklet ready to print so that it can be distributed as soon as possible since some of the programs start mid-June and they want to get it out while vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 the kids are still in school. The programs will be advertised in the Penn Franklin News, on the Murrysville website, on Facebook, flyers, and on the bulletin boards in the parks. Mr. Stepanovich asked if the program was going to be staffed by paid employees and volunteers. Ms. Greene answered yes that there will be three paid staff and will also utilize volunteers from the high school. Mr. Stepanovich asked what the compensation was for the paid staff. Ms. Greene answered $13.50/hour which is in range with what Public Works is offering for their summer help. Mr. Kase asked if any larger signage has been looked at other than the bulletin boards. Ms. Greene stated that she could look into some key locations for signage. Mr. McKenna suggested getting the information to the FRAA president to get the information out to the parents via email. Ms. Greene noted that the sports programs have always been very supportive of the summer programs and getting information out for them. Mr. Spadaro asked if there was an age limit or requirement for the summer programs and if they bring their own snacks. Ms. Greene answered that the age range is 6-12 years of age and they need to bring their own lunches and a refillable water bottle. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A Consider the acceptance of the resignation of Pati Wolinsky from the Zoning Hearing Board Mr. Kase made a motion to accept the resignation of Pati Wolinsky from the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Mr. Morrison noted that we need to get someone quickly. If passed by Council this evening, an ad will be run immediately. Anyone interested in the position can go to the Murrysville website and fill out an application. There is a description of the function of the Zoning Hearing Board on the website. Mr. Dice directed Mr. Morrison to send out a letter thanking Ms. Wolinsky for her service. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.B. Consider a donation to Murrysville Medic One in support of their planned “610” Day honoring employees for their efforts during the COVID 19 pandemic Mr. Spadaro made a motion to consider a donation to Murrysville Medic One in support of their planned “610” Day honoring employees for their efforts during the COVID 19 pandemic. Mr. McKenna seconded. Mr. Morrison asked what Council would like that amount to be. The last donation was made a few years ago to the Westmoreland Food Bank for $500. Mr. Spadaro noted that the donated amount would go toward food and drinks for their staff members and their families for this event. vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 Mr. Spadaro amended his motion to consider a donation of $500 to Murrysville Medic One. Mr. McKenna seconded. All those in favor of the amendment voted aye. Amendment approved. All those present in favor of the $500 donation to Murrysville Medic One for their 610 Day voted aye. Motion approved. 13.C. Consider approval of Ordinance No. 1043-21, an ordinance regulating No Parking on Millstream Court from School Road North to Treesdale Court Mr. Kase made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1043-21, an ordinance regulating No Parking on Millstream Court from School Road North to Treesdale Court. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this was just a follow-up on the information presented to Council at the last meeting. The is a 17 foot side road that some individuals choose to park on a regular basis which limits the ability of emergency vehicles and school buses to pass side by side. This is a cul-de-sac so that’s the only way in and out. Mr. Dice stated that this was discussed before and it’s an issue of health, safety and welfare. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None ENGINEERING: 15.A. Consider award of the 2021 Paving Contract to Derry Construction for a sum not to exceed $1,349,951.70. Mr. McKenna made a motion to award the 2021 Paving Contract to Derry Construction for a sum not to exceed $1,349,951.70. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Mr. Morrison noted that the lowest bidder was Derry Construction. They do a lot of work here in the area and they have their own plant on Route 22. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Stepanovich stated that last month, a longtime resident of Murrysville passed away at his home in Florida. This is a recognition to Edward Eyles. He was a long time swim coach for FAST and also the swim coach for Meadowink Swim Club. Mr. Stepanovich said that all three of his children swam a lot under Ed’s tutelage. This man gave so much to the community, may he rest in peace. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 5, 2021 NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Synan stated that the school has agreed to add the 2021 Summer Recreation Program to their social media and emails once the copy for the program is ready to post. Mr. Morrison stated that he has received several emails from Olympus Energy interested in negotiating oil and gas leases on some Municipal owned property and asked if Council has any interest in sitting down with them. Mr. Kase stated that it is worth sitting down to see what they have to say. Mr. Morrison stated that the position in the past has been that, since it is municipal property, we may have to go through a competitive bidding process for those rights; but we can sit and talk with them to see what the interest is and then make a decision moving forward from that point. Mr. McKenna and Mr. Dice volunteered to meet with Olympus Energy. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Kase made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. McKenna seconded. All present voted aye. Motion approved. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 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-