Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice, Jamie Lee Korns, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison, Director of Finance, Diane Heming, and Director of Public Works Bill Paiano. Council member Loren Kase and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus were absent. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Loren Kase-absent, Carl Stepanovich, Jamie Lee Korns, Mac McKenna, Toni Brockway, Dayne Dice, Tony Spadaro, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that he would like to remove item 11.B. from the agenda. There is a meeting set up for Friday that will play into that discussion. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS A. Accounts Payable B. Cash Investments and Transfers C. October 6, 2021, Council Meeting Minutes Mr. Dice noted that he will abstain from any accounts payable matters or any cash investments related to KU Resources because he has done legal work for them. Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Mr. Spadaro seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that Westmoreland Cleanways will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, October 23rd from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center in Unity Township. Register by calling ECS&R at 866-815-0016 or visit www.ecsr.net. Amount due will be determined on site depending on the weight of material to be disposed. Local author Genna Stemley will be the featured speaker at the Murrysville Community Library’s October 23rd program at 2:00 p.m. Stemley is the author of “Finding Home: A Sentimental Journey” that touches on themes of immigration, home and belongings. It will take place in the library’s new TechNook. Pre- registration is requested but walk-ins are also welcome. For more information, call 724-327-1102 or register online at murrysvillelibrary.org. Halloween Trick-or-Treating in Murrysville will be held on Sunday, October 31st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Please turn off your porch lights if you do not want to participate. Please drive safely and have fun! Mayor Synan noted that in todays Penn-Franklin, Herb Yingling was honored as a Hometown Hero on KDKA “Hometown Heroes”. It is quite an honor for someone who has given so much to the community. Drop him a note or give him a call congratulating him for this distinguished award. vmp 1 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Mayor Synan wanted to thank everyone who gave him thoughts and prayers for his back surgery three weeks ago. He is about halfway through his physical therapy. He can only sit for about 30 minutes, so he isn’t going to be able to make it through the whole meeting. He apologizes in advance for when he has to get up and leave. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison noted that today the FTMSA received an AA Bonding Rating from Standard and Poors. The next leaf collection is scheduled for November 13th. Call Republic Services or here at the office to schedule a pickup. Put your leaves out the night before or before 6:00 a.m. The Municipality received a letter from the Westmoreland Heritage Trail thanking us for use of the Community Center for an event that they had to help raise funds for the maintenance of the trail. Mr. Morrison read a prepared statement that pertains to the proposed tax increases to fund the 2022 Budget: Background The Municipality’s major sources of revenue are real estate taxes and earned income taxes. Real estate taxes are based on the assessed value of the home and property and the tax millage levied by the Municipality. In Murrysville the tax millage is 12.05 mils. The earned income tax is levied at one percent of wages and is shared fifty percent (.05) with the school district and fifty percent (.05) with the municipality. According to the Census Bureau the 2019 median housing value in the Municipality of Murrysville is $257,400 and the median family income is $102,081. The tax values applied to the real estate tax rate and the earned income tax rate yields a median tax paid of $1,105.92 per year or $92.16 per month to the Municipality of Murrysville. In comparison to the monthly rate of taxes paid, the monthly rate of the average cable tv bill is $85.00 per month, the internet, $60/month, home security services, $30/month gym membership, $40/month, and snow removal services of $80/visit. Revenues Even though the Municipality continues to build new houses and attract new business to the community, the income generated by this growth has averaged less than one percent over the last five years. There are two main reasons for this. First, the common level ratio, established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which sets the assessed value for new property coming onto the tax rolls, has declined by almost twenty-five percent. Second, the number of tax appeals filed by existing residents and businesses are at unprecedented levels. These tax appeals and reduction of the common level ratio are tied to the high real estate rates of the school district. The school district real estate taxes represent over eighty percent of the real estate tax bill, the County approximately twelve percent, and the Municipality eight percent. The earned income tax revenue year over year has remained relatively flat over the same period. This can be attributed to the increase in the number of residents “ageing out” of the work force at higher incomes and being replaced by comparatively lower income earners early in their careers. According to the Census Bureau, twenty-four percent of the Murrysville population is sixty-five or older. Other factors impacting revenues are a decline in liquid fuels taxes, which is a tax paid on gasoline to the Commonwealth and used by local governments to fund road improvements, of ten percent or vmp 2 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 approximately $85,000. This will continue to decline as electric vehicles become more prevalent. A ten percent reduction in the cable franchise fee, which is a fee paid to local governments based on the number of subscribers to the cable service. This revenue will continue to decline as more homes “cut the cord”. And a four percent reduction in state aid, which supports the municipal pension plans and fire services. Expenditures Over twenty-nine percent of the 2021 budget was for capital expenditure funds to purchase police vehicles, road equipment, pave roads, replace bridges and improve parks. All the capital purchases previously mentioned are on replacement schedules and are life cycle costed. The table below compares purchase prices of a few select pieces of equipment scheduled for 2022. Equipment 2011 Budgeted Costs 2022 Budget Costs 3/4 Ton Pick $30,000 $44,000 10 Ton Dump Truck $135,000 $220,000 Police Vehicle (Purchase 3) $26,700 $50,000 Road Overlay Program 1,075,000 1,630,000 The purchase of these four items represents an increase of $526,000. In 2021, the Municipality placed an order for a new fire service ladder truck, which is to replace the one purchased in in 2002 at a cost of $865,000. The new truck to be delivered in 2022 will cost $1,500,000. Over the past eleven years, general fund expenditures have increased at a rate one to two percent per year. This has been accomplished with staff reductions and minimizing overhead expenses. However, it is projected in the 2022 budget, expenses beyond the control of the municipality will increase significantly. These costs include fuel costs at twenty-six percent, commodities, such as stone and pipe, at twenty percent and workers’ compensation at twenty percent. Funding for programs for the library, the volunteer fire companies and Medic One are budgeted in the special purpose fund. This fund provides a significant portion of the library’s operating budget, all the funds for the acquisition and maintenance of the fire equipment and a contribution to the purchase of an ambulance. This fund will require a thirty-four percent increase of $289,000. Alternatives The Municipality every year develops an operating budget and a capital improvements program projecting revenues and expenses for the upcoming year. Incorporated in this budgeting process is a “look back” of the last four years of revenues and expenditures and projections of the revenues and expenditures for the succeeding four years. Based on this process, the staff had informed Council new sources of revenue would be required to maintain the current levels of services beginning in 2022 and going forward. The amount of revenue needed has been exasperated by the pandemic, a marked increase in operating costs such as fuel, utilities, maintenance parts and services, materials such as asphalt, pipe and stone which are required for the day-to-day operations of public works activities, and significant price increases in rolling stock, including police vehicles, dump trucks and fire response equipment. vmp 3 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 To maintain the existing level of services the following alternatives are considered: Increase Revenues: Increase the real estate tax millage and the real estate transfer tax Based on the budget projections over the next five years, the Municipality would need to increase the real estate transfer tax from its current rate of five-tenths of a percent to one percent. The real estate transfer tax is a tax on the transfer of title of real property. This tax is paid at the time of closing on the sale of real property. In addition, real estate tax millage would have to be increased by an estimated five mils in 2022, and an additional 2 mils in 2027. Increase the earned income tax and real estate transfer tax Based on the same budget projections stated above, the Municipality would need to increase the earned income tax by two-tenths of one percent from the current level of five-tenths of one percent which, on the median household income in Murrysville, would equate to $204.16/year or $17.01/month and increase the real estate transfer tax to one percent. In the alternative, if revenues are not increased: Hiring freeze The Municipality currently has vacancies in the positions of Director of Engineering and Director of Community Development. Over the next year, two police officers will retire, and two public works employees are scheduled to retire. A reduction in the police force will jeopardize the safety of officers and create additional overtime. The many outreach programs and community-oriented police services currently provided by the police department, and the high ranking of being one of the safest communities in Pennsylvania, will be jeopardized. By not replacing public works personnel, many projects performed by the department in-house would have to be contracted out, increasing costs significantly. Snow removal routes would have to be adjusted, causing a delay in response and efficiency. Both departments are currently working at optimum staffing levels. The Municipality has in the past attempted to contract engineering services with a limited amount of success. Given the Municipality does a number of projects in-house through its Public Works Department and completes over 1.4 million dollars in road improvements every year, having an engineer on staff has provided cost efficiencies. The duties of Community Development Director are currently assumed by the Chief Administrator. The next Chief Administrator may not have the same skill set in community planning. In addition, a community the size of Murrysville, with the development that occurs and the pride it takes in good development while looking towards the future, requires a full- time position. vmp 4 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Reduction in services The Municipality currently provides $330,000 to the library’s operating budget. This represents about seventy-five percent of their budget. A reduction in the Municipal contribution would cause a reduction in services, a reduction in staff and/or operating hours. Fees paid by the various team sports teams to use the sports fields in the parks account for approximately twenty percent of the actual costs to maintain these fields. Fees would need to be increased. Significantly reduce the number of roads paved by the Municipality on a year over year basis. The Municipality maintains approximately 153 miles of roads. Historically, the Municipality spends between $1,200,000 and $1,400,000 dollars per year to repair and repave these roads. Roads are addressed typically on a ten-year or fifteen-year basis depending on the type of original construction of the road. Once a road has reached its useful life, costs to repair them increase significantly. A reduction in the purchase of rolling stock for the police and public works department. Typically, the Municipality spends $400,000 to $600,000 per year replacing police cars, dump trucks, pick trucks, roadside mowers and other similar pieces of equipment which are life cycled over a three-, ten- or fifteen-year period, depending on the piece of equipment. Again, once a piece of equipment reaches its useful life, significant repair expenses and a reduction in service due to down time occur. A reduction in the maintenance, replacement, and repair of infrastructure, including bridges, storm sewers and park equipment. Delays in maintenance and repair only increase costs. Murrysville is thirty-seven square miles with ten active parks, eighty-four culverts and bridges and approximately 100 miles of storm sewers and inlets. Reduce the funds dedicated to the replacement and maintenance of emergency response equipment, including fire trucks and ambulances. The Municipality owns and maintains twelve fire trucks with replacement values ranging between $400,000 to $1,500,000. Failure to replace and maintain this equipment jeopardizes lives of volunteers and residents and will result in increases to homeowner’s insurance policies. COMMUNITY INPUT: Mr. Dice noted that this is the portion of the meeting where members of the public can speak on whatever topic they’d like, as long as it is three minutes or less. Larry Schultz, 1012 Summer Ridge: Mr. Schultz stated that in general, people who pay taxes don’t like tax increases. What we need is a good balance in a plan for the future. He has been on various Murrysville committees with Mr. Morrison and Ms. Heming for over 12 years and appreciates how blessed Murrysville has been based on their very sound spending and budgeting management. He is quite surprised that they have been able to balance the budget every year by maintaining the tax rates they have for so long. At this point there are two choices that Mr. Morrison had mentioned: Cut budgets for our outstanding police force, cut services at the parks, the library, the community center, the roads, and the signals on Route 22; or we can raise taxes. A .2% increase in the earned income tax is deemed appropriate at this time and adequate, but we need a plan to attract more working families. More age-appropriate housing is needed in vmp 5 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Murrysville so that retirees can continue to pay real estate taxes while making their multi-level homes available for working families. Murrysville currently has limited senior appropriate housing. In closing, we need to raise the earned income tax now to maintain our excellent municipal services while working to add age-appropriate housing and more employed residents to increase our overall tax base. David Nader, 3015 Lexington Court: Mr. Nadar stated that he has been a resident of Murrysville for 30 years. He is here representing the thousands of workers in Murrysville. He is asking Council to reconsider a different approach to raising the funds needed to balance our budget shortfall instead of raising the earned income tax on all of the workers who already pay nearly 50% of their income to taxes. This is a municipality issue, not an income tax issue. Collecting money for your shortfall from just a select group of the community instead of from the entire community is not only discriminatory but it also opens the door to a dangerous precedence. Council has not raised the municipal tax, the tax on the entire municipality, for 14 years. Why? Why not? It was quite the coincidence that the meeting to vote to raise our local income tax was scheduled just 1 day after the election. Please do the right thing, not the easy thing, and to recognize this need for more budget money is absolutely a municipality issue and certainly not an income tax issue. Treat us all alike and place the budget on all of the residents in the municipality. Matthew Aukeman, 4211 Bulltown Road: Mr. Aukeman stated that he works in Monroeville and was informed that if you don’t get vaccinated, that you can lose your job. Because of his healthy skepticism of what he puts into his body and his critical thinking, he has made personal choices that he and his co- workers are facing with this decision. There is nothing that Council here can do for his position, but we can protect the residents and employees of Murrysville. Mr. Aukeman implores Council again with the powers they have to make sure that no resident or employee of Murrysville has to go through this. Do what you can to ban these vaccine mandates. On top of that, September 29th, the National School Board Association sent a letter to the President noting that they don’t like how the school board meeting have been going across the country. They didn’t just say they were rowdy or mean. They used specific verbiage with terms like hate crimes and domestic terrorists; the very same verbiage that is used in the national strategy for countering domestic terrorism – which is a declaration of war on citizens. Consider what you can do to make Murrysville citizens safe from over-reaching Federal agencies LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Spadaro: Medic One meets tomorrow. Mr. Stepanovich: The Planning Commission met on October 12. Maple Commons was discussed. It is the facility located on Route 22 next to Hoss’s. They will be using the old Verizon space for a healthy fast-food outlet. They are looking for the ok on current parking spaces. They did have a traffic study done during lunch and dinner time – the critical times. There is an outdoor seating request by Jimmy Johns which had issues with landscaping and will be taken back to staff for re-evaluation. The Sports Zone behind Sheetz is looking to have an 8’ x 40’ container with 9 rollup doors to have space to rent bikes there. There can be additional parking to the eastern side of that facility. They will be coming back to Planning with pictures. Dr. Lee Korns: Pension Committee has not met again. To recap on what was reported at their last meeting, the last investment policy statement for our combined pension plan for police and non-uniform employees was last completed in 2017. Poors and Fiduciary Advisors submitted a statement for Council’s consideration tonight which summarizes the changes that the pension committee, with guidance from the investment vmp 6 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 advisor, have made which include some basic wording upgrades. That item is on the agenda for Council consideration under Action Items 13.C. Ms. Brockway: The Library Board meets tomorrow. Some of their upcoming programs included in their Children’s Program are: Friendship Friday, October 22 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and what better place to learn about being kind and making friends than the Library. Registration is required. October 25 is Spooky Science from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. This frightening fun program for children ages 6 - 12 years old will feature Halloween-themed stories followed by science experiment demonstrations. Starting Monday, November 1st (and all Mondays in November), Mother Goose on the Loose Storytime which is a fun-filled 30-minute interactive series for babies and toddlers ages 0-3 and their caregivers. Registration is required. Teen Advisory Board Meeting will be Monday, November 15 at 6:00 p.m. which is a group of people ages 12 – 18 who help the library run teen centered programs, recommend young adult books/movies for the library to buy, promote the library to their friends, and generally help the library better serve teens. In Adult Programming, October 20 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. there is a Plant-based Nutrition meeting. October 23 at 2:00 p.m., Gemma Stemley, a local Pittsburgh author, will speak. All are welcome. Please register for any of the programs online at www.murrysvillelibrary.org or call the library at 724-327-1102. Save the date for Jingles & Gingerbread on December 6. Mr. McKenna: The Parks and Recreation met October 12. Some of the things discussed were ongoing routine maintenance, the plexiglass on the basketball hoop at Heritage was replaced, ongoing maintenance at Bear Hollow, and a donation box has been installed at MCP near the splash pad and playground to raise money for the parks. There is also continued work on the clubhouse. The Farmers’ Market closed September 30, which was very successful this year. The average number of weekly vendors was around 26. The goal next year is to have around 40 vendors. The Senior Halloween Party is Friday, October 29 at noon at the Senior Center. Volunteers are needed. Trick or Treat on the Trail is Saturday, October 30 from 2-4 p.m. You do have to be registered to participate. Volunteers are also needed for that. Ben Sampson attended the Export dedication of the new trail info building, located next to the newly dedicated Veteran’s Memorial in Export. Drawings have been finalized for the cornhole boards and are going to installed at Townsend Park thanks to the Parks Foundation. The Scout project is ongoing with putting up trail signs at Townsend Park and drawings have been submitted for the gaga ball pits. The Veterans’ Memorial has been complete refurbished. It was originally erected in 1989 by the Murrysville Kiwanis Club, which is no longer active, and will now be maintained by the American Legion. The rededication ceremony will be Saturday, October 30 with the time TBD. Next meeting will be November 9. Mr. Dice: The FTMSA bond rating is amazing on how far they have come. Kudos to them. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. A discussion concerning amendments to Ordinance No. 1019-20, the Fee Ordinance. Mr. Morrison stated that the staff is recommending 3 minor changes to the Fee Ordinance. 1) To increase the deposit fee for pavilion and gazebo rental to $200. The security deposit fee at the Community Center is $200. There had been some problems with rental at the park facilities with people leaving them a mess with increased time for Public Works to clean them. 2) To discontinue rental of the Senior Center as a meeting room. The Clubhouse which should be completed in the very near future, will move meetings out vmp 7 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 there and charge a rental fee of $25/hour weekend and $15/hour weekdays. 3) Eliminate the final four steps of the permit fee for commercial and R groups other than R-3 building and replace it with one fee for any construction over 20,000 square feet with a single fee of .035/sf. Mr. Stepanovich asked what neighboring communities charge on the per square foot basis. Mr. Morrison stated that this brings the fee of .035/sf in line with neighboring communities. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11.A. A discussion concerning proposed Ordinance No. 1050-21, an ordinance that provides for the demolition of dangerous structures in the Municipality of Murrysville. Mr. Morrison stated that the Community Development Department has taken on canvasing neighborhoods in the community for property maintenance issues. We work with the belief that if one house starts to go bad, the whole neighborhood goes bad. There are two specific areas in the community that are going to be targeted going forward. There are some structures in these neighborhoods that really need to be addressed. The original demolition ordinance was passed in 1967 and needs updated. What’s being proposed in this ordinance is very similar to some of the neighboring communities in laying out a specific process and responsibilities of the Building Inspector, of Council, and the Solicitor, and notifications to property owners of blighted structures. Mr. Dice asked if there are a lot of complaints of blighted properties from neighbors. Mr. Morrison answered that a lot of these structures are rentals. They were once family homes that people moved out of or have passed away and the estate has decided to rent them out. There is a Rental Ordinance here which requires a change of tenant to be reported to the Municipality so we can do life and safety inspections. There is no way of knowing if the property does turn into a rental. There are several structures in the community that can be considered blighted and eligible for the demolition program. Sometimes, once the structure has been determined to be blighted, either the property owner or a new buyer will demolish the property and put a new house on it. Sometimes just the threat will get things moving along. This will be brought back to the next meeting to authorize advertising. 11.B. A discussion concerning the Fusting Executive Park, Wilson Road and Route 22, Tax Parcel 49-21-00- 0-085, B-Business Zoning. Removed from the agenda. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 12.A. Discussion regarding the Murrysville Community Park Amphitheater Design Plans prepared by KU Resources. Mr. Morrison presented the preliminary site plan for the facility and stated that they are working on some estimated costs with sharing some of the work between Public Works and what would need contracted out. Mr. Morrison showed the access road into the facility. One building would be demolished and the metal roofing and gables were saved and will be used to build a pavilion in the park. We are anticipating costs increase. Public Works is taking on the responsibility at this point to put the waterline in, probably the sewer line, and the road. There is trouble with supply chain issues. We can’t get pipe for the waterlines. vmp 8 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 The major excavation will be contracted, the amphitheater will be contracted, along with the concrete and pervious paving. It is anticipated that the amphitheater will be purchased through the co-op program and the construction of the amphitheater will also be bid out. Within the next couple weeks, we should have firm costs on the development of the facility and distribution of responsibilities between contracting out and what will be completed by Public Works. Mr. McKenna asked what the time frame was for completion. Mr. Morrison answered that they would hope to have this bid and dirt work started by early spring. Public Works have already begin clearing trees for the road and are waiting on manholes for the sanitary and waiting on waterlines. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Consider authorization to advertise Ordinance No. 1049-21, an amendment to the Fee Ordinance. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to authorize advertising of Ordinance No. 1049-21, an amendment to the Fee Ordinance. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that the proposed changes were outlined. Once advertised, it will be placed on the agenda for next meeting for action. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.B. Consider approval of Resolution No. 738-21, disposing of certain municipal records in accordance with the State Records Retention Manual. Mr. Spadaro made a motion to consider approval of Resolution No. 738-21, disposing of certain municipal records in accordance with the State Records Retention Policy. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Ms. Heming stated that staff is almost finished with this. There were about 200 boxes from the Caves about 3 years ago and between Carol Richardson, and some part-time people that we’ve had off and on, almost everything has been scanned and disposed of. Carol is working on some of current files from Planning that are in the file cabinets. She has done an amazing job. A lot of the papers are duplicate and will be eliminated. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.C. Consider approval of Resolution No. 739-21, a Resolution revising the Existing Investment Policy Statement (Resolution No. 667-17) for the two municipal pension plans. Mr. Spadaro made a motion to consider approval of Resolution No. 739-21, a Resolution revising the Existing Investment Policy Statement (Resolution No. 667-17) for the two municipal pension plans. Ms. Brockway seconded. vmp 9 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Ms. Heming stated that periodically, the Pension Committee, with the guidance from the investment advisor, Frank Burnette, Morrison Fiduciary Advisors, recommends revision and updates to the current investment policy for pension assets. The Investment Manager within the file was updated, the value of the plan assets, initially there were commissions for brokers – we no longer have that, we do not invest in single companies – so that was removed, we no longer have any energy investments – that was removed and replaced with real estate, and we update our investments targets periodically. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.D. Consider a request by the Murrysville Business and Professional Association for a waiver of rental fees at the Community Center. Mr. McKenna made a motion to consider a request by the Murrysville Business and Professional Association for a waiver of rental fees at the Community Center. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that the Murrysville Business and Professional Association has been an off shoot of the Murrysville Economic & Community Development Corporation and has been around for a number of years. They currently have 19 members here who have met on the first Thursday of every month at Dick’s Diner. However, due to staffing issues, they are not able to access the diner and are in need of a place to meet. They approached the Municipality about using the Community Center. It is a Municipal policy that we don’t waive fees. We negotiated with the Business Association, which is going to be supported by the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Dick DeBone, a Murrysville resident, is the new Executive Director of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce. They have offered, in exchange for the use of the building, for the Municipality to use their social media outlet and website to advertise Murrysville happenings. This would be a good thing for our recreation programs. The cost typically would be around $100 to do something like that and would more than cover the cost of renting the center. Staff is recommending that Council waive the fees. Mr. Dice stated that sounds like a more than fair trade. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.E. Consider authorization to advertise for a Public Hearing for amendments to the 2021 Operating Budget. Ms. Brockway made a motion to consider authorization to advertise for a Public Hearing to present proposed amendments to the 2021 Operating Budget to be held on November 3, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. McKenna seconded. Ms. Heming stated that normally around this time each year, she tries to look through the budget for all the departments to see if there were estimates that were missed, revenue higher or lower than anticipated or expenses that occurred that were not anticipated. This will correct that so there aren’t a lot of large vmp 10 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 variances at the end of the year. Mr. Stepanovich commented that the staff identified for every line item the rationale, which was very good. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.F. Consider authorization to advertise for a Public Hearing for the 2022 Operating Budget. Mr. McKenna made a motion to consider authorization to advertise for a Public Hearing for the 2022 Operating Budget. Mr. Spadaro seconded. Ms. Heming stated that Council will receive the budget around the end of October or first of November and would like to have a Public Hearing at the first meeting in November to get audience input and Council comments in case things need to be revised before we get too late into the process. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider approval of SP-4-21, Kistler Place, a mixed-use building and associated parking with first floor retail and eight second floor two-bedroom apartments, tax parcel 49-15-10-0-027, Business zoning. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to consider approval of SP-4-21, Kistler Place, a mixed-use building and associated parking with first floor retail and eight second floor two-bedroom apartments, tax parcel 49-15- 10-0-027, Business zoning along with the conditions highlighted in the briefing. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that we had asked the developer/owner to consider putting a peak roof on the garage/storage area and a drawing was provided. They are proposing a 3-sided building with a peak roof. The other item was a review of access to the site to allow a ladder truck to be able to access the building. That was provided and reviewed by the Fire Chief of White Valley and the Fire Chief of Murrysville and found to be acceptable. Chris Hamm, KDH Consulting Engineers, stated that the only thing site wise that changed was the location of the drive entrance. Based upon the Traffic Study, there were 3 parking stalls located in the back that were moved to position the driveway a little down the hill, changing the entrance from 160 feet to 242 feet. Mr. McKenna asked about the lighting in the garages which was discussed at last meeting. Mr. Hamm noted that there were sensor lights added to the center of each bay. Mr. Dice asked Mr. Hamm if he was aware of the conditions that staff proposed. Mr. Hamm answered yes and that he accepts those conditions. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. vmp 11 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 14.B. Consider approval of SP-7-21, a site plan for the Bowser Body Shop, 4429 William Penn Highway, Tax Parcel 49-14-07-0-002. Mr. McKenna made a motion to Consider approval of SP-7-21, a site plan for the Bowser Body Shop, 4429 William Penn Highway, Tax Parcel 49-14-07-0-002, with the conditions outlined in the briefing. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that representatives from Bowser have been at the last two meetings. There was some major landscaping replacement that needed done. They are proposing an enclosed area with a 6-foot fence and a 4-foot planting mound where vehicles will be stored. They have met all the conditions on their site plan. The final condition being proof of DEP permit for the paint booths. Ed McGrath, Director of Operations with Bowser, stated that he is aware of the conditions and has no issues with them. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 14.C. Consider re-approval of the Vangura Subdivision, S-3-21, a Minor Subdivision, tax parcel 49-08-00-0- 006, Hilty Road, R-R zoning. Ms. Brockway made a motion to consider re-approval of the Vangura Subdivision, S-3-21, a Minor Subdivision, tax parcel 49-08-00-0-006, Hilty Road, R-R zoning. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this is re-approval of the Vangura Subdivision. The condition of approval was that the plans could not be released for recording until the DEP permit was secured for the septic system. They have since provided that evidence. The 90 days for recording had lapsed so it needs to be reapproved. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: 15.A. Consider reducing the sequestered funds being held to insure completion of the required improvements at the Hillstone Village Development, Harrison City Road, in the amount of $254,601. Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to consider reducing the sequestered funds being held to insure completion of the required improvements at the Hillstone Village Development, Harrison City Road, in the amount of $254,601. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this is partial release of the bond for the completed portion of the required improvements. This has been inspected and staff recommends reduction of the funds. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. vmp 12 THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, October 20, 2021 15.B. Consider the release of a bond for the Kish Development, 4373 Old William Penn Highway, in the amount of $77,000. Mr. McKenna made a motion to consider the release of a bond for the Kishes Development, 4373 Old William Penn Highway, in the amount of $77,000. Ms. Brockway seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this was work done on Old William Penn Highway which has been inspected and approved. Mr. Morrison wanted to congratulate the Kish’s and the people who moved into the former bakery. They did a very nice job with the building down there and would like to see that type of development here in Murrysville. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: Mr. Morrison noted that the piece of rubber buffing, that was brought up at last meeting, was replaced down on the bridge. Also, police are monitoring the traffic at both Crowfoot and on Sardis for the school district drop off. They have been following up on this for the past 2 weeks and would like to give it a month and then will report back to Council what they find. Mr. McKenna commented on the stamping of the crosswalks down at Ferri’s. He stopped and watched for a little bit, and it was very interesting how they do that. Mr. Stepanovich stated that he recalls that there was going to be a Traffic Study by the School District after the school was completed as one of the conditions. Mr. Morrison noted that this is required to be schedule one year after opening of the school for a school zone. NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. All those present voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 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 13