Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Jamie Lee Korns, Jason Lemak, Jamie Lingg, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich, and Mayor Synan. Also, present were Chief Administrator, James Morrison, and Solicitor, George Kotjarapoglus. Council members Dayne Dice and Mac McKenna were absent. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Jamie Lingg, Jason Lemak, Mac McKenna - absent, Dayne Dice - absent, Carl Stepanovich, Tony Spadaro, Jamie Lee Korns, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mr. Spadaro, Vice President of Council, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. Approval of May 4, 2022, Council Meeting Minutes B. Accounts Payable C. Cash Investments and Transfers Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Mrs. Lingg seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Proclamation No. 216-22 – Motorcycle Awareness Month: Mayor Synan read Proclamation No. 216-22. Safety is the highest priority for highways and streets of our Municipality and State. The members of A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania (Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education) continually promote motorcycle safety, education, awareness, and respect of the citizens of our Municipality and State. In recognition of 45 years of A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania, Inc., over 377,147 registered motorcyclists statewide, and in recognition of the continued role Pennsylvania serves as a leader in motorcycle safety, education and awareness, during the month of May, all roadway users should unite in the safe sharing of roadways within the Municipality of Murrysville and throughout the great State of Pennsylvania. Mayor Synan proclaimed the month of May 2022 as Motorcycle Awareness Month. BeSMART for Kids is an educational public health campaign for adults about safe gun storage. The date is Wednesday, May 25th at 6:30 p.m. at the Murrysville Community Center. Gun locks will be given away at this program, which is free. For more information call 724-327-2100 ext. 131. Murrysville Farmer’s Market Opening Day will be Thursday, June 2nd from 3-7 p.m. at 3235 Sardis Road by the Murrysville Fire Department. The Farmers’ Market will be held every Thursday June thru September. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Organize your Life. What if you can’t take it all with you? If you are planning to downsize or declutter your home to make it less stressful, attend this program on Tuesday, June 7th at 6:30 p.m. at the Murrysville Community Center. There is a $15 fee. Register on the website at murrysvilleparecreation.com. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Morrison stated that the Clubhouse is ready for its Open House on Friday, June 3rd at 4:00 p.m. located on Farm Road across from the Dog Park. May 16th, Public Works started their 4/10 work schedule for the summer. The Splash Pad will open Wednesday, June 15th. Adjustments have been made to the water flow of the Splash Pad. Fracking will begin at the Titan Well the week of May 25th. COMMUNITY INPUT: Diana Altieri-Hand, 2651 Chambers Park Court: Ms. Altieri-Hand stated that she was here this evening to discuss the Westmoreland Heritage Trail crossings on School Road South, Trafford Road, and Meadowbrook Road. The crossings are atrocious – someone is going to die sooner than later. It’s a crapshoot going through the intersections. People stop when they shouldn’t, they wave people on, the crossers on the bikes are the biggest offenders by just blowing through the intersection causing drivers to slam on their brakes, and traffic is backing up onto Route 22. The flashing lights are very confusing to people. Drivers think a flashing yellow light means stop – even if there is no one on the crossing. She would like something to be done whether it is new signage or more education The Penn-Franklin has published information, the Tribune Review has published information, and it’s on the websites. Something more needs to be done because it is still a problem. Ms. Altieri-Hand stated that she has contacted PennDOT and they said the problem is within the Municipality, because the signs and the flashing lights are correct and that the Police Department needs to issue citations, which is a waste of our resources. Mr. Morrison stated that PennDOT does establish where, what, and how those intersections are signalized. Police do patrol the trails on a regular basis. Public education is out there everywhere. People think stop signs are suggestions and they don’t obey speed limits. It’s a matter of traffic laws and people don’t understand what the traffic laws are. Bicycles are to stop at stop signs. Pedestrians are only to cross when it is safe. Vehicles are only required to stop when pedestrians are in the crosswalks. The flashing lights come on approximately 25 feet before a pedestrian hits the crosswalk. They are “warning” lights – not red lights – they are yellow lights which mean caution. People who use the road, drive the road, or use the crosswalks on the trail, need to understand the State law. The flashing yellow lights were put in and regulated by PennDOT. The Municipality does not have control over those. Mr. Lemak asked who controls the signage on the trails. Mr. Morrison answered that it would be the responsibility of the County and that there are signs on the trails. Janice Beckage, Trafford Road: Ms. Beckage stated that she can see the trail from her front door and is constantly hearing brakes squealing of cars stopping and waiving someone through. Some bikers violate the stopping at the stop sign and just continue on through. Ms. Beckage suggest a more definitive kind of signage, not only for the bikers and pedestrians on the trails, but for the people on Trafford Road. It has vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022 gotten very dangerous. She agrees that having a police officer there would be a waste of assets, but additional signage may help. Mrs. Lingg asked if pilons could be put close enough together so that the bikers would at least have to slow down to get through. Mr. Morrison stated that it is also used as an emergency access to the trail so an ambulance would have to be able to get through there. Stan Rudge, President of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail stated that they have supported this endeavor very deeply. Last year they received a grant from the Laurel Highlands Mini Grant Association to assist in safety and courtesy along the trail. Sandwich boards have been placed on one side of the trail which say “Stop, Look and Listen” along with the yellow lights and red lights along the whole length of the trail. there has been additional signage put on the trail to address that situation within the last few weeks. Ms. Beckage stated that she suggests that citizens who are concerned about this have permission to stand at the intersections a few hours a week and help bikers or walkers to be careful going thru the intersections or hand out information on the rules. She would be willing to get a committee together and do that. Mr. Rudge stated that the Westmoreland Heritage Trail does have a Trail Monitor Ambassador Program. There are currently 35 Trail Monitors registered as volunteers. Last year there were over 970 hours of trail monitoring particularly in that area. People are not following the rules on the trail and people are not following the rules off the trail on the road. He would gladly support anyone who wants to join the Trail Monitor Program. Contact the Westmoreland Heritage Trail Dr. Lee Korns suggested that if we continue to have issues and complaints in the next month or so, an actual session should be scheduled and invite Stan and some community members to have a Town Hall brain storming session to tackle this. LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mrs. Lingg: Attended a Franklin Regional School Board Curriculum Committee meeting. It started at 5:00 p.m. and was still going on when she left at 6:30. She will give a report after she secures more information on what went on after she left. Dr. Lee Korns: April was our worst month so far for our Pension fund. As reported last month, Morrison Fiduciary is merging with AndCo which is scheduled to take place in January. Mr. Barnett will continue to work with us and support us for the next two years. The Pension Committee met this morning and Mr. Barnett brought a representative from AndCo with him. We are not bound to stay with Morrison Fiduciary Advisors or with AndCo for this merger. Mr. Barnett provided a copy of the agreement originally signed with him and provided a consent letter for assignment of Morrison’s investment advisory contract. They would keep the same fee structure currently in place for essentially three years. It is not a letter of commitment. It is a letter for the Council President to sign acknowledging that we have been informed of the merger and consenting that Morrison Fiduciary can share our information with AndCo so that they can start to be on-boarded in preparation to support the Municipality of Murrysville. It is the recommendation of the committee to sign the consent form. vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Mr. Stepanovich: The Parks and Recreation Foundation met on May 9th. The concrete cornhole boards are installed at Murrysville Community Park. The Foundation received a $1,000 donation from Walmart for the trail stencil project. The Foundation is working on a Mission Statement and signage for the donation tower. The Planning Commission met last Tuesday, May 10th. A Public Hearing will be held for a 19.3-acre parcel on Logan Ferry Road for rezoning from R-1 to R-3. The Planning Commission was approached by Dollar General with regards to a store on Route 66 north of Delmont. They are waiting for the storm sewer evaluation. There was an advisory meeting about a major development which would be 54.5 acres along Wiestertown Road and Hilty Road. This would be a planned residential development with 2-acre lots, 150- to-160-foot frontage with public sewage. The estimated starting prices for the homes would be between $750,000 and $800,000. Mr. Lemak: The Library meets tomorrow evening. Mr. Spadaro: Medic One meets tomorrow night. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. A discussion concerning proposed Ordinance No. 1061-22, an ordinance amending Chapter 169 of the Murrysville Code, Peddling and Soliciting Mr. Morrison stated that staff put together a draft ordinance amending Chapter 169 Peddling and Soliciting, of the Code of the Municipality of Murrysville, prescribing regulations for peddling and soliciting, providing for exceptions thereto; providing for license/permitting of persons engaged in such activities; setting certain limitations on such activities; establishing a no soliciting or peddling list (Do Not Knock) and establishing penalties for violations of this ordinance. The draft Ordinance No. 1061-22 was provided in Council’s dropbox. Mrs. Lingg stated that she feels where it says under exemptions #3 for persons “under the age of 18”, it should be persons aged “18 or under” since some school seniors are 18 years old and go around selling band fruit or hoagies. They shouldn’t have to pay for a permit. After discussion it was agreed upon to add to #4 Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and “School or Athletic Organizations”. Mrs. Lingg asked if the fees were going to be the same. Mr. Morrison answered yes that they are the same fees as in the fee ordinance. Mrs. Lingg asked if Chief Seefeld was contacted at all about his feelings on the ordinance. Mr. Morrison stated that the draft ordinance was distributed to the staff. He will receive comments next Tuesday at the staff meeting. Dr. Lee Korns asked about revoking a permit if an applicant obtains a criminal record once it is disclosed to the Municipality. If they have a criminal record, including a sexual offense record, would the permit not be issued. Mr. Morrison answered that was correct. Dr. Lee Korns said it should state somewhere that if the applicant has a criminal record or a permitted person acquires a criminal record, they will not get a permit, or their permit would be revoked. It just needs clarified. After discussion, Mr. Morrison stated that if, after the background check, they don’t have a criminal record, they get a permit. If they have a criminal record, vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022 they don’t get a permit. Mr. Morrison stated that he will put an action item on the next agenda to authorize advertising. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Consider authorization for the purchase of a 2021 Ford Ecosport through CoStars in an amount not to exceed $23,000. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to approve authorization for the purchase of a 2021 Ford Ecosport through CoStars in an amount not to exceed $23,000. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that the policy has been to try to rotate police vehicles out after 80,000 miles. We have tried to get a little more out of the vehicles due to availability and COVID. The vehicle that was anticipated to use by code enforcement had a failed transmission and the vehicle has begun rusting to the point of not passing the next inspection. Anticipated trade in value is around $7,000. Currently mileage on the new vehicle is 4 miles. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: 15.A. Consider award of contract DPW-1-22, 2022 Overlay Paving Project in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000. Mr. Lemak made a motion to award a contract to Tresco Paving for DPW-1-22, 2022 Overlay Paving Project in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this was the annual road paving project funded through the Capital Reserve. This will include overlay and surface treatment. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 15.B. Consider award of a contract to Gibson-Thomas Engineering for inspection services for DPW-1-22 Overlay Project not to exceed $25,220. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to award the contract to Gibson-Thomas Engineering for inspection services of DPW-1-21 in the amount not to exceed $25,220. Mrs. Lingg seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that this is the inspector we have on the job for the overlay project which is funded through the General Fund. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 15.C. Consider reducing the letter of credit held to insure completion of the required improvements at the Regan Ridge Development in the amount of $671,047.30. Mrs. Lingg made a motion to approve reducing the letter of credit held to insure completion of the required improvements at the Regan Ridge Development in the amount of $671,047.30. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. Mr. Morrison stated that the Regan Ridge contractor has completed a portion of the required improvements, which is moving along quite nicely, and has requested a reduction in the letter of credit. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Morrison stated that he will follow up with Mr. Rudge and see what they can do with the trail to educate drivers and walkers. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Real Estate Mr. Spadaro adjourned the meeting to an Executive Session. No action is anticipated coming out of the meeting. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 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-