Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 19, 2023 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Wednesday, December 19, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Jamie Lee Korns, Jason Lemak, Jamie Lingg, Mac McKenna, Tony Spadaro, Carl Stepanovich, and Mayor Synan. Also, present were Chief Administrator, Michael Nestico, and Solicitor, Wes Long. Council President, Dayne Dice was absent. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Carl Stepanovich, Jason Lemak, Mac McKenna, Dayne Dice-absent, Jamie Lingg, Tony Spadaro, Jamie Lee Korns, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Vice-President, Tony Spadaro led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. Approval of December 6, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes B. Accounts Payable C. Cash Investments and Transfers Mr. Lemak made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan stated that he would first like to extend a thank you to Dr. Korns and Mr. Spadaro who have served this Municipality for the last eight years. It is not as easy to sit up here and discuss matters that are sometimes difficult as people think. They have truly dedicated a part of their lives here. He and the residents are grateful. Once again, thank you. Christmas Tree-cycling: Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling encourages everyone to recycle their live Christmas trees by taking it to one of the many drop-off sites located throughout Westmoreland County. There is no cost to recycle your Christmas tree; however, the Murrysville-Export Rotary collects donations to fund their own projects at the site they host. All locations require that trees are completely bare of all decorations and lights when dropped off. Murrysville location is Windstream parking lot (near Giant Eagle) January 6th & 13th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. There’s more information on www.westmorelandcleanways.org. The Duff Park Bridge Closures is over. The bridges are open and available for use. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, whatever else you are celebrating. Drive safely. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Nestico stated that the Municipality was awarded a grant of $181,000 for the basin retro fit project. This was just learned today from Representative Jill Cooper’s office and Senator Ward’s office. This should allow us to do three or four retro fits within the Municipality. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 19, 2023 He also would like to congratulate and thank Councilwoman Korns and Councilman Spadaro and presented each of them with a token of recognition for their eight years of service to the Municipality. Dr. Lee Korns thanked everyone on Council, Mayor, and the previous administration that was wonderful when they first came on, the new solicitor, new Chief Administrator, and wish you all prayers and best wishes for a safe and happy holiday and the years beyond when they won’t be up there on Council. They appreciate everyone in Murrysville’s support as well. Mr. Spadaro stated that this Council is different than any other Council he has been on or seen. They have more comradery on this group than they have ever had anywhere. Thank you very much. COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIASONS COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. McKenna: The Parks and Recreation Committee met last week. The discussion was to have a Parks and Recreation tent at events like Santa at Sardis, and the Halloween program, to share information with the community on upcoming events that they can sign up for or participate in. Also, a natural playground was discussed for MCP down towards the entrance way. Mrs. Lingg: There are no School Board meetings until January. Dr. Lee Korns: Nothing new to report from the Pension Committee. Mr. Lemak: The Library meets tomorrow. They are seeking a new board member for 2024. If anyone is interested, please contact the Municipality. Mr. Stepanovich: Planning Commission met on December 12th. The first discussion was regarding Caliber Collision, which is an auto body facility on Route 22. Caliber Collision has 1,700 locations. This will be an auto body only – no engine, no tire, or oil changes. All work will be done inside the facility. Hours will be Monday through Friday 7:30 – 5:30. Closed on the weekends. There was citizen input complaining about their back yards being right next to the facility. The Planning Commission has made a point for the facility to try to make it agreeable as possible to the existing residents. The second item was Whispering Woods Plan which is six lots at 3304 Logan Ferry Road. This was accepted by the Planning Commission except the access road to the six lots has to be 15 feet wide and the turn around has to be 40 feet in diameter. It was approved by Medic One and the Fire Department. There is the possibility of an indoor pickleball facility on Mellon Road. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 19, 2023 PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Approve a five-year labor agreement between the Municipality of Murrysville and the Police Officers of the Municipality of Murrysville. Mr. McKenna made a motion to approve a five-year labor agreement between the Municipality of Murrysville and the Police Officers of the Municipality of Murrysville. Mrs. Lingg seconded. Mr. Nestico stated that this new CBA would call for annual wage increases of 4% in each of the first two years and 3.5% for the remaining three years of the agreement. The new longevity tier for officers hired after January 1, 2024 would be .5% per year beginning in year 6 of their employment with a maximum of 10%. The current longevity cap is at 25%. The new hire base pay was recalibrated to 90% of the full base wage. Additionally, in the new contract we are offering a health care buyout option and removed the discretionary status of the detective position. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Re-approve an application for a major land development SP-2-22, Dollar General, Rt. 66, Tax Parcels 49-16-00-0-062 & 57-08-00-0-195, B-Business zoning. Dr. Lee Korns made a motion to re-approve an application for a major land development SP-2-22, Dollar General, Rt. 66, Tax Parcels 49-16-00-0-062 & 57-08-00-0-195, B-Business zoning. Mrs. Lingg seconded. Mr. Nestico stated that this development was approved back in August of 2022. The developer has had difficulty receiving PennDOT approvals for some of the site line distance requirements. They have resolved the issues with the site line distances in that area. It looks like PennDOT is going to approve everything. Because of the lapse in time, we would need to reinstate approval. Mr. Lemak asked if the application was exactly the same as it was when it was approved back in 2022? Mr. Nestico answered yes, it was the same application with all of the same conditions attached. Mr. Lemak asked if PennDOT reviews the traffic impact assessment that was done? Mr. Nestico stated that he believes that they do – that it is all part of the criteria for the development. Mr. Lemak stated that one of the notes he had from the study was not a single car would enter the proposed Dollar General straight across from Ringertown Road. To him that seems a little odd and he voted no then and feels that he doesn’t have the data to vote yes in this matter. Mr. Lemake voted nay. All others present voted aye. Motion approved 5-aye, 1-nay. ENGINEERING: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, December 19, 2023 OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: Legal Matter Mrs. Lingg made a motion to adjourn to an Executive Session. Dr. Lee Korns seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. There was no action anticipated coming out of the meeting. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. The Regular Voting Meeting was broadcast on local government Channel 21. 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 -4-