Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting and Public Hearings on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Eli Diacopoulos, Dayne Dice, Jason Lemak, Jamie Lingg, Matthew Olszewski, Carl Stepanovich, and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator, Michael Nestico, Director of Finance, Jacie Milchak, Director of Public Works, Bill Paiano, and Solicitor, Wes Long. Council member Mac McKenna was absent. PUBLIC HEARING CU-3-24, A CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION FOR EXCAVATION IN STEEP SLOPES AND POOR SOILS, 22.8 ACRES, SUMMERHILL – PHASE II, GOLDIE LANE, TAX PARCELS 49-06-00-0-999, R-3 ZONING. A Public Hearing was held at 7:00 p.m. for CU-3-24, a Conditional Use Application for excavation in steep slopes and poor soils, 22.8 acres, Summerhill-Phase II, on Goldie Lane. A stenographer was present to record the hearing. Mr. Dice noted that this is only in regard to the steep slopes aspect of this development. Mr. Nestico stated that this is a Conditional Use Application for excavation of steep slopes. This went through the Planning Commission and did pass this on to Council with four recommendations. They have been addressed by the developer and have satisfied those four conditions. Only two relate to the excavation of steep slopes. The other two relate to land development. If they move forward with this, at a future time, they will have to go back before Planning and then to Council for any approval for the land development side of things. Jeffrey Parobek, Ascent Consulting & Engineering, represents Summerhill. This is an application for a Conditional Use permit for grading on steep slopes and potential unstable soils. Throughout the Planning Commission process, they had submitted their grading plans showing the slopes. Per the recommendation of the Planning Commission, they hired two technical engineers to do soil borings and test pits to confirm what soils were there. They worked with KU Resources, who approved the geotechnical report. It showed that the slopes would be stable because of the geological structure they are in. They recently submitted a Reforestation Plan and will plant conservation seed mixes and a combination of tree seedlings. There were a few zoning issues that really aren’t subject to the Conditional Use permit, but they did provide the staff with some alternatives in the area of concerns with driveways. Stormwater management was adjusted from DEP’s normally recommended filtration practices to a different methodology allowed by DEP. They met with the Conservation District on the preliminary design, and it meets with the requirements DEP has for manage release concept for stormwater management versus infiltration. They have addressed the staff’s comments and at the last Planning Commission meeting had approval with the four conditions provided. Mr. Stepanovich asked about a triaxle sheer analysis of samples and if that was appropriate for this. Mr. Parobek stated that GTA and KU Resources did various sheer analysis, slope stability analysis and GTA had vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 requested the soil boring and soil profiles to get a better understanding of the profile of the different soil layers. He would have to check on the triaxle sheer. Mr. Lemak asked what feedback KU Resources had towards the geotechnical review. Mr. Parobek stated that from the initial geotechnical review, they had questioned some of the soil stability from the analyses that were done and had requested some additional test pits and soil borings to get better information and re-evaluate the slope stability calculations and also re-evaluate the geological profile of those slopes to confirm if the red beds were actually present in that area. They had met with KU a couple of times to go over in detail the slope analysis calculations and they were satisfied that their questions had been answered and were not concerned with the slope stability. Mrs. Lingg asked about Code 201-74 regarding the cut of the slope. It says that you still need to agree on a cut analysis methodology with KU. Is that something that still needs to be done or has that already been determined? Mr. Parobek stated that in the last Planning meeting with KU, they had responded to them with a new analysis that had addressed the different questions they had and considered the additional soil boring they had requested. They were satisfied that the slopes were going to be stable based on all that. Mr. Dice asked if the applicant was fine with the conditions from Municipality. Mr. Parobek answered that it was correct. Hearing no further questions from Council and no public comment from the audience, Mrs. Lingg made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Olszewski seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:14 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET A Public Hearing was held at 7:15 p.m. for proposed amendments to the 2024 Operating Budget. Director of Finance, Jacie Milchak stated that she will go over the proposed amendments to the 2024 General Fund Operating Budget along with the Capital Reserve Budget. General Fund Amendments Executive/Administration Administrative Salaries – There was an addition of a new staff member in the Finance Department. Legal Fees – There were higher costs, and the increase related to tax assessment appeals. Health Insurance – There was an increase due to two factors; a staff member experienced a qualified life event which changed their medical from no benefits to employee and spouse coverage; secondly, the newly hired finance department employee was added to the insurance plan. All three items in the Administration section are supported with additional Earned Income Taxes that will be coming in. vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Community Development This is shifting $100,000 from salaries to contracted services. It was originally planned that a new employee would come in to replace a retired employee, but since then it was decided to contract out that position. The funds that were earmarked for salaries will now be shifted down to the contracted services. Recreation Department Contracted Services are being increased by $8,000 to account for programs that were ruled out this year. The revenues that were increased from specific programs will be used to support the increased expense of these programs. Capital Reserve Budget Amendments Road Improvements The Old William Penn Bridge underwent a PennDOT inspection earlier this year. The weight limit was reduced from 16 tons to 6 tons. This significant change affected both buses and daily traffic. As a result, an emergency repair was needed. The bridge is currently down for repairs. This project is supported by a grant awarded by the Department of Community and Economic Development. Facility, Equipment and Other The Police Department was awarded a grant to purchase a new police vehicle as well as handguns and tasers. These were not part of the plan last year because we were unaware of the grant being available. Emergency replacement of the HVAC Unit at the administration building. This was required when a portion of the building’s heating and air conditioning system completely failed. This was an unplanned expense. We used unreserved fund balance in the Capital Reserve to support this. Total amendments for the General Fund were $61,949. Total amendments for the Capital Reserve were $685,550. PRESENTATION OF THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET A Public Hearing was held to present the 2025 Operating Budget. Ms. Milchak gave a slide presentation on the Operating Budget for the General Fund and Capital Reserve. The total Operating Budget that is proposed for 2025 is $17,279, 311. This is excluding interfund transfers. The General Fund is proposed to have $10,751,007 of expenses which is a 1.73% increase over 2024. The Capital Reserve is anticipated to have $3,823,100 in expenses, not including additions to reserves. Debt Services remains at $417,113. We are reducing the estimated value of a mill to $338,000 per mill down from the previous year. The dedicated millage for 2025 is proposed to still be at 12.15% with a reallocation taking place. The General Fund would have 5.3 mills, which is an additional .2 mills. It was decided that a focus on rebuilding staff would take place next year to help support operations. The Capital Reserve will go back down to 3.2 mills. Debt will be 1.2 mills, which is an additional .05 mills to support the 2026 spring interest-only payment. Emergency Equipment is going to remain at 1.35, the Library at 1 mill, and Hydrant is going to be .1 mills. Any house that is within a 600 feet radius is subject to a hydrant fee. Expenses have gone up from vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 $50 to $55 per hydrant. By 2028, those fund balances will no longer be supported. This is something that will need to be addressed to keep up the sustainability of this fund to prevent any shortfalls in the future. Real Estate Transfer Taxes are estimated to generate $750,000 a year. Ms. Milchak presented a slide showing the comparison between 2024 and 2025. Some of the cost increases for 2025 include salary increases and health care increases and increased park maintenance. The transfer of Medic One is increasing this year. Mrs. Lingg asked if the money we are receiving from the royalties in some of leasing, has a requirement that it be put into the park. Mr. Nestico stated that each lease is different. Right now, all the money is sitting in the park fund for intended use to improve the parks. But we could look at the leases to see if we can reallocate the funds elsewhere. Mr. Lemak asked about the engineering expenditure, which looks like it went up 45%. Ms. Milchak answered that part of the rebuilding staffing levels would be an additional police officer, an additional truck driver to support the increased roadways in the municipality, a replacement individual for the Community Development Department, an engineering technician for the Engineering Department, and shifting contracted housekeeping/maintenance over to an internal personnel. Ms. Milchak noted that there is a change in the Capital Reserve. She is shifting an additional $900,000 over to the Capital Reserve next year, which is different than what was proposed in the original CIP. This was due to the shifting of the millage back to the General Fund to support staffing levels. Mr. Nestico stated that right now there is a .1 mil hydrant tax as part of your property tax for anyone within 600 feet of a hydrant. Our fees to MAWC have increased in the last couple of years. We are now dipping into our hydrant reserve to compensate for that loss. The hydrant tax brings in around $32,000 annually. Within the next couple of years, the millage may need to increase to .12 mill or maybe .13 mill a year. Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to close the Public Hearing. Mrs. Lingg seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. The Public Hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Matthew Olszewski, Eli Diacopoulos, Dayne Dice, Jason Lemak, Jamie Lingg, Mac McKenna-absent, Carl Stepanovich, and Mayor Synan. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President, Dayne Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. Approval of October 15, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes. vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Mr. Lemak made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Mrs. Lingg seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan presented the following: Curbside Leaf Collection Program: To schedule a pick-up on one of the collection dates, please fill out the “Curbside Left Collection Program Form” on the website. There is a 20 bag limit each collection date. The deadline to sign up for each date is the Thursday before the pickup date: November 9, November 16 and December 14. Thank you to our Veterans honoring all who served. American Legion Post 711 would like to invite all veterans and their families and friends to a Veteran’s Day Observance at Murrysville Community Park on Saturday, November 9th at 10:15 a.m. State Legislator Jill Cooper and Murrysville Mayor Regis Synan will be speaking. Pastor Dan Lawrence will be offering opening and closing prayers and remarks. In attendance will be members of the AMVETS, American Legion, VFW, and VVI, as well as local cub scouts, boy scouts, crew scouts and trail life scouts. The Murrysville Veterans Honor Roll from WWI and WWII will be rededicated. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Murrysville Community Library is having Putts for Pages. It’s an indoor mini golf event and fundraiser at Murrysville Community Library on Saturday, November 23rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $5 per player. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Register today at https://givebutter.com/mclputts. Glass Recycling “Pop-Up” Collection Event will be Saturday, December 7th from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Veterans Field parking lot. Sponsored by the Municipality of Murrysville and Republic Services. Residents are also encouraged to support the Loaves and Fishes Emergency Food Pantry by donating non-perishable food items. Santa at Sardis will be Saturday, December 7th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Sardis Park. Murrysville Recreation Hot Chocolate Hike will be Saturday, December 14th at McGinnis Reserve at 10 a.m. Join the Recreation Department for some fun 2-3 mile hikes over the winter. These are wooded hikes with some slopes and may require stepping over fallen trees. Please dress for the weather and plan for the terrain. Finish the hike with a cup of hot chocolate. For more information call 724-327-2100 x131 or go to www.murrysvilleparecreation.com. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Nestico gave the following updates: • We did receive an LSA Grant of $800,000 for the Logan Ferry Bridge. • Cornhole boards have been installed at the Clubhouse. • Parks were shut down earlier this week meaning there will be no water or restrooms. Everything has been winterized by the Public Works Department. • The Old William Penn Overlay Project – The overlay part of the project is finished. Now it’s just in the curing stage, which is a 21-day process. vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 COMMUNITY INPUT: None LIAISONS COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Lemak: The Murrysville Library will have Putts for Pages later this month. They are still in search of a new library director. Board members will be needed next year. A few terms will be expiring. The next meeting will be on November 21st. Mr. Stepanovich: The Parks and Recreation Foundation met. They had sparse participation. If any citizen would like to be a part of the Parks Foundation, we would certainly welcome speaking with them. The next meeting will be on Friday, November 8th. Medic One has State Representative, Jill Cooper and the Mayor spearheading an effort to help them with their revenues. The problem is that if someone has an ambulance event and is covered by insurance, the money is given to the individual. Getting money from the individuals is problematic. There are 13 other states that have an ordinance or statute that will direct that money from the insurance company directly to the ambulance service. Mrs. Lingg: The next Planning Commission is Tuesday, November 12th. Mr. Olszewski: The Environmental Action Committee met on October 29th. The only topic talked about was the Tobin Land Development. There are a few concerns that were discussed: 1) Driveway runoff at the bottom of the proposed driveway has potential to cause icing issues on Cline Hollow in the winter; 2) The proposed rain gardens are shown to infiltrate a slope behind the houses; 3) Has the developer reached out to the gas line owners about crossing and installing driveways on the right-of-way. Mr. Diacopoulos: The Pension Committee will be meeting November 14th. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 9.A. Discussion of Engineering Services for Stormwater Fee Analysis and Report. Mr. Nestico stated that at an earlier meeting when the stormwater fee was discussed, one of the big items was the fact that we needed to do an aerial survey of the community in order to properly examine a fee structure. Staff reached out to a number of engineering firms. The proposal from Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering (LSSE) seems to be the best option for the municipality to engage in the aerial survey of the community and begin to put together a stormwater ordinance to implement that fee. LSSE has provided services like this to a number of communities including Fox Chapel, Brighton Township, Findlay Township and Moon Township. LSSE would do an Impervious Surface Evaluation by evaluating 100 single-family residential lots and all non- residential properties. They will then put together a Stormwater Fee Analysis and Report. The report will develop a background of the municipal stormwater utility, the purpose of considering a fee, and definitions for the ordinance. It will include an evaluation of stormwater expenditures comprised of maintenance vmp -6- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 efforts, capital improvements, and MS4 permit compliance. LSSE anticipates two public meetings outside of council, as well as attending two public meetings with Council. The proposed fee is $20,000 for impervious surface evaluation, $5,000 for the analysis and report and $1,000 for meeting prep and attendance. The total proposed fee is $26,000. The municipality may use the proceeds of the stormwater fee to reimburse itself for this expense. Mr. Lemak just wanted to clarify that for the impervious surface evaluation, 100 single-family residences would be samples to get an average impervious surface evaluation. That would set the ERU for every single-family dwelling. Then every commercial property would be looked at for their impervious surface assessment. Mrs. Lingg commented that regardless of whether a fee is implemented or not, having this study done will really help the Municipality in determining what our costs would be as far as the stormwater utility. Mr. Stepanovich stated that if we were to go with LSSE, he would rather see the money come from earned income tax. Our earned income tax is 1.2%. He believes .5% goes to the school district. So, we actually get .7%. Back in 2021, there was an ordinance that we could increase the earned income tax from 1% to 1.5%. We didn’t implement the .5%, we only went with the .2%. It may be a fee, but he considers it an excise tax and he is against it. Mr. Nestico stated that we are looking at stormwater as a utility which has its own infrastructure. It would be a fee and not a tax. The fee would be paying for that utility to be provided in our community. Stormwater fees would be paid by users of the stormwater system. It would be paid by not only residents of the community, but businesses, non-profits, schools, churches, etc. They are not captured when you talk about earned income tax. Part of the reason for asking and considering this study is to do a true analysis of the stormwater system which we maintain. There are costs with maintaining that system that are not contemplated in our funding sources. The unfunded mandate to manage the stormwater system as the state requires it, is new to all municipalities and that is why a stormwater fee is starting to come into place in many locations. The cost of doing the study can be paid for by future fees if they are implemented. Initially the cost will be covered through our General Fund. Mr. Olszewski asked if the $20,000 for the evaluation would be a detailed report. Mr. Nestico explained that this would be an overall mapping of everything that we have right now. If a new business or development comes in, we would need to keep our system updated and assess the fee for that new business or development. Mr. Dice stated that he is not crazy about any fees, but we do need this analysis and need to know what’s there. This fee would enable us to properly portion the fee to businesses that are creating the stormwater issues. Approving this study in no way obligates us to move forward with a fee. ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None vmp -7- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: 13.A. Approve LSSE to provide Engineering Services for Stormwater Fee Analysis and Report. Mrs. Lingg made a motion to approve LSSE to provide Engineering Services for Stormwater Fee Analysis and Report. Mr. Olszewski seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.B. Approve the Westmoreland County Transit Authority local share assessment in the amount of $1,375.50 for the fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Mrs. Lingg made a motion to approve the Westmoreland County Transit Authority local share assessment in the amount of $1,375.50 for the fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Mr. Diacopoulos seconded. Mr. Dice stated that this is an annual item of paying our share to the Westmoreland County Transit Authority in the amount of $1,375.50. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 13.C. Approve Salem Trust Company as the pension custodian and benefit payment service provider for the Municipality of Murrysville combined pension plan. Mrs. Lingg made a motion to approve Salem Trust Company as the pension custodian and benefit payment service provider for the Municipality of Murrysville combined pension plan. Mr. Diacopoulos seconded. Mr. Nestico stated that currently the Municipality has two different services provided for our pension plan. Custodial services are provided by S&T Bank. They are the entity that holds the funds. The pension payments are administered by DeBlasio & DeBlasio Associates. S&T notified us that they are no longer conducting custodial services and will end on November 30th. DeBlasio had also notified the municipality of their desire to step away from administration of benefits. The Pension Board and Pension Advisors began an analysis to see what other provider or bank could provide these services. The best fit seemed to be Salem Trust Company. This is essentially what they do. They will provide the custodial services and do the retirement benefit payments along with the annual paperwork that needs to be sent out to retirees and provide an online platform. Salem Trust has proposed a five-year fee agreement with an all-in fee of $6,500 for the first two years and approximately $7,750 after that. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 14.A. Reapprove SP-6-23, Whispering Woods subdivision, a major land development application, 3304 Logan Ferry Road, a six-lot subdivision, 19.3 acres, Tax Parcel 49-10-13-0-014, R-2 zoning. vmp -8- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Mr. Lemak made a motion to reapprove SP-6-23, Whispering Woods subdivision, a major land development application, 3304 Logan Ferry Road, a six-lot subdivision, 19.3 acres, tax parcel 49-10-13-0-014, R-2 zoning. Mr. Olszewski seconded. Mr. Nestico stated that this is reapproval of a subdivision. Council approved the subdivision earlier this year, but because the 90-day window has lapsed, they are asking Council for reapproval. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 14.B. Approve CU-3-24, a conditional use application for excavation in steep slopes and poor soils, 22.8 acres, Summerhill – Phase II, Goldie Lane, Tax Parcel 49-06-00-0-999, R-3 Zoning. Mr. Olszewski made a motion to approve CU-3-24, a conditional use application for excavation in steep slopes and poor soils, 22.8 acres, Summerhill – Phase II, Goldie Lane, Tax Parcel 49-06-00-0-999, R-3 Zoning. Mr. Stepanovich seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: 15.A. Consider reducing the bond being held for the completion of the CoalTech parking lot improvements leaving the amount of $13,321.99 remaining for completion of landscaping. Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to consider reducing the bond being held for the completion of the CoalTech parking lot improvements leaving the amount of $13,321.99 remaining for the completion of landscaping. Mrs. Lingg seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: 16.A. Advertise to accept bids for Portable Restroom Facilities in several Murrysville parks. Mr. Olszewski made a motion to advertise to accept bids for Portable Restroom Facilities in several Murrysville parks. Mrs. Lingg seconded. Mr. Paiano stated that this is to advertise for a one-year contract with a three-year option for portable restroom facilities. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 16.B. Advertise to accept bids for contractors for the Deer Carcass Removal Contract. Mr. Diacopoulos made a motion to advertise to accept bids for contractors for the Deer Carcass Removal Contract. Mr. Lemak seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 16.C. Advertise for liquidation of surplus equipment through public auction via Municibid. Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to advertise for bids for the sale of used municipal vehicles and equipment. Mr. Lemak seconded. vmp -9- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Mr. Paiano stated that we have two police vehicles that we are going to liquidate. Instead of the chair cart, we are going to put the old phone system on the list. We also have an old used Toro utility vehicle and the old Athey Belt Loader. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: 19.A. Legal Matters Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session. Mrs. Lingg seconded. There was no action anticipated coming out of the meeting. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The Regular Voting Meeting and Public Hearings were 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 - 10 -