Council of the Municipality of Murrysville

THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Council of the Municipality of Murrysville held a Regular Voting Meeting on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. Present at the meeting were Council members Eli Diacopoulos, Dayne Dice, Jason Lemak, Mac McKenna, Matthew Olszewski, Carl Stepanovich and Mayor Synan. Also present were Chief Administrator Michael Nestico, Director of Finance Jacie Milchak, and Solicitor Adam Long. Council member Jamie Lingg was absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President, Dayne Dice led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION: BILL YANT & FIREWORKS CREW MEMBERS Mr. Dice announced that tonight we are proud to recognize a very special group of volunteers who, for the past 24 years, have been behind one of the most beloved traditions in our community — the fireworks display at Murrysville Community Day event, now the Concert in the Park. Year after year, this team of dedicated individuals gave countless hours of their time, working closely with the Municipality and the Parks and Recreation Department to plan, coordinate, and safely execute the show that our residents look forward to each summer. We extend a sincere thank-you to Chuck Turner, Sue Turner, Bob Knall, John Adams, Rick O’Mahony, Bill Yant II, Bill Yant III, and Bill Yant IV for their extraordinary service to our community. Mayor Synan asked them to come forward and presented each with a token of appreciation. Mr. Dice proceeded by saying that Bill Yant, Jr., has been a steady and trusted presence in Murrysville for more than forty years. Bill first stepped forward in 1979 to help create the municipality’s emergency management plan. He served with Murrysville Medic One for nearly 50 years. As a dedicated member of the Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company for over 40 years, he has answered hundreds of calls - always putting the needs of his neighbors first. Bill has also given many years of service in our local government. He served on the Murrysville Planning Commission for an impressive 18 years, and he continued his service as a member of Murrysville Council. For the past 24 years, he has also given his time and expertise to conduct the fireworks display at the Murrysville Community Days celebration, now the Concert in the Park, providing the service free of charge as a gift to the community he cares so deeply about. In 2018 Bill was recognized as Murrysville Volunteer of the Year. Mayor Synan stated that on behalf of the entire community, we thank you, Bill, for your decades of volunteerism, your unwavering commitment to service, and the lasting impact you have made on Murrysville and presented Bill with a plaque. PUBLIC HEARING 2026-2030 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM Director of Finance, Jacie Milchak gave a presentation on the 2026-2030 CIP, which is a tool used as we enter into the General Fund budgeting time. It ensures that we make sound decisions by following a long- term strategic plan. This guides us to look ahead, anticipate our needs, and align our projects with the available resources that we have at hand. vmp -1- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 The CIP is broken down into three different categories: Streets and Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities, and Parks and other projects. The 2026-2030 CIP is estimated at $23.7 million. Streets and Infrastructure ($17 million): Some of the key projects include the comprehensive overlay program. Other road projects include crack seal and road surface treatment, as well as stabilization projects for the roads and reclamation projects. Bridge projects include Logan Ferry – Heather Highlands and Cal- Ken. We have MS4 storm sewer and detention pond projects and Route 22 corridor projects. Equipment and Facility Investments ($5.3 million): This is for vehicles, fleet upgrades and facilities. The investments make sure that staff have the tools to provide essential services. This includes 5 ten-ton dump trucks with plow and spreader, 13 police vehicles with cameras, some other equipment and a possible facility upgrade for the Public Works Department which is outgrowing the current facility. New to this is a police crash data recorder which is estimated to cost about $10,000. We also have the admin building sidewalk and parking lot resurfacing. Parks and Other Projects ($760,000): This is outside the general fund contributions, which are estimated to be about $205,000 for the annual maintenance towards the parks. Projects include playground modernization, pavilion rehabs, and park improvements. About 23% of the proposed funding will come from our capital millage that is earmarked to go into the Capital Reserve. About 24% of the funding is from transfers from the general fund or reserves that we have stowed away for future projects. We use liquid fuels annually to support the road projects which account for about 17% of the funding. Our real estate transfer tax going into the capital reserve covers about 17% of the funding and the TIP grants that we are hoping to get will support the two bridge projects which will take up about 14%. Other covers a couple of different categories like grants, fees, or interest income. 2026 Proposed Projects include: Overlay program, bridge repair/maintenance, road surface treatment, crack sealing, MS4 Program, Route 22 median maintenance, street and infrastructure reserve, Route 22 traffic light adaptive system and light processor, facility maintenance at the Community Center, admin building sidewalk and parking lot resurfacing, 3 door key fob units and security panel, police crash data recorder, 3 police vehicles, 1 cat backhoe, 1 ten-ton dump truck, 2 one-ton dump trucks, 1 14,000 lb. trailer, public works building expansion planning and feasibility study, and park improvements. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m. REGULAR VOTING MEETING AGENDA ROLL CALL/VOTING ORDER: Dayne Dice, Matthew Olszewski, Jamie Lingg-absent, Mac McKenna, Carl Stepanovich, Jason Lemak, Eli Diacopoulos, and Mayor Synan. UNISTED AMENDMENTS: None vmp -2- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: A. Approval of August 6, 2025 Minutes B. Accounts Payable C. Cash Investments and Transfers Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar Items. Mr. Olszewski seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Synan started by saying that our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents of Clairton, the steelworkers, and their families from the incident on 8/11. We are hopeful that the injured are recovering soon and that the community begins to recover. Murrysville Farmers’ Market is still going on Thursdays through September 25, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at 3235 Sardis Road, by the Murrysville Fire Department. There will be live music, weekly food trucks, local vendors and more! There is going to be an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, September 11th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Murrysville Community Center. To register please visit redcrossblood.org. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS: Mr. Nestico stated that Murrysville Police are going to have a Community Connection Day on Saturday, September 13th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Franklin Regional Primary School, 4121 Sardis Road, which will replace the Night Out that was cancelled. More information can be found on their website or Facebook page. The Public Works Department is conducting work on Funk Bikeway which was damaged during the recent storm events that we had over the course of the summer. They are also wrapping up some work at the Duff Park restroom. The plumber and the electrician will then come in to finalize their work. Paving of the parking lot is planned to be done sometime in October. The road paving project was completed last week. Quite a bit of money is put into the Overlay Project each year. There were about 30 roads that were paved. The MRM rates are going to decrease for our workers’ comp in the range of 4.5%. The new rates will come out next year sometime in October. COMMUNITY INPUT: Mr. Dice noted that there is a 3-minute timeline to say what you would like. Dennis Pavlik, 229 North Duane Drive: Mr. Pavlik said that in the couple of weeks, Council is going to be asked to approve Summerhill Phase II Plan of Lots. That property abuts his property. Based on the Planning Commission, the Municipality, and FTMSA, they are wanting this plan to utilize a sewer line right-of-way that goes down their private road of North Duane Drive. The agreement from Planning was that the developer reach an agreement with the people on North Duane Drive in regard to certain issues they had raised. He has agreed to those and submitted a list in writing, but there is no signature. Mr. Pavlik is asking vmp -3- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 that the Municipality enforce the agreement and put it into the official plan before it is approved. Mr. Dice stated that his concerns will be noted when they are doing the Conditional Use hearing. Bruce Kaufman, 5570 Old William Penn: Mr. Kaufman stated that he is a 50-year resident of the Municipality and was here to see if there is any progress with communicating with State or Federal resources for cleaning the streams. Mr. Nestico answered that they did have a call with State Representative Cooper and officials from the DEP to give them some directions for the next steps. It was determined that the Municipality would need to conduct a feasibility study if they want to explore a flood control project. This would be a long-term project that they may consider doing. As far as cleanup efforts in the creeks short term, the funding would need to be available and the resources to conduct the cleanup, along with property owner approval. Mr. Dice said that they would have to discuss looking into a feasibility study – to be determined. That would be the first step in the process. Gwen Shepherd, 4832 Treesdale Court: Mrs. Shepherd stated that she has lived there for over 25 years and in Murrysville for over 40 years. She saw a change to the Murry Crest subdivision through the Hay Lane Subdivision that is on the agenda for discussion this evening. She is asking Council to review the subdivision deed in regard to her property. The Murry Crest minor subdivision abuts her private property. She found out that deed makes references that imply that the Murry Crest subdivision has rights to use her private property. No property rights were ever granted to the Murry Crest subdivision. They have never been affiliated with the Murry Crest subdivision, and they have no rights to use her property. The references to her property that are currently shown on the Murry Crest subdivision deed are untrue, unbinding, and deeded without her consent or knowledge. She is asking Council to remove all information pertaining to her property from the Murry Crest subdivision deed. Mr. Dice indicated that this is a legal issue and will need to have the solicitor look at the deed to see what’s going on. LIAISON COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Lemak: The Library meets on Thursday. The new Youth Services Librarian that was introduced at the last meeting is a good addition. Mr. Stepanovich: Medic One did meet. There is going to be a major feature about Medic One in the Penn Franklin. There was a 2-year agreement of an increase for their computer services of $300 per month. The Rotary applied for a grant of $9,000 for new mannequins and AED Training equipment. The next meeting is this coming Thursday. Murrysville Parks and Recreation Foundation meeting is this coming Monday at 9:00 a.m. Mac McKenna: The Parks and Recreation August meeting was cancelled. The next meeting will be September 9th. Today is the last Tuesdays at Townsend concert. This year has been very successful. Mr. Olszewski: The EAC met at the end of July. They had someone that worked closely with Pia in the parks attend. He was questioning funding around herbicides and other volunteer work that Pia has been doing in the parks and how to receive additional funding. The CSE building expansion was discussed. There were questions regarding the required landscape screening. It was anticipated that because no additional parking was being created and the main building was built prior to the current requirements, no additional parking landscaping may be required. Members asked if the fire department has been involved with the vmp -4- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 review given the nature of the materials stored in the addition. The plans have been forwarded to White Valley for review. MAWC water tank came up as a topic and questions why the stormwater from the existing tank does not go into the new pond and if any landscaping was required. Mr. Diacopoulos: The Pension Committee met for its quarterly meeting last week. There was an actuarial report that was delivered, which reviews the status of the pension funds both for the uniform and non- uniform sides. It looks for ensuring that it meets the PA standards in terms of Act 205 with 100% being adequately funded. Both funds are within the margin of error around 100% - that’s good news. The performance through the end of June was 7%. Year to date is around 5.5% return. Mr. Dice: FTMSA meets this Thursday at 6:00 p.m. WORKSHOP ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None ENGINEERING: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 11.A. Discussion for S-9-25, Hay Subdivision, a minor subdivision application of 9.64 acres into two separate parcels, Tax Parcel 49-11-00-0-153, R-1 Zoning Mr. Nestico stated that as it relates to the Hay Subdivision, it may be prudent to conduct a vote on 14.B before 14.A because approval of the subdivision should take place before we amend the 537 Plan. This is a minor subdivision of a 9.64-acre parcel into two separate parcels. This has been reviewed by an outside third party – Gibson-Thomas Engineering. It does not impact on the property of the owner that previously spoke. There is no ingress or egress through their property or private drive. There were no questions or comments from Council. 11.B. Discussion of SP-2-25, Vertical Bridge Verizon Cell Tower, a major preliminary and final land development application with approximately 0.8 acres disturbed on Tax Parcels 49-07-00-0-263 and 49-01- 00-0-020 located at 4900 Lasher Court, R-R Zoning. Mr. Nestico stated that this cell tower came in for Conditional Use approval that was already received by the Municipality. There is no need for an NPDS permit because it is under one acre development. Everything recommended by Planning and Council was addressed by the applicant. There were no questions or concerns from Council. PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS ADMINISTRATION: None COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: vmp -5- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 14.B. Approve S-9-25, Hay Subdivision, a minor subdivision application of 9.64 acres into two separate parcels, Tax Parcel 49-11-00-0-153, R-1 Zoning. Mr. Lemak made a motion to approve S-9-25, Hay Subdivision, a minor subdivision application of 9.64 acres into two separate parcels. Tax parcel 49-11-00-0-153, R-1 zoning. Mr. Diacopoulos seconded. Mr. Stepanovich asked if this was separate from Mrs. Shepherd’s property. Mr. Nestico stated that this subdivision is behind Mrs. Shepherd’s property. There are several other parcels behind her property that are part of the Murry Crest subdivision. This is a separate subdivision that has two separate lots that do not bring into account the private drive that Mrs. Shepherd is concerned about. Mr. Nestico brought up a map that showed where Mrs. Shepherds property is and where this subdivision is located. The property being divided will be accessible onto Windover Road and Hay Lane. Mrs. Shepherds property is accessed from Treesdale Court. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 14.A. Approve Resolution #802-25, a Resolution amending the Municipality of Murrysville’s Act 537 plan for new development, Hay Lane Subdivision, S-9-25, Hay Lane, Tax Parcel 49-11-00-0-153. Mr. McKenna made a motion to approve Resolution #802-25, a Resolution amending the Municipality of Murrysville’s Act 537 plan for new development, Hay Lane Subdivision, S-9-25, Hay Lane, Tax Parcel 49-11- 00-0-153. Mr. Olszewski seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. 14.C. Approval of SP-2-25, Vertical Bridge Cell Tower, a major preliminary and final land development application with approximately 0.8 acres disturbed on Tax Parcels 49-07-00-0-263 and 49-07-00-0-020 located at 4900 Lasher Court, R-R Zoning. Mr. Stepanovich made a motion to approve SP-2-25, Vertical Bridge Cell Tower, a major preliminary and final land development application with approximately 0.8 acres disturbed on Tax Parcels 49-07-00-0-263 and 49-07-00-0-020 located at 4900 Lasher Court, R-R zoning. Mr. Diacopoulos seconded. All those present voted aye. Motion approved. ENGINEERING: None PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS: None OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None vmp -6- THE MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE Regular Voting Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 2025 ACTION ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Diacopoulos made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Olszewski seconded. All those present voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The Regular Voting Meeting and Public Hearing 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 -7-