January 7, 2008

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Reorganizational Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:45 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Solicitor Daniel W. Rullo called the meeting to order.  He noted that all three Commissioners were present and have taken their oaths of office.  He stated it would be in order to organize the Board of Commissioners by first appointing the Chair. 

 

 

Appoint Chair

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes to appoint PAMELA A. TOKAR-ICKES as Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.

 

VOTING:  James C. Marker – Aye, Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes – Aye, John P. Vatavuk – No.  Motion carried.

 

 

Commissioner Vatavuk explained his opposition to the motion.  He felt there is a tradition that the top vote getter serves as Chairman of the Board and as such the public expected that he would be Chairman of the Board.  However, he will support the majority of the Board. 

 

 

 

Appoint Vice Chair

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to appoint JOHN P. VATAVUK as Vice-Chair of the Board of County Commissioners.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Appoint Secretary

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes to appoint JAMES C. MARKER as Secretary of the Board of County Commissioners.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Appoint Chief Clerk and Assistant Chief Clerk

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to appoint Carolyn M. Zambanini as Chief Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners and Sonya Augustine as Assistant Chief Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Appoint County Solicitor

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes to appoint Daniel W. Rullo, Esquire, of Barbera, Clapper, Beener, Rullo & Melvin, 146 West Main Street, Somerset, Pennsylvania, 15501, as County Solicitor.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Approve Minutes

 

Motion by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 28, 2007.

 

VOTING:  James C. Marker – Aye, Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes – Aye, John P. Vatavuk – Abstained.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Approve Payment of Bills

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $1,582,479.38.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Bid – Area Agency on Aging – Center for Life Cleaning Services

 

Bids were opened on November 26, 2007, for Cleaning Services to be provided on a daily basis at the Windber Center for Life located at 700 Fifth Street, Windber, Pennsylvania.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to reject the bid received from SERVICEMASTER of 2612 18th Street, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601, for the daily cleaning services at the Windber Center for Life as it was withdrawn, upon the recommendation of Arthur DiLoreto of the Area Agency on Aging.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the re-advertisement for bids for the daily cleaning services at the Windber Center for Life, upon the recommendation of Arthur DiLoreto of the Area Agency on Aging, subsequent to further review of the bid specifications by the Solicitor.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Travel Requests

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the following travel request:

 

request for Charles Crimone and Sharon Hahn of Children and Youth Services to attend the PCYA January 2008 Quarterly Meeting on January 15-17, 2008 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Area Agency on Aging

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Employee #5080 of the Area Agency on Aging for the period of February 7, 2008 through February 15, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to accept the resignation of ROBERT SARVER of Hyndman, Pennsylvania, from his position as Part-Time Meal Deliverer for the Area Agency on Aging, effective January 4, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to accept the resignation of KATHLEEN SHAFFER of Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, from her position as Administrative Assistant for the Area Agency on Aging, effective January 16, 2008, as she is transferring to the Agricultural Extension Office.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the request of Arthur DiLoreto, Administrator of Area Agency on Aging, to appoint FRANCIS J. JUBARA of Stoystown, Pennsylvania, as a Part-Time Meal Deliverer for the Area Agency on Aging at an hourly rate of $7.60, effective January 9, 2008, subject to approval of the hourly rate by Salary Board.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the Purchase of Service Agreement between the Area Agency on Aging and TRUGREEN CHEMLAWN of 108 Allenbill Drive, Johnstown, PA  15904, for services at the Somerset Senior Center in the amount of $459.25 per year for a three-year period beginning in the spring of 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the advertisement for bids for the sale of a Rolling File System no longer need by the Center of Life in Windber, upon the request of Arthur DiLoreto, Administrator of the Area Agency on Aging; the value of the system is estimated to be in excess of $1,000.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Maintenance Department

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to remove Employee #1735 from the County Payroll, effective December 27, 2007.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Agricultural Extension Office

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the request of Dorothy Bromley, Director of the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, to transfer KATHLEEN SHAFFER of Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, from her position of Administrative Assistant for Area Agency on Aging to the position of Administrative Assistant at the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, at an annual salary of $25,000.00, effective January 17, 2008, subject to approval by Salary Board.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Dorothy Bromley, Director of the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, to hire MEGAN SHARP of Stoystown, Pennsylvania, as Clerk/Receptionist at the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office, at an annual salary of $14,430.00, effective January 22, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Tax Claim Bureau

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the following Offer to Purchase Property at Private Sale, subject to the approval of the municipality and school district involved as well as any objection to the Courts:

 

Name:                                     Thomas E. & Nancy J. Appleyard

Amount:                                                $100.00

Owner:                                   Tom Swift

Address:                                                RD 1, Box 215K2, Strasburg, PA  17579

                Grantor:                                  William Bennix

Location of Property:          Somerset Township 42-35850

Description of Property:     1 ½ A

                                                               

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Planning Commission

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to accept the resignation of LEE MANGES of Central City, Pennsylvania 15926, as a member of the Planning Commission Board, effective December 6, 2007.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to reappoint BARRY LYNN BAER of 921 Beaver Dam Road, Friedens, Pennsylvania  15541, to the Planning Commission Board for a four-year term expiring on December 31, 2011.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Children and Youth Services

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Purchase of Service Agreement between the Children and Youth Services and CENTER STONE of 1101 Sixth Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee  37208.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Assessment Office

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Employee #2097 of the Assessment Office on January 2, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Cambria Somerset Authority

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to reappoint DAVID MANKAMYER of 152 Aviator Lane, Friedens, Pennsylvania  15541, to the Cambria Somerset Authority Board of Directors for a five-year term expiring on December 31, 2012.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset County Hospital Authority

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to reappoint GEORGE HAY of 629 Harvest Drive, Rockwood, Pennsylvania  15557, to the Somerset County Hospital Authority Board for a five-year term expiring on December 31, 2012.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Commissioner Boards & Committees Appointments

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to appoint the Commissioner Representatives to the following Boards and Committees for a four-year term:

 

Board

 

Commissioner Representative

 

ACM Foundation Board

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

ACM Southern Tier Council

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

Cambria Somerset Authority

James C. Marker

Chamber of Commerce Board

James C. Marker

Child Death Review Team

John P. Vatavuk

Conservation District

John P. Vatavuk

Criminal Justice Advisory Board

James C. Marker

Drought Management Task Force

John P. Vatavuk

Board of Family Services

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

Library Board

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

Library - Federated Library System

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

Local Emergency Planning Committee

John P. Vatavuk

MH/MR Advisory Board

John P. Vatavuk

Multi-Disciplinary Team

John P. Vatavuk

Parks and Recreation Board

James C. Marker

DOC County/State Liaison Committee

James C. Marker

Rails to Trails

James C. Marker

Roofs Over Our Families (ROOF)

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

SAFC Governing Board

John P. Vatavuk

SCA Board

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

Southern Alleghenies Conservancy

John P. Vatavuk

Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Comm

 

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes

James C. Marker

 

John P. Vatavuk - Alt

Southern Alleghenies RC&D

John P. Vatavuk

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset County Jail

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of JOSEPH SOPICH of Boswell, Pennsylvania, as he is retiring from his position as Full-Time Correctional Officer at the Somerset County Jail, effective January 2, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Mileage Reimbursement Rate

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to apply the IRS Standard Mileage Rate to the County increasing the Mileage Rate for business travel to 50.5 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes thanked Commissioner Marker for having served the County as Chairman for the last two-terms.  

 

 

 

The Reorganizational Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners adjourned upon motion by John P. Vatavuk, and seconded by James C. Marker at 11:15 a.m.

 

                                                                               

 

 

_____________________________________________

                                                                JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

 


January 7, 2008

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Reorganizational Meeting of the Somerset County Salary Board was held at 11:16 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Donna Schmitt, Treasurer; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by Donna Schmitt to approve the following:

 

Set the 2008 hourly rate for PART-TIME CORRECTIONAL OFFICER FOR THE JAIL at $11.26 (33 cents per hour increase), effective January 1, 2008.

 

Increase the hourly rate for ALL OTHER PART-TIME EMPLOYEES by 20 cents per hour, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt the 2008 Compensation Plan for the Emergency Management Agency (Clerk), which is a $750.00 or 3% (whichever is greater) increase, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to increase salaries for employees covered under collective bargaining agreements as follows:

 

Increase the salaries for all employees covered by the AFSCME Contract by $750.00 or 3%,  whichever is greater, and move to the next step on the scale upon anniversary date if applicable, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Increase the salaries for all employees covered by the UMWA - JAIL Contract by 3% and move to the next step on the scale upon anniversary date if applicable, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Increase the salaries for all employees covered by the UMWA Contract by 35 cents per hour or 3%, whichever is greater, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Increase the salaries for all employees covered by the SCAPE Contract by 3% or $1,000, whichever is greater, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the following:

 

Increase the salaries for ALL PART-TIME ATTORNEYS ON COUNTY PAYROLL (Assistant Public Defenders, Assistant District Attorneys, Domestic Relations Solicitor, Master) by $750.00 or 3%, whichever is greater, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Increase the salaries for JURY OFFICERS and PART-TIME SALARIED EMPLOYEES FOR AREA AGENCY ON AGING by 3%, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Continue the 2007 salaries for the LAW CLERKS and LAW LIBRARIAN for 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve a $600.00 stipend for the year 2008 (not added to base salary) for the following Adult Probation employees:  KIMBERLY A. MCLAUGHLIN, Deputy Chief, of Somerset, Pennsylvania; CAROL R. MULLEN, PO II Supervisor, of Hollsopple, Pennsylvania; JEFFREY L. MULLEN, Institutional Parole Officer – Non-Supervisor, of Hollsopple, Pennsylvania; and SEAN P. DOLAN, PO II Supervisor IPC, of Rockwood, Pennsylvania; due to the distribution of the Collection Officer’s caseload among these four employees.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by Donna Schmitt to increase the salaries of BRIGITTE KOONTZ of Somerset, Pennsylvania, Clerk Typist II; KYRA MORRIS of Friedens, Pennsylvania, Computer Operator/Fiscal; and SHERRI HOOVER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, Fiscal Assistant/Clerk Typist for Juvenile Probation; by 3% of their base salaries, as they have assumed the duties of the vacant Clerk Typist II position upon the retirement of JoAnn Benford, and to delete the position of Clerk Typist II vacated by JoAnn Benford, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the following:

 

Increase the salary for ADELE BAUER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, Deputy Warden for the Somerset County Jail, to $34,000, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Increase the salary for TOM PERRIN of Berlin, Pennsylvania, Warden for the Somerset County Jail, to $42,000, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by Donna Schmitt to increase the salary for WILLIAM RUMP of Markleton, Pennsylvania, Lieutenant for the Somerset County Jail, by 3% or $750, whichever is greater, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to increase the salaries for ALL OTHER FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES not covered by the AFSCME, UMWA-JAIL, UMWA or SCAPE contracts or otherwise addressed, by $750 or 3%, whichever is greater, effective January 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to set the starting salary for FIRST DEPUTY at 80% of the then current top rate for First Deputy with annual increments over the succeeding four years as follows:

Year 2 – 85% of the top First Deputy rate for that year

                Year 3 – 90% of the top First Deputy rate for that year

                Year 4 – 95% of the top First Deputy rate for that year

                Year 5 – 100% of the top First Deputy rate for that year

 

so as to bring that First Deputy to the same rate as all other First Deputies at the top rate over a five-year period.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by Donna Schmitt to set the starting salary for Administrative Assistant at $25,000.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to SET THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES in each Department the same as 2007 with the following exceptions:

 

Create – Full-Time Dispatcher – 911 (2)

                Create – Part-time Clerk – Public Defender’s Office

                Delete – Full-Time Clerk Typist II – Juvenile Probation Office

 

as set forth in the 2008 Salary Board Position Control attached hereto.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

The Reorganizational Meeting of the Salary Board recessed at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                                                CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary

 

 


January 7, 2008

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 11:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Donna Schmitt, Treasurer; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the Request for Vesting submitted by SHELLEY GLESSNER of Sipesville, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a County Auditor was December 15, 2004.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the Request for Vesting submitted by KATHERINE DWYER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a Clerk Typist for the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office was December 11, 2007.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the Request for Vesting submitted by BRAD COBER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a County Commissioner was December 31, 2007.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by Donna Schmitt to acknowledge the retirement of JOSEPH SOPICH of Boswell, Pennsylvania, from his position as Full-Time Correctional Officer at the Somerset County Jail, effective January 2, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

There was discussion regarding a Cost of Living Increase to the Retirees of Somerset County.  The last increase was given in 2005.  No motion was offered for an increase at this time.

 

 

 

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 11:35 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                                                CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary