February 5, 2008
TUESDAY: A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:40 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.
PRESENT: Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James
C. Marker, Commissioners; Kerri Burtner, Comprehensive Plan Coordinator; Ron
Aldom, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce; Brad Zearfoss, Planning Commission;
Ron Ream, WJAC-TV; Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat;
Approve
Minutes
Motion
by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the minutes of the
meeting of January 22, 2008.
The
vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Approve Payment of Bills
Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $930,759.79.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P.
Vatavuk to approve Change Order No. 2 to
the Contract with NEW ENTERPRISE STONE AND LIME COMPANY of PO Box 77, New
Enterprise, PA 16664-0077, in the amount of $17,526.83, for the addition of
subsurface drain endwalls, radio control for operating PAPI and REIL’s, and tree
clearing along the fenceline, increasing the total cost for the Somerset County
Airport R/W and T/W Extension Project to $1,190,787.83.
The
vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Travel Requests
Motion
by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the following travel
request:
request for Tina Pritts of
Voter Registration & Elections to attend the WPEPA Meeting on February
27-28, 2008, in Clarion,
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the request
of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Carolyn
Zambanini, Chief Clerk announced that the County is requesting sealed bids for a
Video Surveillance System Upgrade for the Somerset County Jail. Bids must be received in the Commissioners’
Office,
Maintenance Department
Motion by James C.
Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Dan
Gindlesperger, Maintenance Supervisor, to promote CODY SANNER of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Domestic Relations Department
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to rescind the motion made at the January 22, 2008 Commissioners’ Meeting approving the request of Richard Wagner, Director of Domestic Relations, to hire CHAD ZIEGLER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, as a Conference Officer at an annual salary of $23,656.00, effective January 28, 2008.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Jeff Masterson of Tableland Services, Inc., to submit a Grant Application to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on behalf of the Somerset County Transportation System for the Shared Ride Program for Persons with Disabilities in the amount of $74,000.00.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Probation Department
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Employee #1677 of the Probation Office for February 6, 2008.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Great Allegheny Passage
Motion by James C.
Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Easement Agreement between
the
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Area Agency on Aging
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Arthur DiLoreto, Administrator of Area Agency on Aging, to utilize a temporary employment agency to provide temporary assistance as a result of a staff vacancy in the Fiscal Department until said vacancy is filled.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Employee #5103 of the Area Agency on Aging for February 8, 11, and 12, 2008.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to
accept the resignation of MAYLA YODER of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion
by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Grant Agreement
between the
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Flight 93 Task Force
Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to appoint JERRY SPANGLER as the co-Chair of the Flight 93 Task Force, upon the unanimous recommendation by the members of the Executive Committee of the Flight 93 Task Force to replace Judge Kim R. Gibson who has submitted his resignation.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by James C.
Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to re-appoint BERNARD HOAR of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Proclamation –
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to
adopt Proclamation No. 4 of 2008 in recognition of the 250th
Anniversary Celebration of the
WHEREAS, the 250th anniversary of the naming of the
Pittsburgh region is our opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage and
highlight the assets that make Southwestern Pennsylvania one of the best places
to live, work, visit and invest in; and
WHEREAS, our region's talented workforce and technology have
contributed many innovations that have transformed the nation and the world,
from our past as a powerhouse of iron, steel, and glass to our present
leadership in nanotechnology, education, health care and other knowledge
industries; and
WHEREAS,
·
The
transformation of
·
The publication
of the Pennsylvania’s Forbes Trail:
Gateways and Getaways Along the Legendary Route From Philadelphia to Pittsburgh
celebrating the road British and American troops cut across Pennsylvania
wilderness in 1758, on June 24-29 the Tour of Pennsylvania cycling race will
use the route of history connecting the French and Indian War, Independence
Hall, Valley Forge, Gettysburg, the Industrial Revolution, and the Flight 93
Crash Site;
·
The completion of
the Great Allegheny Passage, a
world-class, 335-mile link from George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia to
Pittsburgh that bicyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, and trailside businesses will
celebrate with an inaugural ride that
concludes Oct. 4; and
WHEREAS,
·
Community Connections grants totaling $1 million to 100 projects that
celebrate our region’s “Pride and Progress” in history, music, the arts and
civic engagement—four are exclusively in
· 250 &
Fit, a program challenging local
residents to transform their lifestyles by committing to improved health and
wellness that leads to healthier communities and establishing the region as a
place unique for its dedication to healthy living; and
· Reunion and
Homecoming, a region wide effort
encouraging individuals and organizations to hold homecomings, reunions, and meetings that bring former residents and
visitors to our region through 2008 and beyond to enjoy all that we have to
offer.
NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE SOMERSET COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, do hereby
join our fellow County Elected Officials in the 14-County Southwestern
Pennsylvania region in proclaiming 2008 as a time for all citizens past and
present, as well as visitors from around the world, to join together to
celebrate our history, enjoy the present, imagine a bright future, and work
together to make it happen by celebrating the anniversary year with Pittsburgh
250.
Somerset
/s/ PAMELA
A. TOKAR-ICKES, Chair
/s/ JOHN
P. VATAVUK, Vice Chair
/s/ JAMES
C. MARKER, Secretary
/s/
Carolyn M. Zambanini, Chief Clerk
DATED: February 5, 2008
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Resolution – House Bill 934
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Resolution No. 5 of 2008 in support of House Bill 934 as follows:
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the County of Somerset
is responsible for providing or facilitating adequate and appropriate waste and
recycling collection within its borders; and
WHEREAS, each county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is
responsible for supplementing municipal recycling efforts by assuring waste
disposal capacity, municipal waste planning, and related administration,
education, and enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania Act 101 of 1988 provides for municipal
and county recycling responsibilities but does not provide an adequate funding
for such responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, provision of these services will help to enhance and
sustain the quality of life within our communities by assuring proper,
convenient, affordable, and environmentally sound waste management.
Somerset
/s/ PAMELA
A. TOKAR-ICKES, Chair
/s/ JOHN
P. VATAVUK, Vice Chair
/s/ JAMES
C. MARKER, Secretary
/s/
Carolyn M. Zambanini, Chief Clerk
DATED: February 5, 2008
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Children & Youth Services
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept
the resignation of RACHEL COOK of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept
the resignation of KATE SHAFFER of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Planning Commission
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve
the recommendation of Brad Zearfoss, Planning Commission Director, to hire MACKIN
ENGINEERING COMPANY of RIDC Park West,
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Brad
Zearfoss stated that 11 proposals were received to look at potential new
development along the corridor leading from Somerset Borough to the County
line. The study will enable
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to
approve the request of David Wright, Airport Manager, to hire SAM SAYLER of
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Liquid Fuels
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to
approve the NBIS Bridge Inspection and Inventory Agreement between the
WHEREAS,
the Somerset County Board of Commissioners recognizes the need to periodically
inspect their municipally owned bridges; and
WHEREAS,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation, is administering the Federal Special Bridge Funds, Inventory
and Inspection Program, which makes federal funds from the Surface
Transportation Act of 1982 available to municipalities for the inspection and
inventory of locally owned bridges; and
NOW
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners,
understanding that this program under Surface Transportation Act of 1982 will
be funded with 80% federal funds, 20% municipal funds, hereby advises all
proper officials of the intent of participating in this program; and
FURTHERMORE,
the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is hereby authorized to prepare
the Engineering Agreement between Somerset County, Pennsylvania and the EADS
Group, Inc.; and
FUTHERMORE,
the Chair or Vice Chair of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners is hereby
authorized to sign all documents necessary to implement the program on behalf
of the
Somerset
/s/ PAMELA
A. TOKAR-ICKES, Chair
/s/ JOHN
P. VATAVUK, Vice Chair
/s/ JAMES
C. MARKER, Secretary
/s/
Carolyn M. Zambanini, Chief Clerk
DATED: February 5, 2008
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Assessment Office
Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to reappoint
Charles F. Lewandowski, Norman W. Fritz, and John J. Kamalsky to the Somerset
County Board of Assessment Appeals and to approve an increase in daily compensation for the Board members from $80.00 to
$100.00.
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor, announced that he has been notified by the attorney for the County’s liability insurance carrier, Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool (PCoRP), Marie Milie Jones that as of January 2008 the prison related litigation against the County and some former and current Jail officials has been concluded. Six cases related to allegations of mistreatment of inmates by other inmates filed by Richard Ellis, Justin Taylor, Matthew Gindlesperger, Brian Young, Jeffrey Matkosky, and Darren McChesney have been resolved and have now been dismissed. The suit filed by Ronald Duerring, Sr. in regards to the suicide of Ronald Duerring, Jr. has been resolved with similar arrangements. Solicitor Rullo stated that in all these cases, the County was only responsible for the payment of its deductible in the amount of $1,500.00 per case. The County does not have the ability to consent or reject to how the insurance company chooses to handle the lawsuits.
Solicitor Rullo further stated that Somerset Borough Chief of Police Randy Cox has also submitted his report in conclusion of the inmate-on-inmate investigations. Since the investigation began in 2004, 88 cases have been cleared with 22 arrests, and 30 individuals prosecuted including one correctional officer. The Chief of Police did comment that the County has made great strides in dealing with the problems associate with the Jail by continuing to implement new procedures and strategies to meet its obligation to maintain the safest and most efficient facility as possible. Chief Cox went on to say that the appointment of Warden Thomas Perrin and the changes in practice he has implemented has proven to be a positive step to restore the confidence in the operation of the Jail.
The
Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners adjourned upon motion by James
C. Marker, and seconded by John P. Vatavuk at 11:05 a.m.
_____________________________________________
JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary
February 5, 2008
TUESDAY: A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 11:08 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.
PRESENT: Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and
James C. Marker, Commissioners; Donna M. Schmitt, Treasurer; Ron Ream, WJAC-TV;
Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat;
Gene Natali, Jr., of C.S. Mckee, L.P. presented the Investment Review for the Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Fund for the Fourth Quarter of 2007, a copy of which is attached hereto.
Motion by
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion
by
The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.
The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 11:20 a.m.
_______________________________________
CAROLYN
M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary