March 3, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:49 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Steve Spochart, Redevelopment Authority; Therese Francis, Next Step Center; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Sam Piccioni and John Ayre, FNB Wealth Management; Craig Weaver, The EADS Group; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Approve Minutes

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 17, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  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 $3,656,413.33.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Travel Requests

 

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

 

request for Carol Bowman and Sydney Mull of the Somerset County Jail to attend the Correctional Officer Basic Training Course on April 6, 2009 to May 1, 2009 in Cambria County, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Charles Crimone and Sharon Hahn of Children and Youth Services to attend the PCYA Quarterly Meeting on March 24-27, 2009 in State College, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Scott Foglesong of the District Attorney’s Office to attend the Crime Scene Photo Course on April 13-17, 2009 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Daniel Kinsella of Veterans’ Services to attend the County Directors Conference on June 22-26, 2009 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania; and

 

request for Karen Ritchey of the Area Agency on Aging to attend the American Speaker Training Camp on May 3-4, 2009 in Washington, District of Columbia.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Parks & Recreation Board

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of MICHAEL CONN of 507 Salisbury Street, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania  15552, as a member of the Somerset County Parks and Recreation Board, effective February 23, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Sheriff’s Department

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of John Mankey, Sheriff, to hire JASON NATHANIEL MADDY of Central City, Pennsylvania, as a Part-Time Deputy in the Sheriff’s Department at an hourly rate of $9.89, effective February 23, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of John Mankey, Sheriff, to hire BRADLEY CRAMER of Rockwood, Pennsylvania, as a Part-Time Deputy in the Sheriff’s Department at an hourly rate of $9.89, effective March 4, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of John Mankey, Sheriff, to hire MYRA HEMMINGER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, as Temporary Clerk in the Sheriff s Department at an hourly rate of $7.80, effective March 2, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Elections & Voter Registration

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of KELLY AUGUSTINE of Somerset, Pennsylvania from her position as Part-time Elections Assistant for the Voter Registration and Elections Office, effective February 23, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Tina Pritts, Director of the Elections and Voter Registration Department, to hire NANCY THOMAS of Somerset, Pennsylvania as Part-Time Elections Assistant for the Voter Registration and Elections Office at an hourly rate of $7.80, effective February 27, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Children & Youth Services

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Purchase of Service Agreements between Children and Youth Services and the following:

 

Organization Name

Service/Cost

Alternative Community Resource Program

131 Market Street

Johnstown, PA  15901

 

No increase. 

Somerset Occupational Health

Wheeler Family Medical Center

126 East Church Street, Suite 2200

Somerset, PA  15501

 

Increase from 3% to 12%.

Youth Advocate Care Program

2007 North Third Street

Harrisburg, PA  17102

 

No increase.

Professional Family Care

937 Menoher Blvd.

Johnstown, PA  15905

 

No increase.

Appalachian Youth Services

115 South Marion Street, Suite A

Ebensburg, PA  15931

 

No increase.

Outside In School

PO Box 639

Greensburg, PA  15601

 

No increase.

Valley Community Services

PO Box 838

Mt. Pleasant, PA  15666

 

No increase.

Children’s Aid Home and Society

of Somerset County

PO Box 1195

Somerset, PA  15501

 

No increase.

Westmoreland County Regional

Youth Services Center

2771 South Grande Blvd.

Greensburg, PA  15601

 

2.4% increase.

Cambria County Juvenile Detention Center

557 Manor Drive

Ebensburg, PA  15931

No increase.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Area Agency on Aging

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to remove Employee #5100 from the County Payroll as a Part-Time Meal Deliverer for the Area Agency on Aging, effective February 20, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Redevelopment Authority

 

Steve Spochart, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority, requested the Commissioners’ approval to submit the Emergency Shelter Grant application on behalf of the Next Step Center, Inc.  He presented the Sub-recipient Agreement between the County and the Next Step Center, a well as a Cooperative Agreement between the County, the Next Step Center, and the Redevelopment Authority along with a Resolution for approval.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the submission of an application by the Redevelopment Authority to the PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT for Emergency Shelter Grant Funds on behalf of the Next Step Center, Inc., in the amount of $100,000.00; in connection with the application the Commissioners executed the Sub-recipient Agreement, the Cooperative Agreement, as well as the Resolution No. 4 of 2009, which resolution is set forth at length in the Resolution Book.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Therese Francis, Executive Director of the Next Step Center, spoke about the success the emergency shelter has had in the community.  Commissioner Tokar-Ickes thanked her for her efforts at the shelter.

 

 

 

Somerset County Jail

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to remove Employee #2112 from the County Payroll as a Part-Time Correctional Officer, effective February 25, 2009.

 

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 #2083 of Somerset County Jail for the period of February 4, 2009 through March 16, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Adele Bauer, Deputy Warden, to hire MICHAEL T. ASHBROOK of Somerset, Pennsylvania as a Part-Time Correctional Officer at the Somerset County Jail, at an hourly rate of $11.60, effective March 2, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Adele Bauer, Deputy Warden, to hire MARK NICHOLSON of Shanksville, Pennsylvania as a Part-Time Correctional Officer at the Somerset County Jail, at an hourly rate of $11.60, effective March 9, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Assessment Office

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the exoneration of the County’s share of roll-back taxes in the amount of $1,120.89 plus accrued interest assessed to the Viola Grace Willison Estate for property located in Jenner Township, Parcel ID# 21-005-9260, as the violation has been cured.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset County Airport

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to ratify the advertisement for bids for Contract 2009-01 – Apron Rehabilitation and Miscellaneous Improvements at the Somerset County Airport; bids are due in the Commissioners’ Office on or before Friday, March 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Proclamation – Weather Emergency Preparedness Week

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Proclamation No. 4 of 2009 proclaiming the week of March 1-7, 2009 as Weather Emergency Preparedness Week as follows:

 

WHEREAS, severe weather impacts many Pennsylvania communities, leaving citizens, municipalities and businesses to deal with widespread damage to public and private property; and

 

WHEREAS, of the range of natural disasters that can occur in the Commonwealth, flooding is by far the most common, due in part to our mountainous terrain and our nation-leading 83,000-mile network of rivers, creeks and streams.  In fact, Pennsylvania is recognized as one of the most flood prone states in the nation; and

 

WHEREAS, heavy rains and flash flooding may result in extensive damage to roads, streets, bridges, private homes, businesses, and may threaten the lives of the general population; and

 

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to assist  state, county and municipal governments in  preparing for, responding to, and recovering  from these disasters; and

 

WHEREAS, each year, the PEMA, along with county emergency management officials and the U. S. National Weather Service, administers a week-long weather emergency preparedness program to alert citizens and elected officials to severe weather related dangers; and

 

WHEREAS, in addition to educational and public information programs, a statewide exercise held on March 5th provides county and local emergency personnel, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and day care centers the opportunity to test the effectiveness of their emergency response plans and procedures; and

 

WHEREAS,  the Pennsylvania Emergency Alert System, which provides an essential communications link between government and citizens during an emergency, will be tested statewide through over 400 radio and television stations; and

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of the need to adequately prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies, and as support for the educational and training program we, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim March 1-7, 2009, as WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK in Somerset County.

 

Adopted this 3rd day of March 2009.

 

Somerset County Board Of Commissioners

                                                            /s/  PAMELA A. TOKAR-ICKES, Chair

                                                            /s/  JOHN P. VATAVUK, Vice Chair

                                                            /s/  JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

/s/  Carolyn M. Zambanini, Chief Clerk

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset 911

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to appoint TERRY PHILLIPS of 1216 Main Street, Windber, Pennsylvania 15963, to the Somerset County 911 Advisory Board as the Somerset County Fireman’s Association representative.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to appoint JIM CLARK of 254 West Race Street, Somerset, Pennsylvania 15501, to the Somerset County 911 Advisory Board as the Somerset County HazMat Team’s representative.

 

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 any objection to the Courts:

 

Name:                                      Roger C. Hanson, Jr.

            Amount:                                    $219.00

Owner:                                     Robert A. Mahler

Address:                                               529 South Ankney Avenue, Somerset, PA  15501

Grantor:                                                Larry E. Miller

Location of Property:                 Meyersdale Borough 26-8210

            Description of Property:                         1 Lot being 0.1035 A TX 14285 two sty alum apt store

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Liquid Fuels

 

Craig Weaver of The EADS Group requested that the Commissioners approve a four-month extension to complete Part I - Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies in connection with the Duck Pond Bridge Replacement Project.  The request is necessary to finalize a PennDOT permitting issue and will extend Part I of the project to July 13, 2009; this extension is not expected to effect the completion date for the project.  He also requested that the County issue a Notice to Proceed for Part II – Final Design.  Part II of the project is expected to take 12 months after which time the project will be ready for bid and construction.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the four-month extension to Part I – Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies for the Duck Pond Bridge Replacement Project until July 13, 2009, as well as to issue a Notice to Proceed to The EADS Group of Somerset, Pennsylvania, in connection with Part II – Final Design for the project.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Boswell District Judge’s Office

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to remove NANCY THOMAS of Somerset, Pennsylvania from the County Payroll as a Temporary Clerk in the Boswell District Judge’s Office, as she is transferring to the Voter Registration and Elections Office.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners adjourned upon motion by James C. Marker, and seconded by John P. Vatavuk at 11:04 a.m.

 

 

                                                           

_____________________________________________

                                                JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

March 3, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 11:09 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Sam Piccioni and John Ayre, FNB Wealth Management; Donna Schmitt, Treasurer; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes to approve the Request for Refund of Accumulated Deductions and Authorization for Distribution submitted by REBECCA MILLER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as an Aging Care Manager II for the Area Agency on Aging was March 5, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

John Ayre, Vice President of FNB Wealth Management and Sam Piccioni presented the Investment Review for the Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Fund, a copy of which is attached hereto.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker to pay 20% of the 2009 Annual Required Contribution (ARC) into stocks with FNB Wealth Management.  The motion died for the lack of a second.

 

 

A discussion was held regarding the motion and the option of making an additional investment in stocks.  The Retirement Board members will review this option.  It was noted that the Dow Jones closed today at 6,726.02.

 

 

 

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 11:47 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                        CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary