March 4, 2008

TUESDAY: A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

PRESENT: John P. Vatavuk and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Steve Spochart, Redevelopment Authority; Kirk Swauger, Tribune-Democrat; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Greg Simmons, Dept. of Defense; Kerri Burtner, Comprehensive Plan Coordinator; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

Moment of Silence

A moment of silence was observed in honor of Commissioner Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes’ father, William Tokar, who passed away.

Approve Minutes

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the minutes of the meetings of February 5, 2008 and February 19, 2008, as well as the bid openings of February 11, 2008 and February 25, 2008.

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 $920,911.31.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Award Bid – Area Agency on Aging – CFL Cleaning Services

Three bids were received and opened on February 25, 2008, 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 James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to award the bid for the daily cleaning services at the Windber Center for Life to SAFARI CLEANERS of P.O. Box 1287, 111 Roosevelt Blvd., Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15907 in the amount of $973.00 per month, upon the recommendation of Arthur DiLoreto, Administrator of the Area Agency on Aging.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Bids – Somerset County Jail – Video Surveillance System Upgrade

Five bids were received and opened on February 28, 2008, for the Video Surveillance System Upgrade for the Somerset County Jail.

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to table the bids for the Video Surveillance System Upgrade at the Somerset County Jail for further review by the IT Department and Warden Tom Perrin.

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 Linda Jackson of the Area Agency on Aging to attend the 2008 Ombudsman Enrichment Conference on March 10-12, 2008, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; and

request for Vince Pavic of the Human Resources Department to attend the PA State Legislative & Legal Conference on April 14-15, 2008 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Presentation – PA Department of Defense

Greg Simmons with the Pennsylvania Department of Defense presented the County with a 5-star Certificate in recognition for being an employer of active guard and reserve.

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 transfer HEATHER LELEUX of Somerset, Pennsylvania, from Part-Time Food Service Worker I/Stockroom to Part-Time Food Service Worker I at an hourly rate of $7.60, effective February 26, 2008.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to acknowledge the appointment of HANNAH SCHEFFEL of 268 Sechler Road, Somerset, Pennsylvania 15501, to an unpaid internship at the Area Agency on Aging on March 4-5, 2008.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of REBECCA MILLER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, from her position as Aging Care Manager 2 at Area Agency on Aging, effective March 10, 2008.

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 Agreement between Children and Youth Services and INDEPENDENT FAMILY SERVICES, INC., of 636 Scalp Avenue, Suite 219, Johnstown, PA 15904, to provide family based mental health treatment services.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Emergency Management Agency

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Proclamation No. 7 of 2008 proclaiming the week of March 9-15, 2008 as Weather Emergency Preparedness Week as follows:

WHEREAS, in 2007, natural disasters once again impacted many Pennsylvania communities, resulting in widespread damage to public and private property;

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, Pennsylvania being recognized as one of the most flood prone states in the nation;

WHEREAS, heavy rains and flash flooding may result in extensive damage to roads, streets, bridges, private homes, and businesses, and may cause other adverse impacts upon the general population Pennsylvania;

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

WHEREAS, each year, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (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;

WHEREAS, in addition to educational and public information programs, the March 13 statewide exercise 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;

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 emergencies and as support for these educational and training program we, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim March 9-15, 2008, as WEATHER EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK in Somerset County.

Adopted this 4^th day of March, 2008.

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 County Jail

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of BERNARD FUNK of Ligonier, Pennsylvania from his position as Part-Time Correctional Officer at the Somerset County Jail, effective February 25, 2008.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to ratify the Agreement between the County of Somerset and JAILCRAFT, INC., of P.O. Box 340, Stevensville, MD 21666, for emergency repairs to the detention equipment at the Somerset County Jail in the amount of $65,900.00 plus parts; and for the ongoing maintenance to the equipment for the period of one year in the amount of $19,368.00, effective February 1, 2008.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Sheriff’s Department

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of TERESA ASH of Acosta, Pennsylvania from her position as Temporary Part-Time Clerk in the Sheriff’s Department, effective February 29, 2008.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Domestic Relations Department

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Richard Wagner, Director of the Domestic Relations Department, to hire RANDY BUSSARD of Berlin, Pennsylvania as a Conference Officer at an annual salary of $24,626.00, effective March 17, 2008.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Confluence District Judge’s Office

Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor, reported that there was a furnace malfunction at the Confluence District Judge’s Office located at 616 Logan Place, Confluence, Pennsylvania, over the weekend. The pipe to the furnace became dislodged allowing soot to be blown throughout the building. The office will be closed for emergency clean-up until March 7, 2008. The office is leased and the property owner as well as the County insurance provider has been notified. The office/computer equipment has been removed for cleaning. The emergency cleaning agreement would need to be ratified.

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to ratify the Agreement dated March 3, 2008, with SERVICE MASTER of 2312 W. Bakersville-Edie Road, Somerset, PA 15501, for the emergency cleaning of the Confluence District Judges’ Office.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Redevelopment Authority

Steve Spochart, Executive Director of the Somerset County Redevelopment Authority, presented a Cooperation Agreement and Resolution in connection with Authority’s application for Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funds in an amount not to exceed $1,000.000. The Authority has applied for funds on behalf of the Buncher Group for the Bakersville Fire Department Project. He explained that the Authority will administer the project and review all costs and reimbursements. He stated the agreement and resolution would designate the County to reimburse any ineligible expenditure and is a requirement of the Commonwealth.

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Cooperation Agreement between the County of Somerset and the SOMERSET COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY as well as Resolution No. 8 of 2008 as follows:

WHEREAS, the County of Somerset had adopted Resolution No. 16, dated September 19, 2006 in support of an application for financial assistance with the State Budget Office for $1 Million Dollars in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) to be submitted by the Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County; and

WHEREAS, the Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County had submitted the aforementioned application for financial assistance on July 27, 2007; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth requires the County to agree to reimburse it for any expenditure of RACP funds determined by the Commonwealth to be ineligible;

BE IT RESOLVED, that Chair of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners is authorized to enter into a Cooperation Agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County, in a form approved by the County Solicitor, in which the Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County agrees to administer the Project; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County of Somerset agrees to reimburse the Commonwealth for any expenditure of RACP funds determined by the Commonwealth to be ineligible.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto affix my signature and the seal of the Board of County Commissioners, this 4^th day of March 2008.

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.

Commissioner John Vatavuk announced that the Voter Registration and Elections Office has moved into Suite 340 on the 3^rd Level of the Somerset County Office Building.

Commissioner John Vatavuk stated the Commissioners are committed to continuing the campaign for the completion of Rt. 219 and will work to set up meetings with the Governor and other officials. Commissioner Marker stated that 10,120 emails have be sent requesting that the funds be restored for the construction of Route 219 to Governor Rendell, Transportation Secretary Biehler, and the leadership of the State's House and Senate Transportation committees using the Capwiz-XC software that is linked to the County webpage.

The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners adjourned upon motion by James C. Marker, and seconded by John P. Vatavuk at 10:48 a.m.

_____________________________________________

JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

March 4, 2008

TUESDAY: A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Salary Board was held at 10:50 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

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

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to eliminate the position of TEMPORARY PART-TIME CLERK and create the position of FULL-TIME CLERK for the Sheriff’s Department at an annual salary of $15,392.00.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

The Regular Meeting of the Salary Board recessed at 10:50 a.m.

_______________________________________

JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

March 4, 2008

TUESDAY: A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 10:51 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the Request for Refund of Accumulated Deductions and Authorization for Distribution submitted by MICHAEL J. LOWRY of Somerset, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a Caseworker II for Children and Youth Services was September 14, 2007.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the Request for Refund of Accumulated Deductions and Authorization for Distribution submitted by LYNN SVONAVEC of Somerset, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a Field Assessor for the Assessment Office was May 31, 2004.

The vote was unanimous. Motion carried.

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 10:55 a.m.

_______________________________________

CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary