March 17, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:41 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Jay Wenger, Susquehanna Group Advisors; B. Lynn Freeman; Dinsmore & Shohl; 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 March 3, 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 $923,617.46.

 

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 David Fox and Richard Lohr of the Emergency Management Agency to attend the SCIP Workshop on March 23-24, 2009 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Mary Schellhammer of the District Attorney’s Office to attend the Juvenile Justice Conference on May 13-14, 2009 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and

 

request for Scott Walker of the Probation Department to attend the Policies Update on March 26, 2009 in State College, Pennsylvania.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Windber DJ Office

 

Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor stated that District Judge Joseph Cannoni has received notification from Windber Borough to vacate the office located at 1409 Somerset Avenue in Windber by July 1, 2009.  The oral conversation between the Borough Manager and the District Judge and the termination of the lease as of July 1, 2009, have been confirmed.  The County advertised for proposals to find a new location for the Windber District Judge’s Office.  Brad Cober, Court Administrator, has reviewed the three proposals received and is recommending the approval of a lease with Wilmore Coal Company for rental space located at 509 15th Street in Windber.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to accept the proposal of WILMORE COAL COMPANY to lease space for the Windber District Judge’s Office at 509 15th Street, Windber, Pennsylvania and to authorize Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor, to negotiate a lease agreement for a six-year term beginning July 1, 2009, with rent in the amount of $800.00 per month for the first and second years and a 3% increase annually for the balance of the term as well as additional rent for improvements to the property in an amount not to exceed $16,100 over the term of the lease. 

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Register of Wills’ Office

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Employee #2147 of the Register of Wills’ Office for the period of April 2-3, 2009.

 

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 #2119 of the Assessment Office for the following dates:  March 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 11th, and17th of 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

The Christian Home of Johnstown, Inc.

1100 Edson Avenue

Johnstown, PA  15905

 

No increase. 

The Bradley Center

5180 Campbells Run Road

Pittsburgh, PA  15205-9731

 

No increase.

Cornell Abraxas Group, Inc.

2480 Liberty Avenue, Suite 300

Pittsburgh, PA  15222

 

No increase.

Northwestern Human Services

4391 Sturbridge Drive

Harrisburg, PA  17110

 

7 rates decreased by 40 to 9%.

2 increased 4%, 1 by 2%.

 

 

Glade Run Lutheran Services

Beaver Run Road, PO Box 70

Zelienople, PA  16063

 

 

No increase.

Family Care for Children & Youth

25 Belford Boulevard

Milton, PA  17847

 

No increase.

Dr. Edward Haberman

PO Box 914

Somerset, PA  15501

 

No increase.

 

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:                                      Laura M. Sutton

            Amount:                                    $272.50

Owner:                                     Carl D. & Deanna F. Thomas

Address:                                               336 Main Street, Corsica, PA  15829

Grantor:                                                Citizens National Bank of Meyersdale

Location of Property:                 Meyersdale Borough 26-7580

            Description of Property:                         Lot 254 Bng 0.138A 2 Sty Fr Ho

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Amendment to SWAP Agreement – General Obligation Bonds, Series 2008C

 

Jay Wenger of the Susquehanna Group Advisors presented a resolution for adoption to amend the Swap Agreement between the County of Somerset and PNC Capital Markets for the General Obligation Bonds, Series C of 1998.  He explained that the Amendment will better manage the interest costs relating to the Bonds.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Resolution No. 6 of 2009 summarized as follows:

 

APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE FORM OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT RELATING THERETO; AUTHORIZING THE PROPER OFFICERS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THE AMENDED INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT; COVENANTING TO PAY THE PERIODIC SCHEDULED PAYMENTS DUE UNDER THE AMENDED INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT; RETAINING AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR; AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF A TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS TO BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF OTHER NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND THE TAKING OF OTHER NECESSARY ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING.

 

which Resolution is set forth at length in the Resolution Book.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Agricultural Land Preservation Program

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to reappoint GERALD CARR of 127 Carrdale Lane, Somerset, Pennsylvania 15501 and ELDON SECHLER of 978 Chickenbone Road, Confluence, PA  15424 to the Somerset County Agricultural Land Preservation Board for three-year terms expiring on July 29, 2012.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes to reappoint AUSTIN MOSTOLLER of 1456 B North Center Avenue, Somerset, Pennsylvania 15501, as the Chairman of the Somerset County Agricultural Land Preservation Board.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset 911

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approved the Amended Antenna Site Lease between the County of Somerset and FRANKLIN D. SNYDER AND SYLVIA J. SNYDER of 1456 Wilbur Road, Stoystown, PA  15563 for a term of (20) years beginning March 1, 2009 in the amount of $1,500.00 per year.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Emergency Management Agency

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Grant Agreement between Somerset County and the PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY for Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Program funds for planning and training projects in the amount of $6,400.00, for the period of October 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009.

 

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 10:53 a.m.

 

 

                                                           

_____________________________________________

                                                JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

March 17, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 10:57 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Jay Wenger, Susquehanna Group Advisors; B. Lynn Freeman; Dinsmore & Shohl; Donna Schmitt, Treasurer; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

A discussion was held regarding the Annual Required Contribution (ARC) to the Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Fund.  The Hay Group estimates the 2009 ARC to be $1,250,000, which has been budgeted. 

 

 

Motion by Donna Schmitt, seconded by James C. Marker to approve a partial payment to the Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Fund towards the Annual Required Contribution in the amount of $400,000 to Bryan Funding and $50,000 to First National Bank.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 10:59 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                        CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary