April 29, 2008

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:39 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Kecia Bal, Tribune-Democrat; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Bob Hess, WJAC-TV; William Vescio, Bryan Funding, Inc.; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; 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 meeting of April 15, 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 $2,617,126.52.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Travel Requests

 

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

 

request for Richard Wagner and Jeffrey Petrilla of Domestic Relations to attend the Western DRAP Conference on June 4-6, 2008 in Meadville, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Annette Isgan and John Steele, Auditors, to attend the Annual Meeting on October 5-9, 2008 in South Sterling, Pennsylvania; 

 

request for David Fox, Joe Labik, David Johnson, and Joel Landis of the Emergency Management Agency to attend the InterAct User Group Meeting on May 1-2, 2008 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Glen Wagner and Lester Custer of the Information Technologies and the Probation Office to attend the PCCD Technology Conference on May 7-8, 2008 in State College, Pennsylvania;

 

requests for Brad Cober and Jeanie Blough of the Court Administrator’s Office to attend the PJ/PACM Annual Conference on June 1-3, 2008 in State College, Pennsylvania; for John Cascio, President Judge, to attend the PJ/PACM Annual Conference on June 1-3, 2008 in State College, Pennsylvania; and for Brad Cober, Court Administrator, to attend the Court Administrator 101 Training on May 14-16, 2008 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and

 

request for Karen Ritchey of Area Agency on Aging to attend the SAMS Training on May 20-21, 2008 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Sheriff’s Department

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Sheriff John Mankey to hire DEBORAH BERKEY of Johnstown, Pennsylvania as a Full-Time Clerk in the Sheriff’s Office at an annual salary of $15,392.00, effective May 12, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Great Allegheny Passage

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the License Agreement dated April 29, 2008 between Dale N. Ohler and Deborah Ann Ohler, husband and wife, and the County of Somerset for access to trail property across their property located in Summit Township; as well as the Right-of-Way Deed dated April 29, 2008, between the County of Somerset and Dale N. Ohler and Deborah Ann Ohler, husband and wife, for a permanent easement and right-of-way across trail property to access their property located in Summit Township.

 

The vote was unanimous. 

 

 

 

Proclamation – Juror Appreciation Week

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk adopt Resolution No. 12 of 2008 proclaiming the week of May 4-10, 2008 Juror Appreciation Week as follows:

 

WHEREAS, the right to a jury trial to all Americans was established by the Massachusetts Body of Liberties in 1641 and pre-dates the Bill of Rights which equalized the right of the poor and powerless with the privileges of the rich and powerful; and

 

                WHEREAS, all Americans have benefited from the protection offered by the right of trial by jury; and

 

                WHEREAS, every year over 74,000 Pennsylvanians serve in both civil and criminal trials and only when citizens support the jury system and appear when summoned can the pillar of our Democracy fully protect the rights of all citizens; and

               

                NOW, THEREFORE, WE, the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim the week of May 4-10, 2008 as JURY APPRECIATION WEEK in Somerset County.

 

Adopted this 29th day of April, 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.

 

 

 

Children & Youth Services

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to accept the resignation of DANA CUSTER of Champion, Pennsylvania from her position as Caseworker I for Children and Youth Services, effective May 15, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Probation Department

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of PATRICK MCILWAIN of Somerset, Pennsylvania from his position as an Adult Probation Officer in the Probation Department, effective June 20, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Area Agency on Aging

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of FLORENCE KRISS of Davidsville, Pennsylvania from her position as Administrative Officer 2 for the Area Agency on Aging, effective April 16, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 


Public Defender’s Office

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of William Carroll, Public Defender, to appoint KATIE SURMA of 701 Marigold Court, Ridgeville, Pennsylvania 15017, as an unpaid intern in the Public Defender’s Office for the period of May 19, 2008 through August 1, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset County Jail

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Thomas Perrin, Warden, to promote SYDNEY MULL of Salisbury, Pennsylvania from Part-Time to Full-Time Correctional Officer at the Somerset County Jail at an annual salary of $23,421.00, retroactive to April 19, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Redevelopment Authority

 

Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk distributed the list of the 2008 Entitlement Community Development Block Grant Program funds for approval by Steven Spochart.  A discussion was held regarding $25,000 allocated to Rockwood Borough for a Main Street waterline replacement Project.  This allocation was thought to be incorrectly noted.  After the meeting it was confirmed that the $25,000 should have been included in costs for demolition activities County-wide.

 

Commissioner Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes explained that there were eleven applications this year requesting funding from the $295,573 allocated for Somerset County.  The Commissioners and the Redevelopment Authority met with applicants to determine what projects best met the interest of the County.  After careful review, four projects were chosen that work toward the goals outlined in the comprehensive plan.  

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Steven Spochart, Executive Director for the Redevelopment Authority, to submit the County’s 2008 CDBG Entitlement Program Application totaling $928,540.00 to the PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and to adopt Resolution No. 13 of 2008 as follows:

 

WHEREAS, the State of Pennsylvania has made available to the County of Somerset certain funds under the Community Development Block Grant Program Act of October 11, 1984, (P.L. 906, No. 179) and;

 

WHEREAS, the County of Somerset recognizes the necessity and need to provide assistance to communities in the development of long range Community Development Plans designed to address significant local needs with emphasis on benefit to low and moderate income families, and;

 

WHEREAS, the County of Somerset recognizes the necessity and need to provide assistance to communities in administering Community Development projects designed to address a number of significant Community Development needs identified in the Community Development Plan, and:

 

WHEREAS, the County of Somerset recognizes the necessity and need to encourage and assist communities to focus upon and address housing and community facility problems, and;

 

WHEREAS, the State of Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Housing and Development, Department of Community & Economic Development has mandated that the County of Somerset must meet certain legal and procedural requirements as outlined in P.L. 906, No. 179, and;

 

WHEREAS, the County of Somerset recognizes the need and necessity of meeting these legal and procedural requirements;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County of Somerset, Board of County Commissioners do hereby authorize the Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County to submit applications for assistance to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development, on behalf of the following entitlement communities of the County of Somerset:

 

·         County of Somerset – $295,573.  $40,000 to Windber Area Authority/Paint Township and $20,000 to Fairhope Township to purchase materials for a waterline project and storm water culvert pipes and erosion control, respectively; $90,000 to Meyersdale Borough towards a sewer system improvement under the Flaugherty Creek flood control channel; $15,000 to Ursina Borough for community center improvements; $77,370 for demolition activities county-wide; and $53,203 for administration.

 

·         Township of Conemaugh – $134,557.  $110,337 to assist eligible homeowners with tap-in fees related to sewer system improvements and $24,220 for administration.

 

·         Township of Jenner – $96,000.  $49,000 to assist Acosta Volunteer Fire Department in the purchase of a used fire truck; $29,720 for two housing rehabilitation cases; and $17,280 for administration.

 

·         Borough of Somerset – $126,727.  $103,916 towards a sanitary sewer project along South Columbia Avenue and $22,811 for administration.

 

·         Township of Somerset – $175,814.  $144,167 towards a sanitary sewer project along Berlin Plank Road and the Garrett Shortcut and $31,647 for administration.

 

·         Borough of Windber – $99,869.  $81,893 towards a sanitary and storm sewer project on 28th Street and $17,976 for administration.

 

Adopted this 29th day of April, 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.

 

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to approve the contract between the County of Somerset and DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVLEOPMENT for the HOME Program in the amount of $500,000, for County-wide housing rehabilitation.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Drug Free Communities

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Mary Ann Bowman, Project Director of Somerset County Drug Free Communities, to appoint LAUREN WAHL of Somerset, Pennsylvania as an Intern for the Somerset County Drug-Free Communities for the period of May 1, 2008 through August 22, 2008 in that amount of $8.00 per hour, subject to creation of the position by Salary Board; the County will be reimbursed for the position through the Drug Free Communities Grant.

 

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

April 29, 2008

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Salary Board 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; Donna Schmitt, Treasurer; Kecia Bal, Tribune-Democrat; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Bob Hess, WJAC-TV; William Vescio, Bryan Funding, Inc.; 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 change the job title for PROBATION OFFICER AIDE to COMMUNITY SERVICE CREW LEADER for the Probation Department and to set the starting salary at $16,952.00, effective April 29, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to temporarily increase the salary of COLLEEN HECKLER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, Accountant 2 for Area Agency on Aging, increasing her salary from $32,129.00 to $34,866.00, due to an increase of work duties, effective April 16, 2008, until the reorganization of the Agency’s fiscal system is complete.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to create the position of Temporary SUMMER INTERN for the Somerset County Drug-Free Communities at an hourly rate of $8.00.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Salary Board recessed at 10:59 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                                                JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

 

April 29, 2008

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 10:59 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Donna M. Schmitt, Treasurer; Kecia Bal, Tribune-Democrat; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Bob Hess, WJAC-TV; William Vescio, Bryan Funding, Inc.; 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 approve the Request for Refund of Accumulated Deductions and Authorization for Distribution submitted by FLORENCE KRISS of Davidsville, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as Administrative Officer 2 for the Area Agency on Aging was April 16, 2008.

 

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 PAUL BITTNER of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as Senior Center Manager 1 for the Area Agency on Aging was March 24, 2008.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Request for Vesting submitted by CATHERINE BERKEBILE of Friedens, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a Food Service Worker for Area Agency on Aging was April 18, 2007.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

William Vescio of Bryan Funding, Inc., presented the report on the Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Fund for the First Quarter of 2008, a copy of which is attached hereto.

 

 

 

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 11:28 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                                                CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary