June 9, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Regular Meeting of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners was held at 10:47 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Jill Hartman, Garrett Sportsmen’s Association; Tom Geiger, Fred Dominick, L. Betcher, and Charles DiLoreto, Windber WWII Committee; James Rubal, Conemaugh Township Youth League; Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor; 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 May 26, 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 $1,054,315.01.

 

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 Donna Schmitt and Diane Wiedner of the Treasurer’s Office to attend the Conference on June 8-12, 2009 in the Poconos, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Ryan Buterbaugh of the Juvenile Probation Office to attend the PBPP Instructor Certification Course on June 14-19, 2009 in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director, to attend the Pennsylvania State SHRM Conference on September 14-15, 2009 in State College, Pennsylvania;

 

request for Karen Ritchey of the Area Agency on Aging to attend the Civil Service Training on June 2-3, 2009 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and for Sandy Nicholson, Eleanor Pile, Betty Mancini, Cinda Yinkey, and Maretta Thomas of the Area Agency on Aging to attend the Senior Center Summit on June 29-30, 2009 in State College, Pennsylvania; and

 

request for Jessica Pugh and Jenna Barron of Children & Youth Services (foster care) to visit a client on June 25-27, 2009 in San Diego, California.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Child Care Information Services

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Resolution No. 9 of 2009 authorizing the Somerset County Child Care Project Program (SCCP) to establish a line-of-credit at First National Bank, Berlin, Pennsylvania, in the amount of $75,000.00 for the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, which Resolution is set forth at length in the Resolution Book.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.



Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Resolution No. 10 of 2009 authorizing the Somerset County Day Care and Child Development Program (SCDC/CD) to establish a line-of-credit at First National Bank, Berlin, Pennsylvania, in the amount of $75,000.00 for the period from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, which Resolution is set forth at length in the Resolution Book.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Great Allegheny Passage

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt the Right-of-Way Agreement between the County of Somerset and GARRETT BOROUGH to expand the existing right-of-way for the Borough in connection with the construction of a new sanitary sewer line; as part of this project the Borough agrees to install a “Y” connection for future bathroom facilities at the Allegheny Highlands Trail.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

                       

 

 

Elections Office

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Tina Pritts, Director of Voter Registration and Elections, to remove Employee #2145 from the Somerset County payroll, effective May 26, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Tax Claim Bureau

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Milford Township to exonerate the 1982-2008 County real estate taxes, interest, and costs in the amount of $567.87 for 0.281 acres located in Milford Township, Reference #28-007720 known as the Market Street Extension which was previously assessed in the name of Harry B. Walter and Eunice C. Walter; the Tax Claim Bureau will deed this property to the Milford Township Supervisors who will handle all the road maintenance for the residents who live along it.

 

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 #2146 of the Tax Claim Bureau for July 1-2, 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 Agreement between Children and Youth Services and the following:

 

Organization Name

Service/Cost

Southwood Psychiatric Hospital

2575 Boyce Plaza Road

Pittsburgh, PA  15241

 

No increase. 

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Area Agency on Aging

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to ratify the advertisement for bids to purchase a new Front-Wheel-Drive 7-Passenger Van for use by the Area Agency on Aging; bids are due in the Commissioners’ Office on or before Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Data Services Agreement with attached Business Associate Letter of Agreement between the County of Somerset and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the Somerset County Data Processing Department (SCDPD) to provide support services to AAA in the installation, maintenance and repair of AAA’s computer and communications equipment, software and records, in the amount of $27.00 per hour not to exceed $10,000.00 for fiscal year 2009-10.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Purchase of Service Agreements between Area Agency on Aging and the following:

 

Organization Name

Service/Cost

Interim Health Care of Pittsburgh

322 Warren Street, Suite 220

Johnstown, PA  15905

 

In-home Services

Not to exceed $69,300.00

 

Windber Medical Center

600 Somerset Avenue

Windber, PA  15963

 

Exercise Classes at Center For Life, Conemaugh, and Central City

$35.00 per hour

Not to Exceed $1,820.00

 

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Assessment Office

 

An announcement was made that the Assessment roll for the tax year 2010 has been completed and is now open for public inspection at the Assessment Office.

 

 

 

2008 Single County Audit

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the proposals submitted by Beer, Ream, and Company, P.C. of P.O. Box 629, Somerset, Pennsylvania 15501, to perform the 2008 Single County Audit for the County of Somerset in an amount not to exceed $32,750.00, to perform a separate audit of the Somerset County General Authority in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00, and to perform a closeout audit for a Penn Works grant for the Quemahoning Pipeline Project in an amount not to exceed $2,000.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor explained that the Somerset County General Authority will reimburse the County for the expenses to perform its audit as well as the closeout audit for the Penn Works Grant in connection with the Quemahoning Pipeline Project.

 

 

 

Resolution – Route 219

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to adopt Resolution No. 11 of 2009 in support of the North South Appalachian Highway Coalition efforts to advance the North South Appalachian Highway Project as follows:

 

WHEREAS, the mission of the North South Appalachian Highway Coalition is to advance the North South Appalachian Highway project, ensuring its completion as the connection transportation corridor between I-68 in Maryland to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-70/76) and Corridor H in West Virginia; and

 

WHEREAS the North South Appalachian Highway is a critical infrastructure project intended to increase mobility and regional economic development throughout the Appalachian regions of Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Virginia.  The lack of progress on the Highway has seriously hindered the regions growth; and

 

WHEREAS, U.S. Route 220 south from I-68 to Corridor H and U.S. Route 219 North from I-68 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) would provide the greatest potential for benefiting the Appalachian region and rejuvenated the economy with commercial activity.  Improvements in north-south travel would serve to link the area’s two most important east-west transportation facilities, I-68 and Corridor H; and

                                                            

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Somerset County Board of Commissioners, will work in partnership with the North South Appalachian Highway Coalition to advocate the completion of the North South Appalachian Highway.  The Coalition calls upon the United States Congress to support the completion of this highway project with continued funding. 

 

Adopted this 9th day of June 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.

 

 

 

Bedford-Somerset MH/MR Program

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to ratify the advertisement for bids to purchase new vehicles for the Bedford-Somerset MH/MR Program as follows:  Bid 1-two (2) 4 x 4, V-6 only vehicles--includes two (2) trades; Bid 2-four (4) front-wheel-drive mini-vans w/sliding doors--includes four (4) trades; Bid 3-four (4) front-wheel-drive mid-size sedans--includes four (4) trades; Bid 4-four (4) front-wheel-drive mid-size sedans--includes two (2) trades; bids are due in the Commissioners’ Office on or before Friday, June 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Probation Department

 

Sean Dolan, Probation Officer stated that the Community Service Board is recommending the Garrett Sportsmen’s Association, World War II Committee, Shanksville/Stoneycreek Recreational Park, and the Conemaugh Township Youth League to receive mini-grants in connection with the Probation Department’s Recycling Program.  This year, the program will award a total of $2,300.00 in funds to assist community improvement projects throughout the County.    

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of the Somerset County Community Service Board to ratify the community improvement recycling program mini-grants for the projects and amounts as follows:

 

            Garrett Sportsmen’s Association, Inc., P.O. Box 104, Garrett, Pennsylvania, in the amount of $700.00 to assist in the building of a pavilion at the Piney Run Dam.

 

            World War II Commemorative Committee, 413 5th Street, Windber, Pennsylvania, in the amount of $200.00 to paint and repair the Veteran’s Park display.

 

            Shanksville School District/Stoneycreek Recreational Park, P.O. Box 128, Shanksville, Pennsylvania in the amount of $700.00 to assist in repairing the park facilities and building additional picnic tables.

 

            Conemaugh Township Youth League, 3182 Carpenters Park Road, Davidsville, Pennsylvania in the amount of $700.00 to assist in repairs and painting the equipment building and concession stand.

           

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Commissioner Vatavuk stated that he would like to expand the recycling program to include the Bedford-Somerset MH/MR Workshop.  Armstrong County has a successful recycling program operated by its MH/MR Program.

 

Charles DiLoreto stated that he would like to see an increase in the $75.00 the County gives for the Veterans’ Day Ceremony, as well a Cost of Living Increase for the Somerset County Retirees.

 

Each mini-grant recipient stated that they were grateful to receive the grant award for their organization and explained how the funds would be used.

 

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners adjourned upon motion by James C. Marker, and seconded by John P. Vatavuk at 11:26 a.m.

 

 

 

                                                           

_____________________________________________

                                                JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

 


June 9, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 11:26 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Request for Vesting submitted by KRISTY STEPHENS of Friedens, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a Clerk in the Somerset District Judge’s Office was May 8, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the Request for Refund of Accumulated Deductions and Authorization for Distribution submitted by BRENDA MURRAY of Garrett, Pennsylvania, whose last day of work as a Lieutenant at the Somerset County Jail was May 8, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 11:27 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                        CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary

 


June 9, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Election Board Meeting was held at 11:27 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Judy Ellich, Daily American; Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Daniel W. Rullo, Solicitor asked that the Election Board certify the results of the Primary Election held on May 19, 2009 with the exception of those races in which candidates have filed applications to cumulate their votes.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk, to certify the results of the Primary Election held May 19, 2009 with the exception of Brothersvalley Township Supervisor, Hooversville Borough Tax Collector, Jefferson Township Supervisor, Jennerstown Borough Tax Collector, Meyersdale Borough Council, Meyersdale Borough Mayor, Quemahoning Township Supervisor, Somerset Township Supervisor, Stonycreek Township Supervisor, and Windber Borough Council in which races candidates have filed applications to cumulate votes.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried. 

 

 

Daniel W. Rullo announced that a Special Election Board Meeting will be held on June 23, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. to cumulate or identify write-in votes for the particular candidates.  Notification will be sent out to those candidates.

 

 

 

The Election Board meeting recessed upon motion by Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, seconded by John P. Vatavuk at 11:34 a.m.

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________

                                                            JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary