August 18, 2009

 

 

 

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

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Bernie Horwick and Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; Vicki Saylor, Probation Department; Art DiLoreto, Area Agency on Aging; Amy Kimmel, Bedford-Somerset MH/MR Program; Jeff Masterson and Lisa Beam, Tableland Services, Inc.; Charles Crimone, Children and Youth Services; Chris Brewer, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Gene Natalie, C.S. McKee; Kerri Burtner, Comprehensive Plan Coordinator; 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 August 4, 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 $918,909.60.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Travel Requests

 

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

 

request for Adele Bauer of the Somerset County Jail to attend the DSI/ITI User Group Training on September 15-17, 2009 in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Area Agency on Aging

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded John P. Vatavuk to remove Employee #5077 from the County Payroll as a Part-Time Meal Deliverer for the Area Agency on Aging, effective August 18, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of GLORIA HAY of Berlin, Pennsylvania, from her position as a Part-Time Food Service Worker for the Area Agency on Aging, effective August 25, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to accept the resignation of KAREN STITELER of Somerset, Pennsylvania, from her position as Aging Care Management Supervisor 1 for the Area Agency on Aging, effective October 30, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Arthur DiLoreto, Administrator of Area Agency on Aging, to appoint the following individuals to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for the remainder of the current term ending November 30, 2009:

 

Sharon Clapper

128 Duncan Street

Meyersdale, PA  15552

 

Reverend Frank Harpster

PO Box 154

Meyersdale, PA  15552

 

 

Agnes Mihalko

305 Cambria Avenue

Windber, PA  15963

Reverend Randy Newell

PO Box 129

Shanksville, PA  15560-0129

Charlotte M. Ross

1441 Jonathan Drive

Somerset, PA  15501

Clair Saylor

2602 Scullton Road

Rockwood, PA  15557

 

William Stahl

900 Cambria Avenue

Windber, PA  15963

 

 

 

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:

 

Dr. Edward Haberman                                                                         Laurie Deist                                         

PO Box 914                                                                                            304 Plank Road    

Somerset, PA  15501                                                                            Holsopple, PA  15935

 

Somerset Occupational Health                                                          Frank Benini

Wheeler Family Medical Center                                                        192 7th Street, Ext.

126 East Church Street, Suite 2200                                                    New Kensignton, PA  15068

Somerset, PA  15501

 

Healthy Beginnings Plus Program

Somerset Hospital

225 South Center Avenue

Somerset, PA  15501

 

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 promote JOHN LOIODICI, JR. of Rockwood, Pennsylvania from Part-Time to Full-Time Deputy Sheriff at an annual salary of $20,746.00, effective August 17, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the request of Sheriff John Mankey, to hire ROBERT LOGSDON of Somerset, Pennsylvania, as a Part-Time Deputy Sheriff at an hourly rate of $9.89, effective August 17, 2009.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

SA Workforce Investment Board

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to approve the reappoint of THOMAS WOJCICKI of the Somerset County Technical Center, 281 Technology Drive, Somerset, Pennsylvania  15501, to the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board, for a three-year term expiring on June 30, 2012.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Somerset County Broadband Network

 

Motion by John P. Vatavuk, seconded by James C. Marker to ratify the engagement letter with COHEN LAW GROUP of 1000 Gamma Drive, Suite 305, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, for assistance in preparing an Act 183 application for the County’s broadband network in the amount not to exceed $5,000.00.

 

The vote was unanimous.  Motion carried.

 

 

Commissioner Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes stated the application will give the County the opportunity to request Verizon to allow participation of other broadband service providers within Somerset County.  She stated that the Commissioners are in support of the Daily American’s recent application for BTOP/BIP Broadband Infrastructure funding.  Commissioner Vatavuk stated that the Daily American received over 400 letters of endorsement; the residents of Somerset County really want broadband services.

 

 

 

Variable Rate Demand Bonds, Series 2008A and 2008C

 

Christopher Brewer of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP presented a resolution for adoption.  He explained that the resolution is a supplement to the refunding of the Variable Rate Demand Bonds, Series 2008A and Variable Rate Demand Bonds, Series 2008C which was approved on August 4, 2009.

 

 

Motion by James C. Marker, seconded by John P. Vatavuk to adopt Resolution No. 13 of 2009 summarized as follows:

 

APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT PLAN; AUTHORIZING THE FORM OF AN AMENDMENT INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT RELATING THERETO; RATIFING AND CONFIRMING THE TERMINATION OF ONE CERTAIN INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING THE PROPER OFFICERS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER THE AMENDED INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND/OR NECESSARY TERMINATION DOCUMENTS; COVENANTING TO PAY THE PERIODIC SCHEDULED PAYMENTS DUE UNDER THE AMENDED INTEREST RATE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT; RETAINING AN INDEPENENT 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.

 

 

 

2010 State Budget Impasse

 

Commissioner Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes stated that agency administrators were asked to join today’s meeting to speak to the media regarding the effects of the lack of a State budget.  With a viable Commonwealth Budget for 2010 nearly sixty days late, the County of Somerset must implement short and long-term strategies to handle the lack of state funding necessary to run many core government services. The crisis is now shifted to the county who has to maintain mandated human services.  On August 5, 2009, Governor Rendell signed SB 850, but “blue-lined” more than $13 billion dollars in line items, including vital funding for many human services and community corrections.

 

While the County will maintain mandated human services to protect the welfare and safety of children and provide adequate levels of community protection, the county cannot sustain the level of fiscal responsibility required by the state budget impasse.

 

Commissioner Tokar-Ickes stated that the Commissioners have met with all County and County-related human service department heads, as well as the Somerset County President Judge and Director of the Probation Department.  She thanked them for their assistance and recommendations.  As a result, the Commissioners have determined that the following steps will immediately be implemented:

 

·                     A hiring freeze will be imposed for all county departments until further notice.

·                     The county will begin to delay and defer payments to all placement providers. This will include providers of placement and treatment services to Somerset County Children and Youth Services, Juvenile Probation, Area Agency on Aging, and Mental Health and Retardation. While we acknowledge the financial pressure this action places on those providers, we encourage them to join with us to advocate on the passage of a state budget to state legislative leadership.

·                     All travel and training will be suspended, except in those instances where the training has already been paid for or the cost will be will be incurred by the employee.

·                     All purchasing for state funded programs, except for essentials, will be halted.

·                     Department heads are being encouraged to work closely with state agency liaisons and department secretaries to ensure that state funds due to the County are drawn down as quickly as possible.

 

Additional steps may be implemented if the budget impasse continues, including but not limited to the suspension of non-mandated services and layoffs, but will be only be used as a last resort.

 

Commissioner Tokar-Ickes announced that a link has been put on the County web site at www.co.somerset.pa.us to send an email to the Governor, the legislative leadership, and the conference committee urging them to pass a budget.   She asked all concerned citizens to go to the website and click on the “Pass a State Budget Now” button and send an email today.  She stated that the County can not continue to be the Commonwealth’s line of credit.  Commissioner Vatavuk stated that the email can be modified and the link can be used by anyone; they do not have to be a resident of Somerset County.  Commissioner Marker stated that although the State is committed to reimburse the County for funding the mandated programs, without a State budget those programs are now being financed on the backs of the property owners.  He stated that SB 850 does include vital funding for many human services and community corrections.  

 

Solicitor Daniel W. Rullo stated that negotiations for three bargaining agreements have been under way.  He announced that those negotiations sessions will now be postponed until the State budget is passed.

 

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners adjourned upon motion by James C. Marker, and seconded by John P. Vatavuk at 10:50 a.m.

 

 

 

                                                                               

_____________________________________________

                                                                JAMES C. MARKER, Secretary

August 18, 2009

 

 

 

TUESDAY:  A Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board Meeting was held at 10:55 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

 

PRESENT:  Pamela A. Tokar-Ickes, John P. Vatavuk, and James C. Marker, Commissioners; Donna Schmitt, Treasurer; Bernie Horwick and Mike Faher, Tribune-Democrat; Vince Pavic, Human Resources Director; Chris Brewer, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP; Randy Welker, Fiscal Analyst; Gene Natalie, C.S. McKee; Kerri Burtner, Comprehensive Plan Coordinator; Carolyn Zambanini, Chief Clerk; and Sonya Augustine, Assistant Chief Clerk.

 

 

 

Eugene Natali, Jr. of C.S. McKee Investment Managers presented the report on the Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Fund for the Second Quarter of 2009, a copy of which is attached hereto.

 

 

 

The Somerset County Employees’ Retirement Board meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m.

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

                                                                                                CAROLYN M. ZAMBANINI, Secretary