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Home My WebLink AboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 711 - 1-2-2003 - COMMISSIONERMINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Minute No. 711 Washington County Commissioners Washington, PA, January 2, 2003 The Washington County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Public Meeting Room, Courthouse Square, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners John P. Bevec; Diana L. Irey and J. Bracken Burns, Sr. Also being present: Catherine Kresh, Administrator/Chief Clerk; Richard DiSalle, Solicitor; Linda Belcher, Administrative Assistant; Melanie Finney, Planning Commission; Sheriff Larry Maggi and Tom Bryker, Sheriffs Office; Murf Polan, Executive Director of Youth for Christ/Campus Life; George Hutchko, member of the Washington County Veterans Council; Wayne Fleming, Washington County Authority; John Adams, Harry Sabatasse, Rich Warco, Charlie and Mary Jo Keenan, interested citizens; Stacey Wolford, Valley Independent; Chris Haines, Herald -Standard; Randy Gore, WJPA; and Linda Metz, Observer -Reporter. Chairman Bevec called the meeting to order at approximately 2:00 p.m. Mr. Polan led with a prayer. Mr. Hutchko led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Bevec entertained a motion to approve Minute No. 710 dated December 19, 2002. Moved by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Irey, that Minute No. 710 be approved as written. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS C. Wayne Fleming, of the Washington County Authority, presented to the Board for their approval the bids for the Courthouse Annex Project. The following contractors have been awarded bids for the respective amounts: General Contractor — Waller Corporation — amount $2,624,900 HVAC Contractor — Scalise Industries Corp. - $696,000 Plumbing Contractor — W. G. Tomko - $255,555 Electrical Contractor — Clista Electrical, Inc. - $575,900 Moved by Mrs. Irey, seconded by Mr. Burns, approving the awarding of the foregoing bids for the Courthouse Annex Project. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. (RECESS FOR PHOTOS) PUBLIC COMMENTS Harry Sabatasse of Burgettstown made comments regarding taxpayers footing the bill for benefits veterans receive in their lifetime. Mr. Sabatasse stated the Commissioners should draft a bill to present to the legislature to address these on -going benefits to the veterans. Commissioner Burns told Mr. Sabatasse that he nor himself or anyone at the meeting will ever be able in one life time or two life times to repay the debt we owe to our veterans. ilx"" MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Commissioner Irey commented on Mr. Sabatasse remarks and noted that one third of the county budget is for human services which includes the Veteran's Office. Commissioner Irey noted she will continue to honor the veterans and having a veterans administration in Washington County because it is the right thing to do. Chairman Bevec pointed out to Mr. Sabatasse there are various programs that apply to ever American and stated he does not agree with Mr. Sabatasse's stand on the veterans issue. George Eckert, a member of the Veterans Council and a veteran of foreign war, responded to Mr. Sabatasse's comments. Mr. Eckert stated he and his family served this country and has never asked for anything in return. He also stated he does not agree with Mr. Sabatasse's remarks and noted the government of the United States mandates these programs and regulations for veterans and with just cause. Mr. Eckert wished the Board and staff a happy New Year and thanked the Board for all their hard work and assistance to the veterans of Washington County. Charlie Keenan, of Blaine Township, addressed Mr. Sabatasse's remarks. Mr. Keenan stated he is a veteran and his brothers, of which one brother died, also served their country. Mr. Keenan also brought to the Board's attention the matter of the minutes of the last meeting. Mr. Keenan noted Chairman Bevec mentioned a letter at the December 19`' meeting received from the township requesting the Board only discuss business when a majority of the township supervisors are present. Solicitor DiSalle recommended the minutes of today's meeting reflect this updated information and the Board agreed. Mr. Keenan again expressed his thoughts on the land swap deal and the impact it will have on the citizens of Blaine Township. Mr. Keenan stated the township will have to raise taxes a mill and a half to balance the budget in Blaine Township and questioned the Board if there is any way the township can receive some assistance in balancing their budget. Chairman Bevec explained to Mr. Keenan about tax revenue sharing and possibly working on some legislation to address this issue. Chairman Bevec also told Mr. Keenan to work with the his township solicitor regarding the amount of land to be donated for a recreation area and informed Mr. Keenan the Board is willing to work that part of it out when the time comes. Mary Jo Keenan responded to comments made by Mr. Sabatasse and stated she is glad to see her tax dollars going to help the veterans of this country. Regarding the land swap deal, Mrs. Keenan commented that Blaine Township is the smallest township in the county and she felt the Board should fight a little bit harder for their community. John Adams of Avella made comments regarding Washington County's veteran's coordinator position and Mr. Sabatasse's remarks about veterans. He questioned the Board about a pond that is located near the Avella Sportsman Club. Chairman Bevec stated he would need to see a map to fully understand exactly where this pond is located. OLD BUSINESS Solicitor DiSalle recommended the Board table the bid for the Resident Furniture for the Washington County Health Center to allow more time to review said bid. Moved by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Irey, to table the bid for Resident Furniture as per above. Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Chief Clerk presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the renewal of the agreement with Washington Physician Hospital Organization, Inc. for the purpose of providing healthcare services for the Correctional Facility. This renewal will reflect a net increase of 3.5% for the year. This will be effective January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 at a monthly cost of $12,320.00. Moved by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Irey, approving the foregoing renewal of the agreement with Washington Physician Hospital Organization, Inc. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey — Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk presented to the Board for their consideration and approval an agreement with Jefferson County (Ohio) for Juvenile Detention Services. This agreement will extend the current agreement from April 30, 2003 through May 1, 2006 at the same rate of $97.50/per day. Moved by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Irey, approving the agreement with Jefferson County for Juvenile Detention Services as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk presented to the Board for their consideration and approval a travel request for one staff member from Public Safety Haz Mat team to attend the Rail Car Emergency Response Specialist Course located at the Association of American Railroads Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO. The travel related costs are $1,465.67 and will be paid from Act 165 funds. It is to be noted that the Norfolk Southern Corporation will pay the tuition amount of $1,295.00. Moved by Mr. Burns, seconded by Mrs. Irey, approving the foregoing travel request for a staff member of Public Safety — Haz Mat Team. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk presented to the Board for their consideration and approval ratify the following 2002 encumbrance adjustments for current bridge projects. Chartiers #63, Weirich Pike #11, Daisytown Chartiers #30, Hess Wheeling #3m Gray Wheeling #4, Martin Mills Chartiers #21, Clokely Station Pike #18, Walker Maple #1 decrease $25,000 decrease $30,000 decrease $15,000 disencumber $20,000 disencumber $20,000 disencumber $25,000 close project and disencumber remaining funds close project and disencumber remaining funds C fl MINUTE BOOK Fn 1 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Two Mile #4 disencumber $10,000 Moved by Mrs. Irey, seconded by Mr. Burns, to ratify the foregoing 2002 encumbrance adjustments for current bridge projects. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk recommended to the Board the reappointment of Mayor Ken Wescott to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, as the Local Elected Official, for a three year term, effective January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2005. ANNOUNCEMENTS An Executive Session was held on January 2, 2003 immediately following the Agenda Meeting to discuss personnel, litigation and real estate issues. I SOLICITOR Solicitor DiSalle presented to the Board for their consideration and approval the following tax refunds. Moved by Mrs. Irey, seconded by Mr. Burns, that the Tax Assessment Office be authorized to prepare the following tax refunds due to either duplication or overpayment of real estate or personal property tax: 1. Cindy L. Chapman & Ronald C. Taylor 221 Washington Avenue Charleroi, PA 15022 District: Charleroi Borough Parcel No. 160-013-00-01-0004-00 Total Amount: $88.59 2. Cindy L. Chapman 221 Washington Avenue Charleroi, PA 15022 District: Charleroi Borough Parcel No. 160-008-00-02-0024-00 Total Amount: $74.15 3. Joseph & Emma Mavrich 272 Latimer Avenue Post Office Box 416 Strabane, PA 15363 District: North Strabane Township Parcel No. 520-015-06-01-0002-00 Total Amount: $66.86 4. William A. & Dawn M. Bell 599 Crawford Road Fredericktown, PA 15333 District: Deemston Borough, East Bethlehem Township Parcel No. 220-006-00-00-0041-00 Parcel No. 260-001-00-00-0002-00 Total Amount $180.71 Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. (2002 County Tax) (2002 County Tax) (2002 County Tax) (1999, 2000 and 2002 County Tax) Solicitor DiSalle presented to the Board for their consideration and approval a proposed settlement in the Manor Care, Inc. located in Peters Township tax assessment appeal. Solicitor DiSalle noted this action is contingent upon the approval of Peters Township. 92 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Moved by Mrs. Irey, seconded by Mr. Burns, approving the foregoing settlement of the tax assessment appeal with Manor Care, Inc. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Burns - Yes; Mrs. Irey - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. There being no further business, Chairman Bevec declared the meeting adjourned at approximately 2:40 p.m. THE FOREGOING MINUTES SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL: 1/ 2003 ATTEST: ADMINISTRATOR/CHIEF CLERK L