HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 5 - 1-29-1976 - COMMISSIONER1
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MINUTE B❑❑K 9
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MICHAEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
Minute No. 5
Office of the County Commissioners
Washington, • Pa.,, January 29; 1976
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The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following
members being present: Commissioners Flynn, Paluso and Morgan. Also present being:
Chief Clerk Brady; Bob Robertson, Observer Reporter; Mrs. Miller, League of Women
Voters; John Cadez, Engelhardt & Power; Phil Angelo, Daily Notes; John Drake, Washington
County Senior Citizens; Earl Bugaile, WKEG; Dean Gross, Executive Director of C itizens
Library; A group of interested citizens concerning the funding for the County Library
System from Washington County.
Chairman stated for the record that all three Commissioners and the Chief Clerk
are present.
Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or ommissions to
Minute #4, each member having received a copy.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn that Minute #4 be approved, as read.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Special Order of Business:
The Chairman stated that we have a holiday coming up on Thursday, February 12,
1976, which will interfere with our regular weekly meeting. Chairman recommends that the
meeting be held on Friday, February 13, 1976.
Chairman recommended to the Board, according to our Budget Director, the new
budget will be available to be posted on Tuesday, February 3, 1976, and action will be taken
on it on Friday, February 13, 1976.
Chairman stated that he attended a MH/MR meeting last week and they made a
request that since they made a change of directors, that they would like a complete audit
made of their financial records. Chairman stated that the request was made for the County
Controller to do this, and in speaking to Controller Mascara, Mr. Mascara recommended
that since most of the money in this program is primarily State monies, that we should ask
the State Auditor General to do the audit on the program. Chairman stated that he is going to
write a letter to the State Auditor General to do this audit for the MH/MR Program.
Correspo ndence:
Chief Clerk informed the Board of the receipt of the following c hecks:
1. Treasurer of the U. S. - Manpower Planning Program
ck. # 82, 487, 102 - $100, 000. 00
Xv MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MICHAEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
approval:
for payment.
2. Pittsburgh Regional Planning Association - for first quarterly payment
(period 9/1/75 to 11/30/75) - SPRPC/HUD Project No. CPA-PA-03-28-1026-
ck. #30583 - $1, 927. 70
3. Pittsburgh National Bank - Proceeds of Loan - ck #724477 - $1, 500, 000.00
General Fund
4. Commonwealth of Pa. - Department of Public Welfare - Placement Costs
for Child Welfare Services - ck #437501 - $1, 081. 50
Chief Clerk presented the following bill to the Board for their consideration and
1. The Daily Notes - $7. 00 - Public Notice
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the foregoing bill be approved
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk presented to the Board a Construction Contract, concerning the
Chartiers Creek Flood Control Project. Chief Clerk stated that this Contract is for informa-
tional purposes only as the County has completed their part of the Contract.
Chairman stated that we should note on our rec ords that the Corps of Engineers
has let the contract to Ram Construction to go to work on the Chartiers Creek Flood Control
Project in the Canonsburg- Houston area. Chairman also stated that the total amount of the,
contract is $982, 072. 00.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a letter from the Department Of the Army,
Corps of Engineers, giving notice of public meetings on study of the extension of the navigation
season for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway . Chief Clerk stated that this is the
third in a series of public meetings on this study and the letter stated the meetings to be held
at Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio, and all interested parties are asked to attend.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a letter dated January 16, 1976, from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Revenue. Said letter stated that the Common-
wealth has the capability to supply "qualifying" local tax authorities with limited individual
income tax information made available to us by the Internal Revenue Service under authorization.
of Federal law (Section 6103 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code), and that this information will,
as in past years, consist of the following tax data elements pertaining to each resident of the
local taxing authority's jurisdiction who filed a Federal individual income tax return for the
1974 tax year and reported receipt of more than zero amounts of dividend and/or interest
payments. Said letter then indicated what the County must do to qualify to receive this which
includes: Reimbursing the Commonwealth for its expense .in providing th6 data and to execute
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the enclosed Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding, which must be completed and
returned
MINUTE BOOK 11
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MIC14AEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
Chairman recommends that we should forward this Agreement to Mr. Gubanish in
the Tax Assessment Office to see if we need'to resubscribe each year to this service or
whether we could do it on a tri-annual basis.
Chief Clerk read a Notice of Public Meeting of the Washington County Community
Development Program which stated that in accordance with Title I of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1974, the County Commissioners of the County of Washington
will conduct a Public Meeting on'Wednesday, February 4,` 1976, at 7:30 P. M. , E. S. T. in the
Rtblic Meeting Room of the Citizens Library, Washington; Pennsylvania, for the purpose of
obtaining citizens' comments and answer questions on the current year's Community Develop-
ment Program and to obtain citizens" suggestions for activities to be included in the Applica-
tion for second year funding in the amount of approximately $1, 230, 000 for the County's
Community Development Program.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a letter dated January 23, 1976, from Jack B.
Wagner, Director of Elections , requesting approval to advertise for bids for election
supplies.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the Chief Clerk be authorized
to advertise as requested by the Election Office.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a Final Order signed by P. J. Charles Sweet,
Judge Richard DiSalle, Judge Thomas A. Gladden, regarding the re -districting of Peters
Township pursuant to the Home Rule Charter. Said Order states that this 23rd day of
January, 1976, it is ordered and decreed that Peter's Township is hereby re -districted in the
following particulars: Peters Township shall be composed of four (4) districts, hereafter
referred to as "A", "B"', "C If,
"D", and from each district shall be elected one councilman,
and each of the four (4) districts shall be composed of three (3) voting precints which are
fully described in the Order.
Comments:
Mr. Paluso - This has been forwarded to the Election Office because it means twelve precintti,,
instead of the nine which means three more voting places and three more Election Boards.
I would suggest that a request be made to the Peters Township local government requesting
them -to recommend the appointments of the three extra boards.
Mr. Flynn - Mr. Paluso's point has been well taken because un der our Code the Court
appoints a Board only in the case of an emergency.
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MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MICHAEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
Chief Clerk read a letter of resignation dated January 27, 1976, from Elizabeth
Joseph, housekeeper at the Home for Women, which is be become effective immediately,
due to health reasons.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a request for bids for flags for Veterans' Graves,
and markers for Veterans' Graves. Chief Clerk stated that this should be forwarded to Mr.
Obitko, Director of Veterans' Bureau, for particulars and specifications.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the Chief Clerk be authorized
to advertise for bids per above.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read a letter, dated January 16, 1976, from Margaret Burns, Admin-
istrator for Home for Aged Women, requesting an extended leave of absence due to surgery
for Helen Main.
Chief Clerk read a letter, dated January 2, 1976, from Christine L. Adams,
Secretary, Public Defender's Office, requesting permission for a six -week maternity leave
of absence, effective date being February 9, 1976.
Chief Clerk informed the Board that both of the above leavessof absence have been
recommended by Mr. Fantini, Personnel Director.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that both of the above requests
be granted.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read a letter dated January 19, 1976, from Margaret Burns, Adminis-
trator for Home for Aged Women, requesting permission for Dr. Blasiole to attend a
Seminar for Long Term Care Evaluation as Dr. Blasiole feels this would be of help to him
in evaluating the patients in the Home.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a letter, dated January 15, 1976, from Mar-
garet Burns ,, Administrator for Home for Aged Women, requesting permission to attend
a Utilization Review Seminar to be held on February 5 and 6, 1976 at Hershey, Pennsylvania,
as it would be beneficial in the Utilization Review planning. Chief Clerk stated that Mrs.
Burns' request had been previously approved and this is for Mrs. Proudfit to attend.
Comments:
Mr. Morgan - Is there a projected cost on both of these requests?
Mr. Brady - The registration fee for Dr. B lasiole would be $150. 00 which would cover
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materials and workbooks. The registration fee for Mrs. Proudfit would be $25. 00 and
MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANiA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MICHAEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
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costs to cover over night lodging. -I would suggest that for Mrs. Proudfit this be a tentative
approval until we determine our needs at the moment.
Mr. Paluso - Should we have both the Directors of Nurses, and the Acting Administrator,
gone all at the same time. If we can make suitable arrangements, then yes, if not then one
won't be able to go.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the two requests to attend a
seminar be granted with the above exceptions.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr, Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
t Chief Clerk read the following letter, dated January 22, 1976, from Alexander F.
Barbieri, Court Administrator of Pennsylvania, concerning an inquiry made by Charles A.
Crouse:
Dear Mr. Crouse:
We have had inquiries such as yours concerning reimbursements made
by this Office for certain judicial expenses under Act 7-A (1975).
In most instances, our explanations would be the same.
Act 7-A (1975) appropriated only $10, 000, 000, whereas in the
previous year the amount was $24, 000, 000. As you must now know,
the Legislature has appropriated an additional $14, 000, 000, for
1974, making a total of $24, 000, 000 for that year. The additional
$14, 000, 000 will be distributed as soon as we can complete our
work on the figures in light of some changes made in the new
Appropriation Act.
We have examined your net expenses for 1974. The Appropriation Act
specifies the classification of expenses for 1974. Total net
expenses reported by Washington County for 1974 were 21. 67 percent
less than reported in 1973, whereas there was an increase in costs
reported by all counties of 12. 59 percent for 1974. Also, the
proportion of costs of Washington County to the total costs of all
counties was lower in 1974 than in 1973. The lesser percentage
payable to your county is due to factors beyond our control, such
as the fact that the expense for 1973 for costs of your justices
of the peace, an expense includable in 1973, was excluded for
1974 under Act 7-A.
/ s / Alexander F. Barbieri
Court Administrator of Pennsylvania
Comments:
Mr. Flynn - Under Act 7-A that is reimbursement from the State for Court related costs
as stated in the letter, there was a 10 million dollar appropriation made and then subsequently,
they made the supplemental appropriation under House Bill 1333 for 14 million, which made
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24 million. Mr. Crouse was trying to determine, why is even with the 24 million or the
10 million originally was our proportional share reduced and what was their basis. The
gentleman says that our costs have decreased 21 percent where overall in the other judicial
districts in the state they increased. I would think this would warrant- further inquiry or
investigation,
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MINUTE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MICHAEL R. FLYNN. EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Paluso - I suggest that this be turned over to Mr. Gillespie to redo the original
report because the original report will be the basis of reimbursement of the extra money
that was put back in and we will not get our proper share of that unless this report is.
re -done. I <
Mr. Flynn - We anticipated on our Budget $294, 000 which is a conservative figure and we
received $70, 000.
Mr. Paluso - That doesn't even correspond with what we should get out of the 10 million
even with a 21 percent reduction in costs it would have been 86 thousand.
Chairman stated that based on the comments of. the Board that this .should be
turned over to Mr. Gillespie to research as to why we had a decrease in costs.
Chief Clerk read a letter dated January 20, 1976 , from Charles R. Snitger, Jr. ,
Project Architect for Wallover & Mitchell, Inc., regarding the Furnishings Contract for
the Extended Care Facility in which Mr. Snitger states that preferred locations for the
bedroom furniture would be in the existing homes to allow the personnel there to critique
the furniture in actual use. Said letter states that they are in complete agreemen t with
Commissioner Paluso that formal presentation of the furnishings should be delayed until
after the administrator to head the }yew facility has been selected.
Chief ClerX informed the Board of a notice from the Constitutional State Committee
of Pennsylvania, dated January 22, 1976, directed to All County Election Boards , stating
that the Constitutional Party will nominate candidates for public offices and party offices
for the general Primary April 27 in accordance with the election code and party rules.
Chief Clerk stated that this should be referred to Mr. Wagner, Director of Election Bureau.
Chairman stated that this notice should be sent to Mr. Wagner.
Chief Clerk called upon Anthony Luppino of the Adult Welfare Services.
Mr. Luppino - Due to the reduction in the allocation given to the Western Region we have
had to make great adjustments to the budget which has been resubmitted to the Commissioners.
The changes are purely fiscal, they have no bearing on the current level of programing
which is in operation with Adult Welfare Services. Fortunately, we were able to maintain
the services we are now .offering and minimal expansion, however, the expansion we had
proposed at the Budget hearings will have to wait till next year. The total reduction -from
the original submission is $212, 703. 00.
Mr. Paluso - In other words, we were supposed to have a program of around $644, 000
funded and now January 29th we are being informed that it has been reduced by $212, 000.
That has been a rather drastic cut.
Chief Clerk informed the Board of a letter dated January 20, 1976, from the
U. S. Department of Labor, Manpower Administration, in which findings and recommenda-
tions have , been submitted for corrective action as a result of a team monitoring visit
to the Washington County CETA Program on October 21-23, 1975 led by Federal Representa-
tive James Keys. Chief Clerk stated that this should be referred to Mr. Fantini.
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MINUTE B❑❑K 15
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN, MICHAEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
Chief Clerk presented to the Board a contract between the Washington County Office
of Manpower Planning and Automotive Service Council of Pennsylvania to provide on-the-
job training for Roger L. Mull as a Mechanic.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the above contract be approved.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Flynn - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Morgan - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman introduced Mr. Dean Gross, Executive Director of Citizens Library,
who has a special request to make.
Mr. Gross - We have turned in petitions with the signatures of 8, 243 adult residents of this
County requesting that the County Commissioners support the program that the library
and the County has put together. We know that you have received many letters. On Decem-
ber 15th the State Libraries of Pennsylvania sent a letter saying that the State Libraries
awarded $150, 000 in Federal Funds for one year only to help establish a County Library
System in Washington County and these funds are being held at the State Library. They
require evidence by January 30th that the County Commissioners will put up an amount of
$157, 000. I would like to explain the importance of the libraries in the County and that
we plan to create four new libraries. Almost exactly one fourth of the residents of Washing-
ton County have no access to a free library service. We will improve the other libraries
in the County and bring a very fine program to all adults and young people in the county.
On January 22nd I sent you a memo that this grant has a deadline and asking for favorable
action this morning. What we are asking for is 75 cents per capita.
Mr. Morgan - The only difficult thing that I see Mr. Gross is that you come at a very inoppor
tune time, we are in a very difficult fiscal problem. We have a new home to -finish, we have
a Union contract that we are negotiating with the county employees, our demands from prior
committments are great. Whether we can meet your demand of $157, 000, I hope that we can
solve this here this morning.
Mr. Paluso - I believe that all the people heard today, another problem that we are faced with
is the fact that the Adult Welfare Services has a $212, 000 reduction, on top of the $275, 000
reduction in the Court reimbursement costs. I would also like to point out that 1 mill of
taxes in this County is around $260, 000. and there is no more millage left as we are limited
at 20 mills. I might also point out that all local minicipalities may put additional millage into
their own budget for libraries which we can not do. This county has much more dire money
problems. There just is no money.
Mr. Flynn - When Mr. Gross came to the previous Board of Commissioners on November
6th, prior to even the consideration of the budget, I asked Mr. Gross as to whether or not
this is a guarantee that we were going to receive any money. Mr. Gross said that it was not
a guarantee but it was necessary in order for this to b e approved. Mr. Paluso, at this
meeting, asked Mr. Gross if this gave the County any obligation and Mr. Gross said "No".
I told Mr. Gross at this time that the county could be under no obligation because we are not
sure that the County will have the money in the budget. The budget as adopted December 31st,
we did appropriate around $50, 000, this is four or five times more then was appropriated
over previous years. In order to receive 150, 000 dollars as a one time shot this County
must contributd $157, 000. This appropriation of $157, 000 must be a continuing appropriation.
Mr. Gillespie - Are you a District Library and what area do you cover?
Mr. Gross - We cover most of Washington County, not the three libraries in Donora,
Charleroi, Monongahela and we cover all of Greene County and one library in Fayette County.
Mr. Paluso - What effort has been made to have Greene County come up with part of the share
and Fayette County. In other words you are saying that you want a County Library System
that is not going to serve the whole county and is going to serve Greene and Fayette.
Further discussion was held.
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MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MALCOLM L. MORGAN. MICHAEL R. FLYNN, EDWARD M. PALUSO. COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Morgan - I believe that we have thoroughly discussed this and you are here for an answer
today. The Chair will entertain a motion that an appropriation for $157, 000 be put in the
budget this year,
No Motion was heard.
Mr. Morgan - Hearing no motion, we will do the very best we can for the county libraries,
but we do not have $157, 000 to put in the budget this year. The only thing that I can say, is
when we get over the critical matters that we have that the county has been committed to from
prior years, maybe next year we can discuss it with you.
THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED:
January 29, 1976
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ATTEST: �e �ZI2 / /
CHIEF CLERK ter%
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