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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 194 - 12-11-1975 - COMMISSIONERMINUTE BOOK 549 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS ff 1 Minute No. 194 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa., December 11, 1975 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Jones, Paluso and Flynn. Also being present: Chief Clerk and County Administrator Whalen; Administrative Assistants Crouse and Fetcko; Solicitor Gilmore; Roland Bourke, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority; Mr. Richard Brady; Anthony M. Lombardi, Executive Director of the Monongahela Valley Hospital, Inc.; Albert P. Delsandro, Mayor of Donora; Edward J. Protin, Board Chairman; Solicitor John E. Costell; Attorney Ralph Lynch, bond counsel; John Drake of the Washington Area Senior Citizens; Mrs. Helen Miller of the League of Women Voters; Jack Merdian of WJPA; Earl Bugaile of W11EG; Bob Robertson of the Observer -Reporter; Phillip J. Angelo of The Daily Notes. Meeting called to order and roll call taken: Mr. Jones - Present; Mr. Paluso - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 193, each member having received a copy. as read. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Mnute No. 193 be approved Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman introduced Mr. Roland Bourke, Executive Director of the Redevelop- ment Authority, who had recently met with Senator Schweiker and Senator Scott in Washington, D. C. relative to amendments to House Bill No. 9852. Mr. Flynn then asked Mr. Bourke to elaborate further on this matter. Mr. Bourke:- The County Commissioners received a mailgram from the National Association of Counties last Friday, and the Commissioners Office notified the Community Development Agency to follow up on this. We met Tuesday morning with the Naticnal Association of Counties. Senator Brooke put a rider on the Mobile Home Act which stated that there would be a change of the funds sequence or allocation formulas in the Community Development Act of 1974. What happened was is that there was a computer error in the determination of funds and they find that next year they are going to be $98, 000, 000 short of funds for all the metropolitan cities, and the urban county program. Senator Brooke made the amendment to make urban counties the last sequential area for funding, which means theoretically, we would lose the whole $98, 000. 000 just in urban counties. Washington County will lose about $700, 000. Diu MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R FLYNN. FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS k Now there is a good reason why Senator Brooke did this and that is because in Massachusetts they don't have any urban counties. Senator Cranston is going to introduce an amendment to the act which would eliminate Senator Brooke's rider, and Senator Cranston, of the state of California, stands to lose $32, 000, 000. Now the state of Pennsylvania is second in the loss of the act, and this state stands to lose about $15, 000, 000 next year and for every year thereafter. There are only 20 states out of the 50 that have urban counties. I think it is pretty important that possibly the County Commissioners might get involved with this. I met with the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment officials Sunday night, and the Board of Directors unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Cranston amendment. We went down to represent the 12 urban counties in Pennsylvania. Now the reason for the shortage here is that originally HUD counted on only 11 urban counties being approved in the whole country, but 73 urban counties took advantage of this and qualified. They made the regulations and laws so stringent and impossible that they expected only 11, but instead everyone fought this and 73 were qualified. Now if we get this thing amended, our next step is to get Congress to make sure that they appropriate the additional funds, but there is another gimmick there that next year the 2. 5 billion is going to be increased to 2. 9 billion. Remarks: Mr. Flynn: Of the 73 counties, we are talking about nationwide in the 20 states, Washington County qualified as one of these 73, which is a credit to Mr. Bourke and his administration and the Board of Directors. To substantiate the position that Mr. Bourke's board has taken I recommend that a mailgram be sent to the Honorable Senator Scott and Senator Schweiker signed by all of the Commissioners. Mr. Flynn then requested that Mr. Whalen read the proposed mailgram. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board approve the mailgram to be sent to Senator Hugh Scott and Senator Richard Schweiker as per above. Roll call vote taken: 11 Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Special Order of Business: Washington County Hospital Authority Mr. Flynn: The proposition we are about to consider here is the end result of many long years of hard labor from a group of individuals from the Monongahela Valley of our County. My first knowledge of what these gentlemen had in mind was about the year 1969 or 1970. There has been a lot of effort and work involved with these plans. This project received approval from all the agencies and the last agency to approve this was the Western Pennsylvania Comprehen- sive Planning Association which is a requirement of the federal government. They received this approval about three weeks ago and now they are here to ask the Commissioners to give them the vehicle to proceed and undertake this project that they have in mind. Mr. Flynn then asked Mr. Protin if he he had any comments to make. Mr. Protin: This does't involve any financing as far as the County is concerned, but we would MINUTE BOOK 551 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R FLYNN, FRANK .ZONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS 1 appreciate very much for the approval of this project, because it does give more preference to the people we have to sell'the bonds to. Mr. Flynn: By any chance, would you have in your possession a summary of the background of this project. I would like to have it for the benefit of the news media. Mr. Flynn then requested Mr. Gilmore to read the proposed resolution in which the County of Washington signifies the desire and intention of said County of Washington to organize an authority under the Municipality Authorities Act of one thousand nine hundred forty-five, setti. forth the proposed Articles of Incorporation of the Washington County Hospital Authority, authorizing the proper officers of the County of Washington to execute of said Articles of Incorporation for and on behalf of said County of Washington and repealing all resolutions or parts of resolutions inconsistent herewith. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Board go on record as creating the Washington County Hospital Authority as described in the resolution read by Solicitor Gilmore as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Remarks: Mr. Paluso: Is there any legal obligation on the part of Washington County to insure payment of the bonds issued by the Authority? Mr. Costello: No there is not. These are exactly described as being revenue bonds. It is a revenue project and stands on its own. The County does not guarantee and is not liable in any fashion. The financing device is secured by a lease with the hospital corporation itself and they guarantee payment of the bond proceeds. In effect, here we have an unusual device because we have a third party who is essentially guaranteeing our payments in the form of Blue Cross and Medicare. Mr. Paluso: Is there any moral obligation in the case of default of the principle and/or intere for the life of these bonds? Mr. Costello: There will be no moral obligation at all. The obligation is being undertaken by the hospital itself, the hospital corporation and by the Authority. There will be no moral obligation that we can see on the part of Washington County. Mr. Paluso: Could this same Authority be amended to be used for any other project of a similar :nature. For instance, Canonsburg Hospital, Washington Hospital or Extended Care Facility sometime in the future? Could the same vehicle be used again for the same purposes? Mr. Costello: We are not limited by the articles as drafted by the County Solicitor and Mr. Lynch of the bond council. There is no limitation for the services that can be provided in any area of the County. If any area would want to exercise these facilities they could. Mr. Paluso: In other words, Washington County is not under any financial, legal or moral obligation in regards to this Authority and its financial transactions. In fact, the cost incurred in creating the Authority itself will be borne totally by the Mon Valley Hospital, Inc. Mr. Costello: That is exactly right. Mr. Paluso: What are your anticipated starting and completion dates? Mr. Lombardi: The anticipated ground breaking date is March 16, 1976 and the occupancy date is October 1978. The construction and equipment cost is approximately $18 million. The over- all cost is about $24. ?:million. Some of this has already been paid, such as the land, the engineering studies necessary to buy the land, recording the deeds, legal expenses, etc. That is in the total of $24. 7 million. Correspondence: Chief Clerk informed the Board of the receipt of the following checks: 1. Commonwealth of Pa. - first allocation ozi Adult Probation GJC Grant - ck. #46-640197 - $2,600.00 52 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS approval: 2. Pittsburgh National Bank - Redemption of C. D. #1326 - ck. #723852 General Fund Principle $250, 000. 00 Interest $ 1,171 .88 TOTAL $251,171 .88 3. First National Bank & Trust Company - Redemption of C. C. #8582 cks. #080407 and #44561 - Parks and Recreation Account Principle Interest TOTAL $200, 000. 00 $ 945.21 $200, 945.21 4. First National Bank & Trust Company - Redemption of C. D. #8554 cks. #080420 and #44595 Principle $1, 000, 000. 00 Inter e st $ 11,041.10 TOTAL $1, 011 , 041.10 5. First National Bank & Trust Company - Redemption of C. D. #8567 cks. #080421 and #44596 - Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund Principle $325, 000. 00 Interest $ 3,122.00 TOTAL $328,122.00 6. Pittsburgh National Bank - Weekend Repurchase Agreement - ck. # 72 3 910 - General Fund Principle $700, 000. 00 Interest $ 247.92 TOTAL $700, 247. 92 Chief Clerk presented the following bills to the Board for the consideration and 1. John M. Felice Associates, Inc. - $105. 00 2. Cole Layer Trumble Company - $9, 766. 66 - data processing services Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the above bills be approved. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk informed the Board that Mr. Paul Y. White, Area Coordinator of the State Council of Civil Defense had been in to see him and advised Mr. Whalen that a meeting was being arranged of all community officials for Thursday, January 29, 1976 at 7:30 p. m. in Courtroom No. 1 in the Washington County Courthouse. Mr. Whalen stated that this meeting is -being held for a general review of the Council of Civil Defense operations. Chief Clerk stated that at a previous meeting the Board had received a letter from Joseph Mouyard, Clerk of Courts concerning the uncollected fines. Mr. Whalen reported that we have received further correspondence regarding this matter which was directed to the Judges of the Court of Common Please from Jerome McCavitt, Chief Adult Probation Officer in which he takes exception to Mr. Mouyard. Mr. Whalen recommended that Metro Petrosky j 1 be given a copy of this letter. - - - .:A_.._ IML -- MINUTE BOOK 553 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK .TONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS F�' 1 Chief Clerk read a letter from the Ohio Valley Piper Sales regarding Notice of Exercise of Option by Atlantic Central Corporation. Said letter gave notification that Atlantic Central Corporation exercises its option to renew its lease dated May 1, 1975 as amended with the County of Washington for certain premises located at the Washington County Airport. Said letter stated that it was their understanding that the additional period for which the option is granted will be for a term of five years commencing on July 1, 1976 and terminating on June 30, 1981 with a rental rate increase of $500 per month. Remarks: Mr. Flynn: May I suggest that we give tentative approval subject to the perusual of the Solicitor. The lease is in effect now, but I think we should have the legal opinion of our Solicitor. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Board give tentative approval for the renewal of the lease by Atlantic Central Corporation for certain premises located at the Washington County Airport, subject to the perusual of the County Solicitor. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk informed the Board of correspondence dated December 2, 1975 from the Pennsylvania State Association of County Commissioners regarding School for County Commissioners, Chief Clerks and Solicitors. Said notice requested that those who are attending this conference to make the necessary confirmations and registrations at the earlie possible time. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board authorize the attendance of the Washington County Commissioners and the Chief Clerk to attend the three day conference on January 18-19-20, 1976 at the Host Inn in Harrisburg as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read a letter dated December 3, 1976 from Louise Abel of Child Welfare Services advising the Commissioners that Bernard Tychinski, Caseworker will be receiving a salary increase effective December 1, 1975 from an annual _salary of $8, 743. 00 to $9, 604, 00, Said increment based on Mr. Tychinski's Performance Evaluation Report. Chief Clerk read a letter dated December 5, 1975 from Dean Gross, Executive Director of the Washington County Citizens Library. Said letter stated that 6, 381 petitions were signed by residents of Washington County urging the Board of Commissioners to grant the request of the libraries of Washington County for 75 cents per capita each year, ($157, 000) to help the libraries receive $45, 000 in additional State aid annually, and to enable them to be considered for a grant of $150, 000 in Federal aid for 1976. Said letter also stated that their �54 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS application for the federal aid was submitted to the State Library of Pennsylvania on November 3, and the Commissioners resolution of support of the application was forwarded on November 13. Chief Clerk stated that he had acknowledged receipt of the approval of the Governor' I Justice Commission award for the Design and Implementation for Communication System. Mr. Whalen then stated that this grant is for the feasibility study only, and has nothing to do with the implementation of such a system. Mr. Whalen added that it.has been approved by the State. New Business: a. Appointments to: Drug & Alcohol Council Housing Authority Industrial Development Authority Conservation District Chief Clerk advised the Board that the Washington -Greene Drug and Alcohol Planning Council had recommended that Ms. Janet B. Diresta be appointed for a three (3) year term in the Educator position. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board approve the appointment of Ms. Janet B. Diresta as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk advised the Board that the Washington County Housing Authority had recommended that Thomas E. Petrus be appointed as a member of the Authority for a five- year term, effective January 1, 1976. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board approve the appoint- ment of Thomas E. Petrus as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk informed the Board that the Washington County Industrial Development Authority had recommended that Americo F. Troiano be re -appointed as a Board member for a five year term. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board approve the re-appoi4t- ment of Americo F. Troiano as a Board member of the Washington County Industrial Develop- I (----- ment Authority as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk informed the Board that the Washington County Conservation District MINUTE BOOK 555 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS 11 IJ has nominated Mr. Lee Adamson, Mr. Carl Stark and Mr. Michael R. Flynn as District Directors to fill the expected vacant positions. Remarks: Mr. Flynn: These appointments are based upon petitions, sent out to the various approved agencies by the state and they submit the names. Mr. Adamson, who is one of the encumbent members, has been nominated to be reappointed as the farm member. Mr. Stark has been nominated to remain as a member of the urban business. I .am only appointed for one year. Moved by Mr. Jones., seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board approve the appointment�of Mr. Lee Adamson, Mr. Carl Stark and Mr. Michael R. Flynn as District Directors for the Washington County Conservation District as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. b. Washington County 1976 Budget Chief Clerk read the following news release concerning the 1976 Budget: The 1976 Washington County Budget in its entirety has been prepared and is now available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief Clerk Court House, Washington, Pa. These budgets were prepared on the basis of factual and sound data compiled from all sources of information and do not reflect any increase in taxation. The General Operating Budget is considerably higher than previous years due mainly to a sharp increase in the programs -- administered by the Office of Adult Welfare together with a $1, 000, 000 increase in the Tax Anticipation Borrowing category. Since these budgets could in no manner reflect any 1976 fiscal policies, there being no input by Commissioners Paluso or Commissioner Elect Morgan, it would appear the budgets will be re -opened as indicated by Mr. Paluso in his new release of December 5, 1975. The personnel sections of the budgets are based solely on the current approved positions and salary schedules. Therefore, any salary adjustments, fringe benefits and any additional positions will have to be dealt with by the incoming Fiscal Officers in 1976. Tax Notices have been mailed in January the past three years; however, such cannot take place this year; and as a result, it will be necessary to substantially increase Tax Anticipation borrowing. We want to publicly thank Mr. Charles A. Gillespie for,the valuable assistance given to our staff in the accurate compilation of fiscal experience records. His input has been invaluable to us in the orderly preparation of these budgets. I would be very remiss at this time if I did not commend my two fine and capable assistants, Mr. Crouse and Mr. Fetcko, for their untiring efforts and devotion to this very complicated and time-consuming task. Our fine secretarial staff arose to the occasion in their duties and likewise are commended for a job well done. Mr. Flynn then read the following comment dated December 10, 1975: Available today for your public inspection is a proposed budget for Fiscal 1976 for the County of Washington. It was possible £o balance the budget this year at 19 mills; and at the same time, in a large degree, honor most requests presented at the budget hearings. A budget will not nor cannot, by its very nature, satisfy everyone. Nevertheless, I 556 MINUTE :■■ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS can assure you of one thing - this budget represents an honest, decent and fair effort to put together a workable financial plan for Fiscal 1976. This budget represents vast hours of hard work in trying to develop a meaningful financial plan,. Nevertheless, let the record show that on December 31, 1975, Washington County will be in a fiscally stable position with a plan prepared for 1976. What the new Board of County Commissioners intends on doing to this budget, I have no knowledge. I know they have plans and I have not been apprised of them, but as the reigns of government will be turned over so will the responsibility for sound, competent and realistic financial planning. /s/ Michael R. Flynn, Chairman Washington County Commissioners Remarks: Mr. Flynn: Now if I may add to that and relating to what Mr. Whalen just stated, the fact remains gentlemen, and the reason we are making these statements is this - we do have a Union contract which will expire on December 31, 1975 and it is quite evident that there will be no contract executed between now and December 31, however, there will be a continuing series of negotiations and whatever is the end result of these negotiations will naturally be retroactive to January. Again, however, by necessity, if we are to continue to function, the law requires that we have a budget adopted by December 31. Otherwise, beginning in January, we could not function. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board go on record posting the proposed budget for the fiscal year 1976. 1975: Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Flynn then read the following memorandum for record dated December 11, For the record, Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to announce my resignation as Chairman of the Board of Washington County Commissioners effective at 4:30 P. M. on December 31, 1975. I will serve in the capacity as acting Chairman of the Board until Board reorganization on January 5, 1976. It has indeed, over the past 12 years, been an extreme pleasure to serve the taxpayers of Washington County as Chairman of the Board. I would like to think that we have come a long way in 12 years under extremely trying circumstances. I find it indeed gratifying that on November 25, 1975, I was asked by Commissioner -Elect Morgan to remain as Chairman of the Board. How- ever, on November 28, 1975, again meeting with Mr. Morgan, I respectfully declined his offer. There are, a number of factors involved in my decision, but perhaps the greatest reason'is one which is somewhat philosophical in nature. When a person assumes authority to perform a job, he must also assume responsi- bility for his actions. Conversly, when a man assumes the responsibility of a position he must have the authority to fulfill his obligations. If the respon- sibility is not commensurate with the authority, or vice -versa, the job at hand will, at best, be done very poorly. It would put the man in an untenable position. I would like to emphasize, however, that I am not resigning my responsibility as a County Commissioner, only as the Chairman - the man who must ultimately give direction and guidance to County Government. I know that Mr. Morgan and Mr. Paluso have been planing for some time a r course of direction. They have not shared in any manner or form the specifics of this course, nor in any way asked for input from me. Thus, at least, in terms of authority, I will be a minority Commissioner., Neverthe- less, I assure the taxpayers of this county that I will fulfill my responsibility to the best of my talents and ability. Again, to the citizens of Washington County I wish to express my thanks for their vote of confidence in the November election. 1 1 /s/ Michael R. Flynn, Chairman Washington County Commissioners 55'7 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS F 1 Solicitor: Mr. Whalen stated that at last week's meeting a single bid had been opened from Carman Benson Equipment Corporation to furnish a washer and extractor for the County Jail. Mr. Whalen stated that Mr. Gilmore had reviewed the.bid and it meets all of the bid requirements, and it is Mr. Gilmore's recommendation that the bidder is responsible and should be awarded to him. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, awarding the contract for a Washer and Extractor for the Washington County Jail, to CARMAN BENSON EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, 335 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017, for the amount set forth in their bid; this being the lowest responsible bid received in accordance with specifications. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen presented a Personnel Agreement with the Commonwealth for the Drug and Alcohol Program. Mr. Whalen stated that this agreement has been reviewed by Mr. Gilmore and it does meet the criteria of the County in that the salary schedules spelled out here will be equal to those spelled out for the Child Welfare Services which classifies Washington County as a B County. Mr. Whalen stated that it was Mr. Gilmore's recommenda- tion that this Personnel Agreement be executed. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board execute the Personnel Agreement for the Drug and Alcohol Program as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen read the following two notifications from Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission: Application of The Peoples Natural Gas Company for approval of the right to offer, render, furnish or supply liquid propane gas service to the public in portions of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Gentlemen: You are hereby advised that the Commission may consider the above captioned application, without hearing, provided no protests are filed with this Commission on or before January 9, 1976. .............................. C, Application of George F. Fleeher for approval of the right to begin to offer, render, furnish or supply sanitary sewage collection and dis- posal service to the public in a portion -of Cecil Township, Washington County. Gentlemen: You are hereby advised that the Commission may consider 558 MINUTE = ■ ■ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS the above captioned application without hearing, provided no protests are filed with this Commission on or before January 2, 1976. Mr. Whalen stated that if the Board has no questions, we will acknowledge receipt of these letters from the PUC. Mr. Flynn stated that he didn't think there would be any objections. Mr. Whalen then presented an agreement between the Washington County Adult Welfare Services and the Mon Valley United Health Services for provision of the foregoing services for the Senior Citizens Center Nutrition Program of the Mon Valley section of Washington County. Mr. Whalen added that Mr. Gilmore had reviewed this and recommended that the Board execute this agreement. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board execute the agreement between the Washington County Adult Welfare Services and the Mon Valley United Health Services as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen stated that the time stamp validating equipment in the Treasurer's Office is a Stromberg product and our Maintenance Agreement on that equipment plus one unit in the Purchasing Office requires a maintenance agreement renewal at a annual cost of $330. 00. Mr. Whalen and Mr. Gilmore both recommended that this contract be renewed. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Stromberg Maintenance Agreement be renewed for one year at an annual cost of $330. 00 as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen stated that the next item of business, a petition from the Tax Claim Bureau, involves an old matter of business which is a demolition of the property at 427 & 4272 East Hallam Avenue in Washington. Mr. Whalen stated that we were placed on notice sometime ago by the Board of Health that this was dangerous property and should be condemned, so the Tax Claim Bureau has now prepared a petition to authorize the demolition of this property. Mr. Whalen further stated that it is recommended by Mr. Gilmore that this be approved with the condition that the cost of demolition be prorated between the city, the county and the school district as their interests appear. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board authorize the petition by the Tax Claim Bureau for demolition of property at 427 & 4272 East Hallam Avenue in Washington as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTE BOOK V •7 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK .ZONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Remarks: Mr. Paluso: Will we be responsible to bid that, or the person with the most interest? Mr. Whalen: The County will be responsible because the Tax Claim Bureau serves as the agent for the municipalities, so they will handle it. Mr. Whalen presented a deed that had been previously approved, but the deed description proved to be incorrect and now has been corrected by the legal department. Mr. Whalen stated that this concerns all that certain parcel of ground situate in Cecil Township Washington County, being a lot adjoining Henry Primez as recorded in Deed Book 761. Mr. Whalen added that Mr. Gilmore has recommended that this deed be executed. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board execute the deed from the Real Estate Office as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen stated that at last week's meeting the Board discussed some magistrates leases and that we have a new proposal for District No. 2 which is 1Vbnongahela. Mr. Whalen stated that we have a proposed lease there for an additional six years at a rental increase of $50. 00 per month. Mr.. Whalen also stated that the current rental is $325. 00 per month, the proposed rental for a six year period is $375. 00 per month, and he thought we were very fortunate to negotiate a lease of this nature, and that Mr. Gilmore and he both recommended that the Board approve this particular lease. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board approve the magistrates lease for District No. 2 in Monongahela for an additional six year period as per above. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Remarks: Mr. Whalen: The only other items which we should note is that we should all be aware that the lease for the Magisterial District No. 1, which is Washington, does expire on January 1, 1976. We have had two proposals on space for this particular office and discussed this with the courts a week ago, and up to this point, we have received no further communication from the court. The one that was very important to note is that Magisterial District No. 13, which is Canton Township and the Avella area. We have received formal notice to vacate those premises as of December 31, 1975, which is the termination date of the lease, and we have searched diligently for space and we have found one location. However, it was not approved by the courts, and they informed us a week ago that they would come in With some recommendation by this time, but so far we have not heard anything more. I think the records should show that the Board of County Commissioners are in no way responsible for any delays in executing the lease for District No. 13. Mr. Flynn: I think for the record your point is well taken because we are the ones to execute the lease and agreement, but we can't move..... As you stated we did meet on November 3rd and approved the lease arrangements with the one we just executed here, but on the other ones, we are in hot water and it is through no fault of ours. We have no control over it. IJVt-► MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Mr. Flynn: This item was not on the agenda, but I would like to relate for a moment on this reimbursement for county court costs. As you recall, at our last meeting we discussed the subject matter of House Bill #1333, which just passed the House yesterday in Harrisburg. That was a supplemental appropriation to the General Appropriation Bill that was adopted June 30, 1975. There has been some criticism about the bill itself, the contents and so forth. However, after our discussion last week as Z vindicated in the record, I was going to send a letter to our legislators, which I did, and this includes the three Democrats and one Republica: legislator. As you well know, the week before that a vote was taken in the House and the only one that voted for it from Washington County was John Brunner. As a result of the letter I sent to Barry Stout, Mr. Demedio and Mr. Fischer...... Mr. Stout and Mr. Demedio did change their vote and voted for it. There was a $2, 500 increase in there for the legislators. I was not concerned about the $2, 500 increase. It was a catch all because originally, and the records will show, that under Act #8A which is the budgetary provision of the reimburse- rient of county court costs which was passed on June 30.... in that the Governor saw fit or the Appropriation Committee saw fit to only appropriate $10 million and the money was taken from the Discretionary Revenue Sharing money that the State has at their wisdom. So they appropriate $10 million in that budget which would not nearly meet the amount of money we anticipated. When I say we, I mean every county in this Commonwealth. Last year in 1974 we received $294, 000. On the basis of what we received in 1974, we anticipated revenue in the 1975 budget .... we put a conservative figure of $275, 000. When they passed the General Appropriation Bill in June of this year, there was only $10 million in there, but in House Bill #1333 this supplemental appropriation bill for the General Fund purposes, there was an additional $14 million in there, which would bring the total up to $24 million. Now this was our major concern because that $24 million means that we should receive between $275, 000 to $300, 000 and this was why I wrote the letter. I would like the record to show, as far as I am personally concerned I compliment the three gentlemen from Washington County and ,IierY frankly, I can't say anything for the other gentlemen because everytime I have written to him about any piece of legislature pertaining to this County when it comes to finances, I get a negative answer or no answer at all. Mr. Whalen, I would like to instruct you to send a letter of thanks to the other three gentlemen. I would like to set the record straight also .... now there is a $2, 500 increase in expense accounts for the legislature. But the fact is, this is only a one shot deal. And that becomes effective on July 1, 1975 and it ends on June 30, 1976 so it is not continuing. It was for that one fiscal year. So I can't find fault with them. They did amend that bill, but there was a lot of objections to it. I think the gentlemen ought to be complimented because there is $300, 000 and it means a lot to Washington County. Incidentally, in this budget we have prepared, we have placed in there anticipated revenue of prior years, which the state has not paid and amounts to about $500, 000. Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTES READ AND APPROVED: December 11 1975 ATTEST: ACTING CHIEF CLERK bg 0 IJ