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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 95 - 11-29-1973 - COMMISSIONERMINUTE BOOK 175 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS L�JI Minute No. #95 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1973 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Jones, Paluso and Flynn. Also present being: Chief Clerk and County Administrator Whalen; County Solicitor Hormell; Administrative Assistant Crouse; Mr. Bob Robertson - The Observer -Reporter; Mr. Ed Sherlock - WKEG; Mr. John Merdian - WJPA; Mr. Grant Liesch of The Brownsville Telegraph; Mrs. June Lilley of The Daily Notes; Mr. Charles Gradert; Mrs. Helen Miller of The League of Women Voters; and Mr. Pete Celani. M eting. called to order by Chairman 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. #94, each member having received a copy. as read. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Minute No. #94 be approved, Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn.- Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business: Chairman stated that as per the last regular Board meeting held on November 21, 1973, that the motion to approve Minute No. #93 was seconded by him with the reservation that he wanted to make comments on Min- t6.Nd-.- #92 dated November 15, 1973, at today's meeting. Chairman brought to Commissioner Paluso Is attention the Drug and Alcohol Lease for Burgettstown which was approved by Commissioners Jones and Paluso at the November 15, 1973, board meeting and which to date had not contained the signature of Commissioner Paluso. Commissioner Paluso stated that at the time the Lease was presented to him for signature he was busy and had not yet had a chance to read the Lease; however, he would sign it no w. (Law Library) Chairman referred to and read a recent editorial entitled "The Election Ends But the Issues Remain" which appeared in the local newspaper. Chairman further stated that the matter of the Law Library has been pending for some time now and that the services of one Donald York had been engaged to make a survey of all available space in the immediate area. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Eric Bugaile entered the meeting. ' Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the Washington County Board of Commissioners accept the Lease Proposal as submitted by Messrs. Frank C. Carroll and Joseph P. Moschetta, for the leasing of the second floor of a building known as Court Square Arcade, located on Cherry Avenue, City and County of Washington, Pennsylvania; said area consisting of approximately 5, 334 square feet; said action based upon the recommendation of the Chairman, Michael R. Flynn; Remarks: Mr. Paluso: I still don't think that is the best lease we can get. I think it is too expensive. Mr. Jones: This has been going on for some time. I think this is something we have to put in perspective. Every since we have been over here this has been brought to our attention by the attorneys of the Bar Association, I-.w Library Committee and during our budget hearings it was brought up again by the Courts. We have that report by Donald York and I have gone over it and the facility is close because we do not have the space here - we don't have the money to expand the facilities here in the Courthouse and that is my reason for voting for this. Mr. Paluso: There is no question that the space is needed for that Law Library but $200, 000 lease for a building that is on record sold for $47, 000 for the whole building - we are leasing half of it. In a ten year period for $230, 000 it just don't make good sense to me. Buy the building and condemn it. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - No; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried. (Mingo Park - Cut -back:) Chairman informed the Board that the Commissioners will have to take a further look at the offices of the Department of Parks and Recreation and that as per a recommendation by may Michael George, Director, that a cutback in personnellbe in order in order to cut down in the overall expenses. Chairman suggested that said matter be held in abeyance until the Commis- sioners can sit down and discuss said cut -back in order to try to reach a satisfactory agreement. Correspondence: (bills) Chief Clerk informed the Board of the receipt of the following checks: (a) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Court and Related Cost Reimbursement - $171, 975. 47. (b) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - $1485.44 - public assistance payment for foster home and institutional care costs. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the following bills be approved for payment: (a) Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District - $10, 000. 00 - budget item. 0 1 L� (b) Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington - $18, 814. 00 - budget item. WILIUTEBOOK 1'77 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS (c) Griswold, Winters, Swain & Mullin - $5393. 27 - professional services in reference to Mingo Creek County Park. Also - $1273. 65 for same. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 26, 1973, from McClelland- Yuhas & Associates, Incorporated, which announced that said firm will continue the practice of engineering and surveying with expanded services. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 23, 1973, _from Edward Maher, Supervising Sanitarian for Washington and Greene Counties, directed to William Sember, Director of the Planning Commission, which commended Mr. William Schied for an excellent presentation at a recent special meeting held at the Bureau of Community Environmental Contro:. office. Chief Clerk informed the Board of a telegram received from Congressman Morgan under date of November 21, 1973, which announced the approval of a contract award by the De- partment of Interior, Bureau of Mines, to Frank Irey, Jr. Inc. of Monongf.hela, Pennsylvania, in the amount of $16, 800. 00 for the installation of sanitary sewer line at the Bruceton Station. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 14, 1973, from James S. Lyon, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Observer Publishing Company, which requested that the Commissioners keep the 1974 progress edition in mind when preparing the final figures for the County Budget for 1974. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 19, 1973, from the Department of Army, Corps of Engineers, with reference to the Chartiers Creek Flood Protectic n Project - Canonsburg -Houston Reach, Unit 1. Correspondence clarified an misunderstanding with regard to information received by the County. Chief Clerk informed the Board of correspondence received, from the Pennsylvania State University which informed the conducting of a seminar to be held by the Department of Public Welfare in.cooperation with the Administration on Aging in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Correspondence stated that said seminar will be in reference to the .mplementation of the new Older Americans Act and will be held at the J. Orvis Keller Conference ,ehter on the University Park Campus from 6:00 p. m. on Monday, December 3, 1973, through Wednesday, December 5, 1973. Correspondence requested that a representative from Washingtc n :�ounty be present for said Conference. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, borifikming the action taken by the 3oard of Commissioners in that Mr.. Metro Petrosky, Jr.,. Director of the Adult Welfare Services, be authorized to attend the above -mentioned Conference. Roll_ call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. WR MINUTE ROOD BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 14, 1973, from The Penn- sylvania State University, which informed that the Center for the Study of Environmental Polica,a of the Pennsylvania State University is conducting a study in the six counties of the Greater Pittsburgh Region directed at the problems of public officials and professional planners in obtaining and communicating information. Correspondence stated that a research team will be in Washington County in the next few weeks and would request time for an interview. Chief Clerk read Court Order No. 474 September Term, 1973 A. D. in reference to the filling of the Jury Wheel for the year 1974. Said Court Order certified that an attached list of names, occupations and residence of every person placed in the Jury Wheel by the and undersigned Jury Commissioners Connors and Koch and Judge DiSalle, is in order/that same be filed of record in the Prothonotary's Office. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 21, 1973, from William P. Sember, Director of the Planning Commission, in reference to coal unloading operation in East Bethlehem Township. Correspondence stated that an investigation has been conducted as per a complaint by Mrs. Harry Marchesini. Correspondence then reported on said investigation, and stated that the County has no legal recourse in said matter. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 26, 1973, from William P. Sember, Director of the Planning Commission, which requested that the County Commissioners lend their support in opposing Senate Bill No. 1245 - the Rural Land Development Act. Chief Clerk also read correspondence under date of November 26, 1973, from Senator Murphy directed to Mr. John L. Merdian, Chairman of the Planning Commission, which stated that Senator Murphy is definitely opposed to said bill but that a.considerable number of Senator Murphy's Senate colleagues have sponsored the measure and that it may be necessary to hold a public hearing in order to ascertain all the relevant facts - both pro and con. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Board of Washington County Commissioners go on record in opposition of Senate Bill No. 1245 (The Rural Land Develop- ment Act) and so notify Senator Austin Murphy that if pressure is brought to bear and it is necessary to -consider or release the bill,that through the press,public hearings be held in reference to said Bill. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk informed the Board that the County is now under a definite fuel allocation by the current supplier, Allied Oil Company, and that the County would only be receiving C 1 70% of the purchases made during the months of November and December, 1972. Chief Clerk stated that Allied Oil Company can no longer supply Washington County with fuel after MINUTE BOOK 179 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYL'VANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS December 31, 1973, and that it will be necessary that the County make application to the United States Department of Interior in Washington, D. C. , who will name a supplier for the County and no doubt establish a quota. Chief Clerk stated that he is taking the immediate steps to make said application to the Department of Interior. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 26, 1973, from Gloria Fitzgibbons, Director - Region V, Pittsburgh - Department of Community Affairs, which in- vited the Commissonem to attend a special meeting called by Secretary Wilcox regarding the energy crisis and how it will affect the communities. Correspondence stated that said meeting will be held December 6, 1973, at 7:30 p. m. at the Soldier's and Sailors' Memorial Hall in Pittsburgh. Chairman stated that the Commissioners will try to have a representative of the County present for said meeting. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 23, 1973, from the Malone Chemical Company, which solicited the Ca ty's business for the forthcoming year and also advised the Commissioners of a six (6%) percent increase. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 23, 1973, from Robert P. Kane, Secretary of Revenue, with reference to maximizing local tax collections with aid of the Internal Revenue Service 1972 Individual Income Tax Data. Correspondence stated that the Commonwealth has the capability to supply qualifying local tax authorities with limited Department of Revenue individual income tax information made available to the/by the Internal Revenue Service under authorization of Federal Law (Section 6103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Correspondence further stated that said information will consist of the indicated tax data elements pertaining to each resident of the local taxing authority's jurisdiction who filed a Federal individual income tax return for the 1972 tax year and reported receipt of more than zero amounts of dividend and/or interest payments. Correspondence enclosed an Agreement for said service which is to be returned to Secretary of Revenue Kane. A discussion was then held by the Board members in reference to the above matter. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the Washington County Board of Commissioners execute the Agreement relating to reimbursement for and use of data from 1972 Federal income tax returns and return said Agreement to Secretary of Revenue Kane; said action based upon the recommendation of Chairman Flynn. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk informed the Board of four Court Orders which were received in i reference to the opening of baR.ot boxes in the First, Second and Third precincts of Mt. Pleasant Township, and in the Borough of Ellsworth. All said Court Orders were under the signature of Judge Richard DiSalle, and duly filed with the Prothonotary's Office. 180 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of November 26, 1973, from Senator Austin J. Murphy, which thanked Mr. Whalen for his letter of November 20, 1973, with regard to House Bill 1335. Correspondence assured the Commissioners that Senator Murphy will continue to give his support to said legislation both in committee and on the floor of the Senate. Chief Clerk informed the Board that he and Mr. Petrosky were authorized to meet several meetings. back with the Washington Senior Citizens Center, Third Ward School, with respect to their financial project. Mr. Whalen stated that as a result of said meeting with the officers of the Center and with representatives of the Western Regional of the Department of Public Welfare, that a full agreement was reached by the Senior Citizens Center and the Department of Welfare in that the County would sponsor the project grant for the Center on a 75/25 basis and that the Washington Senior Citizens Center will underwrite the local effort of with no cost to the County. , 25% of the grant, Mr. Whalen stated that said grant has been prepared and submitted to Harrisburg for approval and that a Mr. Lynch, from the Department of Public Welfare, Westerl Region, has given every assurance that said grant will be approved. Solici .r - None 11:10 p.m. Opening of Bids for Group Employee Term Life Insurance Various bidders then entered the meeting. The following bids were then opened and read by Controller Elish: 1. Name of Bidder: The Travelers Insurance Company Address: Chatham Center Office Building Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15 219 Amount: $30, 811. 00 annually Bid bond in the amount of $100. 00 accompanied the bid. 2. Name of bidder: F. J. Buckley Agency. (Boston Mutual) Address: 25 N. Jefferson Avenue Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317 Amount: $1, 867. 30 per month ($22, 407. 60 annually) Certified check in the amount of $100. 00 accompanied the bid. 3. Name of Bidder: Gordon M. Core (Washington National Insurance Company) Address: 117 N. Main Street Box 482 Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 Amount: $25, 417. 80 for first year (Attached statements for 2nd & 3rd year rates) Certified check in the amount of $100. 00 accompanied the bid. 4. Name of Bidder: Thomas E. Scurfield, Agent ( Pilot Life Insurance Company) Address: 406 West Main Street Monongahela, Pennsylvania 15063 Amount: $2, 353. 50 Monthly Cost (Rate per $1000. 00 - . 90�) Life Volume - $2, 615, 000. 00 1 P Certified check in the amount of $100. 00 accompanied the bid. MINUTE BOOK 181 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS J 5. Name of Bidder: Dominion Life Assurance Company (320 Oliver Building Mellon Square Address: Waterloo, Ontario (home office) Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 ) Amount: $2489. 00 per month No bid bond or certified check accompanied bid. Also - bid was not in compliance with the bid form proposal. 6. Name of Bidder: Crown Life Insurance Company (Submitted by BABB, Inc.) Address: Toronto, Canada Amount: $2, 118. 15 per month Bid bond in the amount of $100. 00 accompanied the bid. (Bid was not in compliance with the bid form proposal. ) 7. Name of Bidder: Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company (Submitted by BABB, Inc. ) Address: Hartford, Connecticut Amount: $2092. 60 per month No bid bond or certified check accompanied the bid. Also - bid was not in compliance with the bid form proposal. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Washington County Board of Commissioners table the above -mentioned bids received for the Group Employee Term Life Insurance in order that the County Solicitor and the Broker of Record may have a chance to peruse said bids until a later date. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Various bidders left the meeting. New Business: (Appointment of an Architect for the Construction of a 250-Ded Extended _Care Facility) Mr. Flynn: I want the records, to show that we have been in the state of status quo because we have not made any progress whatsoever. As you all know, first of all we had to secure the approval of the Comprehensive Health Planning Association and we have that approval. And yesterday was one of the scheduled meetings of the CHPA in Pittsburgh and I was told that it seems them that at the time to alth©ugh they approved this project sometime ago, for reasons unknown to them Washington 1 County has been dragging their feet and they would like to know just what our position is insofar as this Home is concerned and what we intend to do and they would like to know because if we do not intend to proceed, then they intend to withdraw their approval. Now Mr. Whalen happens to be a member of that Board of Directors and Mr. Whalen was scheduled to attend that meeting :iowever we were both scheduled to be present at the hearing yesterday in Pittsburgh before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. So therefore, he could not attend that meeting. But the fact remains gentlemen where we, are Mow in a position where we are go ing to have name a 3.rchitect. I might further add that after reviewing all of these different proposals submitted by 1► U \ MCM ■ O ►._ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES. JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS these various engineers and architects, I asked Mr. Hormell in his capacity to hand down a ruling as to how we should, proceed and I believe that his ruling was that we would have to proceed according to statute and according to statute as per his interpretation it would be the conventional manner whereby we would appoint an architect and proceed from there. And that is exactly the position we are in right now gentlemen. As far as I am concerned the day of decision has arrived. A discussion was then held on the above by the Board members. Commissioner Paluso recommended that the firm of J. James Fillingham, Architect, Monessen, Pennsylvania, be appointed. Commissioner Flynn recommended that the firms of (1) Wallover & Mitchell, Inc., of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and (2) Kuhn, Newcomer and Valentour, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (both firms being Registered Architects), be considered as Architect. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Washington County Board of Commissioners review and consider the above -mentioned architectural firms; and that one of the above -mentioned firms be appointed as Architect for the construction of a 250-Bed Extender prior to the Board meeting of December 6, 1973, Care Facility/and that said announcement be made and made a part of the record at the regular Board meeting to be held on Thursday, December 6, 1973. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. (Reassessment Program in Washington County) A very lengthy discussion was held by the Board members with reference to the under- taking of a reassessment program in Washington County. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that Washington County embark on a Reassessment Program in order to alleviate the inequities and false assessments presently levied on property in Washington County. Remarks: Mr. Hormell: I think the above motion should include the time of beginning and also should include instructions to Messrs. Whalen and Crouse to include such figures in the 1974 budget. Mr. Flynn: I want the records to show that I seconded this motion made by Mr. Paluso. I do not agree with the terminology and the manner in which he proposes it but I am aware of the fact that we -are under Court Order to proceed with this project. In the past we have been trying to comply with that Court Order and regardless of what action we have taken it has been our experience that the work involved and the expenditure of money has proven to be of no avail. This is a smatter of record. And I would further want the records to show that this will be a part of our capital improvement program which will be•reflected in our forthcoming budget which we are preparing for the fiscal year 1974 and the necessary steps will be taken to retain C the services of professional appraisals to undertake the project in this County. MINUTE BOOK 1W- BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Flynn then took exception to remarks made by Commissioner Paluso at the regular Board meeting held on November 15, 1973, with reference to the rescheduling of various Board meetings. Also the subject of budget hearings, the County budget, attendance at MH/MR Board meetings, and the position as Chairman of the Board were discussed. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the meeting adjourned. Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: November 29 1973 / L� ATTEST: I CHIEF CLERK 1 1