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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 34 - 8-17-1972 - COMMISSIONER280 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Minute No. 34 Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the meeting adjourn. Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: 1972 ATTEST: CHIEF CLERK Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa., August 17, 1972 , The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioner Jones, Paluso, and Flynn. Also present being: Administrative Assistant Whalen; Assistant County Solicitor Hormell; Reporter Robertson of The Observer -Reporter; and Reporter Roule of The Monongahela Publishing Company. Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken: Mr. Jones - Present; Mr. Paluso - Present; Mr, Flynn - .'resent. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions, or omissions to Minute No. 33, each Commissioner having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones that Minute No. 33 be approved, as read. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr, Paluso - Yes; Mr, Flynn - Yes, Motion carried unanimously, Correspondence - Mr. Whalen Mr. Whalen informed the Board of the following three (3) checks received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,: (1) Ck. #21-553550 in the amount of $41, 073. 00 representing Utiity Tax Recovery - Acct. 9-F (check has been deposited) (2) Ck. #43-1068165 in the amount of $28, 068. 60 for Contract No. 1317 for Mon Valley United Health, Services (check has been deposited) (3) Ck, #43-1068163 in the amount of $15, 984. 78 for Contract No. 1319 for Third Ward Day Care Center (check has been deposited) Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of August 11, 1972 from Edward J. Woods, County Agricultural Agent, Washington County Agrucultural and Home Economics Extension Service requesting their budget allotment of $5, 000. 00. 1 E Mr. Flynn: It isn't necessary to act on this. It is part of the budget. MINUTE B❑❑K 281 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Field Registrations: Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Pa,luso that the following Field Registrations be approved: August 30, 1972 Houston Fire Hall 1-5 & 6-9 September 1, 1972 West Pike Run Hungarian 1-5 & 6-9 Hall, Daisytown September 8, 1972 Bentleyville Boro Building 1-5 & 6-9 Mr, Flynn: What are they doing about the schools? Are they setting up dates? Mr. Whalen: Yes, they have dates established now for all the high schools and they haven't heard from the two colleges yet, but they have indicated that they are going to - respond and it is Mr. Muscaro's intent to present that list in its entirety for approval. Roll call vote taken: Mr, Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr, Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously, Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of August 8, 1972, from Mrs. Pauline G. Keally, St. Francis of Assisi Library, expressing the appreciation of the sponsors of the Summer Reading Club for the courteous service, well -prepared guided hike and the helpfulness of the staff and police shown to them on August 3, 1972. Mrs. Keally stated that special commendation is deserved by Mr. George Sharkady and Mrs. Martha Culp for their work with the young people. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of August 16, 1972, from Peter Elish, County Controller stating that during the week of August 20, 1972, he and Mrs. Criquellion, Deputy County Controller will be attending the Controllers Convention at the Holiday Inn, Erie, Pa. Mr, William Racunas will be acting as Deputy Controller during their absence. Agreement: Mr. Whalen: In connection with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Contract for the County employees, the original contract was a, separate group of county employees only and due to experience rating the premium went up to close to $62. 00 for the family plan per month. Mrs. Criquellion and I working together with Blue Cross and Blue Shield were able to arrange for our group to be absorbed into a much larger group through the Municipal Employers Insurance Trust and through this arrangement we were able to reduce the family premium down to about $52. 00 per month for the family plan, which is a saving of about $120. 00 a, year. It is necessary that the County execute a, joinder agreement with Municipal Employers Insurance Trust in this regard and this is to be executed by the Chairman of the Board. There is no cost to the County here, it is merely an agreement with them that the County approves being the broker. 282 luvlmmamm BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PAWSO, COMMISSIONERS I Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the above joinder agree- ment between the County of Washington and the Municipal Employers Insurance Trust regard- ing Blue Cross and Blue Shield benefits as submitted by Mr. Whalen be approved and executed by the Chairman of the Board. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Washington County Nursing Homes: Mr, Whalen: In connection with our County Nursing Homes, the Department of Welfare has set up a public hearing in Harrisburg next Wednesday at 10:00 in the main capitol building. The purpose of the hearing is that they are suggesting changes in the rules and regulations pertaining to the maintenance and operation of both public and private nursing homes and we are vitally involved in this matter and some of the changes that they have up for approval or the things that they are recommending can certainly work seriously to the disadvantage of counties that operate nursing home facilities and we think that it is imperative that the county be represented and be heard at this hearing next Wednesday and that we very strenously set forth our own position here as to the regulations that are imposed by both the Federal Government and the State who administer the Welfare program for the Federal Government. There are quite a few things involved and it is my recommendation after meeting at length with the home administrators and our Human Services Director, Mr. Petrosky that the county be represented at this hearing and that we prepare a, forceful state- ment of our position that we can enter into the record at this hearing. There are very many •things i things involved here and they are very costly and if these things are permitted to be put into execution, about the only responsibility that the county is going to have left is to pay the bill. A discussion on the above was held by the Board, Mr. Flynn: Well gentlemen for the record I would recommend that we authorize Mr. Whalwn and Mr. Petrosky who is somewhat versed in this procedure here to appear before this public hearing in the state capitol and be prepared to present on behalf of the Washington County Commissioners our position insofar as this is concerned. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso authorizing Mr. Whalen and Mr. Petrosky, Director of Human Services to represent Washington County at the public hearing set up by the Department of Welfare to be held on Wednesday, August 23, 1972 at 10:00 in the main capitol building, Harrisburg, Pa, for the purpose of submitting Washington County's position in regard to the maintenance and operation of nursing home facilities. Copies of the statement regarding the County's position will be submitted to the Board of 1 n Commissioners prior to the hearing. Roll call vote taken: MINUTE B❑❑K BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Mr, Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso -- Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of August 15, 1972 from Miss Louise Abel, Director, Child Welfare Services requesting permission for Mrs. Mary Weaver, caseworker to go to McKean County on August 21, 1972 and return Tuesday, August 22, 1972 for the purpose of picking up a foster child, Kenneth Courtley who was placed with an adoptive family in McKean County on May 11, 1972. Miss Abel stated that this placement is not satisfactory and it is necessary to remove Kenny and place him in a foster home until a suitable adoptive home for him can be found. Mr. Whalen read further correspondence under date of August 15, 1972 from Miss Abel requesting permission to take Stanley Winkler, who has been under their care and custody since May 27, 1971 to the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Monday, August 21, 1972. Miss Abel stated that Stanley has been in several foster homes, none of which can adequately provide for his needs. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the above requests as submitted by Miss Abel be approved. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes, Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Paluso referred to the controversy between Maintenance Welding, the Middle Monongahela, Industrial Development Association and the Washington County Redevelopment Authority on which subject a meeting was held approximately one month ago with the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Paluso suggested to the Board that they offer their services as fact finder or mediator for the purpose of trying to reconcile the differences. Mr. Paluso stated that increasing employment in the Donora area should be one of the Commissioners main objectives and therefore, preserving a successful existing employer in that area should be a major concern of the County. Mr. Paluso also stated that it ha,s been brought to his attention that a, large industrial firm has indicated that it will acquire maintenance welding and transfer its present business and facility from. Cleveland Ohio to Donora if satisfactory arrangements can be made to keep them in their present quarters in the Donora Industrial Park. Maintenance Welding was issued an eviction notice by the Redevelopment`Authority and the Monongahela Industrial Development Association. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the County Commissioners make their services available to *all parties concerned in the above matter and act as med- iators or fact finders to find a, satisfactory solution to the problem concerning Maintenance Welding, if the involved parties so desire. , Roll call vote taken: