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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 71 - 5-29-1969 - COMMISSIONER524 MINUTE B®UK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHIN13T❑N COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS 7. Bidder: Soloman and Teslovich P. O. Box 768 Masontown, Pa. 15461 Total Bid Price: $144, 601. 83 Bid Bond in the amount of $29, 000. 00 accompanied bid. Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the above bids be tabled for further study by the Solicitor; contract to be awarded on Thursday, May 29, 1969. adjourn. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the meeting Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: ATTEST: ACTING CHIEF CLERK NO. 71 , 1969 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa., May 29, 1969 Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Bevec, Mazza, and Flynn. Also present being: County Solicitor Capano, Acting Chief Clerk Pagac, Public Information Officer Huber, Ass't. County Solicitor Porter, County Surveyor Yuhas, Parks and Recreation Director George, Treasurer Morgan, Controller Elish, Deputy Controller Whalen, Mr. Gillespie of the Community Action Program and Reporter Robertson of the Observer - Reporter. Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken: Mr. Bevec - Present; Mr. Mazza - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute No. 70, each Commissioner having received a copy. E Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that Minute No. 70 be approved , as read. C �l MINUTE BOOK 525 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHIN13TON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. SEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Unfinished Business: Appointment: Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that Mrs. Thelma Law be appointed as a member of the Child Welfare Advisory Board; this action to be effective this date for a term of three (3) years. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - YEs; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Contract - Piths -burgh Testing Laboratory - FAA Project No. 9-36-043-05: Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the County of Washington enter into an agreement with Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory for the testing of the bituminous pavement at the Washington County Airport; and that the Board of Commissioners be authorized to execute said agreement. Remarks: Mr. Mazza - Is this testing for the resurfacing? Mr. Capano: Yes. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Proposed Washington County Nursing Home Bids: media -- Chairman read the following release to be distributed to the news On May 28, 1969, the Washington County Commissioners culminated a series of meetings concerning the feasibility of constructing the proposed Extended Care Nursing facility. This meeting was attended by the Architect, Joseph Bontempo & Son, who presented information concerning the estimated construction costs and the actual bids as received from the contractors. The architects stated that the proposed Home had a design load of 445 beds, that is, utilities and all other service needs were contained in the structure to service this many beds. The original plans called for a 381 bed Home now, to be expanded later or as need arose to 445 beds. However, due to design changes mandated 526 MINUTE BOOK B❑ARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS by the United States Public Health Service, the proposed beds were reduced to 197. In the opinion of all parties concerned, the design load did not warrant construction for 197 beds and recommend that the facility not be constructed as presently designed. Other items of discussion that mitigate construction at this time were as follows: 1. Since the beginning of planning for this facility in 1964 the entire project has been caught in the upward spiraling costs of material and labor. This rise has averaged between one and one-half percent per month and is expected to continue at this rate for some time. 2. The indecision and design changes by federal authorities extended the planning over a five (5) year period thus contributing to the increased cost factors. 3. In addition to increased construction costs the cost of financing bonds has risen by about 50% since 1964 and this would be an additional fiscal burden on the county taxpayers. 4. The fact, that due to design changes by the Federal Government, the beds were cut from 381 to 197 caused serious doubts as to whether this facility could meet present needs for bed space. When planning was started in 1964 the estimated cost of this facility was $4, 500, 000 of which $1, 500, 000 or 33-1/3 percent would be eligible for aid under the Federal Hill -Burton Act. The County was further led to belief by knowledgeable Federal officials that an additional 47 2/3 would be available in supplemental Appalachia Act funds amounting to $2, 100, 000 leaving County costs at 20 percent or $90, 000. However, during the intervening planning period the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania eliminated this type of facility as a priority program in this state. This resulted in the loss of the anticipated $2, 100, 000 supplemental funding through the Appalachia Program. In the last four and one-half years, as a result of indecision and design changes by Federal Agencies the total cost of construction climbed from $4, 500, 000 to $7, 755, 000. This inflationary spiral in construction costs coupled with the loss of the anticipated Appalachia funds raised the County cost to $5, 755, 000. In view of the facts as they are today, the County Commissioners feel that it their duty to evaluate the project in terms of fiscal responsibility and explore other alternatives to the pressing problems in the area of services to the aged and expecially thcs e in need of extended care nursing facilities. The County Commissioners along with other agencies and thousands of citizens of Washington County agree that a serious need still exists for a facility of this type and will explore all possibilities that will conform to the fiscal capabilities of the County. Mr. Flynn: With this in mind gentlemen, and after very much deliberation and consideration of all factors related to this project, it is with a heavy heart, after five (5) years of hard work, that necessity demands in view of the projected costs, that we instruct the Controller to immediatd y return to the bidders all security bid bonds that they posted with their bids for the construction of the County Home which includes the site preparation for the Home for the Aged, general construction, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical bids, as submitted. Again I say it with a heavy heart, it is the unanimous opinion of this Board that we reject all bids and so notify all federal and state, -agencies that we have to abandon the plans for the construction of a new u 1 MINUTE BOOK 527 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Home at the present time until such time other avenues can be explored to meet the needs and requirements of the County as far as the needs for the Aged are concerned. Mr. Mazza: As you pointed out Mr. Chairman, iti our release, we spent many hours and work on the project, we are all upset over the increased costs, personally I feel we made the right decision due to this tremendous increase of the figure in our report and also, we are going to continue to explore other avenues for a new hospital which was agreed to by our Board, that the need is there. Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that all bids for the County Extended Care Nursing Facility (proposed new County Home and Hospital) be rejected, and that the Controller be instructed to return immediately, the security bonds or anything we have - checks may have been posted by respective bidders; this does not apply to the Detention Home. Remarks - Mr. Bevec: It's with a very heavy heart I seconded the motion. I want to say this, there is no question we need this but With the present conditions as they are, no one knows where we are going. This would mean a heavy rate of increase on the tax structure. I am certain the $7, 755, 000 figure would go over Eight (8) Million Dollars with the cost of materials, labor, etc; it would be a heavy load for the taxpayers of the County; we had to make so many changes because of the change regulations in the public , health laws. Mr. Flynn: The Architect has requested when the Controller returns the bid security to the respective bidders, that you also send a copy of the letter to the Architect. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. P Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Bevec; This would have meant $6, 000, 000 of county money going into this, $2, 000, 000 higher than we had anticipated. Chief Clerk - Read memorandum from Deputy Controller Whalen, under date of 5 / 22 / 69, stating all election Board payments have been processed - total amount - $28, 675. 80. or recount board. E Note was made that this figure does not include purphase of ballots, 528 MINUTE B❑❑K BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Aw Mr. Bevec: The new Election Boards will be permitted to get increases provided by law, beginning the November election, 1969. Mr. Capano: The law was passed last year. Mr. Bevec: Election Boards are elected in the Primary Election. Invoices: a/ Chartiers Creek Flood Control Project - Canonsburg Houston Reach - Phase I - Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that Invoice No. 4015 dated 5/20/69, submitted by Alex E. Paris Contracting Company, Inc., in the amount of $5800, for completion of installation of 115' of 8" cast iron pipe & Fittings across Chartiers Creek according to specifications, be approved for payment. Remarks: Completion date - 5/17/69; invoice was approved by County Surveyor John Yuhas. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. b/ Joseph F. Bontempo and Associates - Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that Invoice No. 51775 dated 5/ 14 / 69, submitted by Joseph F. Bontempo and Associates, in the amount of $5, 949. 04 for receipt bf Bids for Washington County Juvenile Detention Home, in accordance with Paragraph 8.1. 2 of Agreement dot ed November 18, 1965, be approved for payment. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Correspondence: Memorandum under date of,May 27, 1969 from John D. Anthony, Director of Washington County Planning Commission, requested approval of an expenditure in the amount of $300, 00 for payment to Anthony Placzek- negotiated easement price as entered into by the Redevelopment Authority at Harmon Creek, Sites 484 and 485; court order was approved May 26, 1969. Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the sum of $300. 00 payable to Anthony Placzek for easements granted at Harmon Creek Sites 484 and 485; be approved for payment. 1 MINUTE BOOK 529 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Memorandum under date of May 27, 1969 from Michael George, Director of Department of Parks and Recreation, requested approval that a Writ of Possession be issued on the James C. Wilson Property - (C-11, Cross Creek County Park). Memo enclosed a Dairy Form Sanitation Report and a personal note from the inspector. Mr. George reviewed the case, making note that the gentleman has been troublesome. Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that a WR'it of Possession as requested on the James C. Wilson Property, be approved. Remarks: This land was acquired by condemnation. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes . Motion carried unanimously. Memorandum under date of May 27, 1969 from John D. Anthony, Director of Washington County Planning Commission, requested approval of a contract between Pennweir Construction Company and Weirton Ice and Coal Supply Company and Washington County, for payment of the haulage road relocation at Harmon Creek Site 482 - agreed to price on the contract is $6, 720. 00 to be divided equally. Said payment is covered by the contract recently entered into between Washington County and the State Soil Conservation commission for a 25% reimbursement. Moved by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the contract between Pennweir Construction Company and Weirton Ice and Coal Supply Company and Washington County, for payment of the haulage road relocation at Harmon Creek Site 482, be approved; the sum of $3, 360. 00 to be made payable to Pennweir Construction Company, and the sum of $3, 360. 00 to be made payable to Weirton Ice and Coal Supply Company. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read corresponddnce addressed to Mr. Charles Gillespie, Executive Director, Washington -Greene Community Action Corporation, from Merrill H. E I 000 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. SEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Derr, Assistant Director, Office of Special Programs, Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, enclosed a copy of the letter of approval signed by Secretary Joseph W. Barr, relative to Project No. 68-292-54 (Monongahela Aquatorium); letter expressed thanks to Mr. Gillespie for his assistance in securing the facts which enabled them to certify the area in which the project is taking place. The copy of the letter to Mr. Irey, Jr. , Inc. from the Secretary, announced that the project submitted to the Department by their agency for approval, under the provisions of the Neighborhood Assistance Act (Act 292), as amended by Act 231 of 1968, has been approved. Approval may now qualify business and industrial firms that contribute towards the support of this project, to apply for a tax credit of up to fifty (50)! per cent on that contribution. Applications for tax credits by business or ffidustrial firms should be made directly to said Department. Mr. Gillespie: When the application went in, it was held up until additional information was submitted in compliance with the Neighborhood, Assistance Act; we submitted an application to get state assistance, it hasn't been approved and they want more information on it. During a brief discussion of the Project, note was made by Mr. Gillespie that construction has started on the aquatorium. Mr. Capano: The County is not committed in any way; they are probably using funds provided by private concerns. Letter under date of May 23, 1969 addressed to County Surveyor John Yuhas, from George M. Gary, informed - the request for aid to further develop Washington County Airport was not included in the 1970 Federal -aid Airport Program just announced by the Agency; with limited Federal funds available, only a relatively small percentage of the requested development could be reached for programming. Mr. Yuhas: We made an allocation request for 400 mare feet. Mr. Flynn: Originally we didn't make application; various groups sent letters indicating we should, we made application but we were turned down. Washington County Airport Project No. 9-36-043-05 Letter under date of May 27, 1969 from Gerald D. Curtin, Chief, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation AdministrationIiformed the Board of approval of the requested program change contained in our letter dated May 22, 1969, to delete apron overlay from the scope of the subject project work with no change in the tentative allocation. The new project description is: "Overlay and mark Runway 9-27 (3700' x 751) and parallel taxiway. " 1 1 1 J MINUTE BOOK 531 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA wow. MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Letter under date of May 27, 1969 from Gerald D. Curtin, Chief, Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, informed the Board that the bid tabulation had been reviewed for the Airport Project No. 9-36-043-05 and they concur in contract award to the apparent low bidder, Black Top Paving Company in the amount of $131, 530. 00 ; federal participation in construction costs will be $102, 853. 00. Mr. Yuhas reported that the pre -construction conference with Sponsor's representatives, Sponsor's engineer, contractor, Pac, and FAA representatives had been scheduled the week after next. Attorney Porter left the meeting. Mr. Mazza, Commissioner representative sof the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission, requested the Chief Clerk to read the following letter, stating approval of various projects being undertaken by municipalities must receive approval through the local, county planning commissions and the South- western Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission, therefore, he is going to have all correspondence read on major projects that are coming up in the County. Honorable John Mazza May 21, 1969 Washington County Board of Commissioners Court House Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 Dear Commissioner Mazza: As part of our project review procedure, I am enclosing a Project Identification Sheet and map containing the essential information on the application by the Peters Township Sanitary Authority, Washington County, to the U. S. Department of Interior, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, for a federal grant of $243, 000 to enlarge two existing sewage treatment plants and construct interceptor sewers. This project was recently sent to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission for our review and comment under the requirements of Section 204 of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966. As part of the procedure, we are providing the Commission members (In wee county a project is located) an opportunity to comment on the project that is being reviewed. If you would like to commend on the project which is briefly described on the attached sheet or have any information about the project which would assist the staff in its review of the project, we would appreciate hearing from you. If we do not have a response from you within ten days from the date of this letter, we will assume that you do not plan to comment or provide additional information on this project. Sincerely, H. Allan Speak / s / H. Alan Speak Assistant Director for Program Coordination HAS/ jd Enclosures Mr. Flynn: Your point is well taken; the average taxpayer doesn't realize the expenses involved with the planning commission. 532 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYL'VANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN R. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Mr. Mazza: We also participate in the regional planning commission and they are entitled to know what's going on. Solicitor: Mr. Capano presented a resolution to the Board for consideration and approval in reference to the Washington County Airport: Moved by Mr. Be vec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the following resolution be adopted; and that the Chairman of the Board be authorized to execute the Grant Agreement concerning same, and the Chief Clerk, be authorized to attest same. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration has tendered to the County of Washington, Pennsylvania, a Grant Offer for Project No. 9-36-043-C905 at the Washington County Airport under which the United States commits itself in accordance with the terms stated therein to pay 50 per centum of all allowable project costs of certain development at the Washington County Airport; and WHEREAS, the Offer made by the United States must be accepted in the manner provided in the terms thereof and in accordance with the regulations inborporated therein by reference; therefore N CERTIFICATE: BE IT RESOLVED: 1, That the County of Washington, Pennsylvania does hereby accept the Grant Offer for Project No. 9-36-043-C905 at the Washington County Airport issued by the Federal Aviation Administration as hereinafter set forth in the attached copy of the Grant Agreement. 2. That the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners Pennsylvania is hereby authorized to execute the Grant Agreement' in the manner provided as evidence of the County's acceptance, and that the Chief Clerk is Authorized to attest to such execution and to affix the authority's Seal thereto, and 3. A copy of the Grant Agreement, formed by the Grant Offer and acceptance hereinbefore mentioned, is attached hereto and made a part of this Resolution. I, Andy Pagac, Acting Chief Clerk of the County of Washington, Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a Resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of said County of Washington, Pennsylvania under the require- ments of law at a meeting held on May 29, 1969. R/f-ay 29, 1969 Date Adopted Remarks: 25% from the State. Andy Pagac /s/ Chief Clerk This is 50% federal contribution and the County will also receive Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. E 11 E