TOWNSHIP OF O HARA COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES DECEMBER 6, 2016

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1 TOWNSHIP OF O HARA COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES DECEMBER 6, 2016 I. OPENING PROCEDURES A. Call to Order by President Smith at 7:06 p.m. B. Roll Call Council Members Present: Robert John Smith, President of Council; Charles A. Vogel, Vice-President of Council; Mark F. Rothert, Second Ward; Scott Frankowski, Third Ward; John R. Denny, Jr., At-Large; Allison Garcia, Fourth Ward; Cassandra Eccles, Fifth Ward Also Present: Julie A. Jakubec, CPA, CGMA, Township Manager; Dan Garfinkel, Township Solicitor; Charles W. Steinert, Jr., P.E., Township Engineer; Cathy Bubas, Manager s Secretary Manager Jakubec noted Treasurer Kotys was at class and unable to attend; Mr. Kephart was vacationing. II. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION A. Application for Minor Subdivision Cherry Acres Lot Consolidation Plan, 248A Kittanning Pike The Manager stated it has been proposed by Nicholas Cherry, owner of parcels 224-E-102, 224- E-128 and 224-E-140 located on Nicholas Drive (private), Pittsburgh, PA 15215, to consolidate the three parcels into one parcel. The Township Planning Commission reviewed the Plan at its November 21, 2016 meeting and has recommended Council approval. She acknowledged Mr. Cherry in the audience. Mr. Frankowski questioned why Mr. Cherry wanted to consolidate the parcels. Mr. Cherry explained an estate attorney had recommended consolidating the parcels to make things easier. Instead of submitting three tax payments he would need to submit one payment. Vice President Vogel questioned the impact of consolidating the three parcels on the other three rear lots. Mr. Frankowski stated the other lots are along Oakhurst and have separate access. Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. noted the parcels are along a private drive and are not maintained by the Township. The consensus of Council was to include a resolution for consideration on the December 13 th Council Workshop Minutes 1

2 III. CITIZEN COMMENTS CONCERNING NON-AGENDA ITEMS There were no comments. IV. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION CONTINUED B. Proposed Amendment to Township Sewer Rates Manager Jakubec stated the ordinance establishes a new sanitary sewer charge of $2.25 per 1,000 gallons compared to the 2016 rate of $1.85, and new customer service charge of $5.65 compared to the 2016 rate of $5.35. The increase is necessary primarily due to additional expenses related to the Administrative Consent Order. She recalled discussion during the November budget review concerning sewer line defects discovered by RedZone. The sewer rate increase totals about $4.00 more per month based on 10,000 gallons. Mr. Frankowski noted ALCOSAN is increasing rates by 17%. Vice President Vogel indicated a total rate increase of 21% between ALCOSAN and the Township. The consensus of Council was to include the ordinance for consideration on the December 13 th C. Proposed Amendment to the Township Fee Resolution The Manager noted staff has reviewed fees and charges for various Township permits and services and a few adjustments have been recommended for electrical permits, Zoning Hearing Board appeals, the use of Township Police Officers and Police Vehicles, Public Service Employees and equipment. She recalled each year staff reviews the fee resolution and adjustments are recommended as necessary. She explained the electrical inspection fee was not covering the expenses; some zoning hearings require multiple advertisements; increases for Public Service Department employees time to address private property matters, and for Police Officers time at school or other events need to coincide with the yearly salary increases. President Smith commented that the increases are minimal. The consensus of Council was to include the resolution on the December 13 th regular meeting agenda for consideration. D. Proposed Agreement with Fox Hall Manager Jakubec explained the Township is desirous of entering into an agreement with Fox Hall Home Owners Association to clarify ownership of the stormwater system located in lower Fox Hall Drive. The Township will replace the existing system along with design improvements in the cul-de-sac. The Township is to be reimbursed for the cost of materials for the improvements by the Fox Hall Home Owners Association. She recalled when the Township adopted Fox Hall Drive the sewer system was not addressed. There have been issues with the sewer system. It is recommended that the issues be addressed when fixing the road and to clarify ownership of the storm water system in the cartway. The Manager stated the Township Solicitor has prepared an agreement. Council Workshop Minutes 2

3 The consensus of Council was to include the resolution for consideration on the December 13 th E. Continued Review and Discussion of Proposed 2017 Operating and Capital Budget The Manager referenced an update to the fund balance, which is better than originally predicted. She explained that LST revenue has caught up and earned income tax revenue is on target. The general fund balance is 12.34% and the sewer fund balance is 11.35%. Manager Jakubec preferred to have a 15% fund balance. The Manager noted a slight change to the proposed budget, and explained the new HVAC system expenses would be split between 2016 and Mr. Denny, Jr. indicated the 12.34% fund balance has been steady and questioned if fund balance had ever exceeded 15%. Manager Jakubec recalled fund balance was higher than 15% and it came in handy when Hurricane Ivan hit. She stated the budget is very conservative. Mr. Denny, Jr. inquired about the purpose of the highway aid fund, which the Manager explained to be money received from the State to purchase salt and pay for street lights. The amount of aid is based on the number of miles in the municipality. President Smith recalled highway aid money is also to be used for paving roads and requires the use of SuperPave. Since the Township does not use the highway aid money for paving, he questioned why the Township uses the SuperPave material. Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. stated the Township can use any other asphalt material, but they are not certified mixes. The Township requires a maintenance bond for 18 months from the contractor, but if the paving fails after the 18 months, it is expensive to resurface the road. He recalled Shaler Township did an experiment with a different mix and he would monitor the results. F. Update on MS-4 Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. stated samples of storm water have been collected from the storm sewers. Inspection and maintenance of the basins continue. Work on the Fox Ridge Farms basin has begun and more trees will need to be removed from the property. The Township has offered another tree to the resident. G. Upcoming MS-4 Open House Manager Jakubec announced that the Township has partnered with Fox Chapel Borough in sponsoring the next MS-4 Open House which is scheduled for Monday, December 12, 2016 at the Lauri Ann West Community Center beginning at 10:00 a.m. until noon. Staff tries to schedule the open houses at different times and places in an effort to reach out to all people. H. Update on Community Center Lighting and Vehicular Head Light Issues Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. stated five or six shields have been installed on the parking lot light fixtures. The residents have said it seems to be helping. He recalled residents have asked when the fence would be installed. Manager Jakubec noted the fence has been ordered. She believed additional Council Workshop Minutes 3

4 shrubs, mesh for the gate and light fixture shields should resolve the residents concerns. The fence will be four feet in height on top of the earth mound. Vice President Vogel recalled prior discussion about people backing into the parking spaces along Locust Drive. He noted one person did and others followed. He suggested putting up signage for people to back into the parking spaces. Vice President Vogel questioned the gravel and status of the emergency access, which Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. indicated to be on the punch list. Vice President Vogel recalled the construction expenses and bond proceeds were to be closed out by year end. Manager Jakubec stated the punch list items would not be paid until completed. Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. stated landscaping is the largest item on the punch list, and you cannot plant now. Asphalt is also a high expense as they have to break out concrete to fix, and that can t be done now. Mr. Rothert stated during the last CCLA meeting, it was voted and approved to return unused funds to the Township. Manager Jakubec noted the gymnasium lights need to be addressed; the party room separation wall needs resolved; and Paul McComb, Executive Director has ordered additional fitness equipment. President Smith recalled an issue with the automatic front door opening, which Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. noted prices are being obtained. I. Solicitor s November 3, 2016 Invoice There were no comments. J. Proposed December 13, 2016 Regular Meeting Agenda The consensus of Council was to approve the subject agenda. V. CONCERNS OF COUNCIL Ms. Garcia recalled a meeting with Port Authority along with Senator Vulakovich, Representative Costa, Manager Jakubec and Vice President Vogel to discuss the threat of cutting bus service to RIDC. Ms. Garcia stated the November survey received a good response, yet the bus route is still on the chopping block and Port Authority will not disclose the number of additional riders needed to keep the service. She stated no one is signing up for JobPerks because they earn FoodPerks to buy food if they purchase the pass at Giant Eagle. Manager Jakubec recalled Port Authority has said there are 30 riders on the route which conflicts with the report of 95 riders. She suggested doing an actual count of riders. The Manager commented that Port Authority is not taking into consideration that the Township paid to put in a rest stop for the drivers. Mr. Frankowski noted that Senator Vulakovich was very impressed with Manager Jakubec s presentation. Manager Jakubec expressed concern especially for the employees of TruFood, the largest employer in RIDC. She noted a number of TruFood employees are past non-violent offenders and they rely on the bus service to get to and from work. If the bus service is eliminated they may have to quit their job. Council Workshop Minutes 4

5 Vice President Vogel believed Representative Costa understands the situation. He suggested instead of having 30 trips to RIDC to cut it back to 15 trips, but not cut the route altogether. Manager Jakubec stated it is a matter of changing their way of thinking. Vice President Vogel recalled asking Aspinwall residents that work in RIDC why they do not ride the bus and the response was they can drive there in five minutes, whereas the bus takes one-half hour to get to work. Manager Jakubec also informed Port Authority that TruFoods is expanding and that there will be more riders. President Smith thanked the RIDC Bus Service Committee for their hard work. Mr. Rothert requested an update on the Fresh Market. Manager Jakubec recalled receiving an concerning a variance for the size of a sign. Vice President Vogel acknowledged Township Historian Tom Powers in the audience and informed him about a person that is looking for photos of the movie theater in Blawnox that was next to Pianos N Stuff. Mr. Powers stated he is also searching for photos of the Embassy Movie Theater that was in Aspinwall. He also announced that he would be lecturing next Tuesday in Ben Avon about the Township. Mr. Frankowski noted ARTEZ is nearly resolved. Loans and grants for small businesses have been moved. A PA Labor and Industry grant was received for a lawyer to help with people that are filing for unemployment. VI. CONCERNS OF STAFF Manager Jakubec noted the Township s Annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive is going on. Items would be delivered to St. Vincent DePaul Society. She also stated the Holiday Gala would be catered by Monica, who runs the community center café. The Manager referenced a new law regarding tax credits for volunteers which she intended to share with the Township fire and EMS volunteers. Mr. Denny, Jr. noted a new brewery works opened in Sharpsburg. Manager Jakubec requested Council to remain after the meeting for a brief Executive Session to discuss a labor matter. VII. ADJOURNMENT The workshop adjourned at 7:59 p.m. and following a short break Council entered into Executive Session. Attachment(s): Sign-In Sheet(s) Cathy Bubas, Manager s Secretary Council Workshop Minutes 5