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Somerset Borough Council Minutes

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Borough of Somerset Council Meeting
December 17th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

       Meeting was called to order by President Ruby Miller, opening with recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Roll Call:

       Council Members Present:  Ruby Miller; Fred Rosemeyer; Judy Pyle; Pam Ream; Sue Opp; Steve Shaulis and Gary Thomas.  Mayor Scott Walker also present.

       Also present was Junior Council Member Jonathan Wagner.  

       Also present were the following:  Borough Manager, Michele Enos; Director of Finance, Brett Peters; Solicitor, James Cascio; Chief of Police, Randy Cox and Consulting Engineers, Tom Reilly and Jake Bolby.

 

Announcements:

 

  (a) Certificate of Achievement – Presenting a certificate to Jonathan Wagner for

       attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. 

 

       In recognition of attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, and in appreciation for his Public Service Projects performed at Mt. Union Church in Rockwood, PA, on behalf of Borough Council, Mayor Walker presented Jonathan Wagner with a Certificate of Appreciation. 

 

Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings:

  (a) November 13th, 2018 – Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

 

Motion

       Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mrs. Ream seconded to approve the November 13th, 2018 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes.         

                                                                            Motion Unanimously Carried

 

  (b) November 19th, 2018 – Borough Council Meeting Minutes

 

Motion

       Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Thomas seconded to approve November 19th, 2018 Borough Council Meeting Minutes.

                                                                             Motion Unanimously Carried

 

Award of Bids:

  (a) State Hospital Tank Project – Consider awarding the bid to the lowest responsive bidder.

 

       Mr. Bolby mentioned that bids were opened on November 16^th, 2019.  D&M Painting Corporation was the lowest responsive bidder at $425,950.00.  Mr. Bolby stated that everything checked out on their bid, although this was over the “estimated cost” of the project.  He also mentioned that whenever it comes to tank painting, specialty contractors do the work. 

 

       Mr. Bolby mentioned that the next lowest bidder was $510,000.00.  The third lowest bid was $750,000.000.

 

       He brought out that the tank painting was a 2018-2019 Capital Project.  Mr. Bolby stated that it was Capital Outlay and not within the Operating Budget.  He stated that they would recommend awarding the project to D&M Painting Corporation.

 

       Ms. Enos stated that the Borough originally budgeted $300,000.00 for this project.  She said that because the costs were a lot higher than originally thought, they were going to eliminate the Repeater Tower that is not necessary in 2019 for the Capital Outlay.  Ms. Enos stated that this would give us $350,000.00 for the State Hospital Tank.  Ms. Enos expressed that the difference will definitely be made up within the Tentative Capital Budget, which Borough Council has already approved.  She said that they would stay within that Capital Budget. 

 

Motion

       Mr. Rosemeyer moved, Mrs. Opp seconded to accept the bid of $425,950.00 from D&M Painting Corporation for the State Hospital Tank Project. 

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

General Public Comments:

 

  (a) Mr. Donald Newcomer –

       (Mr. Newcomer was not in attendance, although requesting to be heard by Borough Council)  

 

  (b) Mr. Eric Sadler –

      (Mr. Sadler was not in attendance, although requesting to be heard by Borough  Council)

 

Administrative Business:

  (a) Communications (none)

 

  (b) Payment of Bills:

 

Motion

       Mr. Shaulis moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to approve the payment of bills numbered 32222 – 32358 totaling $463,623.93.      

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

Policy Agenda:

 

Old Business:

  (a) None

 

New Business:

  (a) Real Estate Tax Rate Ordinance – Consider the adoption of the Real Estate Tax Rate Ordinance for 2019. (This includes a 1 mill real estate tax increase)    

 

       Mrs. Miller brought out that there were extensive discussions among Council Members regarding the Tax Rate for 2019.  She asked if any Council Member needed any further discussion to take place before casting their vote.

 

       No further discussion took place.

 

Motion

       Mrs. Ream moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to adopt the Tax Rate Ordinance for 2019, which includes a 1 mill real estate tax increase.   

 

Motion Carried 4 yes – 3 no

                                    Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Opp, Mrs. Ream, and Mr. Shaulis voting “yes”

(Mr. Rosemeyer, Mrs. Pyle & Mr. Thomas voting “no”)

 

      Mrs. Miller mentioned that all fall taxes are School District taxes.  Somerset Borough gets no monies from these taxes.

 

       Spring taxes are for Somerset Borough and Somerset County. 

 

       Mrs. Miller stated that Somerset Borough only collects 20% of all total taxes.

 

       Mrs. Miller expressed that it is her hope that everyone understands that Somerset Borough does not have much to work with from all the taxes the residents pay.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1376

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET, COUNTY OF SOMERSET, COMMONWEALTH OF PA, FIXING THE TAX RATE FOR THE YEAR 2019

 

           BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED, and it is hereby ordained and enacted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Somerset, County of Somerset, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

           SECTION 1.  That a tax be and the same is hereby levied on all real property within the Borough of Somerset, subject to taxation for the fiscal year 2019 as follows:

           Tax Rate for General Purposes, the sum of 15.29 on each dollar of assessed valuation.

           For Mary S. Biesecker Public Library purposes, the sum of .666 mills on each dollar of assessed valuation.

           For Somerset Volunteer Fire Department purposes, the sum of .444 mills on each dollar of assessed valuation.

          The same being summarized in tabular form as follows:

    MILLS ON EACH DOLLAR OF

      ASSESSED VALUATION

 

Tax Rate for General Purposes                                    15.29    Mills

Tax Rate for Mary S. Biesecker                                        .666 Mills

      Public Library purposes

Tax Rate for Somerset Volunteer                                      .444 Mills                            

      Fire Department Purposes                                              

                                                          TOTAL:            16.4 Mills

     SECTION 2. That any ordinance, or part of ordinance conflicting with this ordinance, be and the same is hereby repealed insofar as the same affects this ordinance.

 

                                                                                  Adopted this 17th day of December, 2018

 

 

  (b) Sewer Rate Ordinance – Consider the adoption of the Sewer Rate Ordinance for

       2019. (This includes a rate increase of 5 cents per 100 gallons used)      

 

Motion

       Mr. Thomas moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to adopt the Sewer Rate Ordinance for 2019, which includes a rate increase of 5 cents per 100 gallons used.   

 

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1377 

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF SOMERSET AMENDING THE ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES TO BE COLLECTED FROM CUSTOMERS OF THE SOMERSET BOROUGH SEWER SYSTEM

 

 

            BE IT, AND THE SAME IS HEREBY ORDAINED AND ENACTED as follows:

 

1. From and after the effective date of this Ordinance, the rate to be charged to all customers of the Somerset Borough sanitary sewer system shall be NINETY-EIGHT CENTS ($0.98) per ONE HUNDRED (100) GALLONS. 
2. All existing ordinances or parts thereof that are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed 
3. This ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2019

ENACTED AND ORDAINED this 17^th day of December 2018 by the Borough Council of the Borough of Somerset.

 

  (c) 2019 Final Budgets – Consider the adoption of the final budgets for

       2019.      

      

       1. General Fund Budget:

          

Motion

       Mrs. Ream moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to adopt the General Fund Budget for 2019.

Motion Unanimously Carried

       2. Sewer Fund Budget:

         

 Motion

       Mr. Thomas moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to adopt the Sewer Fund Budget for 2019.

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

3. Water Fund Budget:

           

Motion

       Mrs. Opp moved, Mrs. Ream seconded, to adopt the Water Fund Budget for 2019.

 

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

       4. Special Revenue Funds:

           Mr. Peters explained that Liquid Fuels make up the bulk of this Special Revenue Funds.  This is money that comes in from the State, and is used primarily for winter road salt and electricity for street lights.   

 

Motion

       Mrs. Ream moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to adopt the Special Revenue Funds for 2019.

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

 

  (d) Appointments to Boards & Commissions for 2019 – Consider appointments to

       Boards & Commissions for persons whose terms are expiring:

      

       1. Somerset Borough Municipal Authority – William Kuhlman (5-year term)

 

Motion

       Mr. Thomas moved, Mrs. Opp seconded, to re-appoint William Kuhlman to another 5-year term.

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

      

       2. Somerset Borough Planning Commission – George Shafer (4-year term)

 

Motion

       Mrs. Ream moved, Mr. Thomas seconded, to re-appoint George Shafer to another 4-year term.

Motion Unanimously Carried

 

       3. Somerset Borough Zoning Hearing Board –Vacant (3-year term)

 

       4. Somerset Borough Zoning Hearing Board - Vacant (3-year term)

 

       5. Somerset Borough UCC Code Appeals Board - Vacant (3-year term)

 

       6. Somerset Borough Vacancy Board - Vacant (1-year term)

 

       Ms. Enos mentioned that we have 2 positions open on the Zoning Hearing Board, 1 position open on UCC Code Appeals Board, and 1 open on the Vacancy Board. 

 

       Ms. Enos stated that we have interest coming in, and the responsibilities are being reviewed with those interested individuals. 

 

       She brought out that we are probably going to have an appointment in January 2019 at some point.

 

  (e) Request for Donation – The Humane Society of Somerset County is requesting a

       donation.  

 

       Ms. Enos brought out that Somerset Borough previously donated $500.00 in 2018 to the Humane Society of Somerset County.  

                                               

Motion

       Mrs. Opp moved, Mr. Shaulis seconded, to once again donate $500.00 to the Humane Society of Somerset County.

 

Motion Carried

         (Mr. Rosemeyer abstained from voting because he is an active Board Member at the Humane Society of Somerset County)

     

       Ms. Enos brought out that all of the Ordinances and Budgets were advertised for public inspection, as required.

 

      Mrs. Miller mentioned that the Firemen’s Banquet will be held on Friday January 4^th, 2019.

 

      Mr. Rosemeyer stated that at a recent Hospital Board Meeting, Krista Mathias, the President of the Hospital Board, requested that he communicate to Chief Cox and his Officers that the School District is very appreciative for the training the Police Officers are providing at the school, and for having an Officer on sight during school hours.

 

 Chief Cox brought out that the Officers wouldn’t be able to accomplish what they do at the school without the open and welcoming attitude of the School District.  He stated that the School District are very good partners to work with.  He also expressed the same with regard to Somerset Hospital.

 

      Mrs. Ream added that Sergeant Borosky came to the Hospital to provide training for some of the employees, which will continue after the first of the year.   Mrs. Ream mentioned that it was exceptional training, with overwhelming response.  She stated that they have some very volatile experiences in the community, which filter into the hospital.  She stated that the training allows the staff to feel less vulnerable.  All staff members, she spoke to regarding the training, were very appreciative.  She thanked Chief Cox.

 

      Chief Cox stated that, under the Ordinance, he had to report that he is establishing a “no parking zone” on the 100 block of West Main Street on December 18^th, 2018.  He stated that a company is getting a huge piece of equipment installed, which requires a crane. Therefore, a “no parking zone” is being set up at the site.

 

 

Executive Session – None requested.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

       Mrs. Opp moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Ream.   

                       

 Motion Unanimously Carried

 7:19 p.m.      

 

                                                                ______________________________________             

                                                                      Michele A. Enos, Borough Manager/Secretary