TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HUNTINGDON, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024, 7:00 P.M. 11279 Center Highway, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 Presiding Officer- -Jason Atwood, President, Board of Commissioners:  CALLTO ORDER  Commissioner Atwood called the meeting to order at 7:00P P.M.  ROLLCALL Commissioner Hempel Commissioner Haigis Commissioner Gray Commissioner Zona Commissioner Bevan Commissioner Gass Commissioner Atwood PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OPENING: PRAYER CITIZENS INPUT  Present Present Present Present Present Present Present  Also Present: Manager Harry Faulk Solicitor. Alexander Ryan Fonzi ChiefRizzo Rich Albert Dan Miller Kody Grabiak  Mike DeFelice - 703 Forest Oaks Trail - states he is here to speak on behalf of1 himself and other residents ofMountain Ridge Estates regarding thei road project update and transterofresponsibiliy of the roads from the developer to the Township. He states two roads that are still owned by Huntingdon Development are not only an eyesore but more importantly create a constant hazard between unfilled potholes, cracked/caved in pavement and exposed rebar from shifting sewer grates. He states the community was hopeful after conversations with Ward 7 Commissioner Eric Gass, Township engineer and Huntingdon Development while at thei meeting aj plan was presented to have the roads fixed and responsibility transferred and to date has not yet begun. He states negotiations continue with no estimated conclusion. He believes Huntingdon Development is attempting to slow down or delay the process from starting and put the responsibility on the homeowners. He states the developer has mislead the residents time after time by lack of communication, apathy and broken promises. The development has existed for fifteen years and are only two lots left that may never sale due to extreme topographical challenges. Hej pleads for the Township to take this matter seriously and take action to help the residents. Jeff Fisher - 590 Cedar Glen Drive - states he is the owner of the FirePit Grill at 8933 Route 30 and feels the request that he made was very reasonable: and was an honest mistake regarding al late    May15,2024  payment fee on the request oft tax collector Shelley Buchanan. He states he spent hours trying to get this resolved to no avail. Mr. Fisher states his business taxes were fifteen hundred dollars for year 2020 and they paid the 2021, 2022 taxes and in 2023 received a notice that stated they never paid their 2020 taxes. He states he was charged sixteen hundred dollars in penalty and interest charges and paid the full amount ofa approximately thirty one hundred dollars. He is requesting a Dan Kohmak - 681 Northeast Drive - states he is president of Friends of Norwin Trails and is here to speak about the ground lease agreement between North Huntingdon Township and Sports Complex LLC. He understands due to the nature of the agreement there are no public details available. He states his first assumption is the agreement will result in a new: recreational facility and second assumption is that the facility will be on the Public Works property. Given those two assumptions, he requests to delay approving the ground lease agreement ifit does not require the developer to provide pedestrian bike access from the surrounding neighborhoods and ift the only Bob Morgan - 871 Northeast Drive - echoes what Mr. Kohrnak said and feels outdoor activities Kory Bulloch - 12236 Hartwell Court - states he is the Commander oft the VFW #781 and the outpouring support from the community with donations for repairing the Don Kattic pavilion has been outstanding. A lot of activities are held at the pavilion which is donated to many charitable organizations such as Adopt A Pet, Wreaths Across America, and Norwin Meals on Wheels to raise: funds. He states he would greatly appreciate any contribution from the Township in the spirit Steve Derazio -364 Marbury Drive - provides pictures for thel Board and states hei is familiar with the ordinance about grass cutting and vegetation, but at 360 Marbury there is debris in the back and side yard that is an ongoing problem with rodents and is asking if there is any way to change  reduction of one thousand eighty dollars.  way to get there by car will be a missed opportunity,  are: needed at the proposed complex.  ofMr. Kattic.  the ordinance about overgrown tree vegetation. RESPONSE TO CITIZENS INPUT  1.N Mountain Ridge Estates - Commissioner. Atwood states he cannot comment about ongoing legal matters. Solicitor Alexander states that hel has been in contact with the developer's lawyer and are trying to get this resolved as quickly as possible. He states their lawyer provided comments on 2. The FirePit Grill-Commissioner Zona asks what thel hours oft thet tax office are. Manager Faulk states they are: in the office Tuesday through Friday from 9am - 3pm. Commissioner Zona asks if the window is open, Manager Faulk answers the window is not open and only required tol be open at the end oft the discount period, but residents are told to knock on the door and they will answer.  what still needed to be done and will keep moving forward in that regard.    Commissioner Zona states he disagrees with how the tax office isi run. Commissioner Haigis states this sounds a bit disheartening for a late bill and everyone can make mistakes from time to time. He states he would be comfortable with adding this to the agenda to accept Mr. Fisher's request  ofpaying the late fee at ai reduced cost. Motion; Commissioner Haigis Second: Commissioner Zona There was. noj public input. discussed at that time.  Motion to add to the agenda, under Township Managers report, regarding the matter ofThe FirePit delinquent tax bill. Motion carried 7-0-0  3. The Sports Complex - Commissioner Atwood states this item is on the agenda and will be 4. Commander Bulloch VFW pavilion - Commissioner Atwood states this item is on the agenda 5. Marbury Drive - Director Fonzi states they are well aware of this property and have sent the resident letters but no response was received, sO as of today, Code Enforcement Officer dropped  and will be discussed at that time.  offa packet at the Magistrate to schedule a hearing.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Gass  Motion to approve (Special Meeting 4/11/24)  Motion carried" 7-0-0  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to approve (Regular Meeting 4/17/24)  Motion carried 7-0-0  PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion: Commissioner Haigis Second: Commissioner Hemple  Motion to approve Voucher No. 30102 through  Voucher No. 31129. Motion carried 7-0-0    May15.2024  STAFF REPORTS: PUBLIC WORKS REPORT There were no Board comments. PARKS REPORT  Directorl Miller adds that Mr. Kattic was largelyresponsible fori raising funds fort thel David Weiger  Memorial and helping toi install the memorial at Oak Hollow. Park.  There were: no Board comments. POLICE REPORT  Chief Rizzo announces the DARE graduation is tomorrow at Sheridan Terrace at 9am and welcomes the! Board to attend. Next Thursday is the DARE graduation at. Hahntown Elementary. Also, Coffee with a Cop is scheduled for Saturday at Target Starbucks from 1230pm to 230pm. Hei is pleased to announce that the. Junior Police. Academy for week ofJune 17-21 is full with forty five applicants. Finally, there is a law enforcement memorial in St. Clair Park in Greensburg at  12noon.  There were no Board comments.  EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT There are no Board comments. ENGINEERING REPORT  Commissioner Gass asks Mr. Grabiak ift there is any update on Frog Road. Mr. Grabiak states no update on Frog Road but did get the approval to move forward with the Scotch Hill drainage  project which will help on Frog Road. FIRE OFFICIALS REPORT There were no Board comments.  SUBDIVISION & LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION REPORT  There are no action items.    May15.2024  SOLICITOR'SI REPORT- Solicitor Alexander  1) Action to approve Ordinance No. 2302, repealing Ordinance No. 2266, the: residential use table in the Township Zoning Ordinance #765 adding chicken keeping as a conditional use int the  R-2, R-3 and R-4 zoning districts. Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel TOWNSHIP MANAGERS REPORT  Motion to approve. Motion carried 6-1-0  1) Action to approve the April check register.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0  2) Budget Report - April 2024 Report.  3) Action to approve the Pay Application #1 and final to Schade Landscaping for the  demolition of1130 Sweetgum Lane in the amount of$12,500.00.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Haigis  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0  4) Action to refund Circleville VFD in the amount of $823.66 for tax year 2023.  Motion: Commissioner Gass Second: Commissioner. Zona  Motion to approve. Motion carried" 7-0-0  5) Action the hire Grant Williams, Casarella Santino, Matthew Shaffer, Craig Banister and Marci Stoner for Summer Help at the rate of$15.00 perl hour without benefits, contingent  upon successful passing for the pre-employment drug screening.  Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Zona  Motion to approve. Motion carried. 7-0-0    May15.2024  6) Action to advertise for part-time Telecommunication Specialist Position.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0  7) Action to authorize the North Huntingdon Township Civil Service Commission to extend  the eligibility list by one year. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0  8) Action to approve the ground lease agreement with North Huntingdon Township Sports  Complex, LLC and its affiliate NHT Investment Partners, LP.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Bevan  Motion to approve.  Commissioner Gray states resident Dan Kohrnak stated there was no public information and made alotofassumptions. He verifies with Solicitor Alexander that this is al lettero ofintent to enter into aground. lease agreement that can be one. hundred sixteen years long on approximately forty acres ofTownship property without selling it costing one dollar per year for the lease and the requester could obtain financing using the property as collateral. Solicitor Alexander states the contents of the letter ofi intent are confidential and nothing is being agreed on right now and will continue to be negotiated. Commissioner Gray clarifies what exactly the Board is voting on. Solicitor Alexander states the Board is voting on an exclusivity to negotiate and come to an agreement. Commissioner Gray states that is not what the agenda reads. Solicitor Alexander suggests the  Board go into Executive Session to discuss. Motion: Commissioner Haigis Second: Commissioner Gray Executive Session at 7:46pm.  Motion to go into Executive Session.  Recall to order the Public Meeting at 7:57pm.  Solicitor Alexander states the wording on the motion lends to an inference that the Board is voting on the final ground lease whereas that is not true. The terms of the final ground lease have not even been negotiated yet. He states all thati is being voted on tonight is al letter ofintent to negotiate ai final ground lease and the Township and developerl have onel hundred twenty days ofe exclusivity tor negotiate those terms. Themotion: shouldr read' "Motion to enterinto al letterofintent toi negotiate  with NHT Investment Partners LP for onel hundred twenty days".  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Amend motion to reflect that change. Motion carried 6 -1-0    May15.2024  9) Action to release fifty (50) percent of the cash bonds in the amount of $18,375.00 and  $42,553.50 to PDS Industries. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Bevan  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0  10).Action to donate $300.00 to the VFW Post 781 for the reconstruction oft their pavilion.  Motion: Commissioner Gass Second: Commissioner. Zona  Motion to approve.  Commissioner Gray states Commander Kattic was a friend of his who was a great person, community minded, a Veteran and did a lot for this community. There is also a street named after him. He. states Mr. Kattic was ai resident and a supporter ofh his ward for a long time and has been involved in the VFW for many years. He appreciates the renovation oft the pavilion but although the First Class Township Code allows tax money to be used for this purpose, he does not feel tax payers money should be donated for the pavilion renovation and perhaps the Board individually Commissioner Zona states the First Class Township Code, Section 13.11, specifically authorizes donations up to three hundred dollars to a Veteran organization. He feels giving back to a Veteran Commissioner Hempel echoes Commissioner Zona comments and is in favor of the donation and will also make a private donation. Commissioner Gass states het too will make aj private donation Commissioner Bevan states the VFW is getting a lot more than three hundred dollars from Commissioner Gray adds that the amendment to thel First Class Township Code was made: in 2020 during COVID when it was a dire time for al lot. people and organizations and was probably done Commissioner Haigis feels tax money should: not be used and likely thei individual Boardi members will send private donations in support of the Veterans. Commissioner Bevan states aj policy and  could donate.  organization isi important to stay connected to the Veterans in our community.  and is in support oft the donation from the Township.  donations and does not feel tax payer funds should be used for the donation.  for that reason to keep afloat.  criteria should be developed as to where donations could be made.  Motion carried 6- -0-1 (Commissioner Gray abstains.)  11)Action to advertise Ordinance No. 2300, setting forth the fee schedule.  Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Haigis  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0    May15,2024  12)Action to advertise Ordinance No. 2301, establishing standards and regulations for  backyard chicken keeping in residential areas.  Motion: Commissioner Bevan Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to approve.  Commissioner Zona comments that under the Fines And Penalties Section, Subsection A, it states about chicken keeping without aj permit and if caught keeping chickens would receive a written notice and would have a chance to apply for a permit ift the criteria is met. He asks what would happen if the residents don't apply for a permit and don'tremove their chickens. Director Fonzi states if they meet the criteria, can apply for a permit by getting the two hundred dollar permit. Commissioner Zona feels it should be rewritten that failure to comply will result in the penalties in Section B. Solicitor. Alexander adds that properties that have received a chicken keeping permit or who have failed to obtain a chicken keeping permit after having been warranted to do SO. Director Fonzi asks Solicitor Alexander how the Township would get the power to remove the chickens. Solicitor Alexander states that would have to go before the Court of Common Pleas. Director Fonzi states he and Solicitor Alexander will work on the wording before thisi is advertised. Solicitor Alexander states it should read "properties that received a chicken keeping permit from the Township or properties who have received a written violation from the permitting officer and who have failed to obtain aj permit in accordance with the terms oft this ordinance shall be subject  to" the rest oft that section.  Motion to approve or deny subject to the finalization oft the revised language.  Commissioner Haigis adds he would like to see more acreage.  ROLL CALL:  Commissioner Hempel - YES Commissioner Haigis-NO Commissioner Gray- - YES Commissioner Zona-YES Commissioner Bevan- YES Commissioner Gass-NO Commissioner Atwood-YES  Motion carried 5-2-0  13)Action to approve Resolution No. 115 appointing Kratzenberg & Associates, Inc., d/b/a  Keystone Collections as its tax hearing officer.  Motion: Commissioner Hempel Second: Commissioner Zona  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0-    May 15,2024  14).Action to approve. Resolution No. 116, establishing reasonable attorneys cost of collection for delinquent real estate tax and delinquent municipal claims and imposing the cost of  such collection upon the delinquent taxpayer.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0  15)Action to approve Resolution No. 117, establishing reasonable costs of collection for delinquent taxes and imposing the cost of such collection upon the delinquent taxpayer.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried 7-0-0  16)Action to approve Resolution No. 118, authorizing the execution of agreements with Keystone Collections Group that is retained as the exclusive tax collector fort the collection, administration, receipt, and enforcement of the respective tax enactments of the Board of  Commissioners. Motion: Commissioner. Hempel Second: Commissioner Gass  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0  17)Action to approve Resolution No. 119, to request grant funding from the Commonwealth Financing Authority in the amount of$190,371.94 and designating the Township Manager and President of the Board of Commissioners to execute all documents and agreements for the  Indian Lake/Kenda Dam Stream Improvements.  Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0  18) Action to reduce the FirePit Grille interest and penalties to five hundred forty dollars for the  20201 business gross receipts tax bill. Motion: Commissioner Gass Second: Commissioner Hempel  Motion to approve. Motion carried7-0-0    May15.2024  FURTHER BOARD COMMENTS  Commissioner Gray congratulates Commissioner Hempel on his graduation from the Local  Government Academy, Newly Elected Officials Course.  ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Haigis  Motion to adjourn. (8:27P.M.) Motion carried7-0-0  ) Regular Meeting Minutes ofMay 15, 2024 were approved by the Board of  Commissioners on June 19, 2024.  Myn7ol Harry R. Faulk, Township Manager  President  AD  /ijh