August 23, R Meeting Minutes  Office of the County of Elk Commissioners  Elk County, Ridgway, PA  V  The County of Elk Commissioners met on Thursday, August 23, 2024 at 10:05 AM, County of Elk Courthouse, Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Those present were Commissioners M. FritzLecker, Matthew G. Quesenberry and Gregory J. Gebauer. Also present were. Rick Brown, Solicitor; Patrick Straub, Chief Clerk; Emily Anders, Office Administrator; Calvin Moore, IT Director; Matthew Frey, Treasurer; Kimberly Frey, Director of Elections/Voter Registration; Tracy Gerber; Director of Planning; Michelle Bogacki, Ridgway Elk Chamber of Commerce and Allegheny Forest Alliance; Julia McCray, Allegheny Forest Alliance; Nate Higgins, Dwight Hoare, and Zack Pontious, Elk County Healthcare Coalition; Dr. Katie Fernan, Guest; and Marilyn Secco, Press. Joining via Zoom were Gary Anderson, Elk County Healthcare Coalition; and Andrew Kincaid and Rex Reeves, Kinetics  Windstream.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA unanimously.  Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried  APPROVALOF MINUTES unanimously. PRESENTATIONS-  Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried  1. Background and proposal for establishment of] Elk County Healthcare Authority as presented by the Business Leaders Health Coalition. Dwight Hoare spoke for the Coalition stating they would like the County's approval to create the! Elk County Healthcare Authority. This authority would have aj proactive approach to improve healthcare and promote local access. Dr. Katie Fernan stated she fully supported this proposal. Gary Anderson stated this was very important especially with the financial situation ofl Penn Highlands. The Commissioners agreed to forward this to the Solicitor for further review. This proposal will be revisited at the September 5,2024) meeting. Marilyn Secco asked what the next step for the Elk County Healthcare Authority would be. Rick Brown stated there were steps to be taken including a public hearing with 30 day notice and a Resolution approved by the 2. Allegheny Forest Alliance: Julia McCray, Executive Director and Michelle Bogacki Julia McCray spoke of Allegheny Forest. Alliance (AFA) amending plans to create and conserve old growth. There has been significant less cutting and lower cost of timber, which changes the tax base. Michelle Bogacki spoke of] Buckthorn, an invasive species affecting our area and the plans to combat its spread.  Commissioners.    RESOLUTIONS-  1. 2024-18 - Adoption oft the Elk County Comprehensive Plan. Tracy Gerber spoke of how the Planning Department will utilize this plan. This will be a long process. Motion by M. Fritzl Lecker, second by) Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried  unanimously. OLD] BUSINESS-N/A NEW BUSINESS  1. Request by RHS Alumni Association, hang banner on Courthouse Lawn from October 14, 2024 through October 28, 2024 to welcome Ridgway Alumni. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 2. Request by Ridgway-Elk County Chamber of Commerce, Courthouse Lawn use on Saturday, September 28, 2024 for Annual Flavors of Fall Festival. Motion by Gregory J.Gebauer, second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried unanimously. 3. Request by The Mecca Mann, Inc./Messengers Supporting Recovery, Courthouse Lawn use on August 31, 2024: for al luminary service for people who passed from drug overdose. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and 4. Request by Elections/Voters Registration, ratification oft the Election Integrity Grant Program for 2024-2025 in the amount of$105,354.07.7 The Grant Funds may be used for payment of poll workers, printing ofballots and various other costs related to the Election and Voter Registration processes. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by 5. *Request by CYS, renewal contract with Children's Aid Society in Clearfield County 6. *Request by CYS, renewal contract withl LifeSpan Family Services ofPA from July 1, *Items 5 and 6 were voted on together. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by 7. Approval ofas service fee agreement between the County of] Elk and Greentree Landfill, LLC: from July 31, 2024 through January 31, 2029. Greentree Landfill, LLC agrees to pay $0.30 per ton for disposable material deposited at the Greentree Landfill in quarterly payments. These monies will be allocated to Elk County Solid Waste Authority (per Delegation Agreement as amended at Commissioners Meeting on August 8, 2024.) Matthew G. Quesenberry explained the amount ofmoney being received was decreasing from $0.50 to $0.30 per ton in accordance with the proposed re- negotiated landfill host fee agreement with Greentree. Landfill, LLC from July 31, 2024 through January 31, 2029. Under terms of the new agreement, the amounts due to the Elk County Recycling Center will remain constant, however, the County ofEIk would experience a loss of revenue as a result. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried unanimously. 8. Approval of Broadband Partnership Investment "Build Agreement" between the County ofElk and Windstream Pennsylvania, LLC, to design, construct, and install high-speed internet services to approximately 116 locations in Spring Creek Township in the amount of $200,000.00. Rex Reeves and Andrew Kincaid, the Broadband Strategy  carried unanimously.  Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. from July 1,20241 to. June 30, 2025 with no increase. 2024 to. June 30, 2025 with 12% increase from fiscal year 2022.  Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously.    Team for Kinetic Windstream, explained the County of] Elk would be paying $200,000.00 and Windstream would pay $64,459.00. M. Fritz Lecker explained these monies would bej paid through the ARP Fund. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried unanimously. 9. Request by Veteran Affairs, approval oft benefits for 1 Veteran burial and 2 Widow burials. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and 10. Request by Prison, new contract with Dickinson Center, Inc. from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This contract is for mandatory trainings for the prison at the cost of $100.00 per: face to: face training hours per clinician. M. FritzLecker stated that this was approved at the Prison Board Meeting preceding the Commissioners Meeting. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried  carried unanimously.  unanimously.  CORRISPONDENCE-Che following correspondence, if any, is available in the  Commissioner's office for further review.) -N/A  GOOD OF THE COUNTY  We welcome and encourage the public to attend our meetings.  Kim Frey, Director of Elections/Voters Registration won an award for recognition of her outstanding service to the Voters of Pennsylvania. This award was presented by Al Schmidt, Secretary of the Commonwealth at the Election Officials Conference. The Commissioners commended Kim on her hard work and dedication. Please continue to pray for our military personnel, our families and our children, their  teachers, all elected officials and peace ini the world.  QUESTIONS! FROMTHE PRESS  1. Marilyn Secco asked Tracy Gerber ift there was any written documentation on the Elk County Comprehensive Plan tol help her with the article. Tracy Gerber stated she would 2. Marilyn Secco asked for pictures oft the Elk County Healthcare Coalition and Kim Frey.  supply this after the meeting ended.  QUESTIONS FROMTAXPAYERS ADJOURN MEETING  The meeting was adjourned at 11:08. AM on ai motion by Gregory J, Gebauer.  Next Meeting:  10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 5, 2024 Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room, Courthouse Annex  Attest:  Mase