September 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes  Office of the County of Elk Commissioners  Elk County, Ridgway, PA  The County of] Elk Commissioners met on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM, County of Elk Courthouse, Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Those present were Commissioners M. Fritz Lecker, Matthew G. Quesenberry and Gregory J. Gebauer. Also present were Rick Brown, Solicitor; Patrick Straub, ChiefClerk; Emily Anders, Office Administrator; Calvin Moore, ITDirector; Matthew Frey, Treasurer; BeckiTaylor, CDBG Director; Tyler Daniels, Assessment Director; Kathy McClelland, Housing Specialist; Ryan Miller, ARS Engineering Services; Joe Jacob, Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys Director; Lianne Schneider and Chi Catalone, Cameron Elk Suicide Prevention Task; Dwight Hoare, Doug Cunningham, Gary Anderson, and Zack Pontious, Elk County Healthcare Coalition; Dr. Katie  Fernan and Cheryl Ruffner, Guests; and Marilyn Secco, Press.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA unanimously.  Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried  APPROVALOF MINUTES  Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry with the correction of the date to August 22, 2024  second by M. Fritz) Lecker and carried unanimously.  PRESENTATIONS-  1. Suicide. Prevention Month as presented by Cameron Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force Chi Catalone and Lianne Schneider oft the Cameron Elk Suicide Prevention Task Force talked of the mission of the' Task Force and 988 Suicide Hotline phone number. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and 2. Boys and Girls Club of St. Marys 100-Year Anniversary. Joe Jacob spoke of the new programs offered at the clubi including a summer program. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously.  carried unanimously.  RESOLUTIONS-  1. 2024-21 - Act 48 Real Estate Tax Sale Law Section 631 which allows certain counties and municipalities to impose a: fee: not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the sale of any property being sold in accordance with this act or an action for mortgage foreclosure and which provides for a county demolition and rehabilitation fund. Per Rick Brown, this law does not go into effect for a couple days. Motion by M. Fritz Lecker to table this item until the next meeting, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and 2. 2024-22-1 Resolution to adopt al late feej penalty of $100 per day to taxing bodies for delinquent reporting of] Millage and/or Homestead/ Farmstead values after the Elk County Assessment Department deadline. Tyler Daniel spoke oft the need to receive the millage and values in a timely manner SO the bills could be sent out on time. Rick  carried unanimously.    Brown requested that this item be tabled for further review with Tyler Daniels. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer to table, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and  carried unanimously.  OLD BUSINESS  1. Proposal by Elk County Healthcare Coalition, re: establishment of] Healthcare Authority. Rick Brown stated the next step would be to hold aj public hearing with a 30 day notice for public comment. Rick Brown recommended the Commissioners take this step toj pursue fact finding. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory  J.Gebauer and carried unanimously.  NEW BUSINESS  Elk County Planning Commission* sj project recommendations for the FY 2024 CDBG Application. Becki Taylor spoke of the 3 projects CDBG would like approved for $178,888 funding: Jones Township Water Meters for $120,636, Johnsonburg Market St. Slum and Blight Project for $30,000, and Johnsonburg Sidewalk Replacement for $28,252. Motion by M. Fritz) Lecker, second by Matthew G. 2 Planning Department, bid opening for CDBG FY 2021 West Center Storm Water Curb Replacement. Three bids were received. Ryan Miller, ARS Engineering and on behalf oft the. Johnsonburg Borough; and Becki Taylor asked for a short break to review the bids. After review, Ryan Miller recommended accepting the lowest bid from Bucktail Excavating, Inc. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. Bids were: as follow: a. Bob Cummins Construction Co. $86,800.00  Quesenberry and carried unanimously.  b. S.E. Rodich Excavating C. Bucktail Excavating, Inc.  $72,400.00 $56,695.00  3 Request from PA Great Outdoors for KECA application for the 2025 Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by 4 Lawn use: request by Trinity Unity Methodist Church, ratification of use for a vigil for those affected by the fire on August 17,2024. Motion by M. Fritz) Lecker, second by 5 Request by Veterans Affairs, approval of benefits for 8 Veteran burials, 2 Widow burial, and 8 Veteran headstones. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Ratification of renewal fixed rate natural gas supply County-wide' contract for 24 months [09-01-24 to 08-31-26] @$3.221 $/DTH with UGI Energy Services, LLC, our current provider. Awarded via competitive bidding ending 08-23-24. This reflects a small rate decrease from the current rate for the County of] Elk. Patrick Straub explained this was a bid with the lowest rate being with UGI Energy Services, LLC. Motion by M. FritzLecker, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried  Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. Quesenberry and carried unanimously.  unanimously.    CORRISPONDFNCE-mhe following correspondence, ifany, is available in the  Commissioner's office for further review.)  1. USDA (dated August 15th) regarding the completion of an engineering Evaluation/ Cost Analysis report for the Nansen and McKinley Tar Sites in the ANF, Highland Township. The purpose of the study is to identify, analyze, and recommend cleanup options for the sites and collaborate with agencies and community to select the most suitable cleanup method. The sites located along Coon Run and Wolf Run, which are headwaters to the South Branch Tionesta Creek. The goal is to improve water quality, prevent exposure to aquatic life, allow recovery ofaquatic life, and minimize spread ofthe 2. USDA (dated August 151h) regarding the initiation of an environmental analysis for large wood treatments along approx. 65 miles of streams near Ridgway PA. The proposed project is located in] Highland, Ridgway, and Spring Creek Townships. Bear Creek, Irwin Run, and Upper Clarion River watersheds have been identified as priorities for restoration. These watersheds are rated in fair condition lacking in large wood, which is  tar deposits downstream.  beneficial for aquatic habitat diversity.  GOOD OFTHE COUNTY  We welcome and encourage the public to attend our meetings. teachers, all elected officials and peace in the world.  Please continue to pray for our military personnel, our families and our children, their  QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS  1. Marilyn Secco asked Patrick Straub, (NB#6) to repeat the new rate from UGI Energy Services, LLC. Patrick explained the new rate was $3.221/DTH down from 2. Marilyn Secco asked if this would be a substantial savings, which Patrick replied while it would depend on the usage, it would most likely be a moderate savings.  $3.31/DTH from the last contract.  QUESTIONS FROM TAXPAYERS-NA  ADJOURN MEETING  The meeting was adjourned at 10:41 AM on a motion by Gregory J. Gebauer.  Next Meeting:  10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 19, 2024 Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room, Courthouse Annex  Attest:  A