TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HUNTINGDON, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION MEETING, THURSDAY, AUGUST 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 7:00. P.M.  ROLLCALL  Commissioner Hempel - Present Commissioner Haigis - Present Commissioner Gray - Present Commissioner Zona Present Commissioner Bevan Present Commissioner Gass - Present Commissioner Atwood - Present PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE to discuss personnel matters.  Also Present: Manager Faulk Solicitor Dice Ryan Fonzi Lieutenant Arendas  Commissioner Atwood announces that the Board had an Executive Session prior to the meeting CITIZENS INPUT-Commisioner Atwood asks that with the large amount of residents present that they limit their comments and time while speaking. Commissioner Zona calls for point of order and requests that due to the large amount of speakers to institute a time limit oft three toi four minutes. Commissioner Hemple also agrees. Commissioner Gray feels there should always be a time limit and asks the residents to keep their comments to less than five minutes. Tom Kerber - 1807 Guffey Road - states over the past two or three weeks he had approximately thirty to forty people approach him about the sports complex and all had the same question as to what was in it for the residents of this community. He states he did not have an answer to that question and is why he is here tonight with the same question. He states Mr. Dice is working on the lease agreement and certainly knows his ability to work for the Township and supports him. Mr. Kerber asks what are the citizens going to gain from this complex. He was a Commissioner when the property was bought and knows the citizens paid for it and own the property. He feels Rich Siniawski- - 8064 Pennsylvania Avenue- - states hei is here to speak against the sports complex and has several questions regarding. He feels this complex should have several functions that address several groups and people ofall ages. He does not see any proposals for basketball courts or other sports, just soccer. Groups are going outside of the community just to lease gym time. He feels this should be looking to help all groups and senior citizens with indoor walking tracksi in the winter. He states hej plays on a senior basketball league and has to go outside the Township to play. He feels ai multi - sport facility is what is needed and as a concerned tax payer, why would  the agreement. has to be more than one dollar per year.    August 15, 2024  the Board agree to one dollar per year lease for twenty two years and then extend it. He also asks ift the complex does not work out, do the tax payers own it. He asks to please consider voting no for the tax payers of the Township and would like to help spear a group to put a facility for the community other than the outsiders. He suggests putting the facility on a tax referendum sO the tax payers have a say and feels down the road eventually something is going to happen and the Jan Matthews - 670 Pettigrew Road - states her grown children have used the PAL: fields, Norwin soccer fields and football fields and never found issues finding activities for them to do. She is concerned that a thirty million dollar complex is proposed and they want to lease the land for one dollar per year. She states an updated proposal showed an outdoor track but feels an indoor track would be nice for the seniors and also a swimming pool. She states an article stated that Solicitor Dice stated it may be best to go through aj public bidding process opposed to al lease. She feels his opinions should be taken into consideration. Another concern is increased traffic will congest Sam Bray - 10884 Carlson Drive - states he has been a firefighter/EMT for twenty four years and applauds the Board for getting a: feasibility study to assess the current delivery of fire services for the protection oft the community and is long overdue. He asks that this is done with an open mind and unbiased consultant. He states the volunteer fire system is broken all over of the country and people do not have the desire or time to volunteer plus costs are going up. He gives the timeframe of a two story house fire and the response time. He feels the Township needs to evaluate and possibly start a combination of paid fire departments and encourages the Board to reach out to Dave Martinelli - 14292 Valley View Drive - states all the comments made tonight are of upmost importance speaking oft the sports complex. He states while it is a great idea, he feels there are a lot of holes in the amount of information made available to the Board. He states he has a background in construction and contracting for the Federal government. He would like to know more: about the limited liability partnership that is making the proposal, how: much capital do they have in their corporations and are they willing to acquire a performance bond that would pay the Township to pick up the pieces if the facility falls apart. He feels it is understood that the developers have aj perspective tenant in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds but states they may be under a time constraint to strike a deal in order to make the deal with the Riverhounds. Mr. Martinelli states the idea ofa sports complex is all well and good that should include some additions, but the subject of giving a tax credit should be a no go. He states he would be willing to talk with the Solicitor and the Board about more detailed ways to construct the lease. He states the land is not undevelopable by any means and would say absolutely no to any kind of tax benefits. He urges the Board toi require an increased amount ofinformation and to construct thel leasei in ai fashion that Sam Mazzei - 14191 Wayne Drive - states he concurs with everything that Mr. Martinelli stated and feels the leasing misnomer and should put the land up for bid and give others an opportunity.  Board may not have control toi raise taxes.  Route 30 even more.  other communities that have done this.  gives the Township ongoing control ofl land that has value and get it assessed.  He hopes the Board keeps the best interests oft the residents of the Township.    August 15,2024  Cindy Beirne - 980 Fieldstone Drive states when she initially heard about the sports complex thought it was great to give the kids something to do, but then heard a lot of people opposed toi it. She thanks the speakers that have spoken already of getting her upi to speed and the way shel looks at this is the Lemieux Complex in Cranberry costs seventeen million dollars along with UPMC, the Steelers partnered with St. Vincent College and likewisei ifthe Riverhounds come. here, Norwin has a very long standing partnership with soccer. She states a multi-field was proposed at Oak Hollow Park but the new housing development close to the park did not want it because of the traffic. Everyone has their wants and needs, but has to be put aside to figure out what is long George Fohner - 8002 Pennsylvania Avenue - states he is here regarding the ISOI Rating and reads as statement from the. Assistant Chief, Ryan Senica, who couldn't! be here tonight. He reads that in July Strawpump VFD was notified that their ISO rating increased from ai rating of five to ten. He reached out to the individuals that did the assessment and asked what the issues were and what they needed to do. He was told they had not submitted twelve structure firefighting related training hours from the previous year. He states a few days later a document was sent of 20.5 related training hours as well as training schedule for the remainder of2024. He spoke with Bonnie from ISO and was told she would talk to the leadership about retroactively approving but has not heard back. He states ai feasibility study was done with all the stations al long time ago, but suggests the Alan Silverio - 149 Skellytown Road - states he lives close to the proposed sports complex and has a few concerns and needs to hear more information. He is concerned about safety and traffic issues and how traffic will outflow onto Route 30. He states the area of Route 30 turning from Skellytown Road is very dangerous and asks will if there be more lights installed. Also, with a facility like this will be al lot ofcars exiting at once: from practices or games and how is that outflow going tol be affected as the current infrastructure can handleit. He is also concerned with the noise Leah McGhee - 149 Skellytown Road - states noise and lighting are a major concern. She states shei is neither for nor against the complex but concerned on how it will affect their daily lives. She also asks about the tax credits. Another concern is during the construction will there be al lot of noise with the vehicles going on and offo of Route 30 and will additional lights be installed. Also, Jessica Zugai - 140 Charles Drive - states she is in favor of the sports complex and addresses some of the misinformation that she heard. She states she is close to this project and addresses when someone called the developers outsiders and clarifies they are both North Huntingdon residents. Commissioner Gray asks her toj provide a disclaimer as tol her relationship. Ms. Zugai states she is married to. Josh Zugai who is one oft the partners. She continues that both partners are Norwin graduates and coach youth and high school sports. She states the facility will be ai multi- sports, not just soccer, with basketball, volleyball courts, baseball fields and football fields. She also addresses the one dollar lease that many tax payers are upset about. She states she doesn't understand what we are getting out of this property right now except for the celebration that was held last year. There was a gentleman that spoke earlier and said the land is not undevelopable and has not been monetarily developable and that to her make sense as to why the lease would be  standing and best for the children oft the community.  Board look at that study before doing ai new one.  and light from the facility.  the safety and security for those living very close to the facility.    August1 15,2024  one dollar per year. If the land is put out for bid, she feels keeping the lease would give the community some control. Regarding the traffic, noise and light concerns, she feels there are plans Nicholas Kukla - 12250 Carmine Drive = states he grew up in North Huntingdon and decided to stay here. When he visits other communities in the Pittsburgh area and seeing some of the amenities, he can'thelp but feel we are missing some oft those facilities. He had the opportunity tos speak with the private investment team on multiple occasions and feels strongly that as North Huntingdon residents with their children growing up here, that their intentions are pure. This complex could be a great thing for all residents now and into the future and too many kids are being driven to surrounding counties to play sports. As a resident living off the Maple Lane corridor, he looks across the road and sees land that could be something much more useful and Shawna Ilagan - 219 Katherine Drive = states she has enthusiastic support for the Riverhounds complex and feels lucky to live in a community where the Riverhounds want to invest to create opportunities for the youth and community. Ifaj project of this magnitude was done on our own, would place a significant financial burden on the tax payers, however this privately funded initiative comes at no cost to tax payers and offers five clear benefits to the community. The first isy youth development providing a safe and structured environment for youth to engage in sports, promoting physical health, teamwork and discipline. Secondly, are the indoor facilities will allow locals sports programs to rent space locally ensuring year-round access to sports and activities. Thirdly, is affordability and Township residents will receive discounts on rentals, significantly reducing costs for many organizations. The community will experience economic benefits offering to turn land that was not easy to develop into a developed and valuable commercial asset investing approximately thirty million dollars into our community that will enhance community amenities but also provides long-term economic benefits creating. jobs and attract visitors who will eat and shop. Finally, accessibility and community benefits and will welcome rentals from local Scott Connelly - 676 Forest Oaks Trail - states he is in support oft the sports complex as a parent that is currently living the struggle ofdriving from community to community and having a facility like this would greatly benefit. He also feels in twenty years from now his children will stay in Dave Smith - 14049 Valley View Drive = states he is concerned about the Keystone Collections Group and: received al bill that he did not know what it was. He states he paid the bill but a couple days later he received a bill from Berkheimer for school per capita tax. He states he has been retired fori twelve years and shouldn't pay occupation tax. He states he went to the Keystone office on Wendel Road but they do not take appointments, sO then he drove to the Murrysville location only to find they are closed on Mondays. He states thel Keystone website: states you can be exempt from the occupation tax with acceptable proof for being retired including a retirement letter which  in the works to address all ofthose.  proud of.  groups including churches, sports teams and organizations.  North Huntingdon because oft this facility.  hei never received from his former employer.    August 15, 2024  Dan Brummett- = 10740 Old' Trail Road - states hei isi in support oft the sports complex as he has to drive to Coraopolis for practices for his children. He feels why wouldn't we want this in our John Hochlinski - 13100 Veronica Lane and also 12319 Route 30, Department ofPublic Works. He states he felt it is necessary to speak up and states he is not opposed to the Township having a sports complex, buti ifitis on public property, there are: many passionate Township employees who would like itt to be' Township controlled and' Township run. While this seems like a great idea and would not be a problem helping with tax breaks, why not have them buy a piece of property that isi not being used and have aj public/private partnership and not give away the taxpayers land. He feels it seems that ever since the 250th Celebration and people got to see the property Township owns, which is a great piece of property, but this property was purchased for Township use. He feels that many things could be done with it in the future as far as celebrations, but this is the last piece of property the Township has for any expansion of municipal complex and should stay the property of the Township. He states the Tanglewood Stable property has thirty one acres and is for sale for less than a million dollars and is sure something could be worked out. Jon Puskar - 551 Charles Drive - states he lives in one oft the areas where this project is going to impact and would like more information on how close they will be to property lines. He states they are extremely concerned about the traffic flow, construction, noise and lights. At this point, Jon LoChiatto - 202 Fourth Street Irwin - states he owns a local business on Hahntown Wendel Road that is a training facility, sports performance training and coaching. Hei is also ai member of the Norwin football staff. He states some oft the issues they run into at the high school are safety issues where they share the field with a soccer team and there are times when they go into the weight room there are sixty to seventy kids in the room. He states it is definitely a challenge. He states next yeart there will not be al home field and will be no home games. The grass fields are not upkept and kids have been hurt using the field. He feels this proposed sports complex will directly affect our youth who will be here after we are all gone. He states he would love to bei involved in some type of role on this project in management. He feels the intentions are pure in making the entire athletic program better. He feels iti ist the time, there are: means to doi it and they are the right Jack Gigliotti - 13181 Nature Lane - states he has conçerns with the individual that lives on Pine Hollow Road that has a commercial vehicle parked every day and night using it for their business. He feels it is in violation of the ordinance to have commercial vehicles in residential areas. He states he addressed this once before and the vehicle was removed but now it is back. He states there is also a trailer that is not in operation and is also parked there. Director Fonzi states they will take al look ati it. He also states they would like Pine Hollow Extension opened up again. Amy Ghetian-11575 Dennis Circle - states according to Google maps, the area oft the proposed sports complex is already called the Future Riverhounds Facility and asks ifa decision has already been made. She states her son plays travel sports and would be great to have a facility here however the property shouldn't be given away for free and there is only sO much land left in the  backyard with no cost to the taxpayer.  from what he knows, is opposed to it.  people to doit.    August 15,2024  Township. She asks why can'twe apply for grants and reach out to large businesses for donations. She states there are only two hotels, sO where would all these people stay and who is paying for traffic lights with the increase of traffic. She urges the Board to really think about this before Krissy Tapocik-571. Janet Drive - states her house is on the dead end ofJanet and shei is extremely concerned about the taxes, noise, traffic and pollution. She is concerned although there will be fences, could people climb overi into hery yard. She states she used tol live near' Turner Valley soccer fields, sO why do we. need more. She understands it is a multi-sport facility but not sO close to the property lines. She is opposed because of where her proximity is to the facility. She is also Skip Cook - 1054 Rebecca Street - thanks the Board for listening to the concerns regarding the ISO ratings. He states as soon as the issue was brought up to the Chiefs, it was immediately addressed with the Township Manager. He states they knew there were issues and needed to be addressed to find a solution. Since then, there have been several meetings with all the Township chiefs to work on ai resolution for the best interest oft the community. Each VFD cordially invites the Board to sit down one on one at a chiefs meeting to go through some ofthe current challenges and how to move forward to make a safer community. He feels it would be beneficial to have a plan ofaction to work better together. He states they have an open-doorp policy to make everything Craig Couchenour - 1978 Bernice Drive - states he is here to speak about the ISO rating and is also the Fire Chief at Circleville VFD. He states the ISO rating is public protection classification and because one fire department did not get their stuffin are working to move forward. He states that their department has ai rating oft three and in Westmoreland County there isi nobody better than ac classification three which is something to be proud of. He states the fire protection in the community is not in jeopardy and need to work with the Board to table this for feasibility. He feels we can work together and have a discussion toi move forward. He states they are putting staff and policy in place at Circleville VFD to serve the community better. He also states they are also Barry Limppo - 960 Castleview Drive - states he supports the potential sports complex as hel has at ten year old son who plays multiple sports. He states Josh Zugai devotes al large portion of time taking care of! kids and wants to make sure there are facilities available, especially indoors. This isa an opportunity where tax payers don'thave to foot the bill to bring an amazing complex to the Mike Brady - 240 Christine Drive - states he is not originally from here and grew up in South Florida who is notorious for very big athletic facilities. He states to be very cautious of who you are getting involved with as he has seen associations come in and promise all these things with offering discounts, etc., however a ten percent discount on a four thousand dollar membership doesn't work for most people especially now. Ifthey offer activities that will benefit all children ofall financial backgrounds, that's great, but not everybody can afford that kind of1 living. Kids involved int travel activities will continue to go all over the place even ifthere is a facility here and need to choose who we are going to tie ourselves to. The Riverhounds are great people but ift they  giving our land away.  concerned with the increase oftraffic filtering through her neighborhood  transparent.  applying for grants.  community with both outdoor and indoor facilities.    August 15, 2024  don't have what's best interest for the Township and do they really even know what we do here or Matt McKinney - 1379 Samantha Way - states he lives across Route 30 to where the facility is going and is al big supporter. He feels there is not a lot for kids to do and one oft the reasons they moved to the Township was for more opportunities to do things. He feels the sports complex will benefit kids in the future and also other community members to enjoy the splash pads, pickleball courts, etc. He has heard others concerned about taxes and giving away the land but seems the land has been sitting there al long time. He feels one oft thei misconceptions is because you're doing something good for the youth means you're taking away from the senior part of the community. Sherry Mitchell - 12481 St. Nikolai Drive - states she is very concerned about the sports complex coming in and feels should be very cautious of whoi is developing, who is the entity and how long they have been in business. Have they ever built a sports complex before and what other projects have they taken on. She feels they should be thoroughly investigated before proceeding and signing any lease agreement. Another concern would be the people that live around the property and would have to be some kind of footage that would say trees would have to be SO many feet as to not encroach with lighting and noise. Also, how far up are they going to abut to the public works facilities. Lastly, she does not agree with the tax abatement. She feels this definitely needs Heather Johnson - 230 Tiffany Drive - states this property is right behind her yard and the one thing she is concerned about is serving the entire community and also need to consider a pool to Bill Walter - 10199 LaVonne Drive = states he came in unsure and thought this was going to be soccer fields only but likes the idea of multi sports and would be great for kids. There are still AJ Brentzel - 1100 Leger Road - states he has a large amount of land and when he first heard about this was very skeptical. He is a business owner and understands making money. He feels they proposed a thirty to forty million dollar complex, maybe more, and for them to make this economical they would have to have a one dollar lease. He states ift the Township were to do this there would still be the same cost if not increased thirty percent and also how would it be maintained. He feels they are doing it for the right reasons, but would also like to learn more about  do they. just know we have one hundred acres ofl land to utilize.  tol bej proceeded with caution.  support the older active adults.  concerns such as not taxing them which bothers him.  it.  RESPONSE TOCITIZENS INPUT  Commissioner Atwood states al lot of people spoke about the sports complex and without objection can address everything that is on the agenda. Also, the residents that spoke about the. volunteer Commissioner Atwood addresses the questions regarding Keystone Collections. Manager Faulk states residents can call him directly or the Administration Office ift they are having problems and  fire departments ratings which is also on the agenda.    August 15,2024  will handle case by case. Commissioner Zona requests tol have Keystone's contact information on  the website.  Work Sessions Discussion Topics 1) Sports Complex Lease  Manager Faulk states last month a ground lease was presented from thel North Huntingdon Sports Complex and was given to Solicitor Dice to meet with their solicitor toj provide an update. Solicitor Dice states that is correct and they took the ground lease and met with the applicants and their attorneys. He states they spent most of the day going through the ground lease and hej provided Manager. Faulk with red-lined copy oft the changes which had a good number of changes they agreed to and they are incorporated in the red- lined copy as well as a clean copy. Solicitor Dice felt it was a very productive meeting, there were explanations given for a lot of the language and a lot oft this is driven by what happens when they go to borrow money and what availabilities there are. He states such things were discussed as Right To Know, public bidding process and assignment process. He states if this concept is acceptable to the Board he would be willing to say this ground lease as redone is acceptable to him. He feels there were substantial gives and takes on their part as well as ours to get to al lease we can live with. He leaves it up to the Board whether or not they vote to enteri into such al long-term lease and understands this is not as small commitment but ai thirty million dollar commitment and you can't do that without having the fundamentals in the lease itself. Solicitor Dice notes that this is the very first step in getting this process approved and there will be processes that will have to gol back through the Township to get approval for things such as lighting, traffic and all things that were discussed tonight. The Planning Department will deal with the: site plan and all the subjects which very well may be controversies, and they must also comply with Township ordinances. He feels he has aj product that he can recommend to the Board if they decide to do this to move forward with the clean copy of the ground lease. Commissioner Gray asks that when Solicitor Dice says he could recommend this agreement, does he: mean this agreement: meets the legal definition ofal land lease and does not restrict the Board from certain things. Solicitor Dice states that is correct. Commissioner Gray agrees there will be processes for lighting, buffer zones, parking and traffic but nobody has mentioned in any agreement that he has seen the benefit for the residents. He states he has seen the benefits advertised on postcards and websites which inl his opinion is pretty much a sales pitch with no legal grounds tol hold them to. He states as Mr. Martinelli suggested aj performance bond is a great idea, ifwe gets some goals that they have to perform to and there is none ofthat right now. Commissioner Gray states the talk oft the splash pad, basketball court, indoor track and all the amenities that seemed to suddenly come up when there was pushback about the land lease. He states this land lease only covers the rental of the land and doesn't provide anything in writing about the benefit. Solicitor Dice states that is a: fair assessment. Commissioner Gray states if we enter into this land lease with the way it is worded gives all the control to the developer causing us to lose all bargaining power to hold them to any performance or benefits promised. Ifit is not Commissioner Atwood invites Mr. Zugai and Mr. Ponsonby to give their ability to provide more Christian Stoffan, real estate attorney at Metz Lewis, is representing NHT Investment. He clarifies some points made and states this process is in the very early stages of a very long process that will involve numerous rounds of public comment, numerous rounds ofmunicipal approvals, applications, revisions, etc. The notion that control of the site willl bei relinquished by signing the ground lease isi inaccurate in the way  in writing, it doesn'texist. He states hei is totally opposed to the revised land lease.  information on the dollar lease as well as additional information.    August 15,2024  that this deal is structured. Throughout the ground lease that will be subject to right to know laws upon execution you will seei in that almost every single provision there is ai reference to the developer's obligations to apply with applicable laws which specifically include all municipal ordinances. There have been numerous references about thet tax burden and how it will impact the tax base ofthe community. He states the way this lease is structured is that all costs for the development will be borne by the developer and as for financing will be solely on the developer and will not be a dollar out of a residents pocket. Commissioner Gray states with all do respect, nothing you said pertains to thel benefits to the residents and restated what we already know thati it has to go to the Planning Commission for parking and traffic and all the things that we normally do every month. He feels the benefits to the residents have been sidestepped and what is going to be put in writing that will be built and how much it will cost. Mr. Zugai states he submitted a Q&A response to the Board and have committed to produce a memo of understanding which will outline the milestones being referenced that will give us the items to keep to task and meet the requirements, otherwise the lease does not get renewed. Commissioner Gray understands they have toi meet the codes and there are remedies for that. Mr. Zugai states thej performance bond will get addressed as they got through thej process. Director Fonzi states the performance bond willl bei issued at thet time the developers agreement is signed between the client and the Township and will have to provide all financial security before the Township will signi it and construction can begin. Commissioner Haigis states one of the Q&A questions was will the amenities be at ai reduced cost or fee for the residents. Mr. Zugai answered yes, but what is the discount and the price figures need to be in the lease agreement. Commissioner Haigis also states they are trying to move the target some by accommodating as much as the community as possible, but when the Q&A document was sent ai new rendering ofar new development with more fields and two or three indoor complexes which is great but how often is the target going tol be changed of what is actually projected to be built and what is thel long term plan. Commissioner Haigis asks Solicitor Dice about being concerned about putting this out for bid with at total ofonel hundred sixteen year lease whichl basically taking ownership oft the property and correct him ifhei is not wrong that it would bei thet tenant who would bel North Huntingdon Sports Complex the right to re-up their lease for three more terms oft twenty nine years, not giving the Township the right to deny their renewal which is his biggest concern. Commissioner Haigis states he is ok with moving forward but wants some of the terminology in the lease of the benefits to the Township. Mr. Ponsonby states he agrees and can work with the attorneys to add to the lease. He feels they worked out a lot of the major issues and with more comments tonight can get to understand how to renew and the benefits to the Township. He states they have been putting together an advisory board to work with that will set the rates. He also clarifies the dollar per year and states just to get the site prepped and even considerable for development is going to take four hundred fifty thousand cubic yards ofdirt to ben moved, twenty five thousand square foot of retaining wall is going to have to be installed to accommodate: fort the elevations ofthei fields. A natural gas pipeline is going tol have tol be relocated, costing half a million dollars. These are fees they have to incur before even thinking about putting fields in, etc. That ist thej justification for the dollar per. year lease as they are investing eight million dollars into ground that in thirty years could have back that is now developed. Mr. Ponsonby states they are working with their engineers every day to try to evolve this project. They have had site visits with the gas company asking if they could relocate the lines to add more fields and got pricing. The master plan will continue to evolve. He states they have not yet drilled to see what kind ofs soil there is. Solicitor Dice states for them to take the clean copy and add the language discussed tonight and send it tol him. Commissioner. Haigis emphasis the right to deny the lease at the end oftwenty nine years bej put into the lease. Commissioner Gass states this is a large process that just got started and to continue to come to the meetings to hear what is being said. He also states this is a big compromise on both sides. Commissioner Zona thanks all residents for their time and input and would also like to see more in the agreement especially the right to deny the lease at the end of twenty nine years. He also references the article about the Hempfield Township new  development.    August 15, 2024  2) Township Volunteer Fire Department ISO Rating  Manager Faulk states since the agenda came out last Friday, he was able to meet with the fire chiefs and since then the chief at Strawpump VFD has been working very hard with the ISO insurance company to correct things. As far as the feasibility study is what he would recommend. They formed a steering committee of the fire chiefs meeting and looked at what is applicable to each of their departments and as Chief Couchenour said previously they are moving forward with the trend in creating a paid department supplemented by volunteers. Commissioner Gray states Skip Cook is the spokesperson for the chiefs this year and states he would like to see this tabled. He also states there is a change in the agenda with Item #3 being a conclusion and who's conclusion is it. Manager Faulk states it is something new he is trying and  he will make recommendations based on the best interests oft the Township.  3) Military Banner Program  Manager Faulk states this was proposed to create a program to honor our community members who currently serve and whol have served ini the military displaying banners. The idea wasl brought tol have them showcased at Indian Lake and asks the Board ift they have any ideas of where else to display the banners. Commissioner Zona states there are five poles around Indian Lake and he was the one asking to put it on the agenda. Commissioner Haigis states there are already banners on Norwin Avenue. Commissioner Gray states tol be cautious toi not step on Norwin Rotary toes and feels they are doing a finej jobj plus would involve staff time. Commissioner Zona would still like the Township to recognize the residents and is ini favor of putting up a banner. Commissioner Hempel agrees and feels it is a nice honor. Commissioner Atwood statesl he would not mind toj partner withi thel Norwin Rotary and put thel banners int thej parks. Commissioner Gass thanks Commissioner Zona for making this suggestion. Manager Faulk asks thel Board ift they would like to move forward and put on the agenda for next week. Commissioner Gray states he would like Manager Faulk toi investigate with the Rotary to see what they need and support them. Commissioner, Zona and Hempel vote to put it on the agenda for next week. Rich Albert, Director of] Public Works, state they already partner with the Rotary in hanging the banners on Norwin Avenue and this program has been in place for a number of years. Commissioner Zona verifies exactly what Public Works does installing the banners. Mr. Albert states the installation is on Township streets only. Commissioner Haigis feels it isa good idea to switch up the locations in the parks and has no issues with the current program.  4) Rivertowne Demolition  Manager Faulk states a recent court battle was just won to quash the appeal of the demolition and the planning Department is currently working on trying to gain accessi into the building to do an asbestos study. Due to the large size of the structure anticipate is going to be more than the three quotes for bids and will  be an action item for next week for advertisement. 5) Norwin Art League Proclamation anniversary on October 3rd. 6) Records Disposition  Manager Faulk states this is ai request from Norwin Art League for a proclamation for their 70th  Manager Faulk states the last time the Township has done this was in 2009 and have al lot oft boxes to be destroyed and ai resolution will be presented next week as far as invoices, treasures reports, time sheets, bank statements, building permits and ai few other things that can be disposed. Commissioner Gray    August 15,2024  verifies this would not include any type of policy or binding memos that were passed by previous Boards.  Manager Faulk states it would noti include any ofthose documents. 7) North Huntingdon EMS/R Rescue Roof] Replacement  Manager Faulk states the Township owns thel EMS building andi is in dire need ofa roof replacement. We received three bids and Bella Construction would be the cheapest bid and will be on the agenda for  consideration.  8) Local Share. Account - Grant  Manager Faulk states this is thel local share of Westmoreland County and last year received seventy thousand dollars towards the tractor and mower boom for Public Works and this year recommends camera upgrades for Indian Lake Park and Oak Hollow Park. ChiefRizzo got a quote from our current camera provider which is eighty five thousand dollars for eight cameras at each park and live feeds/  records will bel kept inj police dispatch. 9) 2024 Budget Revision grants for projects. 10) Capital Purchases  Manager Faulk: states this will include revisions in the General Fund and Capital Reserve Fund including  Manager Faulk states as the budget is being amended there are two items for consideration which are the purchase oftwenty one semi-automatic rifles in the among of nineteen thousand dollars and also the tractor and mower boom for Public Works at a price of one hundred seventy five thousand dollars.  11) Pine Hollow Slide Repair  Manager Faulk states there were two bidders and the lowest was. JP Operations at three hundred ninety six thousand dollars and will be a recommendation for the Board to award the project at next weeks meeting. He also recalls receiving a one hundred eighty thousand dollar grant toward this project sO our cost share  should be two hundred sixteen thousand dollars toward the repair.  LANNING/ENGINPERING TOPICS:  1) S-09-2024: Lyons-Botti II Subdivision, Myers Lane, R-4. Zoning *Proposed. subdivision on Myers. Lane for potential single-family home.  Director Fonzi states this is located at the intersection of Myers Lane and Ridge Road. He states the property owners own 123.8 acres ofland and would like to subdivide off25.129 acres of land for the purpose of a single-family home. The Planning Commission approved for  recommendation.    August 15, 2024  OLD BUSINESS  FURTHER BOARD COMMENTS  Commissioner Haigis feels ai representative from Keystone Collections Group should offera direct linet to the public as what they proposed originally to the Township. He would also like to see at least one oft their area managers' direct phone line on the' Township website. The Board agrees.  ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Zona Second: Commissioner Gray  Motion to adjourn.  Motion carried 7-0-0( (9:30PM)  Special Meeting minutes of August 15, 2024, were approved by the Board of  Commissioners on September 18, 2024.  44  Aeael  Jason Atwood, President  Harry R. Faulk, Township Secretary