November? 21, 2024 Meeting Minutes  Office of the County of] Elk Commissioners  Elk County, Ridgway, PA  The County ofElk Commissioners met on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM, County of Elk Courthouse Annex, 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, ITI Director; Nancy Baker, CYS Director; Mike McAllister, EMA Director; Matt Frey, Treasurer; Karin Pfingstler, Penn Highlands Healthcare; Elizabeth Erich and Leslie Bauer, Elk County Humane Society; Zack Pontious, Dwight Hoare, Gary Anderson, Tom Kosco, Dr. Kate Fernan, and Doug Cunningham, Elk County  Healthcare Coalition; and Marilyn Secco, Press.  APPROVALOF AGENDA unanimously.  Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried APPROVALOF MINUTES- November 6, 2024 Commissioners Meeting Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried  unanimously. PRESENTATIONS-  1. Leslie Bauer with an update on the Elk County Humane Society. Elizabeth Erich, Elk County Humane Society Shelter manager, spoke of funding for the Shelter and the projects they are undertaking included a spay/neuter clinic. She stated that thanks to donors, they have raised the money to purchase a van for the Elk County  Humane Society. RESOLUTIONS-  1. Resolution 2024-26 - Amended Resolution for the Elk County Healthcare Authority. M. Fritz Lecker explained the resolution would expand the Board members from seven to nine members on the board. The Commissioners studied other boards and have found these to be more effective. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by  Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously.  OLD BUSINESS-N/A NEW BUSINESS  1. Request by Elk County Conservation Board, reappoint Russ Braun to the Elk County Conservation Board ofl Directors for a 4 year term to expire December 31,2028. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried  unanimously.    2. Appoint Elk County Healthcare Authority Board Members and set terms. M. Fritz Lecker presented thei following members to serve on the board followed by their  terms:  a. Gary Anderson - 5 year term b. Dwight Hoare - 4 year term Peter Straub -4 4 year term d. Dr. Kate Fernan - 3 year term Doug Cunningham -3 year term Zack Pontious - 2 year term Nathan Higgins - 2 year term h. Dr. David Johe- -1 lyear term Crystal Ginther-1 year term  Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried 3. Request by Spring Creek Township, application for an allocation of County Liquid Fuel Tax Funds in the amount of $6,000.00 for township road maintenance. Motion by M. FritzI Lecker, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 4. Request by Veteran Affairs, approval ofbenefits for 5 Widow burials. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 5. New contract with Centre Communications: to construct: new 180ft. Emergency Communication tower. M. Fritz. Lecker explained the tower was for 911 access in remote areas including Jones Township. The tower would be paid with ARPA funds. These funds need to allocated by December 31, 2024. Real estate was in the process ofbeing purchased for the tower. This item is just fori information today as the contract was not ready to be presented yet. Matthew G. Quesenberry made a motion to table until the! December 5, 2024 meeting, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. Rick Brown asked the Commissioner to vote so that M. Fritz. Lecker could sign all paperwork related to the real estate transactions. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried 6. Request by CYS, renewal contract with Taylor Diversion Program, Inc. for. July 1,2024 through June 30, 2025 with a 29.7% increase. Nancy Baker explained she was shocked by thel large increase. Because CYS contracts run from July to June, there were some placements in this fiscal year at' Taylor Diversion Program. The placements were no longer there, but they would need to pay for the previous placements at the higher rate. Nancy stated they would probably not use this program in future. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry,second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried 7. Request by CYS, Addendum adding two more certificates of compliance for shelter placements. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by M. Fritz Lecker and  unanimously.  unanimously.  unanimously.  carried unanimously.  CORRESPONDENCE-I (The following correspondence, ifany, is available in the  Commissioner's office for further review.)  1. The. EADS Group (received] November 1st) regarding Jay Twp Authority'sintent to submit a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewal application    to the PA DEP. Project Location: STP and outfall located in Jay Twp. Project Name: Discharge to Bennett Branch Sinnemahoning Creek. This notice is required by PA. Act 14, which amended the Comm of PA Administrative Code and Acts 67, 68 and 127 of the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).. A30 day public comment period is required.  GOOD OF THE COUNTY  We welcome and encourage the public to attend our meetings. County works on plans for America250PA celebration. Announcement of Aidan Bobik as America250PA Coordinator teachers, all elected officials and peace in the world. all election workers for their hard work and dedication.  All Elk County municipalities have approved their resolutions for America250PA. M. Fritz Lecker stated that there would be more information being presented as the Please continue to pray for our military personnel, our families and our children, their Matthew G. Quesenberry spoke of the recount required for the election. He thanked  QUESTIONS FROMTHE PRESS-N/A QUESTIONS ROMTAXPAYERS-NA  ADJOURN MEETING  The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 AM on ai motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry.  Next Meeting:  10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 5, 2024 Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room, Courthouse Annex  Attest:  ase