February 6, 2025 Office of the County of Elk Commissioners Meeting Minutes Elk County, Ridgway, PA The County of Elk Commissioners met on Thursday, February 6, 2025 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 Patrick Straub, Chief Clerk; Emily Anders, Office Administrator; Calvin Moore, IT Director; Matthew Frey, Treasurer; LeeAnn Covac, Court Administrator; Michael McAllister, EMS Director; Stephen Sunderland, IT Technician; Frank Quattone, Bob Marnatti, and ChiefJeff Yeager, Ridgway Fire Department; and Marilyn Secco, press. Excused was Rick Brown, Solicitor. APPROVALOE AGENDA Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. APPROVALOF MINUTES January 16, 2025 Commissioners Meeting Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. PRESENTATIONS 1. Citation recognizing Phil Regulski for 65 years of service with the Ridgway Fire Department. M. Fritz Lecker spoke ofthe dedication and generosity of Phil as a firefighter and the multiple other positions he has held in the Ridgway Fire Department over his 65 years of service. Chief Jeff Yeager accepted on behalf of Phil Regulski who could not attend the meeting. RESOLUTIONS OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Request by Planning, new contract with Ronald Fannin for onsite evaluation of] home improvement funding requests. Cost is $150.00 for the initial visit and $100.00 for the final visit on an as-needed basis. These fees will be paid from the PHARE funds. Ronald Fannin was the County's previous Maintenance Director, and will be working as a contract employee in this position. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 2. Request by the Prison, renewal agreement with The County of Cameron to house their inmates at a rate of$60.00 per day per inmate. This contract is valid from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. 3. Request by the Prison, ratification of extension to previous agreement with Centre County to house our inmates on an as-need basis at a rate of $75.00 per day per inmate. This contract is valid until December 31, 2025. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 4. Request by the Prison, new contract with Jolene Gornati as a Prison Nurse at a rate of $25.56 per hour. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried unanimously. 5. Ratification of new contract with Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. for an infrared scan on roof sections of the Courthouse, Annex, and Prison in the amount of$1,500.00. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. 6. Request for exoneration of2022 Per Capita Taxes from Joseph Haight, Jones Township Tax Collector in the amount of $220.00. These taxes will now go to Statewide Tax Recovery. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried unanimously. 7. Request for exoneration of 2022 Per Capita Taxes from Trina DeStephano, Johnsonburg Borough Tax Collector in the amount of$1,115.00. These taxes will now go to Statewide Tax Recovery. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 8. Request for exoneration of2022 Real Estate Taxes from TriCounty Rails to Trails Association for the Dickinson Homestead Spring lot parcel in the amount of$55.44. Matthew G. Quesenberry stated this land will fall under the TriCounty Rails to Trails tax exempt status moving forward. This tax was from the original purchase. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. 9. Request by North Central Regional Planning, appointment of Matthew Pfeufer to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee (CEDS) for a term to expire December 31, 2028. M. Fritz Lecker explained this position was to replace the previous appointment that had become vacant. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. 10. Request by Emergency Services, renewal of911 Statewide Interconnectivity Grant Agreement between the Commonwealth ofl Pennsylvania (through PEMA) and Elk County Emergency Services in the amount of $242,768.00. Note: Elk County is the fiduciary for the multi-county 911 consortium. Mike McAllister stated the single 911 system supports all 10 counties in the consortium. Motion by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by Gregory J. Gebauer and carried unanimously. 11. Request by Court of Common Pleas of the 59th Judicial District, for vendor, For The Record for upgrading the recording software for the courtrooms in the Courthouse at a cost of $5,166.00 and for vendor, SBM Electronics for hardware in the amount of $34,350.00. Total of $39,516.00 will be paid through Act 13 Funds. LeeAnn Covac explained this would enhance the software and hardware for recording courtroom proceedings. This is necessary as court stenographers will soon be unavailable to the courts. Motion by Gregory J. Gebauer, second by Matthew G. Quesenberry and carried unanimously. 12. Proposal from Government Software Services, Inc. (GSS) for printing real estate tax bills and per capita bills. Matthew G. Quesenberry stated that the contract was not available in time for the meeting. Motion to table until the next meeting by Matthew G. Quesenberry, second by M. Fritz Lecker and carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE - (The following correspondence, if any, is available in the Commissioner's office for further review.) 1. Beran Environmental Services on behalf of EQT Production Company (received January 7th) regarding theiri intent to file apply to PA DEP for a Chapter 105 Waterway Obstruction and Encroachment Permit for a GP-8 Temporary Road Crossing and GP-11 Maintenance Testing, Repair, Rehabilitation or Replacement of Water Obstructions. The project name is "F & W#3 Well Plugging and Site Restoration" and is located in Benezette Township. The project will also involve the removal of an exposed natural gas pipeline crossing Medix Run. This notice is provided pursuant to PA Administrative Code Section 1905-A, as amended by Act 14, which requires a 30 day public comment period. 2. PA DEP (received January gthy regarding ongoing review of water quality standards and evaluation that may result in a regulatory change to the designated uses of the stream segments and stream basins as identified at website www.dep.pa.gov. These revaluations are being conducted in response to data submitted to the DEP by the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) pertaining to the addition of stream segments to the PFCB Class A Wild Trout and Wild Trout lists. Ifyou have or know of any technical data concerning the water quality, instream habitant or biological condition of these basis, you are encouraged to make it available to the DEP within 30 day of the date of this letter. 3. PennDOT (received January 10th) regarding assistance to municipalities for winter storm response on local road under theirj jurisdiction. PennDOT District 2-0 plans to hold online virtual preplanning meetings with the National Weather Service to give insight on storm timing, tracking, and intensity. Municipal contacts will be notified via email from the database information provided through the DCED Report of Elected Officials. 4. Keller Engineers (received January 30) regarding intent of Brockway Borough Municipal Authority to submit a Joint Permit Application for a water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit to replace two waterlines crossing Little Toby Creek and its tributaries, which is located in Snyder Twp., Jefferson County and Horton Twp., Elk County. The proposed waterline will be a 16" diameter line bored beneath Little Toby Creek, and replacing both existing waterlines. This notice is provided in accordance with Section 1905-A of the PA Administrative Code, as amended by Act 14, and PA Acts 67, 68, and 127 of the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) which requires a 30 day public comment period. GOOD OF THE COUNTY We welcome and encourage the public to attend our meetings. M. Fritz Lecker introduced Stephen Sunderland who was recently hired in the IT department. Courthouse offices will be closed February 17, 2025 in honor of President's Day. America250PA update: Liberty Bell is currently at the Johnsonburg Elementary School. M. Fritz Lecker and Matthew G. Quesenberry stated the bell was being decorated with a splatter effect by all of the area students. PAGO, for Elk County Tourism Marketing Grant for $3,500.00 for the Ridgway-Elk County Chamber of Commerce for the Chainsaw Rendezvous marketing. Please continue to pray for our military personnel, our families and our children, their teachers, all elected officials and peace in the world. QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS - N/A COMMENTS FROM TAXPAYERS 1. Bob Marnatti spoke of the Rides for Vets program and the need for volunteers. ADJOURN MEETING The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM on a motion by Gregory J. Gebauer. Next Meeting: 10:00 A.M. Thursday, February 20, 2025 Thomas G. Wagner Conference Room, Courthouse Annex Attest: Wlalawen