TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HUNTINGDON, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025, 7:00 P.M. 11279 Center Highway, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 Presiding Officer - Jason Atwood, President, Board of Commissioners CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Atwood called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Commissioner Hempel Present Also Present: Commissioner Haigis Present Manager Harry Faulk Commissioner Gray Present Solicitor Chelsea Dice Commissioner Zona Present Asst. Manager Ryan Fonzi Commissioner Bevan Present Chief Rizzo Commissioner Gass Present John Hochlinski Commissioner Atwood Present Lydia Kincaid Josh Andrykovitch PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ACKNOWLEGEMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION **The Board of Commissioners held an Executive Sesson on Wednesday, February 19th prior to the meeting to legal matters' ** OPENING PRAYER- PROCLAMATION. -1 recognizing Kendall Berger oft the Norwin High School Girls Basketball team for scoring her 1000th career basketball point. CITIZENS INPUT - Commissioner Atwood states during citizens input, vulgar language will not be tolerated and asks citizens to speak to the Board as a whole and not as individual members. Rick Keenan = 700 Leger Road - states a Commissioner during last month's meeting in a response to a suggestion of a police review board stated in endorsing this board was a communism thing. He states everyone heard and witnessed it and puts on the record that he is not a communist and feels it is a terrible thing to infer and slander someone. Greg Rodgers - 501 Janet Drive - states he is genuinely concerned regarding the sports complex and the past lease and new lease will have a lot of similar language in it. He feels it is going to cost the Township money with having to pay fifty percent of the real estate transfer tax and the February 19, 2024 expense of having the gas, water, sewer, phone, electric disconnected. He also finds it very conçerning that the developers have not divulged their business plan in writing and unforeseen environmental issues. He wants to stop the financial bleed and have a good steward of our money and to stop the legal expenses and large liabilities. He asks the Board to make a motion this evening to put this lease on the agenda for a vote and a motion to end this lease with the developers. Michael Peshock - 12480 Adams Drive states he is here to speak against the leasing ofTownship property for the sports complex and is appalled the Commissioners would even consider a lease. He agrees with voting the lease and sports complex down. He feels the Turner Valley complex should be added on to and to work with an established group. He states this proposed sports complex is not going to be a community recreation center, but a pay for play, for-profit business, that will make millions for the company and leave the Township all the risk and liability and additional expenses. He says no to leasing Township property for a sports complex and no to the sports complex itself. Pamela Peshock - 12480 Adams Drive states she is also against the sports complex and feels it is a really bad place to do something like this with adding more traffic on Route 30. She urges the Board to not consider this lease and to not hand it over to someone to make money. Leah McGhee - 149 Skellytown Road - states the major concerns and red flags have been raised about the sports complex and that the developers are not qualified, consistently giving mis-leading information to the public, no business plan, and no proof of funding or investors. She asks the Board to vote no tonight and stop using tax dollars to write a lease, Secondly, she addresses the Rhodin Development and asks what is being done to learn from that experience and change the ordinances SO the residents are safe guarded with emergency vehicles. She asks the Board to stop discussions with the investors. Alan Silverio = 149 Skellytown Road - asks about the upgrades at Oak Hollow Park and Indian Lake with the new swings but had questions about the upgrade proposal for trash cans for fifty thousand dollars and asks if it could be done for cheaper. He asks if there have been any discussions with the sports complex investors and a more detailed lease. Also, there are traffic and ground water concerns. He asks for the Board to call for a motion to end negotiations. Amy Ghetian = 11575 Dennis Circle - states as long as the sports complex lease is being talked about, residents will show up. She asks the Board to make a motion to end talks of any lease with the developers and work on an ordinance that states public Township land may only be leased when absolutely neçessary for utilities, etc. Krissy Tapocak - 571 Janet Drive states she would like the Board to bring forward a motion to end discussions with the developers for the sports complex or release a copy of the lease for the residents to review before a final draft is presented. There are a lot of concerns that need to be addressed. February 19, 2025 David Arendas - 630 Kimlyn Avenue states the sports complex is senseless and will end up costing the residents money and aggravation. He states he has driven past the Boards' homes and he is concerned about the noise from the complex as his home is only six hundred feet away from it and he is totally against this. RESPONSE TO CITIZENS INPUT Mr. Keenan - Commissioner Gass addresses the comments from Mr. Keenan and states he is in favor ofthe oversight committee. He states he completely disagrees with comments made about the oversight committee being communist. Sports Complex - Commissioner Zona states he lives close to the proposed sports complex and he too would hear noise from the sports complex. Commissioner Gass states the residents that spoke tonight asked the Board to make a motion to end negotiations. He states he has spent time at the public works department and feels it is not a good location. He adds he gathered information and has been in favor of the sports complex and thought it was something for kids and parents of the community, but the draft lease does not have a business plan and will negatively impact the public works department along with safety concerns. Motion: Commissioner Gass Motion to add to the agenda to end negotiations with the sports complex. Second: Commissioner Gray Commissioner Haigis states he was against the original developers lease but feels it is a good opportunity to have further discussions to create our own lease. He states the Board is listening to the residents and their concerns and are trying to work those into the lease. He does not understand killing it right now and still wants to work with the solicitor to create a new lease. Commissioner Zona agrees and states a lot oft the concerns the residents are stating will be in the new lease and released to the public once finished. Commissioner Bevan asks if the lease ever went through the Planning & Zoning department. Mr. Fonzi states they never received an application to go before the Zoning Hearing Board. Commissioner Bevan asks isn'tthat typically the procedure. Mr. Fonzi states that is correct. Commissioner Hempel states the cost of drafting this new lease could have been put towards having our own field and money is being wasted. Commissioner Gass states his biggest concern is safety with all the large equipment at the public works department and kids running around. He states he would love to see a sports complex in the community, just not at this location, and for the developers to purchase land to build on. Commissioner Atwood asks Director Hochlinski what the normal operating hours of the public works department are. He answers normal operating hours are 7am-3pm or 6am-2pm in the summertime not including call-outs and overtime. Commissioner Atwood asks why would there be kids at that location during those hours. He adds that a few years ago, there was talk about putting in a field at Oak Hollow Park and does anyone remember the cost. Commissioner Haigis states he believes it was a million and a half dollars and were going to apply for grants. February 19, 2025 ROLL CALL: Commissioner. Hemple - YES Commissioner Haigis - NO Commissioner Gray - YES Commissioner Zona - NO Commissioner Bevan - YES Commissioner Gass - YES Commissioner Atwood - NO Motion carried 4 - 3-0 Motion: Commissioner Gass Motion to end negotiations and stop the lease attempted to be put forward. Second: Commissioner Bevan Commissioner Haigis states he feels it was a good idea for the Board to create the lease and feels it is a good idea to see the process through. Commissioner Bevan states the Board could approve this lease for the next ninety nine years, but other Boards would have to deal with the same lease and she is against leasing the property. Commissioner Zona states the lease does not need to be approved for ninety nine years and what the Board is trying to do is put their own thoughts and what they want into the lease. He also states that property is costing money by sitting vacant because insurance is being paid on it. Commissioner Gray states he has been against this lease from the beginning and against leasing public property to a private, for-profit organization. He is also unsure how the developers got into the Board with suspicions of personal relationships and the Board as a whole did not solicit bids. Commissioner Atwood states he had two citizens come to him with the idea and he took it to the Board. ROLL CALL: Commissioner Hempel - YES Commissioner Haigis - NO Commissioner Gray - YES Commissioner Zona - NO Commissioner Bevan - YES Commissioner Gass - YES Commissioner Atwood - NO Motion carried 4 - 3-0 February 19, 2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve (Special Meeting 1/9/25) Second: Commissioner Haigis Motion carried 7-0-0 Motion: Erroneously skipped. Motion to approve (Regular Meeting 1/15/25) Second: Motion carried PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve Voucher No. 38509 through Voucher No. 38831. Second: Commissioner Haigis Motion carried 7- 0-0 STAFF REPORTS: PUBLIC WORKS REPORT Commissioner Gass thanks Director Hochlinski and the public works crews for their great job on the roads. Commissioner Hempel agrees and thanks all for a great job. Director Hochlinski states they have very devoted guys. Commissioner Gray also agrees they do a great job and receives compliments on the department. Commissioner Zona states residents continue to compliment the road crews. PARKS REPORT Commissioner Gray asks Ms. Kinkaid to expound on the cost of new garbage cans at fifty thousand dollars. Ms. Kinkaid states the trash cans will be for Oak Hollow Park and Indian Lake in two different sizes with dome lids and inground mounts. The trash receptacles come with a fifty year guarantee against breakage. She states the current garbage cans are metal barrels that are flaking with paint, rusting out and very big and hard to move especially ift they fill with water. Manager Faulk states this will be paid for out ofthe parks fund for park improvements. Commissioner Gass asks how many cans will there be in total. Ms. Kinkaid states a total of sixty six cans will be purchased, forty cans at Oak Hollow and twenty six cans at Indian Lake. Commissioner Gass asks how many bids were received. Ms. Kinkaid states three bids were received, and Treetop was the lowest bid, a COSTARS vendor, which is a state purchasing procurement. Commissioner Zona verifies these cans are made for the outdoors that will not fill up with water or rust and look nice in the parks. Ms. Kinkaid states that is correct and are made ofrecycled plastic to make it look like wood. Director Hochlinski states they have been working together and while fifty thousand dollars February 19, 2025 sounds like a lot, we have beautiful parks where we will have to make investments. He states the public works crews are painting fifty five gallon barrels to dress them up for the other Township parks until they can be replaced. POLICE REPORT There were no Board comments. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT There are no Board comments. ENGINEERING REPORT Commissioner Gass asks for an update on Scotch Hill Road. Engineer, Kody Grabiak states the inlets are going in and will be finished in approximately two weeks and when the weather breaks will pave the road. Commissioner Gass asks ifthe replaced inlets will help the residents on Frog Road with their water issues. Mr. Grabiak states it will help by eliminating a pipe that is coming over the hill onto Frog Road. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & FIRE OFFICIAL'S REPORT There were no Board comments. SUBDIVISION & LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION REPORT 1) S-01-2025: Harper Subdivision *Action to approve a subdivision on Bickerstaff. Road Motion: Commissioner Haigis Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7- 0-0 2) S-02-2025: Sunset Valley / Revision 3 *Action to preliminary approve a residential development ofan original phase ofSunset Valley Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Commissioner Zona asks how many houses will be in the development. Director Andrykovitch states approximately thirty homes. Commissioner Zona states this development is basically a double cul de sac with one entry and one exit which is similar to the Rhodin Development that everyone was against. Commissioner Gass quotes excerpts from the Pennsylvania Standards for Residential Site Development specifically related to cul de sac safety. Assistant Manager Ryan Fonzi states that is a document that the Township is not governed by and has never heard of the document before. Motion carried 7-0-0 February 19,2025 3) S-03-2025: Tuscan Hills Phase VIII & IV Revision 1 *Action to approve a proposed subdivision on. Antonio Drive Motion: Commissioner Haigis Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7-0-0 SOLICITOR'S REPORT - Solicitor Dice 1) Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 2308, ofthe Township of North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Adopting the 2025 Fee Schedule. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7 - 0-0 2) Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 2309, ofthe Township of North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, Affixing the 2025 Tax Rates. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7 - 0 -0 3) Action to Adopt Ordinance No. 2310, Accepting the dedication to public use certain roads known as Sundae Drive and Alvina Court in the Thomas Farm Acres Plan. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-( 0-0 TOWNSHIP MANAGERS REPORT 1) Action to approve the January check register. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7- 0-0 2) Budget Report - January 2024 Report. February 19, 2025 3) Action To Approve Resolution No.103, Providing Reciprocity For Act 172 Volunteer Service Credit Program For North Huntingdon Township Residents Who Serve. As Active Volunteers With The Irwin Volunteer Fire Department And Manor Borough Volunteer Fire Department. Motion: Commissioner Gray So moved. Second: Commissioner Gass Motion carried 7- 0-0 4) Action To. Approve Resolution No.104, Authorizing Harry Faulk To Authorized And Directed To Submit The. Attached Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement, To Submit Future Modifications To The Attached Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement, And To Submit Future Applications For Traffic Signal Approvals To The Department OfTransportation. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gray Commissioner Atwood asks if the person has to be named or should that be the Township Manager. Manager Faulk states it should state the TownshipManager and will amend the resolution to read Township Manager. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to amend the resolution to Township Second: Commissioner Hempel Manager. Motion carried 7 - 0-0 5) Action To Approve The 2024-2025 Act 172 Volunteer Service List For North Huntingdon Volunteer Fire Departments, Irwin Volunteer Fire Department And Manor Borough Volunteer Fire Department. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7 -0-0 6) Action To Purchase Trash Cans For The Parks In The Amount Of $52,904.00 From Tree Top Products. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Haigis Motion carried 7 - 0-0 7) Action To Purchase Drinking Fountains For The Parks In The Amount Of$17,515.99 From Global Industrial. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7 -0-0 February 19,2025 8) Action To Purchase Playground Equipment In The Amount Of $36,705 From Outdoor Escapes. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-0-0 9) Action To Replace The Main Cover For The Salt Shed From Elements Shelter Solutions In The Amount Of $29,740.46. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7-0-0 10) Action To Approve Radio And Tower Equipment Upgrades From Bearcom In The Amount Of $60,047.03. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Commissioner Zona asks if this is a whole new tower. Chief Rizzo states it is repair and upgrades. Motion carried 7-0-0 11) Action To Purchase A 2024 Ram 5500 Chassis From Jim Shorkey Auto Group In The Amount Of $73,207.00. Motion: Commissioner Haigis Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7 - 0 - 0 12) Action To Approve The 2024 Ram 5500 Equipment Purchase From US Municipal In The Amount Of $57,060.00. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7-0 0-0 13) Action to purchase a 2025 Ford SUV and a 2025 Ford F150 from Laurel Ford in the amount of $94,760.00. Motion: Commissioner Haigis Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-0 0-0 14) Action To Award The 2025 Milling And Resurfacing Contract No. 2025-01 To Tresco Paving Corporation In The Amount Of $913,533.30 Which Includes The Base Bid Of$752,286.70 And The Add Alternates For School Hill Road - $90,825.60 And Woodside Road - $60,321.00. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-0-0 February 19, 2025 15) Action The Award The 2025 Bituminous Fiber Reinforced Seal Coat And Asphalt Joint Crack Sealing Contract No. 2025-02 To Russell Standard In The Amount Of$411,155.40. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7 - 0 - 0 16) Action To Advertise For The Position OfCode Enforcement Officer. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7- 0-0 17) Action To Advertise For The Summer Help Positions. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7- 0-0 18) Action to approve the Military Banner Program. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gass Motion carried 7-0-0 Commissioner Gass thanks Commissioner Zona for bringing this forward. Commissioner Zona thanks Lydia for reviving this program and bringing it to light. 19) Action To Approve Pay Application No. 1 To JP Operations In The Amount Of $52,200.00 For The Scotch Hill #1 Stormwater Project, Contract No. 2024-08. Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7-0-0 20) Action To Approve Pay Application No. 4 To Costa Contracting In The Amount Of $84,235.39 For The 2024 Stormwater Pond Improvement Project, Contract No. 2024-07. Motion: Commissioner Haigis Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7 -0-0 21) Action To Approve Change Order No. 1 In That Amount Of $32,475.34 For The 2024 Stormwater Pond Improvement Project, Contract No. 2024-07. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-0-0 February 19, 2025 FURTHER BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Gass states North Huntingdon Township has been ranked by a realtor association as No. 14 in the Nation based on 2023 police report. Commissioner Zona makes a suggestion to Manager Faulk that when he is giving his report to document when something is paid for by grant funding and no cost to the Township. Commissioner Gray states he would like a consensus from the Board to direct staffi to research any should ordinances or governing documents that might pertain to leasing public land. He feels it provide leasing public property for essential utilities and exclude leasing to private developers. Commissioner Gass asks Commissioner Gray to expand or give an example. Commissioner Gray states the example is the sports complex and he believes leasing public land for gas rights or coal rights or any essential services, but should exclude private development. Commissioner Gass supports this and is worth looking into and investigating. Commissioner Hempel also agrees and states the land is the tax payers property and not for a for-profit business. Commissioner Zona states he would argue on the other side and feels the Board discussed the amount of money putting together the draft lease but now spend money to research and potentially tie the hands of future Boards. Commissioner Gray states an ordinance would protect the Township and residents and could be changed but would be a very public process. Commissioner Haigis states he would not have a problem looking at a draft ordinance but does not want to be backed into a corner in the future leases or hold up a project. Commissioner Gass states he feels this will slow down the process and allow more time to gather knowledge and information to make good decisions. ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to adjourn. (8:34 P.M) Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7-0-0 1) Regular Meeting Minutes of February 19, 2025 were approved by the Board of Commissioners on March 19, 2025. 4 bpol Jason Atvyood, President Harry R. Faulk, Township Manager lijh