TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HUNTINGDON, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025, 7:00 P.M. 11279 Center Highway, North Huntingdon, PA 15642 Presiding Officer - Jason Atwood, President, Board ofCommissioners CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Atwood called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. ROLL CALL Commissioner Hempel Present Also Present: Commissioner Haigis Tele-conference 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 Kody Grabiak Bob Robinson ACKNOWIPGEMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION **The Board ofCommissioners held an Executive Sesson on Wednesday, March 19th prior to the meeting to discuss personnel matters** OPENING PRAYER - CITIZENS INPUT- Martha Kastronis - 488 Carmelott Street, Adams Hill = states she has two issues to discuss, the first is with Waste Management for the missed recycling pickups because they don't go to the end of the road. She states she has called them and was told the driver said it was a safety issue. Secondly, the intersection at Queen of Angels school is very dangerous and she is hoping something can be done. Nicholas Carrozza 2331 Guffey Road - has concerns about Chief Rizzo's meeting attendance, the Cody Report failures, probable cause issues, reasonable suspicion concerns and abandoned cars. He states Chief Rizzo's absence became apparent starting in December 2024. During the December 18th meeting, Commissioner Gass raised concerns about naccuracies with the Cody Report to which Lt. McCurdy assured the Board would be addressed. At the January 15th meeting, Commissioner Gass again raised concerns about an alleged incident involving the March 19, 2025 brandishing of a firearm towards first responders. He states Chief Rizzo returned to the February 19th meeting and in speaking with certain individuals was told the Chief was absent due to participation in police training. He requests records of details of training, cost to the tax payers, fuel, room and board. Next, he states Commissioner Gass asked Lt. McCurdy about the Cody Report and was told the accident is still under investigation. Mr. Carrozza states it is an incident report and are recorded the date ofincident and he feels the entire category ofi reportable accidents was deleted. He addresses the conversation between himself and Detective Hamilton questioning the comment on Facebook about pulling a firearm and the allegation of brandishing a firearm at the scene of the accident. Lastly, he speaks that last year there were fifty seven abandoned cars and this year there are already twenty five and he feels they are tied to drug trade and human trafficking. Dan Kohrnak - 681 Northeast Drive states he is here for the Friends of Norwin Trails and to provide more information on the trolley line feasibility study. He states they are one hundred percent volunteer run, non-profit and their mission is to create safe and accessible ways to walk and bike around the Norwin area. He states the reason they are asking the Township to apply is because there is more funding available to municipalities than there are to non-profit organizations and will stand a better chance of receiving the grant. He states the feasibility study will determine the feasibility of connecting the trolley line from Irwin to Larimer and Hilltop Park. The study includes two public input meetings, interviews with residents near the trail and an online survey. RESPONSE TO CITIZENS INPUT Waste Management - Commissioner Atwood states we can address the issues with Waste Management. Commissioner Atwood asks about the intersection Ms. Kastronis spoke of and ifit is in ourjurisdiction. Mr. Grabiak states both Center Highway and Main Street are county roads and Pennsylvania Avenue is in Irwin. Commissioner Atwood asks if there is anything we can do to request a safety study. Mr. Grabiak states the County has looked at the intersections already and hopefully when the bridge is redone, they can straighten the intersection out. Cody Report-Rizzo meeting atendance-abandoned cars - Commissioner Atwood states the report can be addressed when talking about staff reports. Chief Rizzo states he will look into the abandoned cars. Trolley Line Trail - Commissioner Atwood states this will be discussed later in the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve (Special Meeting 1/15/25) Second: Commissioner Hemple Motion carried 7 - 0-0 March 19, 2025 Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve (Special Meeting 2/13/25) Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-0-0 Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve (Regular Meeting 2/19/25 Second: Commissioner Bevan Commissioner Gray states in reviewing the minutes, under Further Board Comments, he had raised the issue of getting a consensus of the Board to research any ordinances that might affect leasing public property and he noticed only three people are noted in the minutes as agreeing with him, Commissioner Gass and Commissioner Hemple, but towards the end of the discussion, Commissioner Haigis also agreed, making four people who agreed. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to amend the meeting minutes. Second: Commissioner Hemple Motion carried 7 - 0-0 PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve Voucher No. 38836 through Voucher No. 40055. Second: Commissioner Hemple Motion carried 7 -0-0 STAFF REPORTS: PUBLIC WORKS REPORT Director Hochlinski states the department is getting into the busy season. He states a lot of work was done in Braddocks Trail Park including stormwater management which will also help with MS4 credits. PARKS REPORT There were no Board comments. POLICE REPORT Commissioner Gass would like to address the abandoned cars. Chief Rizzo states he will have to review this and get back with an answer. Commissioner Gass addresses the missing information on the Cody report and states he spoke with Lt. McCurdy about the zero in the traffic accident column and was told it would be corrected. Chief Rizzo states all crashes are listed under traffic accidents and it was originally in a wrong line item and categorized wrong. March 19, 2025 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORT Coordinator Mahinske states the Township dodged a big bullet with the recent storms. He states he and Deputy Astalos were in contact for five hours that day to make sure they did not have to activate. Commissioner Atwood thanks them for looking out for everyone and keeping our community safe. ENGINEERING REPORT Commissioner Gass asks about the Frog Road guiderail project. Bob Robinson states we are receiving bids due April 4th for seven different areas. Commissioner Gass states Leger Road is also a concern ofhis which is a State road. Manager Faulk states the State is working on design plans and will likely be a couple years to complete. Commissioner Gass asks about dredging the stream on Frog Road. Bob Robinson states just today he received survey data and a profile from KU Resources and suggests a meeting with Jim Pilsbury from Westmoreland Conservation District to go over the plans and discuss what the intent is. Bob Robinson states there is a major gas line and service replacement project scheduled on McKee Road in three weeks that involves McKee Road and eleven other roads. He states this project will take most ofthe year. He states a permit was issued last year and did a project agreement with Columbia Gas paying us three hundred twenty eight thousand dollars in escrow funds to help cover paving after the project is finished. Back in 2012, we paved McKee Road and right after that there were multiple water line breaks, SO he has been in discussions with the water authority regarding replacing their water line during this project to which they agreed. Commissioner Gray states if the water authority is going to replace their water line and Columbia is replacing their gas line, speeding will not be an issue by Lions Park. Manager Faulk adds that whenever we go to re-pave McKee Road discussions will be brought to the Board to put in a speed table at that intersection. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & FIRE OFFICIAL'S REPORT There were no Board comments. SUBDIVISION & LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION REPORT 1) S-04-2025: Ronald Jackson Consolidation * Motion to approve a lot consolidation on Highland Avenue Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7. - 0-0 March 19, 2025 W 2) S-05-2025: Marino Consolidation *Action to approve a lot consolidation on Coulterville Road Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7-0-0 3) S-06-2025: Huss Subdivision *Action to approve a subdivision on Morris Avenue / Barnes Avenue Motion: Commissioner Hempel Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7 - 0-0 4) S-07-2025: Wedel-Amore Boundary Line Revision *Action to approve a boundary line revision on Hahntown Wendel Road Motion: Commissioner Gass Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Zona Abstain: Commissioner Atwood Motion carried 6-0-1 5) S-09-2024: Lyons-Botti II Subdivision *Action to approve a subdivision on Myers Lane Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7 -0-0 SOLICITOR'S REPORT - Solicitor Dice There are no action items. TOWNSHIP MANAGERS REPORT 1) Action to approve the February check register. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7-0-0 2) Budget Report - February 2025 Report. March 19,2 2025 3) Action to approve Resolution No. 108, whereas North Huntingdon Township desires to undertake the project "Trail Feasibility Study For The Trolley Line Trail" (DCNR Grant Application Estimated $36,000.00 Paid For By The Friends OfNorwin Trails). Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7 - 0-0 4) Action to approve Resolution No. 109, whereas North Huntingdon Township desires to undertake the project "Indian Lake Park Rehabilitation" (DCNR Grant Application Estimated $1.3 million dollars - Grant Funded). Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-( 0-0 5) Action to appoint Mark Cypher to the position ofZoning Officer / Building Inspector. Motion: Commissioner Gass Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7- 0-0 6) Action to approve Resolution No. 110, setting forth Salaries and Wages for various staff positions. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7- 0-0 7) Action to authorize the Civil Service Commission to create a new Civil Service List. Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7 -0-0 Commissioner Gass asks for more information. Manager Faulk states a civil service list needs to be maintained for the police officers and the list is set to expire. He states the civil service will advertise and set testing procedures to put together a list for applicants. 8) Action to accept bids for the repair and replacement of damaged or non-compliant guiderails. Motion: Commissioner Gass Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Hempel Motion carried 7-0-0 March 19, 2025 9) Action to approve Pay Application No. 2 from JP Operations in the amount of$198,263.76 for the Scotch Hill Road #1 Stormwater Project (Paid from the General Fund Capital Projects Line Item). Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to approve. Second: Commissioner Bevan Motion carried 7- 0-0 Commissioner Gass asks if the road is open. Mr. Grabiak states the road is open for now until they start restoration. Commissioner Gass thanks all that were involved for the repairs on Scotch Hill and Frog Road and encourages residents to continue to voice their conçerns at the meetings. FURTHER BOARD COMMENTS Commissioner Atwood asks to have research done on the ordinances as Commissioner Gray requested for next month's meeting. Commissioner Gray asks Manager Faulk to scan and email the document given from Nick Carrozza as there was not enough time to pass it around to the Board. He also addresses the demand from him asking the secretary's name and asks his courtesy to not pick on staff. ANNOUNCEMENTS ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Zona Motion to adjourn. (7:49 P.M) Second: Commissioner Gray Motion carried 7. - 0- 0 1) Regular Meeting Minutes ofMarch 19, 2025 were approved by the Board of Commissioners on April 16, 2025. RRol Jason/Atwobd, President Harry R. Faulk, Township Manager /ijh