TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HUNTINGDON, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION MEETING, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 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 7:00 P.M. ROLLCALL Commissioner Hempel - Present Also Present: Commissioner Haigis - Present Manager Harry Faulk Commissioner Gray - Present Assistant Manager Ryan Fonzi Commissioner Zona - Present Solicitor Chelsea Dice Commissioner Bevan - Present Josh Andrykovitch Commissioner Gass - Present Lydia Kinkaid Commissioner Atwood - Present John Hochlinski Kody Grabiak Bob Robinson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ACKNOWIEDGFMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION **There was an Executive Session held tonight prior to the Work. Session to discuss legal and personnel matters ** CITIZENS INPUT Rob Bauer - 525 Forest Oaks Trail - states he is a lifelong resident and has been involved in youth soccer for many years. He states the pay for play model or hiring professional coaches has become a significant trend. He was originally not in favor ofthe Riverhounds sports complex because our Township already had a strong youth soccer program with good facilities despite being outdated and limited topography, however he supports the idea of a state of the art recreation sports facility specifically at the Nike Site and adjacent Oak Hollow Park field. He states the Norwin Soccer Club is a non-profit organization established in 1977, is volunteer based, and carries insurance to ensure a safe environment for the athletes. He states one week during the summer, they bring Everton soccer school, a premier league team in Europe to train and states the Norwin soccer club is one ofthe largest in Western Pennsylvania offering financial assistance to ensure no child is left out. He states he has concerns with other for-profit soccer clubs such a Roar'n Soccer and the Brazilian United Soccer Camps and if they have proper insurance, clearances and licenses to operate safely. Hel has one: request that a Commissioner. make a motion to terminate the partnership with the for-profit soccer program and asks for some clarifications on how decisions are made regarding this program. March 13, 2025 Bob Kennedy - 67 Penn Avenue, North Irwin = states he is a council member for the borough and thanks the Board for the repairs on Frog Road. Neal Grabiak = 654 McArdle Lane - states there is a No Parking, Standing or Walking proposal for McArdle Lane and his mailbox is at the end of the lane and asks if he will get ticketed for stopping to get his mail. He states he has lived there for thirty seven years and this is the first time there has been any trouble or complaints. He would like the Township to do a survey with the property in question. John Caputo - 682 McArdle Lane states McArdle Lane is a very peaceful lane and the neighbor that has the complaint is concerned with big delivery trucks damaging her yard. He is concerned the No Parking proposal will decrease his property value and he and his neighbors did not know anything about this until yesterday. He states there is plenty of room for a car to park or a garbage truck to get through. Amanda Bargiel = 682 McArdle Lane states the neighbor that is bringing up this issue actually sold them their house and she feels said neighbor has an issue with their family and friends that come over. She feels the section of the yard that was damaged was repaired and paid for by the tax payers. She states she has video and pictures to share with the Board showing how wide the road is and feels this is a personal attack because ofthe amount oftraffic. Nicholas Carrozza = 2331 Guffey Road - states he is here to address several pressing concerns within the Township government such as procedural overreach in public meetings and legislative proposals he believes is public scrutiny. He states at the February 19th meeting, Commissioner Atwood informed citizens to address the Board as a whole and not as individual members, He feels this directive is problematic and legally questionable and the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act affirms citizens to attend and participate in public meetings. Mr. Carrozza states he wants to speak about the proposed ordinance on McArdle Lane and that nobody did due diligence. He states 680 McArdle Lane has no legal ground for grievance and the damaged property is Township property. RESPONSE TO CITIZENS INPUT Recreation Programs = Manager Faulk states since Coordinator, Lydia Kinkaid, came on board has resurrected a lot ofthe programs that were done prior to Covid such as soccer camps, etc. He states some fees are charged that go back into the Township SO more recreation programs can be offered. She also does the proper vetting. Commissioner. Zona asks if all the programs are vetted and have the proper insurance and certifications. Ms. Kinkaid states in the proposal that BUC sent listed they will send all the clearances for the coaches along with certificates of CPR training and insurance. Commissioner Zona states he sees Norwin Soccer Clubs point and suggests scheduling a few more programs with them. Ms. Kinkaid states she can work with the club to help advertise their programs. Commissioner Zona feels what is already scheduled is great and wouldn't want to cancel any ofit, but feels it would be nice to work together with Norwin Soccer Club. Frog Road - Bob Robinson states a guiderail will be installed on Frog Road and Public Works will repair the road within the next several weeks. Director Hochlinski states the plan is to start next week and the road will closed for a few days. Bob Robinson adds that a survey is being done on March 13, 2025 the stream where there are two culverts that belong to the Township and one for PADot that are filled with debris and a plan to dredge the stream. He states this will not be a Township only project and will talk to PADot and Westmoreland Conservation District. Commissioner Gass thanks all involved for the work being done on Frog Road. McArdle Lane - Commissioner Gray states this issue blew up but started small when the Township fixed damaged property at the neighbors. He felt this was a knee-jerk reaction and the engineer stated the radius on the curve is sufficient to allow truçks to turn. He states the neighbor offered property to the Township to pave it or fix it to mitigate the issue, SO he feels it is unfair to punish the other residents for what could be a minor issue. He thanks the residents who spoke about the ordinance because it lets the Board know where they stand and he feels it should be let go. Commissioner Zona agrees and appreciates the: residents who spoke. He would be ok with leaving it as is. Commissioner Atwood states he went to McArdle Lane and the topic is on the agenda and will be discussed then. Bob Robinson states the wording in the ordinance was taken from a template and not meant to be standing or stopping, just parking. Work Sessions Discussion Topics 1) Westmoreland City VFD Proclamation* Manager Faulk states the Westmoreland City VFD is celebrating their 100th anniversary and will have a celebration later this year. He prepared a proclamation on behalf of the Board to present at a later date. 2) Indian Lake Improvement Project Manager Faulk states there are three major projects going on at Indian Lake and met with representatives from DCNR to formulate a game plan. Lydia Kinkaid states there are three main things that need completed based off of different studies and reports from KU Resources and the PA Fish & Boat Commission. She states the first leg of the project is the Kenda Dam streambank stabilization, second is the Kenda Dam bridge replacement and last is dredging Indian Lake. All three projects are high priority and all require a drawdown ofthe lake or at least a diversion ofthe water in some way. The idea is to do all three parts of the project in one go. She gives a general list of work for each project. Bob Robinson adds that all would agree Indian Lake is one of the Township's most treasured amenity, but this work is required as the bridge is deteriorating and has very little support. Ms. Kinkaid states the PA Fish & Boat Commission submitted a report that the lake needs to be dredged to remove the accumulated sediment and protect the fish life. She states up to ten thousand yards of sediment is to be removed. Bob Robinson states the dam is poorly constructed with mine spoil but can be fixed. Ms. Kinkaid states KU Resources put together an estimate of the total cost for the project broken into three different sections. The Kenda Dam Streambank Stabilization is estimated at two hundred fifty-eight thousand, two hundred forty-five dollars, the bridge replacement is estimated at two hundred nineteen thousand, seven hundred sixty dollars, and the dredging of Indian Lake is estimated at seven hundred thirty one thousand, five hundred dollars, SO the total estimated cost is one million, three hundred thirty thousand, four hundred fifty five dollars and fifty cents. She states grant funding will be applied for and in 2025 March 13, 2025 they will apply for the C2P2 grant from DCNR with a fifty percent match and possibly federal funding. Another option would be to apply to the PA Local Share Account by November 1St and can request up to a million dollars. She states the LWCF criteria would be converting Oak Hollow Park requiring the park to be open and accessible to the public as an outdoor recreation facility in perpetuity, SO it could never be converted into an indoor facility. She states if we are eligible for LWCF grant and it is something the Board agrees is the best avenue for Indian Lake Park, this will stall the timeline for the project but would give more time to accrue grant money from other avenues. Bob Robinson states when the fifty percent match is talked about, it does not necessarily mean money or other grants, but in kind services which one of the big ticket items is the removal of the sediment in Indian Lake. Ms. Kinkaid states an approval of the resolution will be needed by next week to move forward with the grant application and a letter of commitment of the fifty percent match. Commissioner Zona asks what is the timeframe ofthe actual project once it finally starts. Bob Robinson states it is unsure ifthe project will start in 2027 or 2028 but will be a full year that the park will be closed. Commissioner Zona asks if the grants are competitive not guaranteed. Commissioner Gass asks what we would be giving up for the LWCF grant. Ms. Kinkaid states Oak Hollow Park is part of that and the criteria would be for the park to remain open to the public for outdoor recreation and cannot have any type of conversions such as a rec center, SO ifIndian Lake is made part ofthe. LWCF it will have to remain aj park open to the public forever. Commissioner Gray asks that if we went for LWCF designation, would it benefit to subdivide the property to only include the maintenance building, lake and bridge to retain control on the rest ofi it SO we could do something. Ms. Kinkaid states yes, but within the boundaries of Indian Lake, there is not much to divide off for that purpose. Commissioner Hemple thanks Lydia for all the great information. Manager Faulk asks how soon does the Board need to make a decision. Ms. Kinkaid states a note that the Board is entertaining the idea of LWCF and the application is due April 2nd. Commissioner Hempel asks if they submit for the LWCF grant, can they also apply for other grants. Ms. Kinkaid states yes, they can apply for other grants. Bob Robinson feels help should be sought from the PA Fish & Boat Commission also. Commissioner Gass agrees and states there are two forms of achieving money through grants and taxation. He feels the Board needs to be good stewards of the people's money SO he is all for going for as many grants as possible. Manager Faulk asks if the Board is on board to begin this project and a resolution will be prepared for next week. Solicitor Dice recommends to do a resolution, if the Board agrees, to do the LWCF grant to be transparent. Commissioner Gray states we can apply for all the grants and authorize Manager Faulk to follow procedures and right now has a consensus to go LWCF, but don't have to do the resolution right now in case they want to look at how much property there is and exactly what it includes. Solicitor Dice clarifies if they want to subdivide a portion off. Commissioner Gray asks ift they could hold off for a month or two to look into this further. Ms. Kinkaid states as part of the application cycle would say no. Solicitor Dice clarifies that if we apply for six hundred + thousand dollars even though we're only applying for the C2B2 which maxes out at three hundred thousand dollars, we would still be ok, and at a later date decide LWCF could do that. Ms. Kinkaid states that is correct. Bob Robinson states the land and water conservation part would be on the entire 16.2 acres of Indian Lake. Commissioner Haigis asks if Indian Lake is two separate parcels. Mr. Fonzi states there is a parcel directly to the west, 3) McArdle Lane Proposed Ordinance* Commissioner Atwood states without objection would like to remove from the agenda. The Board agrees March 13, 2025 4) Guiderail Repair / Replacement Project* Manager Faulk states Bob Robinson has identified a lot of guiderail sections that need to either be replaced or repaired. He states this will be put out for bid and see how much it will cost. Bob Robinson states this isj just a start as there are. a lot of guiderails that don't meet standards, are bent and falling over a hill and inadequate height. He states it is time to start looking at the guiderails for safety purposes also. Commissioner Gass adds Mahaffey Hill should be on the list. Mr. Robinson states Mahaffey Hill is on his list too, but not for this year as guiderails are very expensive. 5) Proposed Winter Maintenance Municipal Agreement with PADot* Manager Faulk states John Hochlinski has identified some roads that we do some partial winter maintenance on such as Brownstown Road, Robbins Station Road and Hahntown Wendel Road and he has been in talks with PADot to get reimbursement money as we do partial maintenance to get to our other roads. Manager Faulk states for the agreement and cost is estimated at ninety four hundred dollars. Commissioner Gray asks how many lane miles are we maintaining. Mr. Hochlinski states it varies with every storm and a lot of times the roads are treated for their own safety. Commissioner Gray states these agreements have been looked at many times before and they don't seem to benefit us as we have a "black road" policy in the Township and to provide that service on State roads for what they pay, he feels it would be best to continue to do the areas for safety. He states once this agreement would be signed, there is no getting out ofit as stated in the agreement plus the manpower would kill us doing more state roads and losing money. He states he is against this and feels to do what we need to do for our safety. Bob Robinson asks Director Hochlinski ifwe travel these roads to get to other Township roads. Director Hochlinski states that is correct and when they met with PADot, they specified it is a voluntary program and agrees with Commissioner Gray that it is not lucrative, but some ofthe state roads have become SO hazardous for the crews, public and school buses. He states we are losing money now, getting nothing, and with the agreement would help. Commissioner Gray states we will lose more money by taking over the roads and also legally obligated to do SO forever as stated in the contract and PADot can cancel at any time for their convenience. Commissioner Zona feels this should be looked into and the contract is a sample from Hampton Township. Director Hochlinski states the agreement is a sample and the discussions he had with PADot were completely different. He states he proposed this as a trial basis for one winter and as for additional manpower, these roads already have two to four trucks enroute to get to their sections SO this would not require adding an additional salt section. Commissioner Zona clarifies sections of state roads will not be maintained unless it is enroute to a Township section. Director Hochlinski states that is correct. Commissioner states Gray that is what they are doing now. Director Hochlinski states that is çorrect. Commissioner Gray states he does not want to get into a legal agreement if that is already what is being done or come up with an agreement specifically for the Township and wording that it is a trial program and can get out ofit. Also, a full cost analysis on what the Township does verses PADot because once we take a road, residents are going to expect it to be like ours, and his opinion is we can't afford do that. Commissioner Haigis states it is correct that the Board has looked at this before and he can see both sides of the argument. He would like to see an agreement for the not Township, a sample, and he would be open to a trial run with the option to get out of it. Director Hochlinksi states he just opened the door to this and did not proceed any further until the Board March 13, 2025 agreed. He also states PADot still treats the Township as a farm community and uses a 50/50 mix on the roads whereas we treat with rock salt, SO if they treat the State roads would look similar to Township roads. Commissioner Gray agrees and states with little reimbursement and he really wants to see the cost analysis on any agreement. Commissioner Gass asks that State roads are the State's responsibility and asks if the Township is doing the work on State roads that they owe the Township money. He too wants to see the financial amount and wants to see a profit not a deficit. Director Hochlinski adds that just about every surrounding community has agreements with PADot. Mr. Fonzi adds that they will come up with calculations on what it costs now to do one pass on roads and will sit down with PADot and possibly negotiate a rate. Director Hochlinski states the last thing he wants to do is squander tax payers money and he is just looking out for the safety for the community. 6) Comprehensive Plan Update Manager Faulk states Route 30 is a congested corridor because it provides a direct connection to Pittsburgh and the PA Turnpike, however it is compounded with commercial establishments. The stress caused by Route 30 congestion spills over to the local residential roads which creates a series of issues and pedestrian infrastructure such as sidewalks and trails are limited to new developments. He states SO far, three permanent LED speed signs have been purchased and will purchase three more this year. Traffic studies have shown the signs reduce speed by approximately thirty percent. Dartmoor street improvements such as line painting and rumble strips have been done. He states they have worked with PADot LTAP program to expand the crosswalk at Lions Park and installed LED crossing signs on McKee Road at Lions Park. Manager Faulk states Mockingbird Drive was turned into a school zone and added rumble strips. Traffic studies have been done on Lincoln Way between Park Hill Road and Richmark Drive and recently asked to add a left hand turnsignal traffic light on Barnes Lake Road at Caruthers Drive. He states PADot will do a traffic study on Barnes Lake Road at Norwin Christian Church with sight distance. Signage has been added on Route 993 at Cleaveland Price for pedestrian safety. Also, currently working with Friends of Norwin Trails to design walking and biking trails to connect neighborhoods to parks and next week will be a resolution to apply for a grant for a feasibility study. Commissioner Atwood states the lack of pedestrian infrastructure was brought up and had a lot of exceptions about not having sidewalks in neighborhoods. He states that has always been a concern for him and the Board and Planning Commission have allowed developers to not build sidewalks. 7) 2026 Proposed Tax Change* Manager Faulk states he received a lot of interest to implement a senior property tax rebate program and the elimination of per capita tax and also possibly increasing the millage. He states the per capita tax was adopted by the Board in 1969 and is a flat rate local tax payable by all adult residents living in the Township. Residents age sixty two and older with an income less than five thousand dollars may apply for an exemption. He states in 2021 eighty two thousand dollars was generated from the tax, in 2022 ninety thousand dollars, 2023 eighty seven thousand dollars and 2024 seventy five thousand dollars. He states this is a nuisance tax and need to find ways to offset and make it easier for the residents. March 13, 2025 8) Senior Citizens Property Tax Rebate Program * Manager Faulk states Unity Township currently offers this for residents sixty five years of age or older, have resided for five consecutive years, all taxes have to be paid with no delinquency and have to make under eighty thousand dollars. He states the demographics for North Huntingdon Township has a population of thirty one thousand, seven hundred and eighty eight residents with an estimated twenty percent that are sixty five and older. Manager Faulk states an idea of cost to implement this program, we currently offer twenty percent property rebate for active volunteer firefighters. Last year, there were forty four applicants out of one hundred twenty six and the average rebate was thirty eight dollars and sixty cents, totaling a two thousand, one. hundred dollars cost to the Township, SO the tax rebate program to seniors would cost approximately twenty one hundred twenty three thousand dollars. He states to implement the programs would have to raise taxes of a least one mill, as one mill brings in approximately four hundred thousand dollars to the General Fund. Manager Faulk states another reason for having to raise property taxes in the near future is because of pension increases, workers comp premiums, medical benefits and wages. Commissioner Gass states there is a form called PA One Thousand, property tax and / or rent rebate claims. Manager Faulk states that form ifthrough the State, not Township. Commissioner Gass states this is something he would like to review and wants the help seniors and everybody. Commissioner Zona states taking the per capita tax away would help everybody. Commissioner Gray states he had inquired about the per capita tax a few years ago and was told they could not get rid ofthe tax. Manager Faulk states it is hard to get rid ofa tax without finding howto generate the revenue. Solicitor Dice states there are certain taxes such as Business Gross Receipts, that if it was not passed by a certain year would be ineligible to pass it at a later date. Commissioner Gass asks how much will it cost the residents to raise taxes one mill. Manager Faulk states it is the assessed value of their house and the average cost increase would be twenty two dollars and fifty four cents depending on the assessment. Commissioner Haigis states he would be comfortable looking into this, but it seems like some taxes are being taken away but also taxes and increasing is not in favor of this from what he can currently see. Commissioner Gass asks if we stay status-quo and don't raise taxes, how long can we go. Manager Faulk states it's really year by year and anticipates going into budget season next year keeping twenty nine officers and not expanding, not adding new laborers for Public Works, less projects / paving roads, but inevitably will have to raise taxes. Commissioner Hemple asks how long has it been since taxes were raised. Commissioner Haigis states the last time they were raised was in 2006 and a few years later, taxes were lowered. Commissioner Zona states he would feel more comfortable waiting on this. PLANNING /1 ENGINEERING TOPICS: 1) S-04-2025: Ronald Jackson Consolidation * Proposed lot consolidation on Highland Avenue Director. Andrykovitch states this is proposed lot consolidation involving two lots intending to combine the lots and adding half of a vacated street located in Irwin Borough. This will create a new lot which will be 1.31 acres. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0 with no conditions. March 13, 2025 2) S-05-2025: Marino Consolidation *Proposed lot consolidation on Coulterville Road Director Andrykovitch states this is proposed lot consolidation located off of Coulterville Road owned by John and Jane Marino who own two adjacent lots with the primary lot being 1.27 acres and add lot .074 acres. The Planning Commission recommended approval by a vote of 6-0 with no conditions. 3) S-06-2025: Huss Subdivision *Proposed. subdivision on Morris Avenue / Barnes Avenue Director Andrykovitch states this is a proposed subdivision located off the intersection of Morris Avenue and Barnes Avenue owned by Mark and Kelly Huss. They own 11.3284 acres and would like to subdivide .0927 acres for a single family home for their daughter. The Planning Commission recommended for approval by a vote of 6-0 with the condition of sewage planning approval from the PADep. 4) S-07-2025: Wedel-Amore Boundary Line Revision *Proposed boundary line revision on Hahntown Wendel Road Director Andrykovitch states this is a boundary line revision between two adjacent lots located off ofHahntown Wendel Road owned by Jordan & Alyssa Wedel. They would like to append .331 acres from the neighboring property. The Planning Commission for approval by a vote of 5-0 with no conditions. 5) S-09-2024: Lyons-Botti II Subdivision *Proposed subdivision on Myers Lane Director Andrykovitch states this was originally recorded in 2024 located off of Myers Lane owned by Martin Lyons III and Stepanie Botti own 123.8 acres of vacant land and subdivided 25.129 acres for potential buyers and proposed single family home. This plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners in August 2024 with the condition of sewage planning approval from the PADep. The sewage planning approval was granted by the DEP in September 4, 2024 and the applicant had ninety days to record the subdivision however the applicant let the ninety day timeframe expire and the document is not able to be recorded by Record of Deeds, therefore the applicant is asking for administrative re-approval in order to have the plan officially recorded. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Zona states last month he brought up attempting to close down the vape shop and asks for an update. Manager Faulk states they are still researching this and how to revoke the business license and should have more by next month. Commissioner Zona states they are selling illegal drugs to kids and polluting our neighborhoods and would like this business out of our neighborhood. Commissioner Atwood recalls the Board four of five years ago doing a resolution March 13, 2025 for the sale of marijuana products. Commissioner Zona recalls it was for the dispensaries and was for medical marijuana. FURTHER BOARD COMMENTS ADJOURNMENT Motion: Commissioner Haigis Motion to adjourn. Second: Commissioner Zona Motion carried 7 - 0 - 0 (9:21PM) Special Meeting minutes of March 13, 2025, were approved by the Board of Commissioners on April 16, 2025. LRgol Jason Atwood, President Harry R. Faulk, Township Secretary lijh