A meeting of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the meeting room of 2 West Main Street, Uniontown PA. In attendance- Commissioner Chairman Scott Dunn Commissioner Vince Vicites Chief Clerk Amy Liston County Solicitor Jack Purcell Commissioner Dunn wished everyone good morning and opened the meeting at 10:02 a.m. He asked all to stand for a prayer, which was led by Pastor Ryan Washabaugh of Calvary and Ashbury United Methodist Churches. It was followed by the recitation of the pledge of allegiance. Public Comment on Agenda Items- None Proclamations Commissioner Vicites read the proclamation for Court Employee Appreciation Week- May 5-9, 2025. Tammy Lambie accepted the proclamation on behalf of the court employees. Commissioner Dunn read the proclamation for National Osteoporosis Awareness Month- May 2025. Sidney Bush of the Soroptimist Club accepted the proclamation. Commissioner Vicites read the proclamation for Older Americans Month- May 2025. Commissioner Dunn read the proclamation for Child Welfare Professionals Appreciation Week- June 2 - 6, 2025. Commissioner Dunn read the proclamation for Child Welfare Service Providers Appreciation Week- June 9 - 13, 2025. Solicitor Purcell extended his appreciation to the court employees on behalf of the lawyers. Controller Controller Robb Rhodes presented the following financial condition of the county. Office of the Controller Fayette County, Pennsylvania ROBERT P. RHODES Phone (724)430-1217 Controller Fax (724) 430-1366 DATE May 15, 2025 GENERALI FUND Cash Balance General Ledger $ 2,609,648.72 TRAN Tax Anticipation Note $ 6,000,000.00 2025 Revenue: Budget $ 57,208,324.46 YTD $ 16,521,708.28 % Received 28.88% 2025 Expenditures: Budget $ 55,315,414.85 YTD $ 22,269,651.13 % Used 40.26% DUE TO GENERAL FUND Payroll Payments Due to General Fund -LF $ Payroll Payments Due to General Fund - CYS $ 8,156,734.04 Loan Payable Due to General Fund- CYS $ 750,000.00 CYS Current Cosh Bolance =$5 505,819.14 TOTAL 8,906,734.04 ACT 13 MARCELLUS: SHALE FUND/FUND 13 Cash Balance Unconventional Wells Account $ 100,181.42 Cash Balance - Legacy Account S 39,512.34 Cash Balance - Bridge Department Account 5 2,022,632.73 CAPITAL RESERVE FUND/FUND 51 Cash Balance $ 95,800.39 FAYETTE COUNTY COURTHOUSE . 61 EASTI MAIN: STREET . UNIONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 15401 2 Behavioral Health Administration Chief Clerk Liston read the agenda items into the record. A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the following modification. Contract Value Period Modification Agreement #2 2024-2025 Laurel House, INC. $380,143 07/01/24-06/30/25 Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Children and Youth Services A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve a FY2024-25 Purchase of Service Agreement between the County of Fayette through Fayette County Children & Youth Services and Fayette County Juvenile Probation and Families United Network, Inc., 276 Ashler Manor Drive, Muncy, PA 17756 for foster care and group home services on an as needed basis. The rates are as follows: Initial Clothing - $250.00 Foster Care Services PER DIEM Outcome Focused FC-Child 0-21 Outcome $ 72.97 Focused FC-Mother/Child Outcome $ 125.62 Outcome Focused FC-Transitional- Ages 14+ $ 145.11 Outcome Focused FC-Intensive $ 108.90 Specialized Level 1 Medical $ 46.51 Specialized Level 2 Medical $ 40.14 Specialized Level 3 Medical $ 37.42 Specialized Level 4 Medical $ 21.79 Residential Services PER DIEM Ashler Manor Residential & LRP-Level 1 (Females) $ 273.22 Ashler Manor Residential & LRP-Level 2 (Females) $ 282.54 Ashler Manor- Emergency Shelter Care $ 265.54 Resource Family Support Services PER DIEM Birth to 11 years of age $ 66.15 Youth 12 years of age and older $ 74.95 Mother/Baby $ 141.50 Supportive 1 $ 84.34 Supportive 2 $ 94.58 Supportive 3 $ 113.19 Supportive 4 $ 132.06 3 Medical 1 $ 45.00 Medical 2 $ 60.00 Medical 3 $ 65.00 Medical 4 $ 85.00 Home Studies/Partial Home Studies New Family Foster Home Evaluation $ 3,260.00* 60-Day Emergency Home Evaluation $ 3,260.00* ICPC Home Evaluation $ 3,260.00* Initial Home Visit and Orientation $ 647.00* Two Home Visits $ 1,941.00* Three Home Visits $ 2,589.00* *These numbers are subject to change based on the FY24-25 SWAN Family rate adjustment. Ashler Manor Residential Services Diagnostic Evaluation $ 772.50 Drug and Alcohol Monitoring Services Drug and Alcohol Testing $ 118.45 Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve a FY2024-25 Fee Agreement between Fayette County Children and Youth Services and Gabriel Fera P.C.,1010 Western Avenue, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 for assistance with exiting State Civil Service and the development of its own merit-based system. The rates are as follows: Partner Rate $ 225.00/hr Senior Associates $ 210.00/hr Associates $ 190.00/hr Paralegal Services $ 145.00/hr Any costs incurred such as filing fees, mileage and travel expenses, and excessive or out- of-the-ordinary coping or shipping fees will be invoiced monthly. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve acceptance of the resignation of Fayette County Children & Youth Services Advisory Board Member, Dr. Selina Matis, effective immediately. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes 4 Motion passed unanimously Human Resources BUILDING & GROUNDS A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the resignation of Melissa Arnold, Custodial Worker III, effective April 24, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously CENTRAL DEPARMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the resignation of Emma Santore, Part Time Clerk, effective April 14, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the resignation of Tonya Pierce, Part Time Clerk, effective April 29, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously CYS A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the promotion of Chasidy Garletts to Caseworker 3, SEIU CYS, $28.27/hour ($55,120.00 annually) effective April 21, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the voluntary demotion of Marissa Engle to Caseworker II, SEIU-CYS, $28.27/hour ($55,121.00 annually) effective May 5, 2025. 5 Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the hiring of Madison Kostandinu, Case Aid 1, SEIU CYS, $19.31/hour ($37,655.00 annually) effective May 5, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the hiring of Abigail Sullivan, Caseworker 1, SEIU CYS, $24.04/hour ($46,878.00 annually) effective May 19, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously EMA A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the resignation of James Bittner, Part Time Dispatcher, effective March 28, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously FACT A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the resignation of David Stephenson, Full Time Bus Driver, effective May 3, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the hiring of Denten Martin, Full Time Bus Driver (Non-CDL), SEIU, PG 12, Step SR, $17.45/hour ($34,027.50 annually) effective May 5, 2025. 6 Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the hiring of Jeff Cavaliere, Part Time Bus Driver (Non-CDL), SEIU, PG 12, Step SR, $17.45/hour, effective May 5, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the hiring of Thomas McGuinness, Part Time Bus Driver (Non-CDL), SEIU, PG 12, Step SR, $17.45/hour, effective May 5, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously VETERAN AFFAIRS A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the hiring of Frank Salvay, Part Time Veteran Affairs Driver, Non-union, $16.32/hour, effective May 1, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the hiring of Robert Zele, Part Time Veteran Affairs Driver, Non-union, $16.32/hour, effective May 1, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously HUMAN RESOURCES A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve an update to the Workers Compensation Panel to be effective May 1, 2025, to add Smith Chiropractic due to availability on weekends and evenings and to change 7 the Urgent Care from MedExpress Urgent Care to UPMC-GoHealth Urgent Care due to the name change. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Juvenile Probation Office A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the Axon Incorporated five-year Taser 7 replacement agreement to replace and update 18 units at a cost of $80,654.40. The proposal will save $14,914.80 over the cost current units over the five years. The cost will be equally divided between the JCJC admin and Title IV-E line items. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Office of Human and Community Services/FACT A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the County of Fayette's responsibility to provide Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation local matching funds in an amount up to approximately $384,539.00 to match state funds provided pursuant to 74 Pa. C.S. Section 1513 for FY 2025-26. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Planning, Zoning and Community Development A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve submission of a grant application to the 2025 Growing Greener Plus Grants Program, Department of Environmental Protection = to update the county's Act 167 Phase-1 plan. Total project cost TBD. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously 8 A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve signature authority to Art Cappella in ECMS for Fayette County Bridge projects: 72, 115, 2, 3, and 155. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve signature authority to Art Cappella in ECMS for Fayette County Sheepskin Trail project: preliminary engineering, final design, and construction phases. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to solicit bids for Meadow Run Bridge #82, a county-owned bridge located in Stewart Township, Fayette County. The objective is to replace the existing superstructure. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Prior to a vote, Commissioner Vicites said this is a critical bridge up at the mountains that needs replaced and it is pushed by the supervisors. He said the bridge department will do the entire structure. Commissioner Dunn said the bridge is critical to emergency personnel also. A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to award Bid 25-05 for the Dunlap Creek Park- Lake Trail Development Project to Raffle Construction in the amount of $1,140,000.00. Raffle Construction, 409 Mendon Road, Ruffsdale, PA 15679. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Commissioner Dunn said this goes back to the planning for park improvements. Commissioner Vicites said they made a commitment a few years ago to improve the parks and three master plans were made for the county parks. Commissioners o Chief Clerk Liston read the agenda items. A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the April 15, 2025 commissioners agenda meeting minutes. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the April 17, 2025 commissioners meeting minutes. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve a motion directing the solicitor to negotiate and draft a Memorandum of Understanding (or other similar agreement) with Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, a Pennsylvania non-profit economic development corporation, of 1040 Eberly Way, Lemont Furnace, Pa. 15456, for the transfer to Fay-Penn of three County owned properties identified as parcels 606.0191.,605.0045. and 14-33-005101. The purpose of this transfer is to provide Fay-Penn the means and opportunity to cause to be placed utility lines across said properties for economic development. A condition of the transfer is Fay-Penn's agreement to reclaim the surface area of said properties and any adjacent trail properties to the trail standards in the Sheepskin Trail Feasibility Study of 2018. A copy of the relevant portion thereof is attached. Fay-Penn will also need to agree that if they ever cease to use the subject properties for the intended purpose they will revert back to county ownership. Final approval of the MOU (or other agreement) will require additional approval by the commissioners at a public meeting. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Prior to a vote, Commissioner Vicites said he sees a win-win with this. He said they are advancing economic development by giving a corridor and also getting six miles of trail built at no cost. He said 10 miles of the 34 mile trail is built. Commissioner Dunn said Fay-Penn has been a great partner and the trail projects will mean 8 miles of trail without grant money. He said there will be three sections left after those are built. The commissioners touted the benefits of the Sheepskin Trail. 10 A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the reappointment of Muriel Nuttall to the Go Laurel Highlands Board of Directors, with a term to expire June 30, 2026. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to ratify the following transfers that occurred in the 2025 budget from April 14 to May 7, 2025. Department Cost Center Debit Credit Assessment Contingency 01417952910 $300.00 Program cost clean and green 01413654175 $300.00 Contingency 01417952910 $7,500.00 Professional service 01413653100 $7,500.00 Controller Contingency 01417952910 $26.32 Fees Controllers office 01413352400133 $26.32 Economic Development Contingency 01417952910 $847.60 Travel Econ Dev 0141112553300715 $847.60 Human Resources Contingency 01417952910 $2,340.00 Software training 01415552319156 $2,340.00 Recorder of Deeds Contingency 01417952910 $250.00 Association dues 01415354200 $250.00 Tax Claim Contingency 01417952910 $13,410.00 Program cost title searches 01413854150101 $13,410.00 Veterans Affairs Contingency 01417952910 $285.00 Care of veterans graves 01429452802 $285.00 Total Debits $24,958.92 Total Credits $24,958.92 Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for countywide auditing services for the years 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 at the request of the Fayette County Controller. Commissioner Dunn yes 11 Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Prior to a vote, Commissioner Dunn said the county has an independent auditor, namely Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC. He said they are the same auditor who audits the Pennsylvania Lottery. He said the draft of the 2023 audit is out and all the finances of the county are audited. He said the draft audit for 2023 will be released when it is not in draft form. He read an excerpt from the audit and then added that they passed the audit. A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to approve the acceptance of the resignation of Fayette County Commissioner Dave Lohr, effective May 11, 2025. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously Commissioner Dunn said county commissioner is a tough job and he respects anyone who has sat at the table and make tough decisions. He said he wanted to thank Dave Lohr for his years of service and wish him well in his retirement. Commissioner Vicites said he also wanted to thank Dave Lohr for his 10 years of service and said he deserves to enjoy life. Commissioner Dunn said the process for obtaining a replacement commissioner is on the county website. He outlined the qualifications. Public Announcements- Commissioner Vicites said on Friday, May 30, the county will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the final visit of Marquis De LaFayette to Fayette County with proclamations and celebrations at the Fayette County Courthouse. He said the event will kick off a yearlong celebration of America's 250th Birthday. He announced other events that are planned as well. Public Comments- Commissioner Dunn said it is public comment, not a question and answer session and everyone is allocated three minutes. David Smith, James Trump, Brian May, Al Packan, and three people online gave public comments at the end of the meeting. They spoke about the solar ordinance, the walking trail around Dunlap Creek Park and voiced support for the trails in the county. The commissioners discussed the solar ordinance and how solar companies solicited them asking not to approve the ordinance. Solicitor Jack Purcell said Commissioner Dave Lohr was a consummate professional and he wishes him well. Former township supervisor Joe Petrucci gave the final public comment. 12 Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Vicites and seconded by Commissioner Dunn to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Dunn yes Commissioner Vicites yes Motion passed unanimously 13 i. Trail Construction The typical Sheepskin Trail section was assumed to be a 10' wide trail with 7.5' wide berms on each side oft the trail which makes the entire disturbed construction area 25' wide. Trail Construction includes items such as trail paving, trail surfacing, clearing and grubbing, seeding and mulching, drainage improvements, road crossings, and fence. Trail paving and trail surfacing typical sections were based off of previously approved construction plans for Segments 2 and 3. The trail paving section consists of: 2" AASHTO#10 4" Compacted PennDOT #2A Crushed Aggregale 4" Sub-base The trail surfacing section consists of: 2" AASHTO #10 4" Compacted PennDOT #2A Crushed Aggregate Costs for the trail paving section were calçulated in areas where an existing railroad ballast is not present whereas costs for thei trail surfacing section were calculated in areas where an existing railroad ballast is present. The presence of an existing railroad ballast was assumed based on field views and previous studies. Class 1 excavation was calculated for areas where trail paving was assumed. Clearing and grubbing and seeding andi mulching were assumed tol be required at a width of 25. In some cases it was noted that certain sections of proposed trail were already clear or partially clear, sO the area of required clearing and grubbing was. adjusted to reflect these clear areas. Split rail fence was assumed to be required on one side of the traili for 10% of the trail length. Drainage improvements consisted of the construction of ditches and placement of cross pipes. Cross pipei nstallation assumed the use of 18" diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes at 25' in length with timber endwall structures and size R-4 stone ati the pipe inlet and outlet. Pipes were assumed to be necessary every 500' of proposed trail. Drainage ditch installation assumed 25% of the cut slope of the trail requires ditch cleaning and 25% of the cut slope requires new ditches. Road crossing costs assume the following: Pair of R1-1 Stop Signs for trail users Pair of W11-15 Combined Bicycle/Pedestrian Signs for vehicular traffic Pair of wooden bollard posts 60' of crosswalk painting Costs for 'Share the Road' segments include: W16-101 Share the Road Signs Sheepskin Trail Signs/Directional Arrows Bicycle Sharrows Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (as ecommended) ii, Structures