Regular Meeting                                                                                                                         November 11, 2008

 

 

The regular meeting of the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 9:32 a.m. by Chairman McGrath in the Assembly Room of the Millcreek Township Municipal Building.  Present were Gerald Wolf, Lawrence Curtis, Brian McGrath, Joseph Kujawa, Evan Adair, Esq., Phyllis Vollbrecht, Richard Morris, P.E., and Chief Richard Andrews.

 

Following the Pledge to the Flag, Chairman McGrath called for public comment on agenda items other than development or rezoning applications.  No comments were received. 
Mr. McGrath thanked those who served and those who are presently serving in the Armed Forces on this Veteran’s Day.

 

It was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve the minutes of the Board’s October 28, 2008 meeting.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve payment of the following weekly bills:

 

            General Fund  (November 4, 2008)                          $174,235.52

            General Fund  (November 11, 2008)                        $  31,286.76

            Sewer Revenue Fund                                            $260,298.22

 

Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. Curtis announced the following bids received for a new seven passenger mini van for the Police Department:

 

            Day Fleet Sales

            5625 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA  15206             $  21,800.00

 

            Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge Sprinter

            1010 Route 19, Waterford, PA  16441                      $  18,669.00

                        (Exception:  color white)

 

It was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to award the contract to Humes for $18,669.00 and to accept the white mini van.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Regarding the Land Development Plan for MFLP Tenant Plaza which was tabled at last week’s meeting, Engineer Morris reported that the Millcreek Township Planning Commission recommended approval with the following:

 

Request

1.                   Two (2) $10,000 traffic signal contributions for West 38th Street and Pacific Avenue and West Grandview Boulevard and Pacific Avenue (existing).

 

Requirement

1.                   Updated water and sewer letter.

 

Mr. McGrath said that at last week’s meeting, the Board discussed that fact that a contribution and substantial improvements were made at West Grandview Bouelvard but a request would still be made for the West 38th Street traffic signal.

 

John Maleno, 2340 West Grandview Boulevard appeared and agreed to contribute $10,000 for the traffic signal at West 38th Street and Pacific Avenue.  It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve the land development plan to construct a 26,000 square foot plaza with associated parking area located at the northwest corner of West Grandview Boulevard (S.R. 4014) and Pacific Avenue in Tract 76 with the above stated requirement and a request for a $10,000 traffic signal contribution for West 38th Street and Pacific Avenue.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

George Riedesel, Executive Director of the Millcreek Township Water Authority, appeared on behalf of Resolution 2008-R-36 regarding a grant application for the replacement of the
Peach Street Water Pumping Station in the amount of $1,285,000.  The present station is over 20 years old.  Development on upper Peach Street was never anticipated.  In the last few years, that pumping station has been used to expand water service to the Casino and into McKean Township and Borough.  The station has become too small and is not expandable in its current location.  Everything south of the Mall is fed by this pumping station.  Mr. Riedesel said the grant applications must be filed by December 1 and there will be two more on the sewer side.  It was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve Resolution 2008-R-36; a Resolution authorizing the Chairman to apply for a grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority for the replacement of the Peach Street Water Pumping Station.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. Riedesel also appeared regarding the Water Authority’s Colonial Avenue water line extension project which is being done in conjunction with the installation of storm sewers by the Township.  There were three properties that didn’t have public water, so the homeowners felt the two projects could be done at the same time.  Two out of the three property owners wanted the water.  It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve Resolution 2008-R-37; a Resolution pursuant to Section 6(s) of the Municipal Authorities Act to approve the plan of construction and estimated project costs of the Millcreek Township Water Authority’s Colonial Avenue Water Line Extension.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. McGrath reported that it’s been well documented by the media on the lack of supply of rock salt this year for municipalities through the northeastern part of the United States.  In conjunction with the Council of Governments, bids were solicited earlier this year for rock salt as has been done in the last 15 years.  Fourteen municipalities and three school districts joined in the cooperative bidding.  No bids were received.  PennDOT agreed to allow Millcreek Township, along with a few other municipalities, to piggyback on the state contract.  However, Millcreek Township really did not want to do this because of the price.  The cost presented by PennDOT to Millcreek Township and other municipalities is substantially higher than to other municipalities within Erie County who earlier agreed to purchase salt ($48.41/ton) from the State.  Now, PennDOT is charging $76.95/ton, plus shipping to the municipality.  Mr. McGrath said he does not want to sound ungrateful to PennDOT because if it wasn’t for their help, the Township may not have had any salt other what is already stockpiled.  The availability for pickup of the rock salt for the municipalities in Erie County is very complicated.  He does feel this is a strange agreement.  The COG intends to bid the rock salt a second time.  In the meantime, it was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve Resolution 2008-R-38 to approve the Intergovernmental Cooperative Supply Agreement (Salt).  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On the recommendation of Engineer Morris, it was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve the release of PNC Bank Check 40272 in the amount of $29,086.00 for Dempsey & Baxter, 6032 Peach Street.  All public improvements were completed in accordance with Township specifications.  Mr. Kujawa asked about the sidewalk going west at Peach Street and Marmon Drive.  Engineer Morris reported that Hill Engineering approved the sidewalk even though there is a dangerous dropoff.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. McGrath reported that Streets Department Foreman Clifford Joslin received the following quotations for the removal of a tree with stump at 2612 West 25th Street:

 

            Dibble Tree Service                                                         $225.00

            J. Thomas Tree Service                                                    $400.00

            Lindenberger Tree Service                                                No quotation

 

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to award the contract to Dibble Tree Service remove the tree and stump for $225.00.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Clifford Joslin received one quotation for the purchase of one pallet (75 boxes) of crack sealant for sealing cracks in the roads and sealing joints in new asphalt from Midland Asphalt in the amount of $1,395.00.  The only other supplier, Russell Standard Corporation, did not supply a quotation.  It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis to award the contract to Midland Asphalt for $1,395.00.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. McGrath announced that at next week’s meeting, the Board will discuss and take action on an ordinance that would enable the Township to impose a $52.00 local services tax.  Local municipalities have had the ability to impose the $52.00 LST for a number of years, many of which have done so.  The Township feels this is a way to avoid increasing real estate taxes and is a way to provide funding for the local fire departments which is where the Board would like to target the vast majority of this funding.  This seems the fairest and most equitable way to do this.  This tax will be paid by persons who work in Millcreek Township by payroll deduction each pay rather than once a year.  Persons earning less than $12,000.00 will not pay the tax. 

 

Engineer Morris reported that the Township’s representation on the Metropolitan Planning Organization recently was increased to two voting members.  Thomas Hoffman is the Township’s voting representative.  Engineer Morris requested that he be appointed as the second voting member.  It was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve this appointment.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Quotations were received in the Engineering Department for the West 29th Street Storm Sewer Project from McCaslin Construction at $9,450.00 and Jim Brozell Construction at $22,495.00.  The project includes the installation of approximately 450 lineal feet of HDPE pipe and five catch basins.  It was recommended by Engineer Morris to award the contract to McCaslin Construction for $9,450.00.  Chairman McGrath called for public comment on the matter; none was received.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Lou Arcovio, 3927 Vista Drive, appeared to discuss the inequity existing in Millcreek Township on rates charged for 1,000 gallons of water.  He understands that there are 6,000 families and businesses which pay 73 percent more for water than the other 10,000 families and businesses in the Township.  The Board indicated that the 73 percentage rate is high.  Mr. Arcovia attended a Water Authority meeting on December 11, 2007 at which all three Supervisors attended.  The Supervisors said they were going to contact the Erie Water Authority regarding a possible merger.  The Board requested a detailed proposal.  The Erie Water Authority replied in August or July of this year with a request for information on financial, legal, and engineering aspects of the Millcreek Water Authority operation.  Mr. Arcovio asked if the request was answered in order for them to make a sensible proposal.  Mr. Curtis explained that after talking with Mr. Riedesel and Mr. Baker, Chief Financial Officer, within the last couple of days, the accounts receivable and bond information the Erie Water Authority requested would not be available for a couple of weeks.  Other requested information is ready to go.  Mr. Arcovio feels this should be a high priority.  Mr. McGrath said he is not disputing the fact that Millcreek Water Authority customers pay considerably more than Erie Water Authority.  The rates are somewhat reasonable than what other water customers in the surrounding municipalities pay.  Mr. Arcovio encouraged the Board to do something soon to help relieve the inequity.  Mr. Curtis said that one thing to remember is the Erie Water Authority’s four-year rate plan; i.e. 6.9 percent increase this year, smaller percentage increases in following years which would affect Millcreek’s rates if Millcreek stayed a separate entity.  He feels that a lease-type arrangement should be considered where everyone would get the same rates.    

 

Roy First, 4103 Vista Drive, said that he understands that the Erie Water Authority will take over the Millcreek Water Authority at no additional cost and Millcreek would have the same rates as the rest of the people in Erie pay.  Mr. McGrath said we don’t know this yet but first the information must be supplied to the Erie Water Authority so an offer can be made.  Mr. First encouraged the Board to move on this now.

 

Ron Kolb, 4101 Vista Drive, feels that if the Erie Water Authority leases Millcreek’s system, it would allow for the sale of water to more locations which would be profitable to them.  He asked why the information has not been given to them yet.  Mr. Curtis explained that all three Board members are in support of Millcreek supplying the information to the Erie Water Authority.  It was about seven months before Erie asked for information from Millcreek and three months that Millcreek has been gathering the requested information.  Ultimately, the Water Authority will make a decision, but the Board may have some influence.  The Board of Supervisors believes the Water Authority will make the right decision.  Mr. McGrath said that if it were not for the Millcreek Water Authority, many homes would not exist in Millcreek Township.  The expansion in the Township over the last 30 years is a result of water supplied by the Authority.  The Authority was formed, bought several small water companies in the Township, and made many improvements to the system which is part of the reason for disparity in rates and the Board would like to see the disparity removed. 

 

There being no other citizens to be heard or further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. Curtis to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

 

Phyllis A. Vollbrecht

Assistant Secretary

 

 

APPROVED:    November 25, 2008

 

Brian P. McGrath

Lawrence G. Curtis

Joseph S. Kujawa