Regular Meeting                                                                         January 19, 2010

The regular meeting of the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 9:33 a.m. by Chairman Kujawa in the Assembly Room of the Millcreek Township Municipal Building .  Present were Gerald Wolf, Brian McGrath , Joseph Kujawa , Richard Figaski, Evan Adair , Esq., Phyllis Vollbrecht and Richard Morris, P.E.

Following the Pledge to the Flag, Chairman Kujawa called for public comment on agenda items other than development or rezoning applications.  No comments were received.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2010 meeting.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve payment of the weekly General Fund bills in the amount of $524,115.38 and the Sewer Revenue Fund bills in the amount of $670,637.90.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On the recommendation of Engineer Morris, it was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to approve a one-year extension to January 12, 2011 of the Land Development Plan approval for the Verizon Work Center – South Plant located on West Grandview Boulevard .  Verizon needs more time to secure the necessary funding.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. McGrath presented the December 2009 and the 2009 total Building Construction Reports as follows:

            December 2009

            Total Residential Structures                                               $    318,300.00
            Total Non-residential Structures                                         $      33,500.00

                                                                                                $    351,800.00

            Zoning Permits Issued                                                                       9
            Zoning Permit Fees                                                          $        1,650.00

            2009 Totals

            Total Residential Structures                                               $16,587,745.00
            Total Non-residential Structures                                         $  8,147,277.00

                                                                                                $24,735,022.00

             Zoning Permits Issued                                                                    321
            Zoning Permit Fees                                                          $       72,724.00

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa, seconded by Mr. Figaski, that Treasurer Wolf, Mr. Figaski in his capacity as Secretary, and Mr. Kujawa in his capacity as Roadmaster, be permitted to attend a Pelras Annual Conference at Penn State from March 17 to 20, 2010 .  A Township vehicle will be used for transportation.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. Figaski, seconded by Mr. McGrath, that Ptlm. Ryan Mays be permitted to attend “Weapons of Mass Destruction Emergency Responder Hazardous Materials Technician” training from February 21 to 27, 2010 at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston , Alabama .  This class is a mandatory prerequisite to the Hazardous Device School which is mandatory to become a Hazardous Device Technician for the Department’s Bomb Squad.  This course will be paid for by the Department of Homeland Security.  Ptlm. Mays was assigned to the Bomb Squad in preparation of the retirement of the current bomb technician, Ptlm. Donald Wells.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath that Cpls. Lesley Mitchell and Donald Kucenski be permitted to attend a “Scrap Theft Symposium” hosted by the Northern Ohio and Pittsburgh chapters of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries on January 20, 2010 in Hermitage, PA at no cost.  Travel will be by Township vehicle.  The symposium will provide the Department with access to a web based tracking and notification system designed to alert recycling facilities of stolen materials.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was requested by Fire Inspector Robert Mitchell, moved by Mr. Figaski and seconded by Mr. McGrath to grant permission for Charles Heffner and Friday Orr to attend an ISCEOC Interface Workshop at the East Mead Fire Department in Crawford County on February 18, 2010 .  No overtime will be involved.  There being no public comment, the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. Figaski announced another meeting with Erie Water Works scheduled for Friday, January 22, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. regarding the lease of the Millcreek water system.  Mr. Kujawa asked if Mr. Riedesel was invited to the meeting.  Mr. Figaski indicated not because it is his feeling that the Board of Supervisors should be the negotiating factor.  Once negotiations are complete and the plan is approved, the Supervisors would have to approve the plan, which would then go before the Water Authority for approval.  Mr. McGrath asked what would happen if the Board approves a plan and the Water Authority does not.  It would be incumbent on the Supervisors then to possibly eliminate the Authority according to Mr. Figaski. 
Mr. Kujawa pointed out issues involving Summit and Fairview Townships .  Mr. Figaski said the meetings were open to the public but public involvement in these negotiations should be limited at this point.

Jerry Servidio, 1720 West Gore Road , appeared to ask the status of Township employees if the lease goes through.  Mr. Figaski said that Erie Water Works indicated that because of employees’ familiarity with the system, it would be beneficial to retain some of the employees.  Employees of the Township could also bid in to other open positions.  An attempt will be made to retain those employees in other positions.  Mr. Figaski said he has to be concerned with the 7,300 customers who are paying higher water rates.  Mr. Servidio said it angers him that the public has not seen or heard anything about the status of Township employees. 

Mr. Servidio also questioned the increase in sewer rates.  There was hardly any media coverage on it according to Mr. McGrath.  The increase was necessary because a 20 percent increase in treatment and transportation rates was passed on from the City of Erie . 

Mr. Kujawa pointed out that not all 7,300 higher water rate payers are in favor of the lease.  Some homeowners (143 of them) are very glad that the Millcreek Water Authority stepped up and installed water lines for them after the City of Erie turned them down.  The Millcreek Water Authority has done a lot to help solve water problems for those people who have orange water, very little water, no water, etc.  Discussion followed on the accomplishments of both Erie Water Works and the Millcreek Water Authority, representation on the Erie Water Works board and the responsibility of the homeowner to determine their water provider.

Jess Jiuliante, 1703 Sunrise Lakes Drive , appeared to ask about the Supervisors’ appointments as Roadmasters and Secretary and the liaisonships assigned at the reorganization meeting.  Much discussion followed on their duties as roadmasters and secretary and of all the departments to which they were assigned as liaisons.  Mr. Jiuliante spoke of not being in compliance with the Second Class Township Code when he was in office, being investigated by the Ethics Commission, and he and Supervisor Art Detisch each having to pay a fine.  The Code was revamped in 1995 to include that Supervisors could appoint themselves to any employee capacity not otherwise prohibited by the Code.  He feels the assignments made are to justify the large salaries and that they create a lot of redundancy.  It is now time for a change in the form of government.  Mr. McGrath asked Mr. Jiuliante if he would be at this meeting if he hadn’t lost in his second and third attempts to become Supervisor; if he would be at this meeting if he had been hired recently to a position for which he applied; and if he was familiar with the phrases “sour grapes” or “axe to grind.”  Mr. Jiuliante replied that he attended the meeting to look at the best interest of the Township.  He does not want this to become personal.  A change in the form of government was not brought to the table by Mr. Jiuliante, but by Mr. Figaski in his campaign.  Mr. Jiuliante feels it is a very good idea.  Another point Mr. Jiuliante made was that he is not running for Millcreek Supervisor. 

There being no other citizens to be heard or further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Figaski to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 10:37 a.m.

                                                                        Phyllis A. Vollbrecht
                                                                        Asst. Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________________  

APPROVED:    January 26, 2010

Brian P. McGrath
Richard P. Figaski