Mercer County Regional Planning Commission

Meeting Minutes

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, April 30, 2001 – 7:30 PM
MCRPC Office, Hermitage

MUNICIPALITY

PRESENT

ABSENT

FARRELL CITY

Jerry Miller

Mark A. Petrillo

HERMITAGE CITY

James Pat White

James A. Rollinson

Rita Ferringer

SHARON CITY

George Gulla

Frank Smeraglia

Lou Rotunno

Pat Miller

CLARK BOROUGH

Russell Shaffer

James Carucci, Jr.

FREDONIA BOROUGH

Larry McAdams

Patricia McAdams

GREENVILLE BOROUGH

Burroughs Price

Earl Butterfield

GROVE CITY BOROUGH

Clifford McCandless

JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH

Todd Sturgeon

Lee Tharp

JAMESTOWN BOROUGH

Darryl Pinney

Doug McElhaney

MERCER BOROUGH

Jerry Johnson

Jim Carnes

NEW LEBANON BOROUGH

Janice Good

Mary A. Ziegler

SANDY LAKE BOROUGH

Carol Paul

Robert W. Kaltenbaugh

SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH

Alex Kovach

Bob Piccirilli

STONEBORO BOROUGH

Samuel A. Scott

WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH

Raymond Lucich, Jr.

Linda Bollinger

WHEATLAND BOROUGH

Ray Foster

Thomas R. Stanton

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP

Jane Clark

Mont Clark

FINDLEY TOWNSHIP

Elliott Lengel

John B. Courtney

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP

Pamela Brown

Russell L. Dawes

JACKSON TOWNSHIP

W. Jerry Vernam

Mary Gealy

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

Robert F. Angermeier

Bert Weston

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP

Dave Beatty

Ron Faull

NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP

Albert W. Law

Frank Cochran

OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP

Richard Straub

Paulette Young

PERRY TOWNSHIP

Richard Marshall

PINE TOWNSHIP

H. Thomas Paxton

Fred Brenner

PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP

Joseph A. Selnekovic

James F. Rowe

SHENANGO TOWNSHIP



Mathew Frontino

Kristen Robinson

S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP

Mike Nashtock

Mourice Waltz

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP

Larry T. Gruntz

Judy L. Hassler

WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP

Charles Garrett

Jeff Hoy

WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP

Jim Morton

Mark Smith

MERCER COUNTY

Richard A. Mackell

Paul E. Mehalko

Jean Hodge

Ethel Friede

James L. Hogan

Tom Jack

BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION

David George

SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION

Kenneth Seamans

COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Brian Shipley

STAFF

OTHERS PRESENT

Dennis G. Puko, Executive Director
Julie Widel, Assistant Director
Dan Gracenin, Senior Planner

Don Blakesley, Recycling Coordinator
Jeremy Coxe, Planner
Carmen Reichard, Program Administrator

Attorney Robert G. Kochems, Solicitor
Barb Conroy, Springfield Twp.
Joan Courteau, Otter Creek Twp.
Shaun McWilliams, Greenville

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Larry McAdams, Vice-Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Larry McAdams, Vice-Chairman, led the Commission in the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

ATTENDANCE SIGN-IN

An attendance sign-in sheet was passed around and representatives present were asked to mark their attendance. A quorum was not present.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM

There were no public comments.

MINUTES OF THE MARCH 27, 2001 MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. Paxton and seconded by Mr. Garrett to approve the Minutes of the March 27, 2001 meeting noting one correction, Attorney Kochems was present. The motion passed.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A motion was made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Law to approve the March 2001 Financial Statement as presented. The motion passed.

STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Puko noted that on May 11^th Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau in Meadville is putting on a Smart Growth Community Seminar. If anyone is interested in attending this seminar, they could pick up a brochure at the door.

Mr. Gracenin stated that the MPO Committee would hold their next meeting on May 21^st and those who are members of that Committee would soon be receiving their notice in the mail.

Mr. Coxe noted that at last Thursday’s Mercer County Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners approved the Mercer County Solid Waste Management Plan, which is the plan for the next 10 years for municipal solid waste and recycling in Mercer County. The next step is to send this plan off to PA DEP for their final approval. Once DEP approves this plan, then the plan would be in place for recycling and municipal solid waste for the next 10 years. Also, he stated that the Mercer County Solid Waste Authority recently sponsored a recycling poster contest for school students grade K-6. We received over 700 entries from 13 different schools. Prizes for the winners were U.S. Savings Bonds. All entry students received a made from recycled content item. He noted that the winning posters are posted at the Shenango Valley Mall and also on our web site.

ZONING & SUBDIVISION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Puko, Executive Director , reported that the Committee met last week, a quorum was present and took action on the following items:

1. Major Subdivision - Final Plan – Village Park – Phase IV-C, 23 lots plus new streets & utilities – Pine Township – Mr. Puko noted that Phase IV-C has 23 lots, which begin on Village Park Drive and continue on a short stretch of a new street to be called Hunt Drive and then carry up a new street called Carriage Lane. Carriage Lane would end in a temporary cul-de-sac, with the intent that it would eventually wind around and be part of the road out to Airport Road. The lots meet the requirements of the Township Zoning Ordinance and the streets meet the requirements of the County Subdivision Regulations. He noted that the Committee recommended approving this subdivision pending the receipt of the financial guarantee on the construction of the street and the water and sewer utilities. A motion was made by Mr. Foster and seconded by Mr. Paxton to approve this final plan pending the receipt of the financial guarantee on the construction of the streets and the water and sewer utilities. The motion passed.

2. Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment – Regulations for Adult Businesses - City of Hermitage – Mr. Puko noted that last month the Committee tabled this item because the amendment required a 1,000-foot separation distance between adult uses and other adult uses, schools, churches, parks, or uses serving alcohol. Based on those measurements, there was no location in the City where an adult use could comply and be located. Since last months meeting, the City reviewed this more thoroughly and reduced the 1,000-foot separation distance to 800-foot separation from a Residential District from any parcel obtaining a residential church, public or private school or public park or recreation area and 1,000-foot separation from any other adult business. The City also removed establishments serving alcohol in order to make the 800-foot separation work. The City did not want to include adult uses in the Industrial Zoning District, in order to keep them centered in the community and the police could monitor it easier. He noted that the Committee recommended approving this amendment with one addition and that being that the ordinance also contain a statement of legislative findings that these uses have adverse secondary effects. A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Ms. Ferringer to approve this text amendment with the addition that the ordinance contain a statement of legislative findings that these uses have adverse secondary effects. The motion passed with Pat White abstaining.

FINANCE-PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT

Dr. Brenner noted that the Committee had held two meetings and took the following actions:

1. Assistant Director Status – The Committee recommended the hiring of Mr. Dan Gracenin as Assistant Director at a salary of $38,000. Mr. Gracenin stated that he would consider the offer in discussion with his wife. Dr. Brenner stated that we would hope that he would accept this offer. A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. Foster that we hire Mr. Dan Gracenin as Assistant Director. The motion passed.

2. Planner Position Status – The Committee would like authorization from the full Commission to interview a candidate – Frederick A. Frank for an entry level Planner position. Mr. Puko stated that if he would meet with the approval of the interviewing committee, we would like authorization to hire him if the interview is satisfactory. In discussion, someone asked if he had any experience? Mr. Puko noted that he has 4 years of part-time experience – 2 years involved in transportation planning group in the Buffalo area as an intern-type of experience and 2 years as a graduate assistance ship doing work for the Tennessee Technology Corridor. A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. McAdams to authorize the interviewing committee to interview Mr. Frank and if the interview is satisfactory to hire him. The motion passed. Mr. Puko noted that the Finance-Personnel Committee meeting scheduled for May 3^rd is very light in attendance and asked if other leaders of the Commission would play a part in this interview. Mr. Price stated that he would attend.

3. Part-time Employment of Ms. Widel – The Committee recommended that we hire resigning Assistant Director Julie Widel on a part-time basis with an hourly rate equivalent to her current rate as Assistant Director. He stated that her help is needed in view of the filling of her position from within the staff leaving two vacant planning positions. A motion was made by Mr. Paxton and seconded by Mr. Stanton to hire Julie Widel as a part-time employee. The motion passed.

KICKOFF OF PLANNING FOR MCRPC 50^TH ANNIVERSARY

Mr. Puko stated that he would like to set up a Committee to start planning activities for the upcoming 2002 50^th Anniversary of MCRPC. He stated that in looking at the 1953 Annual Report of the Shenango Valley Regional Planning Commission, their first meeting was held on December 29, 1952. He also stated that on April 3, 1958 the County formed its planning and zoning commission, which was then combined in 1972 to form the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission. Commission members who volunteered to sit on this Committee are: Patty McAdams, Pat White and Jerry Johnson.

PICNIC & DINNER MEETING FOR 2001

Mr. Puko was looking for suggestions for location, format, activities, etc., to hold the picnic this summer. Ms. Widel suggested that we hold the picnic at Stoneboro Lake. Mr. Beatty made a recommendation that we contact a company by the name of "Hog Wild" which does pig roasts and catering services.

Mr. Puko then asked for suggestions for our upcoming dinner in December. It was the consensus of the Commission that we stick with the same format as have done in the past. It was suggested that we try to hold the dinner in the Shenango Valley this year.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Puko stated that the Commission is in the process of applying for a business credit card. The Company needs the Commission’s authorization to do this. Mr. Gracenin stated that since he was authorized by the Company to take care of this matter, the motion should state that. A motion was made by Mr. Stanton and seconded by Ms. McAdams to authorize Mr. Daniel M. Gracenin to go ahead and apply for a business credit card for the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission. The motion passed.

Mr. Puko next stated that there has been interest from the staff in becoming participating members of the Shenango Valley Teachers Federal Credit Union. He noted that there are a number of benefits that the credit union provides that are attractive to a number of the staff. In order for the staff to become a member of the credit union, the Commission needs to be in the credit unions field of membership. The Commission needs to write a letter to the credit union and ask to be included in the field of membership, thereby employees being eligible to become individual members of the credit union and receive the benefits thereof. A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Ms. McAdams to authorize the Commission to become one of the field of memberships. The motion passed.

Dr. Brenner extended an invitation to anyone interested in attending a meeting. Mr. Jerry Hassinger, Endangered Species Coordinator for the PA Game Commission would be speaking at the Grove City College on Wednesday, May 2^nd at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Hassinger is a very interesting speaker and would be speaking on the economic value of wildlife.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Submitted and Certified By:

Clifford McCandless, Secretary - MCRPC

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com    www.mcrpc.com

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