Meeting Minutes

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission
TUESDAY, May 28, 2002
7:30 PM - MCRPC OFFICES, HERMITAGE

MUNICIPALITY	PRESENT	ABSENT
FARRELL CITY		Jerry Miller
		Mark A. Petrillo
HERMITAGE CITY	Rita Ferringer	James A. Rollinson
		James Pat White
SHARON CITY		Frank Smeraglia
		George Gulla
		Stephen Theiss
		Lou Rotunno
CLARK BOROUGH	Robert Tomko	James Carucci, Jr.
FREDONIA BOROUGH	Larry McAdams
	Patricia McAdams
GREENVILLE BOROUGH	Burroughs Price
GROVE CITY BOROUGH	Clifford McCandless	Thomas D. Shaffer, Jr.
JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH		Todd Sturgeon
JAMESTOWN BOROUGH	Doug McElhaney	Darryl Pinney
MERCER BOROUGH	Jim Carnes	Jerry Johnson
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		Linda Bollinger
		Raymond Lucich, Jr.
WHEATLAND BOROUGH		Thomas R. Stanton
		Ray Foster
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP		Jane Clark
		Mont Clark
FINDLEY TOWNSHIP		Elliott Lengel
		John B. Courtney
HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP		Pamela Brown
		Russell L. Dawes
JACKSON TOWNSHIP		Linda L. Baun
		Mary Gealy
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP		Bert Weston
		Richard H. McCullough
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP	Ron Faull
	Dave Beatty
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		Walter L. Weir, Jr.
		James M. Kaller
SHENANGO TOWNSHIP		Kristen Robinson
		Charles Gilliland
S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP		Mike Nashtock
		Mourice Waltz
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP	Judy L. Hassler	Larry T. Gruntz
WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP		Jeff Hoy
		Charles Garrett
WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP	Mark Smith	Michael J. Montanile
MERCER COUNTY	James L. Hogan	Jean Hodge
	Michelle Brooks	Patty Meehan
	Regina Ehrhart	Julie Widel
	Jeff Fiedler
	Patty McClusky
BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION		David George
SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
COUNTY COMMISSIONER	Olivia M. Lazor

 

STAFF	OTHERS PRESENT
Dennis G. Puko, Executive Director Dan Gracenin, Assistant Director Don Blakesley, Recycling Coordinator Jeremy Coxe, Planner Fred Frank, Planner Chris Conti, Senior Planner	Norman Straub, Filer Development

 

CALL TO ORDER

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

 

PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mr. Cliff McCandless, 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. Mr. Puko distributed copies of the 2001 MCRPC audit for Commission members to review. He stated that we would act on this item later. Also, he circulated flyers on various workshops and training, which might interest those who might not have seen them and would like to attend.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA ITEM

There were no public comments.

 

MINUTES OF THE APRIL 23, 2002 MEETING

A motion was made by Mr. Price and seconded by Mr. McElhaney to approve the Minutes of the April 23, 2002 meeting with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Mr. McCandless presented the Financial Statement in the absence of Mr. Stanton, Treasurer. Mr. Puko noted that the Commission funds have been tight, but we have been able to manage the cash flow to stay okay. A motion was made by Mr. Paxton and seconded by Ms. Ferringer to approve the April 2002 Financial Statement as presented. The motion passed.

 

STAFF REPORTS

Mr. Frank reported that the "Draft" Stoneboro Borough Zoning Ordinance has been forwarded on to Borough Council for their review.

Mr. Blakesley noted that we are getting closer in finalizing the Countywide Recycling Center Depots for Mercer County. Equipment should be arriving by the end of next month and would be setting them up one at a time at 8 different locations. The Mercer County Regional Council of Governments would run the system. Press releases should be in the papers soon to help promote the depot systems.

Mr. Gracenin updated everyone on the transportation program adoption process. The MPO Committee would soon advertise a 30-day comment period in the paper for adoption prior to July 18th. A public hearing would be held the day before the MPO meeting, which has not been set. If anyone is interested in viewing the list or has any questions, please give him a call.

Mr. Puko stated that the Census Bureau issued a notice stating that Mercer County could no longer stand alone as the Shenango Valley Urbanized Area, since the Shenango Valley population dropped below 50,000 for this certain population density within block groups. A determination would not be forthcoming for at least another year. He noted that not only did Mercer County loose their independent urbanized status; we would probably loose our independent metro area status. He noted that most likely Mercer County would be merged with Youngstown, Ohio, which would be a Youngstown Urbanized Area and Youngstown Metro Area.

Mr. Puko noted that DCED encouraged MCRPC to put together a series of applications related to updating the Mercer County Comprehensive Plan and multi-municipal plans for the Grove City and Greenville areas.

Mr. Puko also noted that during the month he has noticed a lot of statewide officials in Mercer County. Mrs. Lazor stated that we have a lot of new people in these positions and they want to be known.

 

ZONING & SUBDIVISION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Scott, Chairman, reported that the Committee met last week, a quorum was present and took action on the following item:

1. Major Subdivision - Final Plan – New England Estates – 37 lots - Pine Township – Mr. Scott stated that the Committee reviewed this final plan. He noted that a pressurized sewer providing service to all lots would connect into the municipal sewer system and water would be provided by on-lot water systems. Staffordshire Drive is the new road that would provide access for the subdivision to Irishtown Road. The Committee approved this final plan with the condition that Mercer County, in addition to Pine Township be added as a beneficiary on the Letter of Credit. Mercer County has since been added as a beneficiary to the Letter of Credit, and thus the requirements for the Final Plan have all been met. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Paxton to approve the final plan for New England Estates. The motion passed. Mrs. Lazor asked for a clarification of the Letter of Credit. It was explained that the Letter of Credit states that the developer has the funds available for the construction of the street and all of the public facilities that are being constructed as part of the project. The Township Solicitor and the Solicitor for Mercer County would monitor this project.

2. Final Plan – Summit Estates Mobile Home Park – West Salem Township – Mr. Frank noted that the Committee did not review this item since the developer did not have all the final plan submission requirements.

 

REPORT ON 2001 MCRPC AUDIT

Mr. Gracenin, Assistant Director, reviewed the audit report. He noted that the Commission’s financial statements for the year were acceptable and that no significant findings were found. He noted that over the course of the next couple of years, there would be more for the accountant to take care of, such as changing from a cash basis to an accrual basis. Also, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board issued Statement Number 34, which would significantly change financial reporting requirements for state, and local governments, which would take effect in calendar year 2004. A motion was made by Mr. Lazor and seconded by Mr. McElhaney to approve the 2001 MCRPC Audit. The motion passed.

 

UPDATE ON SHENANGO VLLEY CONSOLIDATION STUDY

Mr. Puko stated that the Shenango Valley Consolidation Study is nearing completion of a "single-city model". The 25-member committee will have significant debate as it reaches its conclusion of whether it believes the consolidation is feasible and should be recommended. So far, MCRPC has provided information and staff to assist in the development of this consolidation model. Upon completion of this model, Mr. Puko asked if MCRPC should take and advocate a position and how should the position be developed and decided. A resident of Hermitage stated that they felt 5 local governments were unnecessary and it was time for change. It was also noted that we should be bold and we should see opportunity in taking these steps. People should not be afraid of changes in order to be successful. Mr. Puko stated that there are still some issues to deal with related to sewers and police departments. He noted that he would present this again at our September full commission meeting for report and action.

 

UPDATE ON GROWING GREENER PROJECT

Mr. Puko noted that the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Graney, Grossman, Ray & Associates put a proposal together in order for Mercer County and MCRPC be a model area in which conservation development regulations might be implemented. MCRPC proposes to consider conservation subdivision as an option in the ordinance and develop marketing and education information to encourage developers to choose the conservation option, but not make it the only development option in the county subdivision ordinance. He noted that Randall Arendt via the Natural Lands Trust is asking MCRPC to respond to the Natural Lands Trust Proposal. A motion was made by Mr. Paxton and seconded by Mr. Price that we not accept the Natural Lands Trust proposal. The motion passed.

 

50^TH ANNIVERSARY PICNIC & OTHER UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Mr. Puko reminded everyone of the upcoming 50^th Anniversary Homecoming Picnic on June 28 at Grove City Park. He would encourage those to attend and participate in golf, games, tell stories and get acquainted.

 

AUTHORIZATION FOR COMMITTEES TO ACT ON BEHALF OF FULL COMMISSION IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST

A motion was made by Ms. Lazor and seconded by Mr. Tomko to authorize the Committees of the Commission to act on behalf of the full Commission in the months of June, July and August. The motion passed.

 

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business or discussion, the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.

Submitted and Certified By:

James Pat White, Secretary - MCRPC

 

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

 

home    about mcrpc    planning projects    community development    transportation    zoning    subdivision