Meeting Minutes
Mercer County
Regional Planning Commission
TUESDAY, October 29, 2002
7:30 PM - MCRPC OFFICES, HERMITAGE
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MUNICIPALITY
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PRESENT
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ABSENT
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FARRELL CITY
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Jerry Miller
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Mark A. Petrillo
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HERMITAGE CITY
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James Pat White
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James A. Rollinson
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Rita
Ferringer |
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James Pat White
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SHARON CITY
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Stephen Theiss
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Frank Smeraglia
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George
Gulla
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Lou Rotunno |
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CLARK BOROUGH
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Robert Tomko
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James Carucci, Jr.
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FREDONIA BOROUGH
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Larry McAdams
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Patricia McAdams
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GREENVILLE BOROUGH
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Burroughs Price
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Pamela S. Auchter
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GROVE CITY BOROUGH
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Clifford McCandless
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Thomas D. Shaffer,
Jr.
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JACKSON CENTER BOROUGH
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Todd Sturgeon
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JAMESTOWN BOROUGH
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Darryl Pinney
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Doug
McElhaney
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MERCER BOROUGH
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Jerry Johnson
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Jim
Carnes |
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NEW LEBANON BOROUGH
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Janice Good
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Mary A. Ziegler
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SANDY LAKE BOROUGH
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Carol Paul
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Robert W. Kaltenbaugh
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SHARPSVILLE BOROUGH
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Alex Kovach
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Bob Piccirilli
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STONEBORO BOROUGH
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Samuel A. Scott
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WEST MIDDLESEX BOROUGH
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Linda Bollinger
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Raymond Lucich, Jr.
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WHEATLAND BOROUGH
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Thomas R. Stanton
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Ray Foster |
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FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP
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Jane Clark
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Mont Clark
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FINDLEY TOWNSHIP
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Elliott Lengel
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John B. Courtney
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HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Pamela Brown
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Russell L. Dawes
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP
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Linda L. Baun
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Mary Gealy
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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Richard H. McCullough
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Bert Weston
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
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Ron Faull
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Dave Beatty |
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NEW VERNON TOWNSHIP
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Albert
W. Law
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Frank Cochran
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OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Richard Straub
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Paulette Young
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PERRY TOWNSHIP
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Richard Marshall
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PINE TOWNSHIP
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H. Thomas Paxton
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Fred
Brenner |
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PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Walter L. Weir, Jr.
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James M. Kaller |
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SHENANGO TOWNSHIP
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Charles Gilliland
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S. PYMATUNING TOWNSHIP
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Mike Nashtock
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Mourice Waltz
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
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Larry T. Gruntz
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Judy
L. Hassler
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WILMINGTON TOWNSHIP
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Charles Garrett
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Jeff Hoy
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WOLF CREEK TOWNSHIP
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Mark Smith
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Jim Morton
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MERCER COUNTY
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James L. Hogan
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Patty Meehan
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Michelle Brooks
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Julie Widel
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Regina Ehrhart
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Patty McClusky |
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Jeff Fiedler
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Jean Hodge |
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BOROUGHS ASSOCIATION
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David George
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SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION
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COUNTY COMMISSIONER
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Olivia M. Lazor
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STAFF
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OTHERS PRESENT
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Dennis
G. Puko, Executive Director
Dan Gracenin, Assistant Director
Jeremy Coxe, Planner
Fred Frank, Planner
Chris Conti, Senior Planner
Carmen Reichard, Program Admin. |
Attorney
Robert G. Kochems, Solicitor
Kenneth Weaver, Greenville Borough
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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 present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY AGENDA
ITEM
There were no public comments.
MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 24,
2002 MEETING
A motion was made by Ms. Hodge
and seconded by Mr. Faull to approve the Minutes of the September 24, 2002
meeting with no additions, corrections, or deletions. The motion passed.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Mr. Stanton, Treasurer
presented the September 2002 Financial Statement. A motion was made by Mr.
Beatty and seconded by Mr. Tomko to approve the September 2002 Financial
Statement as presented. The motion passed.
STAFF REPORTS
Mr. Conti stated that he
submitted an application on behalf of Jackson Township to DCNR for a Land
Acquisition Project for the Neer Farm Park. This project would acquire almost
1,000 acres of a reclaimed strip mine to preserve as an open space and passive
recreation area. The site adjoins approximately 500 acres of state game land.
Total cost of the project is $1,000,000. The Township was requesting $500,000,
which would be matched by the Township.
Mr. Frank stated that he has
been working with Jamestown Borough officials on their "Draft"
Zoning Ordinance. A public meeting would be held on November 12, 2002, with
the public hearing scheduled for December. Four zoning districts would be
created, with detailed provisions on Signs, Parking and Landscaping. If anyone
is interested in viewing this ordinance, they can view it on our web site or
give him a call.
Mr. Coxe stated again for
those who were not at the last Commission meeting that he had redesigned our
web site, which has a lot of different information. Our web address is
www.mcrpc.com.
Mr. Blakesley updated everyone
on the Depot System. The depots are located in Jamestown Borough, West
Middlesex Borough, Wilmington Township, Findley Township and the Shenango
Valley Mall. Sites are open for business 24 hours a day/7 days a week and are
available for all Mercer County residents. He stated that we are
contracted with the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments to have
drivers pick up the recyclables from these sites. From September 16, 2002 to
October 28, 2002, 64.67 tons of recyclable materials had been delivered to the
recycling (processing) center, which is very good.
Mr. Gracenin updated everyone
on how the change in the urbanized area was going to affect our Metropolitan
Planning Organization (MPO). A meeting was held on October 4th in
Youngstown, OH, which was very well attended. It was determined that we are
going to be able to maintain our MPO status, but would need to coordinate more
with the Youngstown MPO area. He noted that we would be required to coordinate
a Congestion Management System, and have one in common, with the Youngstown
MPO area. Also, projects of major regional significance would be discussed to
share ideas and see how it might affect each other across the border. The
Transit issue is still unresolved over how the funding is going to be shared
with the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service and the Warren Western Reserve
Transit Authority in Youngstown, Ohio.
Mr. Puko thanked those who
attended the Commission’s 50th Anniversary Open House. He also
thanked all the communities that passed a Resolution for Planning Great
Communities Month. He stated that both of our houses of the legislature and
the governor enacted similar proclamations. He reminded everyone of our 50th
Anniversary Banquet which will be held on Friday, December 6, 2002 at the
Rosemont Banquet Center. He noted that many staff members attended the PPA
Conference in State College this year. Mr. Jim Rollinson was recognized with a
Distinguished Leadership Award for a citizen planner. He was cited for the
fact that he has served 33 years of service with the Hermitage Planning
Commission and 30 years of service with the Mercer County Regional Planning
Commission and all of the work he has done in conjunction with those years of
service.
ZONING & SUBDIVISION
REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Scott, Chairman, reported
that the Committee met prior to tonight’s meeting, a quorum was present and
took action on the following items:
1. Subdivision Modification
Request – Shenango Township – Mr.
Scott stated that the applicant is requesting a modification of the Mercer
County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to allow a cul-de-sac of
greater than 1,000 feet and to handle more than 250 average vehicle trips per
day. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and seconded by Mr. Hogan to approve the
modification with the condition that the plan show future extensions to
neighboring properties with the intent that some day, this development can tie
into neighboring developments, thus no longer making this a cul-de-sac. The
motion passed with 1 objection.
2. Jamestown Borough Zoning
Ordinance – Mr. Scott stated that
Jamestown Borough has a draft zoning ordinance that they would like to present
at a public meeting on November 12, 2002. A motion was made by Mr. Scott and
seconded by Mr. Price to approve the draft Jamestown Borough Zoning Ordinance.
The motion passed with Michelle Brooks abstaining. Ms. Brooks stated that the
zoning ordinance was much needed for the Borough and thanked the Commission
for their assistance in all of their hard work.
FINANCE & PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE REPORT
Dr. Brenner, Chairman,
reported that the Committee met on October 22, 2002 and took action on the
following item:
1. MCRPC Preliminary 2003
Budget – Dr. Brenner stated that the
Long Range Budget Worksheet and Member Participation Fees Worksheet was
distributed to those in attendance. The Committee recommended approval of the
preliminary budget for the year 2003, which projected a 3% increase in member
participation fees. The fee increase is necessary to balance the coming year
budget. Mr. Puko highlighted on a few items regarding the Mercer County Solid
Waste Authority stating that they have begun some deliberations on the value
of establishing their own independent operation and office. The MCSWA also
suggested that that discussion take place in the year 2003 and that the
operation of the Authority remain under the Commission for the year 2003. Mr.
Puko also highlighted Commission members on the CDBG program stating that
there would be large revenue expected in the next two years, which would
basically be a catch-up of unbilled effort from prior years. He also noted
that the Commission should receive income on Special Project Grants projected
under the 2003 and 2004 budget, which is unpredictable based on the Commission’s
ability to obtain special project grants. A motion was made by Dr. Brenner and
seconded by Mr. Price to approve the preliminary 2003 budget as recommended by
the Committee. The motion passed.
DECEMBER MEETING DATE
Mr. McAdams stated that a
December meeting date is not yet set. Traditionally, business is conducted at
the December dinner meeting. This year’s dinner meeting is the 50th
Anniversary Banquet and might not be appropriate for conducting business.
Three options were put on the floor. Mr. Puko stated that the Executive
Committee suggested conducting elections and any other business briefly before
the December 6th banquet and to delegate authority for December
action to committees. A motion was made by Dr. Brenner and seconded by Mr. Hoy
to hold the election of officers and any other business at the December 6th
banquet and authorize any other business that would be necessary during
December to the appropriate committees. The motion passed.
APPOINTMENT OF NOMINATING
COMMITTEE
Mr. McAdams appointed a
Nominating Committee consisting of Ron Faull, Jeff Hoy and Bud Price. The
Committee will present a recommendation for 2003 officers at the November
meeting. At the December meeting, nominations can be made from the floor and
the election of officers will be held. The 2003 officers will assume office on
the 1st of January.
PROGRAM
Mr. Gracenin introduced Mr.
Jim Thompson, Director of the Mercer County Emergency Management Agency. Mr.
Thompson stated that emergency planning actions in the Commonwealth of PA are
currently being revised. He distributed a draft copy to those in attendance
and stated that it should be approved by the Emergency Management Council of
the Commonwealth next week. He discussed current activities in emergency
management planning and their particular connection to community and land use
planning. He explained that the Robert T. Stafford Act was written by Tom
Ridge for emergency management back in the mid 80’s because of his
involvement, concerns and frustrations over the tornados in Mercer County back
in 1985. He noted that currently, 21 of the 48 municipalities in Mercer County
maintain an up-to-date emergency management plan. He also noted that we would
need to prepare communities to stand alone for at least 3 or 4 days in major
disasters. He noted that where they are heading with planning is to make it
easier and try to make it less cumbersome for communities. He noted that the
local EMA office is preparing a generic plan for communities to adopt if they
are interested. He highlighted other various issues throughout Mercer County
and Pennsylvania. He stated that things can be done on a regional basis as far
as planning and there are things that just need to be done locally in order to
step-up security. Questions and answers ensued.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Ehrhart stated that after
reading the September Minutes she noted that on a consistent basis there are a
lot of communities that do not show up for Commission meetings. We are usually
making quorums by one community. She suggested to the representatives present
that if they could discuss with their surrounding municipalities the
importance of being at our meetings. If these representatives are not
interested in being on our Board, then step aside and let someone else from
their community be on our Board.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business or
discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 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
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