Susquehanna County Blog

From Thompson:

Susquehanna County Commissioners
July 23, 2008
Agenda

1. Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at AM in the Lower Conference room in the County Office Building.

2. Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

4. Motion by Commissioner to correct/approve the minutes of the July 9, 2008 meeting. Second Commissioner

5. Motion by Commissioner to correct/approve the minutes of the July 17, 2008 special meeting.
Second Commissioner

Employee Years of Service Recognition: July - 5 Year Incremental Anniversaries. Joan Roberts, Prison, 15 years
Walter Welch, Prison, 20 years

6. Motion by Commissioner to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/08/2008 for $1,630.88 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/09/2008 for $199,433.95 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/15/2008 for $39,232.12 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/10/2008 for $106,513.67 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/23/2008 for $163,870.33 for Payroll Expenses
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/24/2008 for $59,479.30 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 07/23/2008 for $13,151.46 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 07/23/2008 for $7,205.77 for State Withholding taxes Second Commissioner

7. Motion by Commissioner to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for seminar requests:
-Laura Watts, Director of Elections and David Yulke, IT Director, Dickson City, July 23, 2008, Pennsylvania ES&S User Group Meeting, cost $39.88. Second Commissioner

8. Motion by Commissioner to appoint Jennifer Morelli, Recycling Coordinator, as the Project Officer and primary contact with the Department of Environmental Protection during the completion of the Scope of Work for the 901 Municipal Waste Planning Grant dated February 19, 2008.
Second Commissioner
9. Motion by Commissioner to authorize the Commissioners to sign the State Food Purchase Program Agreement between Susquehanna County and Trehab, dated July 1, 2008. Second Commissioner

10. Motion by Commissioner to exonerate the Tax Claim Bureau from collecting delinquent taxes regarding the following, per the recommendation of Catherine Benedict, Tax Claim Director:
a. Great Bend Township, Parcel No. 071.00-1,002.00,004., name of Randy Osterhout, consisting of trailer on Lot 4 in Hallstead Park, assessed at $300.00. The Assessment office removed from the rolls 01/08 as the trailer is gone. Total taxes to be exonerated $135.71.
b. Choconut Township, Parcel No. 024.02-1,051.00,007., name of Edwin Bryant Sr., consisting of a trailer in Choconut Valley Mob Ct., assessed at $1,700.00. The Assessment office exonerated from rolls 07/08 for all year as the trailer is gone from the trailer court. Total taxes to be exonerated $196.56.
Second Commissioner

11. Motion by Commissioner to authorize the Commissioners to sign the agreements dated July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009 between the Susquehanna County Drug & Alcohol Commission and the following entities:
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services, Scranton, PA Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Aliquippa, PA’
Second Commissioner

12. Motion by Commissioner to appoint the following to the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission:
Full Commission Appointments
Local Elected Officials: Commissioner MaryAnn Warren Commissioner Michael J. Giangrieco Commissioner Leon C. Allen

Members at Large: Dennis Phelps
David Darrow
Economic Development/
Planning Official: Katherine Shelly

Advisory Committee Appointments Economic Development: Robert Neira
Bill Dovin
Jack Taylor
Local Loan Review:
Tom Bush Rick Soden Jim Pietrowski

Rural Area Transportation:Joe Plonski Rudy Mattes Fred Benson

Workforce Development: Sam Anderson

Personnel Committee: Commissioner Leon Allen Commissioner Michael J. Giangrieco

Nominating Committee: Commissioner MaryAnn Warren Second Commissioner
13. Motion by Commissioner to adopt the Statement of Safety Policy, effective 01/07/2008.
Second Commissioner

Public Comment.
14. Motion by Commissioner to close the Commissioners’ Meeting. Second Commissioner
Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at am.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting and open the Salary Board Meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9:40am. ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk

CS-08-14 07-09-08
Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM in the Lower Conference Room in the County Office Building.
Susquehanna County Commissioners
Pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco
10
Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2008 meeting. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Employee Years of Service Recognition: July - 5 Year Incremental Anniversaries. Joan Roberts, Prison, 15 years
Walter Welch, Prison, 20 years

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 06/26/2008 for $332,913.08 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/02/2008 for $188,638.25 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 06/26/2008 for $74,640.24 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/09/2008 for $ 150,378.06 for Payroll Expenses
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/10/2008 for $ 55,996.59 for Federal Payroll taxes
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/10/2008 for $12,839.84 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/10/2008 for $6,804.28 for State Withholding taxes Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for seminar requests:
-Tracey Breslin, Children & Youth, Mayfield, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 8, 9, 22, 23, October 6, 7, 20, November 6, 17, December 1, 2, and 15, 2008, January 5, 6, 21 and February 2, 2009, Charting the Course Series (15 module series), total cost $1060., cost to the County $212.
-Raymond Totten, Children & Youth, Mayfield, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 8, 9, 22, 23, October 6, 7, 20, November 6, 17, December 1, 2, and 15, 2008, January 5, 6, 21 and February 2, 2009, Charting the Course Series (15 module series), total cost $1060., cost to the County $212.
-Jeffrey Shoemaker, James Gulbin, Joseph Barry, Phillip Crisp, Lisa Vail, Sami Bourizk, and Allen Smith, Probation, Wallenpaupak, PA, July 8, 2008 Firearm Education and Training Course 6 - Deadly Force Response and Decision Making, total cost $56.00, cost to the County $0.00.
-Joseph Barry, Probation, Lansdale, PA, September 22-23, 2008, Armorer Certification - SIG Sauer Pistols, total cost $848.00, cost to the County $0.00.
-Michele Jerauld, Linda Daly and Brenda Landes, Domestic Relations, Wilkes-Barre, August 1, 2008, Medical Support Enforcement and Procedures, total cost $91.50 cost to the County $31.11.
-Christine Lee, Domestic Relations, Wilkes-Barre, August 4-August 15, 2008, New Hire Training, total cost $815.00, cost to the County $277.10.
-Cathy Benedict and Cindy Oleniacz, Tax Claim, State College, October 21, 2008October 24, 2008, 2008 Tax Claim Bureau Annual Conference, cost $1050.00. Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to accept the quote for bottled water for the County from the low bidder, Endless Mountain Water Co., Tunkhannock for the period 08/01/2008 through 07/30/2010. The bid is for $2.95 per 5 gallon bottle plus rental for coolers - cold only $5 per month - hot/cold $6.00 per month.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
The other bid received was from J&J Springs, New Milford for $3.95 per bottle, no rental fees.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to allow the Commissioners to sign the agreements dated July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009 between the Susquehanna County Drug & Alcohol Commission and the following entities:
White Deer Run Inc. Williamsport, PA
Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. 901 6?‘ Avenue Altoona, PA
Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. 8257 h Avenue Altoona, PA
Choices Recovery Program Wilkes-Barre, PA
Choices At Nesbitt Kingston, PA
Eagleville Hospital Eagleville, PA Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to award the bid for carpeting in Children & Youth to Mainline Supply Corp., Binghamton, NY in the amount of $7,805. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried. There was one other bid - Rug Fair Commercial and Industrial Inc. for $7590. plus floor patches up to $1700. Mainline Supply included the floor patching in their price.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to exonerate the Tax Claim Bureau from collecting delinquent taxes regarding the following per the request of Catherine Benedict, Tax Claim Director:
Dimock Township, Parcel No. 163.03-2,001.00,001., name of Bob & Rose Carey, consisting of a trailer on E. Bunnell Jr. land, assessed at $8700.00. Assessment removed from the rolls 05/01/2008 as the trailer is gone. Total tax to be exonerated $350.25.
Bridgewater Township, Parcel No. 161.08-1,042.00,012., name of David Rhodes, consisting of trailer on Lot 12 in Shady Lane Trailer Park, assessed at $12,400.00. Assessment office removed from the rolls 06/24/08 as the trailer is gone. Total tax to be exonerated $1887.16.
Lathrop Township, Parcel No. 240.00-1,055.00,006., name of Joseph Labour, consisting of a trailer on TGJSM LLC Land, Assessed at $2000.00. Assessment office removed from the rolls as gone. Total tax to be exonerated $135.63.
Oakland Township, Parcel No. 054.00-1,001.00,020., name of Robert F & Teri L Weida, consisting of a trailer in Oakland Trailer Park Lot 20, assessed at $500.00. Assessment office removed from the rolls as gone. Total tax to be exonerated is $111.33. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to accept the bid from Mirabito for the period 08/01/2008 - 07/31/2009. The fixed price method will be used from October 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 for #2 fuel oil at $4.63 per gallon and the fixed price method for dyed 500ppm kerosene for the same period at $4.99 per gallon. The Changing price per gallon will be used for the balance of the bid year and will be billed at Vestal - Valero terminal per gallon price plus a fixed differential per gallon of .23 cents for #2 fuel oil and the Vestal Conaco terminal per gallon price plus a fixed differential per gallon of .28 cents per gallon. Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9: 14am.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk Susquehanna County Commissioners

CS-08-15 07-17-08

Commissioner Warren called the Special meeting to order at 8:33AM in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room in the Susquehanna County Courthouse.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to accept with regret the resignation of Kevin Pietriyk, 911 System Manager/Database Analyst, effective August 30, 2008. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to accept the resignation of William Zick, No Till Specialist, effective July 26, 2008.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to hire Amanda C. Russell, Montrose, to the open, full-time position of Assistant Director of Elections/Assistant Voter Registrar, 40 hours per week, Range 10, Rate $9.70 per hour as previously set by the Salary Board, with a six month probation period and benefits per the Residual Bargaining Unit Contract, effective hire date 07/21/2008, per the recommendation of Laura Watts, Director of Elections. Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting and open the Salary Board Meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjoumed at 8:35am. ATTEST: APPROVED:

Jul 25, 5:07 AM

Recently, Thompson suggested that it would be good if someone would post a copy of the minutes of the Commissioners’ Meetings. 

Two items about this great idea which need to be noted. 

The first is that the minutes are available for the previous meeting - after- they are approved.  The reason for that is simple.  If there is an error, they shouldn’t be made public until they have been corrected and approved by the Commissioners.  I have found this to be the way business is conducted in various local government meetings attended over the years.  If a copy is provided before the meeting, it is assumed to be a draft, rather than the approved version.  So, in the end, a copy of the official minutes posted on this blog would be roughly two weeks or so after the meeting.  If that is of interest to the readers, then the second item needs to be addressed.

The second item is the mechanics of how to get the approved minutes from the Commissioners’ meeting converted to electronic form and ultimately posted here.  First, someone would have to pick up a copy and then, for the somewhat technically minded, they would need to be scanned in and saved as a PDF and posted as a link here. 

Again, this writer would look forward to being able to post these minutes for the general public to read.  Even if they are a couple of weeks old they would offer insight as to how our Commissioners work and ultimately represent us.

Of course, if someone, or more than one, wanted to actually cover the meetings on a non-partisan basis….   In addition to having the minutes from the previous meeting, this would help make the Commissioners’ actions a little more transparent and make the information a lot more relevant.

All right.  Volunteers?