TOWNSHIP OF O HARA COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2018

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1 TOWNSHIP OF O HARA COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES JANUARY 3, 2018 I. OPENING PROCEDURES A. Call to Order by President Smith at 8:15 p.m. B. Roll Call Council Members Present: Robert John Smith, President of Council; Charles A. Vogel, Vice-President of Council; George H. Stewart, Second Ward; Scott Frankowski, Third Ward; Allison Garcia, Fourth Ward; Cassandra Eccles, Fifth Ward; John R. Denny, Jr., At-Large Also Present: Ted Curran, Treasurer; Julie A. Jakubec, CPA, CGMA, Township Manager; Dan Garfinkel, Township Solicitor; Charles W. Steinert, Jr., P.E., Township Engineer; James R. Farringer, Superintendent of Police; Loren R. Kephart, Public Service Superintendent; Cathy Bubas, Manager s Secretary II. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION A. 575 Epsilon Application for Minor Land Development Manager Jakubec stated Rubinoff Company, owner of 575 Epsilon Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, is proposing to add 33 parking spaces in the front of the building. The Township Planning Commission reviewed the application at the December 18, 2017 meeting and has recommended that Council approve the plan subject to five conditions. Mr. Stewart questioned the purpose of additional parking, which Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. indicated to accommodate a new tenant. It was noted the additional parking would be located in the front of the building and would not affect any adjacent residents. The consensus of Council was to include a resolution on the January 9 th regular meeting agenda for consideration. B. Sciulli Plan of Lots Application for Minor Subdivision Manager Jakubec noted Sciulli Classic Homes is proposing to transfer a large strip of lot 291-F- 16 along Holland Drive to O Hara Township in exchange for a portion of Township right-of-way on Lots 291-F-17 and 291-B -75, in order to provide access to a future home. Due to a prior error in recording a plan with the Allegheny County Recorder of Deeds, this proposed plan cannot be recorded until the prior recording is corrected by the Township Solicitor. The Township Planning Council Workshop Minutes 1

2 Commission reviewed the application at the December 18, 2017 meeting and has recommended that Council approve the plan subject to correction of the prior recording. The Manager recalled the property was previously owned by Mr. Richard Chene. Mr. Sciulli purchased the property from Mr. Chene. Mr. Sciulli confirmed only one home would be built. Vice President Vogel recalled the prior history of transferring the properties. Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. explained issues between Mr. Chene and his neighbors with regard to moving the driveway could not be resolved, so Mr. Chene sold the property. The Manager noted the property transfer would expand the Nature Preserve. President Smith noted most of the land is located in the CD zoning district, which Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. confirmed. He also noted the 75-foot setback in the CD zone is unbuildable. There will be 30-foot front setback, and the front of the house will be located in the R-2 zoning district. The consensus of Council was to include a resolution for consideration on the January 9 th regular meeting agenda. III. CITIZEN COMMENTS CONCERNING NON-AGENDA ITEMS President Smith welcomed members in the audience. II. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION CONTINUED C. Option of Newly Elected Official(s) to Re-Open the 2018 Budget Manager Jakubec recalled after every election newly elected officials are given the option to reopen the budget. There was no interest in opening the 2018 budget. D. Council Goals/Objectives/Priorities for 2018 Mr. Denny, Jr. questioned when the review of the ten-year land use plan would begin. Manager Jakubec indicated discussion with Planning Commission would soon begin. She indicated the Long Range Comprehensive Plan is to be updated every ten years, and should be completed by She further noted the process. Mr. Denny, Jr. inquired about any major projects. Manager Jakubec noted the upcoming paving project, and data to extend the pedway / sidewalk. President Smith asked if staff had responded to RIDC, which the Manager confirmed an was sent to Mr. Kight. Manager Jakubec stated the trail is in at woodland Park. She suggested continuing planting edible plants. The Manager noted the Library has requested to be a Township Partner so they can have programs in Township parks. Council Workshop Minutes 2

3 Mr. Frankowski inquired about the proposed R-47 riverfront development. Manager Jakubec recalled discussion about bridges along Freeport Road and Highland Park Bridge with Penn D.O.T. representatives. E. Appointing Delegates to Various Boards and Agencies The following is a list of current Delegates serving on various Boards and Agencies: North Hills Council of Governments Board of Delegates Municipal Risk Management Board of Delegates ( MRM ) Fire Funding & Safety Committee Allegheny River Towns Enterprise Zone, Inc. ( ARTEZ ) Northern Basin Advisory Board Community Center Association Board Ted Curran, Delegate Allison Garcia, Alternate Delegate Scott Frankowski, Delegate Mark F. Rothert, Alternate Delegate Charles A. Vogel, Council Dempsey D. Bruce, III, Citizen Scott Frankowski, Municipal John R. Denny, Jr., Alternate Municipal John Arch, Business Ron Edwards, Alternate Business Charles A. Vogel, Council Mark Rothert, Council Cassandra Eccles, Alternate Council It was noted that ARTEZ has been dissolved. After Mr. Frankowski and President Smith explained the duties involved with MRM, Mr. Stewart agreed to serve at Alternate Delegate. Mr. Rothert had previously requested to continue to serve on the Community Center Association Board to which Council was agreeable. All other Council Members agreed to continue to serve on the respective Boards / Agencies. Motion by Mr. Frankowski to appoint the above listed individuals to the respective Boards / Agencies, with Mr. Stewart serving as Alternate Delegate to the MRM Board of Delegates, was seconded by Ms. Eccles and carried unanimously. F. Solicitor s December 5, 2017 Invoice Mr. Frankowski presented a question concerning an item on the subject invoice which staff answered satisfactorily. Council Workshop Minutes 3

4 G. Proposed January 9, 2018 Regular Meeting Agenda It was noted item G. on the proposed agenda is to be removed. IV. CONCERNS OF COUNCIL Ms. Eccles commented that the Falconhurst emergency exit looks very good. Mr. Frankowski inquired about the status of Periwinkles, which Mr. Steinert, Jr., P.E. indicated they had not yet applied for permits. Mr. Stewart inquired about the status of the In and Out Market on Powers Run Road. The Manager indicated she had heard it was leased. She also noted there has been no news on the proposed Fresh Market. Mr. Frankowski inquired about the status of the proposed Cascades Plan, but staff had not received any update. Mr. Curran stated he and others in the neighborhood had rented skis and equipment from Eastern H20, but they are no longer in business. He questioned what to do with the equipment. Manager Jakubec indicated she would contact the landlord. Mr. Stewart asked if Vice President Vogel had reviewed the solar calculations for Kerr Elementary School, which Vice President Vogel affirmed, adding he consulted his neighbor, Dr. Rob Sroufe, Chair of the Sustainability Department at Duquesne University. Vice President Vogel stated his neighbor agreed that the calculations only include half of the cost savings; it did not include the transmission and generation. When questioned about the capacity factor that was assumed, Dr. Sroufe indicated they were probably the wrong numbers to use. Vice President Vogel stated his neighbor would like to be involved in discussions with the school district. He also requested Council s approval to continue the discussion with Dr. Sroufe. Dr. Sroufe has graduate students that he would like to assign to this project and also knows of someone professionally, that he would like to include. Mr. Denny, Jr. did not recall what the school district had calculated in savings per year, and if the savings were doubled, what would it be. Vice President Vogel did not recall the amount of savings calculated by the school district. Mr. Denny, Jr. questioned what Council needs to do. Vice President Vogel stated the Township is not involved; it is a school district matter. Mr. Denny, Jr. noted the school district needs to come back to Council for final approval. Manager Jakubec explained that Council does not have the ability to hold up the approval if they use solar or not. The Township can suggest and encourage the use of solar energy, which is why she recommended they meet with Lalit Chordia of Thar Energy, and should be educated from an expert like Dr. Sroufe from Duquesne University, but if the school district does not want to install solar energy, the Township does not have authority to force it on them. Mr. Denny, Jr. asked what the best route is to make sure the school district hears Council s suggestion and get Dr. Sroufe involved. The Manager recommended she contact Dr. Freeman, School District Superintendent, to arrange a meeting with Vice President Vogel and Dr. Sroufe about solar energy, after having reviewed the Council Workshop Minutes 4

5 document. Mr. Frankowski suggested including the geothermal folks from RIDC Park in the meeting. Manager Jakubec noted the school district representatives did meet with Lalit and toured the facility. Mr. Stewart stated his daughter Natalie, works for the Green Building Alliance and one of the guys over there is also very interested. Manager Jakubec suggested Mr. Stewart and his daughter tour the Thar Energy facility because the technology is amazing. Mr. Frankowski requested to be included on the tour. V. CONCERNS OF STAFF Manager Jakubec referenced her concerning the passing of Jack Claus, a long-time member of the Planning Commission. The Manager informed Council that the Township once again received the GFOA Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for the 2016 CAFR. Manager Jakubec requested Council to remain after the meeting for a brief Executive Session to discuss labor and legal matters. VI. ADJOURNMENT President Smith requested visitors in the audience to wait in the lobby while Council conducts a brief Executive Session. The workshop adjourned at 8:48 p.m. and Council proceeded directly into Executive Session. A congratulatory reception followed Executive Session. Cathy Bubas, Manager s Secretary Council Workshop Minutes 5