March 28, 2018 McKean County Commissioners in regular session assembled on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 3:00 PM in the Commissioners meeting room. Present were Commissioners Clifford Lane and Carol Duffy, Chief Clerk, Audrey Irons, and County Solicitor, Dan Hartle. Also present were Fran DeLancey, Ted Lutz, Angelia Tennies, and Jeremy Morey. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Lane, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Mrs. Duffy Mentioned that on March 13 she attended the Workforce Solutions program they had a contest for the kids about What s So Cool About Manufacturing it was a video contest it was really nice because there were different manufactures that allowed the kids to come to their facility and then they had create a two and half minute video and then they were judged this contest featured kids 11 teams from Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties. The McKean County schools that participated were Bradford, Kane, and Port Allegany they were 7 th and 8 th graders it was a neat opportunity for them the Bradford students worked with Graham Packaging and they won the outstanding creativity award the Kane students worked with Dangelo s Custom Built and they got the second place viewer s choice award the Port Allegany students worked with Allegheny Bradford Corporation a huge thank you goes out to these manufacturing facilities that let the kids come in I talked to the gentlemen from Cutco the Oswayo Valley students went there he said they really appreciated the kids coming in and their employees also appreciated them coming in and it was really a good experience for everybody. She and Cliff attended the CCAP Conference last week and there were different breakout sessions that they attended one in particular was working with your municipalities and we discussed different objective, pitfalls, and opportunities the one that was talked about the most was the area of our emergency services and it was amazing to see how many counties are struggling with the same issues that we are our advisory board met last night and reviewed our status of trying to get our program established for the Essential Emergency Services Training Program they have one month to come up with $100,000 in order for their program to be put in place sixteen municipalities and 3 counties have provided financial support to date and with that they have managed to raise $192,500 and they have raised another $60,000 from local businesses, the VFW, the legions, the memorial park and some emergency services, but they still need another $100,000 to get the program started they are really close to their goal they are waiting to see what happens during the next month that is their time line to get the program started. They are optimistic, but they need help there are big outreach efforts going on, but they are down to the wire. Moved by Mrs. Duffy, seconded by Mr. Lane, to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2018 meeting. Mr. Lane Opened the meeting for public comment. Moved by Mr. Duffy, seconded by Mr. Lane, to issue real estate tax refunds to the following: 1. American Refining Group, Inc. - $18,764.73 for property they own in Bradford City assessment was adjusted due to a Court Order Settlement, NO 442 C D 2017.
2. American Refining Group, Inc. - $2,461.19 for property they own in Foster Township assessment was adjusted due to a Court Order Settlement, NO 442 C D 2017. Mrs. Tennies This was 15 properties that they appealed the appeal was opened up officially in 2016 their hearing was held on May 10, 2017 the beginning assessed value on the 15 properties was 6,125,220 on May 10, 2017 the Appeal Board lowered the assessments on the properties to 5,331,897 ARG took us to the Court of Common Pleas and through negotiation there was a settlement that was agreed upon by all 3 taxing authorities to establish the overall assessed value on the 15 properties at 3,400,000 and at the same time this process was going on they built a new building and we added that new building to the assessment rolls at 1,400,000 on the new structure that building was not part of the settlement so when it was all done we are looking at a 4,800,000 value over all for the 15 properties. This settlement also affects the 2018 taxes the refund also includes 6 % interest from the appeal hearing that was held on May 10, 2017. Moved by Mrs. Duffy, seconded by Mr. Lane, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with North Central Pa. Regional Planning and Development Commission to collaborate in the development of a Multi-County Comprehensive Plan. Jeremy Morey We are going to try a new tactic this time around with our comprehensive plan McKean, Cameron, and Potter Counties are all going to band together and do one comprehensive plan since no county really wanted to take the ball and run with the money North Central has agreed to be our fiscal agent so this is just an agreement that says that we will pay a certain portion of that comprehensive plan they have Michael Baker on retainer so we didn t have to do any kind of advertising it is going to cost $115,000 and each county will pay $12,000 to $13,000 so McKean County is getting a $115,000 comprehensive plan for $12,000 and this is just an agreement saying we agree to pay that and North Center will be the fiscal agent. Mr. Lane Comprehensive plans are recommended to be done every 10 years there was one done in 2007- we want to put together a plan that won t just set on a shelf. Mr. Morey We are looking at a goal oriented plan all 3 counties have expressed to Michael Baker that the plan not be over 50 pages they actually have goals in mind and they want a plan they can actually use and adapt as they go along. Mr. Lane Mentioned that the current 2007 plan did not cover anything on Marcellus Shale drilling. Systems (KOS) for leasing a copy machine for the Human Resources Department. The lease is $87.66 per month for 5 years and the maintenance agreement is $.069 per copy for color copies and $.0069 for black and white copies.
Systems (KOS) for leasing a copy machine for the Department of Human Services. The lease is $104.65 per month for 5 years and the maintenance agreement is $.0069 per copy. Systems (KOS) for leasing a copy machine for the McKean County Conservation District. The lease is $125.30 per month for 5 years and the maintenance agreement is $.069 for color copies and $.0069 for black and white copies. Moved by Mrs. Duffy, seconded by Mr. Lane, to enter into a monthly rental agreement with Smethport Self Storage for the Children s Advocacy Center. The cost is $65.00 per month for 1 year. Mr. Lane This is a case where they do take donations at the Children s Advocacy Center and they have some seasonal things they have kept and they are running out of storage space they actually have some stuff stored at their houses so they need to rent storage space. Mrs. Duffy The cost is covered under a grant for the Children s Advocacy Center. Moved by Mrs. Duffy, seconded by Mr. Lane, to adopt the following proclamation. PROCLAMATION NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 2018 WHEREAS, McKean County libraries have long served as trusted and treasured institutions, and library workers and librarians fuel efforts to better their communities, campuses and schools; WHEREAS, McKean County librarians are organizers and information experts who for centuries have guided people to the best information resources. Librarians provide the expertise, services and guidance for patrons to access credible sources and information, making their own informed decisions about the worlds they navigate; WHEREAS, McKean County librarians continue to fulfill their role in leveling the playing field for all who seek information and access to technologies, particularly as society continues to transition the way in which information is shared and explored across a digital landscape; WHEREAS, McKean County libraries and librarians offer more than books, offering opportunities for community engagement and delivering new services that more closely connect communities and their needs;
WHEREAS, April 10 is National Library Workers Day, a day for all library staff, volunteers and supporters to highlight the immeasurable contributions made by libraries; April 11 is National Bookmobile Day, a day recognizing the importance of libraries being available beyond their physical structure; and April 12 is honored as Take Action for Libraries day, a day which encourages everyone to recognize how libraries enhance communities and the quality of life for the patrons served; WHEREAS, McKean County libraries and librarians open a world of possibilities through introductions to STEM programs, workforce development, nutrition and physical activity programs, life-planning seminars and instilling a sense of the power of reading and lifelong education; WHEREAS, McKean County libraries support democracy and effect social change through their commitment to providing equitable access to information for all library users regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status; WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Library Association s PA Forward initiative provides a collective voice for libraries throughout the commonwealth to tell their stories and build capacity for the work they do with and for patrons; WHEREAS, McKean County libraries work to serve all community members, including people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and the most vulnerable in our communities, offering services and educational resources that transform communities, open minds and promote inclusion and diversity; WHEREAS, Pennsylvania libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library Week, which is celebrating its 60 th year in 2018; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the McKean County Commissioners proclaim National Library Week, April 8-14, 2018. Residents are encouraged to visit their local libraries this week and beyond, exploring all the libraries have to offer. Remember, literacy is power. Libraries provide the fuel to move Pennsylvania forward. Mrs. Duffy Mentioned they met with the library association on February 9, 2018 they met with all the McKean County librarians and the regional librarian and they gave us some very interesting statistics items loaned in 2017 were 101,910 number of items in library collections were 141,772 they talked about their internet and how the libraries use the technology centers McKean County libraries are community hubs they gave us the number of programs the number of times people use the library and a graph broken down by adults, teens and children that use the libraries. Mr. Lane Mentioned that we have 5 libraries in McKean County there is one in Kane, Mt. Jewett, Bradford, Port Allegany, and Smethport.
Mr. Lane Opened the meeting for public comment. No public comment. Moved by Mrs. Duffy, seconded by Mr. Lane, to adjourn the meeting. Chief Clerk