Venango County Commissioners Approve Use of Act 13 Funds for Acel Road Bridge Repair in Plum Twp.

| February 15, 2017

Venango Commisioners
FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) – The Venango County Commissioners Tuesday approved the use of $55,000 in Act 13 funds go to Plum Township for the repair of the Acel Road Bridge.

The bridge is considered a structurally deficient bridge.

According to Planning Commission Executive Director Jason Ruggiero, work on the bridge will most likely begin in the spring with Plum Township having received bids for the welding work from Shindledecker’s Welding in Franklin.

Act 13 funding is derived from the impact fees from Marcellus Shale well drilling, which exceed over $187 million in 2015 according to www.stateimpact.npr.org.

In other Planning Commission-related moves the commissioners approved the Venango County Household Hazardous Water Grant for a total of $18,600 with $3,720 coming from the county and officially approved a Consolidated Capital Assistance Grant for the tearing down of the Oil City Parking Garage in the amount of $723,000 with $699,683 of that coming from the state.

COMMISSIONERS DECLARE MARCH 5-11 MS AWARENESS WEEK

The commissioners proclaimed that March 5-11 will be MS Awareness Week. The proclamation stated that over 23,000 people in Pennsylvania are afflicted with MS with most of them being between the ages of 20- and 50-years old and that raising awareness and helping find a cure is what the week is about.

FEB. 22 TO BE STEPHEN KOSAK DAY IN VENANGO COUNTY

Feb. 22 was declared Stephen Kosak Day in Venango County. Kosack was recently named the “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” in the county.

“We are fortunate to have some of his caliber in the county,” commissioner Albert “Chip” Abramovic said.

COURT ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS

The commissioners ratified an agreement for $1,295.16 with Hicks Office Equipment for the copier/fax machine in District Judge Fish’s office as well as an agreement with Multi-Health Systems for software that will be paid through a CDC grant. The commissioners also approved a contract with the Erie County Corner’s Office.

PRISON BUSINESS

A Memorandum of Understanding regarding SAVIN Maintenance and Service Relations between the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute and Venango County was approved. SAVIN is the system that notifies victims when the person who committed the crime against them has been released from prison.

The commissioners also ratified an agreement with Lexis/Nexis to provide for a law library at the Venango County Jail as required by law.

COMMUNITY SERVICE ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS

The commissioners approved an agreement with Mission Critical Partners to offer consulting to the county for its fiber network at a cost to not exceed $20,000 for the year, while also approving an award of 911 Statewide Interconnectivity funding for an upgrade of the computer systems which is part of a four county collaboration that also includes Mercer, Butler and Lawrence counties.

A five-year agreement with CDI Infrastructure, LLC doing business as L. R. Kimball for airport projects was also approved as was an engineering work order authorization for a wildlife fence project with L.R. Kimball.

AGREEMENT WITH FARMERS FOR TWO MILE RUN COUNTY PARK PLANTING

An agreement with four local farmers – Brent Denny, Louis Heath, Daniel Geer and Glenn Speer, to plant crops at Two Mile Run Park with some of the crops being left for wildlife, was approved.

In other Two Mile Run County Park business

  • Lance Bowes was reappointed to the Park Advisory Committee.
  • A three-month extension to the Two Mile Run Dam Riser and Outlet repair project with Horizon Construction Group, Inc. was approved. The extension is needed because of the weather and the high water at the dam making the repairs impossible.
  • An update was given on recent and upcoming park activities and events including last weekend annual WinterFest event and an April 22 5K Hero Dash Splash being held to help the Sugarcreek Police Union and Rocky Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
  • HUMAN SERVICE CONTINUATION AGREEMENTS AND ADDENDUMS RATIFIED

    The following continuation agreements through Human Services were ratified:

  • With Crawford County Mental Health Awareness Agreement Program to operate a life coach for individuals who are struggling in their efforts to build a sustainable life with the county to reimburse the provider for actual costs incurred to a maximum of $63,452
  • With the Titusville YMCA the provide housing support and emergency shelter to the maximum of $7,000 for individuals identified in Crawford County. Funds are made available through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the benefit of both Venango and Crawford counties. There is no local match requirements.
  • The following contract addendums were ratified

  • A contract with Hand in Hand Christian Counseling to provide transportation services to Venango County individuals as authorized by the County. The Provider will be reimbursed the sum of $10 to $25 per trip based upon distance from pickup to drop off locations. Should local match be required it will come from the existing match allocation.
  • A contract with Regional Counseling Center for the purpose of reimbursing the provider for representative payee services beyond the 30-person maximum defined in the original contract and as authorized by the County. Match will come from the existing match allocation.
  • A contract with Mustard Seed Missions of Venango County, Inc. for the purpose of reimbursing the Provider for the actual cost associated with the purchase and installation of security cameras and locks for the Bridge Housing Program to the maximum of $7,000. Local match will come from the existing match allocation.
  • A contract with Avanco International, Inc., to include MCO and MA billing interface, Eligibility Interface, and MH Vendor Invoice Interface. The total cost for the development and implementation of these additional components is $20,000. The local match will come from the existing match allocation./li>

    OTHER BUSINESS

  • Approved a license for use of facilities and/or provision of services with Clarion University of Pennsylvania for use of facilities for the upcoming election
  • Approved an agreement with Terry Williams to help prepare the voting machines for the election
  • Ratified agreements with attorneys Edward McIntyre and Virginia Sharp for services in Children and Youth Services. McIntyre represents parents and Sharp children in cases.
  • The commissioners entered into three Resource Family Agreements for the FOster Kinship Care Program.
  • Appointed James Himes to the Venango County Mental Health and Developmental Services, Substance Abuse Executive Commission and Children, Youth Services and Family Services Advisory boards for a three-year term effective Feb. 15.
  • Entered into an agreement with Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunities Council to be reimbursed for actual costs incurred to the sum of $97,279 to provide weatherization assistance LIHEAP services to Venango COunty individuals and families. The contract covers the period of Nov. 1, 2016, through May 31, 2017.
  • SALARY BOARD MEETING

    At the salary board meeting, the board agreed to create a court recording monitor/transcriptionist full-time position at the non-exempt hourly pay grade 4 effective Jan. 26, 2017.

    RETIREMENT BOARD

    At the retirement board meeting it was announced that the following individuals had entered the Retirement Fund System in January: Kenneth Baker, Susan Hoover, Brent Olson, Randi Reed and Stephen Strickenbarger.

    The board also approved the withdrawing of contributions plus interest in accordance with the plan and county pension law for Jim Misel (Feb. 28 in the amount of $319.92), Stacey Page (Feb. 28 in the amount of $486.20), Debra Rhome (Feb. 28 in the amount of $3,587.93), Christopher Schreyer (Feb. 28 in the amount of $4,078,.47) and Melanie smith (Feb. 28 in the amount of $5,788.20). Because both Misel and Page had failed to execute or file pension withdrawal documents within the established time frame, their accumulated deductions are being withdrawn in accordance with Retirement Board policy.

    The following retirements were also approved: Vicki Babb effective Dec. 31, 2016 and Alan Roemer effective Dec. 31, 2016, and the board was informed of the death of retiree Gary Gustafson on Dec. 25, 2016. Mr. Gustavson had selected Option Four entiting his designated beneficiary, Penny Gustason, to lifetime survivorship annuity.
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