Westmoreland public meetings in 2022

Retirement Board

The Retirement Board approved an 8.1% cost of living adjustment with a related amortization period of 5 years. The board also approved the minutes from the October 24, 2022 meeting and acknowledged a November 15, 2022 work session.

• Approved 8.1% Cost of Living Adjustment and 5-year amortization period (Unanimous)
• Approved October 24, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
• Acknowledged November 15, 2022 Work Session on RFI (Unanimous)

Prison Board

The Board approved the hiring of 13 individuals and the promotion of two staff members. They also accepted one resignation and two retirements. Statistical reports on probation, parole, and prison population were accepted for the record.

• Approved hiring of 13 new employees (Unanimous)
• Accepted retirement of Patrick Juliano and Kimberly Musgrove
• Accepted resignation of Gavin Pasqualino (Unanimous)
• Approved promotion of Michael Schuck to Sergeant and Fallon Bruck to Office Coordinator (Unanimous)
• Approved minutes of November 28, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)
• Accepted Adult Probation/Parole report (Unanimous)

Juvenile Detention

The Westmoreland County Juvenile Detention Board is holding a meeting on December 19, 2022, at 10:00 am. The agenda includes a call to order, pledge of allegiance, public comment, approval of minutes from September 26, 2022, a director's report, and new business. An executive session may be held if needed.

• Opportunity for public comment under the Sunshine Act
• Approval of minutes from September 26, 2022
• Director's report
• New business

Board of Commissioners Meetings

The Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the 2023 budget and set the real property tax rate at 21.49 mills, unchanged from 2021. The board also approved numerous service contracts, tourism grants, and personnel actions.

• Adopted 2023 Budget and fixed tax rate at 21.49 mills (Unanimous)
• Approved $808,380 agreement with Pictometry International Corp. for aerial imagery (Unanimous)
• Awarded 2023 Tourism Grants to 45 organizations (Unanimous)
• Approved $1.2M ARPA expenditure for battery systems at tower sites (Unanimous)
• Approved $931,328.22 agreement with Familylinks, Inc. for female step-down program (Unanimous)
• Awarded autopsy services contract to Jennifer Hammers Pathology, LLC at $1,800 per autopsy (Unanimous)
• Approved $20,000 settlement payment in Jason Grecco v. Jonathan Held (Unanimous)
• Reappointed multiple members to County boards and commissions (Unanimous)

Salary Board

The Westmoreland County Salary Board will consider adopting a new wage scale with a 7.8% increase for non-union staff and a 5% increase for temporary staff, effective January 1, 2023. The board will also vote on a referral and sign-on bonus program for new hires and referring employees, and an updated tiered salary scale for Planning/Community Development. Additionally, the agenda includes dozens of position abolishments and creations across multiple departments, many with no net cost to the county.

• Adopt new wage scale: 7.8% increase for non-union staff, 5% increase for temp wage scale, effective Jan 1, 2023
• Consider approval of $500 referral and sign-on bonuses for new hires and referring employees after 960 hours
• Consider updated tiered salary scale for Planning/Community Development based on education and experience
• Reclassify Tax Clerks to Cashiers in the Tax Office
• Dozens of position abolishments and creations across Adult Probation, BHDS, Children's Bureau, Controller, Manor, Planning, Public Works, Veterans Affairs, Commissioners, Recorder of Deeds, and Area Agency on Aging

The board approved a new wage scale for non-union staff and a 5% increase for temp wages effective January 1, 2023. It also established a $500 referral and sign-on bonus for prison employees and approved numerous position reclassifications across county departments.

• Approved 7.8% wage increase for non-union staff and 5% for temp scale (Unanimous)
• Approved $500 sign-on bonus and $500 referral bonus for prison employees (Unanimous)
• Approved updated tiered salary scale for Planning/Community Development (Unanimous)
• Approved reclassification of Tax Clerks to Cashiers (Unanimous)
• Approved various position abolishments and creations for Adult Probation, BHDS, Children's Bureau, Controller, Manor, and Veterans Affairs (Unanimous)
• Approved reorganization of Public Works & Parks, including creating a Facilities Director and Remote Parks Manager (Unanimous)
• Approved creation of an Office Manager for Recorder of Deeds at rate X7-10; $32,969.09 (Unanimous)
• Approved modifying work days to 7.5 hours for specific Area Agency on Aging positions (Unanimous)

Industrial Development Corporation

The Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation unanimously approved the 2023 administrative budget and designated First National Bank of Pennsylvania as a depository. The board authorized over $2 million in match funds for the Westmoreland Distribution Park Phase II project and extended a lease for Caseworks, Inc.

• Approved 2023 Administrative Budget of $1,676,402 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. WCIDC-21-2022 designating First National Bank of Pennsylvania (FNB) as a depository (Unanimous)
• Approved FNB Signature Card Agreement for WDPN Phase II Public Funds Money Market Account (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. WCIDC-22-2022 restricting $2,032,750 as match for Westmoreland Distribution Park Phase II grant (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. WCIDC-20-2022 for 1-year lease extension with Caseworks, Inc. totaling $103,746.50 (Unanimous)
• Approved $3,340 agreement with West Media Group for 2022 annual report (Unanimous)
• Approved $17,785 contract with Pittsburgh Business Times for 2023 advertisements (Unanimous)
• Approved $6,000 contract with Tall Timber Group of Pittsburgh for 2023 advertisements (Unanimous)

Board of Elections

The Board of Elections approved the certification of General Election results for five specific precincts. The board also increased the mileage reimbursement rate for Judges of Election. Minutes from November meetings were approved.

• Approved minutes of November 23 and November 28, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved Certification of General Election results for Salem Township (#47012-1), Hempfield Township No. 4 Carbon (#19012-1), Lower Burrell 1-1 (#28011-1), Loyalhanna Township #1 (#29003-1), and Ligonier Borough (#26000-1) (Unanimous)
• Approved increase in Judge of Election mileage reimbursement from $0.40/mile to $0.50/mile (Unanimous)

Board of Assessment Appeals

The Board of Assessment Appeals approved tax exempt status for 21 Westmoreland County Land Bank parcels, Ligonier Voluntary Hose Company No. 1, and Living Hope Christian Church. The Board also voted on exempt status for several disabled veterans and adopted the 2023 public meeting schedule.

• Approved tax exemptions for 21 Westmoreland County Land Bank parcels (Unanimous)
• Approved tax exemption for Ligonier Voluntary Hose Company No. 1 (Unanimous)
• Approved tax exemption for Living Hope Christian Church pending site verification (Unanimous)
• Approved exempt status for disabled veterans Monica A. Trice, Anthony A. Kratz, Elizabeth J. Donahue, Ralph A. Miranda, Sean M. Gregar, and Deborah L. McKita (Unanimous)
• Removed exempt status for disabled veterans Dennis M. Kubic and Edward W. Bechtold (Unanimous)
• Adopted the 2023 Public Meeting dates (Unanimous)
• Approved November 10, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Board of Elections

The Board of Elections unanimously approved the certification of the November 8, 2022, General Election results. Certification was withheld for specific races in five precincts due to pending petitions. A motion to acknowledge 95 segregated ballots failed as no motion was made.

• Approved Certification of General Election results except for precincts with pending petitions (Unanimous)
• Certification withheld for Salem Township Polling Place #47012-1 (Governor/Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate)
• Certification withheld for Hempfield Township No. 4 Carbon Polling Place #19012-1 (Governor/Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, and PA General Assembly District 57)
• Certification withheld for Lower Burrell 1-1 Polling Place #28011-1 (Governor/Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate)
• Certification withheld for Loyalhanna Township #1 Polling Place #29003-1 (Governor/Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate)
• Certification withheld for Ligonier Borough Polling Place #26000-1 (Governor/Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate)
• Acknowledgement of 95 segregated ballots failed

Prison Board

The Board accepted the resignations of four employees and the retirement of one staff member. It approved the hiring of two new employees and recommended a bonus for a new hire or current employee, pending HR and fiscal review.

• Approved minutes of October 31, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)
• Accepted Adult Probation/Parole report (Unanimous)
• Accepted resignations of Holli Stiltenpole, Erek Bellan, Makayla Anderson, and Sean Rounds (Unanimous)
• Accepted retirement of Patrick Juliano
• Recommended a new hire/current employee bonus pending HR and Fiscal review (Unanimous)
• Approved hiring of Sam Paciro and Rebecca Myers (Unanimous)

Board of Elections

The Board unanimously approved the pre-certification of the November 8, 2022, General Election results. Members also approved the minutes from the September 28, 2022, meeting. Public comments were heard regarding election integrity, voting machinery, and pending petitions.

• Approved pre-certification of November 8, 2022 General Election results (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the September 28, 2022 Regular Election Board meeting (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners Meetings

The Board of Commissioners approved several high-value contracts for public safety and infrastructure, including a $1.19M battery system replacement. They also passed resolutions to waive certain real estate tax charges and recognized the county's upcoming 250th anniversary. The proposed 2023 budget was presented for public inspection.

• Approved $1.45M grant application for RIDC Westmoreland Phase V construction (Unanimous)
• Approved $1,199,210.52 purchase order for tower site battery systems (Unanimous)
• Approved $106,799.95 bid to Premier Biotech, Inc. for Adult Probation supplies (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution #R-78-2022 to waive certain real estate additional charges per Act 57 (Unanimous)
• Approved $44,135.00 bid to Kiski Valley Uniform & Supply for Park Police uniforms (Unanimous)
• Approved $64,357.20 bid to Metro Flag Co. for flags (Unanimous)
• Approved $17,132.00 purchase order for courtroom smart boards (Unanimous)
• Approved $71,359.83 change order for Mt Pleasant Rd and Mammoth Parking Lots resurfacing (Unanimous)

Industrial Development Corporation

The board approved a design and management proposal for a development project in Hempfield and Unity Townships. It also approved a business retention contract and a grant application for RIDC Westmoreland Phase V.

• Approved $283,050 proposal with H.F. Lenz Company for Hempfield Township development project (Unanimous)
• Approved SPC Contract 22-06I for ENGAGE! Program for $9,000 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution No. WCIDC-19-2022 for $1,450,000 grant application for RIDC Westmoreland Phase V (Unanimous)
• Approved October 20, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Records Improvement Committee

The Records Improvement Committee will consider approving minutes from July 2022, review the balance of the Records Improvement Fund, and discuss a maintenance renewal for the OnBase system. Public comment is invited before any official action is taken.

• Approval of July 11, 2022 meeting minutes
• Review of Records Improvement Fund account balance
• Discussion of OnBase maintenance renewal

The Records Improvement Committee approved the minutes from July 11, 2022, and authorized a payment for annual software maintenance. The committee also reviewed the Records Improvement Fund balance and discussed the ongoing growth of physical records.

• Approved July 11, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved $29,295.16 expenditure from Records Improvement Fund for OnBase Maintenance Renewal (unanimous)

Board of Assessment Appeals

The Board reviewed various applications for tax-exempt status, approving several for non-profit organizations and disabled veterans while denying others. The Board also denied a taxpayer's request for a six-year tax refund.

• Approved exempt status for four Community Options, Inc. parcels (unanimous)
• Approved exempt status for three Westmoreland County Land Bank parcels (unanimous)
• Denied exemption for Jeannette Outreach Factory, Inc., Monessen Reconstruction Venture Group, Inc., and Lux Lucis Foundation (unanimous)
• Approved exempt status for NTSS, LLC, HECLA Volunteer Fire Dept., and Benedictine Society (unanimous)
• Approved exempt status for five disabled veterans (unanimous)
• Removed exempt status for Diane J. Wills, Roberta J. Wagner, and John Hensler (unanimous)
• Denied six-year tax refund for Tax Map Number 24-03-08-0-391 (unanimous)
• Approved October 13, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners Meetings

The Board of Commissioners approved funding for affordable senior housing in Irwin and community mental health services. They also authorized expenditures for court air conditioning and prison system support. Additionally, the Director of County Operations was granted authority to execute electric generation contracts.

• Approved $174,802.00 for Community Mental Health Services (Unanimous)
• Approved $2,133,135 HOME loan and $166,865 PA Act 137 grant for Grand View Senior Residences (Unanimous)
• Approved $25,120 annual prison system support contract with Huckestein Mechanical Services (2-1)
• Approved $9,767.00 for MDJ Court 10-1-01 air conditioner via Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (Unanimous)
• Authorized Director of County Operations to execute electric generation contracts (Unanimous)
• Approved 24-month Comcast business service for MDJ Office 10-2-08 (Unanimous)
• Approved HOME Investment Partnerships Program substantial amendment Resolution #R-70-2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved mileage rate increase to 62.5 cents for Ashley M. McCoy (Unanimous)

Prison Board

The Board accepted one resignation and approved two staff promotions. Members also voted to recommend an agreement with the PA Department of Corrections for prison assessments and recommendations at no cost to the county.

• Approved minutes of September 26, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)
• Accepted Adult Probation/Parole report (Unanimous)
• Accepted resignation of Erik Brammell (Unanimous)
• Promoted Robert Fagan from Sergeant to Lieutenant (Unanimous)
• Promoted Lt. Steven Pelesky to Deputy Warden of Security (Unanimous)
• Recommended agreement with PA Department of Corrections for prison assessments at no cost (Unanimous)

Retirement Board

The Retirement Board unanimously approved a 3% rate increase from Korn Ferry Hay Group for actuarial services. The board also heard manager and consultant reports, and scheduled a work session to review Request for Information submissions.

• Approved minutes of August 30, 2022 meeting (unanimous)
• Authorized 3% rate increase from Korn Ferry Hay Group for actuarial services (unanimous)
• Scheduled work session for reviewing Request for Information submissions

Salary Board

The Westmoreland County Salary Board will vote on a union agreement for the Area Agency on Aging and a tier program for deputy coroners, plus consider abolishing and creating numerous positions across multiple departments. The agenda includes many personnel actions such as creating temporary deputy coroner and alcohol safety instructor positions, and adjusting work hours for non-union staff in BHDS and Financial Administration.

• Consider approval of Memorandum of Agreement with SEIU union for stand-by pay and protective service unit (90% state funded)
• Consider approval of a Tier Program for Deputy Coroners based on experience and education
• Create 4 temporary Deputy Coroner positions at $20.40/hr, 1000 hours/year max
• Abolish 1 Public Information Officer and create 1 at higher salary ($75,084.24/yr) to serve other county departments
• Modify work day for Financial Administration positions to 7 hours with 2-step decrease on non-union scale

The Westmoreland County Salary Board approved a series of personnel actions, including creating and abolishing positions across several departments, adjusting work hours, and approving a union agreement for stand-by pay. All motions were unanimous.

• Approved SEI U union memorandum for stand-by pay and protective service unit (unanimous)
• Approved Tier Program for Deputy Coroners based on experience and education (unanimous)
• Corrected July 2021 base for Park Police Lieutenant to X9-37 (unanimous)
• Approved abolishing two vacant positions and changing non-union staff to ½ hour lunch break in BHDS (unanimous)
• Approved creating 4 temporary Alcohol Safety Instructor positions in Adult Probation (unanimous)
• Approved creating and abolishing multiple positions in BHDS, Coroner, District Attorney, Domestic Relations, Human Services, Manor, Planning, Treasurer, and Financial Administration (all unanimous)
• Approved modifying work day to 7 hours for Financial Administration positions with step adjustments (unanimous)

Juvenile Detention

The board will meet to consider the approval of minutes from June 27, 2022. The agenda includes a Director's Report and potential new business.

• Approval of minutes from June 27, 2022

Salary Board

The Board is considering several bonus amendments for Manor nursing staff. It is also reviewing the creation and abolition of positions across the Manor, Public Defender, Prison, and Commissioners departments.

• Proposed Manor sign-on bonuses: $7,500 for RN/LPN and $4,000 for CNA
• Proposed $500 nursing referral bonus paid after 90 days of hire
• Proposed $100 pick-up shift bonus for nursing staff when projecting below 2.7
• Creation of 12 Self-Schedule RN positions at $45.45 per hour
• Creation of 2 Law Clerk Temp positions at $30.36 per hour

Salary Board

The Westmoreland County Salary Board is meeting to consider employee bonuses and the creation or abolition of several county positions. Proposed changes affect departments including the Children's Bureau, Manor, and the District Attorney's office.

• Proposed $2,200 sign-on and retention bonuses for Children's Bureau union employees
• Proposed $300 weekly stipend for Area Agency on Aging on-call supervisor
• Creation of Director of Human Services position at $127,526.72/yr (100% grant funded)
• Creation of Director of County Operations position at $120,135.94/yr
• Proposed $100 pick-up shift bonus for Manor for the July 4th holiday

Records Improvement Committee

The committee will review the balance of the Records Improvement Fund account and approve minutes from the May 9, 2022, meeting. The agenda includes an opportunity for public comment under the Sunshine Act.

• Approval of May 9, 2022, meeting minutes
• Review of Records Improvement Fund account balance

Juvenile Detention

The Westmoreland County Juvenile Detention Board will meet to ratify the hiring of a new director. The board will also consider the approval of minutes from March 28, 2022.

• Ratification of the hiring of Rich Gordon as Director of Juvenile Detention/Shelter, effective April 25, 2022

Records Improvement Committee

The Records Improvement Committee will meet to discuss a service contract from Kodak Alaris. The body will also review the balance of the Records Improvement Fund account.

• Service contract from Kodak Alaris
• Balance of the Records Improvement Fund account
• Approval of March 14, 2022 meeting minutes

Salary Board

The board is considering wage increases for temporary park positions. It is also reviewing proposals to abolish and create new roles within Juvenile Detention and Prison departments.

• Increase Summer Aide Temp wage to $12.00/hr
• Increase Seasonal Park Worker-Temp wage to $14.11/hr
• Abolish 1 Director of Juvenile Detention & Shelter and create 1 new position at $90,812.35/yr
• Abolish 1 Maintenance Superintendent and create 1 new position at $53,213.51/yr
• Abolish 1 Operations Manager and create 1 new position at $58,780.82/yr

Juvenile Detention

The board will meet to consider the approval of minutes from December 20, 2021. The agenda includes a notice regarding an executive session held on January 26, 2022, concerning personnel matters.

• Approval of minutes from December 20, 2021
• Notice of Executive Session regarding personnel matters from January 26, 2022

Salary Board

The Salary Board is reviewing various position reclassifications, salary adjustments, and bonus structures. Proposed actions include new bonus policies for 911 staff, wage increases for Juvenile Detention, and workday modifications for County Information Systems.

• $1,500 annual merit bonus for Telecommunication Officers
• $1,500 sign-on bonus for eligible Telecommunication Officer Trainees
• M.O.U. with S.E.I.U. regarding hourly wage increases for Juvenile Detention staff
• Creation of 5 self-scheduling LPN positions at $40 per hour
• Workday modifications for County Information Systems positions to increase daily hours

Records Improvement Committee

The committee will review the balance of the Records Improvement Fund. Members will also discuss new business regarding CivicPlus invoices and agreements for hosting, security encryption, and Audio Eye.

• CivicPlus Annual Invoice
• CivicPlus Hosting and Security Encryption Agreement
• CivicPlus Audio Eye Agreement
• Records Improvement Fund account balance

Records Improvement Committee

The committee is meeting to elect officers for 2022 and review the balance of the Records Improvement Fund account. The body will also consider the approval of minutes from the November 8, 2021 meeting.

• Election of Officers for 2022
• Review of Records Improvement Fund account balance
• Approval of November 8, 2021 meeting minutes