Alicia Henry

The Westmoreland County Hazard Mitigation Plan outlines strategies to minimize the effects of natural and human-caused hazards within the county. It identifies and prioritizes a broad range of hazards, assesses community vulnerabilities, and proposes specific mitigation actions and implementation strategies. Key focus areas include preventing injury and death, protecting public and private property, and safeguarding natural resources. The plan aims to enhance awareness and preparedness among emergency management personnel and the public, reduce risks for socially vulnerable populations, and address long-term vulnerabilities, particularly from high-hazard dams, to achieve greater disaster resistance.

The meeting's agenda included a presentation of the Consultant report. A key action taken was a motion by the Controller, seconded by the Treasurer, to implement a Cost of Living Adjustment for eligible retirees at 4.6% with a 5-year amortization, which was approved unanimously.

The agenda for this meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance, announcements regarding executive sessions pertaining to various personnel matters, and an opportunity for public comment under the Sunshine Act. Key business items involved considering the hiring of an Assistant Office Coordinator and accepting the resignation of an employee from the County Correctional Facility, as well as considering terminations. The board planned to discuss and consider potential prison training, changes to the after-hours bond payment process, and recommending to the Board of Commissioners to issue an RFP for Inmate Health Care Services, including an alternate request for Medication Assisted Treatment Services. Other topics included discussing recommendations regarding chaplaincy services and personnel performance actions.

The meeting covered several actions related to Commerce Crossing at Westmoreland, including approving change orders with Four Brothers Contracting for $3,129.48 to cover additional work such as reinstallation of a stop sign and rip rap stone installation, and approving a $3,500.00 increase to Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering, Inc. for Landscape Architectural Services. The termination date for the Commonwealth Financing Authority Business in Our Site Grant Contract was extended from June 30, 2021, to June 30, 2022. The bid for the Scottdale Railroad project was awarded to CR Construction for $2,428,610. Additionally, the Board approved a resolution authorizing a Third Addendum to the Lease Agreement with Asset Genie, Inc. for a 3-year extension term, and authorized agreements with H.F. Lenz Company for engineering and administration services related to Asset Genie's entrances and stormwater management improvements. An agreement with Drone Division, LLC for aerial photography/videography services was also approved.

Key items for consideration included the approval of an Oil and Gas Lease with Olympus Energy LLC concerning approximately 377 acres at the Westmoreland Business and Research Park. The board reviewed a proposal from Triad Engineering, Inc. for general consulting services related to PennDOT design documents for the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project at the Westmoreland Airpark. Approval was sought for a Fourth Addendum to extend the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) Contract 19-12(i) for the ENGAGE! Program by twelve months. Furthermore, the board considered awarding bids for several construction projects: the South Greensburg Commons - Entrance Stairs & Ramp Project to ArTECH Group, LLC ($277,700.00), the South Greensburg Commons - Stormwater Conveyance Improvement Project to Straw Construction Co, Inc. ($167,100.00), and improvements for Tenant Space 100B at the Jeannette Industrial Park to Moret Construction Company, Inc. ($174,553).