Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Yes.

to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Before we begin the second session, can I have a comment?

Good morning, Carrie. Good morning. Good morning, Clark. Good morning.

All right. Good morning, commissioners.

Chris Molesky, Norwegian Township. Please refrain from any interruptions until after my three minutes. Commissioners, today I want to bring up something directly to your attention concerning how the right to know requests are being handled within Schuylkill County government. On June 5th, the county received my detailed right to know request concerning CARES Act and ARPA funds. This wasn't a vague request. I specifically requested records showing money received spent along with invoices, purchase orders, contracts, agreements, grant awards, reimbursement requests, payment documentation, transaction records, audits, and supporting financial records. The county took a 30-day extension citing legal review and the extent of the request. On July 10th, I was informed there were 92 pages of responsive records. I paid $23 and personally picked them up on July 15th. But here's the problem. What I received largely was largely accounting reports, printouts from the county's computerized financial system, not all of them underlying documentation I specifically requested. And the county's own records raised the questions. The accounting system references purchase orders, vouchers, check requests, journal entries, supplemental resolutions, and transaction information. The Federal ARPA reports identify contracts, grants, subawards, and purchase orders. One counter-report transaction only identifies a $961,247 Nokia, quote, contract purchase order. Yet, where is the actual contract? Where is the purchase order? Where are the invoices supporting millions of dollars in expenditures? Where are the grant agreements and reimbursement requests I specifically requested? I appeal to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Now the county has submitted an attestation from Controller Sharon Yakinchick stating that everything, quote, in my office, in my office's possession, end quote, has been provided. Commissioners, that's precisely the concern. My right to know request was submitted to Schuylkill County, not simply to the controller's office. If a contract is maintained by another department, if an invoice is in a department's file, if a grant application is maintained by county administration, Or if a purchase order exists elsewhere in the county government, was that office searched? The county submission doesn't clearly answer that. There is even a problem in the county's submissions to the state. The controller states that she provided the records to the open records officer on June 30th. I physically received them on July 15th. Yet the open records officer, August 11th submission, says she received the 92 pages from the controller on July 30th. Commissioners, those states simply just don't jive. This is something you should be aware of as the governing body of Spokane County. Right-to-know compliance cannot mean giving a requester a summary sheet while admitting the underlying records that were specifically requested, and then saying nothing else exists in the office. Transparency requires meaningful search across the county offices, reasonably like to possess those records that I requested. I am asking this board to review how the departments in Open Records Office are processing right-to-know requests, to ensure when the public specifies requests of contracts, invoices, purchase orders, and supporting documentation, those records are actually searched for or either produced lawfully within the explanation or the non-existence properly established. 92 pages doesn't equal compliance simply because it's 92 pages. Compliance means responding to what is actually requested.

Thank you for your time guys. I'd like to thank Chris for reading the letter last week, our objection to permit renewal on the basis of our long term health, short term health, our air, our water, as well as questioning and challenging engineer Hugh V. Archer's Pennsylvania licensing. Chris also shared, I don't know what, I'm just here to see if there's any more information, The permit review has been paused by the as of 8, 3, 2026, the applicant has been issued a deficiency letter. The clock for review is pause. I was just checking to see if the county had any communication with the, or if there's any information on that as to what the pause is, or what's in the deficiency.

I can't tell you about the pause. I can tell you that the county within, I'm going to say maybe by the end of this week, will be submitting its response, pointing out a number of issues that we believe should be brought to the attention of DEP. I know that there was a public hearing schedule that was canceled, and to the best of my knowledge, I don't know that we have received a copy of the deficiency letter.

I think we were confusing Brad's with NSP. Brad's was supposed to have hearing in St. Clair. That was paused.

Okay.

And NSP, as far as I know, there's no hearing yet publicly. I haven't seen nothing on NSP, but we did get a notification that Brad's one in St. Clair High School was postponed.

Yeah, I did see that.

That, but I didn't, I haven't seen anything from NSP.

If the review of NSP has been paused for some reason. We have not been made aware of that. That's not stopping us. I mean, they may be paused, but we're still providing our report.

Well, with the pause and the interim, we're going to continue talking to Tremont residents and continue sending letters in to our opposition.

Our objection letter will be relayed to public in the next meeting. I want it to be extensible. We listen to everything. Everything.

Thank you.

Since Dan Muser will not respond directly to the residents of Schuylkill County, I'm forced to sort of address him through the commissioners. So I'm asking you to please pass along the following message to Congressman Dan Muser. Schuylkill County residents are fighting battles for our health, clean air, clean water, and quality of life. Dan Muser, you are not fighting those battles with us. The residents of Schuylkill County fought back against a massive ice detention center proposed in our community. We are fighting landfill expansion and we are living with the stench and concerns about the potential health impacts of natural soil products. And now our communities are facing enormous data center developments that raise serious questions about our health, water, electricity, noise, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. Where are you, Dan Muser? Your constituents have repeatedly contacted your Pottsville satellite office asking for the opportunity to discuss our concerns with you. Your response has been silence. And now you refuse to debate Rachel Wallace. Dan Muser has been invited to two separate debates. I am publicly calling on Dan to accept both invitations, to stand on a stage in front of the people he represents, defend his record, answer the difficult questions, and be held accountable for what he has done and what he's failed to do for the people of PA9. There is a pattern here. When the questions get difficult, Dan Muser disappears. Rachel Wallace was born and raised in Pottsville. Her family has lived in Berks and Schuylkill counties for 10 generations. She understands these communities are not simply dots on a congressional map. They are home. They are our home and they are her home. That's her home. Schuylkill County residents are fighting to protect our health, our water, our air, our homes, and our quality of life. We need a representative who's willing to stand beside us not ones who avoid us when things get difficult. Leadership's not issuing press releases. Leadership is not only appearing when the audience is friendly or when election time is approaching. Leadership is showing up when the people you represent are worried, frustrated, and demanding answers. Dan Muser, you have had plenty of opportunities to show up for Schuylkill County. I am calling on you publicly to accept both invitations, to show up, to debate Rachel Wallace, defend your record, answer the difficult questions, and answer to the people you were elected to represent. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other public comments?

We'll just wait. Melinda Diver, North Manhattan Township. So, I have it from a pretty good source that some of our row officers, yet again, are not in their parking spots or not in the courthouse as of 9.30 this morning. So, let me just run down the list with you. I guess Boots is on vacation.

He's out of the attic, so... Ag Days of the Penn State. Ag Days of the Penn State. Your reference is there.

Okay. Thank you for that. I'll leave him off my list then.

Teresa Gaffney, Register of Wills. Krista DeCasimero, Clerk of Courts. Ann Dudish, Recorder of Deeds. And Mike Opaque, our District Attorney. But I'll cut Mike a little bit of slack because I think a lot of times on the weekends... he has to get pressed into duty or he has to take phone calls and things like that. So we'll cut Mike a little bit of slack. And I guess Bridget Miller is in and maybe our prothonotary, maybe she's having to put a little, a few extra hours in to monitor the civil records and making sure that everybody is paying their fair share to be able to access those civil records. Did you guys know that that was going on?

We knew there was a contract to put some of the records paid like other counties do and what the company is.

Like other counties do. Many counties, Schuylkill County included, you used to be able to look up civil records. Why are we trying to shut down access to public records? As Mr. Molesky very eloquently spoke, on how difficult it is becoming for the public to access records from this county. Why are we trying, actively trying, to shut down information and to make the public pay for records that should be free of charge? Why are we doing that? Wow, okay, no answers. Guess I should have expected that. The people of this county are tired of paying full-time salaries, health insurance, and retirement benefits for folks who are thumbing their noses at us and think they don't have to show up. You voters, you taxpayers, you're stupid. We don't have to show up, so guess what? We're not going to. We have good people in our office. We maybe have first or second deputies that can lead the charge. So we're going to sit at home. We're going to run around. We're going to do whatever the heck we want to do. But we're not coming in to do the job that you elected us to do. We expect better. We deserve better. We demand better. OK. What?

In three minutes or not. You're way past three minutes. Okay.

If I could just ask for everyone, if you guys could give the email address. I believe today is the deadline for people to submit letters in opposition for the permit for NSP. Is that correct? Is it today?

Yeah, but they told us that even after this date, you can still... complaints and opposition to it. They will accept them. That's because we were told that with Brad's landfill also. Even though it's the deadline, you're still allowed to put the stuff in. That's what... To when? Do you know? I don't know. Until I guess they have hearings on it. And like right now... Oh, they are going to have a hearing. I don't know. They're supposed to have the one on Brad's at St. Clair. It was postponed. And NSP, I haven't heard of them having a hearing at all, a public hearing at all on NSP. So what's the, I don't know the email address is off the top of my head because I just called. The email is ra- Yeah, I would have never remembered that.

No, you wouldn't.

It's ra-epwm-nero at pa.gov. Okay.

Okay, so I would just like to encourage everyone to please submit there. Wow.

We'll let ours, we'll let ours, our thing, when we do send it in, we'll make sure it's public on NSP.

Okay, you'll put it on the website?

We'll post it here or something. We'll make sure it's peer available for the next meeting.

Okay. All right. Thank you.

Any other public comment? I have a question. Did you May I get a copy of that opposition to that permit that you got? By the end of the week, it's going to be finished. That's what I just said, Shirley. I'll have it for the next meeting for people. Next meeting? Yeah, it's going to be submitted by the end of the week.

Okay.

And I'll have it for the next meeting. Okay, thank you. Okay? Any other public comment? If not, let's move on to meeting. Oh, this is the... I have to do the second... Can I motion to approve the minutes from the Commissioner's meeting on July 22nd? So moved. Second on the question. Commissioner Fedora? Yes.

Commissioner Hetherington? Commissioner Hess?

Yes. Can I motion to approve the minutes from the work session of August 6th? So moved. Seconded on the question. Commissioner Fedora? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington?

Commissioner Hess? Yes.

Can I motion to approve what was presented by Children and Youth? So moved. SECONDED ON THE QUESTION COMMISSIONER PADORA YES COMMISSIONER HETHERINGTON COMMISSIONER HESS YES CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CORONERS OFFICE CAN I MOTION TO APPROVE THE CORONERS OFFICE CONTRACT SO MOVED SECONDED ON THE QUESTION SECONDED ON QUESTION COMMISSIONER PADORA YES COMMISSIONER HETHERINGTON COMMISSIONER HESS YES CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE WHAT WAS PRESENTED BY ENGINEERING AND REAL ESTATE SO MOVED Seconded on a question. Commissioner Fedora? Yes.

Commissioner Hetherington? Commissioner Hess? Yes.

A motion for approval presented by Human Services. So moved. Seconded on a question. Commissioner Fedora? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington? Commissioner Hess? Yes. That a motion to approve what was presented by tax claim after one session. So moved. Seconded on the question. Commissioner Fedora? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington?

Commissioner Hess?

Yes.

Finance office, good morning commissioners. We have 3 items for a budget adjustment for the current year. 2 from the sheriff's office. 1 of 1600, 1 of 2000 dollars and 1 for parks and recreation of 2412 dollars.

And I want to prove it was presented by the county administration. Seconded on the question. Yes. Commissioner.

and we have a termination of Tyler Swinehart, correction officer part-time, the rate is 26.4555, effective 7-27-26, following informational items. In the District Justice Office, the appointment of two District Justice Assistant Ones, Krista Colombo, effective 8-31-26, Pamela Vadek, Effective 91426, the rate is per the contract. In domestic relations, the appointment of Taylor Callan as secretary 1, effective 81726, rate is per the contract. In the controller's office, two appointments, Brianna Casserly as payroll specialist, effective 82426. And Michael Howard as accountant auditor, effective 83126. All appointments pending drug test and physical were appropriate. All actions involving salary or positions being created are pending salary board approval.

Motion for the prison termination. Second question.

Yes, sure.

Yes, your business motion to adjourn. Sorry for the executive session. Public comment for salary. Can I have a motion to approve the salary board meeting minutes of July 22nd, 2026? So moved. Seconded. On the question. Commissioner Fedora? Yes.

Commissioner Hetherington? Yes. Commissioner Hess? Yes. Controller Yukenship? Yes.

Can I motion to approve the minutes from the salary board meeting on August 6th? So moved. Seconded. Any questions? Commissioner Fedora? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington? Commissioner Hess? Yes.

Controller Yukenship? Yes.

Yes, in the controller's office, set salary for Brianna Casserly as payroll specialist. The rate is $31.1218, effective $824.26. Also, controller's office set the salary for Michael Howard as accountant auditor. The rate is $65,138, effective $831.26. That is all.

Can I have a motion for the two controller office at the center of this? So moved. Seconded. All questions? Commissioner Fedora? Yes.

Commissioner Hetherington? Yes. Commissioner Hess? Yes. Controller Detanchik?

Yes. Can I ask any new business? Motion to adjourn. So moved. Retirement report. Report of any executive sessions? That will help. Public comment? Can I have a motion to approve the minutes from the July 15th meeting? Seconded on the question. Commissioner Fedora?

Yes. Commissioner Hetherington?

Commissioner has controller attention. Yes. Good morning.

During the month of July 2026, two members received retirements of $155,310 with pro-rata payments of $777. Four members received refunds of $8,304. Two members received rollovers of $68,949. One beneficiary received a payment of $166,168. Two deceased retirees received pro rata payments of $325. The market value of the retirement fund as of July 31st, 2026 was $199,773,636. The total market value of the retirement fund as of today, August 12th, is $203,803,388. In the month of July, the Retirement Trust had one vested member elect retirement and one vested member request a rollover. Thank you.

Could I have a motion to accept the committee's report on the ceremony? Second. I'll have a question.

Commissioner Fedora? Yes. Commissioner Hetherington? Yes. Commissioner Hess? Yes. Controllary detention? Yes. Treasurer Yates?

Yes.

Any division for retirement? No. Commissioner O'Hara? No.