In the recent past the Cohen Law Group has represented and worked on behalf of many QVCOG member communities when their franchise fee agreements were near expiration. A major advantage provided by this cooperative is reduced rates charged by the aforementioned firm. The current proposal as outlined in the attachment below commits a 20% discount if 7 or more QVCOG members "sign on". The fees and various discounted rates can be found on pages 11-12 of the proposal.
The proposal also includes a franchise fee audit to determine whether Comcast has paid each of the municipalities all the franchise fee revenue to which they may be entitled. Per the Cohen Law Group, between 2021-23, their firm conducted over 120 franchise fee audits (most of them of Comcast) and found underpayments approximately 65% of the time. Should an underpayment be identified during an audit, the franchise renewal is the best time to collect such underpayments (plus penalties and interest). Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the proposal, etc. please contact Mr. Daniel Cohen via email dcohen@cohenlawgroup.org or by phone at (412) 447-0130, ext. 110. In order to receive a discounted rate, a deadline of February 29, 2024 has been established to participate in the cooperative. Franchise Fee Proposal Sample Agreement The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the design, acquisition, and construction of a regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement project. RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. The RACP funding round will open Friday, December 8, 2023. The window will close Friday, January 12, 2024. More information regarding this funding opportunity can be found here.
Program Guidelines Compliance Guidelines FAQs The Allegheny League of Municipalities (ALOM) is currently accepting applications for municipalities and authorities to be recognized as Banner Communities in the 2024 calendar year. In an effort to allow designees to better utilize their Banner Community Scholarships at the 2024 Spring Educational Conference, applications may be submitted until the deadline of November 30, 2023. Applications may be accessed here. A total of seven QVCOG member communities qualified as Banner Communities in 2023.
In an effort to best prepare and accommodate for the upcoming holiday season, at its November 15th meeting the Board of Delegates unanimously voted to convene exclusively via Zoom for its December 20th Board meeting. Members of the public who are interested in attending the meeting virtually may request the Zoom link by emailing Executive Director Conners (pconners@qvcog.org).
In an effort to prepare the incoming group of elected leaders in our region, Local Government Academy is again offering its Newly Elected Officials Course. The Newly Elected Officials Course is the most comprehensive training program offered to local government officials – it covers the basics, elevates best practices, and builds relationships. This offering has become a trusted resource for training public officials in the practice of good governance and typically sells out quickly. Registration for the Course opened on November 8th and may be accessed here.
QVCOG member communities are encouraged to attend an upcoming LTAP training opportunity offered by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC). The training will occur on December 14, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in Ohio Township's volunteer fire hall (1520 Roosevelt Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237). The course is free. Interested parties should email eschoss@spcregion.org to register for the event. This may be of particular note for Public Works teams (see description below):
This course prepares attendees to perform routine and corrective maintenance on common types of stormwater control measures (SCMs). Participants will learn the keys of a successful SCM Operations Program, common SCM types and components; what infiltration/filtration surfaces are, common SCM vegetation considerations, and the difference between routine versus corrective maintenance. Attendees will be prepared to schedule and complete routine maintenance activities; be familiar with techniques and equipment appropriate for various SCMs types and understand specialized maintenance techniques to address frequently encountered SCM problems. Intended Audience: Primarily individuals who are involved in operation and maintenance of stormwater control measures, including public works directors and SCM field maintenance personnel. Personnel involved in designing and inspecting SCMs will also benefit from the knowledge gained in this training. Please be advised that bids were opened for fall commodities on September 28, 2023 and the tabulations are available on the SHACOG Purchasing Alliance website for the following commodities:
Please remember that participating municipalities must formally accept the bids to secure the prices offered by the vendors. Each municipality is responsible for accepting these bids. This should be done no later than December 12, 2023. If the vendors do not receive this notice by this date, they are not obligated to honor these prices. A sample bid acceptance letter can be found here. Should you have any questions or require additional information concerning the above, please do not hesitate to contact the SHACOG office. The QVCOG will again be partnering with Mr. Tyler Lukart of Optimus Risk Services to provide a flagger certification training for QVCOG member communities and their public works departments. Last year (May 2022) The QVCOG put on a similar event which was well attended and received. This year's event will take place on December 14, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. at the Aleppo Township Public Works Garage (100 North Drive Sewickley, PA 15143). Attendees will receive a 3-year flagger certification upon completion of the course. This is a great opportunity for new(er) Public Works employees or those who could not make last year's offering. Interested participants may find the registration form here. Registration forms will need to be completed and sent back to Executive Director Conners via email (pconners@qvcog.org) no later than November 30, 2023.
As has been a staple of past QVCOG Annual Dinner events, this year’s event recognized a regional public servant who exemplifies a commitment to their community and public service as a whole. Ms. Barbara Carrier, Mayor of Glen Osborne Borough and QVCOG Board President nominated Ms. Diane Vierling, Glen Osborne Borough Secretary for her many years of serving the Borough. The nomination was unanimously approved by the QVCOG Board of Supervisors at their September 20, 2023 meeting.
Ms. Diane Vierling, Glen Osborne Borough Secretary-Treasurer, will be celebrating 13 years of service to the community in November 2023. Without question, Diane is and has been the “face" of the Borough as she is the person most Glen Osborne residents have first contact with whether by phone call, email, or through an in person visit. It is not an uncommon site to see residents stop by the Borough office with their concerns/questions and leave with a helpful solution and a new friend. Diane directs the municipal traffic for all departments, commissions, and Borough Council. Per Glen Osborne Borough Mayor Barbara Carrier’s nomination email, “Diane is very respected by the community as someone who listens to inquiries and does her best to help solve situations with kindness and compassion.” In addition to serving Glen Osborne, Diane also works part-time for Sewickley Borough serving as the primary municipal contact for their Shade Tree Commission. Per an email from Sewickley Borough Manager Donna Kaib, “Although Diane’s work with Sewickley Borough in general is limited, I do want to say that she is a wonderful and pleasant person to work with. She is always willing to assist the public and help in any way possible. Her values and dedication to Glen Osborne and Sewickley Borough are unmeasurable.” Allegheny County recently launched a Recycling Drop-Off tool to assist residents with identifying locations for recycling items including batteries, glass, and lightbulbs. Also, disposal locations for over-the-counter and prescription medications are cited on the map. Please check each company's website for the most up to date details regarding time, materials, and possible fees. The tool can be accessed here:
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