499th Meeting of PSAECO
Thursday, December 8, 2011

Senate Majority Caucus Room
State Capitol
Harrisburg

Call to order: In the absence of the President, Vice-President Patty Streams Warman called our 499th meeting to order at 10:05 AM.

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation: Patty Streams Warman

Approval of the minutes of our 498th Meeting held on Thursday,
November 10, 2011 in the Conference Room 60 in the East Wing, State Capitol, Harrisburg: Motion by Steve Lukach, Seconded by Dennis Kwiatkowski. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurers Report: Treasurer Jeff Conner closed our PSAECO checking account at Wayne National Bank and moved the $14,767.47 into a new account at F&M Trust in Chambersburg. No formal report this month.

Executive Report: Steve Lukach humbly expressed thanks for receiving the Virgil Puskarich Award at our PSAECO Legislative Appreciation Dinner, which was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at the Harrisburg Hilton. Steve Lukach gave his report and read the summary for each of the legislation.

Steve Lukach, and all our members attending, expressed thanks to Janet Kalajainen for the great meal at our Legislative Dinner and all the work involved in its preparation.

Steve Lukach discussed HB 2044 which would amend Title 25 (Elections) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for restrictions on nomination petitions. This bill would affect all our members.

Solicitor's Report: Jeff Shank mention that the Wayne County Recorder of Deeds case will be heard on this coming Monday, December 12, 2011 at 1 PM. This case concerns the oil and gas rights assignment where over 1000 assignments would be placed under one document. Jeff suggests a legislative fix.
 

Jeff Shank discussed the Florida class action suit regarding MERS. Filings were made at MERS and not the Recorder of Deeds office. There is a civil action suit in the Eastern District Federal Court regarding failure to file mortgage assignments in Montgomery County. A Westmoreland County suit is anticipated.

Legislative Report: Brad Jacobs read the summary for each bill that is moving.

Tami Kline made a motion, seconded by Brad Jacobs, accepting the Executive Committee's report. Carried unanimously by voice vote.

Larry Thompson believes that the HB 1644, which is awaiting action by the Governor, should be vetoed as its constitutionality is in doubt. The Jury Commissioners believe that the office of Jury Commissioner cannot be abolished by a simple majority vote of the County Commissioners. As the elected Jury Commissioners are part of the judicial branch, they do not feel that the executive branch can vote to abolish this elected judicial position. The separation of powers doctrine in both the United States and the Commonwealth Constitution's would be threatened.

Steve Lukach made a motion, seconded by Judy Moser, to urge the Governor to veto HB 1644. By role call vote, with four member associations absent, the motion passed unanimously.

Communication Report: No report

Al Whitcomb mentioned that there would be a County Code Committee Meeting today following the 11 AM Local Government Commission meeting.

Unfinished Business: Robb Green mentioned that he would email our members the Word listing of our members that will be submitted to our printer for distribution at our February 9th, 2012 meeting.

New Business: None today

Mike Gasbarre of the Local Government Commission mentioned that the Borough Code is on the fast track with eminent domain as the only issue. The next priority is 3rd Class City Code. The County Code will take a number of years to work through the system.

Carol Fix Diller mentioned that with the receipt of all the treasurer's records, she would audit the books and report at our February meeting.

Miscellaneous Business: Patty Streams Warman presented a plaque of appreciation to Anne Seaman for her years as both Secretary and Treasurer of PSAECO.

Steve Lukach, made a motion, seconded by Mimi Sacks, to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 AM. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Robb Green
PSAECO, Secretary
December 15, 2011