On the agenda: Indiana September 9, 2026 — Data Center (Sep 9)

COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
Commissioner Keith called the regular meeting of the Indiana County Commissioners to order at
10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room.
ROLL CALL
Chairman R. Michael Keith, present
Commissioner Bonni S. Dunlap, present
Commissioner Sherene Hess, present
Also, in attendance were Solicitor Matthew T. Budash and Chief Clerk Robin Maryai.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Keith led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
APPROVE MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried
unanimously to approve the minutes of September 9, 2026.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment was made by Lee Schweitzer, Julie Baker, Garnet Fryling, Mary Kay Yarchak,
Heather Serian, Colleen Donovan, Bailey Nace, Tamara Whited, Faye Bradwick, Jessica Jopp,
Susan Comfort, Sue Majoris, Paul Majoris, Ralph Ferraro, Kendre Philp, Carolyn Trimarchi,
Kathy Edwards. All made comments regarding the proposed Data Centers.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
There were no executive sessions.
PRIVATE PROVIDER AGREEMENTS FY 26-27 / CHILDREN & YOUTH SERVICES
At the request of Vicki Weaver, Children & Youth Services, a motion was made by
Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried unanimously to approve an
agreement with ARIN IU 28, Indiana, PA for FY 26-27 to provide services to Children & Youth
Services and Juvenile Probation on an as needed basis. They provide non-placement services.
At the request of Vicki Weaver, Children & Youth Services, a motion was made by
Commissioner Hess, seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried unanimously to approve an
agreement with Service Master of Indiana County, Indiana, PA for FY 26-27 to provide cleaning
services to Children & Youth Services on an as needed basis. They provide non-placement
services.
At the request of Vicki Weaver, Children & Youth Services, a motion was made by
Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried unanimously to approve an
agreement with Christian Family Services-the Bair Foundation, New Wilmington, PA for FY 2627 to provide services to Children & Youth Services and Juvenile Probation on an as needed
basis. They provide placement services.

At the request of Vicki Weaver, Children & Youth Services, a motion was made by
Commissioner Hess, seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried unanimously to approve an
agreement with Pressley Ridge, Pittsburgh, PA for FY 26-27 to provide services to Children &
Youth Services and Juvenile Probation on an as needed basis. They provide placement services.
At the request of Vicki Weaver, Children & Youth Services, a motion was made by
Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried unanimously to approve an
agreement with Belmont-Harrisburg Juvenile District (Sargus), St.Clairsville, OH for FY 26-27
to provide services to Children & Youth Services and Juvenile Probation on an as needed basis.
They provide placement services.
INTERMEDIATE PUNISHMENT TREATMENT PROGRAM INITIATIVE GRANT
At the request of Amanda Leondard, Probation Office, a motion was made by Commissioner
Hess, seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried unanimously to approve the Intermediate
Punishment Treatment Program Initiative Grant Application in the amount of $135,000.00. This
is a collaboration grant with the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission.
These funds will be used to support the Intermediate Punishment Program in Indiana County
which includes Drug Treatment Court and Probation specifically to help pay for salaries,
continuous alcohol monitoring, drug screens, treatment, case management, etc.
RESOLUTION – 2026 INDIANA COUNTY CDBG PROJECT SCOPE AND 3-YR PLAN/
PLANNING
At the request of LuAnn Zak, Office of Planning & Development, a motion was made by
Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried unanimously to approve a
resolution approving the project scope and 3-year plan of the County-wide needs priorities for
the 2026 Non-Entitlement CDBG application. Indiana County will submit the multiple County
housing initiatives for the 2026 CDBG funds. The proposed activities include rehabilitation to
the Bridge House located in Graceton and other County housing initiatives such as other
rehabilitation and/or demolition efforts. The 2026 Indiana County Entitlement is $281,362.00
and is due by 5:00 PM on October 30, 2026, to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and
Economic Development. All citizen participation requirements for project development and
selection were completed as required.
FILING RESOLUTION – 2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
ENTITLEMENT APPLICATIONS / PLANNING
At the request of LuAnn Zak, Office of Planning & Development, a motion was made by
Commissioner Hess, seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried unanimously to adopt the a
resolution authorizing the filing of the 2026 Community Development Block Grant Entitlement
application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development by the
deadline date of October 30, 2026. The application submission includes Indiana County’s
CDBG Entitlement and the two entitlement communities of Indiana Borough and Center
Township. The total application amount is $581,707.00. This request includes approval for the
Chairman Keith to sign all necessary forms to complete the application process.

CONTRACT AWARD – CARRIAGE HOUSE AND OFFICE BUILDING DEMOLITION
PROJECT / PLANNING
At the request of David Morrow, Office of Planning & Development, and on behalf of the
Indiana County Development Corporation (ICDC) and Stiffler-McGraw & Associates, Inc., a
motion was made by Commissioner Hess, seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried
unanimously to enter into a contract agreement with Ritenour & Sons Construction Company of
Connellsville, PA, for the Carriage House and Office Building Demolition Project located at
1300 and 1302 Oakland Avenue in Indiana Borough. The contract award request in the amount
of $342,000.00 is for the demolition of these two buildings, with an anticipated completion date
of early December 2026. Ten bids were received for the demolition project, ranging from the
$342,000 low bid to a $949,800 high bid. This project is funded by a Redevelopment Assistance
Capital Program grant, Keystone Communities Program Initiative grant and ICDC cash.
TABLE BIDS – CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER PHASE 2C - 3 ROOMS
PROJECT – GENERAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT / PLANNING
At the request of David Morrow, Office of Planning & Development, in partnership with the
Central Allegheny Challenger Learning Center and project architect UpStreet Architects, a
motion was made by Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried
unanimously to table all bids received for the General Construction Contract for the Challenger
Learning Center Phase 2C – 3 Rooms project.
Bids for this phase of construction, which details specialized interior classrooms for the
upcoming STEM academy campus at the Indiana County Technology Center complex, were
formally opened and publicly read on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. The submitting entities
require a temporary tabling of these proposals to allow sufficient time to thoroughly review the
technical specifications, verify contractor qualifications, and ensure full compliance with project
funding criteria.
CONTRACT AWARD: CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER PHASE 2C 3-ROOMS
PROJECT – ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION / PLANNING
At the request of David Morroww, Office of Planning & Development, in coordination with
UpStreet Architects and the Central Allegheny Challenger Learning Center, a motion was made
by Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess and carried unanimously to enter
into a contract agreement with Sheesley Electric in the amount of $103,700 for the Challenger
Learning Center Phase 2C 3-Rooms Project – Electrical Construction Contract.
Under this contract, the contractor will provide and install all necessary electrical systems and
infrastructure required to finish the primary educational and simulator spaces. The scope of work
specifically covers the following areas:
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Transport Room
Spacecraft Room
Mission Control Room
Minor adjoining support rooms

Three bids were received for this project, with the low bid submitted by Sheesley Electric and a
high bid of $149,760. Project costs will be covered by a Keystone Communities Initiative
Program grant.
RESOLUTION – GRANT APPLICATION – CENTER CHALLENGER LEARNING
CENTER OF THE CENTRAL ALLEGHENIES, INDIANA, PA / PLANNING
At the request of Byron Stauffer, Office of Planning and Development, on behalf of the Central
Allegheny Challenger Learning Center, a motion was made by Commissioner Dunlap, seconded
by Commissioner Hess and carried unanimously ty approve a resolution authorizing the filing of
a grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development –
Keystone Communities Initiative Program – in the amount of $1,100,000.00 for eligible project
costs, including construction and related professional services, associated with the development
of an approximately 11,166 +/- square foot education and training facility on the campus of the
Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC). The purpose of the project is to provide a regional
learning facility for students K-12, as well as adult learners that includes a community college,
the technology center, and the Challenger Learning Center of the Central Alleghenies, Indiana,
PA that strengthens knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to
inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, all intended to provide students entering the
workforce the necessary skill sets to pursue successful careers in high-demand occupations.
Additionally, includes authorization to enter into a Cooperation Agreement with Central
Allegheny Challenger Learning Center for the Indiana County Office of Planning &
Development to administer the project and for the Executive Director to submit the KCIP grant
application and for Commissioners Mike Kieth and Bonni Dunlap authorized as designated
signors of the grant agreement.
RESOLUTION – GRANT APPLICATION – ICCAP FOOD BANK RENOVATION
FINAL PHASE II PROJECT / PLANNING
At the request of Byron Stauffer, Office of Planning & Development, on behalf of the Indiana
County Community Action Program (ICCAP), a motion was made by Commissioner Hess,
seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried unanimously to approve a resolution authorizing
the filing of a grant application to the Hillman Family Foundations in the amount of $50,000.00
for eligible project costs associated with the ICCAP Food Bank Renovation Final Phase II
Project located at 2131 Shelly Drive in White Township. The grant funding request will be for
project costs, such as the installation of a marquee sign with a message board, sliding
electronically controlled site access gates, a storefront door, and parking lot LED light fixtures. It
also includes relocating select interior gas lines, electrical fixtures, and interior walls to address
safety concerns. The estimated construction costs are $289,000.00 plus engineering, inspection
and construction administration fees, together with the Hillman Family Foundations funding, the
balance of the project will be covered by 2025 and 2023 CDBG grant funds. Authorization
includes entering into a Cooperation Agreement with Indiana County Community Action
Program (ICCAP) for the Indiana County Office of Planning & Development to administer the
project.

Lastly, request authorization for the Executive Director to submit the Hillman Family
Foundations grant application and for Commissioners Mike Keith and Bonni Dunlap to be
authorized as designated signors of the grant agreement.
2026 SALLADE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PROGRAM GRANT
APPLICATION
At the request of Robin Maryai, Chief Clerk, a motion was made by Commissioner Hess,
seconded by Commissioner Hess, seconded by Commissioner Dunlap and carried unanimously
to approve a 2026 Sallade Safety Improvement Project Program Grant Application in the amount
of $2,929.24. These funds will be used to purchase rock salt in preparation for the winter season
and for protective equipment for the parks department when cutting trees/debris.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING…SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 AT 10:30 A.M.
The next regular scheduled Commissioners’ Public meeting will be held on Wednesday,
September 23, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Hearing Room.
ADJOURNMENT
With no other business coming before the Board at this time, a motion was made by
Commissioner Dunlap, seconded by Commissioner Hess to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 a.m.
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Sherene Hess, Secretary

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R. Michael Keith, Chairman