Every PACOG Annual Conference includes presentations by State Government Agencies.

Below are the Questions and Answers posed by the State Agencies at the PACOG 2010 Annual Conference in State College.

The following State agencies participated in the PACOG conference: Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Department of General Services (DGS), Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

These Questions and Answers are interesting and informative!

DCED Questions and Answers

1. Which answer most correctly identifies the percentage of Pennsylvania municipalities that operate their own municipal police departments (including full-time, part-time and regional)? 40%, 50% or 60%

50 percent

2. How many regional “consolidated” departments are currently operating within the Commonwealth? <20, <40 or <60

32

3. What is the name of the DCED grant funding initiative established 5 years ago to assist Pennsylvania local governments in addressing financial management issues and fiscal difficulties in a timely and planned manner in order to avert an adverse impact on health, safety and welfare of their residents?

Early Intervention Program (the program currently has an annual appropriation of $704,000)

4. What is the Act number which commonly refers to taxes established by the Local Tax Enabling Act of 1965 which allows the collection of such taxes as the following: earned income tax, per capita tax, real estate transfer tax, business privilege tax and amusement tax?

Act 511

5. This DCED grant program was created by the Passage of Act 78 of 1970, amending Section 2501-C of the Administrative Code whose purpose is to promote cooperation between municipalities and foster increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services .

Shared Municipal Services (the program currently has an appropriation of $476,000)

6. What is the name of the law that creates the statutory foundation for the establishment of Councils of Governments (COGs)?

Intergovernmental Cooperation Law (Act 180 of 1972)

7. What is the primary mechanism for a municipality to participate in the formation of, or join, a COG?

Adopt, by ordinance, an intergovernmental agreement.

8. In what year is the legislative deadline for municipalities to be in compliance with Act 32, the Earned Income Tax Consolidation Act?

2012 (January)

9. What is the official deadline for submitting any new tax enactments, repeals or changes in tax rates for the Earned Income Tax (EIT) or the Local Services Tax (LST), to the Department of Community and Economic Development, DCED, for inclusion into the “Official Register”?

December 1st

10. There are roughly 2,600 fire departments in Pennsylvania. What percentage (approximate) of these fire departments are paid or are a combination of paid and volunteer firefighters?

Approximately 5 percent

11. Generally speaking, what is the largest single cost for any municipal budget?

Personnel Costs; (typically 60 to 80% of general fund budgets)

12. How would a property owner who resides in a municipality that has “opted-in” to the building statewide building code appeal a decision of a local building code official?

File an appeal with the municipality’s Building Code Appeals Board.

13. How many days does a municipality have to respond to a Right to Know request?

5 business days

14. What dollar value requires advertising when a municipality makes a decision to dispose of surplus items/property?

When the value is in excess of $1,000

15. Do municipalities still need to secure price quotes when purchasing through a state contract (ex: Co-Stars)?

No

DCNR Questions and Answers

1. What does DCNR stand for?

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

2. Who is the Current Secretary of DCNR: John Quigley, John Q. Public, John Quincy Adams, John Kanaka Naka Too Rye Ay?

John Quigley.

3. Which is something that DCNR does not manage? State Parks, State Forests, State Gamelands?

DCNR does not manage State Gamelands

4. How many State Parks are there in PA: 27, 57, 117, 700?

There are 117 State Parks in PA

5. PA has 2.1 million acres of what?

State Forest Land

6. “The best sunsets in the Lower 48 States” can be seen at what lake from Presque Isle State Park?

Lake Erie

7. The first Forestry Commissioner and The Father of Forestry in PA was: Gifford Pinchot, James Rothrock, Teddy Roosevelt, Ansel Adams?

James Rothrock

8. The Nature Inn, featuring a lodge with 12 rooms for overnight lodging, a first in any state park in the nation, was opened recently at what State Park in the North Central part of PA?

Bald Eagle State Park

9. Which of the following is NOT a Bureau in DCNR: Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Bureau of Topographic and Geological Survey, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of Investigation?

Bureau of Investigation

10. The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation provides several services to communities throughout the commonwealth, including all of the following except: Providing Grants, Providing Technical Assistance, Building recreation and conservation partnerships, Monitoring College Athletics?

Monitoring College Athletics…

11. The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation provides grants to communities for recreation projects. Which one is NOT an eligible type of project: Planning a town park, Acquiring land for protection, Construction of a playground, Building a public trail, Building a private fitness club?

We do NOT fund private fitness clubs.

12. The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s grant funds come from several different sources. Which one is NOT a source of DCNR allocated grant funds: Keystone Funding, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Growing Greener, or The Governor’s Personal Endowment?

I made up the last one…its NOT that

13. DCNR helps support 12 Heritage Areas in the state, which one is NOT a heritage area: The Lumber Heritage Region, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, Allegheny National Forest, or Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority?

The Allegheny National Forest is not managed by DCNR.

14. True or False, the symbol for the Pennsylvania Wilds, our largest Conservation Landscape, is Smokey Bear?

False, its an Elk Head in a Keystone

15. True or False, the Headquarters of DCNR is in the Rachel Carson State Office Building in Harrisburg.

True

16. True or False, The PA Bureau of State Parks recently won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award, presented by the American Academy of Parks and Recreation Management, in partnership with the National Recreation and Parks Association, the highest honor a park system can receive.

True

17. Which of the following is NOT one of the new and innovative DCNR programs: Get Outdoors PA, I Conserve, Tree Vitalize, World Wildlife Fund?

It’s the last one, the first three are all new initiatives, check them out!

DGS Questions and Answers

1. If you wanted to buy recycling containers by way of the Commonwealth’s Co-Stars Program, which contract would you use: 15, 17, 21?

17

2. When you acquire Federal Surplus Property, there are rules of “compliance” that must be followed. These rules are concerned with: following all applicable laws concerning the property, using the property safely and in an environmentally responsible way, reporting as to the property’s use and location for a specified period of time?

Reporting as to the property’s use and location for a specified period of time

3. When requesting that DGS search for a low mileage vehicle from the Fixed Price Vehicles program, it’s important to: request specific operational features you need, request the color you want or request a price under $5000.

Request specific operational features you need

4. As a means of avoiding the competitive bidding process and the time and money that involves, all political Subdivisions throughout Pennsylvania are eligible to purchase from all Commonwealth-provided sources as declared by: an executive order signed by Governor Shapp in 1971, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the Commonwealth Procurement Code?

The Commonwealth Procurement Code, Sections 1902 through 1908

5. DGS has a contract with an on-line auction service that all of the PA political subdivisions can use at no cost to sell their obsolete property to the public. The name of that company is: Keystone Auction Services, Inc., E-bid Property Management LLC, Asset Auctions LLC?

Asset Auctions LLC
6. Which of the following is NOT a current location of a Federal Surplus Property Warehouse: Hermitage, PA Mercer County; Harrisburg, PA Dauphin County; or Hazelton, PA Luzerne County?

Hazelton, PA Luzerne County

7. What is the name of the DGS Surplus Property newsletter: The Surplus Sampler, The Surplus Sentinel, The Surplus Gazette?

The Surplus Sampler

8. On average, how many bids per lot are cast on the exclusive municipal auctions for Penn DOT’s Heavy Equipment: under 5 bids per lot, more than 12 bids per lot, over 30 bids per lot?

Under 5 bids per lot
9. Through which Federal Property Program can a municipality purchase new uniforms for policemen, firemen and any other public service personnel: The 1033 Law Enforcement Program, The 1122 Law Enforcement Program, or The General Services Administration Vanity Fair Catalog?

The 1122 Law Enforcement Program

10. If someone, anyone, needs inexpensive, used-but-serviceable office furniture, what is the best place to shop, especially if you are located within an hour’s drive of Harrisburg?

The DGS State Surplus Store

11. At any given moment, the DGS State Surplus Store in Harrisburg has Dell computers between four and six years old. You can get all of the elements of a system—CPU, monitor, keyboard and mouse—except for one important part, for under $80. What is the one element that will not come with your used computer: a power cord, a hard drive, or a mother board?

A hard drive

12. DGS will come to your county-wide function or COG meeting to make a presentation about State & Federal Surplus Property: True or False?

True

13. What is the most plentiful product we have to sell at the Federal Surplus Property Warehouse: army boots, mechanics’ wrenches, pocket knives?

Pocket knives

14. When your organization has decided to purchase a vehicle through the Federal Fixed Price Vehicle Program it is most important to: submit your request to DGS in order to get on the waiting list, have the funding available so that, when the vehicle arrives, you are prepared to pay for it, or be prepared to pick up the vehicle when it arrives?

submit your request to DGS in order to get on the waiting list

15. Cars and light trucks retired from the DGS fleet are sold at live auction near Harrisburg by: Keystone Auction Service, Mannheim Central Penn Auto Auction, Asset Auction, LLC?

Mannheim Central Penn Auto Auction

PennDOT Questions and Answers

1. What program invites volunteers to maintain a 2-mile stretch of state road and commit to pickup up trash from the roadside four times a year?

Adopt-A-Highway

2. Did you know that you can help us manage our highway network? What number enables you to call in and alert our main offices about road problems or hazards so that PennDOT can dispatch road crews to address the concern?

1-800-FIX-ROAD

3. Throughout the state, PennDOT greets nearly 4 million visitors each year. PennDOT’s Welcome Centers play a key role in facilitating safe and economic stimulating travel which supports tourism, which is Pennsylvania’s second leading industry. How many Welcome Centers does PennDOT manage across the Commonwealth?

There are 15 welcome centers across the state where travelers can stop for a break, get directions, and find out about local attractions and accommodations.

4. PennDOT is responsible for more roads in Pennsylvania than all the state-managed roads in New York, New Jersey, and the New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island). What is the total number of miles of state roads that PennDOT is responsible for maintaining?

PennDOT is responsible for more than 40,000 miles of roadway. In all there are more than 121,000 miles of interstate, state and local roads in Pennsylvania. 108 billion vehicle miles travel annually. 25,000 bridges are PennDOT owned and around 7,000 bridges are locally owned.

5. Funding for PennDOT’s services and products comes from four sources: Federal Funds, General Funds, the Motor License Fund, and Other funds. What is the largest source of funding that PennDOT receives?

The Motor License Fund is the largest fund. And, the four sources are: Liquid Fuels revenues, driver licensing and vehicle registration fees, the bridge restricted fund and other miscellaneous funds.

6. In an effort to reduce crashes and save lives on our highways, PennDOT introduced a campaign in early 2009.

Drive Safe PA – which can be found at the following file path – http://www.drivesafepa.org

7. Litter comes in all shapes and sizes – from a cigarette butt to a tire. It can be found on roadsides, sidewalks, in parks or on private property. Litter destroys the beauty of a community. How much money does PennDOT spend EVERY year to clean up roadside litter?

PennDOT spends over $10 million dollars for roadside cleanup. Without PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Volunteers, PennDOT estimates clean up would cost $30 million dollars or more annually.

8. PennDOT established a way of doing business in 1996 that enables PennDOT and eligible partners to trade or exchange services instead of money. What is the name of the program?

The Agility Program, established in 1996, enables eligible partners to exchange services instead of money. Trading services for services among eligible community organizations and local governments enables PennDOT and its partners to stretch limited resources, share equipment and staff. One of the biggest advantages of the Agility Program is that relationships are developed between the partners and PennDOT.

9. With motorcycle use on the rise in Pennsylvania, PennDOT continues to focus on improving motorcycle safety. The number of registered motorcycles climbed to approximately 393,000 in 2009. Likewise, the number of licensed motorcyclists climbed to more than 828,000 last year. What is the name of the PennDOT program that prepares riders to safely operate their motorcycles?

The name of the program is the Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) and is free to all Pennsylvania license holders.

10. With approximately $3 billion worth of highway and bridge projects in Pennsylvania in 2010, motorists traveling through the Commonwealth will see many work zones. To help increase safety in work zones, PennDOT developed a work zone awareness campaign in 2009. As part of the work zone awareness campaign a 30-second public service announcement was created which asks motorists to do what while driving in work zones?

Cone-trol – The function of traffic cones is to protect everyone in a work zone. A typical day in the life of a traffic cone is being yelled at, sideswiped or even run over. But better a cone than a person. So please slow down in our work zones. If you control your driving in a work zone or “cone-trol” we can all go home safely at the end of the day.

PennDOT is truly grateful for the dedicated workers who put their lives at risk everyday to If you encounter our work zones, please keep the following tips in mind for your safety and the safety of our highway workers –Drive the posted work zone speed limit and stay alert!

11. A Headlight and Wiper Law was put into effect as of January 2007. What does the law require motorists to do?

Motorists must turn on their headlights anytime their vehicles’ wipers are in continuous or intermittent use due to weather or other atmospheric conditions such as fog or mist. Motorists who do not comply with the law could face a fine of $25, but with fees and other associated costs, the penalty would approach $100.

12. We all know the world is changing rapidly around us. Every day we see the prices increase, we read in the newspaper about global warming, and we talk about traffic congestion or the slowing economy. All of these trends are changing the needs and demands of our transportation system. To adapt to this changing world, PennDOT has integrated a concept into the way we do business. What is this new concept called?

Smart Transportation – ST asks us to understand and embrace our evolving financial, environmental, technological, and social contexts, as we approach our transportation challenges. It is about consistently applying the most innovative tools and ideas to solve our new transportation challenges, while also helping to build great communities across PA.

13. What is the name of Pennsylvania’s official travel information service that provides travelers with current traffic and weather information as well as links to other transportation services?

511 PA – From traffic conditions to carpooling information to route planning, 511 PA is a one-stop shop format. 511 PA is designed to provide users with real-time traffic information, transportation alternatives and links to tourism hot spots across the Commonwealth.

14. PennDOT is divided into six main areas, known as deputates. Each has authority over one of several transportation functions. Name three of the six deputates.

Highway Administration – with more than 10,000 employees, this is the largest division. It includes design, construction, maintenance, materials testing, environmental review, and safety and traffic engineering.

Safety Administration – this division manages the issuance of more than 8.7 million driver’s licenses and the registration of more than 11.3 million motor vehicles. It operates 72 drivers license centers and 25 stand-alone photo license centers and partnered with more than 240 on-line messengers sites to provide a wide variety of over-the-counter services across the state.

Planning – this division works with federal government and local planning organizations to develop the 12 year transportation program, which serves as the blueprint for highway, bridge, aviation, rail freight, and mass transit improvements. Planning also manages the cash flow from federal and state revenues. Planning also has sections working on long-range research and map making.

Aviation and Rail Freight – This division oversees grant programs for airports and freight railroads. PA ranks first in the US in the number of operating railroads (67) and also ranks near the top in total track mileage (over 6,000 miles). The state also has 134 public use airports, 313 private use airports and 290 private use heliports.

Local and Area Transportation – This division oversees more than $1 billion a year of investments in public transportation systems and resources. PennDOT works closely with AMTRAK to improve service on the Keystone Corridor. PA ranks fifth in the nation in direct support of public transit.

Administration – This division includes the bureaus that oversee fiscal management, computer systems, equal opportunity, offices services and personnel.

15. I live on a back road and it seems to take so long for PennDOT to service my road during a winter storm; what is a factor that PennDOT uses to determine the priority when servicing roads during a winter storm?

PennDOT services roads on a priority basis according to traffic volume. State roads with the highest amount of traffic, such as interstates and four-lanes, receive service first, followed by secondary roads. During a winter storm, PennDOT employees work around the clock so that all types of roads receive adequate service in priority order.

DEP Questions and Answers

1. DCED has program’s called CAT and GAT. DEP has a program called BAT. What does BAT stand for?

Brownfield Action Team

The Brownfield Action Team was created in 2004 for what purpose? Answer: It was created to have a single point of contact to provide assistance to streamline permitting on a Brownfield site.

2. Each of DEP’s 6 regional office’s have at least 8 programs, can you name 5?

Water Quality Management Program, Water Supply Management Program, Air Quality Program, Oil and Gas Program, Environmental Cleanup Program, Watershed Management Program, Waste Management Program, and the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment.

3. DEP’s Harms and Benefits form “D” relates to what program?

Waste Management Program/ municipal waste landfill permitting.

4. DEP’s OETD Program stands for what?

Office of Energy and Technology Deployment

5. Under DEP’s Vector Management Program what is the goal of this program?

To reduce adult black fly populations to tolerable pest levels during summer recreational season, and West Nile virus that is vectored by mosquitoes; these mosquitoes must be controlled to reduce risk of human transmission.

6. DEP’s Northcentral office in Williamsport recently started a new program, what is it?

Oil and Gas Program

7. This new Eastern Oil and Gas program covers how many counties?

42

8. DEP has a program that is responsible for effective partnerships with local governments, municipal associations and economic development associations, called OCRLGS. What does this stand for?

Office of Community Revitalization and Local Government Support

9. Office of the Great Lakes is located in what Regional office?

Meadville, in the Northwest Regional Office

10. DEP and DCNR used to be one agency. Can you name it?

Department of Environmental Resources

Bonus point if you can name what DER was called before that?

Department of Forest & Waters

11. Under Act 537 of 1966 all municipalities must develop and implement an official plan that address what?

Long term operation and maintenance of both community and individual sewage treatment systems within their jurisdiction.

12. County Recycling Coordinators are eligible for what percent reimbursement from DEP for the county recycling coordinators salary and expenses?

50 %

13. Many landowners and municipalities are interested in receiving notice of gas well permit applications. DEP has a no-cost subscription service called _______________ that notifies land owners and municipalities with an email when a well permit application is received. This system enables land owners and municipalities to receive notice of a permit application at the same time that DEP receives the application. What is this system called?

Enotice and it can be accessed through DEP’s website: www.depweb.state.pa.us

14. To drill a new Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Pennsylvania, the operator must obtain a well permit from the Department of Environmental Protection and post a bond. The bond is a financial incentive to ensure that the operator will adequately perform the drilling operations, address any water supply problems the drilling activity may cause, reclaim the well site, and properly plug the well upon abandonment. The bond amount for a single well is_$________; a blanket bond to cover any number of wells is $________.

$2,500.00 and $25,000.00

15. Underground Heating oil Tank Cleanup Program: This program provides reimbursement for owners of underground storage tanks with a capacity of 3,000 gallons or less to assist with the cost of taking corrective action in response to a release. Maximum reimbursement is: $1000.00, $3000.00, $4,000.00, or $6000.00?

$4,000