Mayor’s Report
Council Meeting, June 9, Actions Taken.
The following actions were taken at the Monessen City Council meeting on June 9, 2020.
The meeting was called to order at 7 pm. This meeting was open to the public. The public was given the opportunity to submit general public comments or public comments on agenda items via email or phone prior to the meeting, and those present were able to offer public comment as well.
Roll call was given. All council members were present. (Controller and Treasurer were absent.)
Pledge to the flag.
Minutes were approved for the May 12, 2020 meeting.
Presentation by Mr. Kareem Straughn, 470 Donner Ave. in regards to Ordinance №340–21 Street and Sidewalk Sales.
The floor was opened to public comment on agenda items only.
Correspondance: A proclamation to Humane Action Pittsburgh, regarding the indiscriminate killing of wildlife in the form of wildlife killing contests.
Treasurer’s Report for the month-ending, May 2020.
The report was approved, 5–0.
Some highlights of the report are as follows:
Real Estate taxes collected for May, $331,631.17
Tax Distribution:
General fund: $1,155,696.70
Debt Service Fund: $398,516.10
Parks Fund: $200,652.87
Library Fund: 39,851.60
Mayor Shorraw read the Controller’s report for the month ending May 2020. Reconciled balance to bank statement is: $939,058.43.
Motion to approve the repurposing of 2 police interceptor vehicles removed from service — 1 Fire Dept., and 1 Code Dept. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion for the sanitation of police vehicles — Ford Motor Company — no charge to the municipality. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve Ordinance №2–2020, an ordinance of the council for the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, repealing Ordinance №1–2019 of the City of Monessen. (Vote Failed: 2–3)
Motion to approve Ordinance №3–2020 Fire and Burning Ordinance — an ordinance providing for and regulating the use of fires and burning by the establishment of specific regulations, exceptions, and definitions; providing for enforcement; prescribing penalties for violations; repealing inconsistent ordinances; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve Downtown Parking Ordinance №4–2020. An ordinance confirming current on-street parking restrictions, prohibitions, and regulations for portions of Eastgate Avenue, Rebecca Street, Monongahela Street, Parente Boulevard, First Street, Second Street, Third Street, Fourth Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Seventh Street, Eighth Street, Tenth Street, Maronda Way, Donner Avenue, and Schoonmaker Avenue; establishing two-hour parking and eliminating metered parking for potions of Oneida Street, First Street, Second Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Wendell Ramey Lane, Donner Avenue, Schoonmaker Avenue; confirming current off-street parking restrictions and regulations for various city parking lots; promulgating general parking regulations and restrictions; repealing inconsistent ordinances; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the removal of parking meters based upon the approval of Ordinance №4–2020. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
First Reading — Motion to present the first reading of Ordinance №5–2020 Fireworks Ordinance — An ordinance establishing the procedure and providing for the promulgation of regulations for the City’s issuance of licenses and permits for displays of consumer and display fireworks within the City, including a bond requirement; promulgating certain restrictions regarding fireworks displays and use; providing for penalties for the violation thereof; repealing inconsistent ordinances and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to hire Cheryl Gordon to the position of Accounting/Payroll Clerk. She will be a full-time hourly employee at $16.00 per hour, under the current Union Contract. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to advertise for the position of City Clerk. Salary $42,000. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to ratify the lifting of the City’s March 17, 2020 Emergency Declaration effective June 5, 2020. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
USDA Project — Motion to approve the Bond Counsel Agreement for Jeff Mills, Cozen O’Connor Law Firm and to approve Legal Services Agreement for Tim Witt, Watson Mundorff, LLP Law Firm. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the Parkway Emergency Wall Repair Project to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Reynolds Brothers, Inc. based on the unit bid price of $34,800.00. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to adopt the City of Monessen Police Accountability and Internal Affairs Policy. The Board will consist of five members with four community members and the Mayor. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to advertise for the four community members on the Police Accountability and Internal Affairs Board. (Utilizing staggered terms.) (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Police Report for the month of May was read.
Street Report for the month of May 2020 was read.
Motion to approve Resolution 7–2020 of the City of Monessen to issue a government obligation to finance a small capital purchase. (for the acquisition of a Street Sweeper). (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve Resolution 8–2020 of the City of Monessen to approve and enter into a lease-purchase agreement with John Deere Corporation and Murphy Tractor and Equipment Company for a 444L wheel loader. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve advertising to sell our 2008 street sweeper on Municibid (at no cost to the city). (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to accept Glenda Mavrakis’ resignation from the Library Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to advertise for the vacant Library Board position. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Parks and Recreation Report was read, for the month of May 2020.
Code Office Financial report was read, for the month of May 2020.
Code Activity report was read, for the month of May 2020.
Fire report was read, for the month of May 2020.
EMS report was read, for the month of May 2020.
Motion to sell the 1998 GMC Truck, previously used by the Code Department. An advertisement has been posted. Sealed bids will be accepted up to 10:00 am on June 19, 2020. Bid Opening 10:00 am Friday, June 19, 2020. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to accept a quotation for $10,000 from Slagle Roofing and Construction, Inc. to replace the roof for the Hilltop Fire Station. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the transfer of funds from the General Fund to Payroll and Healthcare, $110,000. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the payment of invoices from General Fund, $197,840.18. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the payment of invoices for Parks, $30,332.81. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the payment of invoices for Recreation $397.92. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Motion to approve the payment of invoices for Line Usage, $16,773.00. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
All invoices due for payment in 2020 are current.
2019 debt still pending:
Police Pension $227,000.
Refuse Authority $138,000.
Health Care Insurance $140,000.
Large Account balances, end of May 2020.
General Fund $898,294
Liquid Fuels $245,993
Parks and Recreation $285,936
Line Usage $129,000
The floor was opened to general public comment.
Adjournment at 9:20 pm.
MS
