Mayor’s Report

Council Meeting, August 10, 2021, Actions Taken.

The following actions were taken at the Monessen City Council meeting on August 10, 2021.

The meeting was called to order at 7 pm.

Roll call was given. All council members were present.

Pledge to the flag.

Minutes were approved for the July 8, 2021 meeting.

The floor was opened to Public Comments on Agenda Items.

Correspondence:

The first public hearing for the preparation of the FY 2021 CDBG Application was held on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 4 pm at City Hall.

The “River Launch Playground” was installed on Saturday, August 7, 2021, the mulching of the playground area will be completed sometime this week. Thank you to all the volunteers and donors who made it happen!

Monessen Recreation Board’s June 28, 2021 meeting minutes were submitted to Council.

Old Business: Discussion of a list of 2019 unpaid invoices that were paid in 2020, totaling $657,646.23.

City Treasurer’s Report was given for the month ending July 2021

The report was approved, 5–0.

Some highlights of the report are as follows:

Real Estate taxes collected for July 2021, $41,020.38
Current Garbage Collected for July 2021, $3,432.50
Delinquent Garbage Collected for July 2021, $10,085.81
Delinquent Garbage Collected for July 2021 by Portnoff, $1,349.06

Tax Distribution:
General fund: $1,384,875.56
Debt Service Fund: $475,249.00
Parks Fund: $237,624.50
Library Fund: $47,524.91

1 mill = $58,430.63

Real Estate Transfer Tax Collected for July, $10,526.05
Earned Income Tax Collected for July, $24,718.07
Mercantile Tax Collected for July, $5,950.67
Local Services Tax Collected for July, $3,274.76
Tax Certifications Collected for July, $1,720.00
Municipal Lien Letters Collected for July, $1,350.00

City Controller’s report was given for the month ending July 31, 2021. The reconciled balance to the bank statement is $336,030.25.

New Business:

Mayor Shorraw:

A Motion to appoint Linzi Troilo to the vacant seat on the Monessen Library Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint David Noel to the Youth and Young Citizens Board.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Zalendria Hardison to the Youth and Young Citizens Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to accept the resignation of Marsha Adams from the Shade Tree Commission due to a conflict in schedule. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Gordon Marshall to the vacant position on the Shade Tree Commission.(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to give the honorary status of Emeritus Library Board Member to Kathleen Mappas for her decades of dedication to the Monessen Public Library.(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve a request from Kareem Straughn to purchase two properties- Tax Map 20–02–06–0–306 and 20–02–15–0–192 was tabled, due to a request for additional information.

A Motion to forgive City property taxes for $3,382.06 for 428 McKee Avenue. Tax Map 20–02–03–0–367. A Copy of the deed and the Development Agreement has been signed. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve Quitclaim deed by and between the City of Monessen and the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Monessen for Parcel ID 20–02–08–0–382 and 20–02–08–0–382 (lots of Moffat Street and Elizabeth Avenue). (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve Monessen Fire Department №2 request to have a vendor, crafts, and food truck festival at the boat launch on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from 4 to 8pm. Request for the fee to be waived. This is a fire department fundraiser. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve promoting Officer Brittan Laird from part-time to full-time status. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve Westmoreland County Assessment’s change form dated 7/16/21 to reduce the discount amount to $499.37 on Tax Map №20–02–15–0–120. Refund of $587.24 required. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve Resolution №22 of 2021, a Resolution of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, authorizing a grant application to be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program, for the rehabilitation of the Downtown Monessen Public Parking Garage. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №1239, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing certain rules and regulations regarding dogs and cats, and other domestic and non-domestic animals in the City of Monessen; rules and regulations of certain exotic animals; establishing penalties and enforcement regulations; and providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №1240, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, dissolving the Master Plan Conference; repealing Ordinance 654 (Ordinance 11 of 1967); providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №1242, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 285 in the codified ordinances of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regarding plumbing; providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №1243, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing certain rules and procedures for potential new hires; establishing certain rules and procedures for potential appointees to all city boards, authorities, and commissions; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №1244, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing rules and regulations for the purchase of supplies, parts, equipment maintenance, vehicle maintenance, and day-to-day operations and necessities; and providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1245, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 175 of the codified ordinances of the City of Monessen, as related to Curfew; and providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1246, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ratifying the establishment of a Police Accountability and Internal Affairs Board by and for the City of Monessen; ratifying the appointment of its members; establishing a Police Accountability and Internal Affairs Policy; establishing a process for internal affairs investigations; establishing an accountability review process; establishing a formal complaints procedure, and providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1247, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to adopt a Municipal Stormwater Management Plan by and for the City of Monessen. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

The police reports for the month ending June 2021 and July 2021 was read.

Councilwoman Thomas:

The Street Report for the month ending July 2021 was read.

Euclid Drive paving project has been completed. 20MPH Signs will be installed. Pedestrian crosswalk will be painted from the parking lot to track.

The Library Board Report for the month ending July 2021 was read.

The Redevelopment Authority Report for the month ending July 2021 was read.

Councilman Orzechowski:

The Parks Report for the month ending July 2021 was read.

Councilman Gregor:

Code Enforcement Office Financial Report ending July 2021
Code Enforcement Activity Report ending July 2021
Mon Valley Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Report ending July 2021
Fire department Report ending July 2021

K2 Engineering (third-party) will handle code activity going forward until a Code Enforcement Officer can be found.

Councilman Coles:

A Motion to conduct the final reading of Ordinance №1241, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, promoting equity, diversity, and inclusivity, in the City of Monessen, and establishing equitable contracting procedures for minority and women-owned business enterprises; establishing an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — General Fund $272,539.24
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Line Usage $56,340.64
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Liquid Fuels $15,459.08
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Park Fund $15,764.96
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Recreation $500.02
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

Large Dollar Account balances, for the month ending June:
Debt Service $476,994.93
American Rescue $378,745.54
General Fund $296,738.91
Line Usage $ 127,448.10
Parks & Recreation $108,198.91

The floor was opened to public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

MS