Mayor’s Report

Council Meeting, June 12, 2021, Actions Taken.

The following actions were taken at the Monessen City Council meeting on June 12, 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 May 11, 2021 meeting.

The floor was opened to Public Comments on Agenda Items.

Correspondence:

Correspondence from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency acknowledging the recommendation to appoint Mr. Michael N. Singel to serve as Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Monessen.

Minutes were received from the May 2021 meeting of the Monessen Human Relations Commission.

Minutes were received from the April 2021 meeting of the Monessen Shade Tree Commission.

A Proclamation on the occasion of Juneteenth was issued (June 19, 2021).

A Juneteenth Ceremony will be held at the City Hall Courtyard on June 19, 2021 at Noon.

Joseph’s Nursery informed the city, 20 benches have been purchased through donations. Benches will be placed throughout City Park, 9th Street Park, and 6th Street Park. Several benches were recently installed at the Amphitheater. Anyone interested in donating a tree or bench may do so by contacting City Hall or Joseph’s Nursery.

The City held an executive session prior to this meeting, for the purposes of Personnel and Litigation.

Old Business: None

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

The report was approved, 5–0.

Some highlights of the report are as follows:

Real Estate taxes collected for May 2021, $441,514.15
Current Garbage Collected for May 2021, $4,405.00
Delinquent Garbage Collected for May 2021, $6,703.54
Delinquent Garbage Collected for May 2021 by Portnoff, $4,293.53

Tax Distribution:
General fund: $1,235,804.12
Debt Service Fund: $424,092.01
Parks Fund: $212,046.01
Library Fund: $42,409.20

1 mill = $58,430.63

Real Estate Transfer Tax Collected for May, $9,627.62
Earned Income Tax Collected for May, $57,032.13
Mercantile Tax Collected for May, $6,264.71
Local Services Tax Collected for May, $7,049.76
Tax Certifications Collected for May, $2,720.00
Municipal Lien Letters Collected for May, $1,950.00

City Controller’s report was given for the month ending May 31, 2021. The reconciled balance to the bank statement is $745,700.36.

New Business:

Mayor Shorraw:

A Motion to approve advertising for an expired term on the Police Civil Service Commission. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve acceptance of a proposal from McGowan Governmental Underwriters for Worker’s Compensation for the period July 1, 2021 — July 1, 2022. Annual Savings of $52,587.00 (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve giving a portion of 4th Street from Donner Avenue to its Northern Terminus, the honorary name “Albert Lexie Way”. As a shoeshine, Mr. Lexie raised over $200,000 in tips and donated them to Children’s Hospital. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve giving a portion of 2nd Street from Donner Avenue to its Northern Terminus, the honorary name “William Miller Way”. Miller was Monessen’s first fire chief in the early 1900s. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to forgive City Property taxes for 484 McKee Avenue, Tax Map №20–02–03–0–343. The development agreement has been signed and a copy of the deed has been submitted. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to forgive City Property taxes for 642 Knox Avenue, Tax Map №20–02–06–0–215. The development agreement has been signed and a copy of the deed has been submitted. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder, Urban Design Ventures, LLC for planning services and General Consulting to assist the City of Monessen to administer the FY2020, FY 2021, and FY 2022 CDBG Programs. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder, W.E.C Inc. to provide Professional Engineering Services to the City of Monessen for FY 2020, FY2021, FY2022. CDBG Programs. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve replacing the unsafe sidewalk on the right side of Donner Avenue. The lowest responsible bid was received from Joseph’s Nursery ($21,000.00) to perform the work. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №16 of 2021, a Resolution for the purpose of purchasing surveillance cameras and related equipment to enforce the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act. Westmoreland County District Attorney intends to distribute $19,975.00 to the City of Monessen.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №17 of 2021 a Resolution to Reimagine Appalachia in support of a Federal Appalachia Climate Infrastructure Plan.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №18 of 2021 a Resolution to authorize applying for and accepting the first disbursement of the American Rescue Plan municipal funds; to deposit such funds into a separate account for administration and accounting purposes; to authorize the opening of such account; to authorize the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Clerk to execute such forms and documents as are necessary to receive such funding and opening such account; and to authorize City Officials and employees to take any actions to effectuate this Resolution. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №19 of 2021, a Resolution of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, accepting a Blight Remediation Grant award from the Commonwealth Finance Agency.
(Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to approve advertising the acceptance of bids for the 500 Donner Avenue stabilization project. (Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to adopt Ordinance №1238 (final reading) an ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Ordinance 5 of 2004 (ordinance 1073) and any subsequent amendments pertaining to the Uniform Construction Code of the City of Monessen; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

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

A Motion to appoint Julian Naphier to the vacant young adult position on the Youth and Young Citizens Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

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

The Police Report for the month ending May 2021 was read.

Councilwoman Thomas:

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

A Motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder El Grande Industries, Inc. of Donora for the CDBG paving project at Euclid Drive. They bid $155,781.50 to perform the project. A total of five companies bid on the project.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

The Library Board Report for the month ending May 2021 was read.
The Redevelopment Authority Report for the month ending May 2021 was read.

Councilman Orzechowski:

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

A Motion to approve Cummins Inc. Planned Equipment Maintenance Agreement. The term is for five years (2021–2025) Payments — Pay as you go. The annual Payment is $932.74. This will guarantee the maintenance of the generator for the Public Safety Building. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

BBQ Grills (5) have been purchased for the City of Monessen Parks:
(1) Herman Mihalich River Launch, (1) 9th Street Park, (3) City Park.

Councilman Gregor:

Code Enforcement Office Financial Report ending May 2021
Code Enforcement Activity Report ending May 2021
Mon Valley Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Report ending May 2021
Fire department Report ending May 2021
Recreation Board Report for May 2021 was read.

Councilman Coles

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — General Fund $220,091.20
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Line Usage $118,177.28
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Debt Service $100,823.20
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Park Fund $ 20,409.87
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Recreation $ 197.08
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

Large Dollar Account balances, for the month ending May:
General Fund $767,274.25
Debt Service $437,937.63
Parks & Recreation $103,992.88
Line Usage $ 92,574.53
Liquid Fuels $ 65,520.05

A Motion to increase the wages for Marlene Koget-Thorpe to $12 per hour, beginning the next pay period, not to exceed 29.5 hours per week.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

The floor was opened to public comment.

A Motion to grant approval to use City Park Walking Track for Red, White, and Blue Prayer Meet on June 30, July 1, and July 2 from 5–9pm, at no cost.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

MS