Mayor’s Report
Council Meeting, October 13, 2020, Actions Taken.
The following actions were taken at the Monessen City Council meeting on October 13, 2020.
The meeting was called to order at 7 pm. This meeting was open to the public.
Roll call was given. All council members were present.
Pledge to the flag.
Minutes were approved for the September 15, 2020 meeting, the September 28, 2020 meeting, and the October 5, 2020 meeting.
Carissa Barcus made a presentation on feral cat control (trap neuter, release).
The floor was open for public comment on agenda items only.
Correspondence:
The Mon Valley Opioid Coalition is holding a Narcan Drive-Thru, Wednesday, October 14, from 4–5:30 pm in the parking lot of St. Sebastian’s Church in North Belle Vernon.
The City of Monessen has available for public viewing, the Annual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) status report (June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020). The report was prepared by W.E.C. Inc. on behalf of the City of Monessen for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
A Right-To-Know request was received from Councilman Anthony Orzechowski on October 7, 2020. Tracking No 5–2020. Request Reads: “Please provide the following financial information: All City of Monessen bank accounts with the following information: Bank statements at the beginning of each month and at the end of each month from January 1, 2020, to present (October 6, 2020). Please include the actual bank statement identifying the banking institution on each statement. All paid and unpaid invoices since January 1, 2020, to present including check and invoice. Please notify me if fees associated with this request will be more than $50.00.” Notifiction was given on October 9, 2020 — “Your request will be more than $250.00.” No reply to date.
City of Monessen Major Fund Palance Comparisons through September 2020 vs. September 2019. All attendees were able to pick up a copy at the meeting.
The chart shows the following balances for the city’s large accounts:
General Fund: Sept. 2019: $362,614.45 vs. Sept. 2020: $798,370.49
Debt Service Fund: Sept. 2019: $11,414.41 vs. Sept. 2020: $427,606.75
Line Usage Fund: Sept. 2019: $153,137.79 vs. Sept. 2020: $40,599.58
Liquid Fuels Sept. 2019: $161,534.78 vs. Sept. 2020: $82,679.77
Parks and Rec. Fund: Sept. 2019 $224,629.68 vs. Sept. 2020: $141,446.97
Total: Sept. 2019: $913.331.11 vs. Sept. 2020: $1,490,703.56 (63% increase)
There was no Old Business.
City Treasurer’s Report was given for the month ending Sept. 2020.
The report was approved, 5–0.
Some highlights of the report are as follows:
Real Estate taxes collected for Sept., $20,567.04 (YTD: $2,006,277.02)
Tax Distribution:
General fund: $1,419,145.17
Debt Service Fund: $489,715.06
Parks Fund: $246,571.55
Library Fund: $50,000.00
Real Estate Transfer Tax Collected for Sept., $6,572.97 (YTD: $157,733.94)
Earned Income Tax Collected for Sept., $47,208.32 (YTD: $470,519.46)
Mercantile Tax Collected for Sept., $870.03 (YTD: $22,960.56)
Local Services Tax Collected for Sept., $540.74 (YTD: $57,969.68)
Tax Certifications Collected for Sept., $3,020.00 (YTD: $17,860.00)
Municipal Lien Letters Collected for August, $1,650.00 (YTD: $12,675.00)
City Controller’s report was given for the month ending August 31, 2020. The reconciled balance to the bank statement is $636,896.16
Mayor Matt Shorraw
A motion to approve Resolution 20–2020, A Resolution of the City of Monessen Authorizing Application to Westmoreland County for a Westmoreland County CARES Municipal Support Grant.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve the promotion of Cheryl Gordon, to the City Clerk Position, at an annual salary of $42,000, without benefits.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve advertising in the local newspaper, for a General Office position. This will be a full-time union position. Benefits included.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve City-Wide Trick or Treat for Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 4–6pm. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to advertise for all vacant City Board, Authority, and Commission positions. To be eligible, applicants must meet the requirements of Resolution 11–2020, outlining rules and procedures for appointing board, authority, and commission members. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
Vacant City Board, Authority, and Commission positions include:
Police Civil Service Commission: 1
Mid-Mon Valley Transit Authority: 1
Mon Valley Sewage Authority: 1
Redevelopment Authority: 1
Planning Commission: 2
Zoning Board: 3, plus an alternate.
Mon Valley Refuse Authority: 1
Recreation Board: 2
Public Library Board: 2
Shade Tree Commission: 5
Environmental Advisory Board: 5
A motion to approve American Red Cross to hold a blood drive at the Civic Center, 861 Donner Ave. on Thurs. November 12, from 12:30 to 6 pm. Please call 1–800–733–2767 to schedule an appointment. Masks and social distancing required. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve Resolution №16–2020, Addendum “A” contract for professional services by and between the City of Monessen and Urban Design Ventures, LLC for preparation of a new Zoning Ordinance that follows the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve Resolution №18–2020, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Monessen approving and authorizing the submission of the FY 2020 CDBG application. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve and adopt the statement of goals in compliance with the National Program for Minority and Women Business Enterprises, Executive Order 11625, City of Monessen, PA. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve Resolution №19–2020, A Resolution of the City of Monessen, authorizing the submission of a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Multimodal Transporation Fund Grant Request; Designating City Officials to Execute all Documents and Agreements in Connection with the Requested Grant and Assist in Obtaining the requested grant; and providing for miscellaneous matter. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №9–2020, an Ordinance of the Council for the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing Compensation on a per-meeting basis; repealing Ordinance №1–2019 of the City of Monessen. (Vote Approved: 4–1)
A motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №11–2020 an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing requirements for the registration of vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed real property, within the City of Monessen; providing for regulations and enforcements; assessing fees, violations, and penalties; and establishing a Blight Fund. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve the final reading of Ordinance №12–2020, and Ordinance of the City of Monessen; providing for the creation of an Environmental Advisory Board in and for the City of Monessen; establishing an authority and purpose; repealing inconsistent ordinances; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve the advertising in the local paper for board members, for the Environmental Advisory Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to conduct the first reading of Ordinance №13–2020, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, establishing certain rules, regulations, and procedures for declaring particular properties as nuisance properties within the City of Monessen; establishing procedures for issuing violations for nuisance properties; establishing penalties, enforcement regulations, and prosecution procedures; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
The Police Report for Month Ending September 2020 was read.
Mayor Shorraw reminded council members to submit any budget requests to the City Administrator, so the 2021 Budget can be drafted.
Councilwoman Lois Thomas
The Street Dept. report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read.
Leaf collection City-Wide — Please rake and bag leaves and place at the edge of your property, near the street. Public Works Dept. will be around to pick up your leaves. Leaves will be collected the day after your regularly scheduled garbage collection day. This will be ongoing throughout the autumn season.
Redevelopment Authority report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read.
Library Board report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read.
A motion to approve advertising in the local newspaper for two (2) full time Union positions in the Public Works Department. Benefits
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
Councilman Anthony Orzechowski
Parks and Recreation report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read.
Councilman Don Gregor
Code Enforcement Financial report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read. Of note: Total Revenue for Sept. $41,990.00, Total Revenue Year-To-Date, $124,861.11
Code Enforcement Activity report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read.
Code Enforcement Office Todd Carter was supplied council with his certification information: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Labor and Industry Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Certification Card. Todd is certified in the following categories: Residential Bldg. Inspector; Res. Elec. Inspector; Res. Mechanical Inspector; Res. Plumbing Inspector; Res. Energy Inspector; Bldg. Inspector; Fire Inspector; Elec. Inspector; Mechanical Inspector; Plumbing Inspector; Energy INpsector; Access Inspector; Plans Examiner; Bldg Plans Exam.; Elec. Plans Exam.; Mechanical Plans Exam.; Plumbing Plans Exam.; Energy Plans Exam.; Bldg Code Official; Pass. Ropeway Inspector. He will continue his ongoing education so that Monessen is always in compliance with the UCC.
A motion to appoint Code Enforcement Officer, Todd Carter as the UCC Administrator and Building Official, for the City of Monessen. (Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to appoint Code Enforcement Office, Todd Carter as the Zoning Officer, for the City of Monessen.
The Fire Department Report for the Month Ending September 2020 was read.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has awarded the City of Monessen Fire Departments $30,000 for 2020. The award will be divided between the two Volunteer Departments.
A motion to approve Fire Department #1 permission to use their parking lot for fundraising events. The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly reduced its financial position. They will follow CDC and PA Dept. of Health guidelines.
Councilman Gil Coles
A motion to approve payment of invoices — General Fund $388,017.49.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve payment of invoices — Line Usage $74,723.05.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve payment of invoices — Parks Fund $35,627.68.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve payment of invoices — Liquid Fuels $19,757.48
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A motion to approve payment of invoices — Recreation Fund $314.54
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
All 2020 invoices due for payment are current.
Large Dollar Account Balances for the month ending September 2020
General Fund: $798,370.49
Debt Service Fund: $427,606.75
Parks and Rec. Fund: $141,446.97
Liquid Fuels Fund: $82,679.77
Line Usage Fund: $40,599.58
The floor was opened to public comment on general items.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:45pm.
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