Mayor’s Report

Council Meeting, July 13, 2021, Actions Taken.

The following actions were taken at the Monessen City Council meeting on July 13, 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 June 12, 2021 meeting.

The floor was opened to Public Comments on Agenda Items.

Correspondence:

Special Thank You to the firefighters who fought the blaze on Parkway recently — especially, to Charleroi Firefighter Matthew Prentice, who was injured during the blaze. Monessen is grateful for your service, and we pray for your speedy recovery.

Act 65 — An Addition to the Sunshine Act. Posting and Availability of Meeting Agendas (start date: September 2021). For the City and all Boards, Authorities, and Commissions.

Monessen Shade Tree Commission Minutes were submitted for May 2021.

The Monessen Greek Festival, “Savor the Flavors of Greece” will be held this Friday, July 16, from 11 am to 9 pm at the Hellenic Center.

Monessen Communities that Care will celebrate its 20th Anniversary and will also hold the 8th Annual Raise Your Voice Festival on Saturday, July 24 from Noon 6pm at City Park. Following the festival, there will be a Kickball Game, open to anyone who is interested in playing or watching.

The Epiphany Church Festival will be held on July 31 from 5 to 10 pm and August 1 from 12 to 8 pm at the Church Grounds.

Thursday, July 22 at 10 am, the City will host a ceremony on Donner Avenue between 1st Street and 2nd Street, near the railroad tunnel, to commemorate Baseball Hall of Famer Josh Gibson, and Monessen’s Page Park. Major League Baseball has donated a plaque to be unveiled during the ceremony. The Pittsburgh Pirates Organization will be in attendance and will be filming the event. Refreshments will be served, hot dogs, chips, and more.

Old Business: None

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

The report was approved, 5–0.

Some highlights of the report are as follows:

Real Estate taxes collected for June 2021, $101,346.75
Current Garbage Collected for June 2021, $4,025.00
Delinquent Garbage Collected for June 2021, $23,772.00
Delinquent Garbage Collected for June 2021 by Portnoff, $3,398.66

Tax Distribution:
General fund: $1,358,394.97
Debt Service Fund: $466,161.63
Parks Fund: $233,080.82
Library Fund: $46,616.17

1 mill = $58,430.63

Real Estate Transfer Tax Collected for June, $5,589.88
Earned Income Tax Collected for June, $59,522.99
Mercantile Tax Collected for June, $5,183.28
Local Services Tax Collected for June, $5,582.71
Tax Certifications Collected for June, $2,210.00
Municipal Lien Letters Collected for June, $1,650.00

City Controller’s report was given for the month ending June 30, 2021. The reconciled balance to the bank statement is $534,218.77.

New Business:

Mayor Shorraw:

A Motion to approve a salary increase of $2,000 annually for the City Clerk, beginning at the next pay period. She has performed her duties with excellent results over the previous year.(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve a request from “Bae’s Beauty Bar” and “Nefertiti’s Palace” to hold a vendor show on Saturday, August 21, and Sunday August 22 at 9th Street Park. Many vendors will showcase their goods during the event. Food Trucks will be present. Request to waive any charges. Park must be cleaned up following the event. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to give the Monessen City Garage the honorary name “Thomas P. McLaughlin Memorial Maintenance Garage”, and to authorize the installation of a commemorative plaque once donations have been secured.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve giving a portion of Oneida Street, from Donner Avenue to its northern terminus, the honorary name, “Angelo Giannini Way” and to purchase a sign stating such. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve giving a portion of Parente Boulevard, from Donner Avenue to its northern terminus, the honorary name, “Frank Mandarino Way” and to purchase a sign stating such. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Councilman Don Gregor as liaison to the Mon Valley Sewage Authority. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Aaliyah Rice to the Monessen Recreation Board as a Youth Member. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to re-appoint James Quattro, Jr. to the Police Civic Service Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Teresa Seh to the vacant position on the Youth and Young Citizens Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to accept a letter of resignation from Todd Carter as the Building Code Officer/Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Monessen. His last day of employment with Monessen was Tuesday, July 13, 2021. He will begin employment with Greentree Borough starting Wednesday, July 14, 2021. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve advertising for the open position of Code Enforcement Office. The position shall be full-time, with a base salary of $45,000 per year, with a salary increase based on experience and certifications.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve entering into a professional agreement with third-party company K2 Engineering to handle all items that are not handled by a BCO (building code officer) until the code enforcement position is filled.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the letter of engagement for Gaitens, Tucceri, and Nicholas, P.C. for a litigation matter. (Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to ratify the Commercial Insurance Coverage, July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022. The Annual premium is $73,710.00. This is a $5,000.00 increase over last year. Selective Insurance has done an excellent job for Monessen.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve financing from 911 Leasing.com from 4 years at a rate of 4.27%. The annual payment will be $10,196.13. The City will hold the title of the vehicle. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the purchase of a 2021 Ford Explorer Interceptor vehicle at $37,449.55. (Co-Star pricing from C.Harper). This vehicle is the replacement of a totaled vehicle. A restitution claim has been filed with the Westmoreland County Office of the District Attorney. (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 Tax Map № 20–02–06–0–800, known as 672 Braddock Avenue. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to forgive City property taxes for 220 Donner Avenue, Tax Map № 20–02–03–0–129. The development agreement has been signed and a copy of the deed has been submitted. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution № 20 of 2021, a Resolution of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, authorizing the City to enter into a license agreement for the property located at 326 Donner Avenue, Monessen, Pennsylvania, with the Library Board of the Monessen Public Library, for a fifteen-year term; providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution № 21 of 2021, a Resolution of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, an addendum of Resolution 12 of 2021, for the purpose to add travel reimbursement to the current contract between the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (“Consultant”) and the City of Monessen (Client”). This addendum does not supersede or negate the existing contract with the City of Monessen. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to conduct the first reading of Ordinance №1239, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing certain rules and regulations regarding dogs, 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 conduct the first reading of Ordinance №1243, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 285 in the Codified Ordinances of the City of Monessen, regarding plumbing; providing for an effective date.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to conduct the first 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 conduct the first 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: 5–0)

The police report for the month ending June 2021 was not read.

Councilwoman Thomas:

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

Euclid Drive paving project will begin this week.

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

The Redevelopment Authority did not meet in June, due to a lack of a quorum.

Councilman Orzechowski:

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

Councilman Gregor:

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

A Motion to appoint Julian Naphier as Director of Recreation. This is a part-time temporary position from July 13, 2021, to December 31, 2021. The Recreation Board and the City will split the $10.00 per hour rate.
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

Councilman Coles:

A Motion to conduct the first reading of Ordinance №121, 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 $206,094.19
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Line Usage $57,213.30
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Liquid Fuels $12,967.82
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Park Fund $ 2,597.03
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Recreation $ 219.87
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

Large Dollar Account balances, for the month ending June:
General Fund $489,123.57
Debt Service $434,924.39
Parks & Recreation $131,383.87
Line Usage $ 95,213.86
Liquid Fuels $ 54,496.39

The floor was opened to public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 pm.

MS