Mayor’s Report

Council Meeting, February 9, 2021, Actions Taken.

The following actions were taken at the Monessen City Council meeting on February 9, 2021.

The meeting was called to order at 7 pm.

Roll call was given. All council members were present.

Pledge to the flag.

An Executive Session was held at 6:30 pm regarding two personnel issues, involving payroll and disciplinary actions.

Minutes were approved for the January 12, 2021 meeting.

Mr. Ernie Telegraphis addressed City Council.

The floor was opened to public comment on agenda items.

Correspondence:

Mayor’s Proclamation on Black History Month.

The City’s 2019 Audit will be completed by April 30, 2021. The Department of Community and Economic Development has unflagged Monessen City based on the completion date. We will receive all state and federal monies.

The City’s 2020 Audit will be completed by July 30, 2021.

City of Monessen 2020 Legal Expenses vs. 2019 Legal Expenses. We realized a nearly 50% decrease in legal expenses in 2020, compared to 2019.

Monessen City closed on the Community Bank Property (next door). The City is the owner of the property effective January 29, 2021. Thank you to Community Bank for the donation and years of service to the community.

Monessen’s Comprehensive Plan 2030 (Final Plan) is on the City’s Website.

Reanna Merrit’s complaint against Ed Lea of the Recreation Board.

Monessen Recreation Board 2021 Meeting Schedule: They will meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7 pm at City Hall.

Monessen Planning Commission 2021 Meeting Schedule: They will meet every 3rd Thursday of the month at 6 pm at City Hall.

Monessen Environmental Advisory Board and Shade Tree Commission Joint 2021 Meeting Schedule: They will meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6 pm at Monessen Public Library.

Old Business: Councilman Orzechowski raised some concerns about having to leave the City’s former insurance provider.

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

The report was approved, 5–0.

Some highlights of the report are as follows:

Real Estate taxes collected for Jan. 2021, $0

Tax Distribution:
General fund: $2,331.81
Debt Service Fund: $800.21
Parks Fund: $400.10
Library Fund: $80.02

Real Estate Transfer Tax Collected for Jan., $7,218.62
Earned Income Tax Collected for Jan., $24,662.40
Mercantile Tax Collected for Jan., $0
Local Services Tax Collected for Jan., $2,621.56
Tax Certifications Collected for Jan., $1,470.00
Municipal Lien Letters Collected for Jan., $900.00

City Controller’s report was given for the month ending January 31, 2021. The reconciled balance to the bank statement is $287,671.27.

New Business:

Mayor Shorraw

A Motion to adopt Resolution №3 of 2021, a Resolution of the City of Monessen, approving that certain Equalization Tank Agreement with the Mon Valley Sewage Authority and to authorize and direct certain City officials and employees to take related actions. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №4 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 Strategic Management Planning Program. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №5 of 2021, a Resolution of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing procedures for conducting recreation board financial transactions; establishing procedures for facility rentals at the Monessen Civic Center; repealing inconsistent resolutions; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №6 of 2021, an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding between the Westmoreland County Land Bank, and the City of Monessen, a Municipality in Westmoreland County. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to conduct the second reading and to enact Ordinance №1231, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, re-establishing a blighted property review board by and for the City of Monessen; re-establishing a purpose; re-establishing rules and regulations governing the board; providing definitions; providing procedures for the determination, acquisition, and reuse of blighted property; establishing an appeal process; establishing additional board functions; repealing Ordinance 5 of 2008; repealing Ordinance 7 of 1978; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to advertise to appoint three (3) at-large community members to the Blighted Property Review Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to remove Councilman Orzechowski as liaison to the Recreation Board. (Vote Approved: 3–1 (1 abstention)

A Motion to appoint Councilman Gregor as liaison to the Recreation Board. (Vote Approved: 3–2)

The Police Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

Councilwoman Thomas:

The Street Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

The Library Board Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

The Redevelopment Authority Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

Councilman Orzechowski:

The Parks Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

The Recreation Board Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read (Read by Councilman Gregor).

The Recreation Board Minutes for the Month of January 2021 were reviewed.

Councilman Gregor:

The Code Enforcement Office Financial Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

The Code Enforcement Activity Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

The Mon Valley EMS Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

The Fire Department Report for the Month Ending January 2021 was read.

Councilman Coles:

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — General Fund $120,728.20
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Line Usage Fund $72,317.76
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Parks Fund $17,894.50
(Vote Approved: 5–0)
A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Recreation Fund $759.83
(Vote Approved: 5–0)

The floor was opened to public comment.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 pm.

MS