Mayor’s Report
By: Matt Shorraw
Tags: Pennsylvania, Monessen, Mayor, Local Government, City Government

Council Meeting, April 13, 2021 Actions Taken.

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

Ron Mozer spoke briefly on the State of the City Finances.

The floor was opened to Public Comments on Agenda Items.

Correspondence:

Monessen Community Cleanup Day — Volunteers needed. Saturday, April 17, 2021 (8 am to Noon). Rain Date: Sat. April 24, 2021 (8 am to Noon).

Monessen’s Second Electronics Recycling Day” April 17, 2021 (8 am to Noon). Drop off Items at City Garage.

Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Saturday, April 17, 2021. (9am to 1pm). Pre-Registration required for the event- 412–567–6566.

Amendment №1 to the Agreement for Engineering Services by and between the City of Monessen and WEC, Inc. is approved by the USDA. A response to Mr. Mozer’s questions at the Work Session, regarding the Resident Project Representative, has been received from the USDA.

On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, I am pleased to inform you that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has approved a grant in the amount of $313,907 for the City of Monessen. These funds are provided through the Department’s 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. -Secretary Dennis Davin.

On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, it is my pleasure to inform you that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has approved a grant in the amount of $36,450. These funds are provided through the Department’s Strategic Management Planning Program. -Secretary Dennis Davin.

Based on public documents from the US Senate, the City of Monessen is expected to receive roughly $715,000 from the American Rescue Plan, as passed by Congress and signed by the President.

The next “Farmer’s to Families” food distribution will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Herman Mihalich Boat Launch. (9 am to Noon).

Monessen Environmental Advisory Board Minutes — February 10, 2021.

Monessen Shade Tree Commission Minutes — February 10, 2021.

Monessen Shade Tree Commission Minutes — March 10, 2021.

Old Business: N/A

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

The report was approved, 5–0.

Some highlights of the report are as follows:

Real Estate taxes collected for Mar. 2021, $396,759.35

Current Garbage Collected for Mar. 2021, $21,365.00

Delinquent Garbage Collected for Mar. 2021, $17,483.06

Delinquent Garbage Collected for Mar. 2021 by Portnoff, $5,930.48

Tax Distribution:

General fund: $286,701.51

Debt Service Fund: $98,387.61

Parks Fund: $49,193.81

Library Fund: $9,838.76

Real Estate Transfer Tax Collected for Mar., $4,839.98

Earned Income Tax Collected for Mar., $67,131.49

Mercantile Tax Collected for Mar., $1,190.14

Local Services Tax Collected for Mar., $576.22

Tax Certifications Collected for Mar., $2,460.00

Municipal Lien Letters Collected for Mar., $2,100.00

City Controller’s report was given for the month ending Marc 31, 2021. The reconciled balance to the bank statement is $322,882.42.

New Business:

Mayor Shorraw:

Resolution №10 of 2021 of the City Council of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to adopt an amendment to the Official Sewage Facilities Plan. The binder is on the county for public review through April 30, 2021. This resolution will be voted on at the May 11, 2021, Council Meeting.

A Motion to adopt Resolution №11 of 2021, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approving the program modifications to the FY 2017, FY 2018 Community Development Block Grant Program. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №12 of 2021, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approving an agreement entered by and between the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania and the City of Monessen, in order to implement the Grant for $36,450 received by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to adopt Resolution №13 of 2021, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing amounts for fees relating to permits, licenses, inspections, and other various matters. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading and adopt Ordinance №1232, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing a Youth and Young Citizen Board by and for the City of Monessen; providing definitions; establishing a board purpose, duties, qualifications, requirements, and procedures; establishing long term goals; providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the final reading and adopt Ordinance №1233, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Ordinance 15 of 1971 (Ordinance 708); amending Ordinance 3 of 2018 (Ordinance 1207); establishing duties, procedures, and a purpose for a recreation board by and for the City of Monessen; providing terms; regulating membership; repealing inconsistent ordinances and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1234, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, permitting the operation of mobile food vehicles in certain locations within the City of Monessen, establishing rules, regulations, and operating procedures for mobile food vehicles; establishing permitting, enforcement, and inspection procedures, fees, violations, and penalties for mobile food vehicles; and providing for an effective date.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1235, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing regulations for the installation and maintenance of fire alarms and other certain alarm systems; establishing penalties for false alarms, and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1236, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, requiring the identification of and registration of the owners, landlords, individual sellers of real property, optionors, lessors, agents, and tenants of any unit or property occupied by anyone other than the property owner in the City; providing for a penalty for the violation thereof; requiring the obtaining of a license for all rental units in the City; providing for the suspension and revocation of licenses; requiring the payment of licensing fees; imposing liability and providing penalties for violations thereof; governing the occupancy of real property or separately secured portions thereof; and repealing Ordinance 6 of 2001 (Ordinance 1045), Ordinance 1 of 2003 (Ordinance 1059), Ordinance 6 of 2012 (Ordinance 1172), Ordinance 3 of 2014 (Ordinance 1158), Ordinance 7 of 2016 (Ordinance 1202), and all provisions of existing Ordinance and amendments in conflict therewith; and providing for an effective date. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance №1237, an Ordinance of the City of Monessen, Westmoreland County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, amending Ordinance 11 of 2020 (Ordinance 1222), regarding requirements for the registration of vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed real property within the City of Monessen; providing for an effective date.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the Mon Valley Opioid Coalition (MVOC) request to hold the annual National Night Out (NNO) in Monessen City Park on Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 2 pm to 5 pm. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the placement of two (2) little free libraries at 9th Street Park and City Park by Monessen Community Development Corporation (MCDC), at no cost to the City. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the Release and Right of Entry Agreement between the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland and the City of Monessen. Tax Map ID: 20–02–06–0–802; 523 Sixth Street.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the Release and Right of Entry Agreement between the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland and the City of Monessen. Tax Map ID: 20–02–07–0–287, 500–502 Third Street.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the Release and Right of Entry Agreement between the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland and the City of Monessen. Tax Map ID: 20–02–07–0–288, 504–506 Third Street.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the Release and Right of Entry Agreement between the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland and the City of Monessen. Tax Map ID: 20–02–08–0–155, 533 Ontario Street.

(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 the Parcel ID №20–02–06–0–533, known as 908 Locust Avenue. (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 the Parcel ID №20–02–07–0–440, known as 221 Aliquippa Avenue. (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 the Parcel ID №20–02–07–0–155 known as 408 Motheral Avenue and Parcel ID №20–02–07–0–156 known as 4040 Motheral Avenue. (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 the Parcel ID №20–02–06–0–555, known as 709 Ninth Street. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the sale of the following (7) properties to Kareem Straughn through the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Monessen on Quitclaim Deeds. (All properties are vacant lots):

20–02–06–0–164–1004–1006 Knox Avenue

20–02–06–0–165–1000–1002 Knox Avenue

20–02–06–0–166–513 Tenth Street

20–02–06–0–171–525 Tenth Street

20–02–06–0–175–508–510 Tenth Street

20–02–06–0–176–512–514 Tenth Street

20–02–06–0–189–516 Tenth Street

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the boundary line adjustment plan (Proposed Property Swap) prepared by CZ Surveys and Land Development, LLC, for Jorge Frezzel relating to Parcels ID №20–02–07–0–098 and 20–02–07–0–099 dated April 5, 2021, to authorize the submission of such plan to the City and County Planning Commissions for approval; to authorize the recording of such approved plan; to accept the adjustment of the boundary lines as shown therein; and to authorize and approve the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Clerk to take such steps as may be necessary to effectuate such action.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the request of Mon Valley Paws (formerly PuppyUp Monessen) to use the City Park Walking Track for a food truck festival on Saturday, June 5, 2021. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the request from Municipal Fire Chief Hepple to purchase the following item: 93 ea.) Drager 4500psi/45min SCBA Cylinders Blue $691.00ea. Total $64,263.00. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve the contract by and between the Teamsters Local Union №205 and the City of Monessen. The contract period is January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to hire (2) full-time Police Officers — Zachery Powell and Justin Woodard. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to hire (1) part-time Police Officer — Brittan Laird. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to accept the resignation of Marlon Wheeler from the Recreation Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to accept the resignation of Brandy Smith from the Recreation Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to accept the resignation of Edward Lea from the Recreation Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to accept the resignation of Apryl Kadish from the Library Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Dawn McKechnie to the Library Board. Dawn will fill the vacant seat. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

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

A Motion to appoint Joshua Lindsey as an at-large community member to the Monessen Blighted Property Review Board. The staggered terms will be determined by the appointee drawing a number at random.

(Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to appoint Karla Spanger to a vacant seat on the Monessen Recreation Board. Term duration to be determined by drawing a number at random. (Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to appoint Mark Panicucci to a vacant seat on the Monessen Recreation Board. Term duration to be determined by drawing a number at random. (Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to appoint Raynelle Mays to a vacant seat on the Monessen Recreation Board. Term duration to be determined by drawing a number at random. (Vote Approved: 3–2)

A Motion to advertise for the two new vacant positions on the Monessen Recreation Board. (Vote Approved: 4–1)

A Motion to advertise for the vacant positions on the Monessen Youth and Young Citizens Board. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve a portion of an unnamed street between River Street and Second Street, from Donner Avenue to its Northern Terminus, the honorary name, “Josh Gibson Way”, and to purchase a sign stating such. Gibson hit the second-longest home run of his career out of Page Park and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve a portion of Eighth Street, from Donner Avenue to its Northern Terminus, the honorary name, “H. Dallas McCabe Way”, and to purchase a sign stating such. Dallas McCabe was responsible for laying out the original plan of streets for Monessen in 1897. This intersection was the location of Monessen’s first municipal office. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

A Motion to approve a portion of Ninth Street, from Donner Avenue to its Northern Terminus, the honorary name, “Fred Feldman Way”, and to purchase a sign stating such. Mr. Feldman was responsible for decades of successful youth programming across the City of Monessen. This stretch of road runs next to the Civic Center. (Vote Approved: 5–0)

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

Councilwoman Thomas:

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

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

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

Councilman Orzechowski:

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

Councilman Gregor:

The Code Enforcement Office Financial Report for the month ending March 2021 was read.

The Code Enforcement Office Activity Report for the month ending March 2021 was read.

The Mon Valley Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Report for the month ending March 2021 was read.

The Fire Department Report for the month ending March 2021 was read.

The Recreation Board Report for the month ending March 2021 was read.

(5) cameras were installed at the Civic Center, to be solely monitored by the Police Station.

A Motion to nominate Michael Singel to be the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator and to authorize the City Administrator and City Clerk to prepare and submit to the Commonwealth such necessary paperwork to approve and ratify his appointment. (Vote Approved 5–0)

An informational discussion on ACT47 and its effects on municipalities will be held at next month’s meeting.

A brief discussion was held on considering the hiring of an on-call part-time Civic Center Director.

Councilman Coles:

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — General Fund $231,174.23

(Vote Approved 5–0)

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Line Usage Fund $63,056.26

(Vote Approved 5–0)

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Liquid Fuels Fund $15,507.57

(Vote Approved 5–0)

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Parks and Rec. Fund $3,251.59

(Vote Approved 5–0)

A Motion to approve payment of invoices — Recreation Board Fund $1,283.37

(Vote Approved 5–0)

The floor was opened to public comment.

Meeting adjourned at 9:55 pm.

MS