ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Monda Williams – Absent
Councilwoman Tracie Graham – Absent
Councilman Ken Westcott – Present
Councilman Joe Manning – Present
Mayor Scott Putnam – Present
SOLICITOR:
Jack Cambest, Esquire
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2017, regular meeting of the Washington City Council.
Mayor and Council held a special hearing regarding a liquor license transfer prior to the regular meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Individuals or group representatives who have signed in prior to the meeting, will have 5 minutes of microphone time to address Council during the public participation portion of the meeting. We prefer if there is a group, a representative be chosen to speak. Audience comments will not be permitted following the public participation portion of the meeting; therefore, we ask that you please review the agenda for any item(s) you may wish to discuss. We have, in the past, had individuals direct comments to Mayor and Council that were not correct or could not be documented. For that reason, we ask that your information be to the point and factual. Although we may not be able to answer your question at this meeting, we will refer your request or recommendation to the proper department for any necessary action.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Georgianne Farkas- 395 West Chestnut Street- Commented that she would like to see the following information on the city website: Road work updates, school closings and Amber Alerts that can be downloaded to citizen’s smartphones. She commented on the conditions of city streets and asked if Woodland Avenue was in the City. Councilman Westcott advised that Woodland is in Canton Township. She remarked that she has mentioned several times that she wants council to use the microphones that are on the tables so that people can hear better. She stated that the city should reach out to John Severine from the borough of Canonsburg and speak with him in regards to how to revitalize the city’s downtown. She thanked Joe Thomas for addressing a busing alternative to Washington School District students who need transportation to and from school.
Mike Dolan- 61 Dunn Avenue- Asked council to look into designating space at the tennis courts for Pickle Ball. Stated this was something a prior councilman mentioned when they began steps to renovate the courts. Mayor Putnam and Councilman Manning stated they would have the park look into that when the courts open up this spring. They both stated that two of the courts were not designated as tennis courts and could be used for other activities.
CLOSED TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the following payments to:
a) STAHL SHEAFFER ENGINEERING in the amount of $14,545.46 for Invoice
15-303-5. CHARGE: Paid from LSA-C000062885.
b) CT Consultants in the amount of $1,708.63 for Invoice 1328402-10. CHARGE:
Paid from LSA Contract C000062885.
c) CT Consultants in the amount of $4,492.39 for Invoice 1328402-09. CHARGE:
Paid from LSA Contract C000062885.
d) Baiano Construction in the amount of $46,316.31 for Pay Estimate #007 (TAP.)
CHARGE: 46.00/465-531.
e) Baiano Construction in the amount of $44,037.74 for Pay Estimate #007-LSA.
CHARGE: Paid from LSA-C000062885.
f) Baiano Construction in the amount of $19,556.00 for Pay Estimate #007.
CHARGE: Paid from LSA-C000052500 (TRAFFIC.)
g) Baiano Construction in the amount of $4,586.67 for Pay Estimate #007-ARMY
CORP. CHARGE: 66.00/446-310 (CATFISH CREEK.
h) Carter Lumber in the amount of $285.72 for Shelter #1 Construction Materials.
CHARGE: 52/454-240 (Park Development Fund Operating Expense.)
i) Firechasers in the amount of $8,872.00 for Turn Out equipment. CHARGE:
73.00.411-260.
j) Travelers in the amount of $1,336.00 for Richard Royal Jr. CHARGE:
01.60/486-350.
k) Dodaro, Matta & Cambest in the amount of $5,851.75 for Invoice 15219.
CHARGE: 01.13/404-310.
l) First Security Finance in the amount of $13,360.14 for 1st Qtr Guaranteed Energy
Savings. CHARGE: 77.00/409-700.
m) Traffic Control Equipment & Supplies in the amount of $39,053.75 for Chestnut and Main Street Repair. CHARGE: 75.00/482-000.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to approve the following transfer:
a) $1,146.66 from LSA FUNDS Account 85.00/100-00 to CATFISH CREEK PROJECT FUNDS Account 66.00/100-000.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the city solicitor researching the title searches on the following six properties on the demolition list:
1. 125-127 Church St 720-008-00-03-0008-00 / 720-008-00-03-0008-02
2. 284 Locust Ave. 760-019-00-03-0016-00
3. 217 Oak St 760-001-00-04-0007-00
4. 436 Addison St 780-004-00-02-0017-00
5. 333 Locust Ave 750-016-00-00-0021-00
6. 34 E. Prospect Ave 750-016-00-00-0021-00
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to approve awarding the Bid for the open Data Entry Clerk in The City of Washington Police Department to Sandra Borkowski, effective April 3, 2017.
The Salary Ordinance to be amended accordingly.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to award the Bid for the Collection Clerk in The City of Washington Tax Office to Patti Chappel, effective April 3, 2017. The Salary Ordinance to be amended accordingly.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to advertise the vacancy of Collection Clerk in the tax office.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve placing Officer Joe Fichter on Heart and Lung effective January 17, 2017 due to injury received while performing his duties as a police officer for The City of Washington.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to pay Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP in the amount of $3,660.55 for Professional Fees.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to make application on behalf of TRIPIL for a Redevelopment Assistant Capital Program (RACP) Grant in the amount of $3 Million Dollars for the TRIPIL RENOVATION PROJECT of the former YWCA PHASE II.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to retain Palermo/Kissenger & Associates P.C. to perform the financial audit for the year ending December 31, 2016, for a total cost of $20,0000.00.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam, and unanimously carried to apply for the 2017 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) under $10K funds to purchase new portable radios for the Washington City Police Department.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to sign the Tri Party Completion Agreement with the Citizens Library.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve Amendment #1 with Stahl Sheaffer for the Business District Revitalization Project Phase III in the amount of $50,777.10.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve Amendment #1 with CT for the Business District Revitalization Project Phase III not to exceed $50,000.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve the FIRST READING:
BILL 5 OF 2017, ORDINANCE NO. 1890
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ENACTING A JOINT ZONING ORDINANCE
WITH THE BOROUGH OF EAST WASHINGTON.
(In summary, the joint zoning ordinance divides the City and Borough into specified zoning districts and contains regulations regarding the use of land, dimensional requirements, off-street parking, signs, landscaping and screening, nonconforming uses, planned residential developments and the administration and enforcement of the ordinance. A public hearing was held for this ordinance on January 13, 2017.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve the FIRST READING:
BILL 6 OF 2017, ORDINANCE NO. 1891
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ENACTING A SUBDIVISION AND
LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE.
(In summary, the subdivision and land development ordinance contains regulations regarding the process and procedure for the filing and approval of preliminary and final subdivision and land development plans, design standards and improvement specifications, acceptance of improvements and the administration and enforcement of the ordinance. A public hearing was held for this ordinance on January 12, 2017.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve FINAL READING:
ORDINANCE NO. 1889 BILL NO. 4 of 2017
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1774, CHAPTER 15, PART 4, SECTION 407 – SPECIAL PURPOSE PARKING ZONES ESTABLISHED; PARKING OTHERWISE PROHIBITED TO INCLUDE 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 339 SHIRLS AVENUE AND 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 282 NORTH FRANKLIN STREET.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam, and unanimously carried to make application on behalf of Washington & Jefferson College for a Redevelopment Assistant Capital Program (RACP) Grant in the amount of $1,234,498.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve the Business Tax Abatement application from Kazakewicz Dickson LLC.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried Make a motion to appoint Richard Beck to the WEWJA Board.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam, and unanimously carried to authorize the City of Washington Police Department to advertise and begin the process of creating a Civil Service List regarding the hiring of police officers.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to open/award the bid for Ballistic Vests for City of Washington City Police Department.
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to award the bid for Ballistic Vests for City of Washington City Police Department to Trapuzzano’s Uniforms.
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to pass a Resolution to transfer Restaurant Liquor License R-117842 from Smith Township into the City of Washington. The location of the proposed transfer is 230 S. Main Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301.
Councilman Westcott: No Report
Councilman Manning: No Report
Mayor Putnam:
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to pass a Resolution to transfer Restaurant Liquor License R-117842 from Smith Township into the City of Washington. The location of the proposed transfer is 230 S. Main Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, 15301.
The next regular meeting of the Washington City Council will be held on Thursday,
March 9, 2017 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
The City Building will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2017 in observance of President’s Day. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.