ROLL CALL:
Councilman Matt Staniszewski, – Absent
Councilwoman Monda Williams – – Absent
Councilman Ken Westcott – Present
Councilman Joe Manning – Present
Mayor Scott Putnam – Present
SOLICITOR:
Jack Cambest, Esquire
MOMENT OF SILENCE: For a Better Washington
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the April 4, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Washington City Council.
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 individual’s 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:
Georgianna Farkas:- Wants Council to have to pay $100.00 for every meeting missed.
John Banco/120 Maple Avenue: Complained about 141 Lawrence Avenue.
Robert Wilson/Police Chief: Thanked the Washington Health System for their donation to purchase an AED Machine for the Washington Park Pool.
Richard Boardley/ : Gave Council and Code Enforcement Officer Ron McIntyre a list of properties that are a blight nuisance. Complained about County Hauling and their lack of service.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to approve the following payments:
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Newman’s Landscaping & Tree Service Inc. in the amount of $4,200.00 for Tree Trimming on Jefferson Avenue. CHARGE: 03.00/434-361.
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First Security Finance in the amount of $13,782.08 for 2 nd QTR 2019 Guaranteed Energy Savings. CHARGE: 01.52/409-368.
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Robert C. Burns Company in the amount of $5,750.00 for Concrete Removal Brownson. CHARGE: 96.00/489-000.
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Portnoff in the amount of $10,850.00 for Delinquent Notices-Trash (310 @ $35.00 each.) CHARGE: 01.24/403-325.
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Portnoff in the amount of $15,190.00 for Delinquent Notices-City Tax (434 @ $35.00 each.) CHARGE: 01.24/403-236.
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Municipal Consulting Service LLC in the amount of $16,081.21 for Invoice #3619. CHARGE: 01-34-413-240.
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Bill’s Furniture in the amount of $4,684.00 for Invoice 28790. CHARGE: 73.00/387-831.
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Skelly & Loy in the amount of $5,885.50 for EIP/MS4 Invoice #75694. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682. (REIMBURSMENT Back from EIP Grant.)
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Dodaro, Matta & Cambest in the amount of $514.50 for Invoice # 16248. CHARGE: 01-13-404-310.
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Dodaro, Matta & Cambest in the amount of $1,472.50 for Invoice #16247. CHARGE: 01-13-404-310.
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Public Partners in the amount of $1,208.20 for Pay #7 (Financial Management) CHARGE: 96.00/489-000. (Reimbursement back from EIP Grant.)
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Earth Support Services in the amount of $53,942.00 for Duncan Avenue Storm Sewer Project. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
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Widmer Engineering in the amount $1,125.00 for Acheson Street Storm Sewer Project. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
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Widmer Engineering in the amount of $1,530.00 for 2019 March Monthly Items. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to approve the following refunds:
- Bonnie Dulany in the amount of $425.00 for canceled Park Shelter
Rental. CHARGE: 01.00 /367-673 (Park Shelter Refund.) - WTB Housing LP in the amount of $6,938.68 for April 17 th , 2019
Value Change due to deleted parcel. CHARGE: 01.00/301-010.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to approve the following transfer:
- $261,349.00 from 01.70/492-993 General Fund to 46.00/392-900
General Fund Reserve.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman
Westcott and unanimously carried to approve the FINAL READING of
ORDINANCE 1921 BILL NO. 4 of 2019
ORDINANCE 1921 BILL NO. 4 of 2019
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 REMOVE 1
HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 446 NORTH MAIN STREET AND ADD 1
HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 231 NORTH LINCOLN STREET.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman
Westcott and unanimously carried to approve the FINAL READING of
ORDINANCE 1922 BILL NO. 5 of 2019
ORDINANCE 1922 BILL NO. 5 of 2019
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 246 (PEDDLING AND SOLICITING) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.
FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 1923 BILL NO. 6 of 2019
ORDINANCE 1923 BILL NO. 6 of 2019
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 REMOVE 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 270 ALLISON AVENUE AND 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 280 ALLISON AVENUE.
***NO VOTE NEEDED***
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to approve the 2019 renewal of the workers compensation coverage with AmeriHealth Insurance at an annual premium of $155,037.00.
COMMENT: Mayor Putnam thanked Councilman Manning, the Safety Committee Meeting and Employees for taking the action and steps that helped reduced this year’s costs by approximately $60,000.00 in our Workers Compensation Premium.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to rescind the April 4, 2019 motion for the City of Washington contract with Pyrotechnico for the 2019 Fireworks Display.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to authorize payment prior to June 30, 2019 of $98,078 to the Washington County Transportation Authority as Fixed Route Operating Local Match for the 2018-19 transit fiscal year, in accordance with the Resolution previously adopted in 2018 by Washington City Council. CHARGE: 85.00/447-000. (LSA Transit System City Match.)
COMMENT: Councilman Westcott stated that ridership has increased over the past years and thanked Joe Thomas for the work it has taken to make this happen. Remarked that it has been a great partnership with the County.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman
Westcott and unanimously carried to approve Resolution 5 of 2019 to establish a City of Washington Census 2020 program.
COMMENT: Councilman Manning: The Census is important to the City as it
reflects our representation in Congress and the amount of Federal Aid that the City receives. It is vital that the residents of the City participate and answer the Census questions honestly. It is more than just a head count and the City needs for residents to assist us.
COMMENT: Councilman Westcott stated that due to inaccurate and lack of
reporting in the last Census that the City of Washington lost out in more than $4,000,000 in Federal Funding.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman
Manning and unanimously carried to approve Resolution 6 of 2019 to express support for retaining the current Local Share Account Program.
COMMENT: Mayor Putnam stated that the Local Share Program has provided over $100,000,000 in funding to Washington County since it was implemented and over $1,000,000 in the past two years to the City of Washington. The system has worked very well for the residents of the City and he would like to see that continue.
COMMENT: Councilman Manning stated echoed what Mayor Putnam said.
Stressed the LSA Program is imperative to fund infrastructure improvements that are needed as otherwise taxes would need to be increased even more or fees accessed.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution 7 of 2019 committing the City of Washington to make a payment of $98,741 prior to June 30, 2020 to the Washington County Transportation Authority as Fixed Route Operating Local Match for the 2019- 2020 transit fiscal year.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to authorize payment of $2,566.00 to Metro Technology Services for the annual maintenance contract for the parking citations software and database used by the City Parking Office. CHARGE: 17.00/445-240. Parking Office Operating Expenses/Maintenance.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to enter into a Deputization agreement between the City of Washington Treasurer (Tax Collector for the Washington School District) and Kratzenberg & Associates, Inc. d/b/a Keystone Collections Group located at 546 Wendel Road, Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, 15642, to now serve as Tax Collector for the Washington School District real estate taxes.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to enter into a Cooperation Agreement between the City of Washington and the American Legion Post 175 for the Washington Catfish Creek Upper Watershed Restoration Project funded by the Department of Environmental Protection Growing Greener Program for engineering and design.
COMMENT: Mayor Putnam thanked the Legion for allowing the use of their property to help assist in this very important program.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to authorize payment to Physio-Control, Inc in an amount not to exceed $1,700.00, for an AED for the park pool, money donated from the Washington Hospital. CHARGE: 55.00/410-240 Police Department Capital Purchase Fund Operating Expenses.
COMMENT: Mayor Putnam echoed Chief Wilson’s sentiments thanking the
Washington Health System for provided the money to purchase the AED Machine for the Washington Park Pool.
CLOSED TO PUBLIC COMMENT
Councilman Staniszewski: ABSENT
Councilwoman Monda Williams: ABSENT
Councilman Ken Westcott: A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to amend
Councilman Joe Manning:
Mayor Scott Putnam:
The next regular meeting of the Washington City Council will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 1:00 P.M.
City Hall will be closed on Friday, April 19, 2019 in observance of Good Friday. City Offices will re-open on Monday, April 22, 2019 at 8:30 A.M.
City of Washington Clean Up Date will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. A limited number of work gloves, safety vests and trash bags will be available from the City Clerk beginning Monday, April 8, 2019.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.