A regular meeting of Washington City Council was held Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 7PM in Council Chambers, 55 West Maiden Street, Washington, Pennsylvania. Mayor Brenda Davis, presiding, opened the meeting.
ROLL CALL:
Councilman Kenneth Westcott — Present
Councilman Joseph Manning — Present
Councilman Terry Faust — Present
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski — Absent
Mayor Brenda Davis — Present
SOLICITOR: John F. Cambest, Esquire — Present
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mayor and Council held an Executive Session on Monday, November 4, 2013 directly after the Agenda Meeting.
Mayor and Council held an Executive Session directly after this evening’s Council Meeting.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2013 regular meeting of Washington City Council.
Mayor Davis opened the public participation portion of the meeting. Those signed in to speak were as follows:
- Chief Chris Luppino gave the Washington City Police Department’s October report as follows: 782 calls for service, 9,095 miles patrolled, 48 traffic citations, 31 non-traffic citations, and criminal arrests 41. Monies collected during this month were: $750.00 for accident reports, $100.00 incident reports, $40.00 for fingerprinting, $225.00 vehicle release forms with total monies collected $1,115.
- Chief Linn Brookman gave the October report for our Fire Department. There were 167 total number of calls with 25% being medical calls.
Chief Brookman reminded everyone that the Veteran’s Day Parade will be held on Saturday, November 9th. The area around Washington High School will be shut down from 11 to 11:30AM, and will not re-open until 3PM. Also, on Friday, November 15th over 500 coats will be distributed to low-income children at Washington Park Elementary School. These coats were purchased by our Firefighters.
Chief Brookman gave the October report for Building Permits. There were 23 permits issued with a total for this year at 186. Total money collected for this month is $1,076.00 and total money collected year-to-date is $24,209. There were 100 calls for our Code Enforcement Department with fines generating $800.
Street opening permits brought in $3,450.00. Total year-to-date money collected for street permits is $4,083.70
- Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone spoke about the large amount of drug activity in our County. Fortunately we have a County Drug Task Force to fight this problem. District Attorney Vittone thanked Mayor and Council in providing uniformed personnel. He continued by saying that he appreciated the assistance of Jerry Coleman and Ken Westcott when an operation was recently done on Main Street. This location was a pretty bad place for selling drugs. He commended Chief Luppino and his officers for their great job in assisting.
District Attorney Vittone said that, under the Controlled Substances Drug Device and Cosmetic Forfeiture Act, whenever the Chief’s personnel stop someone that has money, drugs or any contraband that is derived from the sale of drugs . . . his office can go to court and get a court order to forfeit this to the District Attorney’s office. District Attorney Vittone, stated that when he came into office he instituted the Equitable Sharing Plan. He said that it is only fair that some of this money goes back to the taxpayers because it is their money that is paying for these protective services. He presented to Chief Luppino a check in the amount of $669.50 which represents cash that was seized off of 2 drug dealers.
District Attorney Vittone brought magnets with the toll-free number for reporting drugs. He continued by saying that drug-related information is very helpful and appreciated. Pete, who relays this information left on this Drug Task Force line, is very prompt. District Attorney Vittone thanked everyone again.
- Jason Swinchock introduced himself. He moved to the City of Washington from Fredericktown 7 years ago. Within these 7 years, he noticed that our neighborhoods have been changing for the worse. Jason is interested in pursuing a career in politics on a part-time basis.
There being no further public participation, Mayor Davis closed this portion of the meeting.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the refund to Greenlee, Derrico & Posa in the amount of $140.00 for Dye Test that was already completed on 04 04 2013. CHARGE 01.00/361-652 (Dye Test Fees)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the refund to Bankers Settlement & Abstract, Inc. in the amount of $140.00 for Dye Test that was already completed on 08 12 2013. CHARGE 01.00/361-652 (Dye Test Fees)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Cappelli Industries in the amount of $9,000.00 for McCarrell Avenue property. CHARGE 01.34/413-452 (Code Enforcement – Other Services and Charges)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Fire Chasers in the amount of $4,575.00 for Assault Nozzles, Assault Tip, and Attack Monitor. CHARGE 96.00/411-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Fund – Emergency Services—Fire)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington in the amount of $1,250.00 For City Local Share Match – Dev Zoning & Saldo. CHARGE 85.00/414-000 (LSA)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to First Security Finance in the amount of $12,587.25 for 4th Quarter Guaranteed Energy Savings. CHARGE 01.52/409-368 (Public Buildings – Reallocation of Maint/Link)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Dodaro, Matta & Cambest, P.C. in the amount of $7,364.75 for professional services through 10/29/2013. CHARGE 01.13/404-310 (Solicitor Professional Services)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to North Central Highway Safety Network Inc. in the amount of $10,485.00 (Reimb #8 – 2013) CHARGE 90.00/489-000 (North Central Highway Safety Grant Account)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to North Central Highway Safety Network Inc. in the amount of $13,281.00 (Reimb #9 – 2013) CHARGE 90.00/489-000 (North Central Highway Safety Grant Account)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to North Central Highway Safety Network Inc. in the amount of $10,054.00 (Reimb #10 – 2013) CHARGE 90.00/489-000 (North Central Highway Safety Grant Account)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Mackin Engineering Company in the amount of $15,000.00 for Multi Municipal Comp Rec & Open Space. CHARGE 88.00/400-300 (DCNR Multi Municipal Rec Plan Acct)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the City of Washington Parking Authority’s payment in the amount of $48,991.29 to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company for November Series 2012 bond payment. CHARGE 01.17/445-245 (Parking Office Crossroads Garage Debt)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve Treasurer’s Department refund to Tara Holden in the amount of $50.00 for overpayment of 2013 Solid Waste bill. CHARGE 20.00/364-603 (Solid Waste Fund – Solid Waste/Recycling Collections Current).
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve to rescind motion from October 10, 2013 regular Meeting of Washington City Council due to incorrect CHARGE number; and take action to approve same motion stated below with corrected CHARGE number. Correct motion reads as follows:
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to PNC Bank in the amount of $508,850.97 for 2013 State Aid Funds. CHARGE 01.60/483-534 (Gen Fund – Pension Contributions)
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU): Resolution No. 8 of 2013
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, COUNTY OF
WASHINGTON, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA ADOPTING
THE WASHINGTON / EAST WASHINGTON MULTI-MUNICIPAL
RECREATION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, DATED THIS 6TH DAY OF
JUNE, 2013, AS PREPARED BY THE WASHINGTON / EAST WASHINGTON
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE, AND FACILITATED BY
MACKIN ENGINEERING COMPANY, PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III AND
ARTICLE XI OF THE PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE.
(This plan was adopted on June 6, 2013 at our City Council Meeting; it needs to be approved as Resolution No. 8 of 2013)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the following regarding our Public Works Department’s request at our February 7, 2013 regular meeting of Washington City Council:
a) Remove from table the bids for Surface Asphalt and Asphalt Binder.
b) Award this bid to Hanson Aggregates – retroactive to 2/7/2013.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Golden Eagle Construction Company in the amount of $4,507.38 for 19W and 9.5 asphalt that could not be supplied from regular vendor for the following: Hoge, Strawberry, Moore, East and Lang. CHARGE 01.42/438-210 (Public Works – Road Maintenance)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried approve payment to Selective Insurance Company (C/O Summit Risk Services, 2 Walnut Grove Drive, Suite 210, Horsham, PA 10944) in the amount of $10,000.00 for litigation deductible obligation. CHARGE 01.60/486-350 (Miscellaneous Expenditures – Insurance Liability, Etc).
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Budget transfer of $399.50 FROM 90.00/354-502 (North Central Highway Safety) TO 01.23/407-316 (IT Professional Services) for reimbursement of expenses.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Budget transfer of $7,500.00 FROM 85.00/492-900 (LSA) TO 88.00/392-900 (DCNR Multi Municipal Recreation Plan Account) for final payment.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried approve payment to Berggren and Turturice in the amount of $1,052.92 for the City of Washington (includes short-paid amounts and current invoices) dated from May 3, 2013 through October 31, 2013. CHARGE 01.13/404-310 (Solicitor Professional Services)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit item of the Independent Audit of City of Washington Transit Operations by Palermo/Kissinger & Associates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit item of a part-time agreement for transit services with Nancy Basile, effective December 2013.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to GG&C Bus Company, Inc. in the amount of $66,237.02 for contracted public transit fixed route services performed in September 2013, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-455
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Washington County Transportation Authority in the amount of $6,692.05 for contracted public transit Paratransit services performed in September 2013, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-455
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Nancy Basile in the amount of $51.69 for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred in October 2013, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-240
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Comcast in the amount of $84.85 for internet service for transit’s farebox networking, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-240
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Palermo/Kissinger & Associates in the amount of $6,950.00 for transit audit FY 2012-2013 to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-310
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment Bankcard Services in the amount of $601.00
Breakdown as follows:
Ebay/Pay Pal MS Office 2010 for new Transit laptop – $138.00
PPTA Winter Meeting Registration Transit Staff- $298.00
PPTA Winter Meeting Registration Transit Staff- $165.00
to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-240
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Construction Engineering Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $868.00 for Soil Testing Services for ITF performed through September 2013, to be paid from the Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Hickson’s in the amount of $449.68 for Transit office supplies to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-210
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to WJPA Radio in the amount of $175.00 for advertising during Washington High School Football Playoff game to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-310
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Pittsburgh Courier in the amount of $257.58 for advertising DBE public notice to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-310
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Quality Quick in the amount of $1,592.00 for Metro & Hopper Schedules to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-310
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Observer Publishing Company in the amount of $336.00 for advertising in the Fall Edition of Southpointe Today to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-310
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Waller Corporation invoice #2 in the amount of $93,052.00 for general contractor services for ITF performed through October 2013, to be paid from the Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Waller Corporation invoice #2 in the amount of $13,031.00 for general contractor services for ITF performed through October 2013 to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-310
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Waller Corporation invoice #3 in the amount of $180,369.00 for general contractor services for ITF performed through October 2013, to be paid from the Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Guttman Oil Company in the amount of $23,503.50 for the purchase of fuel for the public transit vehicles, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-231
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Allegheny Electric, Inc. invoice #1 in the amount of $19,440.00 for contractor electrical services for ITF performed through October 2013, to be paid from the Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Dell in the amount of $1,201.98 for transit laptop computers delivered October 2013, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 28.00/447-210
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Transit payment to Astorino in the amount of $9,601.17 (Capital Bus & Equip. ARRA fund) for contracted services performed through October 2013, to be paid from the Capital Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
FIRST READING of BILL NO. 3 OF ORDINANCE 1857 of 2013.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPROPRIATING SPECIFIC SUMS ESTIMATED TO BE REQUIRED FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR THE CITY GOVERNMENT HEREAFTER SET FOR THE YEAR 2014.
(Budget Ordinance)
** NO VOTE REQUIRED **
FIRST READING of BILL NO. 4 OF ORDINANCE 1858 of 2013
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1356, CHAPTER 1, PART 2, APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR THE YEAR 2014.
(Salary Ordinance)
** NO VOTE REQUIRED **
FIRST READING of BILL NO. 5 OF ORDINANCE 1859 of 2013
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO 1356, CHAPTER 24, PART 5, LEVYING A TAX AND FIXING A TAX RATE FOR ALL CITY PURPOSES ON THE VALUATION OF SUCH PROPERTY AS HAS BEEN OR MIGHT HEREAFTER BE ASSESSED AND SUBJECT TO TAXATION FOR THE YEAR 2014.
** NO VOTE REQUIRED **
FIRST READING of BILL NO. 6 OF ORDINANCE 1860 of 2013
A RESOLUTION OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL, OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SAME, THAT THE MAYOR OF SAID MUNICIPALITY IS AUTHORIZED AND DIRECTED TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL APPROVAL TO THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
** NO VOTE REQUIRED **
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the following (2) City vehicles to be scrapped:
a) Car #21, City #195
Code Enforcement – 1998 Ford Taurus (Unmarked)
Vin: 1FAFP52U8WG265581, PA Reg: DFS-6435
Unable to keep charge, battery changed, alternator changed, electrical issues.
b) Car #30, City #290
Police Vehicle – 2003 Ford Explorer (Marked)
Vin: 1FMZU72K83UC16254, PA Reg: MG-7093A
Transmission plug out, housing cracked on transmission case ($1,200.00 to repair low end)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to enter into an agreement with the Washington County Housing Authority for additional Police Services for a period of one (1) year at a cost of $20,000.00
Effective date: October 13, 2013 to September 13, 2014.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to enter into agreement with Widmer Engineering to prepare PennDot right-of-way plans for the City of Washington, Business District Revitalization Project Phase III Project WE Proposal No. 13P-063 not to exceed $7,500.00
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Councilman Kenneth Westcott made the following:
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to request proposals for demolition of 456 Broad Street.
Councilman Westcott reminded everyone that our Veteran’s Day parade will be held this Saturday at 2PM. He asked all to attend. Also, Councilman Westcott told Jason Swinchock about our Neighborhood Crime Watch teams, and perhaps Jason would be interested in becoming involved with one of them.
Councilman Joseph Manning thanked Deputy Finance Director, Susan Koehler, along with Lynn Galluze, as well as his colleagues for their hard work spent in the 2014 Budget. There is no tax increase, some revenue has gone down, and some expenditure has gone up. We will provide the same level of service to our residents that they are used to. The Mayor is working with the Housing Authority and other revenue streams. We will have a meeting this coming week to work on reducing some expenditure. Also, Councilman Manning thanked all who voted for him. He said that he feels very privileged to be on City Council for another 4 years.
Councilman Terry Faust – No Comment
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Absent
Mayor Brenda Davis made the following:
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to, amend the policy of the City of Washington to limit the amounts of expenditures, without approvals of Mayor and Council, from $2,500.00 to $1,000.00 – from current to the end of this year.
Mayor Davis thanked Joe and his department for their hard work in keeping all the numbers in line for the Budget. He has spent a lot of hours trying to get this Budget prepared for 2014. She also congratulated Joe for his re-election, and congratulated Tracy (who was in the audience) to Washington City Council. Mayor Davis told Tracy we are looking forward to working with you.
Mayor Davis encouraged everyone to come to the Veteran’s Day Parade on Saturday. Shortly after will be our Christmas Parade. We will have a lot of candy for the kiddies. In addition, Mayor Davis reminded all that there will be flea mart sales at Immaculate Conception Church and at Trinity High School on Saturday. The City will be a bit congested with all of the events.
The Washington City Building will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2013 in observance of Veterans Day holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 8:30AM.
The Washington City Building will be closed on Thursday, November 28th, and on Friday, November 29, 2013 in observance of Thanksgiving Day holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 8:30AM.
The next regular meeting of Washington City Council will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 7PM in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, December 2, 2013 at 6PM, also in Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting.
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Brenda Davis, Mayor
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Christy S. Thomas, City Clerk