ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Monda Williams – Present
Councilwoman Tracie Graham – Present
Councilman Ken Westcott – Present
Councilman Joe Manning – Present
Mayor Scott Putnam – Present
SOLICITOR:
Jack Cambest, Esquire
MOMENT OF SILENCE: For Active SWAT Situation going on in Canonsburg
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilwoman Graham, and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2017, 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 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:
Tara Sparks-Gatling – 15 Linn Avenue: Has strong concerns regarding the ¾ house that is directly across the street from the Washington High School at 270 Allison. She believes for the safety of the students that homes like this should not be allowed so close to the school. There was a drug over dose at this address in March. Mayor Putnam acknowledged her concern and stated that he has spoken with Principal Kostelnik and Chief Wilson regarding this property. Councilman Westcott stated that the City has adopted new zoning regulations and that Fair Housing Act has to be followed. Councilwoman Williams advised that the school district maintain written records regarding all incidents that occur at this address.
Mrs. Gatling also stated that City Council needs to take students into consideration when approached to permit a Medical Marijuana Dispensary in the city. Mayor Putnam advised her that the city has been approached by one business that was interested in looking at the City. He stated that these types of facilities can not be within 1000 feet of a school or daycare.
Georgianne Farkas- 395 West Chestnut Street- Commented that she had already asked the Solicitor what #8 on the Agenda was regarding and that Solicitor Cambest gave her the information that she needed. She asked if the property on North Main Street was still condemned. Mayor Putnam advised her that the property owner had made improvements and that the property is no longer being condemned.
Dusty Hopkins- Invited everyone who helps with the Citywide Clean Up on May 6, 2017 to join his group, Miles fer Smiles, at the Lions Club Pavilion for a BBQ afterwards.
CLOSED TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to approve the following payments to:
a) Widmer Engineering in the amount of $3,790.00 for Clare Drive NPDES. CHARGE: 01.43/430-313.
b) Widmer Engineering in the amount of $1,350.00 for 2017 February Items. CHARGE: 01.43/430-313.
c) Stahl Sheaffer in the amount of $29,281.13 for Invoice #15-303-6. CHARGE:
Paid from LSA C000062885.
d) CT Consultants in the amount of $1,224.32 for Invoice #1328402-11. CHARGE: PAID from LSA C000062885.
e) Advent Communications in the amount of $3,200.04 for Annual Maintenance Contract. CHARGE: 01.23/407-320.
f) Bruno Plumbing & Heating Inc in the amount of $406.99 for Invoice #1444944 Phase III. CHARGE: 85.00/489-000.
g) Bruno Plumbing & Heating Inc in the amount of $1,570.00 for Invoice 145366 Phase III. CHARGE: 85.00/489-000.
h) Dodaro, Matta and Cambest, P.C. in the amount of $7,302.00 for Invoice: 15294.
CHARGE: 01.13/404-310.
i) Witmer Public Safety Groups, Inc in the amount of $3,510.00 for Invoice: 1770096 (Fire Department) CHARGE: 99.00-411-700.
j) Cascade Engineering in the amount of $1,775.00 for 200 Recycling Bins. CHARGE: 21.00/426-240.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Graham, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the following transfers:
a) $12,000.00 from Miscellaneous Revenue/Contributions/Donations (01.00-387-831) to Police Department Capital Purchase Fund/Contributions/Donations (55.00/387-831.)
b) $8,872.50 from Downtown Project Fund (60.00/492-900) to Fire Capital Purchase Fund 73.00/392-900.
A motion was made to approve the FIRST READING of ORDINANCE NO. 1894
BILL NO. 9 of 2017
ORDINANCE NO. 1894 BILL NO. 9 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 REMOVE 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 280 NORTH FRANKLIN STREET.
***NO VOTE REQUIRED***
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the FINAL READING of ORDINANCE NO. 1892
BILL NO. 7
BILL No. 7 OF 2017, ORDINANCE NO. 1892
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE GAMEWELL ORDINANCE NUMBER 1869 BILL NO. 5 OF 2015 TO REFLECT THE DESIGNATION AS CITY OF WASHINGTON FIRE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND REQUIRE IMPLEMENTATION IN NON-RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the FINAL READING of BILL No. 8 ORDINANCE NO. 1893
BILL NO. 8 OF 2017, ORDINANCE NO. 1893
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING BILL NO. 8 OF 2008 ORDINANCE 1803, AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION OF STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING OF VEHICLES IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, PROVIDING THE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF, AND SAID ORDINANCE TO BE A PART OF CHAPTER 15, PART 5, SECTION 409 TO BE KNOWN AS “GENERAL PARKING PROHIBITIONS” OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve the removal of City Police Officer Joe Fichter from Heart and Lung Benefits effective April 3, 2017.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to approve the proposed Settlement Agreement between Chuck Kurowski and the City of Washington.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Graham, and unanimously carried to approve the following payment to The Washington School District in the amount of $22,745.86 for their share of the P.I.L.O.T Program for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. CHARGE: 01.60/489-521 (Miscellaneous Expenditures-School District in Lieu of Taxes-Housing Authority.)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilwoman Graham, and unanimously carried to approve the Conditional Use Application from Don Greer regarding the property at 1187 Jefferson Avenue (Renovate bar to two apartments.)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the purchase of materials for the Washington City Street Department totaling $228,964.00 based on the Washington County Joint Municipal Purchasing Contract #031517-1JMPP.
VENDOR PRICE FOR DELIVERED COST
B-2 SUPERPAVE 9.5 MM WEARING COURSE-ID-2 1500 TON HANSON $69.00 $103,500.00
B-4 SUPERPAVE 19.0MM WEARING COURSE 1000 TON HANSON $63.00 $63,000.00
B-5 SUPERPAVE 19.0MM BINDER COURSE 750 TON HANSON $63.00 $47,250.00
C-2 #2A 300 TON COOLSPRING $18.50 $5,550.00
C-3 AASHTO #57-2B 300 TON COOLSPRING $21.00 $6,300.00
D-1 R3 ROCK LINING (RIP RAP) 50 TON COOLSPRING $20.50 $1,025.00
D-2 R4 ROCK LINING (RIP RAP) 50 TON COOLSPRING $20.50 $1,025.00
F-2 15″ PLASTIC PIPE-CORRUGATED – SMOOTH WALL INTERIOR 200 FEET ADVANCED DRAINAGE $6.57 $1,314.00
$228,964.00
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to table the approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Washington and the International Firefighters Local 2218 retroactive to January 1, 2016 and effective until December 31, 2019.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Graham, and unanimously carried to approve the renewal of workers compensation coverage with AmeriHealth for the period of April 30th 2017 to April 29th 2018 with an annual premium of $219,248.00.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to authorize a draw down of Federal funds in the amount of $9,281.00 from the Furniture and Equipment Grant ((PA 90X807;WASH 14-15-113-1), for: design, fabrication and installation of a sign for the Washington Transportation Center; purchase of a bike rack; and purchase of a cash box for use in the collection and vaulting of fare boxes. (Federal funds will be deposited into the Purchase of Buses and Equipment Grant Fund).
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to authorize payment in the amount of $9,375.60 to the Washington County Transportation Authority, to reimburse WCTA for the federal ($9,281) and local ($94.63) share of the cost for: design, fabrication and installation of a sign for the Washington Transportation Center; purchase of a bike rack; and purchase of a cash box for use in the collection and vaulting of fare boxes. (CHARGE: Purchase of Buses and Equipment, 27.00/447-743).
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam and unanimously carried to authorize payment to the Washington County Transportation Authority of local match in the amount of $3,898, for work related to creation of the Connect Card web portal. (CHARGE: 27.00/447-743).
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to declare Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 9 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. as Citywide Clean Up Day.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Graham and unanimously carried to advertise for the Summer of 2017 City of Washington Pool Manager and Concession Stand Vendor positions for Summer of 2017.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Williams, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to approve the City of Washington Fire Department to begin the Civil Service Testing Process.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Williams, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to approve the City of Washington Fire Department to proceed with the Captain’s Promotion Testing.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Graham and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution # 2 of 2017 for the DCNR 2017 Grant funds request to restore the Washington Park Pavilion and shall earmark $5,000 of the 2017 City LSA funds CHARGE: (85.00/454-700) and $30,000 (in-kind) as local match.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution # 3 of 2017 for the DCED Early Intervention Program (EIP) 2017 grant funds request for the MS4 Management Project and shall earmark $13,863.00 of the 2017 City LSA funds. CHARGE: (85.00/454-700) as local match.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #4 of 2017 for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and shall earmark $1,460.00 as local match. CHARGE: 55.00/489-000. (Police Department Capital Purchase Fund.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to approve payment to PNC Bank, in the amount of $955,113.54 for Act 205 Pension Collections thru 4/5/2017. CHARGE: 79.00/483-000. Act 205 Distressed Pension Fund.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam and unanimously carried to adopt the revised pension plan document for Officers and Employees.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried A motion was made to designate a financial team from PNC Capital Markets to explore a capital funding and debt-refunding plan.
Councilwoman Williams: No Report
Councilwoman Graham:
A motion was made by Councilwoman Graham, seconded by Councilman Manning and unanimously carried to approve the purchase of a pool pump (Bell & Gosset E1531-5BD) in the amount of $2,473.30. CHARGE: 77.00/454-700 Capital Improvement Fund.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Graham, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to approve using Zambelli Fireworks for the July 4, 2017 Fireworks Display subject upon approval of a contract.
Councilman Westcott: No Report
Councilman Manning:
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams and unanimously carried to pay Howell Rescue Systems, Inc in the amount of $11,095.00 for Invoice 170751PI. CHARGE: 99.00-411-700 PEMA GRANT.
Mayor Putnam: No Report
The next regular meeting of the Washington City Council will be held on Thursday,
May 4, at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday,
May 1, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
The City Building will be closed on Friday, April 14, 2017 in observance of Good Friday. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, April 17, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.
The City Wide Clean Up will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. All who participate are invited to attend the Miles for Smiles BBQ at the Lion’s Pavilion at the Washington Park immediately afterward.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.