ROLL CALL:
Councilman Matt Staniszewski, MBA, EDFP, – Absent
Councilwoman Monda Williams – Present
Councilman Ken Westcott – Absent
Councilman Joe Manning – Present
Mayor Scott Putnam – Present
SOLICITOR:
Mike Hammond, Esquire
MOMENT OF SILENCE:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and carried to approve the minutes of the June 7, 2018 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:
Kelly J. Stewart- 350 Donnan Avenue: She is speaking on behalf of residents living on Donnan Avenue and 2nd Street beside the playground. Concerns about unsupervised children and teens congregating and destroying City and private property at 7th Ward Playground. She stated that their “bottom line” is they want the pavilion taken down, and the playground shut down. Stated that although patrols have increased around the park that there is no lighting and it is very dangerous.
Councilman Manning and Mayor Putnam advised that the City is looking in ways to address and eliminate the problems with children and teenagers using the park after dusk and destroying property in the area.
Chief Wilson asked council to shut the park down immediately until Council comes to a decision on how to resolve the issues at 7th Ward Playground.
John Benko-120 Maple Alley: Concerns about the vehicles that speed 35-40 MPH from Maple to Lawrence. Need signs and patrolling to ensure people aren’t speeding in the alley as children play back there. Advised that there is drug activity in that alley and that the police department needs to monitor that area. Asked that the Street Department patch they alley.
Mike Jones-Citizen’s Library Board: Gave the Citizen’s Library Quarterly Board Report.
Chuck Kurowski-Box 331: Had questions about property address 31 W. Walnut Street (stated that grass is 4 feet high) and 34 E. Prospect Street not being properly maintained. Ron McIntyre advised that 34 E. Prospect Street was deemed a public nuisance at the 6:30 p.m. Special Meeting and that 31 W. Walnut Street was owned by the Tax Claim Bureau.
Steve Maze-610 Addison Street: Stated that he is having difficulty getting a meeting scheduled with the Mayor regarding concerns. Stated that at one time he had donated thousands of dollars towards fixing up the playground and immediately after the work was completed that it was vandalized.
CLOSED TO PUBLIC COMMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to approve the following payments:
- Chemung Supply in the amount of $4,753.50 for guide rail & install on E. Wheeling Street. CHARGE: 00/438-000.
- Travelers in the amount of $2,492.85 for BILL NO. 000541070. CHARGE: 01-60/486-350.
- Widmer Engineering in the amount of $630.00 for Burton Avenue Project. CHARGE:00/436-682.
- Widmer Engineering in the amount of $180.00 for Clare Drive-NPDES. CHARGE:00/436-682.
- Widmer Engineering in the amount of $1,492.50 for 2018 May Items. CHARGE:00/436-6820.
- Widmer Engineering in the amount of $2,500.00 for GIS (DEP MS4.) CHARGE:00/436-682.
- Washington Business District in the amount of $3,463.38 for 2018 Special Services Assessment. CHARGE:60/400-430.
- Dodaro, Matta and Cambest P.C. in the amount of $236.25 for Invoice #15842. CHARGE: 01-13/404-310.
- Dodaro, Matta and Cambest P.C. in the amount of $6,053.70 for Invoice #15843. CHARGE: 01-13/404-310.
- Sigcom in the amount of $35,000 for 10 Fire Alarm Boxes. CHARGE: 01-33/411-376.
- First Security Finance in the amount of $13,568.12 for 3rd Quarter (2018) Guaranteed Energy Savings. CHARGE:52/409-368.
- Alex Paris in the amount of $930.00 for Invoice 22862. CHARGE: 42/430-210.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to remove P.B from Heart and Lung effective May 5, 2018.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to authorize the purchase of asphalt and materials for paving of Public Parking Lot G (next to Senior Center and Police Station) at an estimated cost of $13,000 from Hanson Aggregates (CHARGE: 17.00/445-240, Operating Expenses and Maintenance.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to approve the FINAL READING of ORDINANCE 1911 BILL NO. 6 of 2018
ORDINANCE 1911 BILL NO. 6 of 2018
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 AND REMOVE 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 511 EAST MAIDEN STREET AND ADD 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 46 WALNUT; LIMITING HANDICAP PARKING SPACES TO TWO (2) HANDICAPPED SPACES PER CITY BLOCK.
FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 1912 BILL NO. 7 of 2018
ORDINANCE NO. 1912 BILL NO. 7 of 2018
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 AND ADD 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 36 CENTRAL AVENUE AND 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 1200 ALLISON AVENUE (WOODLAND); LIMITING HANDICAP PARKING SPACES TO TWO (2) HANDICAPPED SPACES PER CITY BLOCK.
***NO VOTE REQUIRED***
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to continue property and liability insurance coverage through Travelers insurance with a policy effective date of July 6th 2018 through July 6th 2019 at an annual premium of $159,950.00.
COMMENT: Mayor Putnam thanked Councilman Joe Manning for his hard work and his staff regarding the time and effort on obtaining the renewal.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to enter into a contract with William Chisholm for City of Washington Police Station custodial work, at the rate of $7.25 per hour for ten (10) hours per week not to exceed $72.50 per week.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to approve submission, resolution and 15% matching fund requirement for application Growing Greener Plus.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to apply for the Behr Keep America Beautiful Grant.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to approve payment in the amount of $55,386.27 to Washington County for final payment to satisfy all outstanding debt related to the tax claim bureau delinquent fees. CHARGE: 01.24/403-236. (Treasurer – Delinquent Tax Fees.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to transfer $17,000.00 from the LSA Fund (85.00/492-900) to the General Fund (01.00/392-996.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Putnam, and unanimously carried to transfer $17,000.00 from 01.00/389-830 (General Fund – Misc. Revenues and Refunds) to 01.24/403-236 (General Fund-Treasurer/Delinquent Tax Fees.)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to hire Corey Anderson as a laborer for the Street Department, effective June 18, 2018, at an annual salary of $44,616.00, and amend the salary ordinance accordingly, pending the results of drug test.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to remove Jason Furmanek from probationary status effective May 31, 2018.
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to accept the resignation of Joseph Moore from the City of Washington Police Department effective July 12, 2018, pay all monies due and adjust the salary ordinance accordingly.
PRESENTATION OF CIVIL SERVICE POLICE OFFICER AND FIREFIGHTER CANDIDATES BY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Civil Service Chairman Richard Beck presented City Council with the new City of Washington Police & Fire Fighter Civil Service Lists.
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to go into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:47 p.m.
A motion was made by Mayor Putnam, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to come out of EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:52 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to hire a Devon Hoskins from the Civil Service Candidate List, effective August 6, 2018, at an annual of $45,655.31, and amend the salary ordinance accordingly, pending results from physical and drug testing,
Elected Officials Report:
Councilman Staniszewski: NOT PRESENT
Councilwoman Monda Williams: No Comment
Councilman Ken Westcott: NOT PRESENT
Councilman Joe Manning: Councilman Manning made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and unanimously carried to authorize the Public Works Department to purchase a 2018 Ford F-150 XL 4×4 Pickup Truck as per quote (ID CW-F1E18) thru state contract and to approve payment of same to Woltz & Wind Ford in the amount of $25,000.00. CHARGE: 96.00/438-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Account.)
Councilman Manning thanked Joe Thomas and Freedom Transportation for their services during the 2018 Whiskey Rebellion where they broke new records transporting people back and forth. He also thanked Chief Wilson and Chief Manning for their departments help during the Rebellion. Councilman Manning wanted to publicly thank the North Strabane Township Fire Department for lending their mobile equipment for the City Fire Department to use to provide EMT Services at the Rebellion.
Mayor Scott Putnam:
Mayor Putnam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to close the 7th Ward Playground until further notice as per the City’s Nuisance Ordinance.
Mayor Putnam thanked all of the Whiskey Rebellion volunteers and staff for all of their support and making the event a huge success. He also remarked that the City had a successful July 4th Celebration by holding the fireworks on Tuesday, July 3rd. It was nice not having to wake up and go to work the next day for many people.
The next regular meeting of the Washington City Council will be held on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 1:00 P.M.
Mayor Putnam made a motion, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.