Council Meeting Minutes – October 1, 2020
ROLL CALL:
Councilman Matt Staniszewski – PRESENT
Councilman Joe Pintola – PRESENT
Councilman Ken Westcott – PRESENT
Councilman Joe Manning – PRESENT
Mayor Scott Putnam – PRESENT
SOLICITOR: Jack Cambest PRESENT
MOMENT OF SILENCE: For Breast Cancer Awareness and all affected by it.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to accept the September 3, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes.
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:
Mike Jones-88 Acheson Avenue: (Citizens Library Board) Reported on how the Library has been providing services during COVID-19; Curb side assistance, using protective gear, waiving late fees, reduced staff. Expects to work with a reduced staff for at least another 6-8 months. The Library needs the communities financial support more than ever. They were the first library in Washington County to offer curbside assistance.
Fern Sibert-486 Addison Avenue: Stated that the storm drains on Grove have trees growing out of them. Asked that the City Police do something regarding the fireworks residents are still putting off in the City.
COMMENT: Mayor Putnam asked Chief Wilson to have patrols look for this when working in the evenings to curtail situation.
COMMENT: Councilman Westcott promised Fern that he would have crews out tomorrow to take care of Grove.
City Council
Joe Manning, Councilman
Ken Westcott, Councilman
Matt Staniszewski,MBA, EDFP,Councilman
Joe Pintola, Councilman
Scott J. Putnam, Mayor
PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSED:
Civil Service Chairman Richard Beck Presentation to Mayor and City Council of the new 2020 Police Applicant Eligibility List
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Pintola, and unanimously carried to approve the new 2020 Police Eligibility List.
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve and hire Stephen Olesky from the new certified 2020 Police Applicant Eligibility List, this is a conditional hire, upon passing of a physical and drug screening and amend the salary ordinance accordingly. Civil Service Chairman Richard Beck Presenting to Mayor and City Council the Police Lieutenant Eligibility List, Certified July 11, 2019
Motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve and Promote from the Police Lieutenant Eligibility List, Von Lacock. to the rank of Lieutenant, effective October 2, 2020 and amend the salary Ordinance accordingly.
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to rescind the Five-Year agreement between the City of Washington and F.O.P. Lodge 95 on the Promotion Process within the City of Washington Police Department.Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Pintola, and unanimously carried to approve the following payments:
a. Skelly & Loy in the amount of $1,097.25 for MS4 Invoice 81497. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
b. Chadwick Contracting in the amount of $3,700.00 for Sidewalk Repair (Chestnut & Main Street) CHARGE: 60.00/489-000 (Downtown Revenue Funds)
c. Slasarczyk Excavating LLC in the amount of $17,736.65 for Police Station/Concrete Removal. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682
d. Slasarczyk Excavating LLC in the amount of $11,500.00 for Concrete Removal/Brownson Avenue. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682
e. Slasarczyk Excavating LLC in the amount of $5,400.00 for Installation of Sanitary Sewer/Farmer’s Market Pavilion. CHARGE: 53.00.436-682
f. Slasarczyk Excavating LLC in the amount of $6,600.00 for Waterline Installation/Community Pavilion. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682
g. Commonwealth of PA in the amount of $500.00 for the annual NOI installment notice. CHARGE: 53.00/489-000.
h. Ideal Integrations in the amount of $5,129.40 for 3 workstations/monitors. CHARGE: 96.00/407-000.
i. Ideal Integrations in the amount of $281.50 for Office 365/VPN October 2020. CHARGE: 96.00/407-000.
j. Ideal Integrations in the amount of $8,022.81 for QTR Cloud Hosting. CHARGE: 96.00/407-000.
k. Blue Bastion in the amount of $1,943.60 for October 2020 Secaas (Invoice B41484.) CHARGE: 96.00/407-000.
l. WEWJA in the amount of $3,000.00 for August 2020 Dye Tests. CHARGE: 01- 34/413/240.
m. Palermo, Kissinger & Associates in the amount of $21,500 for the 2019 Audit Preparation. CHARGE: 01.22/402-312
n. Slusarczk Excavating LLC in the amount of $5,500.00 for Jennings Lane Stormwater Project. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682
o. Slusarczk Excavating LLC in the amount of $6,400.00 for Jennings Lane Slide Repair. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682
p. Trapuzzano’s in the amount of $900.00 for six Ballistic Panels. CHARGE: 81.00/410-000
q. Westland Off Road in the amount of $4,559.87 for F550 Exhaust Replacement. CHARGE: 42.00/430-370 (Vehicle Maintenance)
r. Rudd Equipment in the amount of $5,380.47 for Volvo Loader Hyd Pump Replacement. CHARGE: 42.00/430-370 (Vehicle Maintenance Repairs)
s. Dodaro, Matta and Cambest in the amount of $3,308.25 for Invoice 10151. CHARGE: 01.13/404-310
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve the following refunds: a. Washington County Antique Bottle & Insulator Club in the amount of $375.00.
CHARGE: 01/367-673
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Staniszewski, and unanimously carried to approve the following transfer: a. $615,479.15 from 29.00/492-900 (General Municipal Pension State Aid Fund)
to 01.17/392-900 (General Fund) for 2019 Pension State Aid Allocation.
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Staniszewski, and unanimously carried to approve payment to PNC Bank in the amount of $615,479.15 as payment of the 2020 State Aid Allocation. CHARGE: 01.60/483-534 (Pension Contributions)
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve Codification of City Ordinances through General Code, not to exceed $3,750.00. CHARGE: 85.00/400-300
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Staniszewski, and unanimously carried to approve payment to Keiser, Invoices #125622-2 & 125662-1 for Force Machine and miscellaneous items covered under the 2020 PEMA Grant in the amount of $7,004.28. CHARGE: 99.00/400-260.
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to authorize contribution towards the Crossroads Parking Garage debt service not to exceed $40,000.00 payable to “BB&T Bank, Now Truist.” Charge: 17.00/445-245 (Parking Office – Op. Expense/Crossroads Garage).
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to submit 2020 LSA application for Residential and Commercial Demolition in the amount of $300,000.00 allocating $50,000.00 as City Match.
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to authorize payment to Betsy Christman in the amount of $1,000.00 for easement at 68 West Prospect Avenue. CHARGE: 01.13/404-314
Motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to approve the contract with the Washington County Housing Authority for additional police patrols. Contract beginning October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried to adopt the COVID-19 Response Policy 2020.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Matt Staniszewski – NO
Councilman Joe Pintola – YES
Councilman Ken Westcott – YES
Councilman Joe Manning – YES
Mayor Scott Putnam – YES
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to adopt the Guidance for Possible Exposure to Covid-19 Policy.
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried to adopt the Guidance Regarding Elected Officials, Employees, Contracted Services Vacation Travel Policy.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Matt Staniszewski – NO
Councilman Joe Pintola – YES
Councilman Ken Westcott – YES
Councilman Joe Manning – YES
Mayor Scott Putnam – YES
Motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to enter into a cooperation agreement with The Dreamers Company regarding the enhancement and development of the 7th Ward Playground.
Motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to allocate $5,000 for 2020 and $5,000 for 2021 as City Match, upon successful grant award for playground equipment for the 7 th Ward Playground from Kaboom submitted by The Dreamers Company.
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Staniszewski, and unanimously carried to schedule Trick or Treat for the City of Washington from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2020.
ORDINANCES:
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve the FINAL READING: ORDINANCE 1944 BILL NO. 9 of 2020
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE 1611: DESIGNATION OF BUSINESS DISTRICT; THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON DESIGNATES A BUSINESS DISTRICT, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, WHICH SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING BOUNDARIES AND ALL NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES THEREIN. FROM NORTH TO SOUTH: WALNUT STREET TO THE CENTER LINE OF RAILROAD STREET. FROM WEST TO EAST: THE CENTER LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET TO THE CENTER OF COLLEGE STREET
THE WASHINGTON BUSINESS DISTRICT AUTHORITY SHALL MAINTAIN A LIST OF PARCELS WITHIN THE SPECIAL SERVICES DISTRICT AND WILL PRESENT AN UPDATED LIST TO THE CITY CLERK ANNUALLY.
FIRST READING of ORDINANCE 1945 BILL NO. 10 OF 2020
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE 1804 OF 2008, §35:12; THE CITY OF WASHINGTON SHALL HEREBY DESIGNATE THE USE OF .75 MILLS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PLANNING AND PROVIDING FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON. “CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT” SHALL MEAN THOSE PROJECTS AND/OR ISSUES THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON SHALL DEEM OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO THE CITY FROM TIME TO TIME.
***NO VOTE REQUIRED***
RESOLUTIONS:
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve RESOLUTION NO. 9 of 2020 for the 2021 MMO’s in the amount of $1,744,252.00 as follows:
Officers and Employees Retirement System $163,234.00
Firemen’s Pension Plan $349,280.00
Police Officers Pension Plan $1,231,738.00
Motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried to approve RESOLUTION NO. 10 of 2020 to ratify application to the Washington County COVID recovery municipal grant program.
The next scheduled Regular Council Meeting will be held on Thursday November 5, 2020 at 1:00 P.M. in Council Chambers with Social Distancing Protocols in place. The next Agenda meeting will be held on Monday, November 2, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers with Social Distancing Protocols in place.
Motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman, seconded by Councilman Staniszewski, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.