ROLL CALL:
Councilman Matt Staniszewski, – Absent
Councilwoman Monda Williams – – Present
Councilman Ken Westcott – Present
Councilman Joe Manning – Present
Mayor Scott Putnam – Present
SOLICITOR:
Mike Hammond, Esquire
MOMENT OF SILENCE: For Victims of Domestic Violence
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2019 Regular Council 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:
Richard Boardley- Thanked the Chief Wilson and Ron McIntyre for having 910 Addison Avenue cleaned up. He is extremely upset that it is taking so long to get other properties in the West End cleaned up and states he will be back every meeting to speak his mind about this.
Tom Hincy- Thanked Mayor and Council and Lynn Galluze for everything the City is doing to create a Pickleball Court at the Washington Park.
James Schultz- Complaint about 880 Addison Avenue regarding sewage issue that has been ongoing for 5 months.
Donald Ward- Spoke about an incident that occurred at the Lemoyne Center recently and wants to help build a bridge between law enforcement and the community. Requested a light in behind the Center where the gate is. Chief Wilson will investigate this.
CLOSED TO PUBLIC COMMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to approve the following payments:
a. PNC Bank in the amount of $655,423.88 as payment of the 2019 State Aid Allocation. CHARGE: 01.60/483-534 (Pension Contributions.)
b. Blue Bastion in the amount of $2,192.60 for Office 365/Sec Services October CHARGE: 96.00/407-000.
c. Dodaro, Matta & Cambest in the amount of $1,344.00 for Invoice # 16384. CHARGE: 01.13/404-310
d. Dodaro, Matta & Cambest in the amount of $8,295.00 for Invoice #16383. CHARGE: 01.13/404-310
e. Widmer Engineering in the amount of $720.00 for Allison Avenue Storm Sewer Project. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
f. Widmer Engineering in the amount of $630.00 for August Items. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
g. Widmer Engineering in the amount of $360.00 for MS4. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
h. Widmer Engineering in the amount of $2,762.50 for Meadow Avenue Storm/Road Project. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
i. Quality Quick in the amount of $113.40 for DCNR-Park Sign. CHARGE: 85.00/454-700.
j. Palermo, Kissinger & Associates in the amount of $21,000.00 for 2018 Audit Preparation. CHARGE: 01.22/402-312.
k. Micon in the amount of $18,506.00 for Wylie Pipe Repair. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
l. Jet Jack Inc. in the amount of $21,445.10 for Payment #2 Wallace Lane. CHARGE: 53.00/436-682.
m. S.E. Schultz Electric in the amount of $2,587.86 for Emergency Temp Repairs Park Pool. CHARGE: 01.53/454-379.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to approve the following transfers:
a. $655,423.88 from 29.00/492-900 (General Municipal Pension State Aid Fund) to 01.00/392-900 (General Fund) for 2019 Pension State Aid Allocation.
b. $4,000.00 from 01.15/410-370 (Motor Carrier Enforcement Program Expense) to 01.15/410-370 (Police Vehicle Maintenance.)
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to approve the following refunds:
a. American Dream Settlement in the amount of $225.00 for a duplicate payment for a dye test at 79 Victoria Street. CHARGE: 01-361-652.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to approve Resolution 13 to support the LSA Application for The Dreamer’s Company.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Williams, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to approve Resolution 14 to support LSA Application for Pathways of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to amend Resolution No. 10 for the LSA Application for the Washington Park Pickleball Court Project to approve LSA ask of $55,361.00 and commit a match of $20,000.00 CHARGE: 52.00/489-000.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to enter into an agreement with the Washington School District for the years 2019 – 2022 for the use of the Washington Park recreational facilities.
FIRST READING:
ORDINANCE NO. 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 ADD 1 HANDICAP PARKING SPACE AT 31SUMNER AVENUE.
***NO VOTE REQUIRED***
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to table the discussion regarding the City of Washington joining the Washington County Land Bank.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to advertise for the Solid Waste Clerk position in the City Treasurer’s Office.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to remove Patti Chappel from employment probation retro-active to October 1, 2019.
A motion was made by Councilwoman Williams, seconded by Councilman Manning, Westcott, and carried unanimously to add G.M. to Heart and Lung effective September 30, 2019.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, to reauthorize the Washington Business District Authority for a 5-year extension from January 2021 through Dec 2026.
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Williams- YES
Councilman Westcott- YES
Councilman Manning- NO
Mayor Putnam- YES
A motion was made by Councilwoman Williams, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and carried unanimously to contribute the 2019 allocation of $27,326.00 to the Citizens Library.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to accept the retirement of Lotus Grusofski effective January 3, 2020.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to approve Change Order #1 (Final) for Jet Jack, Inc in the amount of $2,488.10 for the Wallace Lane Storm Sewer Improvements Project.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Williams, and carried unanimously to approve a five-year agreement with Michelle Sperl effective October 3, 2019.
FIRST READING:
ORDINANCE NO. 1924 BILL NO. 7 OF 2019
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON, CHAPTER 325, SECTION 325-97 REDUCING THE ACT 205 APPROPRIATION FROM .4 TO .2 FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES FOR THE CITY GOVERNMENT STARTING JANUARY 1, 2020
***NO VOTE REQUIRED***
FIRST READING:
ORDINANCE NO. 1925 BILL NO. 8 of 2019
APPROVING THE REFINANCING OF A CERTAIN CAPITAL PROJECT, BRIEFLY DESCRIBING THE SAME AND SETTING FORTH THE REALISTIC ESTIMATED USEFUL LIFE THEREOF; STATING THE MAXIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF A GUARANTEED PARKING REVENUE NOTE TO BE ISSUED BY THE PARKING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WASHINGTON (THE “PARKING AUTHORITY”) TO BE SECURED BY A CERTAIN GUARANTY AGREEMENT DESCRIBED HEREIN AND STATING THAT THE DEBT IS TO BE INCURRED AS LEASE RENTAL DEBT AS DEFINED IN THE PENNSYLVANIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT DEBT ACT, 53 PA. CONS. STAT. §8001 ET SEQ., AS AMENDED (THE “DEBT ACT”); AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING OFFICERS OF THE CITY TO PREPARE AND VERIFY A DEBT STATEMENT REQUIRED BY SECTION 8110 OF THE DEBT ACT AND A BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE; AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO FILE A TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS REQUIRED BY SECTION 8111 OF THE DEBT ACT, INCLUDING A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS ORDINANCE AND PROOFS OF PUBLICATION, WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TO PAY ANY NECESSARY FILING FEES; APPROVING THE FORM, AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, OF THE GUARANTY AGREEMENT AMONG THE CITY, THE PARKING AUTHORITY AND THE BANK NAMED HEREIN; STATING THE MAXIMUM ANNUAL AMOUNTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST TO BE PAID UNDER THE GUARANTY AGREEMENT, COVENANTING THE PAYMENT THEREOF AND PLEDGING THE FULL FAITH, CREDIT AND TAXING POWER OF THE CITY THEREFOR; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AS DESCRIBED HEREIN BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PARKING AUTHORITY WHEREBY THE CITY SHALL CONTRIBUTE UP TO $150,000 ANNUALLY FROM ITS PARKING REVENUES TO FURTHER SECURE THE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE 2019 NOTE; AUTHORIZING THE OFFICIALS OF THE CITY TO TAKE OTHER APPROPRIATE ACTION; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH; INDICATING THE SEVERABILITY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE AND STATING THE EFFECTIVE DATE.
***NO VOTE REQUIRED***
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to award the following:
| Project | Cost | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Rebid: Meadow Avenue Storm and Roadway Improvements | $40,350.00 | Strnisha Excavation Inc. |
| Allison Avenue Roadway Improvements | $122,428.15 (Base $70,519.15 & Alt 1 – $51,909) | El Grande Industries, Inc. |
| Washington Park Storm Sewer Improvements/td> | $54,144.00 (Base $39,125 & Alt 1 – $15,030) | Stash Trucking & Construction |
| Addison Avenue Storm Sewer Replacement | $79,130.00 (Base $59,580 & Alt 1 – $19,550) | Bella Enterprises, Inc. |
OFFICIAL REPORTS:
Councilman Staniszewski: Not Present
Councilwoman Monda Williams: Stated that she is happy to see that the City continues to support the Citizens Library.
Councilman Ken Westcott: Leaf Collection schedule will be coming out in next few weeks.
Councilman Joe Manning: No Report
Mayor Putnam:
The next regular meeting of the Washington City Council will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2019 1:00 P.M. in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 1:00 P.M.
City offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2019 in observance of Veteran’s Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 8:30 A.M.
City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and November 29, 2019 in observance of Thanksgiving. Offices will reopen on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 8:30 A.M.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.