A regular meeting of Washington City Council was held Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 7PM in Council Chambers, 55 West Maiden Street, Washington, Pennsylvania. Mayor Brenda Davis, presiding, opened the meeting.
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Tracie Graham – Present
Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Absent
Councilman Joseph Manning – Present
Councilman Terry Faust – Present
Mayor Brenda Davis – Present
SOLICITOR: John F. Cambest, Esquire – Present
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2014 regular meeting of Washington City Council.
Mayor and Council held an Executive Session prior to this meeting to discuss personnel.
Mayor Brenda Davis then opened the public participation portion of the meeting. Those signed in to speak were as follows:
- Chief Linn Brookman gave 3 reports for the month of January. The Fire Department’s report is as follows: 142 calls, 22 were medical with 10 of these calls being overdoses. Chief Brookman said that it was not a very pleasant month. He said that whatever is in the other cities . . . it is here.
Chief Brookman gave the building permit report. Total for this year is $616.00 with 5 building permits issued this month, 3 commercial and 2 residential. This does not include the Library project.
Chief Brookman gave the Code Enforcement Department’s report. There were169 violations, 103 citations were issued with total revenue at $5,300.
- Chief Chris Luppino gave the January report for the Washington City Police Department. There were 828 calls for service, 7,600 miles traveled, 75 traffic citations issued, 34 non-traffic and 46 criminal arrests. Total monies collected were $960. This includes $690.00 for accident reports, $65.00 for incident reports, $30.00 for fingerprinting and $175.00 for vehicle release forms issued.
- Joe Thomas spoke about 2 positive developments regarding Washington City Transit this week. Their application for Local Share Account Funds was approved at a level of $100,000.00 towards construction of the new Transit Center on East Chestnut Street. This money can be used as a non-federal match to secure an additional $400.000.00 in FTA Fund to be used towards construction. The Freedom Line, operated by Washington Rides, was approve for $51,000.00 of Local Share Funds which will provide their local match for operating funding for the next fiscal year for their Freedom Line transit service. This week, Washington City Transit created our first Twitter account. The Mayor suggested that we pursue this as an alternative means in letting riders of service disruptions and weather delays. It is also a means of trying to inform more people of our service. Today we sent a tweet that was targeted towards W & J College. W & J College and their radio station are following us. W & J College re-tweeted our tweet and in a matter of minutes we received a call from a W & J student who wanted to use our Metro Service to downtown Pittsburgh.
COMMENT: Mayor Davis said, “welcome to the social media”.
- Diane Ambrose, Director of the Citizens Library, requested that the building permit fee be waived for their Keystone Grant project which involves the Library’s new HVAC system.
- Troy Breese spoke in representation of the Citizens Library HVAC project. He stated that the HVAC project is a very important project. This project is necessary in the operation of the building. He asked that Mayor and Council to help the Library with this vital project.
There being no further public participation, Mayor Davis closed this portion of the meeting.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Prime Safety, LLC in the amount of $2,844.69 for Carbon Monoxide Detectors. CHARGE 01.33/411-210 (Fire Protection – Materials, Supplies & Expenses)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Widmer Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $935.00 for Summerlea Avenue Storm Water Project (Services rendered from 12/2/2013 – 1/3/2014).
CHARGE 85.00/438-000 (LSA Fund – Street Improvements Summerlea Avenue)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Widmer Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $105.00 for 50 Campbell Avenue Storm Sewer Project (Services rendered from 11/2/2013 – 1/3/2014).
CHARGE 96.00/446-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Fund – Public Works Storm Water Systems)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Midrange Plus Services, Inc. in the amount of $5,982.70 for City Server. CHARGE 96.00/407-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Fund – Information Technology Services)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Honeywell First Responder Products in the amount of $22,125.24 for (8) Bunker Tail Coats and (8) Bunker Pants = PBI Matrix, 3 Layer, Crosstech Black.
CHARGE 96.00/411-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Fund – Emergency Services Fire)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Dodaro, Matta & Cambest, P.C. in the amount of $4,554.33 for services rendered through January 29, 2014, and February 2014 retainer. CHARGE 01.13/404-310 (Solicitor Professional Services)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to First Security Finance in the amount of $12,771.96 for Energy Conservation Measures. CHARGE 77.00/409-700 (Capital Improvements)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Hill International Trucks, LLC in the amount of $5,048.44 for 1995 Ford F800 suspension repairs. CHARGE 01.42/430-370 (Public Works – Vehicle Maintenance)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve conditional use application for Cathleen Campsey / Early Years Child Care Center located at 907 Jefferson Avenue.
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Jason S. Kilgore of 505 East Wheeling Street to become an alternate member of the Washington Planning Commission.
COMMENT: Mayor Davis introduced Jason to all in attendance. She thanked him for displaying an interest in wanting to get involved with the City of Washington. Mayor Davis said that they are always looking for individuals who wish to devote their time and dedication to move the City forward. Mayor Davis said that she can not thank him enough for submitting his application and desire.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve entering into a COSTARS Agreement for 1,800 tons of sodium chloride (road salt) for the August 2014 – July 2015 Season.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve Treasurer’s Department payment to Cascade Engineering in the amount of $1,639.00 for 200 18-gallon recycle bins. CHARGE 21.00/426-240 (Recycling Fund — Composting/Recycling Operating Expenses)
COMMENT: Mayor Davis stated that these bins will be on display in City Hall for anyone who may need an extra bin. There is a charge for these bins. We urge everyone to recycle here in the City of Washington.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve Commercial LERTA Program for 5-year term with one hundred (100) percent tax forgiveness for three years.
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve Mayor Brenda Davis to be the alternate for the Washington County Tax Collection District for the City of Washington. Dennis Adams is the delegate.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to enter into a cooperation agreement with Trek Development to serve as the applicant for the Trek Development Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program project.
COMMENT: Mayor Davis expressed that she is excited about this project. We have a lot of dilapidated rental property in the City of Washington. It is very unfortunate. So many of them are low housing (low-income individuals). We are 57% low to moderate income here in the City of Washington. This means that our residents need quality housing that is safe and affordable. We are not going to chip away at that number and decrease it down to 50% or 45% low-income medium for many years. We have to face it head-on that the City of Washington is considered a low-income city. We just had an issue with the magistrate a week ago. The City is moving forward and trying to condemn a building. Unfortunately, the magistrate gives many extensions. The property owners on the street are getting involved and complaining that properties are blighted and are not safe. The owner is ordered to purchase a building permit, which allows for him to bring another rent-to-own individual into a blighted rental unit. This will give the landlord more time to fix this property up – we all know that he or she is not going to. So, for TREK to come into the City of Washington and to be able to provide quality housing for low income — we would be foolish not to help support you to secure the funding. This is a very small piece of the pie that you are asking of us which is not costing us anything to apply for this. Ultimately, it will be up to the State whether or not you get awarded this. I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully, the Governor will continue to see that the City of Washington is moving forward.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilwoman Graham, and unanimously carried, to authorize payment of $12,400.00 to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington for the Gerard Associates Architects contract for the Washington Park Pool Bath House Improvements Project. CHARGE 85.00/454-000 LSA Fund (Parks – LGA/Greenway & Parklett Plan (City Match)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to authorize Jayson J. Lawson, Esquire to approach Budd Baer for negotiation for past penalties with City of Washington to have final approval of settlement.
A motion was made by Councilman Faust, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the City of Washington to enter into an agreement with Washington School District for the use of Washington Park Facilities for the year of 2014.
A motion was made by Councilman Faust, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the City of Washington to enter into an agreement with Washington Youth Baseball for use of eight (8) Baseball Fields in Washington Park for the year of 2014.
A motion was made by Councilman Faust, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the City of Washington to enter into an agreement with TWIST, INC. for the use of six (6) Softball Fields in Washington Park for the year of 2014.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve that 50% of the Citizens Library’s (HVAC Project) building permit fee be waived. Total amount of the building permit fee is $4,504. This is in accordance to our building permit ordinance.
COMMENT: Councilman Manning said that he does not want to be redundant to what Diane and Troy has said, but he (Councilman Manning) does agree that the Citizens Library is a keystone of the City of Washington. We should do what we can to help them. This project, as Troy pointed out, has been a long time coming. The air system is ridiculously ancient. The fee in this motion, $4,504.00 according to our ordinance, can be reduced by half. That figure will be $2,252.
A motion was made by Councilman Faust, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to object to the bid amount of $500.00 listed on Repository Sale Statement for Parcel #: 770 024 00 04 0001 00 (1069 Idaho Street).
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to object to the bid amount of $500.00 listed on Repository Sale Statement for Parcel #: 770 024 00 04 0002 00 (Idaho Street – Vacant Lot).
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to object to the bid amount of $500.00 listed on Repository Sale Statement for Parcel #: 730 007 00 04 0003 00 (9-11 Ridge Avenue).
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to purchase and install fiber optics from City Hall to Police Station from Scanlon Fiber Optics, LLC in the amount of $2,460. CHARGE 85.00/407-000 (LSA Fund IT-Information Sharing/Truck Scale)
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item to adopt Public Transit Drivers Hours of Service Policy as presented.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item of Comcast Carbonite Business computer back-up system as presented; cost for first year is $194.61.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item to enter into a Clearinghouse Agreement with Port Authority and regional transit agencies as presented; administrative cost to Washington City Transit for first year of agreement is $116.84.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item of Waller Change Order No. 1 for transit center construction: $15,455.00 as approved by Gannett Fleming, subject to withholding from retainage if the charge is determined to be inappropriate by the City Solicitor.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to GG&C Bus Company, Inc. in the amount of $69,977.07 for contracted public transit fixed route services performed in December 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Washington County Transportation Authority in the amount of $9,157.47 for contracted public transit paratransit services performed in December 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to US Assure, Inc., in the amount of $9,672.00 for builder’s risk insurance on new transit facility 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Bankcard Services in the amount of $138.20
Breakdown as follows:
Hotel and meal expenses – Penn Train – $138.20
CHARGE 28.00/447-240
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Comcast in the amount of $84.85 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Waller Corporation in the amount of $127,620.00 (Change Order 1 included – $15,455.00) for contracted services for ITF performed through December 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Construction Engineering Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $1,535.00 for Soil Testing Services for ITF performed through January 2014, 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Hickson’s in the amount of $373.70 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 Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to advertise Catfish Creek Stormwater Management Project Site 4.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Councilwoman Tracie Graham – No Comment
Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Absent
Councilman Joseph Manning – No Comment
Councilman Terry Faust – No Comment
Mayor Brenda Davis introduced Noah Alter, our newest Intern from W & J College. He started this week at this non-paying internship. Mayor Davis thanked Noah for wanting to come and understand the functions of the City Clerk’s office. He will be assisting our Administrative Assistant who is bogged down by the five of us giving her projects. Noah will be here to help the City go forward. Mayor Davis thanked Noah for all of the help he will be giving us.
Mayor Davis announced that there will be a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, February 25, 2014 at 7PM here in Council Chambers. She and the Stop The Violence Committee will host this meeting. This committee rallies together to get Neighborhood Watch Programs throughout the City. Currently, we have 2 Neighborhood Watch Programs: The West End Neighborhood Watch and The Highland Ridge Neighborhood Watch. We want to hear from you on how we can make the City of Washington safer; we want to use your ideas and suggestions and implement them. Mayor Davis encouraged everyone to attend. She told Mike Jones, who was in the audience from the Observer Reporter, that she will be getting in touch with him and perhaps he can publicize this for us. Mayor Davis extended a thank you to Mike for this consideration.
The Washington City Building will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2014, in observance of
Presidents’ Day holiday. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 8:30AM.
The next Council meeting will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2014 at 7PM in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, March 3, 2014 at 6PM, also in Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting.
Mayor Davis thanked everyone for coming out this evening.
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Brenda Davis, Mayor
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Christy S. Thomas, City Clerk