REGULAR MEETING WASHINGTON CITY COUNCIL – Thursday, February, 7 2013.
A regular meeting of Washington City Council was held on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7PM in Council Chambers, 55 West Maiden Street, Washington, Pennsylvania. Mayor Brenda Davis, presiding, opened the meeting.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Present
Councilman Joseph Manning – Present
Councilman Terry Faust – Present
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Present
Mayor Brenda Davis – Present
SOLICITOR: Lane Turturice, Esquire – Present
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Mayor and Council held an Executive Session on Monday, February 4, 2013, for personnel matters.
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Faust, and unanimously carried, for Mayor and Council to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.
Mayor Davis thanked everyone for their patience. The meeting resumed.
A motion was made by Councilman Westscott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2013 regular meeting of Washington City Council.
Mayor Davis then opened the public participation portion of the meeting. Those signed in to speak were as follows:
• Chief Brookman had three (3) January reports to give. The first report was from the Fire Department which consisted of: 164 total calls in the month of January. There were 5 structure fires, 22 medical, 8 accidents with injuries, and 7 with Peters Township and North Strabane Township. The most important this month are the carbon monoxide calls which were 5 . . . 2 of these could have been bad. Chief Brookman recommended that everyone should have a carbon monoxide detector in their house because it will save your life.
Chief Brookman then gave the Zoning report from Mr. Coleman. This consisted of a total of 9 permits issued: residential 3, commercial 3 and dumpster permits were 3. It was a slow month with total revenue of $874. This is due to the weather — no one wants to build this time of the year.
Last but not least, for Mr. McIntyre the Code Enforcement report was 212 calls for service. There were 353 citations issued. Revenues brought in were: $3,000.00 for fines, $1,125.00 for zoning, planning and plumbing appeals, and $7,700.00 for street opening permits. Grand total for this department was $11,663.
• Georgianna Farkus distributed handouts to Mayor and Council. She had 5 different topics to speak on. Georgianna stated that the first is from our friend, Jean Carey, who requests that this be put on the records that she has been crying out for help because of all dirt and mulch in Canton Township being blown into her neighborhood. Jean also has a neighbor that has a kid’s pool that is literally filled with dirt. This issue keeps getting bounced back and forth. Jean would like to have a solution to this problem. Georgianna proceeded by saying that she normally speaks for other people but the following issues are directly from her: first being the snow removal on West Chestnut Street/Jefferson Avenue/East Maiden Street.
COMMENT: Councilman Staniszewski said that these are all State owned roads and State maintained.
Georgianna stated that she understands this. She would like the City to send a letter to the State for resolution . . . the State truck plows and pushes the snow back on the sidewalks. Georgianna requested, for the record, she along with many others are out cleaning off their sidewalks and the State truck comes and plows the snow back on them again due to the speed of the trucks. She said that she does not expect Ron McIntyre not to do his job regarding this issue.
Georgianna spoke about an incident on West Chestnut Street a week ago where garbage fell from the garbage truck. This garbage ended up being in the middle of West Chestnut Street. This is an on-going problem because the residents do not know whom to call. The garbage ended up on sidewalks and driveways then in the storm drains. Georgianna wanted this to be on the record as well. She feels this is a safety issue due to the constant traffic on West Chestnut Street.
Georgianna commended Robert Lemons, Jr. for a job well done. She wanted to thank him in person but Robert Lemons was not in attendance. Georgianna also told Captain Wilson welcome aboard and that she knows he will do a fine job as well.
Lastly, Georgianna spoke about Matthew McCloskey regarding his Eagle Scout project. She received a letter from Matt that the picnic table project, which Georgianna donated money towards, is now completed. Georgianna said she will send Matt a letter and thank him.
• Captain Wilson gave the January report from the Police Department. It was as follows: 771 calls for service, 9,005 miles were patrolled, 94 traffic citations were written which involved 8 for parking and 86 for moving violations, 57 non-traffic arrests were made, and 46 criminal arrests. Monies collected were: $630.00 for accident reports, $30.00 for incident reports, $310.00 for fingerprinting and $300.00 for vehicle release forms. Total monies collected were $1,270.
There being no further public participation, Mayor Davis closed this portion of the meeting.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to make corrections to previous Minutes:
a) Clerical Error made in August 9, 2012 Minutes.
b) Motion from September 13, 2012 Minutes stating (3) officials to East Washington Joint Planning Commission. This is the incorrect name of Commission – correct name is: Zoning Ordinance Update Committee.
c) Motion from January 10, 2013 Minutes. COSTARS Agreement involving amount of sodium chloride (road salt) for the August 2013 – July 2014 Season. Tonnage approved should have been at 1,800 – not 1,700 tons.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve the compromise of property damage claim as discussed in Executive Session.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to appoint Brent Cottrill to City of Washington Planning Commission.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Traffic Control Equipment & Supplies Co., Inc. in the amount of $1,410.00 for replacement of Pedestrian Pushbuttons and the Detector Panel at Main and Beau Street intersection. CHARGE 03.00/433-378
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Traffic Control Equipment & Supplies Co., Inc. in the amount of $167.50 for (2) 8” Modules. CHARGE 03.00/433-378
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to First Security Finance in the amount of $12,587.26 for energy conservation measures. CHARGE 77.00/409-700
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Mark A. Pacilla in the amount of $25.44 – refund for Rental Registration payment made for commercial tenant located at 48 E. Wheeling Street, Account #112899-0. CHARGE 84.00/362-644
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Mark A. Pacilla in the amount of $25.44 – refund for Rental Registration payment made for commercial tenant located at 40 E. Wheeling Street, Account #112898-0. CHARGE 84.00/362-644
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Berggren & Turturice in the amount of $3,764.65 for services rendered through 2/7/2013. CHARGE 13/404-310
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for the Treasurer to open a new bank account for Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant and amend budget accordingly.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Deposit of the Comcast Financial Agency Corporation check into General Fund Reserve.
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to table the Solid Waste payment increase to $243.00 based on the information sent by Lynn Galluze to Mayor and Council.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, for support letter to TREK Development Group for funding assistance to PHFA.
COMMENT: Councilman Faust said he feels this will be a big asset for the City of Washington. He said that in the outline provided, in the information of what they are going to do . . . it is a lot different from whenever you are asking for money and portraying something. At this time, Councilman Faust said that he supports for what the outline is.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to appoint the following for the Washington/East Washington Joint Planning Commission:
Mayor Brenda Davis — 4 Year Term
Terry Faust EITHER / OR Joe Manning — 3 Year Term
Ryan King (Planning Commission) — 2 Year Term
COMMENT: Councilman Westcott requested clarification — “is it Terry Faust or Joe Manning who will serve”?
COMMENT: Councilman Faust said, “this was a good question”. He went onto say that when Christy called him he did not know the times required, but to place his name for this vote. Councilman Faust said he did this in respect to the need for the public to know. Also, if it is necessary for him to step aside due to time frames . . . Councilman Manning will fill this position. There is no issue between Terry and Joe.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve Washington City Transit to proceed to negotiate a one-year contract extension with GG&C Bus Company, Inc. for FY 2013-2014 purchase of fixed route service.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve Washington City Transit to proceed to negotiate a one-year contract extension with Palermo/Kissinger CPA for Transit Auditing services for FY 12-13.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to GG&C Bus Company, Inc. in the amount of $69,295.53 for contracted public transit fixed route services performed in December 2012, 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
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to Washington County Transportation Authority in the amount of $9,608.25 for contracted public transit paratransit services performed in December 2012, 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
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to Nancy Basile in the amount of $46.53 for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred in January 2013, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are
available. CHARGE 28.00/447-240
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to Comcast in the amount of $82.32 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 28.00/447-310
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to Astorino/LCM Architects in the amount of $5,329.18 for contracted services performed through January 2013, to be paid from the Purchase of Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to Astorino/Sci-Tek Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $1,087.50 for contracted services performed through January 2013, to be paid from the Purchase of Buses & Equipment Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available. CHARGE 27.00/447-743
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve payment to nTouch in the amount of $2,460.00 for Printing Services, Brochures, Website Maintenance, 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
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve a transfer from the Buses & Equipment Account (CHARGE 27.00/357-540) to the Mass Transit Account (28.00/447-310) in the amount of $14,346.00 for reimbursement of local capital designated for the transit farebox project.
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning and seconded by Councilman Westcott to approve
rescinding a payment previously approved (on Thursday, January 10, 2013 – Council Meeting) to The Blake Hotel in the amount of $337.00 for lodging related to approved travel for training of a transit staff member, 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
ROLL CALL: Councilman Kenneth Westcott – Yes
Councilman Joseph Manning – Yes
Councilman Terry Faust – Yes
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski – Abstained
Mayor Brenda Davis – Yes
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to rescind the previously approved (on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – Council Meeting) Redstone Court LERTA application, as improvements performed by the applicant resulted in no actual or material change in the tax assessment of said property, as per subsequent information received from the Washington County Department of Revenue.
A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to accept Robert Lemon’s resignation as Chief of Police for the City of Washington, accept his request to resume his Lieutenant position, and amend the Salary Ordinance accordingly – effective February 4, 2013; and to designate Captain Robert Wilson as Officer In Charge pending appointment of a new Chief of Police.
COMMENT: Councilman Staniszewski asked if Captain Wilson was staying at the Captain’s pay rate or will be at the Chief’s pay rate.
COMMENT: Councilman Manning said he stays at the Captain’s rate, as there is no provision in the FOP’s contract under the Third Class City Code.
COMMENT: Attorney Lane Turturice said that a stipend could be given to Captain Wilson at some point in the future depending on how long he stays at this position. This will be up to Mayor and Council.
A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to authorize the Solicitor to begin a negotiation of a contract extension with the IT Coordinator to be approved by Mayor and Council.
A motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to open bids for Surface Asphalt and Asphalt Binder.
Golden Eagle Construction Company
PO Box 945
Uniontown, PA 15401
10% Bid Bond Enclosed
FOB Plant: UNIT TOTAL
1,750 Tons of 9.5mm Surface $58.00 $101,500.00
2,000 Tons of 25mm Binder $49.00 $ 98,000.00
1,500 Tons of 19mm Binder $52.00 $ 78,000.00
Hanson Aggregates
2200 Springfield Pike
Connellsville, PA 15425
10% Bid Bond Enclosed
FOB Plant: UNIT TOTAL
1,750 Tons of 9.5mm Surface $60.50 $105,875.00
2,000 Tons of 25mm Binder $53.50 $107,000.00
1,500 Tons of 19mm Binder $54.50 $ 81,750.00
The Lane Construction Corporation
2 Prestley Road
Bridgeville, PA 15017
10% Bid Bond Enclosed
FOB Plant: UNIT TOTAL
1,750 Tons of 9.5mm Surface $59.00 $103,250.00
2,000 Tons of 25mm Binder $49.00 $ 98,000.00
1,500 Tons of 19mm Binder $53.00 $ 79,500.00
This concludes the bids.
A motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to table the bids pending review with himself, the Solicitor and Street Department Supervisor.
A motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to advertise for a used street sweeper.
A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried to table the purchase a 10-ton truck from A&H Equipment at a cost of $123,557.00 through COSTARS Program.
COMMENT: Mayor Davis stated to table this motion until it is further discussed. Some information on the sheet is in question.
COMMENT: Councilman Staniszewski stated that this was discussed earlier and needs to be tabled.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Councilman Kenneth Westcott – No Comment
Councilman Joseph Manning – No Comment
Councilman Terry Faust spoke about the Eagle Scout Project that has been completed by Matthew McCloskey. Georgianna had mentioned this as well. Some money was set aside from the Park Development Fund. This project involved building 20 picnic tables with engraved nameplates on each table. Matthew ended up having more than 20 requests from donations. Matthew did such a terrific job and Councilman Faust commends him. This project did not cost the City any money. Unfortunately, the additional tables could not be made due to the time stipulation. All of the tables are located at Pavilion #1 which is still being built. We will have enough picnic tables to fill that Pavilion. A letter of recognition will be completed and mailed to Matthew which he requires for his Eagle Scout Project. Matthew did a very professional job and Councilman Faust said he is “proud of him”.
Councilman Matthew Staniszewski thanked (former) Chief Lemons for his 13 months in service. Councilman Staniszewski said that Chief Lemons did a great job with the Police Department. Captain Wilson will do a great job as the Officer In Charge. Councilman Staniszewski said he is looking forward to working with Captain Wilson. Also, Mayor and Council approved to advertise for a new (used) street sweeper and he thanks them for their support on this. This will definitely be a step in the right direction, and we will finally own our own operating machine.
Mayor Davis stated that she would like to address a few issues that have been going on here in City Hall. Terry and Joe, I am excluding you two from this. It seems we have a couple guys who think that they are King and that they can lay down their Decree’ and it’s the law. Well, I have news for you both as THAT’S NOT THE CASE.
On Friday, January 25, 2013, the City experienced a major storm event. It would seem that a single Councilman took it upon himself to close the City for business at a time when virtually all other businesses and government offices in the City remained open. While individual Council Members were apparently contacted, it is my understanding that a majority was not in favor of closing the City. As a result, City employees received paid time off resulting in a financial loss to the City. I am curious as to whether the decision to close the City, resulting in a loss to the taxpayers, should have been made by a Department Head, as opposed to all of Council. I have asked the Solicitor to give me an opinion on this issue.
I have another Councilman that is grandstanding around the City building making ONE employee cry and creating an untenable working environment for the taxpayer’s employees. Parading around discussing how much alcohol you drank over the weekends, and moving paperwork around and not putting it back the way you found it is unacceptable. Not to mention, I, the Mayor issued a memo to one Councilman explaining a problem from a resident (and taxpayer) that had previously spoken to the Street Department Foreman and the Department Director. The individual contacted me because nothing had been done. Ladies and gentlemen, let me show you how a complaint from a taxpayer was treated. IT WAS CRUMBLED UP AND PUT IN MY MAILBOX FOLLOWED BY A TEXT MESSAGE that I received saying: don’t send me memos like that again. You’re not my boss.
Matt, I never said that I was your boss. However, whether you like it or not I was voted into this position by the residents; and yes Matt, according to the Third Class City Code I can call upon a Department Director concerning any and all issues and problems concerning the City. Let me read you the Code . . . Under the Mayor’s section of our Third City Code, Section 36206, the Mayor shall have the authority, at all times, to call upon any official of the City or heads of departments for any information as to the affairs under their control and management as he may require. He may likewise report upon any and all matters of City government as frequently to Council as deems conductive to the interest and welfare of the City.
(Mayor Davis gave a copy of the Code to Council)
THIS IS NOT THE MATT WESTCOTT OR THE KEN STANISZEWSKI SHOW.
I’m extremely, extremely disappointed that the Solid Waste contract had to be bid twice. As a result of it being bided twice an extra burden has been placed on the backs of the taxpayer. Having just gone over the fiscal cliff each on of us are seeing less money in our pay checks . I’ve been examining the numbers and feel we need to give the taxpayers the best possible solution to the Solid Waste increase. I feel we can ease the struggle hold somewhat by earmarking a portion of our carryover to go toward administration cost; and, with reviewing over the next year our number of household and identifying those units to be more in line with what we have on record. We would have the ability to not pass so much of the increase onto the taxpayers.
This Administration had a carryover this year of $542,223.76. We are using $150,000.00 toward this year’s budget. This will leave us with taxpayer’s monies of $392,223.76. We need to spend the taxpayer’s money wisely. We all have wish lists but so do the taxpayers. They already pay a high tax rate and a high Earned Income Tax percentage. I believe we can bring this Solid Waste cost increase to only $25.
Mayor Davis thanked Chief Lemons for the time he held this position. He did a fine job with the community. He went out there, he conquered his fears, and he did a great job. The community really, really liked him. It is unfortunate for the personal reasons that he needed to resign from that position. The City of Washington was very lucky to have him. Mayor Davis said she is very thankful that Captain Wilson is the Officer In Charge. He is a great Officer, he has a stellar career, and he will also be a benefit to the City of Washington.
The Washington City Building will be closed on Monday, February 18, 2013 in observance of Presidents’ Day. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 8:30AM.
The next regular meeting of Washington City Council will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 7PM in Council Chambers. The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 6PM also in Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Councilman Staniszewski, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting.
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Brenda Davis
MAYOR
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Christy S. Thomas
CITY CLERK