724-223-4200

A regular meeting of Washington City Council was held Thursday, January 9, 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 – Present

Councilman Joseph Manning – Present

Councilman Terry Faust – Present

Mayor Brenda Davis – Present

SOLICITOR:      John F. Cambest, Esquire

MOMENT OF SILENCE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

There was an Executive Session prior to this meeting regarding property acquisition.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the minutes from the December 5, 2013 City Council Meeting.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, approve the minutes from the January 6, 2014 Reorganization Meeting.

Mayor 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 December 2013.  They are as follows:  Washington Fire Department had a total of 130 calls.  There were 1,749 total calls for 2013 – this was an increase from last year. 

There were 7 Building Permits issued during the month of December of 2013.  The total year to date permits issued is 208 with total revenue of $25,551.05

The Code Enforcement Department had 133 calls for service with total revenue for the month of December 2013 at $4,262.82

  • Chief Chris Luppino gave the 2013 December report for the Washington City Police Department.  It was as follows:  673 calls for service, miles patrolled were 7.607, 31 traffic citations issued, and 37 criminal arrests.  Monies collected were:  $600.00 for accident reports, $65.00 incident reports, $30.00 fingerprinting, $325.00 for vehicle release forms with total monies collected at $1,020.  The year report for 2013 was given by Chief Luppino which is as follows:  971 total citations, 503 non-traffic citations, 531 criminal arrests, $14,095.00 total money collected with a total of 10,235 calls. 
  • Fred Fleet read a letter that was written to Christy Thomas, City Clerk.  This letter is as follows: 

Mayor, Council and the audience applauded.

There being no further public participation, Mayor Davis closed this portion of the meeting.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve and authorize the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for John Stout, Public Works Superintendent, to purchase rock Sale (Sodium Chloride) from American Rock Salt.  The City of Washington is under Contract through PA COSTARS.  Amount to be purchased is 175 tons.

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve and authorize the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for the following Budget Transfer:   $1,427.00  FROM  01.34/413-240 Code Enforcement – Operating Expenses  TO  01.34/413-452 Code Enforcement – Abandoned/Hazard Clean Up Service.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Pennsylvania Municipal League in the amount of $450.00 for PELRAS Membership for 2014.  CHARGE 01.60/400-420 (PA League of Cities Dues)

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to US Bank in the amount of $1,700.00 that includes Dissemination Agent Fee of $600.00 and the Paying Agent Fee of $1,100.00 for GOB 2012 A/B SNK FD.     CHARGE 01.90/475-319 (Fiscal Agent Fees)

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to US Bank in the amount of $1,100.00 that is for the Paying Agent Fee for 2005 A/B SNK FD.   CHARGE 01.90.475-319  (Fiscal Agent Fees)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment in the amount of $500.00 to Washington Co Clean Water Fund for NPDES (Park Pond Project).  CHARGE 66.00/446-310 (Professional Services Catfish Creek Project)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment in the amount of $400.00 to Commonwealth of PA Clean Water for NPDES (Park Pond Project).  CHARGE 66.00/446-310 (Professional Services Catfish Creek Project

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Dodaro, Matta & Cambest, P.C. in the amount of $7,719.00 for services rendered through December 27, 2013.  CHARGE  01.13/404-310  (Solicitor Professional Services)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to North Central Highway Safety Network Inc. in the amount of $9,747.00 for Reimbursement #11 (2013).   CHARGE 90.00/489-000 (North Central Highway Safety Grant Account)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to North Central Highway Safety Network Inc. in the amount of $11,198.00 For Reimbursement #12 (2013).   CHARGE 90.00/489-000 (North Central Highway Safety Grant Account)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Agrecycle, Inc. in the amount of $3,320.00 for 2013-2014 Composting Contract (Requisition #1).   CHARGE 20.00/426-240  (Compost/Recycle OP Expenses)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to S. E. Schultz Electric Inc. in the amount of $1,320.00 for City street lighting (work performed, service call hours, and materials) at Maiden Street and Beau Street  — 12/18/2013 to 12/20/2013).   CHARGE 03.00/433-378 (Liquid Fuels Fund —  Traffic Signal Maintenance)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve refund to Jennifer Brown in the amount of $325.00 for cancellation of Park Pavilion Rental.   CHARGE 01.00/367-673  (Park Shelter Fees)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Widmer Engineering Inc. in the amount of $705.00 for Recycle Center Design (6/6/13 – 6/30/13)  CHARGE 77.00/454-700 Capital Improvement Fund – Park Capital Improvements.

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Widmer Engineering Inc. in the amount of $1,015.00 for Recycle Center Design (8/1/13 – 8/31/13)  CHARGE 77.00/454-700 Capital Improvement Fund – Park Capital Improvements

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Widmer Engineering Inc. in the amount of $2,610.00 for Recycle Center Design (9/1/13 – 9/27/13)  CHARGE 77.00/454-700 Capital Improvement Fund – Park Capital Improvements

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Witmer Public Safety Group (Officer Store) in the amount of $3,745.84 for initial 2014 ammunition order.  CHARGE 15.00/410-239 Police Protection — Ammunition

COMMENT:  Councilman Faust questioned where the (l) was.  It was a typographical error in which (j) was listed twice.

Mayor Davis explained this error to all.

Councilman Faust stated that the Park Capital Improvement Fund (regarding the Recycling Center) is just a pass-through fund.  This fund will be reimbursed once we receive the money.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve Solomon’s Seafood, 222 Hall Avenue, subdivision of corner at Hall and Meadow for demolition and new ATM for existing PNC Bank.

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve Conditional Use Application for WTB Housing LP conversion of floors 3-6 to 44 apartments at the Trust Building’s Main Street and East Beau Street – and 46 parking spaces.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Mayor Davis, and unanimously carried, to approve to advertise for bids for Washington Park Recycle Drop-Off Area in the month of February 2014.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve reimbursements from the Citizens Library to the City of Washington for any/all administrative costs and audit fees required in relation to the Keystone Grant between the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the City of Washington to replace the HVAC System in the Citizens Library Building.

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the certification and release of property located at 1286 Allison Avenue, Washington County Parcel Identification Number:  770-037-00-04-0015-00 (Ernest Ruscello, Sr. and Peggy Renee Ruscello) to the Washington County Redevelopment Authority.  Necessary forms to do so must be completed.

COMMENT:  Mayor Davis commented by saying this is part of the CDC and moving them forward.  This property will be demolished and there will be built a form of housing on this site.

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve transfer of $50,000.00  FROM  46.00/492-900 (The General Fund Reserve)  TO  03.00/392-900 (Liquid Fuels Fund).  This is only a borrowing of this amount until our allocation comes in.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item to award bid to Morgantown Printing for printing of multi-trip transit ticket booklets, based on a price quote received December 12, 2013.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item to authorize the advertising of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for fixed route transit service for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2014.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item of based upon recommendation of the City Solicitor and the City’s Insurance Broker, to authorize the purchase of “Builders Risk Insurance” related to construction of the new Transit Center on East Chestnut Street.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item to authorize Robin Gostic to attend Penn Train transit training in State College on January 15 and 16, 2014, at a cost not to exceed $400.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit item to authorize Joseph Thomas to attend transit training in Harrisburg offered by PennDOT  and PPTA on January 22 and 23, 2014, at a cost not to exceed $500.

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to GG&C Bus Company, Inc. in the amount of $65,336.81 for contracted public transit fixed route services performed in November 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Washington County Transportation Authority in the amount of $9,724.33 for contracted public transit Paratransit services performed in November 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Dodaro, Matta & Cambest, P.C. in the amount of $336.00 for reviewing regional clearing house agreement documents (farebox Connect Cards) 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Joseph Thomas in the amount of $21.25 for reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred 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 28.00/447-240

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Joseph Thomas in the amount of $128.94 to replenish Transit Office petty cash, 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Guttman Oil Company in the amount of $24,051.21 for the purchase of fuel for the public transit vehicles, to be paid from the Mass Transit Account upon verification by the Finance Department that the stated transit funds are available.  CHARGE 28.00/447-231

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Comcast in the amount of $84.85 for 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Construction Engineering Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $1,046.00 for Soil Testing 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Astorino in the amount of $8,617.66 for Construction Administration performed through November 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 Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve the Transit payment to Observer Publishing Company in the amount of $502.26 for advertising in Canonsburg Magazine, 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 Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Widmer Engineering Inc. in the amount of $210.00 for the CCTV work for Campbell Avenue storm sewer.     CHARGE 96.00/446-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Fund)

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to approve the payment to Robinson Pipe Cleaning Co in the amount of $1,031.25 for the CCTV work for Campbell Avenue storm sewer.     CHARGE 96.00/446-000 (Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Fund)

A motion was made by Councilman Manning, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to approve payment to Robinson Pipe Cleaning Co in the amount of $2,012.50 for clean up of concrete spill (October 2013).    CHARGE 01.42/438-210 (Public Works – Road Maintenance)

ELECTED OFFICIALS:

Councilwoman Tracie Graham – No Comment

Councilman Kenneth Westcott discussed the City of Washington’s Christmas Tree Schedule, which will begin on Monday, January 13, 2014 through Friday, February 7, 2014.  This schedule will be in effect except during snow events.  Trees are to be placed on the front street, curbside with unobstructed access.  Residents without front street access are asked to place them in their alley, in a place where crews can see and access them.  Trees are to be put out by 10PM the night before scheduled pickup.   The schedule is as follows:  Tuesdays for Wards 1 through 5, Wednesdays for Wards 6 and 8, and Thursdays for Ward 7.  All non-biodegradable materials such as lights, garland, tinsel, plastic bags, etc., must be removed from all Christmas trees prior to pickup.    Councilman Westcott said that he is taking over the Street Department and is looking forward to working with Rodney.  Councilman Westcott plans to develop a 2 or 3-year Comprehensive Plan for paving, patching, and repairs streets here in the City of Washington.  His department will work with the residents to identify the worst streets.

Councilman Joseph Manning thanked Fred Fleet for giving Christy her compliments.  Councilman Manning said that the other night Fred told him how he was and how pleased the residents were that this particular problem was handled so successfully.  Christy did a fantastic job.

Councilman Terry Faust – No Comment

Mayor Brenda Davis made the following motion:

A motion was made by Mayor Davis, seconded by Councilman Westcott, and unanimously carried, to have permit parking on both sides of Laurel Avenue.

This will aid the parking problems that have existed on Laurel Avenue, and to assure that the residents, who live on Laurel Avenue, will have a place to park.  Mayor Davis then spoke about the Christian Unity event this Sunday, January 12th, at 5PM at Washington High School.  This is a wonderful thing and the first time that 25 churches – all denominations, their ministries and leaders along with their congregations will meet.  All are invited to attend.

The Washington City Building will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2014, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 8:30AM.

The next Council meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 7PM in Council Chambers.  The Agenda Meeting will be held on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 6PM, also in Council Chambers.

A motion was made by Councilman Westcott, seconded by Councilman Manning, and unanimously carried, to adjourn the meeting.

______________________________________

Brenda Davis, Mayor

______________________________________

Christy S. Thomas, City Clerk