Council Meeting Council Chambers Monongahela, PA June 12,2024  Minutes oft the regular meeting of the Council oft the City of Monongahela, due notice of which meeting was published according to law, held Wednesday, June 12,2024 at 7:001 P.M., in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Garry who led int the pledge to the  Flag.  The roll was called and the: following present:  Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Public) Forum  Ed White, 613 Ohio Street, stated we are having some problems in the Mounds Area. He ist requesting that Council send the Engineer up to meet with the neighbors to see ift therei is something that can be done for the residents to try to alleviate the problem. The problem is sewer backups and he believes it would be helpful ift the Engineer would come up and meet with them. Councilwoman O'Brien stated that the Engineer was up there late last week with our Street Foreman. The Engineer would like to develop a plan to try to get it done. We would have tol look Mr. Whites stated that it would be helpful ifhe, the Engineer, could meet with the residents. Therei is a lot ofi information that we may have that would be helpful to him to formulate the plan. Ifyou could arrange for him to come up and meet with us would be very helpful. Mr. White appreciates the Councils time and tol let them know ifthe Engineer can come up so they can get the Francine Mizwa, 7001 Mound Street, presented a picture to each Council member. Mrs. Mizwa then stated that onl May the 5th her basement filled with six inches of sewage. The sewer water did not come in through the walls, windows or doors. Itf flowed back from the City's main sewer line into her basement. This is not first time but has happened six or seven times. The May 5th sewage back flow incident caused a great deal of damage tol her property at a cost oft thousands Mrs. Mizwa stated that Monongahela City needs to come up with a plan to fix this issue. This problem has been going on for years. What has been done toi fix this issue? Mrs. Mizwa said itwill cost them $4,000.00 toi install a back flow preventer. The picture thats she presented to Council shows ont the right side ist the correct way and the left is the wrong way. Mayor Garry asked! how much the grant was that the City had applied for? City Clerk" Tamie Gido stated that the grant we applied for was around $982,000.00 almost amillion dollars that we applied for on November 30th. The City has not been informed of those grants being awarded. There isa potential plan to replace the storm drain system in the Mounds Ed White asked to please let the residents meet with the Engineer, because Mr. White knows some things about the system that he, the Engineer, probably does notl know. Davel Papak, 1673 Luccetta Drive, for informational purposes they are continuing toj plan and execute their Warrior's Rock Veteran's Concert on the 215t of] July at7 PM. This is the third- year honoring veterans and: first responders. Mr. Papak's concern is the access tot the Aquatorium Mayor Garry stated that the Fire Department was there last night and cleaned the Councilman Gadds statedt that the prisoners are coming this weekend to cut the weeds. He will bei meeting with the Street Department tor make sure all the ramps are done. Councilman Gadd stated he was down there today clearing a lot oft the weeds with a machine. Itwill bei ready.  Can Council do that for us?  into getting a grant to get the work done.  neighbors together to talk tol him.  ofd dollars and clean up time.  area which could resolve the issues.  with all the floods that it will be cleaned up. Aquatorium using the fire trucks.    Mr. Papak stated that the net proceeds go back to our local Veterans. The Mon Valley Terry Necciai, 4001 Meade Street, representing the Monongahela Main Street Program. Mr. Necciai that thanked Mr. Gadd for painting the walls at Chess Park. Thel Main Street Program had Mr. Necciai said he would liket tol livei ina City with appropriate shade trees that are as tall as downtown buildings. The property values in our City didn't go up this week. In fact, the property values and the tax base went down a little. So did the ability toi fill store fronts and our livability of our downtown apartments. The City cannot afford to go backwards after all the progress wel have made. The trees were not just a mater ofCity property maintenance. There should have been discussion about their removal. There could have been some discussion of gradual replacement. The Monongahela Main Street Program would] like tol help the City put new Janet Roslund, 1007 Thomas Street, expressed her surprise to go down) Main Street and discover it was clear cut. Ms. Roslund realizes that trees that were there were mostly an invasive species but believes that some oft the trees that were cut down were not. Ms. Roslund would like the City to make public what the plan ist to replace the trees. She, and others, would like tol know what they are and what size of tree the City is going toj put in. She is hoping they will be a larger treel because shadei is soi important and we are alll looking forward tos seasonal change that the trees Naomi Sambol, Sambol Bakery, 230 West Main Street, stated that since she opened her business, she has been a vendor at the concerts. Its started out as $150.00 which was fine but because she wanted to sell hot dogs it went to $200.00, then $300.00, and: now iti is $400.001 tos sell Councilman Gadds stated that he doesn't set any prices. The. Aquatorium Innovations does that not the City. Councilman Gadd stated she would need to speak to Aquatorium Innovations. The City leases it to Aquatorium Innovation, they set the prices, and the City is not a mediator in Kelly Linn, 1012 Fourth Street, she wanted tor reiterate some things that were said about the sewage flooding in early May. Ms. Linn stated she is aware that there have been violations noted by the DEP. In 2021 the City was fined $9,000.00. The damage to her house is more than that. She had two feet of water inl her basement and lost her furnace, washer, dryer, and hot water tank. The people who live 15 feet up the street from her had six inches. The people on the other side had none. Thej people who live directly across from her had two feet. Ms. Linn is suggesting that perhaps the bigger problem oft the sewage system is one issue. But perhaps there isj just some Ms. Linn stated it would be beneficial tol have thel Engineer come up check. Thej problem could be right in front ofl her house. Thes system can be looked at with a camera to see ifthere is Councilman Gadd stated that the City was not fined $9,000.00. Mr. Gadd wanted to clarify Christine Somales, 808 West Main Street, announced that the Paintl Monongahela Project isi moving along andt the first projecti is June 20th whichi is sold out and the next one will be in September which they do not have a location yet. The proceeds will go tot the Police Departments Mrs. Somales then stated that the Monongahela Library willl be doing a fundraiser. The event is The' Tales from the Library Crypt and Paranormal Tour on October 17 and 24. October 19th will be the Witch] Festival and October 25th and 26h, will be the Library event again. All the She then stated that a group are working on what she is calling a ghost walk. However, they don't have ai name fori ity yet. Itisg going tos start in Chess Park and willl be totally new and different than anything done in the past. The dates are October 11th and 12th. George Eckert, 102 Baywood Drive, 614. Ann Street, and 248 West Main Street, Monongahela. As the City's representative to the Mon Valley Transit Authority, he was in meetings with PennDot last week foraf five year check up that the dos since the. Authority picks up Commonwealth Funding. He willl have a written report for Council whenever PennDot getsa  Veterans Association will determine where the monies will be spent. an adi int the Pittsburgh City Paper advertising Shopping the Little City.  trees in as soon as possible and willl help pursue funds.  bring.  at the concerts. the process.  major clogging for it to be that isolated on) Fourth Street. clogging and remedied until the grant came in. that it wasn't the City that was fined.  501 that assists the animals and the criminal process. details will be released on. July 1st through Facebook.  report back to the. Authority.    Mr. Eckert stated that with MARC the Farmer's! Market started last week which was outstanding. It was estimated that there was around 4501 to 600 people there with 42 vendors. This week's theme will be Flag Day and will be honoring our veterans. There will be a special ceremony that willl begin at 3:30 and make note oft the new plaques that havel been placed on the Mr. Eckert then informed council that there was one issue with the electrical box at Belinda Lehman, 609 Ohio Street, fortunately she did not have as much sewage ast the  War Memorial.  Seventh and Chess Street. The reset button was popping a lot. other residents. She lives ini the neighborhood and came to support them.  Report ofCity Clerk Police Report  It was recommended and SO1 moved by Councilwoman O'Brien, seconded by Councilman Gadd, the Police Report be approved, and the same was agreed tol byt the following Yea and Nay  vote tot the call of the roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver, Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays 0 Garry and SO ordered.  Ther motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor Itv was recommended and sO moved by Councilwoman O'Brien, seconded by Councilman Gadd, the Code Enforcement Report be approved, and the same was agreed to by the following  Code Enforcement Report  Yea and Nay vote tot the call ofthe roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays 0 Garry and sO ordered.  The motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor Second Reading of Bill3-2024- - Gambling Machines and Skill Games Ity was moved by Councilman Miller, seconded by Mayor Garry, to adopt Bill 3 -2024- Gambling Machines and Skill Games as read and it willl become Ordinance: 3- 2024, and the same was agreed tol by the following Yea and Nay vote tot the call oft the roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays0    Thei motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor Second Reading Bill 4-2024 - Establishing Regulations Applicable to Vacant It was moved by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Sarver, to adopt Bill4 - 2024- Establishing Regulations Applicable to Vacant and Residential, Industrial, and Commercial Structures as read and it will become Ordinance 4-2 2024, and the same was agreed to by the  Garry and SO ordered.  Residential, Industrial, and Commercial Structures.  following Yea and Nay vote tot the call oft the roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays0 Garry and sO ordered. Report of Mayor Garry moved on.  Ther motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor  Mayor Garry asked for any corrections to thel May 6, 2024 - Work Session Minutes, and council will be tabling the May 8, 2024, Council meeting minutes. There being none council Mayor Garry read al letter from Chief of Police Kevin Harris for the hiring of] Daniel Jae as Itv was moved by Mayor Garry, seconded by Councilwoman O'Brien, tol hire Daniel Jae as a full-time police officer for the City of] Monongahela, and the same was agreed to by the following  af full-time police officer for the City ofl Monongahela. Yea and Nay vote tot the call oft the roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays 0 Garry and sO ordered.  The motion] having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor  Report of Accounts & Finance  Councilman Sarver stated that in 19201 the Council passed an ordinance creating a Shade Tree Commission. It has been vacant for a long time mainly because they couldn't get community input. Council would like tos see ifthe community wants to bei involved. We do need people that would be qualified like arborists and right now we willj just take names. Ifanyone is interested, It was moved by Councilman Sarver, seconded by Mayor Garry, to adjust the annual salary of the Director of Communications. and. Administration to $47,840.00 effective for. June 27,2024, payroll period, and the same was agreed to by the following Yea and Nay vote to the call oft the roll  please contact Dorothea.  by the Clerk:    Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays0 Garry and sO ordered. Report of] Public Safety  Thei motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor  Councilwoman O'Brien asked that thel Rental Inspections are done. That resident's dogs are properly licensed and have the proper care out in the heat. Therei isal burning ordinance that She then informed everyone that the Volunteer Fire Department equipment is costing them $10,000.00 per fire fighter for the proper gear. They have to change that out sO many years or they can be fined. Ifanyone would like to donate to them, they can definitely use their equipment Councilwoman O'Brien stated that the Ambulance updated some electrical at the building  that was adopted September 14, 2022, with all the regulations.  updated.  and there is discussion on ai new ambulance coming in.  Report of Streets & Improvements  Councilman Miller stated he willl be contacting the Engineer tomorrow regarding the sewer issues int thel Mounds. He reassured the Mounds Residents that he will be setting upa a meeting  which will include the Engineer and the Street Foreman.  Report of Parks & Property  Councilman Gaddi informed the Mounds Residents that att the Work Session Meeting on Monday he spoke to. Jamie and City Solicitor. We willl have a meeting to discuss how we can find monies to do this. The City can't afford it and the Municipal Authority can'tafford it. We will have to get a grant somehow. The City did al lot of work ont the one end and the residents on Second Avenue now do not get flooded. The City has been working to resolve this problem. He then announced that at the Mounds, the new fencel has been installed through the generous donation from Doug Wible. The swing set has been moved up over thel hill, itl has been At Chess Park, new hanging baskets have been put up by Francine, Lee, and not sure of anyone else. The flowers at City Hall, under the supervision of Bob Yohe, were planted by Gabe Councilman Gadd stated that wel have Tree Fund int town that he has been working on for the last few years. Yesterday there were two trees planted at the Mounds and one a Chess Park. In thel last two years the City has planted 17 trees at the Mounds, three at Chess Park, and four along He then thanked all the volunteers who put the plants into the planters along Main Street. Volunteers included Donnal Hruby, Tim Hruby, Brandon and Alisal Henson, Michelle DeHosse, Sarah O'Brien, Dane and Daniel Bartkus, Jonathan Simpson, and Barb Demchaflek. The. Aquatorium is getting cleaned up this week. Firemen willl hose it all off andt the prisoners are coming next weekend. Ther new pavilions are at the Mounds but are not finished. Councilman Gadd stated that a lot of this work that gets done, couldn't be done without the Street Department. He wants tos send a special thank tot the Street Department Crew.  painted, and new swings will bei installed as soon as possible.  Child and Crystal Wright from KeyBank.  Railroad Street.    Report of Solicitor Forum.  Solicitor Kockler stated that Council had an executive session this past Monday for approximately an hour. Council also had a brief executive session this evening prior tol Public There was further discussion between Council and the residents of the Mounds regarding  issues and meeting with the Engineer. Report of] Police Chief  Mayor Garry stated that Chief Harris could not be here this evening.  It was recommended and so moved by Councilwoman O'Brien, seconded by Councilman Miller, allj properly and approved bills be paid, and the same was agreed to by the following Yea  and Nay vote tot the call of the roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays 0 Garry and so ordered.  Thei motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor It was moved by Councilwoman O'Brien, seconded by Councilman Gadd, council adjourn, and the same was agreed tol by the following Yea and Nay vote tot the call ofthe roll by the Clerk:  Yeas Greg Garry Roy Sarver Sarah O'Brien Daryl] Miller Mark Gadd  Total Yeas 5 Nays 0 Garry and so ordered.  The motion having received the majority vote of Council the same was declared by Mayor  Mayor Garry then declared council adjourned.  ATTEST: City  Amhty