Municipal News

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 June 2015 22:36

By Jill Brown

At the May 26 Monessen Council meeting, the general mood of residents seems to have improved and all got along. There were no disagreements among residents, and the tone was back to business.

The meeting went right into the Council members' addresses. Councilwoman Patricia Bukowski made a motion to approve a request from St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church to use Monessen City Amphitheater and Pavilion#2 on July 26 for a combined "Orthodox Divine Liturgy in the Park," asking that the fee be waived. The motion was approved.

Councilwoman Bukowski made another motion to allow the city clerk to advertise for formal bids on the sale of property owned by Monessen, which was also approved.

Mayor Mavrakis, with the Department of Public Affairs, made a motion to adopt a Resolution of the Council of the City of Monessen, that a grant be awarded to the police department for $21,230 from the Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office for various police equipment. Motion approved.

The mayor made a motion to appoint Marlon Wheeler to the Redevelopment Authority to fill the unexpired term of Dawn Billy. The motion by Council was approved.

Last, public comment was open to residents. Tiffany Harrison, on behalf of Natanni, Inc., addressed Council about her start-up program for children of high-rises to "teach them about self-sufficiency, and provide healthy alternatives to the disabled and shut-ins by delivering produce."

She continued, "My husband and I are going to work on this together. We want to have a rewards aspect for the children."

The Mayor responded, "I'm sure Council does not object to using your program. Thank you for a good idea. We appreciate it, and the city appreciates it."

Linda Lacey was next to speak about an ongoing problem at her property on Maple St. at the end of the block by the Water Tower. The end collapsed, where the water runs off, and there are a multitude of problems, of which Lacey had photos. She approached Council with them. They agreed to send someone to survey the area.

As Mayor Mavrakis adjourned the meeting, he said that the meeting went well, "So, it was a success," and concluded with, "have a good one."