Council discusses recreation projects
MONONGAHELA – Recreation projects were at the forefront of discussion for Monongahela Council last week.
Resident Corrina Withrow thanked council at its Sept. 13 meeting for the money to buy paint that about nine volunteers used on the playground equipment and pavilion at The Mounds Memorial Park.
“Councilman (Daryl) Miller and his wife went deep in their pockets to replace the swings,” she said. She added all of the painting is finished, except a little of the ceiling of the pavilion. Miller said the next project on the agenda is the refurbishing of the playground at Hillcrest Park and he is looking for volunteers.
Resident Chad DeSantis also addressed the donated playground equipment from the closed Monongahela Elementary School and proposed improvements to The Mounds Memorial Park.
Miller said the playground equipment was inspected and officials are working toward getting the original plans for the equipment for the installation. Ringgold School District has been contacted for the original plans and state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, has been trying to contact the manufacturer to acquire the plans, which are needed for installation.
DeSantis also inquired about the proposed plans for a dog park and walking trail at Mounds Park.
“There is no money,” said said Councilman Alan Veliky. “That money is going to the accessible sidewalk project. We had plans for a no-leash dog park, walking trail and new tennis courts. The money isn’t there.”
Council voted to apply for $62,500 in Local Share Account money from the slots revenue at The Meadows Casino for an accessible boat ramp and accessible parking on Second Street near the Monongahela Aquatorium. The city will contribute $22,600 in equipment and in-kind services to the project. Some of the grant money would also be used for the accessible sidewalk project. Councilman Ken Kulak said the engineering on the projects is nearly finished and they will go out to bid this year.
Kulak said he has been asked about forming a recreation board. Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said his colleague Brad Bassi has addressed the issue while Pappasergi was on vacation and he will have guidelines and bylaws at the next work session.
Council also heard complaints about a vacant house on the corner of Nelson Street and East Main Street that resident Anthony Necciai said is a hazard.
“What if something falls onto to the street, causing an accident?” he said. The structure has been condemned and the city planned to have it demolished in the spring but federal Community Development Block Grant funds were frozen and the project has been stalled.
“Can’t the street department have the capability to tear down a one story building?” Necciai asked. Mayor Bob Kepics said the city does not have the equipment for that type of job.
Veliky said the city has been in contact with the Washington County Redevelopment Authority and the money for demolition should be released soon.
“I don’t think it is fair to our city to demolish a building and make the property better than it was for the owner,” said Kulak. “We need to start to recoup some of this money from these abandoned properties.”
After a structure is demolished, Kepics said the city is required to remediate the property, including landscaping. Pappasergi said the city has an option to lien the properties or use the Washington County Land Bank to help recoup some of the demolition costs. He added that he would look at options and present them for review.
DeSantis and Necciai also addressed the suspended veterans banner program. Several months ago, council said it could not accept any new banners because of a lack of storage space, and several businesses then offered storage space. Councilman Tom Caudill said the problem now is the lack of volunteers to hang the banners.
“There is only one person from the VFW that is cutting the PVC pipe for the displays. They need volunteers,” said Caudill. DeSantis said he would volunteer so the program could resume.
The Monongahela Halloween Parade will be held Oct. 25. Participants can line up at Chess Park beginning at 6 p.m. Trick or treat will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28.