Jan 12, 2018 3 min read

A parks and recreation board may finally come to fruition in Monongahela.

Resident Sarah O’Brien approached Monongahela City Council on Wednesday about setting up an account for donated funds slated for parks and recreation.

O’Brien wants to raise $550 for a handicapped-accessible swing to replace one that was cut down at Mounds Memorial Park last year.

City clerk Carol Foglia said there isn’t a separate fund for parks and recreation. The money comes from the general fund and is a line item in the budget.

“I would want to know that the money that is raised would be used for parks and recreation,” O’Brien said.

Councilman Ken Kulak asked what would happen if the city received a large check from an organization for parks and recreation. Foglia said a separate account would be set up for that particular purpose, but an account couldn’t be set up for small donations of a few dollars at a time.

Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said the previous council had looked into the creation of a parks and recreation board. He said he would bring the guidelines that were drawn up by the former solicitor to the next work session. He said a parks and recreation board would have a designated account for funds.

Pappasergi added that a recreation board also would oversee the former armory building, which includes a deed restriction that the property must include a municipal recreation or youth recreation purpose. If the property does not include that use, it will revert to the state. The deed restriction has been in place since the 1970s, when the city acquired the property.

In other business, the city is taking applications for two full-time police officers. Applications can be picked up at the municipal building and must be turned in by Feb. 1. Testing will be held Feb. 21.

Council accepted the resignation of William Polonoli from the Civil Service Board. Mayor Bob Kepics requested that Alan Veliky be appointed to the Civil Service Board, but Councilman William Polonoli said the position should be advertised. Pappasergi said council didn’t legally have to advertise the position, but Foglia said a notice of the vacant position already was sent to a newspaper. Pappasergi said the position needs to be filled within 30 days. Council will have special meeting Feb. 1 to make an appointment.

Council also accepted the resignation of Edward Angel as health and sanitation officer.

It was announced that photos with the Easter Bunny will be taken on Saturday, March 24, at Monongahela Area Library, for a fee of $7. Children’s photos will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and photos with pets will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.