Monessen using ArcelorMittal lawsuit settlement money to buy new police SUVs
MONESSEN – City officials will be purchasing several new police vehicles without any cost to the taxpayers.
Acting Mayor and Councilman Tony Orzechowski said the city was awarded $100,000 from a settlement paid by ArcelorMittal for air pollution violations.
According to Orzechowski, the city will use $94,000 of that money to purchase two fully equipped hybrid Interceptor SUVs. The remaining $6,000 will be applied to the future purchase of a third vehicle. Councilman David Feehan said the city is seeking funding from a state grant to pay for the balance of the costs for the third SUV.
“Grant funding won’t require any matching funds from the city,” said Feehan. “That means our taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill for these vehicles.”
The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County’s Vehicle Emissions Reduction Fund, which is administering the funds from the lawsuit settlement, will also award $100,000 each to Carroll Township and Donora.
In 2015, PennEnvironment alleged the coke plant violated emissions requirements in the Mon Valley. The state Department of Environmental Protection issued a consent decree in 2017, assessing ArcelorMittal a $1.8 million fine for the violation.
Orzechowski thanked City Administrator Judith Taylor for handling the grant application process.
“We wouldn’t have been able to get this money without Judy’s help,” said Orzechowski.
In other business, council:
n Approved a resolution establishing boundaries for an enterprise zone area within the city and developing a regional enterprise zone that includes Monessen.
n Approved paving a section of Dale Street damaged by mine subsidence and a broken water line.
n Approved replacement of the sidewalk and bollards at Tenth and McMahon streets that were damaged during the repair of the broken sewer line.
n Awarded a $152,250 contract to Mornak Excavation Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder for the 2019 Monessen City Wide Inlet Replacement Project, Phase 1, which will consist of 24 inlet repairs or replacements.
n Approved the resignation of Karla Spangler, accounts and finance clerk, and to advertise for a replacement.
n Agreed to post an opening for a part-time mechanic for the Street Department and to advertise if required.