Monessen won鈥檛 get 2018 audit report until end of August
MONESSEN – Council will have to wait another month for the results of a much-anticipated 2018 audit.
During the Monessen council’s monthly meeting on Monday, Acting Mayor and Councilman Tony Orzechowski said a representative from the firm that conducted the audit was unable to attend the meeting, due to a scheduling conflict.
“Cypher & Cypher asked to postpone its presentation until our next regular meeting, which is scheduled for Aug. 22,” said Orzechowski. “It’s going to be a real eye-opener and I encourage everyone to attend this meeting.”
In other business, Orzechowski gave a brief update of Monessen’s comprehensive plan. He said that Westmoreland County recently completed a blight inventory and mapping project (BLIMP) as part of the comprehensive plan.
According to Amy L. Wiles, chief community planner for Mackin Engineering, the consulting firm that is developing the Comprehensive Plan for Monessen, the county conducted a windshield survey of all properties in the city and assessed their overall condition (structural and/or property maintenance) as good, fair or blighted. The project also mapped locations of property crime, structure fires and tax delinquency.
“The purpose is to help us build a blight strategy as part of the plan in order to help the city maximize their investments when it comes to demolition/rehabilitation of blighted properties,” said Wiles.
Orzechowski said a public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen. During that meeting, attendees will be asked to rank the top goals that should be addressed in the city’s comprehensive plan. Results of the ranking exercise will be made available online after the meeting. Orzechowski said that residents can follow the plan’s development by visiting www.monessen2030.com or www.facebook.com/Monessen2030.
Also, during the meeting, council:
n Approved a Municipal Winter Traffic Services Agreement with the state Department of Transportation for snow removal services on various state roads. T
n Accepted the resignation of Melissa Luketich from her position as meter enforcement officer only.
n Approved contracts with Pittsburgh Wild Life Control and Wildlife Pest Control Services for the trapping and removal of problematic wildlife from properties in the City of Monessen, as permitted by the state Game Commission.
n Approved to hire a part-time assistant to the code enforcement officer.