City of Pittston City Council Wednesday, November 20, 2024 07:00 PM City Council Chambers

1.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

2.ROLL CALL

1. A.ARGO-BANGS-MCLEAN-MELVIN SCARANTINO-LOMBARDO

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. A.Minutes- October 16, 2024

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4.PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – AGENDA ITEMS ONLY

5.COMMUNICATIONS

1. A.Jen Moran- Director of The Pittston Memorial Library

2. B.Monthly Municipal Asset Report- Ending September 2024

3. C.Monthly Municipal Asset Report- Ending October 2024

4. D.Municipal Pension Report for 2024s Municipality Distress

5. E.WVSA Board Meeting Minutes- September 2024

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6.REPORTS

1. A.Police Department: (Prepared by Police Chief)
   I. Total Complaints: 337
   II. Criminal Arrests: 15
   III. Total Feels Collected: $4,552.03

2. B.Treasurer’s Office Report (Prepared by Treasurer/Tax Collector)

   I. Fund Balances

      Total General Fund: $2,035,954.06

      Total Sewer Maintenance: $1,014,294.37

      Total Liquid Fuels: $291,199.68

      Total PayGo: $34,353.90

      Total Capital Improvement- Streetscape: $670.13

      Total Capital Improvement: $313,420.80

   II. Tran Liability: $297,000.00

3. C.Code Enforcement Report (Prepared by Zoning Officer/Code Officer)
   I. Total Permits and Registration: 124
   II. Total Fees: $61,427.40

4. D.Public Safety Report (Prepared by Fire Chief)
   I. Total Calls: 79

5. E.Street Department Report
   I. Total Work Orders Completed for the Month of: 199
   II. Year to Date: 2,127

6. F.Administrator’s Report

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7.MOTIONS

1. A.A motion to approve the appointment of Special Police Officers. 

2. B.A motion to approve the transfer of funds and approve the Treasurer’s Report. 

3. C.Motion to Accept and place on file the “Attestation Engagement” for the City of Pittston Liquid Fuels Fund for the period Jan 1st 2022-Dec31st 2023 as issued by the State Auditor General with no findings.

4. D.A motion to approve a service agreement renewal with Postler & Jaeckle Corp. in the amount of $7,488.00 for various mechanical device repairs within Pittston City Hall.

5. E.A motion to approve a service agreement with Civicplus for website hosting, site implementation, and redesign services in the amount of $5,730 for 2025 and then $9,460 annually after the initial year of service. 

6. F.A motion to approve an MOU between The City of Pittston and Luzerne County District Attorney awarding the City of Pittston the FY2023 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe to be used by the Pittston City Police Department. 

7. G.Motion to approve the transfer of 12 Broad Street (72-E11NE3-026-009-000) to the Pittston Redevelopment Authority to facilitate continued development in line with the City's vision.

8. H.Motion to reject all bids received and opened on November 15, 2024 and authorize the re-advertising and re-bid of the Pittston City Green Light Go project.

9. I.A motion to approve Payment Application #1 from to RLE  in the amount of $284,955.00 for Willow Lane Storm Sanitary Improvement Project, as recommended by Pennoni Associates.

10. J.A motion to approve the recommendation of payment letter Leonard Street Pay Application #1 (Final) from American Asphalt in the amount of $84,937.00 (topsoil and seeding at 2 Leonard Street will be addressed next week, hold check until this work is completed and inspected).

11. K.A motion to approve Limited Service Agreement for Pennoni Associates for 2025 projects and associated billing schedule.

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8.RESOLUTIONS

1. A.Resolution Number 13051- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON CITY COUNCIL, COUNTY OF LUZERNE, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING PENNDOT TO REQUEST RAILROAD CROSSING UPGRADES AT KENNEDY BOULEVARD, STATE ROUTE 0011, AND TRAIL CROSSINGS FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION.

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2. B.Resolution Number 13052- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA APPROVING THE CLOSING OF TOMATO FESTIVAL DRIVE AND KENNEDY STREET BETWEEN CHARLES STREET AND TOMATO FESTIVAL DRIVE AND SPRING ALLEY BETWEEN MARKET STREET AND TOMATO FESTIVAL DRIVE ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024, AND SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, FOR THE CITY OF PITTSTON’S ANNUAL LA FESTA DI NATALE/ SHOP WITH A COP HOLIDAY EVENT.

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3. C.Resolution Number 13053- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA APPROVING THE ABATEMENT OF SEWER FEES ASSOCIATED WITH 97-99 S MAIN STREET, PITTSTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

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4. D.Resolution Number 13054- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, COUNTY OF LUZERNE, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING DEFICIENCY AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

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5. E.Resolution Number 13055-  A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON CITY COUNCIL, COUNTY OF LUZERNE, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE AN ANNUAL SEWER MAINTENANCE FEE ALIGNING WITH THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET.

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6. F.Resolution Number 13056- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON CITY COUNCIL, COUNTY OF LUZERNE, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, UPDATING VARIOUS CITY FEES TO CONFORM WITH THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 CITY BUDGET.

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7. G.Resolution Number 13057-  A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING THE CLOSING ANDERSON STREET FROM BROAD STREET TO WILLIAM STREET ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024 FROM 3PM-9PM FOR ST. JOSEPH MARELLO PARISH’S LIVE NATIVITY AND CHRISTMAS EVENT.

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8. H.Resolution Number 13058- A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE PERMIT FEES FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT AT 117 PINE STREET.

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9. I.Resolution Number 13059- A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE PERMIT FEES FOR UPCOMING FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT.

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10. J.Resolution Number 13060- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT APPLICATION FOR MEALS ON WHEELS HVAC IMPROVEMENTS.

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11. K.Resolution Number 13061- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT APPLICATION FOR DOWNTOWN LOT RESURFACING PROJECT.

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12. L.Resolution Number   13062 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT APPLICATION ART LOOP TRAIL FENCING PROJECT.

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13. M.Resolution Number 13063- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT REQUEST FOR ALVERNIA O’PAKE INSTITUTE PARTNERSHIP.

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14. N.Resolution Number   13064- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT REQUEST FOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM.

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15. O.Resolution Number 13065- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON APPROVING STATEWIDE LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT APPLICATION FOR PARKADE PROJECT.

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9.ORDINANCES

1. A.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 9  {2024}- AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING PITTSTON CITY CODE CHAPTER 436 TAXATION, ARTICLE VIII BUSINESS PRIVELEGE TAX, TO SET THE 2025 TAX RATE AND UPDATE THE PROVISIONS RELATED TO LATE PAYMENT OF THE SAME.

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2. B.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 10  {2024}- AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, RE-ENACTING THE CITY EARNED INCOME TAX FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 WITH NO CHANGE IN RATE.

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3. C.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 11 {2024}- AN OR D I N A N C E OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, MAINTAINING THE CURRENT RATE OF CITY REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

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4. D.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 12 {2024}- AN OR D I N A N C E OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, RE-ENACTING THE LOCAL SERVICES TAX FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 WITH NO CHANGE IN RATE.

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5. E.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 13 {2024}- AN OR D I N A N C E OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PROVIDING A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR CITY PROPERTY TAXES ON OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025.

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6. F.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 14 {2024}- AN OR D I N A N C E OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SETTING THE CITY REAL ESTATE (PROPERTY) TAX RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 AT 6.85 MILLS, UNCHANGED FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024.

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7. G.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 15 {2024}- AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, APPROPRIATING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL FUND, SEWER MAINTENANCE FUND AND LIQUID FUELS FUND FOR THE CITY OF PITTSTON IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XI OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON HOME RULE CHARTER, PITTSTON CITY CODE SECTION C11.

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8. H.FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 16  {2024}- AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SETTING FORTH ITS INTENT TO ISSUE ONE OR MORE SERIES OF FEDERALLY TAXABLE AND/OR TAX EXEMPT GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE CITY IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FOURTEEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($14,500,000) (COLLECTIVELY, THE “BONDS”) PURSUANT TO THE ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, PA.C.S. 53, CHAPTERS 80-82, AS AMENDED, KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT DEBT ACT (THE "ACT").

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10.BILLS PAYABLE

1. A.To authorize payment of the City of Pittston bills.
   
   Total General Fund: $805,811.60
   Total Sewer Maintenance: $102,315.17
   Total Liquid Fuels: $3,209.36
   Total PayGo:$3,511.64
   Total Capital Streetscape: $149,340.57
   Total Capital Improv ConStr: $80,910.13
                                        __________________  
   Total Amount:                 $1,145,098.47

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11.PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY

12.OLD BUSINESS

13.NEW BUSINESS

14.UPCOMING EVENTS

1. A.La Festa Di Natale

   - Friday, December 6, 2024

   4pm-8pm

   -  Saturday, December 7, 2024

   Shop with a Cop 12pm-2pm

   Open to the public 4pm-8pm

   Toy truck parade and tree lighting 6pm

15.ADJOURNMENT

1. A.ARGO-BANGS-MCLEAN-MELVIN SCARANTINO-LOMBARDO