Feb 22, 2016 3 min read

Date: Feb. 18

Action: The board agreed to advertise an ordinance setting up a land bank so Washington, Charleroi, Monongahela and East Bethlehem Township can purchase properties, demolish blighted buildings and resell the land to return them to municipal, school district and county tax rolls. Commissioners plan to adopt the ordinance next month.

• The board approved a $20,785 contract with Pashek Associates to design canoe and kayak launches in Charleroi, Monongahela and East Bethlehem using a grant from the Commonwealth Finance Agency. Also at the request of the Planning Department, commissioners approved a $18,500 agreement with Macabee Industrial Inc., Belle Vernon, to modify county-owned steel beams so they can be used as railings at two places on the pedestrian path in Mingo park. Gas lease funds will cover the cost.

• At the request of Children and Youth Services, commissioners approved two contracts: a $51,980 purchase-of-service agreement with Connect Inc. to provide permanent supportive housing through June 30 through the Human Services Block Grant and a $2.1 million purchase-of-service agreement with Adelphoi Village. The board also approved a caseworker’s travel to Steubenville, Ohio, to conduct two routine home visits on a child’s behalf until discharge at a cost of about $40. The department’s Court-Appointed Special Advocate will attend the Family Group Decision-Making Conference in Hershey, Dauphin County, in April at a cost of about $282.

• The county requested Schultheis Electric of Latrobe, Westmoreland County, perform work in several court offices at a cost of $170,930. It also will seek bids for elevator modernization of four elevators at the Washington County Health Center, Arden, and for tree removal at the county airport.

• The board approved a five-year, $750 annual lease with David W. Firis to place on his tower a multi-channel VHF/UHF public safety transmitter and receiver and related use by the county emergency 911 service.

• Commissioners approved payment of two invoices from attorney Frank Arcuri for legal services to the district attorney not to exceed $500.

• The county plans to purchase a generator for $67,810, using a Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant that requires a county match of $2,034.

• Appointments: Bruce McDowell and Aaron Hartman, Washington County Library System board.

Attendance: Commission Chairman Larry Maggi was absent because he was attending a family member’s funeral. All votes were 2-0.

Next meeting: 10 a.m. March 3 in the public meeting room of the Courthouse Square office building