Feb 23, 2016 4 min read

MONESSEN – Monessen Council agreed Monday to an early intervention plan for the financially strapped city, but not without some argument and finger-pointing.

Council approved entering into an agreement with Grass Root Solutions to be its consultant as part of the early intervention program offered through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

Councilman Ronald Chiaravelle said he felt that spending $72,000 for the firm was financially irresponsible even if the city wasn’t paying the bulk of the bill.

He asked if other council members knew anything about the company, but no one could answer.

“I looked them up and investigated them. They have been in business for only one year and eight months. When I asked them about the towns that they worked with, how many they helped, and how many went into Act 47, they couldn’t give me an answer. I also found that the company’s address is a residential address in Dormont,” he said.

An Internet search found a LinkedIn profile for Deborah Grass, owner of Grass Root, who previously worked for DCED and as Dormont borough manager.

More than once Mayor Louis Mavrakis had to ask the audience to pipe down. Chiavarelle and Mavrakis blamed much of the mess on the former administration and Councilwoman Lucille D’Alfonso, the director of finance.

“I have been saying since I was elected what we need to do: Cut spending,” Mavrakis said. “In my opinion, it is a waste of money. We can do what they are going to tell us for free.”

The city has debts totally $13.5 million that must be paid off over the next 28 years, and it could be headed for the state’s Act 47 distressed municipality program if it can’t find a solution to its financial woes.

D’Alfonso reported all of the bills from January have been paid and February payroll has been met. The city’s bank account has a balance of just $7,300.

D’Alfonso said some funding has started to come into the city, such as garbage fees. Real estate tax notices will be sent out today, which will bring more revenue into the city, she added.

The program offers grants to municipalities to fund costs of hiring a financial consultant to develop three- to five-year financial plans and review management. The plan will outline short- and long-term financial strategies. Municipalities don’t enter or exit the program, but rather achieve the objectives that the consultant outlines, an email from Dan Carrigan of the DCED indicated.

“DCED will work with Monessen and Grass Root Solutions on the development of a five-year financial plan,” Carrigan wrote.

The city adopted a resolution authorizing the submission of an application for additional funding for the early intervention program from DCED. The city’s financial contribution will be $7,500.

Chiaravelle said it is the responsibility of all council members to quit spending excessively and find areas to save money. Chiaravelle said he found that the water in the city parks was not turned off for the winter and that 11 portable toilets in the parks were costing the city $90 a month each.

Chiavarelle said he also investigated an LED streetlight program offered by West Penn Power which has the potential to save the city $6,000 to $8,000 a month. Council approved a motion to submit an application for the program.

The city approved a motion to rescind the layoffs of two city meter maids who were furloughed last month, effective immediately..