May 12, 2016 3 min read

MONONGAHELA – Resident Tim Caudill commended Monongahela Council on Wednesday for the handicapped-accessible sidewalks in the city’s business district, but noted there are some areas that need to be addressed.

“There are many places that need to be updated,” said Caudill, who uses a wheelchair. “Some of the sidewalks are in such bad repair or just have a cut (to allow wheelchair access) on one side.” He added that one of those places is on Chess Street in front of his residence.

“There is only a cut on one side, so I have to turn around and go exit that side with the cut and continue on the road, which isn’t safe,” he said. He said he and others with disabilities would rather travel on the sidewalk, where it is much safer.

Mayor Bob Kepics agreed more work needs to be done but said funds are limited.

“We fix the sidewalks as we work on the roads and intersections. We have limited funds and can’t get it all finished at one time,” he explained.

Councilman Tom Caudill asked solicitor Keith Bassi if the city was in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. Bassi said that as long as the city is making a good-faith effort, it would be in compliance. Councilman Ken Kulak agreed more needs to be done but the issue of funding is a problem.

“We could use the (Community Block Grant) funds if it would be allowed to fix some of these sidewalks that are a priority,” he said. He asked Tim Caudill to develop a list of areas of top priority and said the city would work with him to fix the most urgent ones.

In other news, council approved entering into the cost-saving LED light program with West Penn Power, which will involve replacing all 565 street lights in the city with energy-saving bulbs. Tom Caudill asked about the brightness of the lights and how they would affect someone’s property.

Kulak said the lights are more directional and are designed to light specific areas and not bleed out to surrounding properties.

“This program is not only better for public safety but it will bring a great cost saving to the city,” he said. The program will begin in January. Monthly savings are estimated to be $3,995.

At last month’s meeting, resident Steve Seman, owner of Hacker Shack, approached council about digitizing city records for free on his website, www.moncity.us. City council agreed last month it fell behind in getting the ordinances, city forms and other information onto its website.

But, that is changing.

City Clerk Carole Foglia read a statement Wednesday saying the only reliable source for information is the city’s website, www.CityofMonongahela-PA.gov. The city pledged to immediately post its ordinances and meeting minutes there. They will also “perform a comprehensive analysis of software solutions to address compliance issues with all legislation and requirements.”

While Seman can also post the documents on his website, the statement said the city cannot confirm the accuracy of information on other sites. Kepics also said with many residents asking for a way to dispose of electronic items, he hopes to have a disposal receptacle available in the next month or so for residents to get rid of old computers, monitors and televisions. He said there would be a $5 per item fee.