Feb 16, 2018 3 min read

MONONGAHELA – For the past year, Monongahela Council mulled the idea of a city recreation board.

But, on Wednesday, council decided to go in a different direction, voting down a motion to establish a recreation board. Councilman Ken Kulak made the motion to create the board and Councilman Daryl Miller seconded it. The motion failed 2-3 with Mayor Bob Kepics, Councilwoman Claudia Williams and Councilman William Polonoli voting no.

At last month’s meeting, the creation of the board was discussed after resident Sarah O’Brien wanted to raise funds to replace a swing at The Mounds Memorial Park, but there was no designated account for the funds.

Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said if a recreation board was created, there would be a separate recreation account. He also stated the former armory building owned by the city, under a stipulation that it must be used as a youth recreation center, could be used somehow.

The city accepted an offer of $20,000 for the armory building last year, but it was put back out for bid after the sale fell through. There have been no bids on the property.

Williams said the makeup of council changed and Polonoli, a new nember who is now in charge of the parks and recreation department, should be given a chance to implement his ideas.

“We need to give Polonoli a chance to see what he can do,” Kepics said, adding that there isn’t a lot of money available in the city’s tight budget for recreation.

Polonoli said he is working on some ideas for the youth in the city. The swing, which was brought up at last month’s meeting, has been replaced and Polonoli said he is working to secure grants.

To help keep bicyclists riding in the city safe, council directed Pappasergi to draft an ordinance on their operation, in line with the state vehicle code and a similar ordinance in place in State College. Pappsergi said that bicyclists must obey state traffic laws.

“If you run a stop sign, go through a red light, ride the sidewalk in the designated business district, you will receive a citation,” said Pappasergi. Bicycles will also have to be equipped with a front light at night, back red reflectors, and red or amber side reflectors.

Police Chief Brian Tempest said his main priority is keeping kids on bicycles safe, adding he would rather see them riding on Chess and Railroad streets and avoiding Main Street.

“Motorists have to remember to give the bicycles a four-foot path,” he said. “Be aware of the bicycles. They are allowed to ride. Watch them and please be careful.”

Council also directed Pappasergi to prepare an amendment to the zoning ordinance to change the riverfront property from New Eagle to Fifth or Sixth Street and from Carroll Township to the Monongahela Bridge from heavy industrial to mixed use for riverfront development.