Monessen may have auctioneer selling surplus equipment
The city of Monessen may soon be putting a lot of unused equipment on the block.
At Monday’s city council meeting, Finance Chairman Ronald Chiaravalle proposed that the city advertise various property for sale, including an unused police car, chipper and golf cart at the city garage.
“An auctioneer may be hired,” Chiaravalle said.
Mayor Lou Mavrakis said council also should look into the sale of unused property once the city moves its offices.
That will happen after Virginia-based entrepreneur Krishan Suthanthiran finishes his move into the municipal complex at 1 Wendell Ramey Lane that is being sold for $425,000.
There was no announcement Monday about a new location for the city’s offices. After Suthanthiran made a recent down payment of $235,000, the mayor said the city has six months to a year to complete the move.
In the meantime the city will pay the entrepreneur’s Best Medical International Inc. $1,500 a month in rent.
Suthanthiran’s remaining $190,000 obligation to the city will be paid over the next five years at 2 percent interest.
There will be a change in the calendar for city council meetings at least through the rest of the year.
Council voted to move its work sessions from the third Monday of the month to the third Tuesday, at 7 p.m., and its regular voting meetings from the fourth Monday to the fourth Tuesday, also at 7 p.m.
Solicitor Gary Matta wanted a situation where either he or Dodaro Matta & Cambest PC associate Krisha DiMascio could attend both the work session, where votes may be taken “as needed,” and the regular voting meeting.
Matta said Mondays were fine 90 percent of the time, but that Tuesdays were OK as well.
Council approved a grant of $4,260 to Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority for its operations in the fiscal year beginning July 1. The appropriation will match state funds for Monessen bus operations as required by state law.
It revamped a $34,000 payment to Ritenour & Sons Construction Co. Inc. for 2016 demolition work in the city.
Instead of a straight payment out of the city’s demolition fund, it will be a split of $18,027.40 out of Community Development Block Grant funds on hand and $15,976.60 out of the city’s general fund, to be reimbursed when additional money becomes available.