Chapter 6: Community Amenities & Recreation

36 Pages·2008·5.6 MB·English

Chapter 6 – Community Amenities
Background Studies
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Community amenities cover a wide variety of subjects, from municipal services, such as
public safety, to parks and recreation to public utilities, such as water and sewer.
Therefore, this section is divided into three main topics:
1. Community Facilities and Services – includes facilities such as libraries, schools,
hospitals, public buildings and facilities; public safety services such as police,
fire, ambulance, etc.; code enforcement, and intergovernmental cooperation.
Strategies focus on improving existing services to meet the current and future
needs of residents.
2. Parks and Recreation – consists of an inventory and analysis of existing parks and
recreation in Monongahela and New Eagle. Recommendations are offered to
ensure that the recreational needs of residents of all ages are being met.
3. Water & Sewer Infrastructure – examines the water supply and distribution,
public water service and sewerage and waste treatment. The objectives of this
section are to provide for a reliable supply of water, considering current and
future water resources availability, uses and limitations, including provisions
adequate to protect water supply sources.
COMMUNITYFACILITIES AND SERVICES
Governmental Structure
There are four general types of municipalities in Pennsylvania: counties,
cities, boroughs and townships. Municipalities and school districts are
classified according to population and based upon its 2000 population;
Washington County is considered a county of the fourth-class. There are
67 municipalities located within the County, including two third class
cities, 32 townships and 33 boroughs. Under Pennsylvania law, local
governments are responsible for the administration of their municipality
including such actions as tax levying and budgeting for the cost of
municipal services.
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City of Monongahela and New Eagle Borough
Joint Comprehensive Plan
Each class of municipality operates under its own code of laws, which
dictates the governmental structure as well as the powers of the local
government. The municipal code is the most important source of
legislative powers granted to a municipal governing body, which include
the County Code, Third Class City Code, Borough Code, First Class
Township Code, Second Class Township Code and Public School Code.
There is also extensive general legislation applying to local governments.
Some examples of legislative provisions outside the local government
codes are real property assessment, local non-property taxation, municipal
borrowing, real estate tax collection, intergovernmental cooperation,
municipal employees’ retirement, solid waste management, sewage
facilities and planning and zoning.
Significant general laws affecting local governments both grant powers
and impose restrictions.
(cid:131) The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code empowers
municipalities to plan their development and adopt zoning,
subdivision and land development ordinances.
(cid:131) The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act regulates community and
individual sewage disposal systems.
(cid:131) The Solid Waste Management Act provides for solid waste
collection and disposal.
(cid:131) The Local Government Unit Debt Act establishes debt limits for
local government units based on municipal revenues.
(cid:131) The Municipal Police Education and Training Act mandates
training of all municipal police officers.
(cid:131) The Sunshine Law requires public agencies to discuss and act upon
agency business only at meetings open to the public.
The main areas of local services include police and fire protection,
maintenance of local roads and streets, water supply, sewage collection
and treatment, parking and traffic control, local planning and zoning,
parks and recreation, garbage collection, health services, libraries,
licensing of businesses and code enforcement. Table 6-1: Municipal
Information (page 4) lists important information for both the City of
Monongahela and New Eagle Borough.
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Chapter 6 – Community Amenities
Background Studies
City of Monongahela
Monongahela is a City of the Third Class.
Under this form, the mayor and four other
members comprise city council, which is
the governing body of the city. The mayor
is a member of council and serves as
president. Each council member is in
charge of one of the five major
departments. These officials and the
controller and treasurer are elected at large
by the voters to four-year (overlapping)
terms. Council appoints all other officers
and employees.
Monongahela City Hall is located at 449
West Main Street and houses the council
Monongahela City Hall
chambers, administrative offices, the
Monongahela Police Department, and the
Monongahela Fire Department, as shown onMap 6.1: Community
Facilities. City Hall was most recently renovated in 1999 to
become handicap accessible. There are no current plans for
renovations or major improvements for the shared complex.
New Eagle Borough
New Eagle operates as a Borough.
Boroughs are governed under the weak
mayor form with a strong and dominant
council and other elected officers with
powers independent of the council.
Borough Council, along with the tax
collector, tax assessor and the auditors are
also elected. Many other officials are
appointed by borough council. The mayor
is elected to a four-year term; the five
council members are elected for four-year
overlapping terms. The powers of council
are broad and extensive, covering virtually
the whole range of urban municipal
New Eagle Borough Building
functions.
The New Eagle Borough Municipal Building is located at 157
Main Street and houses the administrative offices and council
chambers, as shown on Map 6.1: Community Facilities. The aged
building is too small to efficiently house the administrative offices
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City of Monongahela and New Eagle Borough
Joint Comprehensive Plan
of the Borough. The Borough would like to construct a new
borough complex that would also house the New Eagle Volunteer
Fire Department, which is located a few blocks away.
Table 6-1: Municipal Information
City of Monongahela Borough of New Eagle
449 West Main Street 157 Main Street
Monongahela, PA 15063 New Eagle, PA 15067
Contact
[phone] [phone]
[email protected] [email protected]
Website N/A N/A
Hours of Operation M-F 9am-4pm M-F 9am-12pm; 1pm-5pm
Council Meetings 2nd Wednesday at 7:00pm in the 1st Tuesday at 7:30pm in the
Date & Time Council Chambers Borough Building
Planning Commission Yes – meets as needed Yes – meets as needed
Zoning Hearing Board Yes – meets as needed N/A
Code Enforcement
Yes No
Officer
2007 Millage Rate 30 30
2006-2007 Ringgold SD
107 107
Millage Rate
2007 Revenue $2,503,019 $544,716
2007 Expenditures $2,502,243 $547,916
Planning Commission
The City of Monongahela Planning Commission is comprised of five
members whom are appointed by City Council and meet as needed. The
planning commission reviews subdivision plans submitted to the City
(approximately three to four per year) and provides recommendation for
acceptance to City Council. The planning commission does not have
bylaws and currently does not meet to review land development plans.
New Eagle Borough Council appointed a three-member planning
commission in 2006 to oversee the development of the comprehensive
plan. Without a subdivision and land development ordinance, the
planning commission currently has no other responsibilities.
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Chapter 6 – Community Amenities
Background Studies
Zoning Enforcement
As discussed in Chapter 3 – Land Use, the City of Monongahela enacted a
zoning ordinance in 1993, which was most recently amended in 1995.
The enforcement of the zoning ordinance is provided through a zoning
officer and a zoning hearing board.
Zoning Officer
Currently, the acting zoning officer is the City’s code enforcement
officer / parks maintenance director and receives assistance from
the assessor and the municipal engineer. Residents who wish to
meet with the zoning officer must call for an appointment and any
zoning complaints are forwarded to the engineer. Issues with
regard to enforcement include the cost of zoning hearings is not
covered by the fees paid and no one is currently issuing permits for
change in occupancy or change of use.
Zoning Hearing Board
The Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) meets by request only, typically
two or three times per year. The typical challenges presented at
zoning hearings are in regards to setback requirements and
garages. In discussions with the ZHB, members feel that there is
not enough structure, appointed members are not formally trained
and there is no format for hearings.
New Eagle Borough does not have a zoning ordinance enacted at this
time.
Code Enforcement
The City maintains a full-time code enforcement officer, who also serves
as the parks maintenance director and acting zoning officer. The majority
of the officer’s time is spent addressing issues related to the property
maintenance code. All records of code infractions are kept in paper form.
The zoning officer does not receive annual training. The City does have a
residency inspection that costs $5.00 and residential units are inspected
both each time an owner / tenant moves out and prior to a new owner /
tenant moving in.
New Eagle Borough does not employ a code enforcement officer.
Property maintenance inspections are performed by the Street Department.
When a violation is witnessed, the Borough Secretary notifies the property
owner by written notification through the mail and maintains paper
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City of Monongahela and New Eagle Borough
Joint Comprehensive Plan
records. The Borough charges a $5.00 fee for occupancy / residency
permit.
Public Works
The Monongahela Public Works Department is located at 449 West Main
Street and is responsible for the maintenance and general repairs of 28
miles or roadways owned by the City of Monongahela and five miles of
state roadways. Public Works equipment consists of the following:
(cid:131) 2006 – F-550 Dump Truck
(cid:131) 1998 –850 GMC Dump Truck
(cid:131) 1995 – CAT Front Loader
(cid:131) 1993 – IR Roller
(cid:131) 1993 – Bandit Chipper
(cid:131) 1993 – F-350 Dump Truck
(cid:131) 1991 – F-800 Dump Truck
(cid:131) 1991 – Ford Bucket Truck
(cid:131) 1986 – Case Tractor
(cid:131) 1986 – Power Xing Tractor
(cid:131) 1985 – Chevrolet Pick Up Truck
(cid:131) 1985 – Chevrolet Flatbed Truck
(cid:131) 1979 – F-600 Leaf Truck
(cid:131) 1979 – John Deere Backhoe
The City does not have a capital improvements plan in place for acquiring
new equipment or a road maintenance plan. Future road improvement
projects consist of repaving eight City streets with funds received from the
Washington County Redevelopment Authority. Areas of concern within
the City include Meade Street and Lincoln Street, both of which need to be
milled and repaved.
The New Eagle Public Works Department is located at 187 Main Street
and is responsible for 10.81 miles of roadways. New Eagle employs two
full-time positions in the Public Works Department and owns the
following equipment:
(cid:131) 1994 – Chevrolet 4x4 one-ton Pick Up Truck (fair)
(cid:131) 2000 – 10-ton 4x4 Dump Truck (excellent)
(cid:131) 1998 – 41LC Cat Extendahoe
(cid:131) 1998 – IT24F Front End Loader with Crane & Bucket (excellent)
(cid:131) 1994 – Lincoln Welder Portable (excellent)
(cid:131) 2000 – Gas and Diesel Generator – 5,500 watts & 8,000 watts
(cid:131) 2006 – Portable Pump (excellent)
(cid:131) 2006 – Portable Compressor (excellent)
(cid:131) 2006 – Stihel 25-inch chain saw (excellent)
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Chapter 6 – Community Amenities
Background Studies
New Eagle does not have a capital improvements plan for acquiring new
equipment. While they do not have an official road maintenance plan in
place, they re-pave and fix any Stormwater problems on approximately
three streets per year. The biggest concern facing the Public Works
Department is directing the Stormwater to the Monongahela River.
Intergovernmental Cooperation
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Act permits two or more
municipalities to cooperate jointly in the exercise of any governmental
functions and allows municipalities to delegate powers to other local units.
In addition, the Washington County Comprehensive Plan (2005)
advocates and encourages land use planning across political boundaries.
By agreeing to work together for the development of this joint
comprehensive plan, the City of Monongahela and the Borough of New
Eagle recognized the need to work cooperatively towards common goals.
The comprehensive planning process helps to identify areas where the two
municipalities can and should partner together for implementation
strategies and funding opportunities.
During the comprehensive planning process, a unique partnership
opportunity arose through a grant offered by the Pennsylvania Local
Government Academy (LGA). In March of 2006, Monongahela and New
Eagle agreed to partner and hire an intern to further implementation
strategies for the comprehensive plan.
Monongahela and New Eagle are also partnering together in an Early
Intervention Program (EIP) project. The EIP will be conducted in
conjunction with the comprehensive plan and is a multi-year financial
management plan to address fiscal difficulties, to enhance the financial
capacity of the municipalities to implement strategies, programs, and
improvements recommended in the joint comprehensive plan. The
purpose of the Early Intervention Program is to establish short-term and
long-term financial and managerial objectives that strengthen fiscal
capacity, and to propose in coordination with the multi-municipal
comprehensive plan long-term community and economic development
strategies that strengthen the tax base of the City and Borough.
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City of Monongahela and New Eagle Borough
Joint Comprehensive Plan
Police
The Monongahela City Police Department has a service area of four
square miles and provides full-time police services for the City of
Monongahela, New Eagle Borough, and Finleyville Borough. Figure 6-1
depicts the communities that are under the jurisdiction of the
Monongahela City Police. Until about 10 years ago, New Eagle had its
own police department. Forced to close due to monetary concerns, New
Eagle began contracting services from the Monongahela City Police
Department.
The Department is located at 451 West Main Street in the City of
Monongahela, as shown on Map 6.1: Community Facilities. The facility
is part of City Hall and includes four holding cells, two administrator
offices, one offers’ office, a locker room, and a large evidence room. As
of 2007, the Department staffs eight full-time officers and four part-time
officers. The City has a mandatory training program for all officers in
addition to a residency requirement.
Figure 6-1: Monongahela Police Department Service Area
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Chapter 6 – Community Amenities
Background Studies
The yearly budget for the Monongahela City Police is roughly $1,000,000,
where 80 percent is funded by the City, 17 percent is funded by New
Eagle, and the remaining three percent is funded by Finleyville Borough.
New Eagle Borough is in the fourth year of a 10-year contract and faces a
two-percent increases for each of the next six years. The previous contract
covered five years. New Eagle began exploring the possibility to develop
a regional police force with neighboring communities to save money,
however nothing has come of it to date. New Eagle cannot form a
regional force with Monongahela because it is a third class city, however
the borough could participate in regional efforts with boroughs and
townships. New Eagle must give Monongahela a 12-month notice before
it can terminate the police agreement. Additionally, New Eagle is not
entitled to state and federal grants or incentive programs while under a
service contract with another municipality.
Between August of 2006 to February of 2007, the Department responded
to 1,667 total calls. The largest number of calls per type are as follows:
(cid:131) Traffic related (warning, arrest, DUI, etc.) – 204
(cid:131) Assist other agencies (police, fire / EMS, etc.) – 136
(cid:131) Accidents (non-reportable, reportable, etc.) – 124
(cid:131) Theft (credit card, vehicle, etc.) – 118
(cid:131) Alarm (fire, residential, etc.) – 112
(cid:131) Disturbance (noise, etc.) – 109
(cid:131) Suspicious activity (person, vehicle, etc.) - 102
The Department sponsors community programs, including Visions 2001,
School Finger Printing, and the Officer Phil Program. The department
supports Community Oriented Policing, which empowers residents to
form Neighborhood Watch Groups. Equipment owned by the department
consists of the following:
(cid:131) Three 2004 Crown Victoria Marked Vehicles (good condition)
(cid:131) Ford Taurus Unmarked Vehicle (fair condition)
(cid:131) 1998 Crown Victoria Unmarked Vehicle (fair condition)
(cid:131) 1996 Ford Explorer Marked Vehicle (fair condition)
The biggest threats noted that face the Department is officer safety due to
personnel shortage and the need to upgrade equipment. An increase of
personnel would allow the Department to hire specialized staff to address
criminal investigations, accident reconstruction, and paid training for
specific fields.
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City of Monongahela and New Eagle Borough
Joint Comprehensive Plan
Fire Protection
Both the City of Monongahela and the Borough of New Eagle have their
own volunteer fire departments. Calls are dispatched through Washington
County 911 Center and a mutual aid agreement exists between Station 14-
New Eagle, Station 24-Elrama, Station 26-Finleyville, Station 46-Valley
Inn, Station 62-Monongahela, Station 63 Carroll Twp, and Station 75-
Gallatin Sunnyside.
The Monongahela Fire Department, Inc.
provides fire protection, vehicle rescue,
EMS assistance, and public services.
Established in 1883, the department is
located at 451 West Main Street in the
City of Monongahela, as shown onMap
6.1: Community Facilities, and has a
service area of approximately two
square miles. A third class city has the
option to have a paid department but
Monongahela chose to maintain a
volunteer company. Funding for the Monongahela Fire Department – City Hall
department comes from auxiliary cash
and gun bashes and monthly ticket fundraisers. There are 34 volunteers,
of which 25 are active, and responded to 146 calls in 2006. Equipment
owned by the department includes the following:
(cid:131) 1998 – International Summit 18’ Walkin Rescue
(cid:131) 1997 – 18’ Jet Boat
(cid:131) 1988 – Int FMC Pumper (1250 gpm)
(cid:131) 1980 – Int FMC Pumper (750 gpm)
(cid:131) 1970 – CF 600 Mack Pumper (1000 gpm)
An equipment maintenance plan is in place along with a plan for acquiring
new equipment, funding dependent. Current plans include painting the
facility, ongoing maintenance, and enlarging the truck room. Concerns
facing the department include the junk yards on East Main Street and the
lack of hydrants on Ridge and Nelson roads.
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