Monongahela library official pleads for full city allocation

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

The Monongahela Area Library is feeling the crunch of the coronavirus pandemic.
At its regular meeting Wednesday, Monongahela council discussed the possibility of amending a portion of the city’s 2020 budget that goes to the city’s library.
The original resolution proposed on last night’s agenda was to transfer $8,000 of the city’s $18,000 library stipend to the city’s general reserves.
But council voted to table the original proposal, and instead approved paying the library $10,000 of the $18,000 allocated.
Library board member Terry Necciai said the library’s funding has fallen short in many areas, including Washington County Community Foundation’s annual Day of Giving, which takes place today.
Necciai said the library received $8,000 in charitable donations from Day of Giving last year.
“I’m not confident we’ll get $8,000 this year,” Necciai told council.
Necciai also said COVID-19 has impacted the library’s events.
“We usually have 30 events per month,” he said. “We’re not allowed any now. Please don’t cut our funding. People love this library. The library is critical to this area.”
Necciai said one of the issues is the amount of empty buildings losing tax revenue for the city.
“We’ve got to get your buildings filled,” he said.
But Councilman Rusty Polonoli said everyone is feeling the affects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“With the COVID, we’re struggling here, too,” he said.
Councilman Ken Kulak was the first to speak in defense of the library.
“It is of the utmost importance that we give you funding,” Kulak said. “The library reflects the strength of the community.
“There’s no intended use of this money. I see no reason for screwing up a budget that’s already approved. We don’t take an institution and pull the rug out. We can find $8,000 some other way.”
Kulak questioned how the money would be used in the general reserve, and the city’s Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said once the money is placed in general reserve, the funds can be allocated to wherever council deems necessary.
“To move money from general reserves, there could be another resolution this fiscal year,” Pappasergi said.
After tabling the resolution to transfer the remaining $8,000, council did not set a time when it will be discussed.