Monessen Council discusses vacant property transfers

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com

Monessen Council discussed several property transfer issues at this week’s workshop meeting.
Resident Kareem Straughn, who has purchased several properties from the city over the past several months, has asked to purchase two more properties — 930 McMahon Ave. and a lot on Parente Boulevard.
While discussing the proposed purchases, Councilman Gil Coles asked if there have been any updates on the progress on the properties Straughn has already bought.
Monessen has an ordinance that requires all those who buy properties in the city to bring them up to code within one year of the purchase date.
Properties that are bought under the city’s tax-lien waiver program must also present a development plan and invest a certain amount of money back into the property within that time frame as well.
Coles asked if Straughn’s existing properties have been brought up to code.
Mayor Matt Shorraw said it would be a good idea to check on the status of those sites and added the city doesn’t want to encourage property speculation.
“It’s an appropriate question,” Solicitor Tim Witt said. “One reason (to sell the properties) and get them into private hands is to get them back onto the tax rolls, but you also want to make sure they’re developed as promised — especially before more properties are transferred.”
Witt said it would be an important step before approval of more sales because it’s part of the city’s blight removal program. Making sure the previous sales have worked to remove blight before agreeing to sell more sites would ensure everyone’s on the same page.
“It’s important to check in on some of the other property owners, too, especially those who bought properties last year,” Shorraw said.
Councilman Tony Orzechowski asked how many of the properties sold under the tax-lien forgiveness program have also received forgiveness from the county and school district. At one time, a couple months ago, some property owners were expressing surprise that the county and school district taxes weren’t immediately forgiven as well.
Shorraw said to date, all of them have had the liens from all three parties exonerated.
“This aligns with the county’s comprehensive plan, that’s why they’ve been supportive,” Shorraw said. “And I talked to the superintendent (of Monessen City School District). This gets the properties back on the tax rolls for them, too.”

See the video from the council meeting at www.monvalleyindependent.com .

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