Monessen — A letter from the Monessen Redevelopment Authority asking the city to provide security at its meetings drew public comment and criticism at the Monessen City Council meeting on Jan. 23.

The correspondence, dated Jan. 22 and read into the record by city staff, was signed by William C. Bass Sr., chairman of the Monessen Redevelopment Authority. In the letter Bass wrote that RDA meetings have experienced "outburst, accusations, negativity, and profanity, and veiled threats," and asked the city to assign a police officer to attend RDA meetings, lock the front door during sessions, and develop a safety and security program that includes procedures to ensure firearms are not carried into meetings. The letter said the RDA would send a joint resolution under separate cover and that its chair and family were concerned for personal safety.

"It is time to solve this problem," the letter concluded, and the RDA asked the mayor for a response, the letter said.

Members of the public used the council's public-comment period to challenge the RDA's request and to press the council on broader transparency and responsiveness. One resident asked why the RDA letter had been read aloud and said making the letter public made the city appear "a hostile environment;" a city official responded that the correspondence had been submitted to the city and was therefore read into the record. Several residents raised concerns about the Redevelopment Authority's meetings being held without published agendas in prior months and said the RDA had been slow to answer Right-to-Know and information requests; one commenter said she had filed requests and had waited more than the 30-day statutory response period for records.

Other public commenters used the period to criticize city economic development decisions, call attention to road conditions and request follow-up on utility easement negotiations with a railroad; speakers repeatedly asked for tangible timelines and clearer published documentation about bids, contracts and applications the city submits for state or federal funds.

Council did not take immediate action on the RDA requests at the Jan. 23 meeting; the matter was entered into the record and the mayor and solicitor said they would review the concerns. The public comments included requests that the city explain its criteria for appointments to boards and that the council publish more procurement detail when multiple bids are solicited.

Residents who said they attend RDA meetings described varying experiences: some said meetings were brief and focused; others said meetings lacked published agendas and would benefit from better documentation and public notice. A council staff member confirmed the city had received the RDA correspondence and that a joint resolution was expected separately from the RDA.