Council is waiting for an answer.

That's what one Monroeville councilman said after he made a motion to not pay a bill submitted by Monroeville-based Pennsylvania Soil and Rock Co. for work done after a landslide in Pitcairn which affected several homes, including one in Monroeville.

The motion, offered by Dave Kucherer, 2nd Ward councilman, was approved unanimously,

Kucherer said he declined to pay the bill because he wasn't aware that any contract had been agreed upon. The total cost for the contract is $18,590.

The landslide, which occurred on March 9, came down the hillside below Johnson Road, snapping trees and pushing tons of dirt perilously close to homes on Wood Street.

A Pitcairn home had to be demolished so contractors could get access to the slide.

One of those contractors was Pennsylvania Soil and Rock Co., which supervised the work site.

But, according to Kucherer, no one on council knew Pennsylvania Soil and Rock was doing the work or that Monroeville would be picking up half of the tab for it.

"The manager needs to explain why he signed off on this," said Kucherer.

Marshall Bond, municipal manager, said the work needed to be done because of litigation regarding Johnson Road that goes back several years and involves Monroeville, Pitcairn and an Export-based contractor. That matter likely won't come to trial soon, officials have said.

Kucherer said he harbored no ill will toward the contractor, but he isn't happy about the contract.

"This is a total surprise."