PERSONS TO BE HEARD:
- Jennifer Bindernagel from the Blind Association thanked Mayor for the ADA curbs that have been installed and thanked Council for listening to her concerns. Lorraine Barclay, who uses a guide dog, voiced her concerns about the lack of crosswalks at Main and Cunningham stating that without the crosswalks, cars pull too far into the intersection for her to cross safely. CM Schontz is in contact with PennDOT to make the decision about painting the cross walks on Main Street.
- reg Sloan from the Butler County Library thanked Council for their generous support of the library in the past and asked for continued support, especially due to the reduction of funding from the State and the Federal government.
- Debbie Oesterling expressed her opposition to Act 47.
- James Kraus shared his views about the current financial condition of the city.
- Mark Sarver expressed his opposition to a rental inspection program.
- Diane Cottone expressed her opposition to a rental inspection program.
Motion by CM Reese with second from CW Kline to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 22, 2010.
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)
All department reports for the month of July, 2010 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.
COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS
Councilman Bratkovich
1. Motion for the first reading and introduction of City Ordinance No. 1629 amending Chapter 235 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler, Taxation, granting an exemption to any person whose total income from all sources is less than $5,000.00 per annum from the payment of per capita tax. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
2. Motion to accept the bid from Software Systems, Inc. for Black baud Fund Ware accounting system in the amount of $23,151.50. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.
3. Motion to change from Davevic to Paychex for the city’s health insurance broker as of January 1, 2011. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.
Councilman Reese
4. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1628 amending Chapter 203 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler, the Property Maintenance Code, to require responsible parties to file an appeal from the decision of the Code Enforcement Officer within ten (10) days of the receipt of the decision and increasing the maximum fine for violations to five hundred ($500) dollars. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
5. Motion to appoint Mike Kelly to the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds Facilities Authority to fill the remaining term for William Spohn which expires January 1, 2012. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.
6. Motion to appoint Tracy Hack to the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds Facilities Authority to fill the remaining term for William Robinson which expires January 1, 2015. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
Councilman Schontz
7. Motion to award the demolition of 316 S. Chestnut Street to A.P. Wise Excavating. LLC in the amount of $7,100.00. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
8. Motion to approve a block party at the 200 block of West Fulton Street on Sunday, September 12, 2010 (rain date Sunday, September 19, 2010) from 3:00 PM until dark. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.
CM Schontz reported that between the contractor, the RACB and the City Streets Department, 34 streets and alleys have been paved totaling $544,000.00. ADA ramps incurred 30-40% of the costs and engineering and inspection were 10-15% of the costs.
Councilwoman Kline
9. Motion to approve an agreement with the Butler Area Midget Football League.
Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
10. Motion to appoint Jonathan Dreher to the Civil Service Board to replace Kathleen Bollinger, with an immediate effective date. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
Mayor Stock
11. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1627 adopting the joint resolution of East Butler Borough, City of Butler, Township of Butler, Township of Penn and Township of Summit, adopting the Butler Area Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan (BAMM Plan). Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
12. Motion to appoint JoAnn Snyder for a one year term expiring January 1, 2012; John Mossman for a two year term expiring January 1, 2013; and Joe Caparosa for a three year term expiring January 1, 2014 to the BAMM Plan Oversight Committee. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
13. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2010-08-26, authorizing PennDOT, on the City’s behalf, to issue Notice-to-Proceed letters to the railroad for design and/or construction railroad warning signals with gates at the Center Avenue/Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad crossing. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.
14. Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Sergeant Ronald Brown beginning on August 12, 2010 for surgery to a work-related injury he sustained on February 11, 2010. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
15. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2010-08-26A, developing the structure and purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Commission. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
Mayor Stock announced that the City of Butler, partnered with the Butler County Humane Society, have received a grant from PetSmart Charities in the amount of $22,500.00 for a trap/neuter/return program to help the issue of stray cats in the city. The Alley Cats project will use the money over the next two years. The project will target quadrants of the city for six months at a time and will begin September of this year.
As Council has been driving through neighborhoods in the city, they’ve noticed that many homes do not have the house numbers displayed. Please be certain that there is a house number on your home and that it isn’t blocked by shrubs or trees. Emergency personnel must be able to identify addresses in the event of an emergency.
The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $849,635.61; from the capital projects fund – $15,814.09; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $42,009.30 for a grand total of $907,459.00 Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CM Schontz to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.
- ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MS4 announcement
WISR City Hall – CM Bratkovich
September 18th – Fall Festival
Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 8:09 PM.
