MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
March 27, 2014
Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. Mayor Donaldson and Council members Scott, Kline, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Jeff Harris, Crossroad Community.
PRESENTATIONS:
Pat Collins, Butler County Historical Society announced that the city of Butler will be hosting the 2016 International Walldog Meet, July 27th – 31st. There will be about 200 artists and she is hoping for 10 to 12 murals to be painted throughout the city to create a “walking tour”. A public meeting will be held in May (date to be announced).
Motion by CW Scott with second from CW Kline to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of February 27, 2014. All voted aye.
The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on March 25, 2014:
Contingent upon J.S. Butler, LP providing the City with a fully executed Set Aside Agreement with its lender (required to assure completion of the improvements), motion to grant J.S. Butler L.P. permission to complete the road improvements and widening of Cedar Street associated with the Rite Aid Development in accordance with the plans, specifications and design of Gateway Engineers and the City Engineer.
Motion by CM Schontz. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
Motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a letter confirming the right of J.S. Butler, LP to complete street and sidewalk improvements related to the Rite Aid Project, contingent upon the developer providing security for the completion of the improvements.
Motion by Mayor Donaldson. Second by CM May. All voted aye.
MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS
(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)
All department reports for the month of February were approved by individual, unanimous votes.
COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS
Councilwoman Scott
1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1687; an ordinance of the City of Butler adopting and authorizing participation in a Tax Increment Financing Plan presented by the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler, and authorizing related agreements. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
2. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1688; an ordinance of the City of Butler authorizing the incurring of lease rental indebtedness by the guaranty of the debt service on a note of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler in a principal amount of two million and 00/100 dollars; covenanting to pay, and pledging unlimited taxing power for the repayment of the note under the guaranty; authorizing filings of required documents with the DCED; ratifying actions of officers and redirecting actions; and making other covenants in respect of the guaranty. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
3. Motion to return the portion of the 2011 State Aid received by the City paid in excess of the Third Class City Code for the Firefighters’ Pension Plan to the Municipal Pension and Fire Relief Programs Unit in the amount of $35,495.95. ($30,514.61 to be paid from the Firemen Pension Fund and $4,981.34 to be paid from the General Fund). Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
4. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a general obligation loan of $205,000.00 for street paving, storm sewer repairs and demolition, payable in 2014 and 2015. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
Councilman Schontz
5. Motion to direct the City Clerk to prepare and release an RFP for refuse collection for the years 2015 through 2017. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
6. Motion to award the removal of a pine tree, as a result of the Flood Protection Project 2013 Inspection Summary of the Sullivan Run section, to Able Tree Service in the amount of $500.00 to be paid from Capital Projects after final review and approval from the city’s Municipal Engineer. LIN 18 427 770. Second by CM May. All voted aye.
7. Motion to install a “Handicapped Parking Only” sign and a “Motorcycle Parking Only: March 1st – September 30th” sign in front of the S & S Diner on Center Avenue on a 90 day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
8. Motion to approve City Resolution 2014–03–27A revising the City’s administrative fee schedule as of April 1, 2014. Second by CM May. All voted aye.
Councilman May
9. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for the purchase of one truck for use by the City’s Parks Department. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
Mayor Donaldson
10. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2014-03-27 obligating $21,525.00 of City revenues to the Butler Transit Authority for fiscal year 2014/2015. Second by CW Kline. CM May voted no. Mayor Donaldson, CW Scott, CW Kline and CM Schontz. voted aye.
11. Motion to amend the current agreement with the City of Butler Bureau of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #32, for reimbursement to the K-9 Officers for K-9 expenses incurred at the officers’ homes. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
12. Motion for the City to offer monthly parking permits for use in the Center Avenue parking lot, the Quarry Street parking lot and the Farmers’ Market parking lot at a cost of $20 per month. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for February, 2014.
The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $207,351.04; from the capital projects fund – $5,921.64; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $39,581.16 for a grand total of $253,123.84. Motion by CW Scott with second from CW Kline to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
WISR City Hall – Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz
MS4:
As part of an ongoing education plan, we would like to remind local residents to properly clean paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors. Properly dispose of excess paints through a household hazardous waste collection program, or donate unused paints to local organizations. Also, sweep and properly dispose of construction debris such as concrete and mortar. Always protect your hands, eyes, and ears when working and touching construction materials containing chemicals. If you are unsure how to properly dispose of construction waste, please contact your local municipality. Never dump anything into the storm sewer system.
West New Castle Street will close on May 19th to prep for the Plaza.
Meter Monitors will begin enforcing parking at the Center Avenue, Farmers’ Market and Quarry Street parking lots.
Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:29 PM.
