MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
October 23, 2014
Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Steve Ogle, Community Life Church.
PERSONS TO BE HEARD:
Greg Sloan thanked council for continued support from the City for the Butler Area Public Library
Debby Bicker would like to see foot patrol on the West End and also requested a 15 mph speed limit sign in the 300 block of Virginia Avenue. She suggested more interaction of city employees with the young children in the neighborhoods.
Jane Hall voiced concerns about the parking garage issues. “A decaying Main Street is detrimental to the city of Butler’s growth.” She is also very concerned about the Butler Area School District’s plans to close all three elementary schools in the city. Schools are crucial to young families who might be considering moving into the area.
Mark Krenitsky is worried about parking rates and taxes increasing.
PRESENTATIONS:
Neighborhood Pride Awards
William Young Jr. Funeral Home, 137 West Jefferson Street
Elizabeth Graham, 248 Pillow Street
Peter & Elaine Szura, 732 West Penn Street
Motion by CW Readie with second from CM Schontz to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of September 25, 2014. 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 September were approved by individual, unanimous votes.
COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS
Councilwoman Readie
1. Motion to approve distribution of 2014 State Aid for pension plans as follows: to the Firefighters Pension Plan – $209,622.22, to the Police Pension Plan – $178,362.66 and to the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan – $7,028.48, with the total amount of 2014 State Aid distributed to pension plans being $395,013.36. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
2. Motion to pay the first installment of the 2014 small borrowing loan to NexTier in the amount of $103,969.85. $102,500.00 – LIN 01 472 913 – Principal: $1,469.85 – LIN 01 472 914 – Interest. Second by CM May. All voted aye.
3. Motion to approve a proposal submitted by Maher Duessel Certified Public Accountants for auditing services for Fiscal Year 2015 through 2017 as outlined in their engagement letter of October 15, 2014 and to authorize the City Clerk to sign said letter on behalf of City Council. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
Councilman Schontz
4. Motion to accept the resignation from Sean Gramz, effective October 31, 2014.
Second by CM May. All voted aye.
5. Motion to donate the emergency vehicle equipment (that will be removed from the vehicle purchased for the code office) to the Lick Hill VFD per Fire Chief Gold’s request.
Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
6. Motion to table the award of a contract for meter collections pending clarification from the current provider. Second by Mayor Donaldson. ll voted aye.
7. Motion to permit St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to bag meters for Sunday morning and for any special services at the church, on N. McKean Street between E. Jefferson Street and E. North Street; and E. Jefferson Street between McKean Street and Main Street. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
Councilman May
8. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids on a 2001 Chevrolet 1500 4×4 Parks Department truck. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
9. Motion to authorize the City Solicitor to file an Action to Quiet Title to confirm title to the property known as the “South Side Playground” in the City of Butler. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
Mayor Donaldson
10. Motion to accept the resignation of parking violation monitor, Heidi Warner, effective October 17, 2014. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
11. Motion to direct the city clerk to advertise for the hiring of one parking violation monitor. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
12. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1697; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 60; Personnel Policies; to amend the Social Media Policy. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $741,587.29; from the capital projects fund – $3,287.79; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $33,838.09 for a grand total of $778,713.17. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CM Schontz to approve payment of bills as presented.
• ANNOUNCEMENTS:
WISR City Hall – Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz
Free street meter parking on Saturdays and Sundays; Parking lots remain enforced 24/7
Veterans’ Day Parade – November 11th at 10:40 AM
City Building closed on November 11th
Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:59 PM.
