August 27, 2015

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

August 27, 2015

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Kline, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Tara Lynn, Grace at Calvary Church.

PRESENTATIONS:

Eagle Scout Candidate Kirkland Porter presented the completion of his project to rehab Ritts Park basketball court.

Nick Falgione from PNC discussed the timeline for the bond issue and requested council’s direction to proceed with the sale of bonds on September 10, 2015.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Susan Drolet Coneybeer, Wellness Works, discussed the residential parking impact on her business.

Rebeccah Slade, Wellness Works, discussed the limited parking around the health care facility.

Philip Schiedel, a resident, discussed imposing unnecessary parking restrictions; N. McKean and E. Penn Streets and the use of the police department for parking issues.

Cynthia Fyllingness, a resident, is grateful for the residential parking regulations.

Bobbie Ziegler, a resident from the Island, voiced concerns over a growing problem in her neighborhood.

Debbie Bicker discussed issues concerning trailers parked for long periods of time that block roads.

Motion by CM May with second from CM Schontz to approve the minutes of the Regular meeting of July 23, 2015 and the special meetings held on August 5, 2015, August 11, 2015 and August 17, 2015.  All voted aye.

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note:  Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)

Department reports for the month of July were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on August 25, 2015:

1.  City Council, acting as the Board of Health, and under the provisions of the Third Class City Code, Section XXIII, (b) Abatement of Public Nuisances, Section 2321, found the following subject structure detrimental to public health and ordered its removal by demolition: 511 Polk Street

Motion by CW Readie.  Second by CM May.   All voted aye.

2.  Councilwoman Kline made a motion to approve the conditional hiring of Debra Oyler for the position of Clerk Bookkeeper/Deputy Treasurer in the Office of the City Treasurer.

Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilwoman Kline

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1715; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending Part One, Chapter 57 (Officers and Employees Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to amend Article VIII; Termination of Employment; §57-35; Deferred Retirement Benefit, A.

Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

2. Motion to approve the 2016 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the City’s three pension plans as follows:  for the Firefighters Pension Plan – $183,178 and for the Police Pension Plan – $186,543 and the Officers and Employees Pension Plan – $30,254.

Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

3. Motion to authorize the City Solicitor to prepare an Ordinance to Amend the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan as to permit Participants to purchase up to 3 years of service as part-time employees, provided they are age 60 and retire on or before December 31, 2015.  Second by CM Schontz.  CW Kline voted no.  CM Schontz, CM May and Mayor Donaldson voted aye.

Councilman Schontz

4. Motion to approve City Resolution 2015 – 08 – 27 revising the City’s administrative fee schedule as of January 1, 2015.  Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

5. Motion to approve a block party on Eau Claire Street from Second St. to Reo St. on Sunday, September 6, 2015 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

6.  Motion to create “Residential Parking Only” for the following streets on a 90 day trial basis:

• South Cliff Street from East Birch Street to East Cunningham Street
• North Sixth Avenue from Pine Street to Wood Street
• Charles Street from North Cedar Street to North McKean Street

Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

7.  Motion to install a “Caution Blind Girl Lives Here” sign at 424 W. Cunningham Street on a 90 day trial basis.  Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.

8.  Motion to create a “Loading Zone” at the corner of W. Cunningham Street and S. Jackson Street on a 90 day trial basis.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

Councilman May

9. Motion to approve the request from the Main Street Promotions Committee for use of the West New Castle Street Plaza for the Butler City Farmers’ Market on September 9th and September 23rd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson

10. Motion to update the City of Butler’s Open Records Policy Statement. Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

11. Motion to approve a Cooperation Agreement Regarding the City of Butler Centre City Tax Increment Financing District, contingent upon review and approval of the Final Draft by the Solicitor.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for July, 2015 electronically.

In absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $313,096.03; from the capital projects fund – $223,565.27; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $4,130.61 for a grand total of $540,791.91. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CM May to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• WISR City Hall – Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz.
• City Building will be closed Monday, September 7th & Friday, September 11th

Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:59 PM.