MINUTES
Special Meeting of City Council
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
April 13, 2016 6:00 PM
Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM. Mayor Donaldson and Council members Walter, Kline, Schontz and Roche were present. Motion was made to reconvene the meeting in the Public Safety Building by CW Kline. All voted aye.
Mayor Donaldson reconvened the meeting at 6:11 PM.
City Solicitor, Jim Coulter reviewed the rules and procedures for public participation in meetings of city council.
Mr. Coulter then explained the conflict of interest about the situation in demoting the fire chief. He introduced Attorney David Mitchell, Cambell Durrant Beatty Palombo & Miller, P.C., who interpreted the PA Consolidated Statutes; Title 11; PA Cities section and provided a legal opinion that the Mayor had authority to demote the Fire Chief.
PERSONS TO BE HEARD (Brief summary of comments):
Jeff Smith requested that council terminate its relationship with Cambell Durrant Beatty Palombo & Miller, P.C. based on the legal opinion given to the Mayor. Mr. Smith suggested that the fire chief be reinstated.
Clair Boring said the council should move forward.
James Raglan the move is not going to help Butler.
Bryan Presco addressed the situation with the fire chief and wanted an explanation. He also voiced his concerns about the shooting dens and pill pressing machines in the city of Butler.
Sherry Holm is a lifelong resident in the city and takes pride in the fire station.
Jamie Goehring support Nick Ban and expects a reasonable explanation and voiced her anger over not allowing Nick an honorable retirement.
Don Shearer said he would like a reasonable explanation for what has happened.
Tim Roxbury doesn’t feel that mayor owes an explanation to the citizen and the citizens need to stand behind the Mayor.
Rita Lane was blindsided by the decision and reviewed meeting minutes looking for anything about this but found nothing.
Bob Dandoy said aside from legal interpretation, it was the lack of respect for CW Kline and the other council members, as well as both the police and fire departments and the residents of the city, that was upsetting.
Dess Schnur said the lack of respect and lack of trust affects all the employees of the city. He asked “why”?
Rick Zitalone was a firefighter for 22 years. He was also asking why this happened.
Mayor Donaldson and Councilwoman Kline comments are attached to these minutes.
COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS
Councilman Walter
CM Walter discussed the serious financial situation in the city of Butler. The city needs about $500,000.00 to break even at the end of 2016. After discussion with the city’s auditor, he had two options that could help. First option would be to sell Kelly Automotive Park. CM Walter does not feel that’s something the city would or could do. Second option would be to sell the parking lots in the city. A part-time firefighter program needs to be in place again.
Councilwoman Kline
- Motion to approve the retirement of Chief George N. Ban, Jr. from the Butler Bureau of Fire following 25 years of service, effective April 9, 2016. Second by CW Walter. All voted aye.
Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:18 PM.
SUBMITTED: APPROVED:
________________________ _________________________
Melinda F. Gall, City Clerk Thomas P. Donaldson, Mayor
Click on the link: April 13, 2016 for the Mayor and Council Woman Kline’s comments
