November 21, 2019

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MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
November 21, 2019

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, Smith, Bonus and Reese were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Rev. Dan Ledford, Westminster Presbyterian Church in America.

  • PERSONS TO BE HEARD

            Kelly Ruby gave an update concerning Claire Boring’s property.

Everett Roy spoke about the non-profit organization that he established for hip      hop/rap concerts.  There will be a concert at the Arts Center on December 27th          featuring Josh.  Proceeds from his events will be used for community service            clean-up.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 5, 2019. All voted aye.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to acknowledge receipt of the monthly minutes from RACB, including the CDBG/HOME Program activities. Council members Walter, Smith, Bonus and Mayor Smith voted aye. CM Reese abstained.

MONTHLY BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES LIAISON REPORTS

Liaisons of the City’s boards and authorities gave a brief report from the board or authority that met in October.

MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council electronically)

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

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

 Councilman Walter

  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1779, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2020. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
  2. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1780, an ordinance of the City of Butler adopting the annual budget and appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the City government as set forth therein during Fiscal Year 2020. Second by CM Bonus. Motion to table by CM Walter. Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.  Motion tabled.
  3. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1781, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the wages and salaries of employees of the City in conformance with the budget for Fiscal Year 2020. Second by Mayor Smith. Motion to table by Mayor Smith. Second by CM Walter.  All voted aye.  Motion tabled.
  4. Motion to reappoint Edgar Hassler, Jr. to the Butler Area Sewer Authority for a five year term that will expire December, 2022. No second. Motion dies.
  5. Motion to reappoint Kenneth L. Henry to the Butler Area Sewer Authority for a five year term that will expire December, 2023. No second. Motion dies.

Councilman Smith

  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1782, an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 260, Article XXIII, the Ritts Historical and Architectural District. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to approve an agreement with Butler Tourism and Convention Bureau for use of Memorial Park football field, together with the parking lots adjacent on November 22, 23 and 24, 2019 contingent upon receiving insurance certificate. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to permit Butler Tourism and Convention Bureau to charge fees for admission to the event.  Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus

  1. Motion to accept the bid from Jim Gutknecht in the amount of $5,871.00 for the OBD Leaf Collection Model LCT 650 with 3 collection boxes. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

Mayor Smith

  1. Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the FOP amending Article VII – Clothing Allowance in the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to approve City Council’s 2020 meeting schedule, a copy of which will be published in a local newspaper to comply with the Sunshine Act and attached to the minutes of this meeting. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  3. 12. Motion to approve the promotion of Police Officer Nicholas Shulik to the rank of Sergeant in the Butler Bureau of Police effective November 24, 2019. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
  4. Motion to approve the request from Butler Radio for the use of the Main Street Lot on November 30th for the 55th Annual Spirit of Christmas Parade and Storybook Land. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.

The City Treasurer presented a monthly intake report for October, 2019.

In the absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $497,568.96; from the parking fund – $345,281.34; from the capital projects fund – $6,875.00; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $1,731.91; for a grand total of $851,457.21. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Walter to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Announcement #11 – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

As part of an ongoing education plan, we would like to ensure that local residents are aware of the two types of systems that are within Butler City and the other local municipalities. The one system is the sanitary sewer system, in which toilets, sinks and garbage disposals are all connected and flow into a treatment facility that removes all of the contaminants and then discharges clean water into a local waterway. The storm sewer system is made up of catch basins that are usually placed along curbs in streets and parking lots and direct stormwater runoff through a series of pipes directly into the local waterway. Please be aware that there is no treatment for stormwater, so do not dump anything into the storm sewer catch basins. If you are unsure about the proper disposal of any type of waste material, please contact your local municipality.

  • WISR City Hall – Mayor Smith
  • First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, November 23rd
  • The City Building will be closed on November 28th & 29th in observance of Thanksgiving.
  • 55th Annual Spirit of Christmas Parade and Storybook Land – November 30th from 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • PERSONS TO BE HEARD

Cindy Maire updated council about the situation on Coal Street.

Dane Winkler spoke about storm sewer inspections and asked about MS4 designation. He spoke about a new storm censor that can be used for inspection.

Mayor Smith recessed the meeting at 8:24 PM for an executive session to discuss collective bargaining, personnel issues and real estate.

Meeting resumed at 9:05 PM.

Meeting will reconvene on Monday, November 25th at 1:00 PM.

Agenda 21-Nov-19

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