September 24, 2020

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MINUTES
City Council
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
September 24, 2020 7pm via Zoom Meeting

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, Smith, Bonus and Dandoy were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Mary Kitchen, East/North Butler Presbyterian Church.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE AWARD was presented to Dylan and Stephanie Robinson, 200 Thirteenth Avenue.

Mayor Smith presented a proclamation to Penn Street Pizza in honor of Penn Street Pizza Day, September 25th to celebrate 40 years in business.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the agenda for the regular meeting of September 24, 2020. All voted aye.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Dandoy to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 8, 2020 and special meeting of September 17, 2020.  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. All voted aye.

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council electronically)

Motion to accept the monthly reports from the Office of the City Clerk, the Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Business & Community Development/Code Enforcement, Department of Public Works and Parking Department for the month of August. Motion by Mayor Smith. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

Mayor Smith requested that all monthly reports be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the council meetings.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilman Walter

  1. Motion to approve the 2021 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the City’s three pension plans as follows: for the Firefighters Pension Plan – $367,071 and for the Police Pension Plan – $372,211 and the Officers and Employees Pension Plan – $94,961.   Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Smith

  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1791; an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 220; Shade Tree; of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus

  1. Motion to request authorization from PennDOT Engineering District 10 to enact engine-brake retarder prohibition. Second by CM Dandoy. All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus thanked the American Legion Post 117 for their donation towards the streets department seasonal help.

Councilman Dandoy

  1. Motion to approve the additions of a navy blue winter chore coat and a navy blue ¼ zip hooded sweatshirt with collar to the list of approved uniform items, in accordance with Article XVIII Section 3 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with IAFF #114. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Mayor Smith

  1. Motion to approve Resolution 2020-09-24; appointing voting delegates to the tax collection committee. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to approve payment in the amount of $100.00 to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant application to be used for the City of Butler Pedestrian Accessibility and Safety Improvements Project.

LIN 01 499 807. Second by CM Bonus. CM Walter voted no.  CM Smith, CM Bonus, CM Dandoy and Mayor Smith voted aye.

  1. Motion to approve City Resolution 2020-09-24A; a resolution of the City of Butler to request a Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant of $1,150,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to be used for the City of Butler Pedestrian Accessibility and Safety Improvements Project. Second by CM Bonus.

Mayor Smith made a motion to amend the motion by changing the project cost to $1,055,100.  There was discussion that detailed that the grant would provide $738,570 with a City match of $316,530.  Second by CM Bonus.  CM Walter voted no.  CM Smith, CM Bonus, CM Dandoy and Mayor Smith voted aye.  Motion amended.

Motion to approve City Resolution 2020-09-24A; a resolution of the City of Butler to request a Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant of $1,055,100 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to be used for the City of Butler Pedestrian Accessibility and Safety Improvements Project.  Second by CM Bonus.  CM Walter voted no. CM Smith, CM Bonus, CM Dandoy and Mayor Smith voted aye.

  1. Motion to authorize the City Clerk to execute and deliver a commitment letter required by the DCED to process the City’s Grant Application for the Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Application #8484496. Second by Second by CM Bonus. CM Walter voted no. CM Smith, CM Bonus, CM Dandoy and Mayor Smith voted aye.

The City Treasurer presented a Monthly Intake Report for August, 2020.

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $169,720.75; from the parking fund – $36,156.08; from the capital projects fund – $27,230.75; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $59,479.01; for a grand total of $292,611.44.  Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Walter to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

September Public Announcement – Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

As part of an ongoing education plan, we would like to remind local residents to properly dispose the leaves on your property and not brush/sweep dirt, leaves, etc. into any storm drain or onto any street. Either place the leaves and dirt on a compost pile, or contact your local municipality for “leaf collection” days or to see what programs your municipality offers for the disposal of yard waste. Remember, the purpose of the storm sewers is to direct stormwater runoff to the local streams. If the system is clogged from garbage, yard waste and dirt, then flooding may occur during a large rainfall event.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, September 26th.
  • Trick or Treat will be held on Saturday, October 31st from 6PM until 7PM. Rain Date will be November 1st from 6PM until 7PM and will be announced on Code Red.  Parents or guardians are encouraged to follow the CDC recommendations and to be certain their children trick or treat responsibly and maintain social distancing. Residents who would like to participate are encouraged to turn on porch lights or outside lights to signal that trick or treaters are welcome to approach.
  • Councilman Smith thanked the Joseph T. Black Post No. 249 V.F.W. for their donation towards the repairs to the cannon in Doughboy Park.

Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:04 PM. 

Meeting recording: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/GxLctGh_M1Vib49NauQW4r_rM4nwUh01SIirfnDzIGE-qJamInNuMn9apcljIrOR.Dv5ovVOfBWyM2BKg?startTime=1600986400000

Agenda:  Agenda for 24 Sept 2020

The City Building will not be open and participation in the meeting is via Zoom Meeting.  The meeting will be recorded.  See below for instructions on how to attend virtual.

Topic: City Council Meeting
Time: Sep 24, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
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