January 28, 2016

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MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania

January 28, 2016

Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Donaldson and Council members Walter, Kline, Schontz and Roche were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Jeff Harris, Crossroad Community.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE AWARD:

Peter and Kristine Donaldson, 305 N. McKean Street

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Mark Krenitsky spoke about the shooting in Adams Township and parking rates in Pittsburgh. He voiced concerned about dissolving the Parking Authority.

Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CM Schontz to approve the minutes of Regular meeting of December 17, 2015 and City Council’s re-organization meeting of January 4, 2016. 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 December and 2015 year-end reports were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on January 26, 2016:

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:

134 Third Avenue

Motion by Mayor Donaldson. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilman Walter

  1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2016-01-28; a resolution of the City of Butler appointing Debra Oyler and Sharon Snyder as authorized representatives to make requests upon and receive any and all tax information and records from Berkheimer, relative to the collection of taxes for the Taxing Authorities within the Butler County Tax Collection District, as directed and deemed necessary, to be used for official purposes only. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to approve payment to the Butler Area Public Library in the amount of $32,071.97 that represents the proceeds from the City’s 2015 library tax. LIN 01 456 540. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to exonerate the City Treasurer from collection of 2015 City taxes that were discharged by Judicial Sales of the following properties:
  • Parcel # 563-8-180
  • Parcel # 565-10-2
  • Parcel # 565-10-131
  • Parcel # 565-14-130
  • Parcel # 565-46-5B
  • Parcel # 565-12-117-16

Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

  1. Motion to approve an Addendum to the existing Agreement between the City of Butler and the RACB dated February 26, 2013 to extend the time for payment of funds due to the City to March 31, 2017. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a small borrowing loan of $69,888.00 for two police vehicles. The loan is to be payable over a term of three (3) years. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a small borrowing loan of $72,745.00 for one streets department truck. The loan is to be payable over a term of ten (10) years. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

Councilman Schontz

  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1724, an ordinance of the city of Butler amending Chapter 260, the zoning ordinance of the city of Butler, to add multiple family dwellings as permitted uses in the C-2 zoning district. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1725, an ordinance of the City of Butler vacating the unnamed alley lying between Hansen Avenue and S. Ninth Avenue. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to install a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on Campbell Street, 100 feet from the intersection of Quarry and Campbell Streets on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to install two “No Parking 3:10 PM to 3:40 PM School Days for Student Pick Up” signs at the corner of N. Washington and W. Penn Streets and the corner of N. Church and W. Penn Streets on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.

Councilman Roche

  1. Motion to Reappoint Diane Downs to the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds & Facilities Authority for a five year term expiring on January 1, 2021. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to appoint John Grenci to the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds & Facilities Authority to replace Jeff Smith, whose term ends January 1, 2018. Second  by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

Mayor Donaldson

  1. Motion to approve payment to Thomas Construction, Inc. in the amount of $243,372.57 for the construction of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020       Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to approve payment to Gateway Engineers in the amount of $10,983.25 for the engineering of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 010. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Captain Ronald D. Fierst beginning on January 15, 2016 for a work-related injury he sustained on August 25, 2015. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.
  1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1723; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania amending Chapter 87 of the codified ordinances to add the position of a Parking Manager. Second by CM Schontz.     All voted aye.
  1. Motion to enter into an agreement with the County of Butler to provide parking spaces to jurors at the rate of three dollars ($3.00) per car per day. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1726, an ordinance of the City of Butler defining and prohibiting the maintenance of a disorderly house, providing for the arrest of owners, occupants or visitors in a disorderly house, prohibiting interference with a police officer in the process of enforcement of this ordinance and setting penalties relating to keeping occupying or visiting a disorderly house. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to approve the retirement of Captain David A. Dalcamo from the Bureau of Police following 17 years of service, effective January 31, 2016. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to approve the updated job description for the Parking Manager and to evaluate the position at the end of 2016. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to appoint James Chiprean as the Parking Manager. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to approve an amendment to the Cable TV Franchise Agreement between the City of Butler and Armstrong Utilities to eliminate the term which provides for free internet service to the City. This amendment is required for the contract to comply with a 2015 ruling by the FCC. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to enter into a 36-month agreement with Armstrong Utilities, Inc. for internet service for the City of Butler departments. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to approve the purchase of two police vehicles in the amount of $69,888.00 and one streets department truck in the amount of $72,745.00 from the Costars State Contract through Tri-Star Motors. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to terminate the employment of Sergeant Ronald Fundark, effective immediately, and to notify Sergeant Fundark of his right to appeal under the Rules and Regulations of the City Civil Service of Butler or to file a grievance under the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  1. Motion to make written application to the Civil Service Board for a certified list of candidates to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Captain Dalcamo and the termination of Sergeant Fundark. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

Appointments:

Cheri Readie – appointed to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler to replace Joe Gray, whose term ends June, 2019.

The City Treasurer presented a Monthly Intake Report for December, 2015.

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $398,654.28; from the parking fund – $4,729.17; from the capital projects fund – $78,798.21; from the liquid fuels tax fund – $2,521.00; and from the 2015-Series Bond Proceeds – $271,278.07 for a grand total of $755,980.73. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CW Kline to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  • WISR City Hall – Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz
  • The City is requesting donations for the 4th of July fireworks display

Mayor Donaldson recessed the meeting at 7:33 PM for an executive session. Mayor Donaldson reconvened the meeting at 7:46 PM. Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:47 PM.

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