MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
August 25, 2016
Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Donaldson and Council members Walter and Kline were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given Pastor Steve Ogle, Community Life Church.
PRESENTATIONS:
Commercial Pride Award:
- Pat Collins and the Butler County Historical Society – Walldogs
Mayor Donaldson recessed the city council meeting at 7:05 PM.
7:05 PM PUBLIC HEARING Art Cordwell, of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler – to brief Council and the public on the 2016 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.
Mayor Donaldson reconvened the city council meeting at 7:10 PM.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 10801 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes – Title 11, motion by Mayor Donaldson to appoint Kenny Bonus to the position of City Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Richard J. Schontz, Jr. for a term to expire on the first Monday in January, 2018. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye. Following the vote, Mayor Donaldson administered the Oath of Office to Councilman Kenny Bonus.
(Note: The next municipal election is in November 2017, and the term of office for the person elected to the position of City Council at that time shall run from January 2018 to January 2022.)
Mayor Donaldson recessed the meeting at 7:12 PM.
The meeting was moved to the fire station and reconvened at 7:15PM.
PERSONS TO BE HEARD:
The following persons spoke at the Public to be Heard Section of the meeting. All of the speakers discussed the proposal to establish a Human Relations Commission, commenting both for and against the proposal:
Heidi Artman, Executive Director of Voice, Butler
Sabrina Schnur, Butler PFLAG, Butler
Bill Sawford, Gibsonia
Bonnie Humphrey, Treasurer PFLAG, New Castle
Jodiann Solito, Butler
John Grenci, Butler
Jeremy Samek, PA Family Legal Counsel, Westmoreland County
Kevin McCarthy, Lyndora
Debra McCarahy-Arnone, AARP, Butler City
Larry Thompson, First Baptist Church of Butler, Butler
Barbara Davidson, Butler
Rev. Art (Moshom) Greathead, Butler
Cantor Michal Gray-Schaffer, Congregation B’nai Abraham, Butler
Robert Huber, Butler
Pastor Todd Wentworth, Butler
Ellen Knox, Butler
Bill Halle, Butler
Mayor Donaldson recessed the meeting at 8:08 PM.
The meeting reconvened in council chambers at 8:18 PM.
Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CW Kline to approve the minutes of Regular meeting of July 28, 2016. All voted aye.
MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS
(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)
Motion by Mayor Donaldson with a second from CW Kline to acknowledge receipt of the monthly minutes from RACB, including the CDBG/HOME Program activities. All voted aye.
Department reports for the month of July were approved by individual, unanimous votes.
COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS
Councilman Walter
- Motion to approve the bid from A & H Equipment Company in the amount of $137,500.00 for one used 2013 Pelcan P Three Wheel Boom Street Sweeper and to pay $30,000.00 as a down payment from the Liquid Fuels Fund. LIN 35 430 429. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
- Motion to accept the bid from 911Leasing.com with an interest rate of 3.44% per annum to be used for a five (5) year lease to purchase one used 2013 Pelcan P Three Wheel Boom Street Sweeper. Annual payment $23,364.06. LIN 35 430 429. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to enter into an Electronic Government Payments Services Agreement with GOV-PAY after review by the city solicitor. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2016-08-25 approving the City’s Community Development Block Grant Application for FY 2016. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to pay the final installment of the 2015 small borrowing loan to NexTier in the amount of $189,826.04. $187,500.00 – LIN 01 472 913 – Principal: $2,326.04 – LIN 01 472 914 – Interest. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to authorize the City Clerk to advertise for the sale of City owned real estate known as Tax Parcel 565-42-64. The terms of the sale shall permit all bidders to make their offer contingent upon the successful bidder obtaining all local, state and federal permits require to use the property for their intended use. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to accept the proposal from Software Systems, Inc. for Integrated Financial Management and Access System (IFM) accounting system in the amount of $27,500.00 with a down payment of $10,000.00 paid in 2016 and the balance paid in 2017. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve the recommendation of our consultant (BidURenergy) and enter into the contract with Champion Energy to be the City’s electrical supplier for 2017. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
Councilman Roche
- Motion to approve a Playground Agreement with the Butler YMCA for use of the Memorial Park football field for a NFL Punt, Pass & Kick Competition to be held from 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM on Sunday, September 11th. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to dedicate the shelter at Christie Avenue Playground as “The John J. Baglier Memorial Shelter.” Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve the request from the Main Street Promotions Committee for use of the West New Castle Street Plaza by the Butler Fall Festival Committee on Friday Evening, September 16th & all day Saturday, September 17th. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
Councilman Bonus
- Motion to direct the city clerk to advertise for bids for the sale of one 1995 Elgin Street Sweeper P1686D. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to install “No Parking Here to Corner” on W. Fulton Street at the intersection with N. Chestnut Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
- Motion to install “No Parking Anytime” along the wall on W. Fulton Street at the corner of W. Fulton and N. Chestnut Streets on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to install “No Parking” on East Vogely from Main Street to McKean Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve a bid not to exceed $4,637.58 to install a gate at the fence line at 720 West Penn Street for the Sullivan Run Flood Control Project. LIN 18 427 305. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve final payment to Martino, Inc. for the Monroe Street Storm Sewer Repair project in the amount of $68,013.50 after final review by the city municipal engineer. LIN 18 430 436. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1731 an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending the City’s traffic control schedules contained in Chapter 245 of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler by making permanent experimental regulations previously adopted by city council on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
Mayor Donaldson
- Motion to approve payment to Gateway Engineers in the amount of $11,051.87 for the engineering of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 010. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve payment to Thomas Construction, Inc. in the amount of $378,428.25 for the construction of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve payment to Merrit Electrical Group, Inc. in the amount of $54,048.19 for the construction of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve payment to Reno Bros., Inc. in the amount of $7,433.10 for the construction of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve payment to Community Development Corporation of Butler County in the amount of $29,498.58 for the engineering of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve an agreement with Gateway Engineers for services associated with bidding, inspection and construction administration for the McKean Street Garage Rehab, not to exceed $8,000.00 to be paid from the Parking Fund. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to accept the bid from PSX, Inc. in the amount of $177,036.00 for the construction of gates, pay stations and kiosks in the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1732, an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania to amend Chapter 6; Authorities; Municipal and Chapter 87; Traffic Violations Bureau of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to remove references of the Parking Authority. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve the promotion of Lieutenant James M. Hollobaugh to the rank of Captain in the Butler Bureau of Police effective August 21, 2016. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
- Motion to approve the promotion of Sergeant Brian T. Grooms to the rank of Lieutenant in the Butler Bureau of Police effective August 21, 2016. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
The City Treasurer presented a Monthly Intake Report for July, 2016.
The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $439,040.82; from the parking fund – $21,326.48; from the capital projects fund – $18,704.04; from the liquid fuels tax fund – $34,270.18; and from the 2015-Series Bond Proceeds – $480,459.99 for a grand total of $993,801.51. 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
- The city building will be closed on September 5th for the observance of Labor Day and also September 12th for the observance of Patriot’s Day.
- Fall Festival – Saturday, September 17th from 11 am – 6 pm.
- August 26th – Institute Hill Playground Neighborhood Night from 6PM – 9PM.
Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 8:51 PM.