August 23, 2018

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MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
August 23, 2018

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, Bonus, and Roche were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Lay pastor Kerry M. Dowdy, East Butler Presbyterian Church.

The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on August 21, 2018:

Motion to send a letter from Butler City Council to the Butler County Assessment Office opposing all property reassessments in the City with one exception to be owner-occupied homes.

Motion by CM Smith. Second by Mayor.  CM Walter abstained.  CM Smith, CM Bonus, CM Roche and Mayor Smith voted aye.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE AWARD:

Stephen L. Gressly, 433 North Chestnut Street

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Mark Krenitsky was thankful for the dumpster in Rotary Park. He is against permitting searches in rentals.  The fire department grant is not good for the City and he has several Waste Management issues.

Brian Helfer spoke about information given to the Butler Eagle being incorrect. He believes the policy that is being introduced is unconstitutional and boarders socialism.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 26, 2018. 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 BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES LIAISON REPORTS

Liaisons gave brief reports from boards and authorities that met in July.

MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)

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

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilman Walter

  1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1766, an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Part Two, Chapter 57 (Police Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to incorporate plan changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations during fiscal year 2018. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  2. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1768, an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Part Two, Chapter 57 (Police Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to incorporate plan changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations during fiscal year 2018. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to approve the transfer of Sharon Snyder to the position of Clerk Bookkeeper based on a recommendation from the City Treasurer. Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.
  4. Motion to approve the updated job description for the Clerk Tax Bookkeeper in the Office of the City Treasurer. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.
  5. Motion to approve the transfer of Heather Blair to the position of Clerk Tax    Bookkeeper based on a recommendation from the City Treasurer. Second by CM    Roche.  All voted aye.
  6. Motion to approve the 2019 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the City’s three pension plans as follows: for the Firefighters Pension Plan – $282,080 and for the Police Pension Plan – $257,504 and the Officers and Employees Pension Plan – $56,433.  Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.
  7. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1767; an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 69; Purchasing; Article II; Rules and Regulations; §69-15.; Surplus supplies, material and equipment, of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus

  1. Motion to institute a procedure for the reporting of disorderly houses and notifying landlords of the process. Second by Mayor Smith. After discussion, council felt there needed to be review and support from the DA and Magistrate.

Mayor Smith made the motion to table. Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.  Motion tabled.

Councilman Smith joined the meeting via cellphone.

  1. Motion to approve payment to Gargiulo Landscape in the amount of $15,180.62 for the brick reconstruction on a portion Oak Street. LIN 18 430 439. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to install a “No Parking Here to Corner” on Heim Avenue at the intersection of Marvin Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to install a “No Parking Here to Corner” on Heim Avenue at the intersection of Maple Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.

Councilman Roche

  1. Motion to approve the updated job description for the Fire Chief, City of Butler/Butler Township. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to ratify a revision to the City’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations governing the hiring of entry-level part-time firefighters, as well as promotions within the respective department. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to approve the promotion of part-time Firefighter Sean Sokolowski to the position of full-time Firefighter within the Bureau of Fire to fill the opening created by the retirement of Theodore Codipsot. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Council discussed the SAFER Grant in the fire department.  Prior to making any commitment, council will need to gather more information.

Mayor Smith

  1. Motion to approve the retirement of Chief Ronald J. Brown from the Butler City Police Department following 27 years of service, effective July 31, 2018. Second by    CM Bonus.  All voted aye.
  2. Motion to amend City Resolution 2018 – 07 – 26, to increase the Multimodal Transportation Fund grant request from $1,474,669 to $2,103,090; and, to revise the          Grant application accordingly. Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.
  3. Motion to update the City of Butler’s Open Records Policy Statement. Second by CM Roche.  All voted aye.
  4. Motion to accept the resignation of Patrol Officer Corey Wendel from the Butler City Police Department effective August 27, 2018. Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.
  5. Motion to approve the conditional hiring of Michael E. Sulerud, Jr. for patrol officer             to fill a vacancy in the Butler City Police Department created by the resignation of Patrol        Officer Corey Wendel. Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.
  6. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1769; an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 260, the zoning ordinance, to establish    the Ritts Historic and Architectural District.  Second by CM Roche.  All voted aye.
  7. Motion to honor the agreement made between Mayor Maggie Stock and Butler Downtown to allocate all funds generated from interest on the repayments of loans made      by the Revolving Loan Fund Committee to Butler Downtown for their use in new loans and operational expenses.  Second by CM Roche.  All voted aye.
  8. Motion to approve the retirement of Deputy Chief Dave Adam from the Butler City Police Department following 27 years of service, effective August 24, 2018.  Second by           CM Walter.  All voted aye.

Appointments:

Brian K. McCafferty has been reappointed to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler for a 5 (five) year term which expires June, 2023.

In the absence of the City Treasurer, CM Bonus presented a Monthly Intake Report for July, 2018.

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $341,450.96; from the parking fund – $31,963.51; from the capital projects fund – $18,812.12; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $7,291.46; for a grand total of $399,518.05. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Bonus to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS:
  • WISR City Hall – Mayor Smith and Councilman Walter
  • First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, August 25th
  • City Building will be closed Monday, September 3rd in observance of Labor Day & Tuesday, September 11th in observance of Patriots Day
  • Italian Festival – August 24th – 26th
  • Butler Fall Festival – September 22nd

Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:03 PM.

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