October 25, 2018

MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
October 25, 2018

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, Smith, Bonus and Roche were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Alden Towberman, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

The following actions took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on October 23, 2018:

1. Motion by Mayor Smith to accept a bid from Gregory Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $79,400.00 for the North Monroe Street Culvert Replacement Project. LIN 18 430 436. Second by CM Walter.  All voted aye.
2. Motion by Mayor Smith to approve the appointment of Christopher K. Switala as the City’s Fire Chief and ex-officio Fire Marshal in accordance with the provisions of §12107 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes; Title 11 – Cities, and Chapter 33 of the City Code. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.

Chief Switala was sworn into office by Mayor Smith.

Announcement:

In accordance with the provisions of §12002 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes; Title 11 Cities, Mayor Smith announced that Robert O’Neill has been appointed as the City’s Chief of Police.

Chief O’Neill was sworn into office by Mayor Smith.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Mark Krenitsky spoke about the sale of his real estate, the kids in the area, his tenants.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 27, 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 September.

MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

Department reports for the month of September were approved by individual, unanimous votes. The administrative monthly report for August from the City Clerk was also approved by individual, unanimous votes.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilman Walter

1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2018-10-25 approving the City’s Community Development Block Grant Application for FY 2018. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
2. Motion to pay the final installment of the 2017 small borrowing loan to NexTier in the amount of $198,549.00. $195,000.00 – LIN 01 472 913-Principal:  $3,549.00 – LIN 01 472 914-Interest. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
3. Motion to pay the first installment of the 2018 small borrowing loan to NexTier in the amount of $102,065.38. $100,000.00 – LIN 01 472 911–Principal:  $2,065.38 – LIN 01 472 912–Interest. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
4. Motion to approve payment to USBank in the amount of $102,643.77 for interest due on General Obligation Bonds Series B-2015. LIN 01 472 800.  Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
5. Motion to approve payment to USBank in the amount of $204,007.17 for the bond payment due on General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Series A-2015 as follows:

$200,000.00     LIN 01 472 801 Principal;

$4,007.17         LIN 01 472 800 Interest.

Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

Councilman Smith

6. Motion to accept a bid from Ken Jenereski in the amount of $230.00 for the purchase of the decorative globes, ballasts, lamp holders and assorted hardware that are surplus property in the parks department. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus

7. Motion to pay $19,800.00 to E C Masonry, Inc. per the Architect’s Certificate for Payment request. LIN 18 469 250. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
8. Motion to reappoint Kerry Dowdy as the city’s Section 504/ADA Officer. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
9. Motion to remove the “Limited 20 Minute Parking” signs on the south side of W. Wayne Street between Liberty and Washington Streets on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
10. Motion to accept the bid from E C Masonry, Inc in the amount of $5,580.00 for the Streets Department Wall Repair project. LIN 01 496 100. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Roche

11. Motion to accept a bid from Joshua Cox in the amount of $20,001.00 for the purchase of the 1998 American La France Aerial Fire Truck. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Mayor Smith

12. Motion to approve an increase in pay in the amount of 20 cents per hour for payroll #19 through payroll #26 for the city clerk, the zoning officer, the plumbing inspector, the parking manager, and the health officer in the City of Butler. Second by CM Roche.  All voted aye.

Appointments:

Kate Gougen has been appointed to the Shade Tree Commission to replace Joseph R. Paulisick, Sr., whose term expires June, 2021.

Doug Kleeman has been appointed to the Shade Tree Commission to replace Jonathon Lex, whose term expires June, 2020.

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

In the absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $596,282.16; from the parking fund – $35,534.23; from the capital projects fund – $55,417.88; from the liquid fuels tax fund – $36,627.34; and from the 2015-Series Bonds fund – $50,000.00 for a grand total of $773,861.61. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Walter to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WISR City Hall – Mayor Smith, Councilman Roche and Councilman Smith

First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, October 27^th.

Trick or Treat – October 31, 2018 from 6 PM to 7 PM.

Special Meeting of City Council – November 5^th, 9 AM.

Mayor Smith recessed the meeting at 7:38 PM for an Executive Session. Mayor Smith reconvened the meeting at 7:49 PM.

Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:49 PM.