January 23, 2020

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MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
January 23, 2020

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 Steve Ogle, Community Life Church.

Mayor Smith requested a moment of silence in remembrance and honor of Dale Pinkerton.

PRESENTATIONS:

Kailyn Golding requested council to approve a tobacco-free policy for the City’s playgrounds and parks.

Eric Lamb, Hercules LED, LLC, presented a proposal to replace all the lights with LED fixtures in the public safety building and the city building.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Bonus to approve the minutes of the reorganization meeting of January 6, 2020 with the following correction to a clerical error – Remove Butler Township-City Joint Municipal Transit Authority from No. 3; City Council Liaison Appointments, as the Authority no longer exists. 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 December.

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council electronically)

Department reports for the month of December and 2019 year-end reports were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

Chief Switala presented Captain Marshall, Firefighter Tim Iman and Firefighter Zach Pfeifer “stork” pins for delivering a baby in January while on duty.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilman Walter

  1. Motion to approve payment to the Butler Area Public Library in the amount of $31,490.03 that represents the proceeds from the City’s 2019 library tax.

LIN 01 456 540. Second by Mayor Smith. CM Walter, Smith, Dandoy and Mayor Smith voted aye.  CM Bonus abstained.

  1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1784, an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Ordinance No. 1781; fixing the wages and salaries of employees of the City in conformance with the budget for Fiscal Year 2020. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Smith

  1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2020-01-23, a resolution adopting a Tobacco and Nicotine-Free Policy for the City of Butler Parks and Playgrounds. Second by CM Bonus. CM Walter, Smith, Dandoy and Bonus voted aye. Mayor Smith voted no.
  2. Motion to accept the Hercules LED proposal for retrofitting the lights at the City Building and the Public Safety Building contingent upon Hercules LED and the city solicitor developing a final agreement. Second by CM Bonus.  All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus

  1. Motion to approve the retirement of Joseph Neigh, Plumbing Inspector, effective April 5, 2020, after 16 years of service. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Dandoy

  1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1783, an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Part Three, Chapter 57 (Firefighter Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to incorporate plan changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations during the fiscal year 2019. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to approve the implementation of Agenda Guidelines, effective January 23, 2020, as follows:
  3. Meeting agendas will be disseminated to Council and posted no later than         72 hours before each meeting, except for Special Meetings.  Special meeting       agendas will be disseminated to Council and posted as soon as reasonable     under the circumstances.
  4. The first order of business will be the approval of the meeting agenda.
  5. Once the meeting agenda is approved, it can only be amended upon motion     and unanimous approval of Council.

Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

Mayor Smith

  1. Motion to accept the bid from Tri-Star Motors in the amount of $33,235.00 for the purchase of (1) one 2020 Ford Interceptor SUV to be used in the police department.

(Costars Contract #013-146)  LIN 01 410 270.  Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

  1. Motion to accept the bid from Ibis Tek, Inc. in the amount of $2,327.00 for the upfitting of the 2020 Ford Interceptor SUV to be used in the police department. Second by CM Walter.  All voted aye.
  2. In accordance with the provisions of §10802 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 11, motion to appoint Barbara E. Hall to the position of City Controller and to a term of office that shall run through January 2022. (Note: The next municipal election is in November 2021, and the term of office for the person elected to the position of City Controller at that time shall run from January 2022 to January 2026.)   Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

The City Treasurer presented a Monthly Intake Report for December, 2019.

In the absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $290,178.99; from the parking fund – $29,868.49; from the capital projects fund – $316,282.36; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $39,073.65; for a grand total of $675,403.49. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Dandoy to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

As part of an ongoing education plan, we would like to remind local residents to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for salting driveways and sidewalks. If too much salt is applied, it will runoff into the storm sewer system and impact our local waterways. Please keep the de-icing materials away from landscaping and keep it isolated to the walkway or driveway. Also, if you change the fluids in your automobile, please recycle the used oil and other automotive fluids at participating service stations. Do not dump these chemicals down the storm drains or dispose of them in the trash. If you want to temporarily store any of these chemicals on your property, just make sure that they are in sealed containers that will not rust or leak and try to keep them in a dry place.

  • WISR City Hall – Mayor Smith and Councilman Smith
  • First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, January 25th

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Everett Roy and Ryan Fichter spoke about the non-profit organization that has been established in honor of Mr. Mac Miller and Mr. Nip$ey Hu$$le, called “Butler PA Hip Hop and Rap Community”.  Their goal is to give back to the greater Butler community.  Concerts are held at the Arts Center (AABC) on S. Main Street.

Mayor Smith recessed the meeting at 8:17 PM to have an executive session to discuss personnel issues.

Mayor Smith reconvened the meeting at 8:36 PM.

Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:37 PM.

Agenda for 23 JAN 20

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