City of Butler

Category: Meeting Minutes

  • October 8, 2019

    MINUTES
    City Council Meeting
    City of Butler, Pennsylvania
    October 8, 2019

    Minutes will be posted after approval by council during the next council meeting.

    Agenda 8 Oct 2019

  • September 26, 2019

    MINUTES
    City Council Meeting
    City of Butler, Pennsylvania
    September 26, 2019

    Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, and Smith were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Theo Edwards, First Baptist Church.

    PRESENTATIONS

    Chris Marlar, City of Butler’s Emergency Management Coordinator said the City’s emergency texts would fall under the County’s Code Red Alert system. The City is interested in email alerts that would not be emergency alerts and could not be done in conjunction with the County’s system.

    Mr. Marlar also announced that there will be flood training for residents on October 19th and November 2nd from 10 am until noon at the Public Safety Building.

    Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 10, 2019. 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 of the City’s boards and authorities gave a brief report from the board or authority that met in August.

    MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

    (Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council electronically)

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

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

     Councilman Walter

    1. Motion to approve distribution of 2019 State Aid for pension plans as follows: to the Firefighters Pension Plan – $231,036.92, to the Police Pension Plan – $193,856.99 and to the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan – $56,433.00, with the total amount of 2019 State Aid distributed to pension plans being $481,326.91. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to approve payment from the General Fund for pension plan as follows: to the Police Pension Plan – $88,223.01, to satisfy the 2019 MMO. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

    Mayor Smith

    1. Motion to adopt the updated Residential Anti-Displacement, Acquisition, Demolition, and Relocation Assistance Plan. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to adopt and incorporate the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) “Housing Rehab Guidebook Standards”. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    3. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2019-09-26, a resolution approving documents related to the continuation of the Sullivan Run Channel Improvement Project with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of General Services. Second by CM Walter.  All voted aye.
    4. Motion to approve the conditional hiring of Korey Zarnick for patrol officer to fill a vacancy in the Butler City Police Department created by the resignation of Patrol Officer Daniel J. Rote. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

    The City Treasurer presented a monthly intake report for August, 2019.

    In the absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $673,968.05; from the parking fund – $29,310.12; from the capital projects fund – $138,803.99; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $27,800.79; for a grand total of $869,882.95. 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
    • First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, September 28th
    • Citizens Fire Academy – The Butler Township Volunteer Fire District and the City of Butler Bureau of Fire are offering a Citizens Fire Academy beginning October 16 through November 18.
    • PERSONS TO BE HEARD

    Mark Krenitsky said the tax sale was one of the best.

    Ralph D’Antonio presented two proposals to council. After he explained the structure for the treasurer’s wages, he proposed that council reduce the wages from $18,000 per year to $5,000 per year.  Previously the wage structure was $6,000 for City, $6,000 for School and $6,000 for Parking Authority.  His second proposal was to eliminate the position of Parking Manager. 

    Mayor Smith recessed the meeting at 7:55 PM for an executive session to discuss collective bargaining, real estate and a personnel issue.

    Mayor Smith reconvened the meeting at 8:49 PM.

    In accordance with the provisions of Section 10801 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes – Title 11, motion by Mayor Smith to appoint Fred Reese to the position of City Council to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Corey Roche for a term to expire on the first Monday in January, 2020.   Second by CM Walter.     All voted aye.

    Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:54 PM.

    Agenda 26 Sept 2019

  • September 10, 2019

    MINUTES
    City Council Meeting
    City of Butler, Pennsylvania
    September 10, 2019

    Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter and Smith were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor David Janz, First United Methodist Church.

    Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 22, 2019. All voted aye.

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

    Councilman Walter

    1. Motion to direct the City Clerk to seek proposals for limestone and asphalt for Fiscal Year 2020 with such proposals due not later than 2:00 PM on November 4th. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for the 2001 GMC Dump Truck, 2002 GMC Dump Truck, 2005 Ford F-550 and the 1999 OBD Leaf Collection Model LCT 650 with 3 collection boxes from the City’s streets department. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    3. Motion to accept the quote from Imperial Truck Body & Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of a stainless steel imperial dump body in the amount of $14,375.00 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #014-7110). LIN 35 430 429. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    4. Motion to accept the quote from Stephenson Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of a 9 foot Western Pro Plus Snowplow in the amount of $5,364.00 for use by the streets department to be paid in part from a donation from The Italian Society of Butler and the remainder to be paid from the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund. LIN 35 430 429. . (Costars contract #025-021).  Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.
    5. Motion to accept the quote from Stephenson Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of hydraulics in the amount of $10,165.00 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #025-021). LIN 35 430 429. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    6. Motion to approve payment to Bauer Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $19,500.00 for the Sullivan Run Stream Cleaning Project. LIN 18 427 770.  Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

    Councilman Smith

    1. Motion to enter into an agreement with CodeRED to provide emergency and critical communications to area citizens, at a cost of $4,000 per year. LIN 01 XXX XXX. Second by Mayor Smith.

    CM Smith motioned to amend the motion. Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

    Motion to enter into an agreement with CodeRED to provide emergency and other information to area citizens, at a cost of $4,000 per year to be effective January 1, 2020. Line item to be determined.  Second by Mayor Smith.  CM Walter voted no.  CM Smith and Mayor Smith voted aye.  Motion failed.

    1. Motion to transfer $960.00 donated by JMAC Cycling from the General Fund to the Father Marinaro Park fund. Second by Mayor Smith.

    CM Smith motioned to amend the motion. Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

    Motion to transfer $960.00 donated by JMAC Cycling from general fund operating revenues into LIN 01 399 701, Butler City Parks.  Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

    1. Motion to approve agreement with St Luke Lutheran Church to hold a “Trunk or Treat” event at Father Marinaro Park on October 26th. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

    Mayor Smith

    1. Motion to accept the resignation of Patrol Officer Daniel J. Rote from the Butler City Police Department effective September 22, 2019. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for sale one used 2008 Chevy Impala from the City’s Bureau of Police. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    3. Motion to accept a 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $68,190.47 for vehicle rescue equipment. As a condition of the grant, the city is required to contribute a 5% match, or $3,409.53, for a total project cost of $71,600.00. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    4. Motion to approve the conditional hiring of two part-time firefighters from the 2019 Civil Service Examinations Certified List. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

    In the absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $188,072.71; from the parking fund – $7,368.20; from the capital projects fund – $22,813.47; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $83,145.01; for a grand total of $301,399.39. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Walter to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

    • ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Trick or Treat – October 31st from 6PM until 7PM.

    Jimmy Chiprean read a tribute about Guy Travaglio.

    PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

    Bill Criley clarified his complaint at the August 6th meeting was about the lack of enforcement of city code rather than a specific street.  He also spoke about public perception on Main Street and suggested the police patrol the district on foot.  Chief O’Neill responded that all officers are required to spend a portion of their shift patrolling Main Street on foot.

    Dane Winkler suggested the businesses that work on Main Street are arts, entertainment and restaurants. He praised the current city council for maintaining the staffing for police and fire.  Mr. Winkler asked about hiring a city manager and said there had been one a few years ago (Becky Smith).  He praised the professionalism of Jeremy Walters for an incident he witnessed concerning the police.

    Mayor Smith recessed the meeting at 7:41 PM for an executive session to discuss collective bargaining.

    Mayor Smith reconvened the meeting at 7:57 PM.

    Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:58 PM.

    Agenda 10-Sept-19

  • August 22, 2019

    MINUTES
    City Council Meeting
    City of Butler, Pennsylvania
    August 22, 2019

    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 Fr. David Hicks, St. Peter’s Anglican Church.

    PRESENTATIONS

    Carrie Troutman, Mockenhaupt Benefits Group presented a summary of the 2019 Actuarial Valuation Reports

    Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 6, 2019. 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 of the City’s boards and authorities gave a brief report from the board or authority that met in July.

    MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

    (Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council electronically)

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

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

     Councilman Walter

    1. Motion to approve the 2020 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the City’s three pension plans as follows: for the Firefighters Pension Plan – $368,333 and for the Police Pension Plan – $359,859 and the Officers and Employees Pension Plan – $92,772. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    2. Motion for the approval and adoption of City Resolution No. 2018-08-22, a resolution of the City of Butler authorizing the destruction of records maintained by the Office of the City Treasurer pursuant to the Municipal Records Manual of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.

    Councilman Smith

    1. Motion to approve payment for the Tier Garage Sidewalk Improvements Project to Troy Jay Construction, Inc. in the amount of $28,216.00. LIN 05 448 241. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to approve an agreement in the amount of $700.00 per year with Johnson Controls for emergency exit lights in the Centre City Parking Garage to be paid from the Parking Fund. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.

    Councilman Bonus

    1. Motion to direct the City Clerk to request that 1,000 ton be included with Butler Township’s RFP for road salt. The City would commit to purchasing 1,000 ton of road salt to be paid from the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund contingent upon the cost being less than the Costars 2019-2020 Contract. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to approve a request by G. Nick Ban, Jr. for a refund of $598.85 ($600.00 less postage fee of $1.15) for his Conditional Use application fee, as he has withdrawn his application. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    3. Motion to approve the bid from Baierl Ford (Costars #025-125) in the amount of $50,238.00 for a 2019 Ford F-550 truck for the Streets Department to be paid in part from a donation from the French and Belgian Club and the Italian Society of Butler and the remainder to be paid from the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund. LIN 35 430 429. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

    Mayor Smith

    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1777; An ordinance of the City of Butler amending part three, Chapter 57 (Firefighters Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to incorporate plan changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations during fiscal year 2018; to increase plan member years of credited service purchase price from three percent of a participant’s current compensation to five percent. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to approve a Judicial Sale of the property located at 709 East Pearl Street.  Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.
    3. Motion to approve a Judicial Sale of the property located at 503 Peach Street.  Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.
    4. Motion to approve a Judicial Sale of the property located at Lot 64, Bluff Alley. Second by CM Bonus. All voted aye.

    The City Treasurer presented a monthly intake report for July, 2019.

    The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $106,334.15; from the parking fund – $57,022.06; from the capital projects fund – $66,780.87; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $3,113.25; and from the 2015-Series Bonds Proceeds – $32,358.88 for a grand total of $265,609.21. 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, Councilman Smith
    • First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, August 24th
    • City Building will be closed Monday, September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.
    • “Clean-curb Saturday” – August 31st  Councilman Roche announced his resignation as of August 31, 2019.   Council is accepting letters of interest to fill his seat for 2019. Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:57 PM.

    Agenda 22-Aug-19

     

  • August 6, 2019

    MINUTES
    City Council Meeting
    City of Butler, Pennsylvania
    August 6, 2019

    Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, Smith, and Roche were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Steve Ogle, Community Life Church.

    Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Roche to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 25, 2019. All voted aye.

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

    Councilman Smith

    1. Motion to approve an agreement with the Butler Midget Football League for the 2019 season. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to approve payment for application #3, to Fuller Home Building, Inc. in the amount of $40,329.50 for the Roof Replacement Project. LIN 18 469 463. Second by CM Walter.  All voted aye.

    Councilman Roche

    1. Motion to approve the retirement of Lieutenant Robert Dougherty from the Butler Bureau of Fire effective August 25, 2019. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to promote Firefighter Michael Huey to the rank of Lieutenant within the Butler Bureau of Fire effective August 25, 2019. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

    Mayor Smith

    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1776; an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 69; Purchasing of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    2. Motion to accept the bid from Otis Elevator Company in the amount of $61,917.00 for repairs to the elevator in the Tier Parking Garage. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    3. Motion to accept the resignation of Patrol Officer Jessy R. Carter from the Butler City Police Department effective August 5, 2019. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
    4. Motion to approve the conditional hiring of Jacob May for patrol officer to fill a vacancy in the Butler City Police Department created by the resignation of Patrol Officer Jessy Carter. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

    APPOINTMENTS:

    Kate Selfridge has resigned from the Shade Tree Commission.

    Stephanie Wilczynski has been appointed to the Shade Tree Commission to fill the term of Kate Selfridge which will expire June 30, 2021.

    In the absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $149,160.95; from the parking fund – $4,711.45; from the capital projects fund – $40,329.50; from the liquid fuels tax fund – $15,547.03; and from 2015-Series Bonds Proceeds – $32,358.88; for a grand total of $242,107.81. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Walter to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

    PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

    Bill Criley spoke about the damage on Christie Avenue due to a street opening by the water company. The City has failed to inspect these street openings to have utility companies repair the damage. Chapter 232 Streets and Sidewalks; Article VI Excavations and Openings; § 232-34 Guarantee; corrections and restoration.

    Mayor Smith recessed the meeting at 7:12 PM for an executive session to discuss a personnel issue.

    Mayor Smith reconvened the meeting at 7:13 PM.

    Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:15 PM.

    Agenda 6 August 19