City of Butler

Category: Meeting Minutes

  • December 17, 2015

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania

    December 17, 2015 

    Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Kimberly VanDriel, First English Lutheran Church.

    PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

    Janet Howard is interested in leasing space to assist the community.

    Ralph D’Antonio voiced his concerns about terminating the Parking Authority.

    Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CW Readie to approve the minutes of Regular meeting of November 19, 2015. All voted aye.

    MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

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

    The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on November 15, 2015:

    Councilman Schontz made the motion to award the demolition bid and approve payment to Pat McGrady in the amount of $14,900.00 for demolition of 315 N. Monroe Street upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye. 

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

    Councilwoman Readie

    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1719, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1720, an ordinance of the City of Butler adopting the annual budget and appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the City government as set forth therein during Fiscal Year 2016.   Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1721, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the wages and salaries of employees of the City in conformance with the budget for Fiscal Year 2016. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to accept a proposal submitted by PNC Bank for a 2016 Tax Revenue Anticipation Note in the amount of $750,000.00 at an annual interest rate of 1.09% percent per annum and to adopt the Note Resolution as prepared by the City Solicitor. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve City Resolution 2015-12-17B, a resolution of the City of Butler authorizing the issuance of a Tax Revenue Anticipation Note Series 2016 in the amount of $750,000. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

    Councilman Schontz

    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1718, an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending the City’s traffic control schedule contained in Chapter 245 of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Butler by making permanent experimental regulations previously adopted by City Council on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CM May. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve City Resolution 2015 – 12 – 17 revising the City’s administrative fee schedule as of January 1, 2016. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install “Residential Parking Only” signs on Liberty from Diamond to W. Wayne Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install “No Trucks – Local Deliveries Only” signs on Franklin Street at Brady and Jefferson Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install “Notary Customers Only” sign on Jackson Street up from the corner of W. Cunningham Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install a “Stop” sign on W. New Castle Street and Jackson Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve City Resolution 2015 – 12 – 17A; a resolution of the City of Butler to request a Multimodal Transportation Fund grant of $1,198,400.00 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to be used for the Mercer Street Bridge Replacement. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to recommend amend the zoning ordinance to add multi-family dwellings as permitted uses in the C-2 Zoning District, limited to locations that do not abut Main Street. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.

    Councilman May

    1. Motion to enter into an agreement with the Butler Boys Scholastic Lacrosse Association to lease the Memorial Park Field to use as a lacrosse field for four months commencing March 16, 2016 through June 23, 2016. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to reappoint Nick Ban to the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds and Facilities Authority for a 5 year term ending January 1, 2021. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to endorse the Downtown Streetscape Design submitted by the Butler Downtown to be used as a visual plan for the downtown area. Second by Mayor Donaldson. All voted aye.

    Mayor Donaldson

    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1722; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, approving the form of a Certificate of Termination of the Parking Authority of the City of Butler, directing the Authority to file such Certificate in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; authorizing incidental action to be taken by the proper officers of the City. Second by CW Readie. CM May voiced concerns about parking authority funds possibly being misappropriated in the future. CW Readie, CM Schontz and Mayor Donaldson voted aye. CM May voted no. Motion passed.
    1. Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Sergeant Benjamin A. Spangler beginning on December 8, 2015 for a work-related injury he sustained on August 23, 2015. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Patrol Officer Travis Buckshire beginning on November 18, 2015 for a work-related injury he sustained on October 17, 2015. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to consent to the sale of 210 ½ McClain Avenue to be sold at a Judicial Tax Sale to Mark Krenitsky. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve payment to Thomas Construction, Inc. in the amount of $166,403.45 for the construction of the Centre City Parking Garage. LIN 43 463 020. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.
    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1723; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania amending Chapter 87 of the codified ordinances to add the position of a Parking Manager. Second by CW Readie. All voted aye.

    The City Treasurer presented an estimated Monthly Intake Report for November, 2015.

    The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $251,456.45; from the capital projects fund – $7,795.86; from the liquid fuels tax fund – $89,282.95; and from the 2015-Series Bond Proceeds – $196,954.48 for a grand total of $545,489.74. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CW Readie to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

    • ANNOUNCEMENTS:

    Mayor Donaldson presented keys to the city to CW Readie, CM May and Treasurer Smith and thanked them for their years of service to the city of Butler. 

    • WISR City Hall – Mayor Donaldson, Councilwoman Readie and Jim Chiprean
    • Free parking December 18th – 26th
    • City Building will be closed on December 25th and January 1st
    • January 4, 2016; 10:00 AM; Oaths of Office and Reorganization Meeting

    Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 PM.

  • November 19, 2015

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania

    November 19, 2015

    Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Sam McNamara, First Baptist Church.

    PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

    Mark Krenitsky spoke about handing out candy on Halloween, issues with trash collection and citations he received.

    Tom Graham, Butler Downtown, thanked everyone who attended the annual meeting of Butler Downtown and looks forward to 2016.

    Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CM May to approve the minutes of Regular meeting of October 24, 2015 and the special meeting of November 9, 2015. All voted aye.

    MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

    Department reports for the month of September (City Clerk) and October were approved by individual, unanimous votes.   

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

    Councilwoman Readie

    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1719, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2016. Motion to table by CW Kline.  All voted aye.  After discussion concerning the 2016 budget, motion to approve original motion by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1720, an ordinance of the City of Butler adopting the annual budget and appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the City government as set forth therein during Fiscal Year 2016.   Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1721, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the wages and salaries of employees of the City in conformance with the budget for Fiscal Year 2016.   Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to direct the City Clerk to seek proposals from financial institutions for a 2016 Tax Revenue Anticipation Note in the amount of $750,000.00.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

    Councilman Schontz

    1. Motion to approve a bid submitted by and award the Fiscal Year 2016 contract for supply of the City’s asphalt materials to:

    Wiest Asphalt Products & Paving, Inc., as follows:  9.5MM Superpave Wearing Course FOB $68.00 per ton and 19MM Superpave FOB $59.00 per ton.

    Russell Standard Corporation, as follows:  E-3 Emulsion Placed; $2.78/gallon;  $27,800.00

    Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.

    1. Motion to approve a bid submitted by and award the Fiscal Year 2016 contract for supply of the City’s limestone materials to Allegheny Mineral Corporation, as follows:    Unit Price Delivered at Job Site: #2A – 17.90 per ton; #4 – $19.10 per ton; #8 – $22.10 per ton; #57 – 18.35 per ton.   Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve a bid submitted by and award the Fiscal Year 2016 contract for supply of the  City’s petroleum products to Triangle Gasoline Company of Butler, as follows:  Unleaded $1.3293 per gallon; Diesel $1.5333 per gallon.    

    Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1718, an ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending the City’s traffic control schedule contained in Chapter 245 of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Butler by making permanent experimental regulations previously adopted by City Council on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install a Stop Sign on N. Cedar Street at the intersection of W.I.S.R. Way on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to make S. Cedar Street “One-Way” from E. Wayne Street to Quarry Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to enter into an agreement with Peoples Natural Gas Company for the restoration of Jackson Street from West Vogely Street to West Cunningham Street.

    Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

    1.  Motion to install a “Handicapped Parking Only” sign on East Cunningham Street at the intersection of East Cunningham Street and South McKean Street on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.

    Mayor Donaldson

    1. Motion to approve City Council’s 2016 meeting schedule, a copy of which will be published in a local newspaper to comply with the Sunshine Act and attached to the minutes of this meeting.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye. Download here: 2016 Butler City Council Meeting Schedule
    1. Motion to consent to the sale of 111 St. Paul Street to be sold from the Butler County Repository by the Butler County Tax Claim Bureau to Mark Krenitsky (tax parcel 562-23-218-0000). Motion to table by CW Kline.  All voted aye.  Motion tabled.
    1. Motion to consent to the sale of 323 Howard Street, 210 Freemont Street, 321 Wagner Avenue and 413 New Castle Street to be sold at a Judicial Tax Sale to Mark Krenitsky. Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve payment to Thomas Construction, Inc. in the amount of $70,417.74 for the construction of the Centre City Parking Garage.  LIN 43 463 020

    Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1722; an ordinance of the City of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania, approving the form of a Certificate of Termination of the Parking Authority of the City of Butler, directing the Authority to file such Certificate in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; authorizing incidental action to be taken by the proper officers of the City. Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

    The City Treasurer presented an estimated Monthly Intake Report for October, 2015.

    The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $310,911.72; from the capital projects fund – $60,567.74; from the liquid fuels tax fund – $25,547.34; and from the 2015-Series Bond Proceeds – $221,305.32 for a grand total of $618,332.12. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CM May to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye. 

    • ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    • WISR City Hall –   Mayor Donaldson and Councilwoman Readie
    • Institute Hill Playground Rededication – Saturday, November 21st at 11AM
    • Small Business Saturday, November 28th.
    • Spirit of Christmas Parade, November 28th at 5:30 PM
    • City Building will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th,  in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
    • Free Parking November 27th – 29th

    Mayor Donaldson recessed the meeting at 7:53 PM for an executive session.  The meeting was reconvened at 8:25 PM.

    1. CW Readie made the motion to rescind the November 9th action by Council concerning the collection of business privilege tax from employment agencies.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

    Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 8:27 PM.

  • November 9, 2015

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania

    November 9, 2015

    Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, and Schontz were present.

    City Council, acting as the Board of Health, and under the provisions of the Third Class City Code, Section XXIII, (b) Abatement of Public Nuisances, Section 2321, found the following subject structure detrimental to public health and ordered its removal by demolition:

    208 Ridge Avenue

    Motion by Mayor Donaldson. Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.

    Councilwoman Readie

    1.  Motion to authorize the continued use of the formula established by prior City Treasurers used to collect Business Privilege Tax from Specialized Staffing.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.
    1.  Motion to reimburse the Parking Authority engineering costs associated with the Centre City Parking Garage less the Parking Authority share for the costs of the hand held ticket.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

    Council discussed the 2016 budget.  Suggestions include leasing police vehicles versus purchasing.  To reduce the impact on the General Fund, it was suggesting splitting the cost of a new truck between the Liquid Fuels Tax Fund and the General Fund.  There is a repair expense of $14,000 for the ladder truck and also an expense of $6,000 to match a $127,000 grant that need added to the fire department for the 2016 budget.

    Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 11:56 AM.

  • October 22, 2015

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania

    October 22, 2015

    Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, Schontz and May were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Jeff Harris, Crossroad Community.

    COMMERCIAL PRIDE AWARD:

    Reclamation Brewing Company – 221 S. Main Street

    Motion by CM May with second from CW Readie to approve the minutes of Regular meeting of September 24, 2015 and the special meeting of October 8, 2015. All voted aye.

    MONTHLY & ANNUAL 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.  Monthly reports from the City Clerk and the City Treasurer will be distributed once the monthly cash audit has been completed.

    The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on October 20, 2015:

    Veronica Walker, Operations Manager of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler briefed Council and the public on the 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application at a Public Hearing held at 6:15 PM.

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

    Councilwoman Readie

    1. Motion to approve distribution of 2015 State Aid for pension plans as follows:  to the Firefighters Pension Plan – $168,046.00, to the Police Pension Plan – $222,266.00 and to the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan – $9,595.14, with the total amount of 2015 State Aid distributed to pension plans being $399,925.14. Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to pay $13,132.86 from the General Fund to the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan to fill the requirement for the 2015 MMO. Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to pay the first installment of the 2015 small borrowing loan to NexTier in the amount of $188,360.93.  $187,500.00 – LIN 01 472 913 – Principal:  $860.93 – LIN 01 472 914 – Interest. Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    2. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2015-10-22 approving the City’s Community Development Block Grant Application for FY 2015. Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2015-10-22A, a resolution to revise the 2012 CDBG Program as follows:  Reduce the Parks, Recreation Facilities – Rotary Park line item by $681 and reallocate the same amount to the Street Improvement – Reconstruction line item. Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2015-10-22B, a resolution to revise the 2013 CDBG Program as follows:  Reduce the Streets Improvements – Infrastructure line item by $47,308.55 and reallocate the same amount to the Street Improvement – Reconstruction line item.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to appoint Kerry Hornyak as the Administrative Assistant beginning November 29, 2015.  Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

    Councilman Schontz

    1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1717; an ordinance of the city of Butler, Pennsylvania amending chapter 57 of the codified ordinances to add a temporary window expiring December 31, 2015 to allow participants to purchase up to three years of part time service to be credited as service under the pension plan.  Second by CW Kline.  CM Schontz voted aye.  CW Readie, CW Kline, CM May and Mayor Donaldson voted no.  Motion defeated.
    1. Motion to install “Residential Parking Only” signs on the west side of Pillow Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenue on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install “Residential Parking Only” signs on Birch Street between Cliff Street and McKean Street on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by Mayor Donaldson.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on the eastern corner of the alley between Wallula & West Boyd Avenues on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on Mercer Street, 50 feet from the corner of West Brady Street on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to install 2 “Watch Children” signs on Colby Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

    Mayor Donaldson

    1. Motion to authorize a refund of excess business privilege tax paid by the Rite Aid Corporation to the City of Butler for the period from 2012 to 2015 in the amount of $54,810.14.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.
    2. Motion to consent to the sale of 210 South Street for $2,211.00 to be sold from the Butler County Repository by the Butler County Tax Claim Bureau to Nancy Claypoole (tax parcel 561-37-145).  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to draft a boilerplate agreement to be used for selling police services to outlying municipalities.  Second by CW Kline.  CW Readie, CW Kline, CM Schontz and Mayor Donaldson voted aye.  CM May voted no.  Motion passed by a vote of 4 to 1.
    1.  Motion to authorize the hiring of one entry-level police officer per any vacancy that occurs prior to December 31, 2015.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.
    1.  Motion to appeal the reassessment of the Broad Street School property.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

    The City Treasurer presented an estimated Monthly Intake Report for September, 2015.

    In absence of the City Controller, the City Clerk, presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $815,440.66; from the capital projects fund – $25,546.67; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $2,640.25 for a grand total of $843,627.58. Motion by Mayor Donaldson with second from CW Readie to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.   

    • ANNOUNCEMENTS:
    • WISR City Hall –   Mayor Donaldson and Councilman Schontz.
    • Reminder for residents to display house numbers.
    • Veterans’ Day Parade – Wednesday, November 11th at 10:40 AM  
    • City Building will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans’ Day
    • Trick or Treat – October 31st from 6PM – 7PM

    Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:42 PM.

  • October 8, 2015

    MINUTES

    Special Joint Meeting of City Council & Butler Township Commissioners

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania

    October 8, 2015     6:30 PM

    Mayor Donaldson called the meeting to order at 6:32 PM.  Mayor Donaldson and Council members Readie, Kline, and May were present.

    Commissioner Hasychak, Commissioner Zarnick and Commissioner Zurzolo were present.

    Mayor Donaldson asked that the following motions be presented prior to the joint meeting with Butler Township Commissioners.

    Councilwoman Readie

    1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2015-10-08; a resolution of the City of Butler appointing Debbie Oyler as an authorized representative to make requests upon and receive any and all tax information and records from Berkheimer, relative to the collection of taxes for the Taxing Authorities within the Butler County Tax Collection District, as directed and deemed necessary, to be used for official purposes only.  

    Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

    1. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2015-10-08A; the City of Butler’s Fair Housing Resolution.  Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

    Mayor Donaldson

    1. Motion for the adoption of City Ordinance No. 1716; an ordinance increasing the indebtedness of the City of Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania by the issue of a Guaranty of a Credit Facility to be provided to the Butler City Parks, Recreation and Facilities Authority in the amount of $325,000.00 for the purpose of purchasing Kelly Automotive Park.  Second by CW Readie.  All voted aye.
    1. Motion to enter into a security agreement with International Public Management Association for Human Resources and assigning as agent, Bill Gamble, Police and Fire Testing Consultant, for the purpose of police and fire promotions testing. Second by CM May.  All voted aye.

    After city business was completed, discussions between council and the commissioners included new development, shared services for street repair and paving, the city’s part-time police program and forming a committee for the fireworks display for the 4th of July.

    Mayor Donaldson adjourned the meeting at 7:54 PM.