Category: Meeting Minutes

 

Mayor Stock called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.  Mayor Stock and Council members

Scott, Kline, Schontz and Guard were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Steve Ogle, Community Life Church.

 

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:      

 

Denny Offstein – Mr. Offstein thanked all the supporters of the K-9 Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser.

 

Norma Norris (Candle, Inc.) – thanked the community for the support of the K-9 Program.

 

Dave Tack (Stand Tall Program) – thanked the community for support of the K-9 Program.

  

Motion by CW Guard with second from CM Schontz to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 22, 2013.

 

 

 

 

All department reports for the month of January were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

 

 Councilwoman Scott

 

1.       Motion to approve a payment in the amount of $191,133.69 to Wells Fargo Bank     for debt service for the City’s 2005 general obligation bonds. (Note:  This      payment includes principal of $150,000.00 and interest of $41,133.69)

Second by Mayor Stock.  All voted aye.

 

2.       Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a general obligation loan of   $125,000 for street paving payable in 2013 and 2014.  Second by CW Guard.      All voted aye.

 

3.       Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a general obligation loan       not to exceed $60,000 for the purchase of police cruisers payable in 2013 and    2014. Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

 

4.       Motion to exonerate the City Treasurer from collection of the 2012 Real Estate        Taxes due to the City of Butler for the property known as 316 South Chestnut           Street in the approximate amount of $49.99. The property is vacant land that has   become titled in the Housing Authority of the County of Butler.  Second by Mayor   Stock.  All voted aye.

 

5.       Motion to ratify and keep current Investment Policy Statements for the City’s           three pension funds    that were initially adopted on May 23, 2002. (Note: Asset      allocation targets for the plans are:   equities – 50 to 70%; fixed income – 30 to      45%; and cash equivalents – 0 to 15%.)  Second by CW Guard.  All voted aye.

 

 

Councilwoman Kline

 

6.       Motion to promote Driver Robert Dougherty to the rank of Lieutenant within the Bureau of Fire. No second.  Motion to table by CW Guard.  Second by CW Scott.              CW Scott, CM Schontz, CW Guard and Mayor Stock voted aye.  CW Kline   voted no. Motion tabled.

 

7.       Motion to promote Hoseman Dean Selfridge to the rank of Driver within the        Bureau of Fire.  No Second.  Motion to table by CW Guard. Second by CW Scott.              CW Scott, CM Schontz, CW Guard and Mayor Stock voted aye.  CW Kline   voted no. Motion tabled.

 

CW Guard stated:  “The structure of the fire department as it pertains to shifts and/or staffing could be significantly changed in the short term future depending on the outcome of the current arbitration.  I appreciate that these individuals have worked to meet the requirements for the said promotions, but I feel it’s important to know the structure of the department will continue to support these roles.”

 

 

 

Councilman Schontz

 

8.       Motion to recommend to the City Planning Commission that the zoning for parcel     number 563-6-227 located at 231 West Wayne Street, which currently lies in three zoning districts; M-1, C-2 and R-2, be changed entirely to M-1.  Second by CW       Kline.  All voted aye.

 

9.       Motion to install an “Entering the City of Butler” sign on the corner of Muntz             Avenue and South Main Street to designate the Butler City line.  Second by CW            Kline.  All voted aye.

 

10.      Motion to award the demolition of 319 ½ E. Jefferson Street and 112 Garfield         Avenue to A. P. Wise, Excavating in the amount of $11,740.00, based upon the           general specifications of the contract and the release by the City Solicitor.             Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

Councilwoman Guard

 

11.      Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids to replace the exhaust system   in the Public Safety Building.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

 

Mayor Stock

 

12.      Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1669.  An          Ordinance of the City of Butler to amend Chapter 52 (Officers and employees);         Article 1 (City Treasurer) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler to add § 52-4 First Deputy to the Treasurer.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

 

13.       Motion to reject the bids for the purchase of police cruisers.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

 

 

14.       Motion to direct the City Clerk to re-advertise for bids for the purchase of two or three police cruisers.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

 

15.       Motion to appoint Keytex Energy Solutions LLC to continue as the City’s agent for the purpose of obtaining Electric Generation Service contingent upon final review and approval of the contract by the Solicitor. Second by CW Guard.  All voted aye.

 

 

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for January, 2013.

 

 

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $524,269.90; from the capital projects fund – $3,034.56; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $5,565.57 for a grand total of $532,870.03. Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CW Kline to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

 

 

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

MS4 announcement

WISR City Hall –  CW Cheri Scott  

 

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:51 PM.

 

Mayor Stock called the meeting to order at 7:01PM.  Mayor Stock and Council members

Scott, Kline, Schontz and Guard were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Dan Ledford, Westminster Presbyterian Church.

 

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:      

 

George Schroth – K-9 fundraiser to be held on February 23, 2013 from 2 PM until 7 PM to support the City of Butler Police K-9 program.  It will be held at the Tanglewood Center which also will be having an open house that day.

 

Mark Krenitsky – questioned if Butler required non-profit organizations to meet the 5 criteria needed to be tax-exempt.

 

Motion by CM Schontz with second from CW Kline to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 20, 2012.

 

 

All department reports for the month of December and 2012 year-end reports were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

 

 Councilwoman Scott

 

1.  Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1668, 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 a settlement agreement between the City of Butler and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 114 dated January 25, 2011.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

 

 

2.   Motion to approve payment to the Butler Area Public Library in the amount of    $32,213.59 that represents the proceeds from the City’s 2012 library tax.

LIN 01 456 540. Second by CW Guard.  All voted aye.

 

 

3.    Motion to designate Mr. Arthur G. Cordwell as the City’s fair housing officer for             2013.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

 

 

Councilman Schontz

 

4.    Based on recommendation from her chain of command and satisfactory     completion of her probationary period, motion to grant permanent part-time             employment status as of December 26, 2012 to Barbara Foster. Second by CW Guard.  All voted aye.

 

5.   Motion to award the demolition of 522 W. Brady Street to A. P. Wise in the amount of $6,990.00 based upon the specifications of the contract and the release by the City Solicitor. Second by Mayor Stock.  All voted aye.

 

Councilwoman Guard

 

      6.   Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2013-01-24; the City of Butler agrees to   comply with the requirements of the Butler County Parks Renovation Program for          the purpose of obtaining grant funds for the renovation of the Whippo Avenue       Playground.   Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

 

7.   Motion to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and deliver a Gas Pipeline Agreement to Phillips TWP through Ritts Park for the purpose of             replacing an existing gas line for a stated consideration of $2,282.00. Second by   Mayor Stock.  All voted aye.

 

Mayor Stock

 

8.  Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1669.  An Ordinance of the City of Butler to amend Chapter 52 (Officers and employees); Article 1 (City Treasurer) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler to add § 52-4 First Deputy to the Treasurer.  Second by CW Kline.  All voted aye.

 

9.   Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of   his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as of January 16, 2013 to Patrol Officer Nathan Shulik.  Second by CM Schontz.  All voted aye.

 

10. Motion to direct the city clerk to advertise for bids for the purchase of two or three police cruisers.  Second by CW Scott.  All voted aye.

 

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for December, 2012.

 

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $329,749.81; from the capital projects fund – $300.00; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $59,301.35 for a grand total of $389,351.16. Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CW Scott to approve payment of bills as presented.  All voted aye.

 

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MS4 announcement

WISR City Hall –   Mayor Stock

 

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:30 PM.

CM Schontz gave the motion to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 15, 2012. Second from CW Scott.   All voted aye.

The following actions took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on December 18, 2012:

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 structures detrimental to public health and order their removal by demolition:

310 N. Cliff Street

138 Standard Avenue

Motion by Mayor Stock. Second by CM Schontz.   All voted aye.

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

 

All department reports for the month of November, 2012 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

 

Councilwoman Scott

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1664, an Ordinance of the City of Butler amending the exemption schedule for businesses within the City of Butler which would otherwise be subject to the business privilege tax or mercantile tax. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1665, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2013. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1666, 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 2013. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.
2. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1667, 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 2013.   Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

5.   Motion to accept a proposal submitted by NexTier Bank for a 2013 Tax Revenue Anticipation Note in the amount of $600,000 at an annual interest rate of 1.48% percent per annum. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

6.   Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1668, 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 a settlement agreement between the City of Butler and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 114 dated January 25, 2011. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

7.   Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2012-12-20; granting the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler approval for revisions of CDBG grants for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 programs. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

Councilwoman Kline

 

8.   Motion to switch the City’s telephone service from Consolidated Communications to the Armstrong Group of Companies beginning January, 2013. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

Councilman Schontz

 

     9.   Motion to reappoint John Evans to the Butler Transit Authority for a five year term which expires December 31, 2017. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

10.  Motion to install 2 stop signs on School Street at the intersection of School and Peach Streets on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

11. Motion to reappoint John Mossman to the BAMM Plan for a five year term which expires January 1, 2018. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

Mayor Stock

 

12.   Motion to reappoint Robert Cupps to the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds & Facilities Authority for a five year term ending January 1, 2018. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

13.   Motion to accept the resignation from Perry O’Malley from the City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds & Facilities Authority whose term expires January 1, 2016. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

14. Motion to accept the Act 111 Interest Arbitration Award for the City of Butler   Bureau of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #32. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

15. Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of    his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as of December 5, 2012 to Patrol Officer Caleb Forsythe. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

16. Motion to approve City Council’s 2013 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 Scott. All voted aye.

17. Motion to appoint Robert Swartz to the Butler Area Sewer Authority for a five year term which expires December 31, 2017. Second by CW Kline. CW Scott, CW Kline and CM Schontz voted aye. Mayor Stock voted no.

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for November, 2012.

Beginning January 1, 2013, the monthly parking permits are nonrefundable.

The City Clerk in absence of the City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $278,198.79 from the capital projects fund – $39,346.83; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $27,626.00 for a grand total of $345,171.62. Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CM Schontz to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WISR City Hall – Mayor Stock

City Building closed on December 25^th and January 1^st

Ringing in The Arts – December 31^st

January 1, 2013 – Vogel Disposal will not pick up electronics.

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:24 PM.

 

 

All department reports for the month of October, 2012 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

 

Councilwoman Scott

 

1. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1664, an Ordinance of the City of Butler amending the exemption schedule for businesses within the City of Butler which would otherwise be subject to the business privilege tax or mercantile tax. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

2. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1665, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2013. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

 

3. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1666, 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 2013. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

4. Motion for the introduction and first reading of City Ordinance No. 1667, 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 2013.   Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Schontz

 

5. Motion to approve a bid submitted by and award the Fiscal Year 2013 contract for supply of the City’s asphalt materials to Wiest Asphalt Products & Paving, Inc., as follows:

9.5MM Superpave Wearing Course FOB $70.00 per ton; 19MM Superpave FOB $60.00 per ton and to Russell Standard Corp; E-3 Emulsion Placed $2.4668/gallon. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

 

6. Motion to approve a bid submitted by and award the Fiscal Year 2013 contract for supply of the City’s limestone materials to Allegheny Mineral Corp. as follows:

#2A – 17.50 per ton; #4 – 18.00 per ton; #8 – 20.50 per ton; #57 – 18.50 per ton

Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

7. Motion to approve a bid submitted by and award the Fiscal Year 2013 contract for supply of the City’s petroleum products to Triangle Gasoline Company of Butler as follows:

Unleaded $3.047 per gallon; Diesel $3.529 per gallon.   Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

8. Motion to approve payment to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $12,780.00 for the demolition of 620 Eau Claire Street and 112 Cross Street upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. LIN 18 427 221 Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

Councilwoman Guard

 

9. Motion to Approve an Agreement between the City of Butler and the Butler Freeport Trail Commission authorizing the Butler Freeport Trail Commission, at its sole expense, to install a parking lot and related amenities in Father Marinaro Park for the purpose of providing parking for users of the Butler Freeport Trail. This motion is contingent upon final review and approval of the construction specifications by the City Engineer and review and approval of the Development Agreement by the City Solicitor. Upon completion of the parking lot, control and perpetual maintenance of the lot shall be performed by the City. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

 

Mayor Stock

 

10. Motion to deposit Impact Fee (PUC) monies into the Capital Projects Fund to help offset the cost for infrastructure repairs and street paving. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

 

PERSONS TO BE HEARD: 

 

Greg Sloan – Butler Area Public Library; appreciation for continued support from the City.

 

Mary Dahl, Mary Inakavadze, Chattele Melnick, Mercedes Dahl – voiced concerns about permits for billboards on East Jefferson Street.

                       

           

CM Schontz gave the motion to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 27, 2012. Second from CW Scott.   All voted aye.

 

 

The following actions took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on October 25, 2012:

 

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 structures detrimental to public health and order their removal by demolition:

 

433 Mercer Street

553 West Brady Street

415 Hazel Avenue

204 Tenth Avenue

551 West Brady Street

 

Motion by Mayor Stock. Second by CM Schontz.   All voted aye.

 

 

MONTHLY & ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

 

All department reports for the month of September, 2012 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

 COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

 

Councilman Schontz

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1661 amending the City’s traffic control schedules contained in Chapter 245 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler by making permanent experimental regulations previously adopted by City Council on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1662 amending Chapter 142; Food handling, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler by adding the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture which are issued under the Retail Food Facilities Safety Act of 2010. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion to accept an offer of $2,100.00 for the right-of-way required by PennDOT for the Kittanning Street Bridge Project. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion to purchase a streets department truck from the Costars program using Liquid Fuels funds. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

 

Mayor Stock

 

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1658; amending Chapter 192 – Peace and Good Order of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Butler by adding Article V; BYOB Clubs – to establish regulations for the operation of BYOB Clubs. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1659; amending Chapter 192 – Peace and Good Order of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Butler by adding Article VI; Illicit Sales – to define the use of real estate for illicit sales and establishing penalties relating to illicit sales. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1660; amending Chapter 192 – Peace and Good Order of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Butler by adding Article VII; Loitering – to define loitering and establishing penalties relating to loitering. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1663; amending Chapter 192 – Peace and Good Order; Article III, Disorderly House by replacing with Disruptive Properties. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

1. Motion to terminate the city’s agreement with Triangle Pet Animal Control Service Co., Inc. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye. 

 

10.  Motion to enter into an agreement with the Butler County Humane Society for the option to surrender stray dogs and cats found in the city of Butler to the BCHS. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

 

 

The City Treasurer presented Council with the Account Balance Report and the Monthly Intake Report for September, 2012.

 

The City Clerk in absence of the City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $226,319.80 from the capital projects fund – $28,671.00; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $4,822.09 for a grand total of $259,812.89. Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CW Scott to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

 

 

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

WISR City Hall – Mayor Stock

Trick or Treat – October 31, 2012; Main Street 5PM-6PM; Residential 6PM – 7PM

Extra Mile Day – November 1, 2012

Kudos:            Chris Zeigler – Butler-Freeport Trail

                        Children of First United Methodist Church – support for K-9

                        CW Guard/CW Kline – Monster Splash

Veterans’ Day Parade – November 12, 2012; 10:45 AM

 

 

 

 

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:42 PM.