Category: Meeting Minutes

Council went through each line item in the budget. The initial draft budget increased debt service tax from 6.25 mills to 12.75 mills; to cover 3 police cruisers, 1 parks department truck, street paving, Main Street lighting, fill the pool in Memorial Park, construct a pole building in the parks department and storm sewer repairs. Also included, but not reflected by the mills, were costs associated with the West New Castle Street Plaza and a parking study five year plan. The prior year surplus was $1,074,609.00.

 

Changes to the draft budget using debt service are as follows:

 

• Eliminate parks department truck purchase, pole building and purchase of one truck.
• Reduce purchase of police cruisers to one at the very minimum and revisit after CW Scott investigates other options.
• Parking and curb work for the W. New Castle St. Plaza will be done in-house.
• Main Street lights engineers’ costs in 2013, lights replaced in 2014.
• Storm sewer repairs to be a multi-year plan.

 

Council would like to keep additional debt service as low as possible.

 

Modifications were made to the General Fund budget. There are items that are not yet available.

 

A proposed, balanced budget and three enabling ordinances will be submitted to City Council on November 15^th in accordance with the 2013 budget timeline.

 

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 8:17 PM.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD: 

 

Mary Anne Righi – voiced concerns over “due process”.

 

Mark Krenitsky – announced “Haunted Tour” that begins in Diamond Park. October 19-20; October 26-27; $10; begins at 7:30PM.

 

Chelynne Curci – The Butler Downtown Group does not support the BPT tax abatement 3 year plan.

                                   

CM Schontz gave the motion to approve the minutes of a special meeting of August 16, 2012 and the regular City Council meeting of August 30, 2012. Second from CW Kline.   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 August, 2012 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

 

Councilwoman Scott

 

1.         Motion for the first reading and introduction 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. Motion to table: CW Kline. Second by CW Guard. Motion tabled.

 

 

2.         Motion to approve distribution of 2012 State Aid for pension plans as follows: to the Firefighters Pension Plan – $203,860.98, to the Police Pension Plan – $153,750.00 and to the Officers & Employees’ Pension Plan – zero, with the total amount of 2012 State Aid distributed to pension plans being $357,610.98.   Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

 

3.         Motion to approve payment in the amount of $72,808.03 from the General Fund to the Firefighters Pension Fund to fulfill the requirement for the 2012 MMO’s. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

 

Councilwoman Kline

 

4.         Motion to switch health benefit brokers from Tracey & Associates to Benefits Network. Second by CW Guard. Councilpersons Scott, Kline, Schontz and Guard voted aye. Mayor stock voted no.

 

 

Councilman Schontz

 

5.         Motion to approve payment to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $10,995.00 for the demolition of 228-230 Zeigler Avenue and 211 Plum Street, upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. LIN 18 427 221 Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

6.         Motion to award the demolition of 112 Cross Street and 620 Eau Claire Street to A. P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $12,780.00 based upon the general specifications of the contract and the release of the City Solicitor. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

7.         Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1657; an Ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending Chapter 69 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler, Purchasing, Section 4; Competitive Bidding Required and Section 12; Open Market Purchases; A & B Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

8.         Motion for the first reading and introduction 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.

 

 

9.         Motion for the first reading and introduction 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.

 

 

10.       Motion to direct the City Clerk to seek proposals for limestone, asphalt and petroleum products for Fiscal Year 2013 with such proposals due not later than 2:00 PM on November 12th. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

11.       Motion to approve the hiring of Barbara Foster for the Part-time Clerk in the Office of Business and Community Development, effective date of September 26, 2012.

Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

12.       Motion to install a stop sign at the exit from the Quarry Street parking lot on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

13.       Motion to install a stop sign at the far west point of McClaine Avenue on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

 

14.       Motion to install a stop sign at the far north point of Spring Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

 

 

 

Mayor Stock

 

15.       Motion for the first reading and introduction 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 Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

16.       Motion for the first reading and introduction 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 CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

17.       Motion for the first reading and introduction 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 CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

 

18.       Motion for the first reading and introduction 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.

 

 

19.       Based on recommendation from his chain of command, motion to extend the probation period for Patrol Officer Caleb Forsythe, until he has met the residency requirements as set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the FOP and the City of Butler. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

 

20.       Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Patrol Officer David Villotti beginning on September 20, 2012 for surgery due to a work-related injury he sustained on October 15, 2008. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

 

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

 

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $796,895.97 from the capital projects fund – $44,810.69; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $21,751.07 for a grand total of $863,457.73. 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; 6PM – 7PM

 Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:39 PM.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Audrey Whitstone and Cyndie Fyllingess – voiced concerns over drug and crime issues and would like to revive the neighborhood watch program.

Denny Offstein – presented the police department with 2 GPS units to be used in the K-9 vehicles and will donate the K-9 badges

Mark Sarver and his brother, Paul Sarver – voiced their concerns over contradictions within the city codes and would like to volunteer their time to review them.

CW Guard gave the motion to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of July 26, 2012. Second from CM Schontz.   All voted aye.

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

Councilwoman Scott

 

1.         Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1655; an Ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending City Ordinance No. 1399 to update the uniform charge for the issuance of extra tax duplicate cards. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

2.         Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1656; an Ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending Chapter 235 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler, Taxation, adjusting the penalty to 10%. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

3.         Motion to approve the 2013 Minimum Municipal Obligations for the City’s three pension plans as follows: for the Firefighters Pension Plan – $183,027 and for the Police Pension Plan – $145,022 and the Officers and Employees Pension Plan – zero Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

4.         Motion to pay the first installment of the street paving loan to NexTier in the amount of $150,480.00. $150,000.00 – LIN 01 472 913 – Principal: $480.00 – LIN 01 472 914 – Interest. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

Mayor Stock

 

5.         Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as a regular, part-time employee as of August 26, 2012 to Matthew Nickl. Second By CM Schontz. All voted aye.

6.        Motion to approve the hiring of three (3) part time firefighters. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Schontz

 

7.         Motion for the first reading and introduction of City Ordinance No. 1657; an Ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending Chapter 69 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler, Purchasing, Section 4; Competitive Bidding Required and Section 12; Open Market Purchases; A & B Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

8.         Motion to approve City Resolution 2012 – 08 – 30 A revising the City’s administrative fee schedule as of September 1, 2012. Second by CW Scott. 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 August 7, 2012 to Jason Gallagher. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

10.       Motion to approve payment to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $12,400.00 for the demolition of 206 & 208 Monroe Street upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. LIN 01 427 221 Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

11.       Motion to award the demolition of 228-230 Zeigler Avenue and 211 Plum Street to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $10,995.00, based upon the general specifications of the contract and the release by the City Solicitor. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

12.       Motion to approve payment to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $5,395.00 for the demolition of 118 ½ Hilltop Avenue and 113 Dubois Street upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. LIN 18 427 221 Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

13.      Motion to remove “No Parking/Fire Lane” in front of the Penn Theater on North Main Street. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

Councilwoman Guard

14.       Motion to approve the sale of the water slide to Don Feger in the amount of $7,500.00. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

15.       Motion to declare the diving board and ladders at the Memorial Park Pool to be surplus property and to sell said items “as-is” to Don Feger in the amount of $999.00. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

Mayor Stock

 

16.       Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as of August 12, 2012 to Patrol Officer Nicholas J. Shulik. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

17.       Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2012-08-30; to extend the compliance deadline under the Consent Order and Agreement for the completion of the construction of the diversion pump stations and equalization tank facilities and the sealing of the existing overflow structures until April 30, 2013. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

18.       Motion to approve the hiring of Sharon Snyder for the Clerk/Tax Bookkeeper in the Office of the City Treasurer, based on a recommendation from the City Treasurer with an effective date of August 20, 2012. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

19.       Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Lieutenant Stephen A. Evanko beginning on August 15, 2012 for a work-related injury he sustained on August 15, 2012. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

20.       Motion to appoint Henry Sinopoli to replace Kathy D’Antonio to serve on the Civil Service Board. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

21.       Motion to remove the traffic signals at the intersection of North Main Street and New Castle Street. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

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

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $411,466.45 from the capital projects fund – $256,592.04; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $36,584.58 for a grand total of $704,643.07. Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CW Guard to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

• ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WISR City Hall – Mayor Stock

Fall Festival – September 15^th from 11am – 7pm

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:50 PM.

The purpose of this special meeting was to discuss the business privilege tax with state representatives. Ray Steffler (Senator Mary Jo White) and the Honorable Scott Hutchinson were in attendance. City Treasurer, Jeff Smith gave a brief overview of the BPT (business privilege tax). There was discussion concerning Senate Bill 405 that is currently in the House and will not be introduced until next year. If this bill should pass, the City will lose about 10% in BPT revenue. City Council will be sending a letter to Senator Patrick Brown to address the issues of SB 405 and the impact it will have on the City of Butler.

CM Schontz discussed adding a change order for the street paving project to include the remainder of West Wayne Street. The RACB (originally was to pave the remainder of West Wayne Street) must repair a sink hole that needs immediate attention. City Council is in favor of adding the additional work to the street paving project.

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:51 PM.

PRESENTATIONS:

 

Mike English – BASA Board Member – updated Council and voiced concerns over rate increases that are inevitable.

 

Jake Gentile – PAWC – spoke about the Pillow Street project

 

PERSONS TO BE HEARD: 

 

Denny Offstein – spoke about his gratitude for all the support for the K-9 Project.

                                   

CM Schontz gave the motion to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 28, 2012. Second from Mayor Stock.   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 June, 2012 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

The following actions took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on July 24, 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, to find the following subject structure detrimental to public health and order its removal by demolition:

 

606 State Street

 

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

 

 

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

 

Councilwoman Scott

 

1. Motion to discontinue the Agreement with Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for the collection of delinquent per capita taxes, with a termination date to be determined by contract, but not later than June 30, 2013. Motion to table made by Mayor Stock. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

2. Motion for the first reading and introduction of City Ordinance No. 1955; an Ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending City Ordinance No. 1399 to update the uniform charge for the issuance of extra tax duplicate cards. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

3. Motion for the first reading and introduction of City Ordinance No. 1956; an Ordinance of the City of Butler, Pennsylvania amending Chapter 235 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Butler, Taxation, adjusting the penalty to 10%. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Schontz

 

4. Motion to approve payment to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $6,900.00 for the demolition of 408 Liberty Street upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. LIN 01 427 221 Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

5. Motion to approve payment to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $7,100.00 for the demolition of 312 Morton Avenue upon final inspection and approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. LIN 01 427 221 Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

6. Motion to approve a block party on W. Fulton St. from 221 W. Fulton St. to 229 W. Fulton St. on Sunday, August 5, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

7. Motion to approve a block party on the 200 block of South Street from the alley to Heim Avenue, on Sunday, September 2, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Second by CW Guard. All voted aye.

 

8. Motion to appoint John Evans to the Butler Transit Authority to fill the unexpired term of Barbara Billek which expires December 31, 2013. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

9. Motion to award Contract #1 of the ARLE Grant Funded Center Avenue/Monroe Street Intersection Upgrade curb ramp replacement to Joe Palmieri Construction, Inc. in the amount of $25,624.00. (Mahoning Builders, Inc. has withdrawn their bid) Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

10. Motion to award the demolition of 113 Dubois St. and 118 ½ Hilltop Ave to A.P. Wise Excavating in the amount of $5,395.00, based upon the general specifications of the contract and the release by the City Solicitor. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

11. Motion to approve payment to Joseph Palmieri Construction, Inc. in the amount of $55,097.00 for curb ramps upon review and approval by Gateway Engineers, Inc. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

12.   Motion to approve payment to Shields Asphalt Paving, Inc. for street paving upon review and approval by Gateway Engineers, Inc. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

 

Councilwoman Guard

 

13. Motion to approve the purchase of an air conditioning unit for the public safety building from McDonald Plumbing/HVAC, Inc. in the amount of $7,400.00. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

Mayor Stock

 

14. Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as of July 15, 2012 to Patrol Officer Travis Buckshire. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

15. Motion to approve payment to IbisTek for K-9 modifications in the amount of $7,203.50. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

16. Motion to approve payment to Shallow Creek Kennels, Inc. for a male German shepherd police service dog in the amount of $6,500.00. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

17. Motion to accept the resignation of Melissa Foley from the office of the City Treasurer as of August 16, 2012. Second by CM Schontz. All voted aye.

 

18. Motion to direct the City Clerk to initiate recruitment action to fill the position of Clerk/Tax Bookkeeper in the office of the City Treasurer. Second by CW Scott. All voted aye.

 

 

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

 

The City Clerk, in the absence of the City Controller, presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $218,388.65 from the capital projects fund – $33,169.13; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $7,170.60 for a grand total of $258,728.38. 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

Jeep Invasion – August 10^th from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

 

 

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:57 PM.