City of Butler

Category: Meeting Minutes

  • February 25, 2010

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania 

    February 25, 2010

     

    Mayor Stock called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Mayor Stock and Council members Bratkovich, Reese, Schontz and Kline were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed a moment of silent prayer.

     

    PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

     

    • Amy Walker voiced her concerns with traffic on Ziegler Avenue and Kaufman Drive. Vehicles often fail to stop and drive over the speed limit. City police issue several citations and will continue to monitor traffic. There is consideration about placing a “Watch Children” sign.

     

    Motion by CM Schontz with second from CW Kline to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 22, 2010.

     

    MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

     

    All department reports for the month of January, 2010 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

     

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

     

    Councilman Bratkovich

     

    1. Motion to approve a payment in the amount of $184,364.36 to Wells Fargo Bank for debt service for the City’s 2005 general obligation bonds.   (Note: This payment includes principal of $135,000.00 and interest of $49,364.36.) Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    2. Motion for the approval and adoption of City Ordinance No. 2010-02-25, 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 Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

     

    3. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a general obligation loan of $500,000 payable in 2010 and 2011. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    4. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a general obligation loan of $93,000 for the purchase of 2 police cruisers and 1 streets department truck payable over a term of two (2) years.   Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

     

    5. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for bids for a general obligation loan of $400,000 for the purchase of fire apparatus. The loan is to be payable over a term of ten (10) years. Second by CM Reese.   All voted aye.

     

     

    Councilman Schontz

     

    6. Motion to approve the bid from Tri Star Ford in the amount of $34,047.18 for a 2010 truck for the Streets Department. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

     

    7. Motion to authorize the city clerk to advertise for bids for sale of the 2005 Streets Department truck. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    8. Motion to approve a “Handicapped Parking Only” sign on North Main Street (in front of Natili’s North) on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    9. Motion to approve “10 Minute Parking” on North Street (beside Natili’s) for a 90-day trial basis. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    10. Motion to reappoint Tom Graham to the Zoning Hearing Board, with his term ending July, 2013. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    11. Motion to reappoint James Diamond to the Code Management Appeals Board with his term ending July, 2015. Second by CW Kline.   All voted aye.

     

    12. Motion to reappoint James Harpel to the Code Management Appeals Board with his term ending July, 2015. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

     

    13. Motion to accept the proposal by David E. Wooster and Associates for data collection relevant to the Mercer Street and Monroe Street bridge replacement projects in the amount of $2,125.00. LIN 01 427 219. Second by CM Bratkovich.   All voted aye.

     

     

    Councilwoman Kline

     

    14. Motion to approve a lease agreement between i9 Sports and the City of Butler. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

     

    15. Motion to accept the bid from A P Wise Excavating, LLC in the amount of $8,100.00 for the demolition of 315-317 E Jefferson Street. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

     

    16. Motion to approve participation with the Butler COG in the LED grant application. Second by CM Reese.   All voted aye.

     

    Mayor Stock

     

    17. Motion to approve the purchase of two police vehicles from Day Fleet Sales (2010 PA State Contract #4400006414) in the amount of $39,506.00. LIN 01 410 270. Second by CM Schontz.           All voted aye.

     

    The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $692,843.76; from the capital projects fund – $3,619.52; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $4,018.15 for a grand total of $700,481.43. Motion by CM Bratkovich with second from Mayor Stock to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

     

    • ANNOUNCEMENTS:

               

    1. WISR City Hall Radio – 12:30 PM
    2. Residents are reminded to clear the snow from their sidewalks and they should not put snow into the streets. Residents are also asked to clear snow away from the fire hydrants and to please help your neighbors if they are in need.

             

    Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:28 PM.

  • February 10, 2010

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania 

    February 10, 2010

     

    Mayor Stock called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. Mayor Stock, Councilman Bratkovich, Councilman Reese, Councilman Schontz and Councilwoman Kline were present.  

     

     

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

     

    The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the business hours in the Office of the City Treasurer. Mayor explained that the employees of City Hall are here to serve the residents of the City of Butler and that all offices in City Hall are to be open and available from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. Solicitor Coulter quoted the Third Class City Code, Article XXV; Section 2434: The city treasurer, as collector of taxes, shall keep his office in the same place occupied by him as city treasurer, which shall be kept open for the receipt of taxes at all time during business hours. All printing and stationery supplies shall be furnished by the proper authorities, respectively. Solicitor Coulter went on to state that the business hours are set by Council. Treasurer Campbell presented a statement of concerns for the security of his staff while reconciling the money with the window open. He was instructed to keep the door to the office locked from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM. It was decided that privacy panels will be built to protect the clerk as she reconciles at the end of the day. Until the panels are installed, the window will close at 3:30 PM however the office will remain open for residents that need service. One clerk or Treasurer Campbell will be seated outside the office for residents. Once the panels are installed, the window at the Office of the City Treasurer will remain open to the public until 4:30 PM.

     

     

     

    Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 6:45 PM.  

  • January 21, 2010

MINUTES

City Council Meeting

City of Butler, Pennsylvania 

January 21, 2010

 

Mayor Stock called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Stock and Council members Bratkovich, Reese, and Schontz were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed a moment of silent prayer.

 

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

 

  • Bill Criley – apologized for an oversight last month when presenting concerns about the condition of the streets in the city; the Streets Department always does an excellent job of clearing the streets of snow and ice.
  • Barb Green – expressed concerns over the serious issue of cats in the city of Butler.

 

Motion by CM Reese with second from CW Schontz to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of December 17, 2009 City Council’s Reorganization meeting of January 4, 2010. All voted aye.

 

MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

 

All department reports for the month of December and 2009 year-end reports were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

 

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

 

Councilman Bratkovich

 

1. Motion to approve a payment to the Butler Area Public Library in the amount of $31,699.76 that represents the proceeds from the City’s 2009 library tax in the amount of $31,541.08 and prior year library tax in the amount of $158.68     LIN 01 456 540   Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

2. Motion to designate Mr. Perry O’Malley as the City’s fair housing officer for 2010. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

 

3. Motion to approve City Resolution #2010-01-21; granting the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler approval for revisions of CDBG grants for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

 

4. Motion to direct Mockenhaupt Benefits Group to prepare the 2009 actuarial valuation reports using the four-year smoothing for the Actuarial Value of Assets starting with the January 1, 2009 actuarial valuation. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Bratkovich announced that the Treasurer’s Office needs to correct hours of operation. Currently the hours in the Treasurer’s Office are 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM and the hours should be 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

 

 

Councilman Reese

 

5. Motion to approve the bid from Dills Fire & Safety Equipment Co. (Smeal Fire Apparatus) for procurement of firefighting apparatus in the amount of $401,748. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Reese expressed sincere thanks to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler for accepting payment of the fire apparatus over a ten year period. He also expressed thanks to Chief Ban for his hard work in acquiring the fire apparatus.

 

 

Councilman Schontz

 

6. Motion to direct the City Clerk to advertise for a 2010 truck for use in the Streets Department. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

 

7. Motion to approve on a 90-day trial basis, a “No Parking Here to Corner” sign on the south curb of West Wayne Street, 20 feet west of Upper Shore. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

8. Motion to approve on a 90-day trial basis, stop signs at both the north and south intersection of Cliff Street and East Brady Street.  Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

 

9. Motion for approval of payment to Bruce & Merrilees Electric in the amount of $23,402.26 for the installation of school zone flashing warning devices at the Butler Area Junior High School. The Butler Area School District will reimburse the City of Butler for the entire cost. LIN 01 499 309 Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Schontz expressed gratitude for the Butler Area School District for their quick response in mailing payment to the City of Butler for the school zone flashing warning devices.

 

10. Based on recommendation from his chain of command and satisfactory completion of his probationary period, motion to grant permanent employment status as of December 28, 2009 to Clay McAnallen. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

 

Councilman Schontz appreciates the loyalty and service of the Streets Department to the city and the excellent job they do in clearing the streets.

 

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $405,711.34; from the capital projects fund – $1,275.75; and, from the liquid fuels tax fund – $32,566.37 for a grand total of $439,553.46. Motion by CM Bratkovich with second from CM Schontz to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

 

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS:

           

            WISR City Hall Radio – CM Reese

            Birthday wishes for CM Reese and Solicitor Coulter

            Keep sidewalks and hydrants clear of snow and ice

 

  • ENCLOSURES

City Resolution #2010-01-21

 

Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 7:23 PM.

  • January 4, 2010

    MINUTES

    City Council of the City of Butler

    Inauguration/Swearing-in Ceremony and Reorganization Meeting

    January 4, 2010

     

     

    1. At 10:00 AM, January 4, 2010, the following named individuals who won election on November 3, 2009 took their oaths of office administered by the Honorable Marilyn J. Horan, Judge of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas: Mayor Margaret D. Stock, Councilman Rick Schontz, Councilwoman Kathy Kline, and Controller Gretchen Ehlman. Their term of office is from January 2010 through January 2014. Treasurer Jon W. Campbell’s term runs from January 2010 through January 2012.

     

     

    2. City Council met immediately after the swearing-in for its reorganization meeting. Mayor Stock, Councilmen Reese, Schontz, Councilwoman Kline were present.

     

     

    Third Class City Code – Section 1103. Director, Public Affairs & Bureau of Police – Mayor Stock.

     

    Motion by CM Reese with a second from CM Schontz to assign CM Bratkovich as Director of Accounts & Finance. All voted aye.

     

    Motion by CM Schontz with a second from CM Reese to assign CW Kline as Director of Parks & Public Property. All voted aye.

     

    Motion by CW Kline with a second from CM Schontz to assign CM Reese as Director of Public Safety & Bureau of Fire. All voted aye.

     

    Motion by CW Kline with a second from CM Reese to assign CM Schontz as Director of Streets & Public Improvements. All voted aye.

     

     

    3. City Council Liaison Appointments.

     

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler – Councilman Reese.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>City of Butler Parking Authority – Mayor Stock.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Butler Area Sewer Authority – Councilman Reese.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>City of Butler Planning & Zoning Commission/Zoning Hearing Board/Code Management Appeals Board – Councilman Schontz.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>City Shade Tree Commission – Councilwoman Kline.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Pension Investment Advisory Board (Director, Accounts & Finance) – Councilman Bratkovich.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Butler Area Public Library – Councilman Bratkovich.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Butler County/City Connoquenessing Creek Flood Control Authority – Councilwoman Kline.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Butler Township-City Joint Municipal Transit Authority – Councilman Schontz.

    <!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>City of Butler Parks, Recreation Grounds and Facilities Authority – Councilman Schontz.

     

     

    4. There being no other business, Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 10:17 AM. Council’s next Forum meeting is at 6 PM on January 19th.

     

  • December 17, 2009

    MINUTES

    City Council Meeting

    City of Butler, Pennsylvania

    December 17, 2009

    Mayor Stock called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Mayor Stock and Council members Kelly, Reese, Bratkovich, and Kline were present. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed a moment of silent prayer.

    PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

    · Mark Sarver – presented his concerns about city finances, streets, etc.

    · Bill Criley – presented his concerns about wasteful spending, street paving, etc.

    Motion by CM Kelly with second from CM Reese to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 19, 2009.

     

    At the Forum meeting held on December 15, 2009 CM Reese made a motion to authorize the City Clerk to advertise for bids for the procurement of one pumper/rescue firefighting apparatus for use by the City’s Bureau of Fire. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

     

    MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

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

     

    All department reports for the month of November, 2009 were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

     

    COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

    Councilman Kelly

     

    1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1619, an ordinance of the City of Butler fixing the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2010. Second by Mayor Stock. CM Kelly voted no. Mayor Stock, CM Reese, CM Bratkovich and CW Kline voted aye.

    2. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1620, 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 2010. Second by CM Bratkovich. CM Kelly voted no. Mayor Stock, CM Reese, CM Bratkovich and CW Kline voted aye.

    3. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1621, 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 2010. Second by Mayor Stock. CM Kelly voted no. Mayor Stock, CM Reese, CM Bratkovich and CW Kline voted aye.

    4. Motion to accept a proposal submitted by NexTier Bank for a 2010 Tax Revenue Anticipation Note in the amount of $600,000 at an annual interest rate of 1.49 percent. Second by CW Kline. CM Kelly voted no. Mayor Stock, CM Reese, CM Bratkovich and CW Kline voted aye.

    5. Motion to approve City Resolution 2009-12-17-B, a resolution of the City of Butler authorizing the issuance of a Tax Revenue Anticipation Note Series 2010 in the amount of $600,000. Second by CW Kline. CM Kelly voted no. Mayor Stock, CM Reese, CM Bratkovich and CW Kline voted aye.

    6. Motion to distribute a total of $453,539.57, the year-to-date 2009 proceeds from the special levy on earned income for distressed pension plans, as follows: to the Police Pension Fund – $164,181.32 and to the Firefighters Pension Fund – $224,184.61 and to the Officers & Employees Pension Fund – $65,173.64. Second by CM Bratkovich. . All voted aye.

    CM Kelly explained that his vote of “no” was not to disagree with Council, but to disagree with the direction the City is headed. He presented a PowerPoint presentation of the City’s budget.

    Councilman Bratkovich

    7. Motion to reappoint Michael Preston and Ross Martin to the Butler County-City Connoquenessing Creek Flood Control Authority for another 4 year term ending on December 31, 2013. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

    8. Motion to reappoint Joseph Lutz to the Butler Transit Authority for another 5 year term ending on December 31, 2014. Second by CM Kelly. All voted aye.

    9. Motion to approve the RACB Pillow Street Streetscape Plan. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

     

    Councilwoman Kline

    10. Motion to accept a bid in the amount of $6,185.00 from Brian H. Risch for the 1998 Parks Department truck. Second by CM Kelly. All voted aye.

    11. Motion to approve City Resolution 2009 – 12 – 17 revising the City’s administrative fee schedule as of January 1, 2010. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

    12. Motion to reappoint Bernie Dowd to the Planning and Zoning Commission for another 4 year term ending on June 30, 2014. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

    13. Motion to reappoint Jessica Forsythe to the Butler Code Management Appeals Board for another 5 year term ending on June 30, 2014. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

    14. Motion to reappoint Michael Miller to the Butler Code Management Appeals Board for another 5 year term ending on June 30, 2014. Second by Mayor Stock. All voted aye.

    15. Motion to appoint Tom Graham to the Zoning Hearing Board to fill the term for Leonard Pintell, ending June 30, 2010. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

    16. Motion to accept a bid from A.P. Wise Excavating, LLC in the amount of $1,100.00 for the demolition of 715 Center Avenue garage. No work will begin without the express permission and consent of the City Solicitor and all work must be completed prior to January 15, 2010. Payment is due after final inspection and approval by the Code Official. Second by CM Reese. All voted aye.

    CW Kline expressed gratitude to all the City committees and especially to the Skate Park Committee and the Spray Park Committee.

    Mayor Stock

    17. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1622, an ordinance of the City of Butler providing for temporary tax exemption for certain improvements to deteriorated industrial, commercial and other business property and new construction in deteriorated areas, pursuant to the Act of December 1, 1997, P. L. 327, and defining deteriorated areas, establishing the amount of the exemption, providing an exemption schedule, and a procedure for securing an exemption. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

    A Public Hearing was held at 6:00 PM at the Forum Meeting on Tuesday, December 15, 2009

    18. Motion to approve City Resolution 2009 – 12 – 17A to approve a revised implementation schedule as a revision to the “Official Plan” of the municipality, the Act 537 Sewage Facilities Planning Study Update, February 2009. Second by CW Kline. All voted aye.

    19. Motion to extend existing agreement with Bronder Technical Services for traffic signal maintenance for years 2010 – 2011. Second by CM Bratkovich. All voted aye.

    The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $1,136,375.33; and, from the capital projects fund – $2,148.90 , and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $44,961.80 for a grand total of $1,183,486.03. Motion by Mayor Stock with second from CM Bratkovich to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

     

    · Announcements:

     

    Announcement – Phase II stormwater program

    WISR Radio/City Hall – Mayor Stock

    “Ring in the Arts”, 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM

    Oaths of Office & Council Reorganization Meeting-January 4, 2010 @ 10:00 AM

    Reminder to residents about removal of snow and ice from sidewalks

     

    Mayor Stock extended gratitude to Councilman Kelly for his four years of service to the City and presented him with a key to the city.

     

     

    Mayor Stock adjourned the meeting at 8:03 PM.