October 15, 2009 City Council Minutes

This regular meeting of the Connellsville City Council was held this evening at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 110 North Arch Street, Connellsville, PA. Attending this meeting were Mayor Reed, Council Members Bodes, McIntire, and Matthews. Councilman Geyer was absent. Also attending this meeting were City Clerk Antoinette Tesauro and Solicitor Mitch Mitchell.

A moment of silence was observed following the Pledge of Allegiance.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Cathy McCollom and Jim Paschek presented to council the Gateway to Gateway Development Plan which was financed by the DCED and the DCNR. It will be presented to the public on November 3^rd at 9 AM at the Cultural Trust Headquarters at 502 S. Pittsburgh Street.

David Smith, General Manager for Allied Waste Management, noted he was present to answer any questions or concerns regarding garbage bids.

Oliver Lint and Randy Williams, both employees of Veolia Environmental Services, noted they were present to answer any questions or concerns regarding garbage bids.

Geno Gallo, 232 7^th Street, Vice President of the Landlord Association, Spoke concerning the association's support of the new Landlord Ordinance. Gallo also spoke about the Cream of the Trail refreshment stand and noted how it was leased to the Auxiliary Police and not placed out for bid.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Connellsville Area School District Wellness Committee, 3^rd Annual Falcon Fitness 5K Run/Walk

REGULAR AGENDA:

Resolution No. 10-1-09: "To accept the minutes from the September 21, 2009 City Council Meeting and the September 30, 2009 Special City Council Meeting."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were Matthews, McIntire, Bodes, and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

MAYOR REED:

Reminder, New Haven Hose Halloween Parade is set for Tuesday, October 27^th at 7 PM

Police Department Report

Habitat for Humanity home progress was discussed. Doors and windows need to be complete before winter. Contributions can be made to Habitat for the Connellsville home.

The Connellsville Salvation Army is in need of donations for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Resolution No. 10-2-09: "To set Trick or Treat for Sunday, October 25^th from 4 PM to 5 PM in the City of Connellsville."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-3-09: "To close certain City streets for the following events: New Haven Hose Halloween Parade on Tuesday, October 27^th beginning at 7 PM. Beginning at Green Street by Presbyterian Church and South Side Grocer from Green Street down South Pittsburgh Street to Brimstone Corner, left through town and over bridge to Seventh Street, and ending at New Haven Hose Company; and approve The Wellness Committee's 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 10 AM to 11 AM."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-4-09: "To enter into a lease agreement for the Cream of the Trail Refreshment Stand between the City of Connellsville and the Connellsville Auxiliary Police."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were Bodes and Reed. McIntire and Matthews voted no. Being Geyer was absent and the vote a tie, the resolution will be brought back at the next City Council Meeting and another vote taken.

Resolution No. 10-5-09: "To Amend Ordinance No. 725 dated October 12, 1953, to establish a separate license fee for all persons, firms, corporations or associations that 1) operate for public use twenty (20) or more gaming tables or devices and 2) prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol on the premises."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-6-09: "To retain, as much as possible, the historical archway and the architecturally decorated stonework from the Aaron's Building located at 139 North Pittsburgh St. in the event of a demolition ordered by the City. The archway and historical architecture from the Aaron's Building to be designated for the use of the City and by the City for projects or parks in the City. This is in response to the Historical Preservation Committee's resolution and petition to protect and preserve the historical landmarks from the Aaron's Building for history and future generations."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

BODES:

Resolution No. 10-7-09: "To pay all bills/expenditures in excess of $500.00: Krumanacker Electric, Electrical Service Yough Park, $969.42; Mark IV, Office Supplies, $643.54."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-8-09: "To pay $181,815.00 into the Police and Fire Fighters Pension Plans in order to satisfy the 2009 Minimum Municipal Obligations (MMO). The amount includes the $150,144.65 General Municipal Pension System State Aid as received from the Pennsylvania Auditor Generals Office and $31,670.35 to be taken from General Fund Account. $159,448.00 to be deposited in the Police Pension Plan and $22,367.00 to be deposited in the Fire Fighters Pension Plan."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-9-09: "To authorize the City Clerk to request quotes from financial institutions for a Tax Anticipation Note for the year 2010, the amount to be determined when the 2010 budget is balanced."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-10-09: "To authorize payment of the Tax Anticipation Loan Agreement to PNC Bank. The loan was approved by City Council on December 10, 2008, in the amount of $450,000.00 with an interest rate of 3.15% for 12 months."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 10-11-09: "To authorize the payment of $29,468.74 to the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Department. This is the annual allotment to the Volunteer Fire Relief Association from the Pennsylvania State Auditor General's Office."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

GEYER: ABSENT

MATTHEWS:

Resolution No. 10-12-09: "To accept the resignation of Ron O'Nell, Substitute part-time Janitor. Last day worked will be October 28, 2009."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Matthews noted that Mr. O'Nell was a good worker and the employees all liked him.

Street/Recreation Department Report

Matthews announced the restrooms at the parks are closed unless there is a pavilion rental.

He also announced there is still compost available at the Street Department. He also added that the Leaf Collection will be in the paper and begin October 26, 2009.

Matthews stated the paving project is done and this next resolution is for the payment.

Resolution No. 10-13-09: "To authorize the attached change order to reduce the cost from $69,157.00 to $64,557.30 and authorize payment to Glenn Johnston, Inc. as proposed from liquid fuels. This is a reduction of $4,599.70."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, Matthews and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

MCINTIRE:

Health Department Report

New Haven Hose Report

Fire Department Report

Resolution No. 10-14-09: "To execute the Board of Health's order of demolition for the following property: 608 East Murphy Avenue, Connellsville, PA 15425, and to submit the aforementioned property to the Redevelopment Authority for demolition."

Matthews questioned what the procedures are in all of these demolitions and noted he doesn't want to get the City into any trouble with the hearings and rulings.

McIntire answered this property goes way back to 2006 when the former Health Officer placard it as "Unfit for Human Habitation." In 2009, there were many violations and the Board of Health declared it a "Public Nuisance." They ordered this property to be demolished.

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were McIntire, Bodes, and Reed. Matthews voted nay. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

McIntire announced he read over both Garbage collection proposals from the last meeting. The City will receive almost $17,000 more with Veolia and has a history with them. He also noted that they come out on emergencies.

Resolution No. 10-15-09: "To accept the bid from Veolia dated September 17, 2009, for the exclusive Garbage Collection Contract with the City of Connellsville for the period November 1, 2009 to October 31, 2011."

CITY TREASURER KELLER'S REPORT:

CONTROLLER WROTE'S REPORT:

Resolution No. 10-16-09: "That this meeting of City Council does hereby adjourn."

A vote upon the adoption of the resolution resulted as follows: Affirmative were Matthews, McIntire, Bodes, and Reed. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.