November 12, 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, Geyer, McIntire, and Matthews. 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:

Geno Gallo discussed his support of the new Landlord Ordinance and the rental of the Cream of the Trail.

Judy Keller discussed the budget; City Controller's Report and suggested 2 City Council Meetings in November and December.

CORRESPONDENCE:

The Chamber of Commerce requesting use of the Cream of the Trail Building for the Christmas in the Park, which will be November 21, 2009 at Yough Park.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Resolution No. 11-1-09: "To accept the minutes from the October 15, 2009 City Council Meeting."

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

MAYOR REED:

Proclamation, American Education Week

Proclamation, Trail Town Outreach Corp Interns

Read each Proclamation for the Trail Town Outreach volunteers, 5 individuals

Family Links, now treating males

Big announcement concerning Connellsville is a Preserve America City as presented by First Lady Michele Obama

Salvation Army donations are to be taken inside. They have requested citizens not leave items outside the door. This blocks them from getting into the building.

Police Department Report

Resolution No. 11-2-09: "To hire Patricia L. Richter as a part time Building Monitor effective November 15, 2009 at minimum wage."

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

Resolution No. 11-3-09: "To authorize the purchase of a 2010 Chevrolet Impala Police Sedan for $21,915.00. Money is to come from the Drug and Alcohol Account."

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

Resolution No. 11-4-09: "To advertise to accept bids for the sale of a Police Department vehicle: 2004 Chevrolet Impala, 4 door, 122,000 miles. Bids will be accepted until Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM and opened at the December 15, 2009 City Council meeting at 7 PM. Vehicle will be sold as is."

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

Resolution No. 11-5-09: "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 McIntire, Bodes, and Reed. Matthews and Geyer voted nay. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 11-6-09: "To recognize and support the Fayette County Regional Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the City of Uniontown Redevelopment Authority (RACU) and to endorse an application for the City of Connellsville."

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

Resolution No. 11-7-09: "To close certain City streets to allow for the New Haven Hose's annual Christmas Parade and fireworks on Saturday, November 21st at 7 PM; Sixth and Seventh Streets onto West Crawford Avenue toward Brimstone Corner, left onto North Pittsburgh Street and left onto Apple Street ending at the Fire Station. Fireworks will be across the river from the City's Fire Station."

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

Resolution No. 11-8-09: "To approve a Right-of-Way Agreement for electrical power service to support the Pittsburgh Street Lighting Project for parcel no. 05-06-0429. This is an existing parking lot between Orchard Alley and Double Dragon Restaurant."

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

BODES:

Resolution No. 11-9-09: "To pay $500.00 to Higbee Insurance Agency, Inc. for the City Treasurer's annual Bond Policy beginning January 1, 2010 to January 5, 2011."

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

Resolution No. 11-10-09: "To pay $325.00 to Mockenhaupt Benefits Group for Police Pension and $325 for Firemen's Pension, to be paid from Pension Assets."

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

Resolution No. 11-11-09: "To introduce proposed Ordinance #1473, Bill No. 1 of 2009, AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES PAYABLE BY THE CITY OF CONNELLSVILLE FOR THE VARIOUS POSITIONS ENUMERATED HEREIN FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2010, AND REPAEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTENT HEREWITH."

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

Resolution No. 11-12-09: "To introduce Ordinance #1474, Bill No. 2 of 2009 an Ordinance of the City of Connellsville, County of Fayette, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, fixing the real estate tax rate and residence tax rate for all city purposes for the fiscal year 2010, and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith."

Tax rate is 6.66 mills.

Mayor Reed thanked Councilman Bodes for doing a good job on the budget and not raising taxes.

Resolution No. 11-13-09: "To introduce proposed Ordinance #1475, Bill No. 3 of 2009, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CONNELLSVILLE, FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SHOWING THE ESTIMATED RECEIPTS, EXPENDITURES, AND LIABILITIES OF EVERY KIND FOR ALL THE FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 WITH THE BALANCE OF UNEXPENDED APPROPRIATIONS AS THE BASIS FOR FIXING THE LEVY AND TAX RATE FOR SAID FISCAL, YEAR APPROPRIATING THE VARIOUS AMOUNTS SHOWN AS PROPOSED EXPENDITURES HEREIN FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE CITY FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR FROM THE REVENUE AVAILABLE FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR FOR THE DEPARTMENTS, BUREAUS, AND SPECIFIC PURPOSES SET FORTH HEREIN, AND THE REPEALING OF ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES INCONSISTANT HEREWITH."

The budget total is $2,836,876.75.

Resolution No. 11-14-09: "To authorize the Director of Accounts and Finance to transfer money as necessary from the Parking and Revitalization PLIGIT Account, to the General Fund for whatever general purpose City Council deems as in the best interest of the City, to meet unexpected expenditures to meet the financial obligations of the City for the year 2009."

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

Resolution No. 11-15-09: "To close the City of Connellsville Armory Account and disperse the remaining funds of $13.86 to the Connellsville Cultural Trust for the exclusive use of the Connellsville Armory."

GEYER:

MATTHEWS:

Street/Recreation Department Report

MCINTIRE:

Health Department Report

New Haven Hose Report

Fire Department Report

Resolution No. 11-16-09: "To execute the Board of Health's order to abate the public nuisance by demolition or rendering safe the following property: 139 North Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville, PA 15425, and to submit the aforementioned property to the Redevelopment Authority for demolition or rendering safe. Because of the historical and architectural significance of the Aaron Building, the Redevelopment Authority is encouraged to make a swift determination as to the proper disposition of the property at 139 North Pittsburgh Street."

Resolution No. 11-17-09: "To adopt Ordinance #1471, Bill No. 1, Introduced September 21, 2009: An Ordinance of the City of Connellsville, Fayette County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Titled Landlord Registration and Occupancy Ordinance and to repeal Ordinance #1469, Bill No.1 of April 27, 2009, Regulating Residential Rental Unit Occupancy and Providing for Inspection and Penalties for Noncompliance."

CITY TREASURER KELLER'S REPORT:

CONTROLLER WROTE'S REPORT:

ADDENDUM:

MAYOR REED:

Resolution No. 11-18-09: "To accept the deed for the property, known as the Aaron Building, at 139 North Pittsburgh Street, from 139 North Pittsburgh Street, LLC, pending solicitor review and approval."

Resolution No. 11-19-09: Resolution: "To accept the Vision and Mission Statements as set forth by the Connellsville Main Street Committee. VISION STATEMENT-Connellsville is a community of rich natural and historic resources where all embrace the local history, the benefits of tourism centered on the Great Allegheny Passage and the Youghiogheny River, the beauty of the environment, and the advantages of local services, businesses, artists, and crafters; so that the quality of life and the vitality of businesses are improved through increased number of visitors and active members of the community. MISSION STATEMENT-With the current business community, natural and historic resources and our cultural diversity as a solid foundation, the Connellsville Main Street Program will provide opportunities for existing and future businesses to expand and flourish by encouraging economic development and revitalization through the promotion of our heritage, the arts and tourism.

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

Resolution No. 11-12-09: "That this meeting of City Council does hereby adjourn."

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