December 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, 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:

Tom Currey, City's Health Officer concerning the State Health Code.

CORRESPONDENCE:

REGULAR AGENDA:

Resolution No. 12-1-09: "To accept the minutes from the November 12, 2009 City Council Meeting."

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

MAYOR REED:

Mayor Reed read a statement, "It's been my greatest honor to lead the city for eight years as mayor and two years before that on council." Mayor Judy Reed said the millage rate has not been raised in 10 years. She listed accomplishments such as having Connellsville becoming a Blue Print Community, grants that were brought the city's way from various organizations, the road and bridge work by PennDOT, support from Congressman John Murtha, the rebuilding of the railroad station, the reorganization of New Haven Hose Company, the refurbishing of the Edwin S. Porter Theater and Performing Arts Center at the Community Center, the Yough River Trail gaining international appeal, having the first electric police cruiser in the country, and the city being the site of new and great community events such as the Geranium Festival and the re-enactment of Braddock's river crossing, Reed thanked all city department heads, employees and organizations that helped the city become what it is."

"We're leaving the city in the process of revitalization and fiscally responsible," Reed said, adding that she would have liked to see the city parking lots start to charge as a funding resource for Connellsville.

Police Department Report

Resolution No. 12-2-09: "To accept the request for retirement from Sergeant Ronald Haggerty, Jr. Retirement will be effective on January 23, 2010."

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. 12-3-09: "To adopt Bill No.1, Ordinance #1472 of 2009, amending Ordinance # 725, Bill No. 762, enacted January 1, 1954, LEVYING A LICENSE TAX FOR GAMING TABLES OR DEVICES."

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

Resolution No. 12-4-09: "To set the meeting to reorganize City Council and to conduct any and all City business for Monday, January 4, 2010 at 10:00 AM in City Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 110 North Arch Street, Connellsville."

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. 12-5-09: "To enter into a lease agreement between the City of Connellsville and the Connellsville Cultural Trust for the lease of the Auditorium and adjacent areas in the Connellsville Community Center Building for an initial 5 year term which includes a nominal rent and "Fair Share" contributions toward the utility and upkeep of the Connellsville Community Center Building ."

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.

BODES:

Resolution No. 12-6-09: "To pay all bills/expenditures in excess of $500.00: Mockenhaupt Benefits Group, $1,700.00, Police and Firemen's Pension Plans."

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. 12-7-09: "To adopt Bill No.1, Ordinance #1473 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. Matthews and Geyer voted nay. The majority of the votes being affirmative, the resolution was adopted.

Resolution No. 12-8-09: "To adopt 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."

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

Resolution No. 12-9-09: "To adopt 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."

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. 12-10-09: "To enter into a Tax Anticipation Loan Agreement for the year 2010 in the amount of $450,000 with PNC Bank at the rate of 3.10% interest for 12 months."

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.

GEYER:

MATTHEWS:

Street/Recreation Department Report

MCINTIRE:

Health Department Report

New Haven Hose Report

Fire Department Report

CITY TREASURER KELLER'S REPORT:

CONTROLLER WROTE'S REPORT:

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

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.