MEADVILLE CITY COUNCIL Study Session Meeting August 1, 2018

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1 Call to Order Public Comment Communication to Council A Study Session meeting was called to order at 4:17 p.m. by Mayor Stearns. Deputy Mayor Mangilo-Bittner, Councilmembers Sean Donahue, John Battaglia, Jim Roha, and Mayor Stearns answered on the call of the roll. Also present were City Manager Andy Walker, Assistant City Manager/Zoning Administrator Gary Johnson, City Solicitor Gary Alizzeo, Finance Director Debbie Oldakowski, Deputy City Clerk Maryann Menanno and Stormwater Program Support Manager/GIS Technician Bennett Gould. None. Deputy City Clerk Menanno read a WARN Notice from the J.M. Smucker Company dated July 20, 2018 concerning Employee Separations at Ainsworth Pet Nutrition Corporate Office at 984 Water Street, Meadville, PA City Manager Walker reported to Council that this note was required by the Federal Department of Labor and is not a notice to vacate under the lease agreement between Smuckers and the City of Meadville. Concerning the lease agreement, the City has been in contact with Smuckers about what will happen with the building. Old Business New Business Discussion Study Session vs. Regular Meeting Terminology and Meeting Content None. City Manager Walker raised the possibility of ceasing to use the term Study Session and to refer to both monthly meetings of Council as Regular Meetings. City Manager Walker pointed out that the reason for the suggestion is because (1) he is afraid that the two terms may confuse the public, prompting them to not attend Study Sessions and (2) because Council regularly takes action on regular business at both meetings. City Manager Walker also proposed reading Communications to Council ant any Regular Meeting in order to prevent the issue from becoming moot but to approve Council Meeting Minutes only at the second Council meeting of the month. City Manager Walker noted that many years ago Council had 4-6 meetings a month and that a formal Study Session was necessary at this time to prep for those meetings. Councilmember Roha confirmed that this was an accurate statement for Council meetings occurring in the 1970s but by the late 1990s study sessions were used for minor and emergency actions. Councilmember Roha and Deputy Mayor Mangilo-Bittner both supported the idea saying that both meetings should be known as 1

2 Regular Meetings and to contact Armstrong Cable to see if they would be interested in televising both meetings. Mayor Stearns also liked the idea and suggested keeping the meeting times the same as they have been previously (4:15pm for the first meeting of the month and 6pm for second meeting of the month) in order to allow as many people as possible to attend. Discussion Smock Bridge Sidewalk Maintenance PUC Order Non Compliance Letter Dated May 10, 2018 City Manager Walker discussed the issue concerning year-round maintenance of the bridge. Last winter, the City, West Mead and Vernon Townships closed the sidewalk on Smock Bridge due safety concerns and the impracticality of providing winter maintenance on the sidewalk. Because the sidewalk was closed, the municipalities, via a contract with CATA, offered free bus service for those seeking to cross the bridge; approximately 100 trips over the winter costing the City roughly $100. The City received notice from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) stating that shutting down the sidewalk was in direct violation of an Order issued on August 31, 2017 stating that the City would be responsible for year-round maintenance of the bridge and sidewalk. The PUC has encouraged the City to modify the order to include the shuttle-bus service and to exempt Smock Bridge sidewalks from being subject to year-round maintenance. Discussion Fire Department Engine Purchase Mayor Stearns inquired about summer maintenance of the sidewalks and City Manager Walker responded by saying that the municipalities are required to remove any debris during the spring/summer/fall months. This typically requires that one traffic lane of the bridge is shut down. City Manager Walker received a memo from Fire Chief Evan Hasko stating that the City is in need of a new firetruck engine to replace the 27-year old one the City is currently using. Chief Hasko has quoted a price for a new engine to be $469, City Manager Walker noted that when the City s 3-year plan was created, the subject of a new fire engine was brought up but not included into the budget. When discussing a new budget this year, the City can evaluate debt services at that time. The City has investigated a funding program from the USDA and is hoping to receive grants funds of $50,000 to help offset the cost and have the City finance the remaining balance through the USDA. City Manager Walker would like to prepare the grant application soon because it could take up to a year to receive the grant and then 6 months to have the engine manufactured. 2

3 Deputy Mayor Mangilo-Bittner inquired as to whether or not the City had to use the grant if the City received it and also how long would the City have to use the grant money. City Manager Walker answered that he would look into those questions. Deputy City Manager Johnson informed Council that the other USDA grants the City has received had to be used within 5 years. Deputy Mayor Mangilo-Bittner also asked if the engine could be used until it died. City Manager Walker responded that it could but Council needs to keep in mind that it could take almost two years to receive a replacement engine. Councilmember Roha raised the idea of using the funds from Foreign Insurance Tax to help offset the cost. A question arose as to whether or not the use of this tax was only available to volunteer fire departments and the consensus was that it is most likely the case. Councilmember Roha also inquired as to if the City could purchase a used engine to which City Manager Walker responded that the City could look into that option. Councilmember Donahue questioned what the old engine was worth. City Manager Walker responded saying that the engine was probably not worth much and that at this point, it would cost money to have the replacement parts manufactured. Mayor Stearns raised the idea of fundraising and asking local nonprofits for help in raising money. A number of non-profits have come to Mayor Stearns looking for a project they could become involved in that would benefit the City. Mayor Stearns would like to see how other communities have structured their fundraising campaigns to help with purchases such as this. Discussion Proposed Dedication of a Portion of West Center Street (Park Avenue to Diamond Park) as Rue de Fismes It was the consensus of Council to proceed with grant and financing options through the USDA or other funding sources and to explore fundraising models. City Manager Walker was interested in finding a way to honor the Sister City relationship with the City of Fismes, France. A suggestion was to ceremoniously name a portion of West Center Street after Fismes much like Fismes has a Rue de Meadville. Based on a policy previously adopted by Council, the City can ceremoniously name streets and Walker cited several prior examples. The dedication, however, does not legally change the street name. City Manager Walker noted that if Council was willing to entertain this idea, a resolution and sign could be prepared for the August 15 th Council meeting so that Council could publicly unveil the sign prior to the departure of a delegation of 3

4 Meadville citizens and officials who will travel to Fismes for the September 15 th ceremonies commemorating the liberation of Fismes in World War I. The only cost to the City would be for the sign and sign pole. It was the consensus of Council to proceed with preparation of a resolution and sign for the August 15 th meeting. Resolution Authorize Signatures Crawford County Act 13 At-Risk Bridge Fund Grant Agreement Liberty Street Bridge Resolution Authorize Submission Grant Application to the Ben Roethlisberger Giving Back Foundation - $12,000 for the Purchase and Training of a Police Department Canine Bill #4 First Reading Amending Firemen s Pension Ordinance Bill #4 Second Reading Amending Firemen s Pension Ordinance On a motion by Deputy Mayor Mangilo-Bittner, seconded by Councilmember Roha, Council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize signatures on the Crawford County Act 13 At-Risk Bridge Fund Grant Agreement for repairs to the Liberty Street Bridge. City Manager Walker stated that the funds for the grant are coming from the County s Act 13 At-Risk Bridge Fund, which is funded by natural gas well drilling fees. The grant will cover 100% of the bridge repairs. On a motion by Councilmember Battaglia, seconded by Councilmember Roha, Council unanimously approved a resolution to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Ben Roethlisberger Giving Back Foundation in the amount of $12,000 for the purchase and training of a new police department canine. City Manager Walker noted that this is a redo of last year s grant application to the Foundation that was not approved. This year the City is only requesting funds for the canine and training. The City will find out if it received the grant early next year, sometime after the Super Bowl. For this grant application, the City partnered with the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation as a requirement of the grant is that it is applied for by 501(c)(3) organizations. Councilmember Roha moved to pass an ordinance on first reading amending Article 161 of the Meadville Municipal Code, to add defined contribution features for firefighters hired after November 27, Deputy Mayor Manglio-Bittner seconded and roll call vote was unanimous to pass the ordinance on first reading. Deputy Mayor Mangilo-Bittner moved to pass the Firemen s Pension Ordinance on second reading. Councilmember Battaglia seconded and roll call vote was unanimous to pass the ordinance on second reading. 4

5 Discussion Stormwater and Paving Updates City Manager Walker notified Council that there are multiple failures in the culvert running along Waelde Court, the alley behind Walgreens that runs north to Randolph Street. The culvert has been inspected and the recommendation is for a full culvert replacement. Any repairs would be a waste of time and money. The estimated cost for a new culvert is $500,000. Given the significant cost, Walker notified Council that he will explore all options: full replacement, partial replacement, daylighting, pre-cast construction, etc. Walker further indicated that impacted property owners and other stakeholders will eventually be engaged in the planning. City Manager Walker discussed another stormwater project at the former Penn Plaza (Terrace Street), which is owned by a property holding company of C&J Industries. A stormwater line that collects a great deal of stormwater has failed and a sinkhole has developed. Currently the City has no easement on that property and will have to work with C&J Industries to obtain one. The City is also evaluating several options but it is most likely that the pipe will need to be replaced in its current location. City Manager Walker also mentioned that the City is still dealing with dozens of complaints stemming from the July storms and that the City is working on reviewing and addressing each complaint as quickly as possible. At this time, Mayor Stearns requested an update about the paving on Lord Street to which Assistant City Manager Johnson informed the Mayor that the basecoat has been put down. City Manager Walker informed Council that paving at Hillcrest was complete and the basecoats on Alfred Street and Irvin Street would be next in line to be completed. Councilmember Roha questioned as to who owns the bricks once the streets are converted from brick to pavement. City Manager Walker informed Council that the City still maintains ownership of the bricks and that the City attempts to recycle bricks whenever possible. Despite the many inquiries, they are not available for citizen purchase or use. Review Agenda Councilmember Statements City Council reviewed the draft agenda for the August 15, 2018 City Council meeting. Councilmember Donahue reminded those in attendance that the 10 th Annual Thunder in the City is August 3 rd and 4 th. 5

6 Mayor Stearns revealed a plaque presented to those who participated in The World s Largest Potluck at Diamond Park on July 27 th. Names on the plaque included: RDA, My Meadville board leadership, Pennsylvania Humanities Council, staff and volunteers. The plaque will be on display at City Hall. Adjournment With no further business to come before Council, Councilmember Roha moved to adjourn. Councilmember Battaglia seconded and the roll call was unanimous to adjourn at 5:05 p.m. to an Executive Session to discuss real estate. H. Leroy Stearns, Mayor Andrew J. Walker, City Clerk 6