Appointment Police Chief Mike Tautin Resolution #21 Recognizing Police Chief Eric Young upon his Retirement Oath of Office Newly Appointed Police Chief and Assistant Chief Executive Session A Regular meeting of the Council of the City of Meadville, held in Council Chambers, 894 Diamond Park, Meadville, Pennsylvania, was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Stearns. Councilmembers Robert Langley, Nancy Mangilo-Bittner, Sean Donahue, John Battaglia and Mayor H. LeRoy Stearns answered at 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 Tim Groves and Deputy City Clerk/Recording Secretary Janet Niedermeyer. The Mayor recognized many family members of the new Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief in the audience this evening to witness the Oath of Office for their new positions. The Mayor started the meeting by moving to the last three items on the agenda under New Business on this topic so the family members can be dismissed following the Oaths of Office if they so wish. At this time, City Manager Walker announced his recent appointment of the new Police Chief Mike Tautin, effective April 21, 2017, and asked for concurrence from Council. Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner moved to concur with the City Manager s appointment. Mayor Stearns seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous to concur with the new Police Chief appointment. The City Manager also announced the appointment of Assistant Police Chief Mike Stefanucci. Next the Deputy City Clerk read a resolution recognizing Police Chief Eric Young upon his retirement from the City effective Friday, April 21, 2017. Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner moved to pass the resolution as read. Councilmember Langley seconded. All of Council wished Chief Young the best in his retirement years and thanked him for his service to the City. The roll call vote was unanimous to pass the resolution. Mayor Stearns administered the oath of office to newly appointed Police Chief Tautin and Assistant Chief Stefanucci effective the close of business on Friday the 21st. Following the Oaths, both the Chief and Assistant Chief, offered thanks and appreciation to Management and Council and stated they are looking forward to working with the Police Department, City staff and Council. Councilmembers welcomed each of them to their new positions on the police force. City Council met in Executive Session on March 15 to discuss real estate. 1
Minutes Approved On motion of Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner, seconded by Councilmember Battaglia, the minutes of the March 15, 2017 Regular Meeting and April 5, 2017 Study Session meeting were unanimously approved on the call of the roll. INVITATION TO THE AUDIENCE TO ADDRESS COUNCIL: None MANAGER S REPORT: Manager s Report The Bucktails Reenactor Group has completed their installation of a black iron fence around the Peiffer Memorial Statue in the Diamond. This statue was completely funded and restored by the PA 150 th Bucktail organization. Landscaping around the Memorial will happen soon. Mr. Walker and staff thanked the Bucktails Reenactor Group for all their hard work and dedication throughout this project. Provided an update on PennDOT Paving projects in the City Reminder Clean-Up Day Saturday, May 12, 2017 Paving Bids were advertised and will be open on May 10 th In honor of Earth Day the Shade Tree Commission will be planning trees on South Main Street The County Severe Weather Drill will take place on April 25 th at 9:00 a.m. at the Fire Station. City staff will participate. Arbor Day Celebration will take place Friday April 28 th in Diamond Park. School Age children are always a part of this celebration along with demonstrations from Hazlett Tree Service Monthly Report - Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner praised the new Parking Enforcement Officer for her hard work which is noted by the increase in street meter revenue reflected in the monthly report. COMMUNICATIONS: Meadville Named Tree City USA Resignation from Market Authority The Deputy City Clerk announced that the City of Meadville was named a recipient of the 2016 Tree City USA for their commitment to effective urban management. The Deputy City Clerk announced receipt of a resignation letter from Market Authority member Danuta Majchrowicz. Councilmember Battaglia moved to accept the resignation. Councilmember Donahue seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous to accept her resignation with regret. 2
Market Authority Appointment Dan Hunter Council Subcommittee Reports Kudos Offered to Downtown Coordinator Autumn Vogel Fismes France Celebration update OLD BUSINESS: Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner moved to appoint Dan Hunter to the Market Authority to complete an unexpired term. His term will expire on January 1, 2021. Councilmember Battaglia seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous to appoint Mr. Hunter to that Authority. Councilmembers also thanked Mr. Hunter for all the volunteerism work he does throughout the City. Mr. Walker reported that recently Mr. Hunter helped initiate a project called Thankful Thursday which kicked off last Thursday evening by picking up trash around the City. Many volunteers assisted in that project thanks to Mr. Hunter. RDA Executive Director Jill Withey updated Council on two residential projects under construction at this time. These residential repairs are being funded through the Redevelopment Fund Agreement between the City and RDA which was approved in 2016. She explained that both properties are in County tax claims and the goal is to get them back on the tax rolls following completion. Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner also commented on the recent Tribune article recognizing all the positive changes taking place downtown. She thanked the Downtown Coordinator Autumn Vogel. Ms. Vogel recently launched new community based initiative called My Meadville which Ms. Mangilo-Bittner is the Council subcommittee member to that committee. She further commented that they are a great group of volunteers who along with the City Manager and RDA continue to make great strides in revitalizing the downtown. Fismes, France Memorial Celebration - 2018 - Mr. Walker reported that the Memorial celebration is set for September 15, 2018 in Fismes, France. Brochures explaining the Sister City relationship with Fismes and Invitations to the Memorial Celebration have been sent out to public officials and all former Mayors of the City. The committee is also putting together a tour package for others who wish to travel to Fismes and be a part of the historic event commemorating the 100 th anniversary of the liberation of Fismes during World War 1. Meadville area troops assisted in liberating Fismes from the Germans creating an enduring friendship between the two cities. NEW BUSINESS: 3
Proposed Zoning Code Amendments Resolution #19 - CDBG Grant Contract Discussion Support for Continued Funding of the CDBG Program in the Federal Budget Resolution #20 Amendment to the Civil Services Rules and Regulations Gary Johnson provided a power-point on zoning updates which he is would like to fast track. He explained that although the Planning Commission is in the process of reviewing a Comprehensive Zoning update the following projects might involve certain zoning code amendments before the update is completed. Creekside Recreational Development Diamond Retail and Restaurant Electronic Signs Following the presentation and discussion it was the consensus of Council to move forward with preparing an ordinance regarding three zoning amendments for discussion and action. It also was the consensus of Council that all three of these uses be subject to special exception with approval necessary by the Zoning Hearing Board to allow neighbors of the applicant a chance to hear the information and speak if they so wish. Councilmember Donahue moved to pass a resolution authorizing signatures between the City and DCED on a CDBG Grant Contract for 2017 in the amount of $272,958.00. Councilmember Battaglia seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous to pass the resolution. The City Manager explained that the CDBG funding has been eliminated in the proposed budget by President Trump. Council and staff talked about the importance of this funding and how it has assisted the City every year in funding infrastructure repairs, ADA curb ramps and blight issues. It was the consensus of Council to send letters from the Mayor to Senator Toomey, Senator Casey and Congressman Kelly urging them to please support keeping the CDBG program in the Federal budget. Councilmember Langley moved to adopt an amendment to Article 6.1 (b) 3 of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Councilmember Battaglia seconded. The City Manager explained the one word language change in the section from Police Sergeant to Police Officer. He stated it simply was a typo which was noticed recently while reviewing that section for upcoming testing. He explained that an applicant is required to be a Police Officer (not a Police Sergeant) for six years before they can apply for a position of Detective Sergeant as the language stated prior to the amendment. He commented that the Civil Service Board has already adopted the change to the article. The roll call vote was unanimous to adopt the amendment to the Rules and regulations. COUNCILMEMBER STATEMENTS: 4
Councilmember Statements Adjournment Councilmember Langley reminded everyone of the Bulldog Fun Match taking place at the MARC on Sunday, May 21, 2017. He also congratulated Eric Young upon his retirement as Police Chief and welcomed the new Chief and Assistant Chief of Police. Lastly, he thanked everyone for their support during his recently illness. Councilmember Donahue thanked the MASH Basketball team and the Meadville Hockey team on their great season. He reported that the Corporate Spelling Bee will take place on April 27th. He reported that Dan Hunter is planning a picnic in the playground at fifth ward the 2 nd Saturday next month. Lastly, he announced that there will be a Fluoride Forum at the Lou Davies Center on May 4 th and a Crawford Central School Board election forum on May 7 th. Councilmember Battaglia stated that the Peiffer Memorial Statue in Diamond Park was professionally restored at thanked the 150 th Bucktail organization for leading that effort. He also reported that the Quik Fill rebuild on lower Park Avenue is looking great. Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner congratulated Police Chief Young on his retirement and wished him the best of luck. She also mentioned the great success the Meadville Hockey team had this year and announced their Coach Jamie Plunkett has lead the teams over the years to more than one thousand wins which is a great accomplishment. She also again thanked City Manager Walker, RDA Executive Director Jill Withey and Downtown Project Coordinator Autumn Vogel on their great work improving the downtown. Mayor Stearns also wished Police Chief Young the best in his retirement. He reported that recently he and the City Manager were involved in a reader s theatre with students at the Second District School. He stated the children enjoyed learning about City government. He announced that the Special Olympics Field and Track on May 10 th at the Crawford County Fair Grounds. He also commented that has noticed a new energy downtown and throughout the City and is so proud of everyone involved with revitalizing the downtown. With no further business to come before Council at this Regular meeting, Councilmember Battaglia moved to adjourn. Councilmember Mangilo-Bittner seconded, and the roll call vote was unanimous to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. to an Executive Session to discuss litigation. H. LeRoy Stearns, Mayor Andrew J. Walker, City Clerk 5
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