CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL  REGULAR FEBRUARY 19, 2024  175  MEETING  CALLTOORDER  The regular monthly Council meeting of the City of Saint Marys was called to order by Mayor Lyle Garner on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Notice of this meeting was sent to Council on February 15, 2024, posted at City Hall and published in the  Daily Press.  PLEDGE TOTHEI FLAG ROLL CALL  Mayor Lyle Garner, Deputy Mayor Shane Schneider, Nedward Jacob, Jerome Sorg, Anthony Gregory, Stephen Bagley, Joe Sarginger, Manager Joseph Fleming, Solicitor Lauren Brennen, City Staff: Tina Gradizzi, Director of Community and Economic Development, Kim Andrus Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development, Dani Kugler, Director of Parks and Jeff Smith, Bill Laird, Bill Kraus, Amy Cherry, Peter Straub, Curt Brennen, Richard Sadley, Tim Ruffner and Martin Dornisch. Shane Schneider made a motion to approve the January 15, 2024 minutes, seconded by Anthony Gregory and all were in favor.  and Recording Secretary Lorrie Levenduski.  Recreation.  VISITORS  APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 15, 2024- - Regular Meeting Motion Passed SESSION  REPORT ON EXECUTIVE  An Executive Session was held Thursday, February 1, 2024 regarding personnel matters. No decisions were made.  SPECIALI PRESENTATION- Bill Kraus, Fire Chief, introduced himself and the other key  Crystal Firel Department Annual Report  members of the Fire Department to the newly elected Council Chief Kraus presented the following 2023 report:  members.  Responded to 274 incidents, a decrease of 46 from the  previous year  Provided a breakdown of the incidents Responded to 76: mutual aid responses Received mutual aid 30 times Response time averages  Incidents by days of the week and an alarm time analysis Building and content values, losses, and savings Provided a listing of types ofincidents Conducted inspections and drills at local schools and Implemented fire prevention programs to local schools  health care facilities and scout troops    176  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2024  He recognized the local employers that release firefighters to answer calls and noted the numerous tours and prevention programs that have a positive impact on the community. He explained the increase in the required amount of training hours and how it affected the recruitment of new members. Council thanked Chief Kraus for the presentation.  CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on agenda topics.  AGENDA TOPICS MANAGER'S REPORT  Manager Fleming provided the following report:  "First off, Iv want to thank Chief Kraus for his annual fire report. The City is very fortunate to have a fire department that works extremely hard to serve our area. I appreciate - want to welcome our new Deputy Director of Community and Economic Development Kim Andrus. Her first day was today and she is getting settled in. Iwill be attending the Annual PELRAS Conference being held in State College from March 13th to the 15th. We are still in winter mode, and I expect to start placing projects before Council next month as we are finalizing Parks and Recreation recently met with DCNR on moving forward with the construction of the new playland area. Once the Parks and Recreation Board and DCNR approve the plans, a presentation will be made for Council. I am hoping this] presentation will take place either at the March City of St. Marys - Facade Program was approved for a Keystone Communities Program grant last week which will help in revitalizing the downtown area. Iaml happy to see the Governor's Council for Rural Affairs has started back up as we advocate for rural issues. We will have ai meeting at the end of this week and at the start Finally, there are many events happenings around the community along with registrations for spring/summer  everything they do.  everything to move them forward.  or April monthly meeting.  of next week.  sports programs currently underway. 46  TREASURER'S REPORT  Manager Fleming provided the following Treasurer's Report for  January, 2024:    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19,2024  177  For 2024 revenue for the General Fund was at .45% of budget. For 2023, revenue for the General Fund was at .36% of budget. For 2022 revenue was .22%; and for 2021, revenue was .35% of budget. 2024 Expenditures were at 5.33% of Budget; for 2023 expenditures were at 5.16% of budget; for 2022 6.21%; and for 2021 5.1% of budget for the General Fund. Revenue will be low for the first few months of the year, real estate tax bills are not mailed out until March 1st. Earned income collected in January and February of 2024 will be the 4th quarter 2023 revenue and will show up in the 2023 statement of Revenue & Expenditures. As of the end of January, the EIT collections for 2023 are at 115.13% of budget. February will be the majority of the 4th Quarter, 2023 Collections, SO you will see the total Earned Income Tax earned for 2023. We will start seeing the 1st quarter of 2024 EIT collections in May. The pension plans market value increased for January of 2024. Balances as of 1/1/2024 were adjusted to actual with 2023 year end adjusting entries and will also be  adjusted again in February.  LEGISLATIVEACTION: Consider for adoption: Ordinance No. 341, amending City Code Part One, Administrative Code, Article I- Departments Motion Passed Resolution No. 24-03- Authorizing the Mayor and PennDOT for the year 2024 Motion Passed  Ordinance No. 341 amending City Code Part One, Administrative Code, Article I- Departments was presented for adoption. Anthony Gregory made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 341, seconded by Shane Schneider and all were in favor. Resolution No. 24-03 - Authorizing the Mayor and Manager to sign agreements with PennDOT for the year 2024 was presented Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24-03, seconded by Nedward Jacob and all were in favor.  Manager to sign agreements with for adoption.  Resolution No. 24-04-4 Adopting Resolution No. 24-04 - Adopting a waiver of the right of first  av waiver of the right of first refusal for lot at the Airport Industrial Park  refusal for lot at the Airport Industrial Park was presented for Manager Fleming explained the Airport Industrial Park lots have a Restrictive Covenant and under clause number four it states the City has the right of first refusal to purchase any property back before it is sold. He stated the City had no interest in the purchase of a manufacturing facility, SO he requested approval of  adoption.  Resolution No. 24-04.    178  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2024  Motion Passed  Shane Schneider made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24- 04, seconded by Nedward Jacob and all were in favor. Resolution No. 24-05-Authorizing: and executing an employment contract between the City and City Manager was presented for Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24-05, seconded by Anthony Gregory and all were in favor. Manager Fleming explained a request from the Airport Authority was received for funds in the amount of $25,000. The Airport received a grant in the amount of $250,000 which requires matching funds of $62,500 to secure the grant. If Council approves the request, then the City budget would be opened and advertised. The funds would come out of the Earned Income Tax revenue, which would decrease the amount transferred into the Jerome Sorg made a motion to open the budget to approve the Jerome Sorg questioned if there were other funds that were Manager Fleming explained that $10,500 was needed for the application for the PA Wild remote worker program. He briefly described the details and the benefits of the program. He noted $8,000 would be reimbursed, SO the actual total expenditure Jerome Sorg amended his motion to include the amount for the Joe Sarginger asked where the workers would live and Manager Fleming responded there are a lot of options and Tina Gradizzi was working on those accommodation options. The City will work with property owners to ensure they have what they need. Manager Fleming confirmed the workers are mainly from the private sector and could be up toi five (individuals and/or families) Shane Schneider questioned if the Airport funds would be repaid and Manager Fleming stated it would be a transfer of funds to  Resolution No. 24-05- Authorizing and executing an employment contract between the City and City Manager Motion Passed  adoption.  Airport request of funds  Capital Reserve Fund. funds needed for the Airport.  Motion  needed.  would be $2,500.  Amended Motion  PA Remote Worker program to the budget.  them.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19,2024  179  Shane Schneider questioned what the Airport funds wouldi be used for and Bill Laird, Chairman of the. Airport Authority, responded Chairman Laird stated the County agreed to provide $25,000 of funds if the City agreed to the same amount. The Airport would Shane Schneider seconded Jerome Sorg'sa amended motion. All were in favor of the motion. Motion Passed.  terminal and restaurant rehabilitation.  need to come up with the balance of $12,500.  Second to amended motion Motion Passed  Land Development Approvals  2024-01 Crown Castle' Towers Land Development 2024-01 Crown Castle Towers 06-02LLC-  06-02LLC-105 Benzinger Rd. 105 Benzinger Rd. was presented for approval.  The application proposes to erect a 360-foot-tall communication tower on property owned by the S. Marys Beagle Club. The applicant received approval from the Zoning) Hearing Board ofthe special exception with no variances requested on November 15, 2023.' The Planning Commission had no substantive comments on Shane Schneider made a motion to approve the land development application, seconded by Anthony Gregory and all were in: favor. Land Development 2024- 03 Reece Scolari - Brusselles St. was presented for approval. The applicant proposed to construct a 60' X8 80' building to operate an automobile repair and service facility. The St. Marys Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception for this use on January 24, 2024. The Planning Commission had no substantive comments on the application. Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve the land development application, seconded by Joe Sarginger and all were in favor.  the application.  Motion Passed  2024- 03 Reece Scolari - Brusselles St.  Motion Passed  TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: PA Wild Remote Worker Program City Fee Schedule  This item was covered earlier in the meeting.  Stephen Bagley stated he had researched other municipalities to compare the gaming/skill games fees and the City's was at the high end. The Solicitor had informed him that there was no precedent to a separate fee for non-profits SO, he proposed to move the fee to  more of an average amount.    180  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2024  Motion  Stephen Bagley made a motion to change the game of skill annual fee from $500 per machine to $200 per machine. Shane Schneider questioned if the non-profits could donate the money instead of being charged a fee, which would allow them to use the money from their donation requirement to other non-profits instead of from their operating money and Stephen Bagley responded he would rather keep the fee instead a required donation. Jerome Sorg stated the fee could be lowered from the initial fee of $500. They have never had to pay it before now since this was a  new device added. He suggested a fee of $350. Stephen Bagley asked if $250 was agreeable?  Anthony Gregory asked if the fee could be changed and Stepehen Bagley responded the fee schedule can be changed at any time. Stephen Bagley amended his motion to change the fee to $250. Anthony Gregory stated if there are issues with not being able to Manager Fleming asked the motion should be to draft a Resolution Shane Schneider asked if there were any issues with the rest of the fees and Stephen Bagley responded to leave the other fees alone. Anthony Gregory asked what the money is used for, and Manager Fleming responded for general funds and to offset taxes, especially It was confirmed that the motion was to have a Resolution drafted  Amended Motion  pay for it then they could reevaluate it. to be presented at the next meeting.  real estate taxes.  Motion Confirmed  tor reflect the proposed amount of $250. Nedward Jacob seconded the motion.  Roll Call Vote  On a roll call vote all were in favor, except Mayor Garner who Mayor Garner stated he has been trying to do this since he became Stephen Bagley stated in talking with the Mayor on the Downtown Event Park he thought the name was bland and generic. It speaks nothing about the City's heritage or personal identity as a  opposed.  Downtown Event Park Motion  Mayor and finally it is on the agenda tonight.    CITY OF SAINTI MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 19, 2024  181  community. The current location of the park was originally where the Shawmut Railroad shops were located, which was a huge part Stephen Bagley made a motion to officially rename Downtown Shane Schneider stated when he was first on Council there was a Mayor Garner stated he had talked to one of the parents of the school students that submitted the name Shawmut Park, which inspired the Mayor to bring this matter to Council. He also noted his father and grandfather worked at the Shawmut Shops.  ofthe City's local industry and history. Event Park to Shawmut Park.  contest with the local schools to name the park.  Motion Seconded  Anthony Gregory seconded the motion.  Shane Schneider wanted to confirm there was no trademark or issues with the name Shawmut and Stephen Bagley responded  there was not.  Motion Passed  All were in favor of the motion.  CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on non-agenda topics  NON-AGENDA TOPICS COUNCIL COMMENTS  Jerome Sorg stated he had information regarding the ATV trails to Stephen Bagley thanked the Fire Department for their presentation and congratulated. Dani Kugler on her Parks and Recreation award. Mayor Garner and Stephen Bagley welcomed Kim Andrus as a  present to Council.  new employee.  ANNOUNCEMENIS  Mayor Garner made the following announcements:  The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, Stephen Bagley made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Nedward Jacob. Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.  March 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.  ADJOURNMENT Da Recording k Secretary  Mayor  fph