CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2023  153  CALL TO ORDER  The regular monthly Council meeting of the City of Saint Marys was called to order by MayorI Lyle Garner on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Notice oft this meeting was sent to Council on November 17, 2023, posted at City Hall and published in the  Daily Press.  PLEDGE TO' THE FLAG ROLL CALL  MayorI Lyle Garner, Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts, Nedward Jacob, Andrew Mohney, Jerome Sorg, Shane Schneider, Sally Geyer, Manager Joseph Fleming, Solicitor Tom Wagner and Recording  Secretary Lorrie Levenduski.  City Staff: Tina Gradizzi, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Carol Muhitch, Finance Director. Cly Hornung, Stephen Bagley, Joe Sarginger, Eric Wolfe, Charles Nunamaker, Amy Cherry, and Richard Sadley. Sally Geyer made a motion to approve the October 18, 2023 minutes, seconded by Andrew Mohney and all were in favor. Sally Geyer made a motion to approve the November 6, 2023 minutes, seconded by Jerome Sorg and all were in favor. Andrew Mohney a motion to approve the November 8, 2023 minutes, seconded by Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts and all were in  VISITORS  APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 18, 2023 - Regular Meeting Motion Passed November 6, 2023 - Budget Workshop Motion Passed November 8, 2023 -] Budget Workshop Motion Passed AGENDA TOPICS MANAGER'S REPORT  favor.  CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on agenda topics.  Manager Fleming provided the following report:  "Iwish to start by saying thank you to all the emergency services that participated in handing out candy on Halloween night, I believe we had over 20 emergency vehicles out and about in neighborhoods that night. Despite some iffy weather, the Haunted Forest held at Benzinger Park had another successful year and thanks to everyone involved with this great event.    154  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2023  Also, thank you to the American Legion for their annual Veteran's Day activity held on the Diamond. We held productive budget workshops and thank you to Council and presenters for the discussions which were held. City Council granted increases to EMS of0.3 ofa mill and Fire Protection received 0.7ofamill respectfully, for rat total ofone mill increase. The operating general fund was presented which was balanced with zero increases in millage. Council will be voting on its publication later in I met with representatives from Comcast earlier this month and they have already begun their walk-through of our area sO I wanted to advise residents that you may see individuals from Comcast in neighborhoods as they plan Reminder for those who have past due sewer payments to please bring their accounts current to avoid being placed on our collection's list. The list will be compiled at the end A selection has been made to succeed our outgoing Finance and Human Resource Director Carol Muhitch. The selection made was Charles Nunamaker and is in the audience tonight. His start date will be January 2, 2024. Parks and Recreation is holding their Letters to Santa activity through December 15th which can be mailed directly to City Hall or dropped off in the main lobby entrance. Please see their website for other upcoming Leaf collection is still ongoing, mill and fill projects are completed and will be transitioning the truck in preparation for our winter season. Street Department and area organizations have been busy decorating the City in preparation for Light Up Night which will be held this coming Saturday with the parade starting at 630pm. Pertaining to Light Up Night, no parking will be allowed around the Diamond to ensure safe passage of the apparatuses taking part in the parade and safety for the  the meeting.  their build.  of the year.  activities.  people attending the event.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2023  155  Congratulations goes out to our new members of City Council who will be sworn in on Tuesday, January 2nd during our Re-organizational Meeting here at City Hall. Ialso want to send out a special recognition to the Elk County Catholic Lady Crusader Fall Sports Program, not only did they have one team become state champions but two teams, first it was the Lady Crusader Cross Country team and more recently, the Lady Crusader Volleyball team. It is a rare feat to have multiple teams in the same season achieve this honor. Congratulations to these The City offices will be closed this coming Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday and resume normal business hours Monday November 27th. Good luck to all area hunters as rifle season will begin this Finally, from everyone at City Hall, I want to wish all of Saint Marys a very Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the  programs.  Saturday.  time with friends and family. G  TREASURER'S REPORT  Manager Fleming provided the following Treasurer's Report for The General Fund has collected 86.4% of its budgeted revenue and spent 90.68% oft the budgeted amount. Last year at this time revenue collected was at 86.75% and expenditures were at 75.25% of budget and in 2021 budgeted revenue collected was 85% and expenses were at 79% of budget. Benchmark figures would be at 83%. Market value in pension funds decreased this month. Earned Income is at 67.4% of budget; in 2022 earned income was 55% ofbudget; for 2021 it was 58%0 ofbudget.  October, 2023:  LEGISLATIVE ACTION Consider for publication: levy and assessment of taxes for the fiscal year 2024  An Ordinance providing for the levy and assessment oft taxes for Nedward Jacob made a motion to approve the Ordinance for publication, seconded by Andrew Mohney and all were in favor.  An Ordinance providing for the the fiscal year 2024 was presented for publication.    156  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2023  A Resolution for the 2024 City A Resolution for the 2024 City Preliminary Budget for various  Preliminary Budget for various funds was presented for publication.  funds  Andrew Mohney made a motion to approve the Resolution for publication, seconded by Shane Schneider and all were in favor.  Cooperation Agreement between Tina Gradizzi Director of Community and Economic the City and the St. Marys Area Development explained a Cooperation Agreement between the  Economic and Development Corporation  City and the St. Marys Area Economic and Development Corporation was being presented for approval. This agreement is as result of approving the Updated Program Income and Non- Program Income Reuse Plan that was approved at the last meeting and to implement the recommendation contained in the Strategic Management Plan from HRG to start an Economic Development Solicitor Wagner explained this agreement will set aside funds for Economic Development for the City with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The question was, who should manage the fund? Either City Council or an entity that is in the business of economic development. The City currently provides $5,000annually: in support ofthe EDC'sprograms, which will not change. This agreement will allow the City to use non-program funds to meet the $5,000 obligation. Ifthe non-program funds are greater than $5,000 in any given year, the excess will have to be placed into the fund. Ifthe funds are. less than $5,000 the City will still be obligated to make sure there is a minimum of $5,000 allocated into the fund. The agreement provides auditing and reporting requirements and an option to withdraw from the Tina Gradizzi confirmed that this fund will be separate and only for St. Marys projects. The projects will be reviewed per the guidelines and presented to the City Manager and the Director of There was a brief discussion regarding the agreement and what the funds would be used for and how reporting would be handled. Andrew Mohney made a motion to approve the agreement, Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts seconded the motion. Nedward Jacob stated he wanted to know how he would get the Manager Fleming responded Council will be informed.  fund.  agreement at any time.  the EDC.  Motion Discussion  reports.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2023  157  Solicitor Wagner noted ift the agreement states the reports will be filed with the City or the City Manager the same exact thing will Sally Geyer stated it should be in writing that the City Manager Andrew Mohney amended his motion to approve the agreement dependent on the Solicitor changing the verbiage in the agreement to state that Council will get a quarterly report of what is Tina Gradizzi offered to come and report to Council, but noted there may be permission needed from applicants due to Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts amended his second to mirror  happen. Council can just request the reports. has to provide City Council with the reports.  Amended First  happening.  Clarification  confidentiality with loan fund requests. Andrew Mohney'samended motion. All were in favor of the motion. Motion passed.  Amended Second Motion Passed Park lots  Offers for Airport Industrial Manager Fleming explained an offer was received for Lot 10 in  the Airport Industrial Park in the amount of$10,000 per acre for at total of $50,000. The offer was from Jacob Auman, owner of It was determined the proceeds will be placed in the Airport Carol Muhitch provided details oft the former loan on thej property. Manager Fleming noted the sale oflot 10 was contingent upon the purchase of the adjacent Lot 12. He believed there was already a signed agreement of sale on Lot 12 between Mr. Auman and Mr. Andrew Mohney made a motion to approve the sale ofLot 10 to Jacob Auman, seconded by Sally Geyer and all were in favor. Manager Fleming explained an offer of $45,000 was received for Lot 14 in the Airport Industrial Park from Scott Rodich, owner of Andrew Mohney made a motion to approve the sale ofLot 14 to Scott Rodich, seconded by Shane Schneider and all were in favor.  City Transfer Trucking. Industrial Park fund.  Chicola, who the current owner ofLot 12.  Lot10 Motion Passed  SE Rodich Excavating.  Lot14 Motion Passed    158  CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2023  TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: Nedward Jacob requested proposals be solicited for the Solicitor  position, since Mr. Wagner is retiring at the end ofthis year. Solicitor Wagner stated his firm is willing to take over that The Manager would have to take care of the required Nedward Jacob requested permission from Council to advertise for Andrew Mohney noted the lack of] lawyers in the area. Nedward Jacob made a motion to solicit for a new Solicitor, Andrew Mohney commented there should be requirements for the Solicitor Wagner commented that this is aj professional service and Nedward Jacob commented he has seen Attorney Kraus attend Council meetings but wasn't sure of the other members of his firm's knowledge of government, like Mr. Wagner has. He believed there were a few experienced attorneys in the area. All were in favor of the motion except Andrew Mohney, Deputy Mayor Bob Roberts and Jerome Sorg who voted in the negative. Sally Geyer questioned ift the Redevelopment Authority should be Itwas determined the Cooperation Agreement approved earlier  responsibility. advertisements. as Solicitor.  Motion Discussion  seconded by Sally Geyer.  position.  experience and availability matters.  Motion Passed  Motion passed 41 to3. reestablished.  would cover what was needed.  CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizens comments on non-agenda topics.  NON-AGENDA TOPICS COUNCIL COMMENTS  Andrew Mohney reminded everyone of Light Up Night this Sally Geyer congratulated Andrew Mohney on winning the Halloween decorating contest. She offered her chair next to the  coming weekend.  Mayor to the newly elected Council members.    CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL  REGULAR NOVEMBER 20, 2023  159  MEETING  Shane Schneider congratulated the ECCHS Cross Country and Volleyball teams for their championship wins and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and that everyone be safe on the Jerome Sorg also congratulated the ECCHS teams. He also encouraged those who expressed an interest in serving on one of the City Boards to come and introduced themselves to Council. Nedward Jacob also congratulated thet teams at ECCHS and wished Mayor Garner congratulated Tricia Bauer for receiving coach of  first day of deer rifle season.  everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  the year.  ANNOUNCEMENTS  Mayor Garner made the following announcements:  The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, Nedward Jacob made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Andrew Mohney. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.  December 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.  ADJOURNMENT  A dhrbb Recording Secretary  Wab    160