222 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 21, 2024 CALLTOORDER The regular monthly Council meeting oft the City of Saint Marys was called to order by Mayor Lyle Garner on Monday, October 21,2024, at 7:00 p.m. Notice ofthis meeting was sent to Council on October 17, 2024, posted at City Hall and published in the Daily Press. PLEDGE: TOTHE FLAG ROLL CALL Mayor Lyle Garner, Deputy Mayor Shane Schneider, Jerome Sorg, Nedward Jacob, Stephen Bagley, Anthony Gregory, Joe Sarginger, City Manager Joseph Fleming, Solicitor Lauren Brennen, and Recording Secretary Lorrie Levenduski. City Staff: Tina Gradizzi, Director of Community and Economic Development, Matt Young, Senior Code Official. Cly Hornung, Richard Sadley and Amy Cherry. VISITORS APPROVAL OF MINUTES Shane Schneider made a motion to approve the September 16, September 16, 2024-1 Regular 2024, minutes, seconded by Anthony Gregory and all were in Meeting Motion Passed favor. REPORT ON EXECUTIVE An Executive Session was held Wednesday, October 16, 2024 regarding personnel matters. No decisions were made. SESSION: CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on agenda topics. AGENDA TOPICS MANAGER'S REPORT Manager Fleming presented the following Manager's Report for "Another successful weekend with the Haunted Forest also I wish to recognize some individuals pertaining to a medical emergency which occurred on Friday evening. I am still gathering information but wish to recognize Lily McKay for her quick actions of recognizing the medical emergency along with Greg Gebauer, Darcy Gorlowski, and Beth Upperman for their assistance with this incident. With the Business Trick or Treat event taking place this Friday the 25th and the predicted numbers of people that will be gathering in the downtown area along with favorable weather forecast, I am going to close off Erie Avenue and the lower portion ofLafayette Street near City Hall to vehicular traffic during the event which is 5pm to 7pm.Iwould also like to alert motorists of the downtown September 2024. CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 21,2024 223 area, especially near the diamond as pedestrians will be crossing the roadways. For those couple ofhours, Iwould Emergency services will again be around on Halloween night October 31st SO please stop by the emergency vehicles as they will have treats for the kids. The Erie Ave and Washington St. Sewer Replacement project is moving along. When dealing with a current system that is well over 100 years old, there will be challenges especially once the digging takes place with the uncertainty of line placements and where the connections are. We are hopeful that we can get Erie Ave. completed prior to the winter season. Most of the week the construction crewl has been working around the clock from Sunday evening to Thursday afternoon to expediate the project. We are doing our best to accommodate for the businesses affected especially with their deliveries. Mill and fill project almost completed, berm work is still The HOMES projects on George and Charles Streets are Leafcollection schedule has been posted and is beginning Both the new playground at Memorial and Diamond Street Parks are completed and open. Fortunately, we. have been enjoying some nice weather and the kids are taking The Benzinger Park Pedestrian Pathway is moving along with a majority of the Wehler Road side of the project nearing completion. They still have to do the painting of the pedestrian lane and crosswalk. Still more work is to be completed on the Benzinger Park side of the pathway. Ag general note that today is the last day to register to vote in this upcoming election. Probably the best way to perform this action now is by registering online. The general election will be Tuesday, November 5th SO please go out and vote on election day. The budget workshops will be held November Monday the 4th, Wednesday the 6th and if necessary, on Tuesday The City offices will be closed on Monday November 11th advise finding an alternate route. needed in those areas. nearing completion. today. advantage ofit at the playgrounds. 12th from 6pm to 8pm. in observance of Veteran's Day." . 224 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 21,2024 September 2024: TREASURER'S REPORT Manager Fleming, provided the following Treasurer's Report for Total revenue for the general fund as of September 30th 2024 was $6.9 million or 78% of budget, last year was $7.2 million (84%) and 2022 was $6.3 million (77%). Expenditures for the general fund as of September 30th 2024, were $7.1 million or 80% of Budget. Last year was $7 million (82%) and 2022 was $5.5 million (67%). Total Real Estate tax collection as of the end of September was at 97% of budget. For 2023 it was 97% and through September 2022 Real Estate tax collection was at 97%. Earned Income tax collection as of9/30/2024 is at 82% ofbudget. In 2023 it was at 88% ofbudget, and in 2022 EIT collections were at 69% of budget. Pension plans for September 2024 saw a slight increase in value. ACT 205 monies were received for the pension plans totaling $396,874 - Total MMO was $352,866. - For the Fireman's Relief Association, they received from Act 205 - $72,313.16 LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Consider for adoption: Grant for Airport Industrial Park Resolution No. 24-20-PA Sites Grant for Airport Industrial Park Resolution No. 24-20-PA Sites Electric and Gas Line upgrades was presented for adoption. Electric and Gas Line upgrades Tina Gradizzi explained this application will request $684,000 in funds to be used for improvements to the St. Marys Airport Industrial Park for Phase II and Phase III ofutility upgrades to the gas line and for an extension of the electric to the undeveloped Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24-20, seconded by Nedward Jacob and all were in favor. Resolution No. 24-21 - Local Share Assessment Grant for Shawmut Park was presented for adoption. Tina Gradizzi explained this application will request $950,000 in funds to be used for Shawmut Park development. Anthony Gregory made amotion to approve Resolution No. 24- 21, seconded by Stephen Bagley and all were in favor. Resolution No. 24-22 - PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Grant for 120 Connector was presented for adoption. Tina Gradizzi explained she was advised to submit this application in addition to the D.C.E.D. Multimodal lots. Motion Passed Resolution No. 24-21-Local Share Assessment Grant for Shawmut Park Motion Passed Resolution No. 24-22- PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Grant for 120 Connector CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 21, 2024 225 Transportation Grant application that contained a request of funds for the 120 Connector Project that was already submitted. Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24-22, seconded by Shane Schneider and all were in favor, except Nedward Jacob and Joe Sarginger. Motion passed. Motion Passed Section 3 Plan Tina Gradizzi explained the City's Section 3 Plan was being presented for Council's approval as an update to the previous Plan. She noted the only change since its previous approval wasa Joe Sarginger questioned the details of the Plan and it was determined it was a requirement to apply for federal funds. Shane Schneider made a motion to approve the Section 3 Plan, seconded by Jerome Sorg and all were in favor. Tina Gradizzi explained the City's MBE/WBE (Minority owned Business Enterprise/Women Owned Business Enterprise) Plan previous Plan. She noted the only change since its previous approval was a change in administration (Council). Anthony Gregory made a motion to approve the MBE/WBE Plan, seconded by Shane Schneider and all were in favor. change in administration (Council). Motion Passed MBE/WBE (Minority owned Business Enterprise/Women Owned Business Enterprise) Plan was being presented for Council's approval as an update to the Motion Passed Local Economic Revitalization Manager Fleming explained Muccio School Transportation LLC Tax Assistance Act (L.E.R.T.A.) submitted an application to the City of St. Marys in regards to the Application 24-02 Muccio Sports Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act (LERTA) Complex Program for an addition to an existing sports complex at 349 Stackpole Street with a projected cost of $280,000. The request has been forwarded to the Elk County Board of Commissioners and the St. Marys Area School Board. The exemption will only be granted if the St. Marys School Board and the Elk County Board Nedward Jacob made a motion to approve the L.E.R.T.A application 24-02 with the contingency of the approval of Elk County and the St. Marys Area School District, seconded by ofCommissioners approve the application. Motion Passed Jerome Sorg and all were in favor. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: Jerome Sorg requested to have free parking during the Business Free Parking for Business Trick Trick or Treat event to be held on Friday. or Treat event 226 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER21,2024 Motion Passed Jerome Sorg made a motion to allow free parking in the downtown on Friday, October 25th, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., seconded by Stephen Bagley and all were in favor. Jerome Sorg noted that at a recent Varsity Football Game in Ridgway, every varsity player was on one field from Elk County for the first time since the recent consolidation of the St. Marys Area High School and Elk County Catholic teams. Mayor Garner noted the newly consolidated team provided a football signed by the entire team to the Knights of Columbus for Joe Sarginger asked how to have a sign placed on the new digital sign on the Diamond and Manager Fleming responded an application was available on the City's website and at City Hall. He also clarified the sign was for non-profits in the City, or that their appreciation ofa recent event held there. benefits someone in the City. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on non-agenda topics. NON-AGENDA TOPICS COUNCIL COMMENTS Council had the following comments: Encouraged attending the Business Trick or Treat event. Reminder that Local Emergency services will be handing out candy during Trick or Treat in the City on the 31St. Check out the new playground equipment at Memorial and Reminder to go out and vote on November 5th. The Emergency Management Committee has recently purchased sandbags for flooding incidents. Emergency Services will be informed how to obtain them when Reminder to attend the Veteran's Day Ceremony on the Diamond Street parks. needed. Diamond. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Garner made the following announcements: "Trick or Treat" will be held on Thursday, October 31St from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. by porchlight invitation only. Council will hold the following 2025 budget workshops: Monday, November 4, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2024 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (If necessary) Tuesday, November 12, 2024 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 21,2024 227 Council will hold their next regular meeting on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Room at City Jerome Sorg made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Shane Schneider. Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Hall. ADJOURNMENT SauuA Avwoh Recording Secretary an