235 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2024 CALL' TO ORDER The regular monthly Council meeting of the City of Saint Marys was called to order by Mayor Lyle Garner on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Notice oft this meeting was sent to Council on November 14, 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 Rachael Hughes. Cly Hornung, Marilyn Secco, Gwen Auman, Tim Ruffner, Richard Gavazzi, Ronald Samick Jr, Fran Pasi, Warren Stuart, Thomas Herzing, Jodi Guisto, Torie Brem, Andrew Mohney. VISITORS APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 21, 2024 - Regular Meeting Motion Passed Workshop Motion Passed November 15, 2024 -Special Meeting Motion Passed SESSION Nedward Jacob made a motion to approve the October 21, 2024 minutes, seconded by Shane Schneider, and all were in favor. minutes, seconded by Anthony Gregory, and all were in favor. Nedward Jacob made a motion to approve thel November 15, 2024 minutes, seconded by Shane Schneider, and all were in favor. An Executive Session was held on November 15, 2024 regarding November 04, 2024 - Budget Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve the November 04, 2024 REPORT ON EXECUTIVE personnel matters. No decisions were: made. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Jodi Guisto, of Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College-Jodi Guisto presented the following: NPRC provides services to a nine-county area for 70 percent less than the bigger brick and mortar institutions. They offer five Associate Degree programs and low-cost education opportunities for both high school students and adult learners. They offer interactive courses which provide al live real time instructor in the classroom, and starting in the Spring of 2025, the option of fully remote learning will be available. In addition, the NPRC will be adding the opportunity for students to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) while continuing to offer scholarships and institutional aid. 236 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2024 presentation. No questions were asked and Council thanked Jodi for her CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on agenda AGENDA TOPICS MANAGER'S REPORT topics. Manager Fleming presented the following report: "I want to thank our emergency services for their participation in handing out treats on Halloween night. Also, it seems like the area events surrounding Halloween Iwant to introduce Rachael Hughes, she will be taking over Lorrie's position at the end of the year since Lorrie The area projects are wrapping upi for the season. Thel Erie Ave/Washington St. Sewer Replacement Project should be wrapped up for the season before Thanksgiving. They shall return int the Spring for finishing touches and paving. The pedestrian pathway at Benzinger Park should be completed by the end of the week depending on the Iwant to commend City Council and City Staff for their efforts towards the 2025 Annual Budget, as the budget is balanced and recommendation of no tax increases or Leaf collection activity is in progress, but we are starting tot transition over to winter mode as the city could see its first accumulating snow on Thursday into Friday. City offices will be closed November 28th and 29th in observance ofthe Thanksgiving holiday. Iwant to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving." Manager Fleming, provided the following Treasurer's Report for Total revenue for the General Fund as of October 315, 2024 is $7.25 million or 82% of Budget. Last year was $7.32 million or 87% and 2022 was $7.18 million or 87%. Expenditures for the General Fund as of October 315t, 2024 are $7.67 million or 87% are growing each and every year. will be retiring. weather. sewer: rate increases. TREASURER'S REPORT October 2024: 237 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2024 of Budget. Last year was $7.68 million or 91%, and 2022 was $6.23 million or 75%. Total Real Estate tax collections as ofthe endofOctober: are at 98% ofbudget. In 2023 it was 98%a and2 2022 was 99%. Earned Income tax collection as of 10/31/2024 is at 86% ofb budget. In 2023 is was 92% ofbudget and 2022 was 72% of budget. Pension plans saw a decrease in value for October 2024. In October 2024 the City of St Marys contributed the minimum municipal obligated funds to the pension plans. LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Consider for publication: the fiscal year 2025 Motion Passed An Ordinance providing for the levy and assessment of taxes for An Ordinance providing for the the City of Saint Marys for the fiscal year 2025 was presented for levy and assessment oft taxes for publication. Anthony Gregory made a motion to approve the Ordinance for publication, seconded by Shane Schneider, and all were in favor. AI Resolution for the 2025 City A Resolution for the 2025 City Preliminary Budget for various Preliminary Budget for various funds was presented for publication. funds Motion Passed Shane Schneider made a motion to approve the Resolution for publication, seconded by Jerome Sorg, and all were in favor. Resolution No. 24-23-Local Share Assessment Grant for Crystal Fire Department Station 2 Renovation was presented for adoption. Consider for adoption: Resolution No. 24-23-Local Share Assessment Grant for Crystal Fire Department Station 2Renovation Motion Passed Anthony Gregory made a motion to approve Resolution No. 24- 23, seconded by Jerome Sorg, and all were in favor. Rescinding Local Share for Shawmut Park Discussion The Local Share Assessment Grant Application for Shawmut Assessment Grant Application Park was presented for rescindment. Manager Fleming informed Council the reason for the grant to be rescinded, which was not to compete with the grant for the Crystal Shane Schneider wanted to clarify by stating that the application was submitted, then a week later, the reward for the grant for the Fire Department Station 2 Renovation. previous year was received. 238 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2024 Manager Fleming agreed, noting that amid applying for the 2024 Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve the Rescindment of the Local Share Assessment Grant Application for Shawmut Park, seconded by Anthony Gregory, and all were in favor. The. Agreement between the St. Marys Airport Authority and the grant, we were awarded the 2023 grant. Motion Passed Amending the. Agreement 1,2, and 2A in the Industrial between the St. Marys Airport City of St. Marys re: lots 1,2, and 2A in the Industrial Park was Authority and the City re: lots presented for amendment. Park Discussion Manager Fleming stated that the Airport Authority asked Council to amend the agreement regarding lots 1,2, and 2A because according to the agreement, the lots arel lease-only but the Airport Authority would like those lots tol be available for purchase. Nedward Jacob commented that there would bel better luck selling Jerome Sorg made a motion to approve the Amendment of the Agreement between the St. Marys Airport Authority and the City regarding lots 1,2 2, and 2A in the Industrial Park, seconded by Shane Schneider. All were in favor, except Nedward Jacob who the lots than leasing them. Motion Passed abstained. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION: Managerl Fleming provided information: regarding the Free Parking for Light Up Night St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce for free request parking on from November 30, 2024 for Light Up Night and Small Business Shane Schneider clarified that it is similar to what Council approved for the Business Trick-or-Treat held in October. A motion was made by Anthony Gregory to approve free parking all day on November 30, 2024, seconded by Stephen Bagley, and Saturday. all were in favor. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON There were no citizen comments on agenda topics. NON-AGENDA TOPICS COUNCIL COMMENTS Council had the following comments: Shane Schneider reminded everyone of Light Up Night on November 30, wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and good luck on the first day ofr rifle season. 239 CITY OF SAINT MARYS COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2024 Jerome Sorg seconded Shane Schneider and added that City Council needs to address parking in the downtown area before May Nedward Jacob wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Joe Sarginger wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to be Stephen Bagley thanked all City employees that were involved in helping the American Legion Post 103 conduct their Veteran'sI Day Ceremony on the Diamond. He thanked Manager Fleming for the use oft the grounds for the ceremony and also thanked the Police Department. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Anthony Gregory wished everyone a safe and Happy Mayor Garner challenged everyone to come to Light Up Night to see what costume he would be wearing. He wished everyone a when Dickinson Center will open. careful driving due to snow. Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Garner made the following announcements: The next regular Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m in the Council Room at City Hall. Jerome Sorg made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Anthony Gregory, and all were in favor. Meeting adjourned at ADJOURNMENT 8:35p.m. Ragdlwd Recording Secretary #a 240