MEETING MINUTES FORD CITY BOROUGH COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Ford City Borough Municipal Building July 29, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Call thei meeting to order at 4:00 PM and advise the audience that the meeting on July 29, 2024, is being audio taped by Ford City Borough to be made available for borough councilmembers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Present: Council President Carol Fenyes, Councilwoman Vicki Schaub, Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant, Councilwoman Sally Beck, Councilman Tom Ondrusek, Borough Manager Charles Stull, and Solicitor Anna Hosack Absent: Mayor Tim Bureau, Vice President Richard Chimka and Sr. Engineer Joel Romagna CHZENS AGENDA COMMENTS - None EXECUTIVE SESSIONS - None ACTION ITEMS 1. Resolution 21-2024 Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant made the motion to adopt Resolution 21-2024 amending the Borough's fee schedule as it pertains to line item "WA-1" in response to debt acquired by PennVEST associated with the upcoming projects. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 5-0 2. Close Office for Training: September 10, 2024 Councilwoman Vicki Schaub made the motion to allow the Borough Manager to close the office on September 10, 2024, to allow himself as well as the secretaries in the office to attend an in- person training pertinent to the budgeting process. Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant seconds the motion. Council comments: Counciwoman Vicki Schaub stated that she was not in favor of closing the office for all staff to take the discussed training. Motion carried: 4-1 with Councilwoman Vicki Schaub opposing. DISCUSSION ITEMS -Abolishing Wards Council President Carol Fenyes led the discussion of abolishing the two wards that currently make up the borough. This decision would allow the election of councilmembers to be at large, 1 but would increase the amount from six to seven. Councilwoman Vicki Schaub gave some history on the challenges of finding candidates from both wards to serve on council. -Property Management Ordinance Borough Manager Charles Stull mentioned some proposed changes to the much-needed property maintenance ordinance. He proposed transitioning toward a more comprehensive ordinance regarding all property management matters, such as more regulations on vacant properties, rental properties, and most notably, requiring only the property owner to pay the utility bill. Councilwoman Vicki Schaub expressed concern of potential nonconforming issues and enforcing a new ordinance with current property owners. Members of Council feel that we should move forward but feel that it is important to be as transparent as possible and properly notify property owners of the updated ordinance. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS Council President Carol Fenyes announced that Council would be going into executive session immediately following this meeting. CITIZENS COMMENTS - None NEXT COUNCIL MEETING -August 26th, 2024, 6:30 PM at BC3 Armstrong ADJOURNMENT - 4:20 PM Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion for adjournment. Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 5-0 AUTHORIZING MINUTES ably Mimwky 4 Assistantlsecretary Cpub sle Council President Secretary 2