Butler City Council asked to co-sign $400,000 loan for stadium authority
Butler City Council is being asked to co-sign for $400,000 loan for improvements to Historic Pullman Park, with the majority of the funds going toward re-turfing Michelle Krill Memorial Field.
John Morgan, director of the stadium authority, asked for the loan during a council meeting Thursday, Sept. 12.
The improvements would generate an estimated annual revenue increase of about $55,000 at the park.
The revenue bump would come from an increase of $50 for field rentals and a projected increase in use of the park if improvements are made. The field had around 340 games take place at the site this year.
“Anyone that goes there can see the turf needs replaced,” Morgan said. “The turf is the No. 1 project.”
The funds also would be used for roof repairs, HVAC issues and netting replacement, along with some other small repairs. Another $10,000 would be set aside for repairs to the baseball field at Father Marinaro Park, which the authority is hoping to lease.
Council members agreed to discuss the matter and to have a preliminary meeting with NexTier Bank representatives, but they made no promises.
Mayor Bob Dandoy congratulated Morgan on the job he has done in his nearly two years in his position.
“The work you’re doing, it’s been really good to see you get things back on track and moving forward,” Danboy said.
Councilman Don Shearer reminded council and the public that Sept. 25 will be the first court date for landlords who did not comply with a new city ordinance requiring them to notify the city when tenants move out of rental units, allowing the city keep records up to date and improve tax collection on residents and landlords.
“We’ve been on this for two and a half years,” Shearer said. “We’ve been sending warning letters for two and a half years. So the fact that we’re finally going to court on this, we’ve given as much leeway as feasible.”
Council unanimously approved the retirement of Butler Bureau of Fire Capt. Thomas W. Fair Jr. after 36 years of service, leaving two open positions in the bureau. Chief Chris Switala said multiple candidates have applied and they are in the test portion of their hiring phase.
Councilman Troy D. Douthett brought to the council’s attention a request by the county asking that the three parking spaces in front of the Bureau of Elections office be changed from the current one handicapped and two one-hour-parking to three 15-minute parking spaces.
County officials said multiple handicap spaces in their lot could be used. Council members voiced concerns over whether access would be given to someone who needed the handicap space in the permit-required lot.
The fire bureau, in partnership with the Safe Kids Butler County Committee, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Institute for Rural Health and Safety, will collect old child car seats to be disposed of properly. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 19, at the bureau, 110 N. Washington St.
Dandoy called for volunteers for the fall cleanup day downtown from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 21. Volunteers are asked to bring gardening tools and meet at the front of Vintage Coffee House, where they will be given trash bags and other items to assist in cleaning up and pulling weeds.
The next city council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, in council chamber.
