Butler City Council has approved another renewal of the confidentiality agreement between the city, Butler Township, the Butler Area Sewer Authority and Pennsylvania American Water Company, extending its effectiveness until Sept. 30.

Mayor Bob Dandoy said the initial plan for the renewal was to extend the agreement an additional 30 days, which the city has done several times since January, when a confidentially agreement was first reached. The agreement allows Pennsylvania American officials to determine BASA’s assets before a possible sale.

Dandoy said council decided Thursday to extend the agreement until the end of September rather than for another 30-day period because the ninth month may mark the end of the talks. BASA board members renewed the agreement at their Tuesday meeting as well.

Dandoy also said having talks take place confidentially will allow the city to gather information so it can provide answers to people who will be affected by the sale.

“We don't have answers to all the questions yet,” Dandoy said. “So once we understand what we can possibly be moving into, what are the ramifications there; when we do start talking to the public we can say 'OK, they have questions, we have answers.'”

BASA serves nearly 15,000 customers in 32.5 square miles, which includes Butler, Butler and Center townships, East Butler, parts of Connoquenessing, Summit and Oakland townships and a small portion of Penn Township. Of the five members of the BASA board, three represent Butler and two represent Butler Township.

Talks behind closed doors have unfolded between Pennsylvania American and BASA officials for months. Dandoy said the goal of the talks is to gather information that will eventually be shared with everyone involved.

“When this is done, Pa. Water will have tons of info, BASA will have so much, the city, the township — I know more about sewer systems than I ever thought I'd know in my life,” Dandoy said. “We just need to know a little more.”

Council also discussed preliminary designs for signage for a proposed cultural district within the city.

Rotary Club of Butler PM is developing a plan to bring more art and cultural opportunities to the city. The district is proposed to be in the geographic block of North Washington, West Jefferson, North McKean and North Main streets with Ritts Park as a northern boundary.

Dandoy said the city plans to follow some of the cultural district’s ideas in branding and landmark guidance to help visitors find their way.

“We want to piggyback on that, so the signs will also serve as directional signs for amenities, parks, City of Butler things like the farmers’ market, the stadium, the library,” he said. “So when people come down Main Street, they will see the signs and know we have those things, not only know where to go.”

City Council may vote on the signage at its Aug. 25 meeting.