City Council will work toward updating the technology used in each city department, as part of an initiative being led by Councilman Don Shearer.

Shearer said at a Thursday forum meeting that he would like each member of council to speak with the heads of each department to learn about their process and use of technology, and report back at a later meeting to discuss how they can be improved.

“One of the things that we’re lacking, compared to other municipalities, is we’re behind in technology, we’re behind in processes, we’re behind in various things,” Shearer said. “For example, the fact that the city vehicles do not have cameras. That’s a liability. That’s something that can actually save us money on our insurance.”

Shearer also said the city building is handicap-accessible in theory, but that accessibility could be improved and brought up-to-date. He said he would like council to address this issue as soon as possible.

Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy supported Shearer’s initiative, and encouraged the council members to speak with the department leaders.

“Try to bang out a list, we’ll come up with a plan,” Dandoy said. “It’s a great initiative.”

Shearer said he will reach out to each council member next week, with hopes to meet around the summer to talk ideas.

Dandoy said he and Shearer are continuing to schedule meetings with financial advisers so council will have direction when, and if, the sale of the Butler Area Sewer Authority to Pennsylvania American Water Company is approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

The Butler City Council, at its Oct. 13 meeting, voted unanimously to approve selling the Butler Area Sewer Authority to Pennsylvania American Water Company for $231.5 million. The Butler Township commissioners passed a resolution to support the sale less than a week later. The two municipalities will split the money received in the sale, if approved.

Dandoy said council may invite financial advisers to present ideas at a future meeting for how to use the money the city will receive from the sale, but he does not yet know when that will take place.

The council will vote at its regular meeting Jan. 26 to accept the resignation of three members of the city shade tree commission. Dandoy said each of their resignations is unrelated, and he encourages anyone interested in the commission to apply to be appointed to it.

Council also will vote to accept the resignation of a parking violation monitor at its next meeting. Additionally, council will vote to update the job description of its parking violation monitor position, and then vote to advertise the position.

Dandoy said administrators might add a duty to the job, and city clerk Mindy Gall said it will be a good time to review the description.