[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6554333,"mediaKeyId","5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7","parentId",5028228,"title","Votes at a glance: Connellsville council approves street closure, police equipment purchase, hires and other resolutions on July 17","audioSeconds",2246,"startMs",1620000,"endMs",3866000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7&start=1620&end=3866","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7/thumbnail_1620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6554333/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Connellsville-council-approves-street-closure-police-equipment-purchase-hires-and-other-resolutions-on-July-17","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554333-a61b31a8878d785ea39aa344200c6ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207451&Signature=BBxXSKhYgUbFMuG2gzFwBjDmJepPT0Ttg8XOop0j1tDxBBfXmCbQhrXlSlPO59puR0PS5~m7F-rdI47mOG~S9~RbyyqdaHeQeUm-W42odIyj~7lPAOZADyzpP4PamerioyGcvBSOKtPFrJTsC52EvONnLukIa4Eb~aASMbzQfliT-Z1gd5JWE1TP-I4A0hJzV8hPKqJDha1dD0yXtq3Y~cgPgaXG21o9jnc65SqvqB-xGbylHYORt2kFVkhSNbL3TReucC2h4CqdZNPYDG1ozQGXrBv8OuMBZFMPnKBKRiOGhCnD-N7Z8LEo9qW~WxKa4GeWAzmcef~k3peAY2Bk7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Connellsville, PA","date","2025-06-18T14:42:02.347Z","article","Below are the formal actions taken by Connellsville City Council at its July 17 meeting. Where totals or identifying numbers were given in the meeting transcript, they are recorded; where the transcript does not provide a specific resolution or ordinance number, the field is marked \"not specified.\" All votes listed were recorded by the clerk during the meeting.

1) Temporary street closure — Second Street (Mason to First), July 5, 1 p.m.–10 p.m.
- Motion: Approve temporary closure of North Second Street between Mason Avenue and North First Street for a family parking/parking support and pedestrian zone for July 5 (event tied to Red, White and Boom activities). Approval pending public‑safety and public‑works review for barricades.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (recorded as yes votes by mayor and councilmembers present).
- Notes: Chief and public‑works asked that city provide visible barricades and coordinate traffic for other nearby events on the same weekend.

2) Waive 4‑day rule for late submissions
- Motion: Waive 4‑day rule to allow items submitted after the four‑day rule to be read at the meeting.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.

3) Open sealed bids for boat‑ramp extension
- Motion: Open sealed bids for the boat‑ramp extension project. (See separate coverage; council later accepted KGD Contracting.)
- Outcome: Bids opened; action to accept award later in meeting.

4) Accept bid / award — Boat ramp (KGD Contracting)
- Motion: Accept bid of KGD Contracting in the amount of $66,900 for the boat ramp extension, pending city engineer and solicitor review.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.

5) Accept purchase of police equipment from Motorola Solutions — $207,473.58
- Motion: Approve purchase of police equipment from Motorola Solutions totaling $207,473.58, funds to be taken from the general fund and reimbursed from the statewide LSA grant once documentation is submitted.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously.
- Note: Staff said the equipment was ordered and that reimbursements will follow after the paid invoice and canceled check are provided to the state.

6) Hire resolutions
- Motion: Hire Ethan Mish as a summer playground instructor; hire Ethan Foley as a seasonal public‑works employee (funding line items specified in personnel packet).
- Outcome: Approved (recorded yes votes).

7) Park/roof and mural resolutions
- Motion: Accept bid from Harris Construction in the amount of $7,900 to replace two roofs at East Park (garage behind stage and restrooms/office), pending proof of liability insurance.
- Motion: Approve Lions Club request and permit Randy Stewart to paint a mural on the parking‑lot retaining surface on East Crawford Avenue; project fully funded by the Lions Club and to be completed by December 2025.
- Outcome: Both motions approved.

8) Remove/auction parking‑meter remnants and related property maintenance
- Motion: Authorize removal of obsolete parking meters along specified blocks and store them for future disposition; council directed staff to remove and consider auction/disposition.
- Outcome: Approved.

9) Agreement for banners (Hometown Hero banners)
- Motion: Enter into agreement with the Greater Connellsville Area Chamber of Commerce permitting hometown hero banners on municipal poles in Yawk River Park from June 18 through Nov. 30, 2025.
- Outcome: Approved.

10) Miscellaneous procedural votes
- Acceptance of minutes, routine reports and other consent items recorded as approved during meeting.

Why it matters: The packet of votes included one major capital procurement (boat ramp final acceptance), an expensive police equipment purchase tied to a state reimbursement program, and multiple smaller community items (park roofs, murals, banner program) that affect downtown events and recreational amenities. Council emphasized coordination with public safety and the need to follow up on grant reimbursements and engineer/solicitor reviews where required.

For additional detail on the boat‑ramp award and the police‑equipment purchase, see the separate articles in this meeting package.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a set of routine and substantive resolutions including a temporary street closure for a family event, a $207,473.58 police equipment purchase to be reimbursed by a state LSA grant, hiring seasonal staff, and multiple park and public‑works contracts and permissions.","taxTitle","Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania","taxId",76399,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554338,"Resident urges city to address missed garbage pickups, cites limits of third‑class‑city contract",765,101000,866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7&start=101&end=866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7/thumbnail_101000.jpg","/articles/6554338/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Resident-urges-city-to-address-missed-garbage-pickups-cites-limits-of-thirdclasscity-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554338-fb495d4c94d309bdc125583584a265ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207451&Signature=G9GEHD80HCxSCiVnYqOgwPRD5kyKgR4FBo2gEVmfLINGBhaUPw5IPyqHcof3ZiAjlwnjQFGwB~b6Yqse4N-ASCOlAgiNj1FjenAOFERKW-bES7tAtNMjue8SB9tRmX9jmk106nPiWScRCeJkHWPKUfcvCQmQIGj42DeSFM5R6L~lVxHed5f7gnj-wsEaAEMqhY0hGHVPVmB7HrkXUHi4~g55rGXmvWuqdM-ei9awMYN80Ljsizkq5JGBpJVgdHejpKOfmtug1-Skl13KVQB9j~Igh9~bQMKrwZFaX~bSorsHnOiSsmq~XlN9yxzLLpCIabGOKLD5PUnLTbki5f2Zvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public‑comment portion of the July 17 Connellsville council meeting, resident Susie Roselle described repeated missed garbage and recycling pickups and urged the city to enforce accountability under the municipal hauling contract.

Roselle said her garbage was not collected after a holiday, that she repeatedly telephoned city contacts and the hauler with no satisfactory remedy, and that city staff told her they would message collectors but could not guarantee pickup. \"I'm paying for a service. It should be. I will send someone out today to get it. When nobody picked it up, I called the very next day,\" Roselle said. She told council she expected at least a refund or a penalty when pickups were missed and said animals tore into uncollected bags in the alley.

Council members and the solicitor responded on the record. The mayor and staff explained that Connellsville is a third‑class city under Pennsylvania law and that, under that structure, the city must contract for collection rather than allow each household to pick private vendors. Solicitor Tim said remedies for a hauler’s repeated failure would be breach‑of‑contract actions and potential rebidding, but he warned terminating a contract can leave the city required to provide service and that rebidding can be legally and operationally complicated.

Roselle asked whether residents can withhold payment or sue the hauler directly; Tim said suing the hauler would be difficult but possible, and staff explained that the municipal authority — which bills residents in‑house — collects and pays the hauler so withholding can produce a lien or other municipal consequences.

Staff said the city plans to rebid the contract later this year and that the bidding process has been adjusted to attract more bidders (for example, in‑house billing changed to improve cash flow for vendors). Council members acknowledged frustration and said they will seek to include accountability provisions in future bids where possible but cautioned that strict penalty provisions in past solicitations had discouraged bidders.

Why it matters: residents who rely on weekly collection face health and nuisance problems from missed pickups; the city's procurement rules and statutory limits on contracting for third‑class cities shape residents’ options.

No formal motion resulted from Roselle’s comments; council noted the matter is part of regular contract management and the upcoming rebid process.","At public comment Susie Roselle criticized missed pickups by the contracted hauler, asked about refunds and whether residents can choose other vendors; staff and the solicitor explained that as a third‑class city the municipality must contract with a single hauler and that remedies for missed pickups are contractual.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554343,"Connellsville officials debate e‑bike, scooter and golf‑cart rules as accidents rise",501,1846000,2347000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7&start=1846&end=2347","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7/thumbnail_1846000.jpg","/articles/6554343/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Connellsville-officials-debate-ebike-scooter-and-golfcart-rules-as-accidents-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554343-22f89831a93bba96bef93dbf353a80f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207451&Signature=H646et8SDBADLdCLPmEsBfxOsr~P-Juktg7O9I1c0zfAuobGeSq8HQZ6R59WlI0NgHvpK79DRO0wR7k3-fzg01VnF2rtzTGxIRKPAAfi9pnt04u2ktJ9p5lldButN2eh~Wb6LqzMZcBS1BdNkDiYsHa6ZKxsB-EEM0EOYMUrEgsZ60j7GEHbrb0-YOvv1GuWNzzpME7m5tOFYwlsVHsVz2VsosNAZHTwE~5HutPMp6CDANP6Bwt-31rbadB3e6dCsc0iXWzPuE2OC~KAunxq5IWbqflNaXziDVPIqZwa36D84x0TU1OpgMk2yLrS1RDPmdlUC-0fMO0zPyHpJd-E8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connellsville council and the police department spent a large portion of their July 17 meeting discussing enforcement of rules for electric bicycles, scooters and low‑speed vehicles after several recent accidents.

Police reported multiple accidents in recent months involving motorized scooters and e‑bikes and said officers are stopping riders who use sidewalks or state roadways that state law may preempt. The city solicitor told council that state law and PennDOT rules largely govern where motorized devices may be operated; at the same time he recommended the city consider local ordinances addressing golf carts and other low‑speed vehicles on certain roads because municipalities are sometimes authorized to regulate those devices.

Chief (name not given at the meeting) described recurring dangerous behavior on Pittsburgh Street where juveniles ride motorized scooters in traffic and on sidewalks. \"I've been on Pittsburgh Street many times seeing people ride their scooters,\" the chief said, noting officers carry the state guidance to explain enforcement to parents. The chief also said the department has seized motorized vehicles in cases where drivers lacked a valid license and that they will continue enforcement.

Solicitor Tim (identified in the meeting) urged caution about preemption: some vehicles (for example, licensed low‑speed carts) are explicitly allowed in statute and municipalities must check whether state law leaves room to regulate. \"That's my suggestion — the city adopt some type of ordinance not permitting these carts to be driven on those particular roadways because of our truck traffic,\" Tim said, referring to safety concerns on routes with heavy truck traffic.

Council members asked about differences between electric‑assist bicycles (which require pedaling) and fully motorized scooters; the chief said distinguishing use in the field is difficult unless the device is traveling at unusually high speeds. The solicitor said if the carts meet statutory definitions and the municipality has adopted implementing ordinances, the city can prohibit them on designated routes with high speeds or heavy truck traffic.

Why it matters: councilors said the city depends on safe multi‑modal transportation and wants to encourage biking while ensuring public safety on state roadways and bridges that carry truck traffic. Officials asked the solicitor to research the preemption question and return with model ordinance language that would limit operation of golf carts and motorized low‑speed vehicles on specified city streets.

No formal vote was taken; staff and the solicitor will prepare potential ordinance language for council consideration at a future meeting.","Police, the solicitor and councilors discussed recent accidents involving e‑bikes and scooters, enforcement limits under state rules, and whether the city can adopt local ordinances to restrict golf carts and other motorized devices on busy state roads.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":46,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6554348,"Connellsville awards $66,900 boat‑ramp extension contract to KGD Contracting after sealed bids",1098,2768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7&start=2768&end=3866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5028228-6f9d017c22b84c5072647cf053b3ecb7/thumbnail_2768000.jpg","/articles/6554348/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Connellsville-awards-66900-boatramp-extension-contract-to-KGD-Contracting-after-sealed-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6554348-1bd61d67c9ec833a70b94c3c9de566f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771207451&Signature=HLiXESrXp0dBalsFp94Xig8FR4-wgZxben4klGWPkMuo01irrHPd5tlhigQEwswWOD33I3RP2izf3XRWiaRtyclFXXzcT0z3Scb0n1eaIDMfSltndyKIR9eUL1ktA1vvRWjDkjbMgQeLu8rnnGwD1-VC3n9MFAYICTgxisz1b-eqtszU3Kap~348420eDh3otnCqmYEILS7yP0ftNYvqmE-Gaf3hj8XhK~hsDnipdtwoZi~Bf1EVP1QO96erSXlItFw1W~UMdxLOX7JKIyG8zh0wA3lQ0ghrdu~ZUOQ8sojOCCpbLbSX7tFx1Ive8-MIPGunOdNRNlbHivEp5hS2oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Connellsville City Council on July 17 opened sealed bids for a boat‑ramp extension project and voted to accept a $66,900 bid from KGD Contracting, pending review by the city engineer and city solicitor.

Council heard a full bid opening in which multiple contractors submitted base and alternate prices. Officials said the base bid covers an extension of the existing ramp to a permanently submerged depth and the alternate would add ADA parking and a short walkway to accommodate a future floating dock. Carrie (city staff) told council the floating dock itself was estimated at roughly $45,000–$50,000 when the grant was first issued, though the exact current cost was “around 50 or so now,” and that dock purchase is not included in the base contract.

The bid opening showed a range of offers: KGD Contracting listed a base bid of $58,000 and an alternate of $66,900; bids from other firms ranged from about $58,000 (other bidders) up to more than $280,000 in one listing. Council voted to accept KGD’s $66,900 figure; the clerk recorded unanimous approval by the mayor and council members present.

Why it matters: city officials said the extension will restore permanent boat access at a deeper, safer location and that adding ADA parking and a gangway would improve accessibility for anglers and residents with disabilities. Councilors and staff also discussed how the city will install and remove the floating dock for high water or ice events. Carrie said the manufacturer would perform the initial installation and train public‑works staff on seasonal removal and reinstallation, and that posts and chains would anchor the dock.

During discussion, staff and council addressed permitting and environmental oversight. Carrie said the project required coordination with the state agencies that had already been involved in the project’s earlier stages, and that cost estimates and sequencing (cast‑in‑place sections to the water’s edge, then precast slabs) had been part of the plan.

Council asked whether any additional equipment or trailer would be needed to remove and store the floating dock during high water. Carrie said initial installation would be done by the dock manufacturer; subsequent seasonal handling would be performed by public‑works staff and may require planning for transport and winter storage. Staff noted the alternate (ADA parking and walkway) would use additional grant funds if available and that if bids came in under budget, some remaining grant money might be applied to dock purchase or related work.

Council passed the motion to accept KGD Contracting’s bid 66,900 pending engineer and solicitor review. The resolution language noted acceptance was contingent on those reviews. No protest or challenge was recorded at the meeting.

The council also discussed next steps: review by the city engineer and solicitor, and coordination with the river‑park and public‑works departments for staging, parking and removal plans for the dock during flood or ice events.

The project drew the largest public discussion of the meeting because of its size, the number of contractors that bid and the operational questions about removing the dock for floods and winter storage. Staff said the city would return to council with additional information on the dock manufacturer’s installation plan and any needed equipment purchases.","City council opened sealed bids for a boat‑ramp extension project and voted to accept KGD Contracting's $66,900 proposal, pending engineer and solicitor review. Council and staff discussed grant funding, a future floating dock and logistics for installing and removing the dock for high water.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Connellsville council approves street closure, police equipment purchase, hires and other resolutions on July 17

Resident urges city to address missed garbage pickups, cites limits of third‑class‑city contract

Connellsville officials debate e‑bike, scooter and golf‑cart rules as accidents rise

Connellsville awards $66,900 boat‑ramp extension contract to KGD Contracting after sealed bids