Coatesville Roundtable

Goodbye Walker, Hello Reed

2010-02-08T20:11:00.000-08:00

City Council officially terminated Harry Walker from the city manager position Monday night and appointed Wayne G. "Ted" Reed as interim city manager for one year.

Reed, a former city manager from 1987-1991, will begin work for the city on Feb. 16.

Residents at the meeting applauded these decisions.

The city now has a new leader of administration. Finally.

Questioning a lease agreement

2010-01-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

Harry Walker, the city manager placed on paid administrative leave, reportedly approved a lease agreement for a property without City Council’s approval, officials said at a recent meeting.

Interim City Manager Kirby Hudson informed council last Monday night that Walker approved a lease with Leonard Smoker to farm the Conti property, 64 acres in the northwest corner of routes 82 and 340 in neighboring West Brandywine. Coatesville acquired it several years ago as part of a failed plan to develop a municipal golf course and training complex.

“So Mr. Walker took it upon himself to lease the property?” asked City Council President Ed Simpson.

What do you think about Walker approving this agreement without City Council's approval?

Bringing back a parking enforcement officer?

2010-01-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

City officials recently debated whether they should reinstate a parking enforcement officer position.

During Monday night’s meeting, Interim City Manager Kirby Hudson told City Council that there have been issues with parking in the city’s central business district for the past two years. The position was eliminated in 2007 during budget cuts.

Some members of City Council said that it in addition to issuing parking tickets, the officer could address quality of life issues. Some of these issues include parking against the flow of traffic and abandoned cars, they said.

City Council made no formal decision Monday about whether to reinstate the position.

As a resident of the City of Coatesville, do you think it would be worthwhile for the city to bring back this position?

Trouble with the Census

2010-01-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

Only 54 percent of city residents were counted in the 2000 census which caused the city to lose millions in federal funding, an official from the Philadelphia Regional Census Center told City Council Monday night.

As a result, the city lost funds from 31 federal programs, according to Richard Sumter, partnership specialist for the Philadelphia Regional Census Center. Some of theses services include school lunch programs, senior citizen centers and new construction for highways and hospitals.

Sumter stressed the importance of city residents' participation in the 2010 census so that federal funds can get shifted back to the city.

Council declares meeting, actions invalid

2010-01-23T10:18:00.000-08:00

City Council passed a resolution Friday night (Jan. 22) that declared last month’s special meeting void and all actions made during that meeting, including the approval of a sale agreement with Chetty Builders, also invalid.

“We want to be clear that the actions we are taking are about the meeting, not the contract,” said City Council President Ed Simpson. “We don’t need to read into anything else at this point.”

Council conducted the meeting Friday night, which was also considered a special meeting, to review the legality of last month’s special meeting. City officials called this special meeting instead of waiting until Monday’s regularly scheduled council meeting because there was a 30-day deadline to rescind the Dec. 23 meeting.

Do you think it was a good idea for the new City Council to delare last month's special meeting void?

New City Council scrutinizes special meeting

2010-01-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

At the Jan. 11 public meeting, City Council authorized its new solicitor to review the legitimacy of the manner in which a special meeting was called last month for the approval of a sale agreement with Chetty Builders.

The special meeting took place in the 11th hour of the former council's term. It began at about 5:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and lasted only five minutes.

“I thought the nature of the meeting was suspicious,” said City Council Vice President Karl Marking. “It feels wrong.”

Meanwhile, Chetty Builders has been under investigation for about a year for a project in Delaware. A spokesman for the Delaware Department of Justice confirmed that his agency was investigating more than 20 complaints against Chetty Builders from buyers seeking returns of deposits.

Carl Chetty said he did not inform city officials about the investigation in the neighboring state because "they are two unrelated projects."

Do you think Chetty should have shared this information with city officials before they approved the agreement of sale with him?

Authorities conduct forensic audit of city finances, real estate

2010-01-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night that authorizes the FBI and Chester County Detectives to conduct a forensic audit of the city’s finances and realty transactions.

The purpose of the audit is to determine whether there is any evidence of obstruction of justice, misdirection of funds, willful negligence and actions of criminal intent by the city’s administration and/or council.

In the meantime, city officials said Harry Walker is still on administrative leave.

Do you think the results of this audit will be beneficial to the new City Council?

Big changes in city administration

2010-01-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

At Monday's reorganization meeting, the new City Council made two major decisions.

First, council removed Andrew Lehr as city solicitor. Second, council placed City Manager Harry Walker on administrative leave.

Councilwoman Karen Jorgenson and newly-elected Councilman Jarrell Brazzle were the only two who voted against these measures.

Do you think these decisions are a step in the right direction for the city?

Officials OK sale agreement with Chetty

2009-12-23T17:44:00.001-08:00

On Dec. 18, the Redevelopment Authority approved a sale agreement with Chetty Builders for a proposed townhome development on the northern portion of The Flats. City Council also approved the agreement at a special meeting on Dec. 23.

Carl Chetty, the president and founder of the development company, said his company expects to move dirt on the site in the spring. "I have to say that 2010 will be the year for Coatesville," he said.

In the past, Chetty's project for a condomimum tower at Third Avenue and East Lincoln Highway turned out to be unsuccessful. Chetty did, however, have success with another project, known as Millview Apartments, located at the Route 30 Bypass and Route 82.

Do you think Chetty's upcoming project on the northern portion of The Flats will be a success?

Eliminate the paid firefighters?

2009-12-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

At Monday's City Council meeting, council voted against a referendum that would allow residents to decide whether they want to eliminate the city’s paid firefighters.

Some council members said Thursday there were not enough details about the proposal to make an informed decision. Other officials noted that the city needs the paid firefighters, especially after the nationally-recognized arson crisis that plagued the city for 18 months.

City Manager Harry Walker said the city could save $600,000 with the elimination of the paid firefighters.

As a resident of the City of Coatesville, are you in favor of eliminating the paid firefighters?

2010 Budget Approved

2009-12-14T19:55:00.000-08:00

In a split vote Monday night, City Council approved the final 2010 budget at $9.9 million, which includes a cut in real estate taxes.

Councilman Ed Simpson argued that the reduction was done at the expense of the city's reserve trust fund. “It’s a tax cut but you’re substantiating it at the expense of the trust fund,” he said.

In recent months, Walker requested that City Council remove $1.5 million from the reserve trust fund to balance out finances for the end of this year and beginning of 2010. Council eventually approved Walker’s request. Of that $1.5 million, $1 million was used to balance the 2009 budget; the remaining $500,000 will be used in 2010.

“In the long run, people will move here and people will hopefully see it as a trend,” Walker argued.

Do you think the tax cut is being done at the expense of the reserve trust fund?

Same revenue in 2010 even with tax cuts?

2009-11-26T10:21:00.000-08:00

City Manager Harry Walker is proposing a real estate tax break in 2010. He also believes the city can bring in the same amount of revenue.

Do you think this is possible?

Council approves 2010 preliminary budget on Nov. 24

2009-11-23T19:56:00.000-08:00

City Council approved the 2010 preliminary budget at Monday's meeting. City administration is projecting the budget to be about $8.7 million.

The budget includes a tax decrease of about 10 percent in mills based on reassessments done by the county. City Manager Harry Walker said next year's budget includes the lowest amount of expenditures since 2004.

In all, City Finance Manager Stacy Bjorhus said the 2010 budget is going to be balanced.

In past budget discussions, such as 2009, City Council was told it would have a balanced budget, but then months later Walker came back to council requesting money from the reserve trust fund.

Now that the city has a new finance director, do you think next year's budget has a better chance of staying balanced?

City Council to tap trust fund

2009-11-16T18:40:00.001-08:00

On Nov. 16, the Redevelopment Authority and City Council had a joint meeting to discuss the authority's request to tap the trust fund to pay off a $7 million loan.

"It's something we really wish we did not need to do but I think the numbers speak for themselves," said RDA chairman Joseph DiSciullo.

If the city and RDA continued its agreement with the bank, it would be paying about $35,000 monthly or $420,000 annually in interest on the loan, city officials said.

In exchange for council's approval of the request, the RDA plans to replenish the trust fund within five years. The RDA plans to give 95 percent of any future property sale to the trust fund.

This may be the right move for the city but as one resident said, "I think the RDA's borrowing of a loan from the trust fund should have been done a long time ago."

Do you think officials should have acted sooner or waited until January to let the new council members decide?

Trust Fund Withdrawal ... AGAIN?

2009-11-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

At the Nov. 9 meeting, council approved the second reading and adoption of an ordinance for $1.5 million withdrawal from the trust fund. The money will be used to balance the city's budget.

Council also decided it will have a joint public meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 with the city's Redevelopment Authority. The authority is requesting council withdrawal $7 million to pay for the authority's debt.

State officials and a report, known as Fairmont Capital Advisors Early Intervention Program, have warned the city against overreliance on the trust fund. The report states that a minimum of $20 million should be in the fund at all times.

At the end of October, the fund had $21.9 million. The $1.5 million withdrawal and a potential $7 million could bring the fund down to approximately $13.4 million.

Do you think it's prudent for council to continue taking money from the fund?

School Bus Issue

2009-10-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

At the Coatesville Area School Board meeting on Tuesday, Bishop Shanahan parents urged officials to provide more buses for their kids.

The buses are shared between Shanahan and Collegium Charter School students. Collegium starts school at about 7:20 a.m. and Shanahan doesn't have to start until about 8:05 a.m. As a result, some Shanahan kids have to catch the buses as early as 6 a.m. in order to accomodate the Collegium schedule.

In a 5-4 vote, the school board approved a contract for one extra bus. But parents said this may not be enough to fix the problem.

Do you think the school board should consider approving contracts for more buses?

Looming Layoffs?

2009-10-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

Although City Council voted against layoffs on Monday night, some officials said Tuesday that this issue may be revisited in the near future.

Do you think it's a good idea for the city to layoff some employees in order to balance the budget?

10/26 City Council meeting in a nutshell

2009-10-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

City Manager Harry Walker sent out layoff notices earlier this month to 13 employees but City Council unanimously voted against this action on Monday night.

There was also a presentation on cash flow in which Finance Director Stacy Bjorhus said the city will be about $900,000 short at the end of the year.

Lastly, the request to withdrawal money from the trust fund was on the agenda again. Before a vote was taken on the first reading of the ordinance, Councilman Ed Simpson raised several questions about bills paid to consultants. One in particular was a bill paid for a consultant's work visa.

"You used taxpayers' money to pay for a work visa without any prior approval," Simpson said to Walker.

Coatesville Youth Development Initiative

2009-10-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday night, community members attended the launch of the Coatesville Youth Development Initiative at the Brandywine Center.

After a yearlong planning process, the steering committee presented its findings and priorities. In a nutshell, this initiative is geared toward providing opportunities for the city's kids to reach their goals and dreams.

Do you think this initiative is a step in the right direction?

'No money in the hole' ~ a brief recap of Oct. 12 meeting ~

2009-10-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

There was an action item on the Oct. 12 City Council agenda regarding the authorization to remove money from the city's trust fund again. But only four of the seven council members at the meeting, so Councilman Ed Simpson asked that the item be postponed.

City Manager Harry Walker explained that the money from the trust fund would sustain the city through early next year. He said revenues will significantly increase in February.

Councilwoman Patsy Ray said that the budget has been an issue since she has been on council.

"We came into this year with no money in the hole," said Ray. "And we will go out this year with no money in the hole."

Revisiting the city's financial problems

2009-10-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

At the finance work session, City Council members expressed frustration with the city manager. They wanted more details on the trust fund and potential salary cuts and/or staff reductions.

Members of council revisited this topic again late this week. They said they hope to get more answers soon.

Meanwhile, Harry Walker said he was satisfied with the way the finance meeting turned out. He said he will be presenting more clarity on financial issues at Monday's City Council meeting.

Finance work session ... the aftermath

2009-10-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

At the Oct. 5 finance work session, City Council President Martin Eggleston urged administrators to look into salary reductions in every department.

“The city can make cuts in any department regardless if it’s union or not – just not the fire department,” City Manager Harry Walker responded.

Walker said he plans to recommend about $350,000 in expenditure cuts. He said he was looking into cuts in the recreation and codes departments. More details about potential staff reductions are expected at next week's City Council meeting.

Do you think the city should consider salary and staff reductions to help balance the budget?

Finance Work Session Meeting on Oct. 5

2009-10-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

City officials announced last week that there will be a special finance meeting on Monday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. This meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in City Hall.

Officials said that the purpose of the meeting to discuss the upcoming 2010 budget amd examine the current cash flow.

In addition, City Manager Harry Walker plans to recommend to City Council that $1.5 million be withdrawn from the reserve trust fund and put into the general fund. As residents of the City of Coatesville, do you think this recommendation is a good idea?

No state weed and seed this year

2009-06-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

Read about it here.

Read the city's application here: CoatesvilleWSApplication.pdf

City of Coatesville
Weed & Seed Coordinator
Allen Smith
610-384-0300 ext. 3123

Completed Task?

2009-05-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

City Manager Harry Walker said at last night's City Council meeting that Donald McKensie, city consultant turned acting finance director somewhere along the line, is no longer with the city. Walker offered no detailed explanation for the exit, except to say McKensie had "completed his task."

The only task McKensie completed that stands out is convince city officials to change accounting software systems (making it the third system for the city in as many years). The city's administration went ahead and made the switch from Caselle software to 4Gov even though City Council never formally approved the switch.

The cost to taxpayers?

Well, the city paid $109,395 over two years to purchase Caselle, which the city now owns. But because McKensie said Caselle was not as user-friendly as 4Gov he had the finance department start using 4Gov, which the city gets to use for free for one year. After that, the city will be charged $150 per month per user, which the city said would equate to less than $1,000 per month.

A couple years ago, then Finance Director Rickie Dean, hired by City Manager Harry Walker, picked out Caselle because he felt the system used by the previous administration wasn't good enough. Then the city fired Dean and hired McKensie who said the system Dean picked wasn't good enough, so he picked out another system. And now McKensie is gone and the city is searching for a new finance director.

So a taxpayer is likely wondering, how much will the next finance director cost them?