Coatesville Roundtable

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?

Tonight's Agenda

2009-05-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

View tonight's agenda here: May11Agenda.pdf

New Chief

2009-04-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Julius "Mike" Canale is expected to be officially sworn in as police chief at Monday's City Council meeting in City Hall. Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

City Council may also vote on the sale of "the flats" for $2 million to the Mosaic group. Read about it here.

Canale is Chief -- What's Your Reaction?

2009-04-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

Read the DLN story here. Then post your reaction.

DA Update

2009-04-10T13:46:00.001-07:00

The regularly scheduled Thursday open house meeting at the Coatesville Savings Bank with District Attorney Joe Carroll will be suspended until May 7th due to conflicts with other meetings. Private meetings are still available on Tuesdays at Carroll's home at 16 North 8th Avenue by appointment. Carroll said he will notify the public if this schedule changes for any reason.

Former C'ville chief candidate gets job in Texas

2009-04-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

About two years ago, Philadelphia Police Lt. Joel Fitzgerald thought he was going to be Coatesville's next police chief. An appointed search committee decided he was the best candidate. City Manager Harry Walker had city attorneys draft a contract for him.

But at the last minute, Walker reportedly called Fitzgerald and said he decided to go in a different direction. Instead, Walker recommended and City Council approved William Matthews from Maryland, who subsequently was the chief here for the last two years and recently resigned.

Two years ago, Fitzgerald spoke with me about the interview process with Coatesville (which turned out to be a questionable process), during which he expressed great interest in becoming a police chief. After Coatesville's rejection, Fitzgerald continued to search for such a job. And this month he will be named police chief in Missouri City, Texas.

Read about his appointment here.

Seeking candidate interviews

2009-04-01T08:02:00.000-07:00

My goal is to interview every City Council candidate for the 2009 primary election. If you are a candidate who is willing to talk with me about your candidacy I can be reached at the following:

610-430-1178
jmiller@dailylocal.com

What's Next?

2009-03-31T14:26:00.000-07:00

What's next for the Coatesville Police Department in terms of leadership is unclear.

Ultimately -- just like two years ago -- City Manager Harry Walker gets to recommend a candidate for police chief to City Council. It's up to council to support or vote down his recommendation.

As of late last week, city officials did not have a plan for replacing William Matthews, who served as chief for the last two years. Technically, his last day is tomorrow. However, some sources say Matthews has already cleared out of the station. His farewell luncheon was held last Friday in Caln.

City Spokeswoman Kristin Geiger said Walker plans to discuss the matter of selecting a new police chief at the next executive session, which would be April 13 just before the next City Council meeting.

However, if the city intends to implement some sort of search/selection/interviewing process City Council has to discuss and determine such plans at a public meeting. State law only allows council to discuss privately specific employees.

Before exiting under turmoil, Matthews suggested that council fill the vacancy with Lt. Julius (Mike) Canale.

Canale expressed interest in the top cop post over two years ago when the city began its search. However the lack of a bachelor's degree and city residency -- requirements outlined by a search committee -- apparently prevented Canale from applying for the job.

Some on City Council, including City Councilman Kurt Schenk, have said Canale is qualified to be the next chief, now that Matthews has groomed him.

Matthews gave his notice to council as early as February. He later announced his resignation at a City Council meeting during which City Council President Martin Eggleston said the city had no planned course of action for selecting a new chief. And that seems to still be the case.

And now Matthews is gone. Canale is acting as chief. And the city lacks a plan to move forward at a time when crime has been escalating and the city is dealing with arsons and armed robberies. Not to mention spring is on its way and those in law enforcement know what that means for crime.

More 2009 Primary Candidates

2009-03-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

CASD
Democrats
-Jason Cann, region 1
-Joseph E. Dunn, region 2

Republicans
-Jason Cann, region 1
-Joseph E. Dunn, region 2
-Laurie Knecht, region 3 (reelection)
-Bob Knecht, region 3 (reelection)

MODENA BOROUGH MAYOR
Republicans
-Ronald E. McCorkle

Democrats
-none

SOUTH COATESVILLE MAYOR
Republicans
-William C. Jones

Democrats
-James C. Kennedy

CALN TOWNSHIP COMMISSIONER
Republicans
-Chuck Kramer, at-large
-Vincent Rose, at-large

Democrats
-Joshua B. Young, at-large (reelection)
-Lorraine M. Tindaro, at-large

2009 May Primary Election Ballot

2009-03-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Here are the names for the 2009 Primary Election Ballot, straight from Chester County Voter Services:

COATESVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Democrats
-Ingrid W. Jones, 2nd Ward
-Patsy Ray, 2nd Ward (running for second term)
-Karl Marking, 4th Ward
-Kurt Schenk, 4th Ward (running for second term)
-Joseph A. Hamrick, at-large
-Calvin Culclasure, at-large
-Beverly Phillips, at-large
-Matthew Baker, at-large
-Kenneth Allen, at-large
-Jarrell Brazzle, at-large

Republicans
-Eric Lacerte, 4th Ward
-Joseph J. DiSciullo, at-large
-Winifred Mayo, at-large
-Fran Schnering, at-large

(This year, there are two at-large seats up for election, which are currently filled by Robin Scott and Kareem Johnson. Neither are on the ballot for reelection.)

VALLEY TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR
Republicans
-Arlin W. Yoder, at-large

Democrats
-Angela E. Christen, at-large
-Patrice L. Proctor, at-large

DISTRICT JUDGE -- COATESVILLE
Democrats
-Gregory Hines Sr.

Republicans
-Gregory Hines Sr.
-Gabriel P. Milanese Jr.

DISTRICT JUDGE -- VALLEY
Republicans
-Grover E. Koon (reelection)

Democrats
-Grover E. Koon (reelection)
-Richard A. King Jr.

Arrest documents

2009-03-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

Read the criminal complaint filed in Valley's district court related to Coatesville firefighter Robert Tracey Jr., who is accused of intentionally setting two city homes on fire last weekend. Tracey_CriminalComplaint.pdf

Next Week

2009-03-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

There is a City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday in City Hall. There is a Coatesville school board meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the CASH 9/10 Center in Caln.

SBA in town

2009-03-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

COATESVILLE – The U.S. Small Business Administration has set up an office here for arson fire victims.

The SBA is providing low-interest, long-term loans available to qualifying individuals, homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations that have been affected by the area’s arson crisis.

The Coatesville area has experienced 27 arson fires this year and over 70 since February 2008.

The SBA can provide up to $200,000 to homeowners and up to $40,000 for renters to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.

SBA’s customer service representatives are in the city to provide loan applications, answer questions about the loan program and help residents complete their applications.

The SBA center is located at 209 E. Lincoln Highway. It will be open today through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Benefit concert to be held for fire victims

2009-03-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Mission of Love is sponsoring a benefit concert for Coatesville area arson fire victims April 3 at the Coatesville Area Senior High School. Here's more info: BenefitConcert.pdf