[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6517857,"mediaKeyId","5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88","parentId",5402452,"title","Votes at a glance: Connellsville council actions July 15 include grant application, police hiring authorization and shade tree rule change","audioSeconds",257,"startMs",3193000,"endMs",3450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88&start=3193&end=3450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88/thumbnail_3193000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6517857/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Connellsville-council-actions-July-15-include-grant-application-police-hiring-authorization-and-shade-tree-rule-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517857-b23780eb0b17d6630a91835a6a8c34d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775920590&Signature=WurbH3whHxnWpYAaHE89sy9TXf7UHzofDIXLQjeAVwSS54YDrrQJ8xnCBwGloZYLGjJvgLuzU27mTJobje4c6axrDLCnGmwIgGfqZzS0NkSMHlr4Oqgzhb4fHfm2WXGuZ7S5a0tx0OzvD81Jt-kYDHLPvzzT3NC4Iui2QfpHF0CMLb91BEfyo6DBb-RSF~ypQPkj4rOLj0FBSfM3kJOuH0Sv1zpRwt7t3viFFCVJ3nD8qrWHUxx98WAsoqBhFxWK7k-V2TeSVuMTWWhFoogPFxiANSTt9QN6~O7HDg0qaNIcXGlbT2i2GxtDJcDmY0CLMdVexvx8Qupo81837a8kxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Connellsville, PA","date","2025-07-16T15:23:42Z","article","Connellsville’s City Council conducted a series of formal votes at its July 15 meeting. Key outcomes included authorization for grant application, personnel actions, administrative policy adoptions and several event permits. Below is a concise list of the formal actions recorded at the meeting and the outcomes as taken on the record.

Votes and formal actions (selected):

- Local Share Account grant application: The council voted to authorize the city clerk to apply for a countywide Local Share Account grant for 2025; staff said the request would seek funds for a new salt shed for Public Works. Vote recorded as approved.

- Police resignation and hiring authorization: The council accepted the resignation of Samuel Fisher from the Connellsville Police Department effective Aug. 10, 2025. The council also authorized advertising a full-time police officer position and to establish an eligibility list; the motion specified Act 120 certification would not be a hiring requirement (candidates hired without certification would need academy attendance paid by the city). Council discussion noted academy timing and potential academy costs (estimated by staff at about $4,000) and the need to negotiate any necessary memoranda of understanding with the police association if hires are made under those terms. Both the resignation acceptance and the advertising action were approved.

- Shade Tree Commission residency rule: Council introduced Bill No. 2 of 2025 to amend ordinances (referenced in the record as ordinances 11-31 and 12-80, codified at 1-463) by removing the residency requirement for Shade Tree Commission members to allow interested nonresident volunteers to participate. Introduction was approved.

- Accept vendor quote for fishing dock (contingent): Council accepted a quote of $53,061.97 from Anchor Marine Group to install an ADA-compliant fishing dock at Yacht River Park, contingent on obtaining funds for equipment and removal/transport; see separate article for details.

- Approve application to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission grant and CoStars purchase process: Council recorded that grant funds and CoStars purchasing would fund the anchor marine quote; council approved the related actions in the dock motion.

- Grant of use and alcohol authorization for events: Council granted use of Yacht River Park and allowed alcohol for specified club events requested by General Braddock’s Fish Club (dates in late September). Permits and utilization forms remained subject to review by police, fire and public works.

- Contract/operations: Council moved and approved termination of the concession contract with James Cox (Yacht Park concession) effective immediately; staff reported a 10-day cure letter had been sent with no remedy.

- Administrative and personnel policy adoptions: The council approved adoption of a check-processing software (Verify) to modernize check processing and also adopted a heart-and-lung (Line-of-Duty) policy for covered personnel under Pennsylvania law; both resolutions passed on recorded votes.

- Other approvals: Council approved minutes from the June 17, 2025 meeting and waived the four-day resolution rule to allow late-submitted items to be considered (items marked with an asterisk). Several smaller civic requests were approved (block party road closure for August 15; General Braddock’s Fish Club use of Yacht River Park for youth fishing day and club picnic) while a request from the Polish Club to borrow chairs/tents/table inventory died for lack of a second.

Several items sent to staff for follow-up included bids and procurement process questions for the mural repair project, and enforcement work on nuisance properties reported during public comment. Staff were directed to report back to the council on the public-works, procurement, and licensing items as appropriate.

Vote records: The meeting minutes show roll-call votes for each item; the clerk recorded individual council member votes on the record for most motions (see council minutes for the verbatim roll-call entries).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","July 15, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Connellsville’s City Council approved a package of administrative and operational items at its July 15 meeting, including a Local Share Account grant application for a salt shed, acceptance of a police resignation and authorization to advertise a police position without an Act 120 requirement, introduction of a bill to relax residency rules for the Shade Tree Commission, and the contingent acceptance of a vendor quote for an ADA-compliant fishing dock at Yacht River Park.","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},6517862,"Council terminates Yacht Park concession contract; local entrepreneur offers new proposal",2530,750000,3280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88&start=750&end=3280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88/thumbnail_750000.jpg","/articles/6517862/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Council-terminates-Yacht-Park-concession-contract-local-entrepreneur-offers-new-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517862-84294bae27333f599266a68a216923b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775920590&Signature=mkeHOGEV0q0vFp4HpSt80nqJpWavH1~8FOUU13w1pCTdOeTp0qkWK-47UruPTS3-VuOcoIKge1GF~hJS9eqvDF7eUH7g5160Hcc66BHktlDhyQ8UW4JhG-mUiJks9Klm8maFzDwHM7~jqFqYBbBApjdGBJyvMKzQqlzXXWTXRZcB4DV74GdP9k-ab0l8mSHWWjWwZ~jnMWClCpXtdRLFpGbvHHeZvITrfPsS9n3X9mh41grmsPHHIEFD-fkiRzVShy7DtQPDhFq7aVTmsl~xmSAaOuFaAokiYMBl8x~b1Rp4SdaXpSCONFWkYEqQkiSxGRDcQVFiQMshRXUSekCVxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connellsville City Council voted to terminate the contract with James Cox for operation of the Yacht River Park concession stand effective immediately, and the meeting included a public comment from a local entrepreneur who said she would submit a formal proposal to operate the concession.

At the July 15 council meeting, Councilman Witten (reported during the resolutions portion) moved to terminate the concession contract; council members said the city followed required notice steps and that a cure period had expired after a service notice was sent and not remedied. The resolution to terminate the contract was approved on a roll-call vote.

Earlier in the meeting, Casey Piper identified herself during public comment as a local property owner and business operator proposing to lease the concession stand at Yacht River Park. Piper said she and her husband own several properties in the city and that she runs a local salon; she described a proposed menu of grab-and-go healthy items — wrapped salads, fruit and smoothie bowls — and said she would support local vendors with pop-up opportunities. Piper said she has staff ready, an LLC application in process, and that she could complete required service and licensing steps within two weeks if needed. Council members asked Piper to submit a written proposal and to contact the city’s licensing staff (Tom) and the city solicitor to begin a license agreement.

Council members said terminating the existing concessionaire contract clears the way for the city to pursue a new operator, but they did not promise an immediate award to any individual who presented during public comment. Council members asked that formal proposals be submitted through the city’s licensing process so staff can evaluate insurance, health and operational requirements.

Clerk records show the termination resolution passed at the July 15 meeting. Council members noted they had given the tenant notice and that 10 days had passed without a cure; staff confirmed attempts to contact the concessionaire before the termination resolution was brought to the council.","Council voted to terminate the concession contract with James Cox at Yacht Park and heard an unsolicited proposal from a local business owner who volunteered a formal submission for the concession space.",{"_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},6517867,"Connellsville council accepts quote for accessible fishing dock at Yacht River Park, adds contingency for removal funding",541,3774000,4315000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88&start=3774&end=4315","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5402452-e83ec52f2a78ee4a7e67f6f770c34b88/thumbnail_3774000.jpg","/articles/6517867/Connellsville/Fayette-County/Pennsylvania/Connellsville-council-accepts-quote-for-accessible-fishing-dock-at-Yacht-River-Park-adds-contingency-for-removal-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6517867-d86723a60048558e9637f213a2d55ec8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775920590&Signature=R5-e1Oxr-k1uG4J90gKcJWqARWgBDh9kPgpOmIs0dFdVWq-pihPPwxbH-5PVxglg0erBCX8NRfgXZmDUpGxsRDaoFH9KLT~bZ-s2NPjZaWQSf1xI78rKLSb~tVzx5gKDtKuYhj8UDJXii552VVSC8HM25EpK5~M6JB7Tsjukw~Kph5Weo-kBCcun1uQDDgwPcDhJAN7Ce2aqaD--lK-71sNDJMrjpC1q1pfQazY54OmMt8Ll-2mX8Su8q9ZBTsoP5nAxNzUWOEm8mc5ZAor1SHdqmJAjKpZcUprXWd2Bo3VVY6p6WsBKVwxi~QS2T8gFXk~XKUrmC9-31b5pOJo57A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connellsville City Council voted to accept a $53,061.97 quote from Anchor Marine Group to install an Americans with Disabilities Act–compatible fishing dock at Yacht River Park, provided the city secures additional funding to buy equipment for removing and transporting the dock.

The motion, introduced at the July 15 meeting, specified that funds for the dock itself would come through CoStars purchasing and a grant from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Council members amended the motion so acceptance is contingent on obtaining “sufficient funding to purchase the equipment and to remove and transport the fishing dock.” The amended motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Council members and staff raised practical concerns about moving the structure out of the river in the event of high water, flood, or ice. Council members asked how many people and what equipment would be required to remove the dock, whether a specialty trailer or other lifting equipment would be needed, and where the dock would be stored between seasonal uses. Staff said the vendor estimated removal would require multiple people and small loaders or trailers; council members and staff discussed possible costs to buy or rent a trailer or other equipment to ensure removal could be done reliably.

City staff and council also reviewed drawings and specifications included with the Anchor Marine quote. The vendor’s materials showed metal pylons driven about 36 inches into the riverbed and ramp panels sized 4-by-16-by-8, and a 19-foot width for the structure. Staff said the dock would be chained to the riverbed and that poles do not pass through the dock deck; council members said the design could rise and fall with the river and that a four-foot rise in water level was a practical threshold for concern. Council members asked for the dock’s weight and for clearer details about rails, pole lengths and anchoring to evaluate transport and storage needs.

Supporters said the dock would allow people with mobility limitations to fish from the riverbank area for the first time. One council member thanked staff for pursuing the grant and noted remaining grant funds would likely cover additional costs. Council members agreed the dock would help expand recreational access but that the city must ensure a reliable plan for removal and storage before installation.

The council recorded the motion to accept the vendor quote with the contingency and approved it by voice/roll-call vote.

The council instructed staff to continue work on funding for the removal/transport equipment and to return with more details on logistics and any additional cost estimates before the city finalizes installation scheduling.","Council accepted a $53,061.97 quote from Anchor Marine Group to install an ADA-compliant fishing dock at Yacht River Park, with the motion amended to require sufficient funding to buy equipment and cover removal and transport before installation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Connellsville council actions July 15 include grant application, police hiring authorization and shade tree rule change

Council terminates Yacht Park concession contract; local entrepreneur offers new proposal

Connellsville council accepts quote for accessible fishing dock at Yacht River Park, adds contingency for removal funding