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Connellsville council approves event closures, equipment purchase and hires; several routine resolutions passed
Summary
At its May 20 meeting the council approved multiple routine resolutions including street closures for community events, hiring seasonal staff, authorizing a boat-ramp bid advertisement and purchasing a new police vehicle. Minutes and several routine annual agreements also passed by roll call.
Connellsville City Council on May 20 approved a package of routine motions that included street closures for major community events, two summer hires for playground programs, authorization to advertise bids for a boat-ramp extension and the purchase of a new police SUV.
Key approvals
- John Woodruff 5K (July 9): Council approved a temporary closure of the route for the John Woodruff Run/Walk 5K, pending police, public works and fire chief review. During roll call Councilman Topper and other members recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed.
- Polish Club alley use (Aug. 31): The council granted the Connellsville Polish Club permission to use the side alley between the Polish Club and the public works garage for its annual picnic on Aug. 31, pending required approvals from police, public works and the fire chief. The resolution passed on roll call.
- Somerset Trust car cruise (June 24): Council authorized the temporary closure of South Seventh Street from Crawford Avenue to Graham Avenue for Somerset Trust—s car cruise and approved auxiliary police use for traffic control. The motion passed unanimously on roll call.
- Boat ramp extension: Council authorized advertising for sealed bids for the City of Connellsville boat ramp extension project, with bid submissions due by 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The resolution passed on roll call.
- Police vehicle and equipment funding: Council rescinded an earlier resolution concerning the 2022 Dodge Durango and approved the purchase of a 2025 Ford Explorer for the police department at $47,643.08. The city will apply a $19,000 trade-in credit for the Durango and use $28,006.43 from the special investigations account to cover the remainder. Council voted to approve the purchase by roll call.
- New hires and seasonal staff: Council voted to hire Barry Prince as a patrolman for the police department effective June 1; it also authorized summer playground instructors Gabby Woods and Kylie Cole, to be paid from the recreation account. Roll-call votes for these hires were recorded and motions carried.
- Lease and annual agreements: Council extended the lease with the Connellsville Senior Tigers for three years (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028) and approved the annual Autodesk Task Force agreement for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. Both were approved on voice/roll-call votes.
Other routine items: The council accepted the minutes from the April 15 meeting, waived the city—s four-day resolution rule for late submissions (items marked with an asterisk), and tabled one permit resolution for later consideration (ARI Holdings building permit) while staff completed a technical review.
Votes at a glance (selected motions)
- John Woodruff 5K street closure (07/09/2025): approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). - Polish Club alley use (08/31/2025): approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). - Somerset Trust car cruise (06/24/2025): approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). - Boat ramp bid advertisement (advertise until 06/17/2025): approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). - Purchase 2025 Ford Explorer for police, $47,643.08: approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). Funding: $19,000 trade-in; remainder from special investigations account. - Hire patrolman Barry Prince (start 06/01/2025): approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). - Hire playground instructors Gabby Woods and Kylie Cole (summer season): approved (roll call recorded; motion carried). - Lease extension with Connellsville Senior Tigers (07/01/2025–06/30/2028): approved.
Why it mattered: The package includes capital and operational items (boat ramp advertisement, vehicle purchase), seasonal staffing for recreation, and permits/closures that enable the city—s summer events calendar. Several approvals include conditions: event closures are contingent on police, fire and public works sign-offs; the vehicle purchase uses a mix of trade-in proceeds and a restricted special-investigations account, not the general fund.
What remains: The council tabled a building/permit resolution for ARI Holdings while staff complete technical reviews. The applicant will return once revised drawings and sprinkler/occupancy details are approved by the UCC officer.
Ending: Council agreed to revisit the tabled building permit and to continue coordinating with event organizers and public safety over the busy summer schedule.
