Saint Marys council updates property maintenance code, approves infrastructure loan and pension counsel; pool costs remain uncertain

The Mayor and Council met and approved an update to the city's property maintenance code, authorized a loan to support roadway maintenance through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank and named Campbell Durant as legal counsel for the city's pension plans, while continuing discussions about a community pool feasibility study and project costs.

Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 110 to amend the city's International Property Maintenance Code, updating references from the 1998 edition to the 2021 edition and removing obsolete BOCA code citations. A guest consultant explained the state adopted the International Code Council's model codes and the update brings the city's ordinance in line with current statewide building and maintenance standards. The ordinance passed by voice vote following a brief procedural discussion.

On infrastructure funding, the council approved Resolution No. 25-07 authorizing the city to enter a loan agreement with the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank to provide gap funding for roadway maintenance projects. Staff described the loan program as a revolving funding mechanism used periodically to finance road repairs and resurfacing across the city's roughly 75 miles of municipal roadways. Council members pressed staff on the loan's interest rate and repayment source; one council member noted the new loan carries an interest rate cited in discussion as about 3.875'to 4% compared with prior loans around 1.625%. City staff said payments come from capital funds allocated for roadway maintenance and that the city staggers projects across years so outstanding loans are paid down as new ones begin. Staff also committed to researching whether the loan could include flexible-rate or refinancing options should market rates decline.

The council voted to approve Campbell Durant to provide pension-plan legal services after staff said the prior attorney retired and a request for proposals produced a single submission from Campbell Durant's pension division. Staff characterized use of the firm as occasional and limited to specialized pension matters (for example, court challenges or benefit disputes). The appointment was approved by voice vote.

Throughout the meeting, residents and council members returned to a recent pool feasibility study. A resident questioned why the study presented three options rather than a simple feasibility determination; the manager and others said multiple options are standard for grant applications and to reflect varying scopes. Figures discussed by council members during public exchange ranged from about $2.9 million to $5 million for full project costs; the manager said those recommended costs appear beyond the city's general-fund capacity and staff will gather additional information before advancing a recommendation.

Other business included a treasurer's report covering year-to-date revenues and expenditures, a staff update that a railroad crossing in front of City Hall will be repaired in late July (requiring a likely one-day closure), and distribution of an ATV road-access map for discussion of south-side roads. The meeting concluded after a brief period of non-agenda public comment and scheduling of the next council meeting for July 21 at 7 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes for May 19 and May 29: motion moved and approved by voice vote. - Ordinance No. 110 (update to International Property Maintenance Code): approved by voice vote. - Resolution No. 25-07 (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank loan authorization for roadway maintenance): approved by voice vote; staff to explore rate flexibility options. - Appointment of Campbell Durant as pension legal counsel: approved by voice vote.

The council scheduled an executive session with the solicitor and manager after the meeting and adjourned.