A newly re-organized City Council, 2021 projected City budget surplus, updated timeline for new City Hall, community partner presentation, information regarding $1 million non-profit grant opportunity, and more.
The Lebanon City Council held a special session on Monday, January 3, to re-organize 2022 Council appointments. Councilmember Joe Morales was elected to serve a 2nd term as Council Chairperson; Richard Wertz was elected Vice-Chair.
In the January 24 regular City Council meeting, Mayor Capello announced a projected 2021 City budget surplus as much as $195,000. She said Lebanon tax revenue came in at 118% above what was expected and expenditures capped out at 90%. Final totals will be completed by March 2022.
The current timeline for finishing the new City Hall, including the new legislative chamber, could be a soon as May.
The Lebanon County Kennel Club presented the City of Lebanon with a $2,000 check donation to support the Lebanon Police Department’s K9 Unit Fund. Mayor Capello said the Lebanon Kennel Club has always been a great supporter of the Lebanon Police Department’s K9 Unit, with another considerable donation to the Fund when K9 Officer Friday was retired in 2017 and needed to be replaced.
Mayor Capello informed Council that the deadline to apply for the $1 million non-profit grant opportunity is quickly approaching, ending January 31st. She said that the grant opportunity is here to help Lebanon City-based organizations in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Organizations are able to apply for a sum up to 40% of their yearly operating budget.
Mayor Capello also said she is actively working to establish the selection committee to review grant applications. She wants “a diverse group of people” working to allocate the grant funds.
Community of Lebanon Association (CLA) Board Member and Treasurer, Craig Gates, informed the City Council of the CLA’s Presidents’ Day Cherry Pie Extravaganza to be held at the Lebanon Farmer’s Market between February 18th-19th. Gates said that slices of cherry pie will be sold for $3 per slice.
Mayor Capello had four official Council communications of appointment of various persons to the City of Lebanon Police Pension Fund Board, the City of Lebanon Paid Fireman’s Pension Fund Board, the City of Lebanon Authority, and the City of Lebanon Board of Health for four-year terms. Mayor Capello said the majority of people appointed to these positions have served Lebanon City for more than 10yrs.
Councilman Chris Miller moved to adopt Resolution No. 1, authorizing the disposal of various expired documents in the Lebanon Police Department – primarily parking tickets, PENDOT requests, officer notes, etc… from previous years. This is regular procedure.
Councilman Richard Wertz moved to adopt Resolution No. 2, authorizing the donation of various letters of correspondence regarding the former Colonial Theater to the Lebanon County Historical Society. Councilmember Wertz added as a board member of the Historical Society, his thanks to the City of Lebanon on the organization’s behalf.
Council Chairperson Joe Morales moved to introduce Bill No. 1, which is an ordinance that if passed will allow the City of Lebanon government to add all proposed and revised ordinances from the 2021 legislative year to the official codified book of ordinances. City Clerk, Cheryl Gibson, said that the city typically prints 20 copies of the revised book of codified ordinances and a public copy can be found in the Law Library at the Municipal Building.
Author: Alisher Aminov
