Butler City Council will consider buying new vehicles for the police and zoning and code enforcement offices.

The agenda for Thursday’s regular meeting includes buying three 2018 Ford Explorer Interceptors for the police department for $83,781 from Day Ford through the Costars state cooperative purchasing program. “Our cars are falling apart,” Dave Adam, assistant police chief, said Tuesday at council’s forum meeting.

The vehicles do not come equipped for police use, so council will consider advertising for bids to install emergency lights and other equipment.

The agenda includes a motion to buy a 2018 Ford Escape from the same dealer for $22,119, for the city zoning and code enforcement office.

A motion to seek bids for a new truck for the street department could appear on the agenda.

Councilman Michael Walter said he hadn’t completed preparing the specifications for the truck, but he could have them ready for Thursday’s meeting.

In unrelated business, Walter said he wants council to consider requiring building code and fire safety inspections of residential and commercial buildings when they are sold or transferred, to ensure that buyers get quality properties and to help eliminate blight. He said a revenue neutral fee of $35 could be charged for an inspection.

Mandatory inspections would require council to enact an ordinance. Walter said he obtained a copy of a Lower Burrell ordinance requiring those inspections.

Councilman Jeff Smith said the inspections are a good idea.

Mayor Ben Smith asked what would happen if a property didn’t pass the inspection.

Jeff Smith said the seller could be required to fix any problems that are discovered.

Solicitor Tom Breth said there are “a lot of legal issues” involved with that type of inspection program.

“What do you mean I can’t sell my house unless the government signs off? I understand the goal, but it needs a legal review,” Breth said.

The city currently requires fire safety inspections when commercial properties are sold, said John Evans, building code official.

In other business, council will:

Vote on advertising for bids to replace air conditioning units for the second and third floors of the City Building

Consider the introduction and first reading of an ordinance for an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Butler Township for public works projects

Consider awarding a $12,770 contract to Young and Sons Excavation to demolish a house at 220 Fifth Ave. The Butler County Commissioners have agreed to pay for the demolition using money from fees charged for recording deeds and mortgages

Consider adopting a flood plain ordinance that requires permits for building in flood plains and sets construction standards.