Butler City Council voted Thursday to hire a law firm from Pittsburgh to negotiate a new contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 114, the union representing the city's firefighters.

Council hired Campbell, Durrant, Beatty, Palumbo and Miller P.C., the same firm that negotiated the current contract, at hourly rates ranging from $180 to $210 an hour, depending on the seniority and experience levels of the attorneys.

City officials said the rates are slightly higher than they were the last time the city hired the firm.

The current two-year contract expires at the end of this year.

Building code official John Evans reported that the second phase of the SINC-UP project — in which traffic signals at 18 intersections, including eight in the city — has been completed. The other 10 are in Butler Township.He said the project was a collaboration between the city, township, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to upgrade signals in and around Routes 356 and 68.One new traffic signal controller can cost as much as $20,000, he said.Signals were replaced at Route 68 intersections at Hansen Avenue/10th Street, Fourth Avenue, Pillow Street, Race Street, Chestnut Street and Kittanning Avenue/Monroe Street.The other intersections were Hansen Avenue and Pullman Center and Hansen Avenue at Pillow Street/Fairground Hill Road.New controllers were installed at each intersection.Other upgrades include new emergency vehicle preemptions systems, new pedestrian countdown signal heads, new push button and new radar vehicle detectors.The second phase of the project cost $610,010, including the city's $120,000 match.Evans said signals at Route 8 intersections were upgraded during the first phase, which cost $400,000. The city received a grant to cover its $80,000 match for that phase.Combining both phases, more than $1 million in signal improvements were completed and the city's match totaled 12.5 percent of the total, Evans said.

Treasurer John Grenci announced that he is resigning June 15 because he and his wife are moving out of the city.His four-year term ends in late 2019, and he did not run for reelection.Mayor Ben Smith said the city will advertise the position, and council will interview applicants.

Council agreed to buy a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from the Adams Township Police Department for use as a canine vehicle.Police Chief Bob O'Neill said the truck will have to be repainted and have a kennel and other dog safety equipment installed, but the vehicle is coming with about $12,000 worth of police equipment.He said he hopes the department will have a canine by the end of the summer.Council also voted to grant permanent employment to patrol officers Michael Sulerud and Benjamin Rogers, who completed their probationary periods.