Butler City Council voted Thursday to apply for a $1 million state grant that would require a $316,530 match to replace Main Street sidewalks.

Council voted 4-1 to apply to the Department of Community and Economic Development for a $1,055,100 grant from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to replace sidewalks on Main Street from Wayne to Brady streets.

Councilman Mike Walter cast the dissenting vote. Next year, he said, the city will have to make a $110,000 payment toward the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Rescue (SAFER) grant the city obtained for firefighter staffing and a $108,000 payment toward a ladder truck for the fire department, and matching the sidewalk grant might force council to raise taxes.

Council voted Sept. 8 to advertise for a 15-year lease for a ladder truck costing $1.29 million.

Walter said residents might not think it is fair for the city to pay for new sidewalks downtown while requiring residents to maintain the sidewalks in front of their homes.

He said a 6-mill tax increase would be needed to cover the match.

Mayor Ben Smith said the match could come from several sources, including the city's loan from the Butler County Infrastructure Bank.

Downtown sidewalks are not like residential sidewalks, Smith said.

Councilman Bob Dandoy agreed that replacing Main Street sidewalks is necessary to help businesses that generate tax revenue for the city, but he said he is concerned about the possibility of raising taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have a lot of reservations,” Dandoy said.

Councilman Jeff Smith said raising taxes by a half of a mill might be necessary next year, but not by 6 mills.

In unrelated business, council agreed to request authorization from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering District 10 to prohibit the use of truck engine-brake retarders.

Councilman Kenny Bonus said residents living in the area of the hill on Main Street have complained about the noise from truck engine brakes.

Dandoy said residents have complained to PennDOT and state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, about the noise.

Officials said it would be to city police to enforce the prohibition.

In addition, council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending the ordinance that empowers the Shade Tree Commission.

Jeff Smith said the amendment would reduce the number of members from seven to five and not require the commission's arborist, a voting member of the commission, to be a city resident.

Walter recommended they have one commission member from each of the city's five wards.

Ben Smith said four of the five wards are currently represented on the commission.

Dandoy suggested allowing the commission to have five to seven members and requiring the arborist to be a city resident, but making the arborist a non-voting member.

He also said the commission should be allowed to address vegetation other than trees.

Jeff Smith, the commission liaison, said the Third Class City Code limits Shade Tree Commission's authority to only trees.

Solicitor Tom Breth said the commission can be given authority over shrubs and flowers that affect the health of trees, but can't issue fines relating to them.

Jeff Smith said he would review council recommendations with the commission.

In a separate matter, Ben Smith announced that Halloween trick or treating will be held Oct. 31 beginning at 6 p.m. Residents who want to give out treats should turn their porch lights on.