Among Tuesday’s chores for Bradford City Council were to introduce a preliminary 2017 budget — one which council hopes to amend before December — as well as to make a board appointment.

Tim Roff was appointed as the newest Bradford Sanitary Authority board member.

Roff replaces Rick Brocius, who resigned when he took over as executive director of the sanitary authority. Roff’s term expires in January 2020.

Council also introduced the proposed budget for 2017, which includes estimated general fund expenditures of $9,744,411. Tuesday was the first reading of the budget ordinance, and council will vote on it a second time at a future meeting before it is effective.

While each councilmen voted in favor of putting on the table the preliminary numbers, each did so with some reservations.

Councilman Fred Proper, who is director of accounts and finance for council, was called upon first to cast his vote. He noted that before he entered his vote, he wanted to say, “I intend to vote “yes” to put this on the table,” but he explained he had “some concerns on the income side.” Proper is hopeful “those concerns can be alleviated” — or he may vote “no” when the vote for the final budget takes place.

Councilmen Brad Mangel, Dan Palmer and Tim Pecora each voted “yes” — but with the same reservations as Proper.

The final vote came from Mayor Tom Riel, who stated his vote was “yes, this go around,” but noted “the budget is always a work in progress.” He explained that council members who vote “yes” now won’t necessarily vote that way later, but added that the numbers may be different, too, by the time the final vote is taken.

The total expenditures for the proposed budget is broken down as follows: accounts and finance—$3,659,005, public affairs—$1,372,151, public safety—$2,177,836, parks & public property—$621,366 and streets & public improvements—$1,914,053.

The actual 2015 general fund budget was $9,523,699, and the anticipated 2016 budget is $9,587,521.

When asked after the meeting if city residents were facing a tax increase in 2017, Proper explained, “We look at the millage separate from the budget.” He anticipates the proposed millage rate to be announced at the first council meeting in December.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 13.

Council also approved an ordinance with guidelines for entities that must obtain a permit before starting construction or development in floodplain areas. Tuesday was the second and final reading of the floodplain legislation.

Teri Cannon, city administrator, explained the permitting was asked for by the federal government. “It’s something we had to do in order to comply with FEMA.” A full copy of the lengthy ordinance is available for review by the public, she noted.

With the Christmas shopping season coming up, city officials are once again offering free parking at metered spots in the city’s business district. As per the resolution passed by council, free parking will last from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, and merchants and employees are asked to park elsewhere to keep the spaces open for shoppers.

Riel added a request that people not “take advantage of this free parking,” which is intended for shoppers.

Also related to downtown business, council issued a certificate of appropriateness to Bill Parris for renovations and signage at 15 Main St., where he planning to build a Domino’s Pizza.

Parris told The Era at the end of October that he hoped to close on the Main Street location Dec. 15, and and opening date that could be as early as January 2017. He will be moving there from the restaurant’s current location at 30 Bolivar Drive, Foster Brook.

With the certificate of appropriateness, Parris is granted a building and sign permit to install lighting, new front doors, install fiber cement siding and a painted sign.

Riel said it was “exciting” that a business will be moving into a building that’s sat empty for some time. “It’s always nice when folks move their business downtown.”

Riel also read aloud a letter from Foster Township Police Chief Tom Munn to Bradford City Police Chief Chris Lucco. The letter was to show appreciation to city officers who assisted at an incident Nov. 7 at Walmart in Foster Township. The store had to be evacuated after a woman was allegedly discovered to have a firearm.

Munn’s letter mentioned by name city officers Richard Obermeyer and Clayton Yohe by name. He wrote that the “quick and decisive actions” of officers helped to resolve the situation quickly and without injury.

Officers from Bradford Township and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford also assisted Foster Township Police on scene.