News & Announcements

Pottsville's Saint Patrick's Day Parade

The annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Saturday March 15, 2025. The Pottsville Bureau of Police will begin posting No Parking signs on the parade route including the staging area on Friday March 14, 2025. The parking restrictions will begin starting at 9:00 AM on Saturday and the road closures will begin starting at 10:45 AM Saturday, with the parade commencing at 12:00 Noon.

The parade staging area is West Market Street from 12th Street to 14th Street, the unit block of North 12th Street, and the 100 block of North 12th Street.

The parade will start promptly at 12:00 Noon at 12th and West Market Streets traveling to North 2nd Street, to Mahantongo Street, to South Centre Street, to Laurel Boulevard, and ending at 3rd and Laurel Boulevard.

The following roads will be affected: West Market Street from Centre to 14th Street, North 12th Street from West Race Street to West Norwegian Street, Centre Street from Howard Avenue to Laurel Boulevard, and Laurel Boulevard from 4th Street to North Centre Street.

- Pottsville Bureau of Police

Arbor Day Celebration 2025

City of Pottsville now Accepting 2025 Tax Payments Online

The City of Pottsville is now accepting 2025 tax payments online. There is as service fee required by GovPayNet/AllPaid, the payment processing company. The link below will take you to the payment screen. https://www.govpaynow.com/gps/user/cyg/plc/a002ge

Please fill in all the information, and under the Parcel # or bill number you can enter the bill number, which is located on the Real Estate and Per Capita Tax bills. Please make sure the bill number or parcel id is correct so payment is applied correctly. If you are paying the Per Capita tax, the amount is $70.61 (City/County). If you are applying for the exemption, which includes retirees, homemakers, disabled, or anyone whose earning are less then $5,000.00 for the year 2025, that amount is $14.70 (City/County). If you are applying for the exemption, you still must submit an exemption form. If you are paying Real Estate, please pay the amount that is due under Mar-Apr. If any payment is entered incorrectly, your payment will be rejected. If you have any questions, please contact us at (570) 628-2044.

Audit & Budget Page

A new page, entitled Audit & Budget, can be found on our website (under Government) which contains documents the 2023 Audit and 2025 Budget.

Statement from Mayor Clews (September 26, 2024)

UPDATE: The City's response has been added after Mayor Clews' statement.

Dear City of Pottsville Residents, Council Members, and Staff,

It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to resign from my position as Mayor of the great City of Pottsville, effective at 7:00 PM on October 14th, 2024. After much reflection and consultation with my family and healthcare providers, I have come to the conclusion that my current health challenges make it difficult for me to continue serving in this role at the level you deserve.

Serving as your mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Together, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and made great strides toward a brighter future for our community. I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure, and I have full confidence that the strong leadership we have built will continue this important work in the months and years ahead.

Unfortunately, as you may know, I have been dealing with health concerns over the past year, and they now require my full focus and attention. While stepping down is a difficult decision, I believe it is the best course of action at this time. As most of you know, I love being called Mayor. However, that title comes second to "Pappy." I intend to focus upon my full recovery so that I may enjoy my family, friends and grandkids in this wonderful City that I call home.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the residents of Pottsville, my colleagues in city government, and all the people behind the scenes who work tirelessly to make our community a better place. Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me, and I am confident that our city will continue to thrive for future generations.

Thank you for the trust you have placed in me, and for your understanding during this time. I look forward to watching our community continue to grow and succeed, even as I step back to focus on my health.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Dave "12 volt" Clews
Mayor of the Great City of Pottsville

The City of Pottsville's Response to Mayor Clews' Resignation

September 26, 2024, Pottsville, PA - Mayor Dave Clews has announced his resignation from office, effective October 14th, 2024, due to health reasons. The decision comes after careful consideration and consultation with his medical team and family.

Mayor Clews expresses deep gratitude to the residents of Pottsville and acknowledged the privilege of serving as mayor. "It has been an honor to serve this wonderful community that I call home," said Mayor Clews. "However, after much reflection and in light of my current health situation, I believe it is in the best interest of my family, myself and the city that I step down from my role."

Mayor Clews has faced significant health challenges over the past year, which have impacted his ability to fully dedicate himself to the demands of the office. He emphasized that his decision was not made lightly and that he remains committed to the well-being of the city he has served.

During his tenure, Mayor Clews has been a strong advocate for all residents, seeking practical solutions to issues that face the City. Mayor Clews is fiercely proud of Pottsville, the residents, students and businesses that work so hard to attain success and represent Pottsville locally and throughout the world. As a multi-term president of the Pottsville Business Association and the Pottsville Lions Club, Mayor Clews remains a strong advocate for and civic involvement. As the founder and owner of the 12 Volt Daves Car Audio, Mayor Clews developed a great understanding of small business operations and customer service, skill he brought and applied to his work as Mayor. Under his leadership, the city completed the largest holidy lighting fundraising campaign in City history and continues to lead the implementation of major redevelopment initiatives that will make a positive impact on economic development in the city for generations to come. Mayor Clews wishes to announce the establishment of the Pottsville Pride Scholarship gift. The scholarship will be open to graduating high school seniors, who have made a positive impact on the city through community service. Persons wishing to donate to the scholarship program can contact the city administrator's office at (570) 628-4417.

Members of the City council and staff are extremely grateful to Mayor Clews for his service and support. According to Councilman Mark Atkinson, "few people have shown more dedication to the community. Dave will always be appreciated for his unwavering decision to the City of Pottsville and our residents." City Council will convene in the near future to discuss the process for selecting an interim mayor and the steps to ensure a smooth transition.

Mayor Clews will remain active in Pottsville and extended his thanks to his colleagues, city staff, and the citizens of Pottsville for their support and collaboration. "I am confident that the city will continue to thrive and move forward with the same spirit of pride, progress and community strength that we have fostered together," he added.

Honoring Our Heroes: The City of Pottsville Memorial Day Service

Pottsville, PA - As Memorial Day approaches, The City of Pottsville is proud to announce its annual Memorial Day service, dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces.

This solemn occasion will take place on May 27th, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Garfield Square Soldiers Monument. All members of the community, veterans, active-duty service members, and their families are invited to join us as we pay tribute to those who have given their lives to defend our nation's freedom and uphold the values we hold dear.

The Memorial Day service will include:

• Wreath-Laying Ceremony and Twenty-One Gun Salute: Symbolic and moving gestures to honor fallen soldiers with a rifle salute and laying of a wreath at the beautiful and historic soldiers' monument in remembrance of their sacrifice.
• Guest Speakers: Pottsville native and Chief Warrant Officer, Zachary Reichert will be the distinguished speaker, other guests will include City Mayor and Council members, local Veterans representatives, and Winter Carnival Royalty. Veterans and community leaders will share their reflections on the significance of Memorial Day and the importance of remembering our fallen heroes.
• Reading of the Gettysburg Address and Flanders Field: Students from Nativity BVM and Pottsville Areas High Schools will recite these moving and iconic poems.
• Dedication of Hometown Hero Banners: A moment of silence will remember all hometown heroes and new banner names will be observed to reflect on the lives lost and the enduring legacy of those who served.
• Musical Tributes: The world famous Third Brigade Band will perform several patriotic selections as well as taps to uplift and inspire attendees as we commemorate the courage and valor of our fallen heroes. Winter Carnival Snowflake Princess, Ella Frantz will also perform God Bless America.
• Invocation by Reverend Phil Rodgers of St. Patrick's Church and Benediction from Pastor John Wallace, First United Methodist Church

"We are deeply indebted to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country," said Mayor David Clews.

"Our Memorial Day service is a solemn reminder of their selfless dedication and unwavering commitment to protecting the freedoms we cherish. We invite the community to join us as we come together to honor and remember our fallen heroes."

The City of Pottsville is committed to honoring the legacy of our fallen heroes and supporting those who have served and continue to serve in the armed forces. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have sacrificed for our nation.

For more information about the Memorial Day service, please contact Tom Palamar, City Administrator, at cityadministrator@pottsvillepa.gov or (570) 628-4417.

Join us as we unite in remembrance and gratitude this Memorial Day.

Black Rock Press Release (March 14, 2024)

In an effort to avert a number of potential issues, I would like to respond to the "Black Rock Free Beer Giveaway." As you can imagine, this is a problematic matter. If the City shuts down the Black Rock Free Beer Event, we are viewed by some as "the Big Bad City of Pottsville," keeping a business closed. If nothing is done, someone could get injured or sick, and we are not holding each business to the same standards of health and safety.

The owner of Black Rock Brewing Company must comply with the same codes that every other business must meet. After the fire, Black Rock was given several opportunities to reopen by correcting specific issues. That path was not taken. The new approach was not to reopen; it included additional changes that required plans. Those new plans and drawings have been reviewed on severl occasions by the City and a Review Board. Both have agreed that Black Rock has not met code standards. He has chosen to now take that to the County Courthouse.

Several other businesses have opened over the past few years in Pottsville, all investing in their locations to meet code and have successful businesses. We are not sure why compliance with the law is a problem in this case. Code officials and the Fire Chief have offered plans and suggestions to get Black Rock back open in a very timely manner.

With the safety of our citizens and visitors in mind, the Free Beer Event at Black Rock Brewing Company is not possible. For the sake of public safety and fairness to other businesses who follow the rules, we must stop this event from taking place. Myself, City Council, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Code Office, and City Solicitor believe that this is the proper decision and are asking for your understanding and support.

Mayor Dave Clews

Crossing Guards Needed

City of Pottsville Crossing Guard Position

The City of Pottsville currently has three available crossing guard positions located throughout the city and is seeking civic minded persons to support the safety and welfare of our community.

Essential Functions include requesting school children to wait at the curbing for safe crossing and while loading on or off the school bus; halts traffic by hand signal and/or stop paddle; alerts motorists of pedestrians using the school crossing; observes and reports any incidents or conditions that present a potential safety hazard to school children or the guard.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions require a crossing guard to stand for extended periods of time and be available to perform the essential functions during inclement weather.

Education/Training include any combination of training and experience equivalent to completion of the eighth grade in school. General knowledge of state and local traffic laws.

Requirements of Employment include: review of application, completion of mandated criminal background / child abuse clearance, and physical examination.

Please contact the Pottsville Bureau of Police Patrol Captain for additional information and assistance with the employment application.

Patrol Cpt.
(570) 622-1234 ext. 1350

Black Rock Press Release (July 10, 2023)

As with every situation, there are two sides, so goes the Black Rock and City matter. You've read or heard the Black Rock side, now it's time for the city to simply present the facts of the matter.

Yes, on May 17^th there was a kitchen fire at Black Rock. Yes, a Police vehicle in passing, heard the alarms and called it in, which dispatched the Pottsville Fire Department. Yes, the Police Officer was able to enter the building, find a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. And, yes, our first responders risked injury to help a city business. If the Police were in a different area of Pottsville, this could have been a much bigger fire. Smoke detectors were not phone connected for emergency dispatch. Although not required for code, alarms with emergency connection are just smart business practice. It should be noted that the kitchen contained a deep fryer and flat top grill without a fire suppression system that were installed after the initial inspection was completed.

The Pottsville Fire Department arrived and checked the entire building for smoke and fire. Yes, a few days after, Code Officers, both City and third party along with the fire Chief, arrived at Black Rock as is standard procedure for any fire. This is done to make sure the building is safe to reopen. Yes, a City Government official was also with them. I was that City Official and was there to make clear to all that this visit was for public safety and not a political points chase. I stayed for the basement and first floor inspections. I left before the second floor inspection, which by that time uncovered 50 violations. Some were very simple to fix, some violations were more serious. Examples included numerous uncovered electric junction boxes, several emergency lights not working, and smoke and carbon detectors missing. The improper use of electrical cords was observed where an electrical cord was run from the basement into a second story window. A string light cords were being used to power electric space heaters in the bathrooms. There were additional electrical violations discovered, several missing fire doors, as well as an obstructed path to the panel boxes. When the inspection was complete, all code officers and the fire chief sat down and showed Bobby Weaver what needed to be done to reopen safely. The Code officers and fire chief then returned to city hal and put together a written itemized list to be addressed, which was then delivered to Mr. Weaver as soon as possible allowing him to clean up and get corrections underway.

It should also be noted that Black Rock was operating with a temporary occupancy permit due to COVID delays that prevented some in person inspections. The City of Pottsville did what we could to assist Black Rock to open so they could start earning income - important for all parties, the Weavers for personal income, the City of Pottsville for the tax base, and to assist other community partners to see a return on the several hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in the project. The Citty of Pottsville has continually tried to work with Bobby Weaver on the Black Rock Project, even holding a meeting with his attorney and architect along with the city attorney, code officers, and city officials.

It only makes sense for a business so invested in another business (City of Pottsville) to assist and guide the business invested in (Black Rock) to success and longevity.

I find it interesting that while Bobby Weaver was the President of the Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO), he noted all of the successful businesses that have opened over the past 3 years, all code compliant and open for business. The Pottsville Business Association is working on sharing all those success stories as well. But yet, Bobby Weaver claims it's difficult to do business in Pottsville. I've made it a point to tell all city employees that, "as a business owner, I view each entrepreneur, owner, and citizen as a customer. I expect these people to be treated as such." I've attended many ribbon cuttings for new businesses along with members of City Council, with more opening soon. Business has moved here from other towns and more inquire all the time. In the past 48 months, the City of Pottsville has invested more than $1.2 million directiy to Pottsville business development. This fact shows the level of commitment that city has shown to economic development.

I believe it is also important to address the issue of fair code administration and communication. Yes, each commercial project requires appropriate stamped drawings. The city did not request or receive eight (8) sets of plans regarding Black Rock. To date, the city has received three (3) sets of drawings for the Black Rock Brewing Company. The first set was approved in February 2021 for the use of the first floor and basement. The second set of drawings was submitted earlier this year for the use of th second floor and were denied. The drawings were submitted after two years of discussions with the owner on what was required to open the second floor. This includes a hearing requesting relief from installing a sprinkler system which was denied by the Board of Appeals. Six (6) complaints were filed by Mr. Weaver with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in regards to this matter. All complaints were responded to by the Department with "No Merit" showing that the submission was appropriately denied. The third set of drawings was submitted June 22, 2023 for revisions to the building. These drawings were denied because the fire suppression system was not included with the submission as well as issues with the occupant load calculations.

Now, I would like to address the issue of communication. The City of Pottsville has worked closely with this project from the very beginning. Between May 17^th and June 28^th alone, there have been over 60 emails between the city, Mr. Weaver, and his Design Professional. In addition, there have been countless phone calls. Contact with Mr. Weaver and his Design Professional was almost daily during this period.

The City of Pottsville has a responsibility to make our community safe. The proper enforcement of building codes is our most important tool. It would be unsafe and unfair to expect some businesses to comply with minimum code requirements and exempt others. We must enforce the same codes to all commercial establishments. Building codes are not specific to Pottsville. They are state minimum requirements for how structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and other systems are designed and constructed.

The codes ensure that buildings provide adequate safeguards for occupants to reach safety in the event of a fire. This means clearly marking exits and egress routes out of the building. There also needs to be an adequate lighting and notification systems to promptly notify occupants in the event of a fire.

Backup egress routes also need to be clearly defined to get occupants to safety in case a primary egress route fails. Fire suppression systems need to be installed where required to protect the occupants of the building and also the structure from catastrophe. Our goal is to protect the life, health, and safety of the occupants of any structure by ensuring that the minimum safeguards are in place.

As Mayor of Pottsville, I will ensure that we will work with this and every City business. I have owned and worked in retail for more than 30 years. I fully understand the value that small business adds to our community, as well as the challenges that we all face to be operational and resilient.

We remain committed to assisting residents, businesses, schools, churches, and nonprofits to add to this great community. The City of Pottsville only asks for cooperation and compliance with basic safety standards.

Mayor Dave Clews

Mayor's Reports on the Sam Lesante Show

Mayor Dave Clews' segments on the Sam Lesante Show are now available to view on YouTube. Click on the link above to view the playlist.

Meeting Agenda Updates

All past and future meeting agendas for the City of Pottsville will be posted in the Calendar / Agenda page of the website.

Meetings will be posted 24 hours in advance of their scheduled dates.

Request for Proposal - PADCO Upper Floor Development

COVID-19 Reports (March 26, 2020)

• Municipal Declarations COVID-19 Schuylkill County (As of 3/26/2020)
• Pennsylvania Department of Health - COVID-19 Situation Report
• Pennsylvania Department of Health - COVID-19 Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Pottsville Brings Residents and Visitors Smarter Parking Options with the ParkMobile App

Pottsville, Pennsylvania - 4 October 2019 - ParkMobile, the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in the United States, has partnered with the City of Pottsville to enable drivers to pay for parking from their mobile device. The ParkMobile app is now available at approximately 800 spaces around the city.

New stickers and signage will provide information to drivers on how to pay for parking using the app. ParkMobile is available for free for both iPhone and Android devices, and users can additionally register on parkmobile.io.

After setting up their account, customers can immediately begin using the system with their registered mobile device. Users simply enter the zone number posted on nearby signage, choose the duration of time they'd like to park, and hit the "Start Parking" button to begin their session. The ParkMobile app gives users the ability to pay for parking on-the-go by allowing them to remotely view and update or add time to their parking session - right from their mobile device.

Pottsville has the unique power of having only one zone number. With this structure, Pottsville allows users to pay for all-day parking only once, while still being able to move around the city freely. This will now include areas along Centre Street and Garfield Square.

Historically, Pottsville has allowed for free parking after 5PM on weeknights and all weekends and holidays. The Pottsville Parking Authority is pleased to announce that this courtesy will be continued.

ParkMobile has a growing audience in the Northeast with parking available in major cities like New York City, Boston, and Baltimore. The app is also widely available throughout other Pennsylvania markets, such as Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

"We're thrilled to expand our network to Pottsville," says Jon Ziglar, CEO of ParkMobile. "We want to provide every driver across the Northeast with a smarter parking experience that allows them to easily process their transactions using the ParkMobile app."

ParkMobile is the most widely used mobile parking solution in the country with more than 16 million people using the app over 60 million times per year across over 400 cities. ParkMobile is excited to make a difference leveraging its large network of users as it expands into Pottsville.

About ParkMobile

ParkMobile, LLC is the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in North America, helping millions of people easily find, reserve, and pay for parking on their mobile device. The company's technology is used in thousands of locations across the country, including 7 of the top 10 cities as well as college campuses, airports, and stadiums. People can use ParkMobile solutions to quickly pay for on-street and off-street parking without having to use a meter or kiosk. Additionally, ParkMobile offers parking reservations at stadium venues for concerts and sporting events. Reservations are also available in metro area garages, allowing people to drive into the city without having to worry about finding parking. ParkMobile has been named to the Inc. 5000, Deloitte Fast 500, Smart Cities Connect "Smart 50," and the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Top Workplaces. Additionally, the company won the 2019 Stevie Awards for Most Innovative Tech Company and Best Travel App. For more information, visit ParkMobile.io or @ParkMobile on Twitter.

ParkMobile Contact:

Jeff Perkins, CMO, jeff.perkins@parkmobile.io

Pottsville, Pennsylvania Contact

John E. Levkulic, Interim Executive Director,
Pottsville Parking Authority
www.PottsvilleParking.com
jel@levkulicgroup.com