Borough Council

COLLEGEVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 6, 2019 Immediately Followed the Reorganization Meeting The meeting was called to order at 7:20PM by Council President Catherine Kernen. ROLL CALL: Council President Catherine Kernen, Council Pro Tem Gary Hoffmann, Council Member Marion McKinney, Council Member Kathy Costello, Council Member Valarie Beckius, Council Member Craig Farr. Ms. Spencer was not in attendance. Also present were Borough Manager Geoff Thompson, Engineer Dave Leh, Solicitor Dan Greiser, Police Chief Bart Boucher, Mayor Wright-Riggins and Assistant Secretary Suzanne Robertson. Ms. McKinney added a correction to the minutes from the December meeting. It was noted incorrectly that the 2020 Budget passed 7-0 and it was actually passed 4-3. MOTION to approve the minutes with the correction by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance: Mr. Thompson requested approval of check numbers 4005-4069 and for the Treasurer’s Report. MOTION to approve by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6-0 Business Development: No report Communications: No report Community Engagement & Service: No report CPVRPC: No report CTMA and Public Works: Ms. McKinney said she took the Council’s concerns about the salt shed to the Public Meeting and advised told them that our Council will not approve the financing for the project. She said that it was noted and they decided to start over at the next meeting. Mr. Thompson along with Trappe’s manager is working to get grant money to help defray the cost to the boroughs. Ms. McKinney said the meeting was very brief as there was no quorum. Mr. Greiser noted that the budget was approved with a small increase in sewer rates. LPVRSA: Ms. Stagliano said it was a slow month and that Alan Meyers got about 800ft of the Interceptor project completed. Parks: No report Personnel: No report Planning Commission: Mr. Thompson said they discussed the Snout House ordinance and the 8th Avenue subdivision that is on tonight’s Council agenda. Public Safety: No report Streets, Roads & Lighting: No report Ms. McKinney asked if CTMA & Public Works could be “un-comingled”. Ms. Kernen said yes. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Engineer: Mr. Leh reported that activity on the following projects occurred in December: 32, 36 & 40 8th Ave, Subdivision – This application was reviewed by the Planning Commission at their December 19th meeting at which time Preliminary/Final approval was recommended. This application will be before Borough Council at their January 6th meeting requesting same. Mr. Leh was asked about trees for the Royal Farms project, and noted that they will be paying the borough $3000 in lieu of 12 trees. Hudson Square (Rees Property): We have received a traffic impact study for this project and is currently under review by our traffic department. Royal Farms – We have received revised plans from the Applicant intended to address our outstanding review letter comments. The plans are currently under review. Mr. Leh said he has had several meetings with Mr. Thompson regarding various matters and correspondence and site visits with residents regarding various matters. Solicitor: Mr. Greiser said he has worked with Royal Farms drafting agreements for the stormwater plan and construction costs. He said it will be a while until they begin construction. He also worked on the approval Resolution for the 8th Ave. 3 lot subdivision. Manager/Zoning Officer: Mr. Thompson reminded everyone about the upcoming Borough’s Dinner to be held at the new Commons building at Ursinus College on February 27. He urged all to attend. Christmas tree pick up will be this weekend. Mr. Thompson asked for a MOTION to approve the Council meeting dates for 2020. Planning Commission meetings are held the 3rd Thursdays of every month. MOTION to approve the meeting dates for 2020 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6- 0 Police: Chief Bucher reported that the Santa present delivery went very well and thanked the Fire Company for their help. They visited 104 houses and gave out 300 gifts. Robert Botti, 712 Clahor Ave., asked if we could go back to the practice in which the Chief gives all the stats from his report. He also asked if Council would consider adding a Police Blog to the website. Ms. Kernen said that this is an issue that can be brought up and considered at the Public Safety Meeting. Collegeville Fire Company: Mr. Sassaman said there were 25 incidents last month and noted 248 man hours of service to the community. He introduced the new Fire Chief Brian Kuklinski. Mr. Kuklinski is a 1999 graduate of Ursinus College and has been a member of the team for 9 years. Mr. Kuklinski said he is looking forward to enjoying the same great working relationship with Council and the Police that they’ve always had! Trappe Ambulance: No report Mayor: The Mayor reported that the represented the Borough at the swearing in for 3 County Commissioners at Ursinus College. He noted that half of our Police Department was there helping to secure the area as well as the Dean of Ursinus College and Representative Joe Webster. He said it was a very nice event that featured the campus and the borough well. Mayor Wright- Riggins noted that Martin Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes January 6, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Luther King Day is this month and that the Perkiomen Valley School District is having a day of service on January 26th and that he will be the keynote speaker. MOTION to approve the Administrative and Committee reports by Ms. McKinney with a second by MR. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6-0 PUBLIC DISCUSSION (Items not on the agenda) Gary Sassaman 209 11th Ave: Mr. Sassaman suggested that the new council members take a ride over the bridge to look at the Brynwood community that was built by WB Homes before they approve the Rees Building to see the density of the project. Larry DiPiano 345 Avon Ave: Mr. DiPiano said he came to the meeting to express his disappointment that Council voted to approve using $25K of taxpayer money for an economic development consultant. He said that he has never heard of taxpayer money being used to help business owners to develop their properties. He thinks it is wrong. He feels that the consultant will be back again next year asking for more money and that it will never end. I told Ms. Kernen my feelings and she asked him to come and speak. He stated that as soon as the Ursinus buildings that are no longer used for the University, they should no longer be tax exempt. He compared it to church properties. Once they are no longer in use for the church, they become taxable. Another concern is that he doesn’t feel this consultant should be able to go and tell a business owner who he should rent to. He urged council to not renew the contract with Barth Consulting. ACTION ITEMS Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-02, Approving the Land Development Plan for 32, 36, & 40 Eighth Avenue: Nick Feola, the engineer for the applicant Mikelen, LLC) reviewed the proposed subdivision. Mr. Feola advised Council that they have agreed to put in a sidewalk along 8th Ave. They also were offering a fee in lieu of replacing all the trees they have to remove. Mr. Hoffmann asked if they will be replacing the trees with the same kind. He does not want to see evergreen trees replace the established oaks that are there now. Mr. Feola said they plan to use trees that are suitable for the area. Mr. Farr asked about the sidewalk on Chestnut St. Mr. Feola said there is currently no sidewalk on Chestnut St. and it would be difficult to install a sidewalk due to the slope along Chestnut St. Ms. Kernen stated that the Montgomery County Planning Commission suggests that a fee in lieu be paid if the sidewalk is not installed. Ms. McKinney said she has a slight problem with, in her mind, penalizing the builder when it is not suitable for a sidewalk to be put in at the project site. Ms. Kernen asked about the storm water. She stated that we have had many residents here complaining after the construction of new homes that claim to have new issues with water on their property. Mr. Leh said there are agreements in place and there are inspections every 3 years to ensure they are working as they should. Ms. Beckius asked if there will be a curb and grass strip on the sidewalk on 8th. Mr. Feola said yes and it will have the ADA curb cut out at the corner. The Mayor asked the amount of the fees in lieu of trees is. Mr. Leh said it is approximately $350 per tree. Ms. Kernen said she wants a fee in lieu of the sidewalk as well. Mr. Greiser said that change can be made to the resolution. Ms. Beckius said she wants the sidewalk. Ms. McKinney suggested the council members meet up at the site to see for themselves before they vote. Mr. Farr asked how much the sidewalk costs. Mr. Leh said roughly $8000. Ms. Kernen agreed that Council should go and look at it before deciding. She asked if we can hold off voting on the development until the February meeting. Mr. Greiser asked Mr. Feola if he was amenable to waiting until the February meeting. He said yes. MOTION to table Resolution No. 2020-02 until the February meeting by Ms. McKinney with at second by Ms. Beckius. MOTION carries 6-0 Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes January 6, 2020 Page 3 of 4 Josh Macal 11 Clamer Ave: Mr. Macal said these properties were part of the Bringhurst Trust for the last 150 years and were low income housing. He feels this new subdivision is a great use of the property. Consideration of the Planning Assistance Contract with Montco Planning Commission. Ms. Kernen said the normal cost for this contract is $75K and that ½ of that has been waived. Ms. McKinney noted that the MCPC will assist with updating the Borough’s Comprehensive Plan. MOTION to approve the contract with Montgomery Planning Commission by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6-0 Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-03, Approving the Schedule of Fees for 2020. Mr. Thompson said that staff reviewed the Borough’s current costs and the fees from our surrounding communities to determine the new fee schedule. He also advised the last time the fee schedule was updated was in January of 2017. MOTION to approve Resolution No. 2020-03 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6-0 OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Thompson said he was contacted by the Chris Naessig, the owner of 904 E Main St., regarding a parking issue he is having on W. 9th Ave. Mr. Naessig has requested that the No Parking sign that is just beyond his driveway be moved further down the street. He maintains he has difficulty on a continual basis getting out of his driveway. Mr. Farr asked who owns the next house down and would this then make trouble for that person. There was a discussion on moving it even further down to 10th Ave. Ray Korenkiewicz, 43 W 9th Ave., said that by moving the sign, you are just pushing the problem the congestion down the street. Mr. Naessig suggested having parking only on the west side of the street. Ms. McKinney said maybe council needs to go out and look at this also. Chief Bucher said that he is fine with No Parking on the length of W. 9th Ave. from E. Main St to 10th Ave. Mr. Hoffmann suggested no parking until you reach 10th Ave. Much debate back and forth between No Parking at all on that side or No Parking between 1AM – 6AM. MOTION to approve drafting and advertising an ordinance prohibiting parking on the north side of W 9th Ave. between E. Main St. and 10th Ave. by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 6-0. Ms. McKinney noted that Public Works made a decision that the both boroughs need to start paying them back for the land that the salt shed was to be built on. She will have additional information at the February meeting. MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:35 PM Respectfully Submitted _________________________________ Geoffrey Thompson, Secretary Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes January 6, 2020 Page 4 of 4