Borough Council

COLLEGEVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES April 15, 2020 @ 7:00PM VIA ZOOM Meeting was called to order at 7PM by Council President Cathy Kernen. ROLL CALL: Council President Cathy Kernen, Council VP Shannon Spencer, Council Pro Tem Gary Hoffmann, Council Member Marion McKinney, Council Member Valarie Beckius, Council Member Kathy Costello and Council Member Craig Farr. Also in attendance were: Solicitor Dan Greaser, Engineer Dave Leh, Police Chief Bart Bucher, Mayor Aidsand Wright Riggins, Borough Manager Geoff Thompson and Administrative Assistant Suzanne Robertson. ACTION ITEMS: Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-04, Authorizing the Extension of Real Estate Tax Discount Period to May 31, 2020: Ms. Kernen explained that the Resolution will authorize the extension of the Borough’s real estate tax discount period until May, 31, 2020. MOTION by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer. MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Spencer asked if this date can be extended further. Ms. Kernen said that it can and that will be discussed at the next meeting. Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-05, the COVID-19 Disaster Declaration Extension: Ms. Kernen explained that Borough Council is required to authorize a Disaster Declaration extension beyond the original seven day maximum. The Declaration extends to the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. MOTION by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer. MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Spencer asked if there is a time limit on this. Ms. Kernen said there is not. Consideration of Resolution No. 2020-06, Authorizing the 2020 CDBG Application: MOTION by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer. MOTION carries 7-0 Mr. Hoffman said he is working with Mr. Thompson to review the budget to see where cuts can be identified. They are working to organize priorities and have a contingency plan in case of decreased revenues due to the pandemic. The Mayor asked if Mr. Thompson has heard anything from other Boroughs on how they are handling this issue. Mr. Thompson said that all municipalities are doing the same thing: holding off on spending and finding places to cut. Ms. McKinney said she has been in touch with the Boroughs Association and invited Mr. Thompson to join in the brainstorming session of suggestions with those members. Ms. Kernen said she knows that Kelly Taylor has worked well with residents on payment plans for paying taxes in the past. Mr. Farr asked how the Earned Income Taxes are collected. Mr. Thompson said most of them are collected quarterly. He has been in touch with Berkheimer (our EIT collector) and was told that they won’t have a real idea of the numbers until after the 2nd quarter. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Thompson noted that there were 2 comments in the que: One that noted the session was working well and the other thanking the Borough for providing the meeting online. Ms. Spencer thanked everyone involved in making this meeting possible. Meeting Adjourned 7:18PM Collegeville Borough Council Special Meeting April 15, 2020 Page 2 of 2