Borough Council

COLLEGEVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES July 1, 2020 @ 7:00PM - VIA ZOOM The meeting was called to order at 7:05PM by Council President Cathy Kernen ROLL CALL: Council President Cathy Kernen, Council VP Shannon Spencer, Council Pres Pro Tem Gary Hoffmann, Council Member Kathy Costello, Council Member Craig Farr, Council Member Valarie Beckius, Council Member Marion McKinney and Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins. Also in attendance were Solicitor Dan Grieser, Engineer David Leh, Borough Manager Geoff Thompson, Police Chief Bart Bucher and Administrative Assistant Suzanne Robertson. MOTION to approve the Minutes from the June 3, 2020 meeting Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer. MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Kernen announced there will now be a public hearing to solicit public comments regarding a liquor license transfer for the Royal Farms store. This is required when a liquor license is transferred into a municipality. Jon Jordan is requesting, on behalf of Royal Farms, a license to sell beer and wine. He noted that all of the 18 PA locations have one. He said if approved, they will still have a rigorous process ahead with the PA LCB. It is required that there are 30 chairs in the store. He noted that usually the chairs are not used as they are mostly a take-out establishment. There is a one drink policy if someone does sit. They are not a bar. The cashiers go through RAMP training from the PA LCB and there are cameras all around the store as well as outside. Mr. Hoffmann asked if the training RF employees receive will be the same for bartenders. Mr. Jordan said that it is. The Mayor asked the amount of revenue from alcohol and the benefit to the Borough. Mr. Jordan said roughly 5-6% not counting gas and noted a portion of the licensing fees go to the Borough. Rich Wallace wrote in a comment that he feels that this will give RF a huge advantage over the Quick Stop and Wawa. He wondered if now Wawa will want a liquor license also. Mr. Jordan noted that anyone can apply for one, but that he has not known Wawa to have interest in it. Ms. McKinney said she is fine with it and finds it convenient for residents. Dean Miller wrote in that as a resident and member of the Planning Commission, why is this the first he is hearing of this request? Mr. Jordan said the planning part of the project is separate from this issue. The Mayor asked to confirm the cameras outside the store to ensure no one is drinking in the parking lot. Mr. Jordan assured him there will be many all around the perimeter. MOTION to approve Resolution 2020-09 – liquor license transfer for Royal Farms by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 7-0 Public Hearing Closed. COMMITTEE REPORTS Budget & Finance: Mr. Thompson noted that he has been in touch with our representative at Berkheimer (Earned Income Tax) and that he was told our EIT so far this year is actually exceeding 2019 which is good news. He is due to get more information from them before the next meeting in August that will give a better picture of the forecast for the rest of the year. He and Mr. Hoffmann have been working on a 10 year budget plan and will have more on that in August as well. He asked for approval of check #s 4337-4387. MOTION to approve the Budget & Finance reports by Ms. Spencer with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 Business Development: Ms. Kernen noted the site work done on the corner for the Royal Farms project. She also mentioned the sidewalks along 3rd Ave and how pleased she is to see people walking to the park. She announced a meeting with the developer for WB Homes. Mr. Canavan is hosting a Q&A for Council and residents on the site of the proposed townhouse development. That is scheduled for July 7 at 7PM. She encouraged everyone to attend. Ms. Kernen mentioned the Governor’s order for PA to move from Yellow to Green which allows for hair salons, gyms and restaurants indoor dining to open with social distancing protocols in place. Ms. Kernen mentioned that many years ago it was discussed that there be bike lanes along Main St. She said that PennDOT has advised that they could do that at no charge to the Boro when they come to repaint the lines on the road. Mr. Hoffman raised concerns that Main St is not that wide. He asked if people would then to park on the lines. Mr. Farr also noted that we are always trying to find more parking along Main and wondered how that will work with a bike lane. He also questioned how it’s handled with the bump outs. Ms. Kernen said this is just starting a conversation and that all of these issues will be considered before we decide. Alex Tweedie wrote in a comment that he thought there were already drawings for how this would look that was done a few years back. Mr. Leh said it was more like 15 years ago and feels we will need to look at this with fresh eyes to see if it will work now. Communications: Ms. Spencer said she is working to get the newsletter out this week. LVPRSA: Ms. Stagliano was not present but Mr. Farr noted that he is aware of a delay in the sewer project along Arcola Rd due to an eagle’s nest that was found. He said there could be a $1M increase. CTMA: Ms. McKinney said there was a very short meeting this month. It was noted that Collegeville Borough is fully paying Public Works back for the salt shed. Mr. Farr said there was a discussion about security at Water Works Park. He said there are discussions to come with the hope that our Police department will have authority to handle situations in the park. Even though it is located in Trappe, it is owned by both boroughs and directly affects the Collegeville Boro residents that border it. Ms. McKinney is all for our police doing that as long as there is some compensation from Trappe for it. The Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2020 Page 2 of 5 Mayor agrees. Chief Bucher said he has no desire to take on any of Trappe other that the park. Mr. Farr said this will be discussed on Monday at the meeting. Ms. Spencer said she was approached by a resident that had concerns about erosion and flooding by the bridge in the park. She asked that it be brought up at the meeting also. Mr. Leh said he will also look into it. Craig Penuel wrote in that he thinks any fines from incidents at the park should come back to the Borough. Chief Bucher said that is how it works…whoever issues the ticket gets the fine. CPVRPC: Ms. Beckius said there was no meeting last month. The next meeting is July 20. Planning Commission: Mr. Thompson said they met on June 18 and voted on the rezoning of the WB Homes property. It was recommended for approval with a vote of 4-2. The public hearing will be in August. Parks: Ms. Costello said they met and discussed the priorities for this year. Those are: fencing, an ADA swing and shade. They looked into some shade structures, but found them too expensive. A new playground surface was also discussed and it was decided that there is not enough in the budget for that this year. She also said there was a suggestion for a dog park. Although a nice idea, it was decided that the only area that would work is really too small and too wet to be conducive for dogs. Personnel: No report Streets, Public Safety & Lighting: Mr. Farr noted that many of the new lights are running 24/7. He said he discussed this with Mr. Thompson who has been in touch with the contractor. It is possible that there is an issue with the photo cell at the manufacturer and that we may get them all replaced. Mr. Farr said that the sidewalks came up and that he has told his neighbors that the resident is responsible, not the borough. He asked Ms. Spencer to mention that in the newsletter. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: Engineer: Mr. Leh asked for a MOTION to approve payment to Breezecon for the sidewalks on 3rd Ave in the amount of $38,387.00 MOTION to approve payment by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 Solicitor: Mr. Grieser noted that the Governor has extended 90 days and that ZOOM meetings should continue until September. At that point, if nothing changes, we can continue this way or resume in person meetings. Mr. Greaser is working on the Borough’s new Human Relations Ordinance. He said the process would be that if a complaint is filed, it will go to the committee (of 5) for them to investigate and then the business would be notified and asked to respond. The hope is that the committee and the business can work toward a resolution. Dean Miller asked if there would be a provision for someone to Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2020 Page 3 of 5 make an anonymous complaint. Mr. Greaser said that would not work as anyone accused has the right to know the full circumstances. Police: Chief Bucher said he has been asked to get approval from PennDOT to close Main St on August 9th from 7AM to 5PM for the Annual Car Show. He asked Council to discuss any concerns about the Car Show with Craig Penuel from the Fire Co. Ms. Spencer asked if people will be required to wear masks. Mr. Penuel said that it can be noted in the advertisements on paper and online that they request masks and social distancing. He said they are also looking in to extra Port-a-Potties and handwashing stations. Ms. Beckius asked if the plan is to have the cars further apart than in previous years. Mr. Penuel said that is the plan. Mr. Hoffmann said he has participated in the car show in the past and said there is room to sit behind the cars. His concern is if there will still be vendors and bands. Mr. Penuel said he is not sure about that yet. Ms. Spencer asked Mr. Grieser if the Boro has any liability in this situation. Mr. Grieser recommends that there be restrictions put on activities. Ms. Spencer asked if they are able to give conditional approval and then decide officially when the plan is fully in place. Mr. Grieser said yes. Ms. Kernen asked for a MOTION to give preliminary approval for the Car Show road closure on Aug 9th MOTION by Mr. Hoffmann with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 Mayor: Mayor Wright-Riggins said that we are living in a momentous time. He has had meetings with Chief Bucher and is pleased with his open relationship with law enforcement in the Borough. He noted that he is hosting a Rotary ZOOM meeting next Wednesday July 8th at 7PM that will be a conversation on race. He will do a 15 minute presentation and then everyone will break into small groups to discuss the topic in depth. MOTION to approve the Committee and Administrative reports by Ms. Spencer, with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 7-0 No Public Comments. Action Items: Consideration of the Human Relations Ordinance: The Mayor said that he feels the reporting should not be limited to just the Manager. He feels a complaint could also be brought to him or another member of Council first. He feels it would then be a fairer race and gender balance. Mr. Greaser said the complaint could be brought in person or mailed to the office. Council will appoint the members of the commission. Mr. Miller expressed concerns about retaliation to the person that brings a complaint. Ms. McKinney said she does not like the idea of anonymity. If someone wants to make a complaint, they should be willing to be known. Mr. Grieser said this information will not be released to the public. Only the commission and the accused party would know. Mr. Grieser said it will start with a complaint, and then there will be an investigation. There would then be a meeting to go over the findings of the Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2020 Page 4 of 5 investigation followed by a letter to the offending party. The hopeful conclusion would be mediation between the parties. This process does not mean the business cannot be sued. MOTION to approve the Human Relations Ordinance by Mr. Farr, with a second by Ms. Costello. MOTION carries 7-0 Consideration of Approving Option Year 4 for the Whitetail Disposal Contract: The Borough is currently in Year 3 of the waste and recycling collection contract with Whitetail Disposal. Years 4 & 5 of the contract are option years for the Borough. The 2020 price is $204,850, and the 2021 price will be $210,995. After some research and discussions with trash companies and other boroughs, Mr. Thompson is recommending that Council approve Option Year 4 of the contract. Trash contracts have increased recently due to the expenses related to recyclables. The market for recyclables has bottomed out and it has become very expensive for companies to get rid of the collected recycle materials. Ms. Beckius asked if it would be possible to get a bulk pick up day added once per month. Mr. Thompson said the contract we have does not have that, but we can address that when it comes around for bid next time. MOTION to approve the Option Year 4 with Whitetail Disposal by Mr. Hoffmann, with a second by Ms. Costello. MOTION carries 7-0 Meeting adjourned 9:03 PM Collegeville Borough Council Meeting Minutes July 1, 2020 Page 5 of 5