Borough Council

COLLEGEVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL ZOOM MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2021 The 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 Craig Farr, Council Member Valarie Beckius, Council Member Kathy Costello and Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins. Also in attendance: Solicitor Dan Grieser, Engineer Dave Leh, Police Chief Bart Bucher, Borough Manager Tamara Twardowski and Administrative Assistant Suzanne Robertson. Ms. Kernen noted that there had been an executive session regarding a personnel matter on January 20th. MOTION to approve the minutes from the January 6 meeting by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Kernen noted that there are two applicants for the Tax Collector job that is available due to Ms. Taylor’s resignation. Those candidates are here tonight and will be given two minutes to introduce themselves and tell everyone why they are interested in the position. Jon Doman: Mr. Doman said that he has been a Collegeville resident for over ten years. He is retired and has a very flexible schedule. He has run his own business and volunteers at his church in a financial capacity. Nick Bafaloukous: Mr. Bafaloukous noted he has live in the Borough for many years and raised four children in the Perkiomen Valley School District. He is the Manager of Financial Planning at Penske Trucking, but says he can make himself available to handle the hours necessary to fulfill the requirements. Ms. McKinney made a MOTION to nominate Mr. Doman with a second by Ms. Spencer. Vote: Ms. McKinney YES, Mr. Farr YES, Ms. Costello YES, Mr. Hoffmann NO, Ms. Spencer YES, Ms. Kernen NO, Ms. Beckius NO Mr. Doman is approved with a vote of 4-3 Ms. Kernen introduced Mike Lowrey and Matt Popek from the Montgomery County Planning Commission. The members of the MCPC did a presentation regarding the repaving of Route 29 and Main Street and proposed adding bike lanes on Main St. as part of the project. Although PennDOT would pick up the cost of the initial painting of the bike lanes, the borough would be responsible for the upkeep and repainting every 5-7 years at a cost of $16,000. A lengthy discussion ensued with the planners, Council members and residents raising issues regarding the logistics, safety and cost of such a project. It was determined to table the issue and schedule a special session of Council to decide the issue. Ms. Kernen opened the meeting for Public Comment. No comments COMMITTEE REPORTS: BUDGET & FINANCE: Ms. Twardowski noted that revenues are up 22% and are on track. She asked for approval of check #’s 4692-4791. MOTION to approve the checks and Treasure’s Report by Ms. Spencer with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Ms. Kernen noted that Chris Bartkowski was at the meeting and discussed adding Art on Main St. Previously, Robert Botti had done a presentation on adding murals. Chris presented examples of art on bus shelters and electric boxes. COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Spencer noted that she will be meeting with Ms. Twardowski and Ms. Robertson tomorrow (Thursday 10AM) to finalize the newsletter and that everyone is welcome to attend. The ZOOM link will be posted on the website. CPVRPC: Ms. Beckius highlighted the new interactive trail map and postcard developed by Regional Planning. They are still working on some design and picture improvements. The Commission discussed their priority goals for 2021. Many members brought up the problem of storm water. Solutions will be discussed at the next meeting on February 15. They also discussed two properties with regional significance: 395 E 7th Ave and the Renninger Tract. CTMA & PUBLIC WORKS: Ms. Kernen congratulated Ms. McKinney on her appointment as the new Chair of the Committee. Ms. McKinney noted that the last meeting was a Reorganization meeting. She explained that the CTMA and Public Works meetings are back to back, so she will cover both together. She reported that there was an executive session regarding a personnel issue. She noted that the Collegeville water tank is closed for maintenance and during that time, we have access to Trappe’s water tank. When their time comes, we will reciprocate. She feels the working relationship between the Boroughs is top notch! Mr. Farr said the group is working on a capital improvements budget. LPVRSA: Ms. Terrie Stagliano submitted the following report and noted that if anyone had questions, to please reach out. The January 2021 yearly reorganization meeting was held as it is every year. The following elections and appointments were voted upon and are as follows: Chairman: Terrie Stagliano Vice Chair: Peter MacFarland (Lower Providence Township) Treasurer: Barbara McGinnis (Skippack Township) Assistant Treasurer: Dean Becker (Perkiomen Township) Secretary: Stu Strauss (Trappe Borough) Assistant Treasurer: John Pearson (Upper Providence Township) Authority Solicitor: Robert L. Brant & Associates Authority Engineer: Gilmore & Associates Auditor: Maillie, LP The yearly Schedule of Fees was voted on. No changes or increases. $180.00 per user fee is billed monthly to each municipality. 55 EDU's were approved. We are looking into having a generating system installed at the plant. Authorization was approved to engage Instrumentation, Control & energy engineering to provide an emergency power evaluation for the plant. Authorization was given to proceed with the design and bidding. The final design is in progress. The Sewer Authority received an Eagle Incidental Take Permit from the US Fish & Wildlife, Department of the Interior and PA Game Commission for the requisite bald eagle protection measures required to be followed at the construction site. The deadline from the state to complete the interceptor project is November of 2022. The expected completion is May of 2022. We have experienced 40 weather days’ delays so far. $15 million of the projected $45 million has been allocated to date. Normal maintenance and repairs are continually needed at the plant each month. Such as Sludge Tank Mixer repairs, Secondary Clarifier and Catwalk, Chemical Storage Building Roof repair, etc. PARKS: Ms. Costello made a request to advertise the Ordinance that was discussed and advertised last month that would restrict smoking in any of our parks. She also wants the clause in that ordinance that will allow changes to parks rules to be done by resolution in the future. STREETS, PUBLIC SAFETY & LIGHTING: Mr. Farr said most of the meeting this month concerned the new striping and proposed bike lanes on Main Street. They also discussed resident involvement for the proposed speed calming on Park Ave. Another topic is sidewalk repair enforcement. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS: ENGINEER: Mr. Leh reported that the Royal Farms project is substantially complete and the contractor is in the process of going through their final punch lists. We have received Escrow Release #3 for this project and have made our recommendation for release under separate cover. He noted that they have also received Escrow Release #3 for the 27 W 5th Ave (Santangelo) project and have made the recommendation for approval under separate cover. Mr. Leh explained that Ursinus College has received a grant to repair their sidewalks and for that they need approval from Council to submit a TE-160 Application to PennDOT. MOTION to approve Escrow Release #3 for Royal Farms of $1,472,206.06 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Escrow Release #3 for Santangelo of $6634.75 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-04 Application for Traffic Signal at Main & 5th Ave by Ms. Beckius with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-05 Application for Traffic Signal at Main & 9th Ave by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 SOLICITOR: Mr. Grieser reported his work on an Assessment Appeal case for LabCorp at 534 Second Ave. He noted that there was a settlement for $3.8M and a refund for tax years 2018, 2019 & 2020 in the amount of $3313.68 MOTION to approve the stipulation of the Assessment Appeal for 534 Second Ave by Mr. Farr with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Ordinance 603 to revise parking on 5th Ave by Mr. Farr with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Ordinance 604 which revises the outdoor fire regulations by Mr. Farr with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION 7-0 MANAGER: Ms. Twardowski reported that she is meeting with the owner of Keystone Municipal Services to begin the commercial fire/safety inspections that have been delayed due to the pandemic. We hope to get 16 hours per week designated so that inspections can mostly be completed within a couple of months. She noted that the Tax Collection Commission still has Mr. Thompson listed as the delegate for the Borough to oversee collection of the Earned Income Tax. She is requesting a MOTION to appoint her as the delegate, with Ms. Augustine as the alternate and Ms. Robertson as the 2nd delegate. MOTION to approve new EIT delegates by Ms. Beckius with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 She also presented the finalized Verizon Agreement that has been prepared by the Cohen Group for approval. The Borough receives 5% of the revenue that Verizon collects in the borough. MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-07 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Twardowski reported that she is working with APPI, endorsed by the Borough’s Association, to research electric suppliers. She is working also with Mr. Grieser and will have more information at the next meeting. POLICE: Chief Bucher has a report on file at the office. He noted that he needs approval for the Rules & Regulations Civil Service Agreement. All aspects of the Police role are defined in this agreement. MOTION to adopt the Rules & Regulations for the Civil Service Agreement by Mr. Farr with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 FIRE DEPT: No report MAYOR: No report MOTION to approve the Committee & Administrative reports by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 PUBLIC DISCUSSION: No comments MEETING ADJOURNED 9:40 PM **Communications Committee changed to Friday morning 9:30 AM