Borough Council

COLLEGEVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 4, 2021 The meeting was called to order at 7PM by Council President Cathy Kernen IN ATTENDANCE: Council President Cathy Kernen, VP Shannon Spencer (via ZOOM), PPT Gary Hoffmann, Council Member Marion McKinney (via ZOOM), Council Member Craig Farr (via ZOOM), Council Member Valarie Beckius and Council Member Kathy Costello. Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins was not present. ALSO IN ATTENDENCE: Engineer Dave Leh, Solicitor Dan Grieser, Police Chief Bart Bucher, Manager Tamara Twardowski and Assistant Suzanne Robertson MOTION to approve the minutes from the July 7 Council Meeting by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Costello MOTION carries 7-0 PUBLIC COMMENT: No comments BUDGET & FINANCE: Ms. Twardowski reported the Treasure’s Report and requested approval of checks #4989-5031. She noted the payroll and ACH transfers that totaled $470,235.41. We received $270K of the Recovery Funds from the Rescue Plan and are investigating best ways to use the funds. MOTION to approve check #4989-5031 and the Treasure’s report by Ms. Beckius with a second by Ms. Costello MOTION carries 7-0 Mr. Hoffmann noted that there will be full transparency as to where the rescue funds are allotted. Mr. Hoffman also presented a mid-year budget presentation that will be available on the website along with the 2021 budget. COMMITTEE REPORTS: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Ms. Kernen noted that the BDC is working on involving the public in the decisions moving forward about the look of our Main St. That will include in person meetings, ZOOM meetings and surveys. COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Spencer noted that the newsletter will be out this week and will include information on recycling, the mid-year budget and the Zoning Hearing Board position. REGIONAL PLANNING: Ms. Beckius noted they are meeting on August 16. CTMA/PUBLIC WORKS: Ms. Beckius explained that the interference issue that was discussed at previous meetings turned out to be just outdated equipment, not anyone using our signal. It has all been replaced and is now working well. The Public Works Audit should be completed soon. The water meters have been read for the second quarter. Ms. Beckius also noted there was an Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. LPVRSA: Ms. Kernen reported for Ms. Stagliano: One EDU was approved, from Upper Providence Township 134 EDU Chapter 94 Consistency Letters approved. PCMI Change Order approved to extend the contract construction time by 12 days due to weather. Approved contract to repair the Secondary Clarifier Catwalk in the amount of $336,455.00 Approved hiring a contractor via COSTARS for Sludge Tank Mixer not to exceed $500,000.00 Install 4 sluice gates in the amount of $9000.00 and $6000.00 for one sluice gate side of aeration tank. Purchase five sluice gates in the amount of $37,200.00. All of these gates are 30 years old. PCMI (Perkiomen Creek Middle Interceptor Project) Progress Report: Final completion CONTRACT date: June 6, 2022 Project Duration: (Original 730 days). 1088 Days Project Duration to Date: (thru 6/30/2021). 758 Days Percentage Time Complete: 69.7% Contract Amount: (Original $39,481,777). $40,151,186.15 Work Completed to Date: $20,575,646.13 Percentage: 51.2% To complete to the anticipated finish date, the contractor will work 60% of Saturdays and some Sundays thru the end of 2021. PARKS: Ms. Costello reported that she met with the landscaper and he will begin to install the landscaping around the Veterans Memorial as discussed at the last meeting. She is collecting estimates to install steps next to the memorial. The first concert in the park will be Thursday, August 19 “Trout Fishing in America” 7-9PM. The second concert will be Thursday, September 9 6-8PM “Smooth Edge”. She met with Mr. Gehringer from Ursinus College and representatives from Montco Fence for an estimate to replace the fencing in front of both dugouts and the backstop as well as extending the back stop in an effort to help stop foul balls. Steve will be doing the backstop extension and Ursinus is graciously picking up the tab. Thank you UC and Steve! MOTION to approve the payment of $4800 for new fencing around the dugouts and backstop at the park by Ms. Beckius with a second by Mr. Hoffmann. MOTION carries 7-0 PERSONNEL: MOTION to approve the resignation of George Schiavo from the Zoning Hearing Board by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-16 appointing Penny Balzereit to the unexpired term vacated by George Shiavo ending 12/31/21 and appointing Keystone Municipal Services as Deputy Fire Marshall Fire Marshall by Ms. Costello with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION carries 7-0 STREETS, PUBLIC SAFETY & LIGHTING: Mr. Farr said there was no meeting this month as he is out of town. He noted that rental inspections were discussed at the last meeting and that he is working with Mr. Grieser to write up a proposal for how that program would run and that will be discussed at the next meeting. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS ENGINEER: Mr. Leh reported that demolition is mostly complete at the Freeland Square site. The contractor is still waiting for delivery of raw materials such as pipe prior to construction commencing. The ADA ramps for the 2021 Paving Project should be completed the first or second week of August and paving will commence in early September. We are waiting for the Bog Turtle study from our Environmental Consultant for the First Ave Boat Launch. Once received, we will be able to submit to PA- DEP for our permitting. SOLICITOR: Mr. Grieser reported that he is working with Chris Canavan from WB Homes regarding a proposed revision to the Freeland Square plan that would add seven parking spaces in front of the development on Third Avenue. He confirmed with Mr. Canavan that he is ready to present to the Planning Commission. He is planning a work session in September to discuss the new sign ordinance. MANAGER: Ms. Twardowski presented Resolution 2021-17 to join the Intergovernmental Health Insurance Agreement with the Delaware Valley Trust. She explained that the trust is for government offices, schools and authorities. They were able to match our current plan and will save $9K per year. She noted that it is a three year commitment. MOTION to approve joining DVHT by Mr. Hoffmann with a second by Ms. Spencer MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Twardowski explained the option to renew the trash and recycling contract with Whitetail Disposal. The borough signed a three year contract in 2017 with two optional extension years. We extended last year and she recommends that we exercise the option to extend for a fifth year as the prices will only continue to climb. We paid $210K last year and will pay $217K this year. She noted that her last year in Trappe they were paying $267K, so we should try to keep this as long as possible. MOTION to approve the 5th year option for Whitetail Disposal by Mr. Hoffmann with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Twardowski said there is a chance the borough could be eligible for a grant to assist with planning through the Keystone Communities program. It would be for $25K and does require a match. The deadline is August 31. MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-18 applying for a DCED Grant through the Keystone Communities program for assistance with planning our Main Street by Ms. Beckius with a second from Ms. Costello MOTION carries 7-0 POLICE: Chief Bucher asked for approval to allow our Fire Police (our team that handles traffic control for road closures, accidents and events) to assist in other municipalities to ensure they will be covered in case of injury while doing so. MOTION to approve Collegeville Borough Fire Police to assist in Limerick Township on September 25th from 8AM to 4PM and Bridgeport Borough on October 2nd from 9AM to noon by Ms. Costello with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 TRAPPE AMBULANCE: Ms. Twardowski reported 124 calls from Trappe station, nine of which were for Collegeville Borough. 107 calls from Limerick station, one call that was for the borough. From dispatch to arrival on scene was average of eight minutes, eighteen seconds. FIRE COMPANY: Mr. Pennuel reported 106 calls for June and 253 hours of service to the community. He reminded everyone of the Car Show on August 15 and that the road will be closed from 7AM to 5PM. MAYOR: no report MOTION to approve all Committee & Administrative reports by Mr. Hoffmann with a second by Ms. Costello MOTION carries 7-0 PUBLIC COMMENT: Chuck Draksler 484 Shakespeare Dr Mr. Draksler noted that he was under the impression that the COVID Relief Funds were not to be used for infrastructure, but for small business aid. Ms. Kernen said that the Montgomery County has funds for small business owners. More information has been released as to what the funds can be used for and that water and sewer is one that is allowed. Mr. Grieser said that these funds cannot be used for roads or pensions, but is approved for storm water projects. Mr. Draksler also asked if the ZHB alternate position has been advertised. Ms. Kernen said that it will be advertised on the website and newsletter tomorrow. We had to wait until Mr. Schiavo’s resignation and the alternate Ms. Balzereit acceptance was approved at tonight’s meeting before the vacancy could be advertised. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:54 PM