Borough Council

COLLEGEVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 3, 2021 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by council president Cathy Kernen. ROLL CALL: Council Pres Kernen, VP Spencer (via ZOOM), PPT Hoffmann, Farr, McKinney, Costello, Beckius and Mayor. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Engineer Leh, Solicitor Grieser, Chief Bucher, Manager Twardowski and Assistant Robertson. MOTION to approve the minutes from the October meeting by Mr. Farr with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION carries 7-0 PUBLIC COMMENT: Hugh Braun 480 E Main St: Mr. Braun expressed his disdain for comments made by the Mayor in his State of the Borough report last month. He told the Mayor that he agrees that the current council is a great group of dedicated individuals doing good work. He said he had wished that his comment had stopped there. He did not appreciate that the Mayor went on to disparage past council members. He defended the prior councils and stated that everyone he worked with worked hard. He noted that the beautiful new Firehouse, for example, took years of planning during his tenure. He feels that the Mayor should not have degraded prior councils in order to compliment the current group. The Mayor thanked him for his comments. Ray Korenkiewicz 43 W 9th Ave: Mr. Korenkiewicz complained that the street light in front of his home is too bright and shines directly into his windows. He asked if there is any sort of cap that can be installed that would the direct the light down to the street. Ms. Twardowski said she will look into that. Chaz Carfagno 286 McCarthy Circle: Mr. Carfagno expressed concern about tree and old building conservation. He hopes that the borough will consider this when deciding on future development projects. Ed Anderson 40 First Ave: Mr. Anderson spoke on behalf of himself and homeowner Linda Gallo. He asked when they can expect to have a meeting similar to the one held in Upper Providence two weeks ago with FEMA regarding disaster relief funds. He is concerned that Collegeville victims will be left out if other townships get their reports in before they do. Ms. Twardowski said that she is working to schedule a meeting for our residents in the next couple of weeks and that the application due date is in January. No one is guaranteed funds, but Collegeville residents will be just as eligible as the other municipalities, despite others having their meetings first. The grants will not be reviewed until after the deadline. Gary Sassaman 209 11th Ave David Malloy 217 11th Ave These neighbors have concerns regarding the retention wall between their two properties. They claim that it was built many years ago by our Public Works department and is now crumbling. They asked who is responsible for repairing it. Ms. Twardowski said that Mr. Hastings had just spoken about it with her today and he is aware of the situation and looking at remedies. Mr. Farr said that he would bring the matter up at the next public works committee meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSED COMMITTEE REPORTS BUISINESS DEVELOPMENT: Ms. Kernen noted that the meeting centered on the new zoning overlay that is being reviewed by the Planning Commission. COMMUNICATIONS: Ms. Spencer said that the November Newsletter will go out this week. REGIONAL PLANNING: Ms. Beckius advised that the next meeting will be November 15 at 7PM CTMA/PUBLIC WORKS: Ms. McKinney said that there was a discussion about storm water concerns for the Fugo Tract. She also advised that eighty (80) blue tags were delivered. CTMA monitors the water meters and can advise residents if their usage is unusually high. She also noted that anyone having trouble paying their water bill should contact Joe Hastings to work out a payment plan. Ms. McKinney reported that the interceptor for the sewer project was submerged during the flood, but has been repaired. PARKS: Ms. Costello thanked everyone that came out on October 17 to help clean up trash and debris from Hurricane Ida at the future site of the Boat Launch Park on West First Avenue. LPVRSA: Ms. Stagliano reported that they have received the final design for the plant generator. It was redesigned to sit at a higher elevation due to the recent flooding. At the plant, repairs and cleanup continue. The 2022 budget and five year capital improvement plan were approved with no increase in sewer fees. The fees will remain $15 per month for treatment charges. A total of nine EDU’s were approved and three release of Chapter 94 consistency letters were approved. The interceptor project is 78% complete. The historical pipe installation production rate is twenty-nine linear feet of pipe per shift. Planned work for next month includes the installation of a 54” pipe upstream of the Arcola Road Bridge on McKay Island, barring any more storms. The LPVRSA eagle consultant is monitoring how the contractor work impacts the eagle’s nest. Approximately 6328 linear feet of pipe remains to be installed of the original 16,628 linear feet. The 2022 total expenses and debt services is $6,905,329.00. Total income is $7,589,430.00 with a surplus of $684,101.00 STREETS & PUBLIC SAFETY: MOTION to approve the Rental Inspection Ordinance No. 608 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 Mr. Farr commented on the initial study showing that the speed pillows are proving to be effective. He did note that we will review the effectiveness over a longer period of time before we consider them for anywhere else in the borough. Mr. Farr reintroduced the idea of the “chip & seal” process with a polymer emulsion topper for some of the roads in the borough. It is much cheaper to do than a full re- pave. Concerns were brought up about durability, especially concerning road salt and plowing. Mr. Farr said, in his experience, it holds up perfectly. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS ENGINEER: Mr. Leh noted that Freeland Square construction continues. MOTION to approve escrow release #2 in the amount of $72,987.00 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Costello MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve final payment for the paving and speed pillow project in the amount of $115,763.90 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Farr MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Beckius asked for clarification of the exact amount for the speed pillows only lest residents think the pillows alone cost $115K. Mr. Leh reported that approximately $20K of the above amount was for the pillows. SOLICITOR: Mr. Grieser noted that this will be is last council meeting. He thanked everyone and introduced Rebecca Geiser as his replacement starting at the December Meeting. MANAGER: MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-22 Coverage for operational support activities by Fire Company Members by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-23 authorizing participation in the Delaware Valley Worker’s Compensation Trust by Ms. Beckius with a second by Ms. McKinney MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Twardowski reported that she has sent letters of intent for the Mitigation Grant for FEMA funds toward the acquisition of properties in the floodplain. These grants, if allowed, has 75% covered by FEMA and 25% by PEMA. Appraisals will be necessary. MOTION to approve acquiring appraisals for properties damaged by Hurricane Ida by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION carries 7-0 MOTION to approve the use of a consultant to guide the process of acquiring funds for disaster relief at the rate of $90 per hour by Ms. McKinney with a second by Ms. Beckius MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Twardowski advised that with the grant there is a built in 5% for administrative costs. The consultant fees would fall under that. If the grant is approved, we can use that to reimburse the borough. MOTION to approve Resolution 2021-24 naming Ms. Twardowski a Designated Agent for the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 93-288 by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Farr MOTION carries 7-0 Ms. Twardowski noted that the fencing around the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel has been installed and that the owner has fifteen more days to apply for permits to demolish the additions that are falling down. POLICE: MOTION to approve the Fire Police for events on November 6 in Plymouth Township and on November 21 and December 3 in Hatboro by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Hoffmann MOTION carries 7-0 Chief Bucher said the department will be participating in the Thanksgiving Food Drive again this year. There will be a donation box in the lobby of borough hall. More information will be on the website and Facebook. FIRE: Mr. Freas reported that there were twenty-four (24) incidents last month, six of which were for the borough. Dispatch to scene averaged nine minutes. There was a total of 352 volunteer hours to the community. Mr. Sassaman requested that residents bring their Redner’s receipt tapes in as a fundraiser for the Fire Company. TRAPPE AMBULANCE: Ms. Twardowski said there were 161 calls of which 36 were for Collegeville. Dispatch to arrival was 8.27 minutes. MAYOR: The Mayor thanked the residents, council members and staff that participated in the creek area clean up on October 17. He noted that Collegeville Borough had one of the highest turnouts for the election at 40% of registered voters. He celebrates all of the candidates that ran with integrity and vigor to serve our community! MOTION to approve the administrative and committee reports by Ms. McKinney with a second by Mr. Farr MOTION carries 7-0 PUBLIC COMMENT: Gary Sassaman 209 11th Ave - asked Mr. Farr to please reconsider the chip & seal for the roads as he has found that process to be very hard on vehicles. Mr. Farr said the sealant will help. He also said he will put a box at borough hall for Redner’s receipt tapes. Henry Blanco 915 Chestnut St - directed everyone to look up the International Dark Sky Association’s website for more information on light pollution. Ed Anderson 40 E First Ave - asked if the reservoir in Green Lane could be investigated. He thinks it could have something to do with the volume of water coming down the creek into Collegeville during storms. Steve Gehringer from Ursinus reported that the paving project on Main Street from 5th Ave to 9th Ave on both sides will begin next week. Leaf pick up will be Saturday, November 20. Meeting Adjourned 7:50PM