Borough Council

July 21, 2025 7:00 p.m. The regular meeting of Doylestown Borough Council was held on the above date and time in Council Chambers, with the following members present: Council President Jack O’Brien, Vice President Amy Popkin, and Council Members Larry Browne, Robert Kinney, Dennis Livrone, Connor O’Hanlon, and Elizabeth Wyckoff. Also present were Mayor Noni West, Borough Solicitor Ernest Closser, Borough Engineer Jim Dougherty, Central Bucks Regional Police Department Police Chief Karl Knott, Borough Manager John Davis, Assistant Manager/Finance Director Caroline Brinker, Planning and Zoning Director Karyn Hyland, and Parks and Recreation Director Caitlin Hernandez. Councilpersons Ben Bell and Jennifer Jarret were absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: A plaque was presented to Tanya Barone-Durant in appreciation for her dedicated service as head coach at the Fanny Chapman Memorial Pool 2019-2024. Fanny Chapman Pool Manager Drew Sterner and Fanny Chapman Board members John West, Al Krach, Brian Lange, and Rob Purdy were present. Messrs. Krach and Purdy each thanked Ms. Barone-Durant and shared information of her history and service with the Fanny Chapman Swim Club. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to approve the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes (Browne-Popkin). A vote was called and the minutes were unanimously approved. MAYOR’S REPORT: The Borough’s signature summer events continue. On Saturday night the Rotary’s Doylestown at Dusk had a robust attendance in spite of the day’s earlier rain. It was a challenge negotiating the street to view 500 vehicles on display. At the show, the Rotary donated $40,000 from last year’s proceeds to 7 local charities. And, the Mayor’s award went to a 1959 Studebaker. This month, both the US House and Senate passed the 2025-26 budget. There are significant changes to healthcare and government funding. It is essential for us, the elected officials, to strengthen and broaden our communication with residents, local businesses, community organizations, neighboring municipalities. There are going to be changes and we need to identify what they are and how they impact our community. Healthcare changes will affect our Senior care facilities, families who have members with disabilities, the unhoused, and the non-profits who support them in so many ways and more we may not be considering. Purposeful, expanded communication will keep us informed and enhance our ability to mobilize around shared priorities so we can better advocate, support one another, and work with our local leaders to insure the well-being of our community today and for the next generation. 221  Staying connected is not just a matter of governance, it is a matter of community resilience. And those are the end of my thoughts on Monday, July 21st . PUBLIC SAFETY - Mr. Browne Mr. Browne said that the Committee did not meet. He noted that the Emergency Preparedness and Communication Committee met for a second time and they are working on upcoming events. Mr. Browne said the Committee will have something for Council next month. The Doylestown Fire Company monthly report was provided in Council’s packet and is available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Kinney Mr. Kinney said that the Committee did not meet this month, but commended Public Works Director Dave Burger and the Public Works crews for the milling and paving of various Borough streets in some challenging conditions with the heat this month. The Public Works Monthly Reports were provided in Council’s packet and are available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Mr. Bell In Mr. Bell’s absence, Mr. O’Brien stated that the Committee did not meet and there was no report. ZONING AND PLANNING - Ms. Jarret In Ms. Jarret’s absence, Ms. Popkin reported on the following: 1. Arcadia and Doylestown 3, 280 North Broad Street, Tri-Party Agreement with Doylestown Township and Arcadia. This proposal is for the construction of 18 townhomes and a 60-unit apartment at the referenced address in Doylestown Township and a dog park in Doylestown Borough, along with associated driveway and utility access from Broad Street. She said that Borough Council granted Land Development Waiver approval of the scope within the Borough on January 27, 2025. Ms. Popkin said that given the added complexity associated with the property being located in both the Borough and the Township, the Borough Solicitor recommends entering into a Tri-Party Agreement with Doylestown Township and Arcadia. Land development projects within the Borough involve the Borough holding financial security to ensure completion of certain improvements. Ms. Popkin said that the Tri-Party Agreement lays out how the financial security, inspections, and cost reimbursements will be managed in compliance with the Municipalities Planning Code. Following the Committee recommendation, a motion was made to enter into the Tri- Party Agreement with Doylestown Township and Arcadia. (Popkin-Wyckoff) 222  Mr. Kinney questioned the status of the sanitary sewer dedication and the agreement on water distribution with Doylestown Township Municipal. With regard to water, Mr. Davis said that while there is not yet a final decision on how the water will be connected and where it will come from, the developer has posted security sufficient to cover the Borough should the decision be made to serve from the Borough. Regarding sewer, Ms. Hyland stated that is a separate arrangement and neither the Borough nor the Township hold escrow for that item. With no further questions or comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Historic & Architectural Review Board (HARB) Recommendations. Ms. Popkin reported that at its regular monthly meeting, the Borough of Doylestown Historical & Architectural Review Board (HARB) reviewed the following applications and recommended that a Certificate of Appropriateness be approved as presented for the following: Sign Applications: there were none; Building Applications: 215 Been Street, for windows, as submitted and presented, 22 South Main Street, renovation, as presented with the following changes: the vinyl siding material will be changed to Haddie Plank with a smooth finish and the lights on the roof will be turned off during bird migration periods in spring and fall, 239 West Court Street, renovation, as presented with the condition that the applicant use toothed-in exposed brick for the depth of the door opening and provide a genuine stone doorsill, 68 East Court Street, a roof, as presented with a change to permit the use of painted galvanized metal in place of copper. Ms. Popkin said that the Zoning and Planning Committee recommends that Council approve the foregoing applications as recommended by HARB. A motion was so made (Popkin- Livrone). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report and 4. Building Inspection Monthly Report. Ms. Popkin stated that these reports were provided in Council’s packet and they are available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION - Ms. Wyckoff 1. Authorization to Advertise and Begin Review Process for Ordinance Adding Tree Species to the Approved Planting List and Permitting Cultivars and Hybrids in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Ms. Wyckoff stated that in 2021 and 2023, Borough Council amended the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance with an updated list of approved plants. She said that based on species availability, increased temperatures, and durability of cultivars and hybrids, the Shade Tree Commission has recommended adding to the list of approved plants along with text changes to permit cultivars and hybrids. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to authorize the advertisement of the ordinance, which will also initiate a review by the Borough and County Planning Commissions. (Wyckoff-Kinney) With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. The motion was unanimously approved. 223  2. 401 Maple Avenue - Street Tree Removal Request. Ms. Wyckoff said that a full text memo was provided in Council’s packet. In summary, she said the owner of 401 Maple Avenue, Chris Candid, requested approval to remove a mature Red Maple street tree along Cottage Street and then plant four Yellowwood trees. She said the Shade Tree Commission has endorsed the Yellowwood trees for both the ordinance and for this location. Ms. Wyckoff said the Environment and Recreation Committee recommends approving the removal of the Red Maple tree, waiving Chapter 25, Part 3, §301.1.A., conditional on the following: that Mr. Candid shall plant four Yellowwood in accordance with the plan or in the alternative, shall plant four Red Maples; shall be responsible for all work associated with removal, stump grinding, restoration, and replanting; shall be responsible for maintenance of the new trees for a period of two years following the replanting; shall be responsible for replacing trees should they fail to thrive within the two years from the time of planting as determined by the Borough; and, in the event Mr. Candid fails to comply with the stated conditions, enforcement action will be taken in accordance with Chapter 25 of the Borough of Doylestown Code of Ordinances. Ms. Wyckoff said that Mr. Candid was in attendance at the Environment and Recreation Committee meeting and accepted the conditions. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to approve removal of the existing Red Maple with the referenced conditions. (Wyckoff-Livrone) Mr. Kinney asked that with regard to Mr. Candid being responsible for replacing trees should they fail to thrive within two years of planting by the Borough, how often will the Borough inspect the trees to ensure they are thriving. Mr. Davis replied that he didn’t have an exact number of times the trees would be inspected, but they would be kept an eye on by the Shade Tree Commission, Ms. Hyland, and Public Works Director Burger, and there would definitely be a final inspection two years from the time of planting. Ms. Popkin asked if it is a minimum of 10 to 12 feet that the tree must be when they plant that new replacement. Ms. Hyland stated that the caliper of the new trees have to be at least three inches and she believed they had already been selected and are greater than three inches in California. With no further questions or comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. The motion was unanimously approved. WATER UTILITY - Mr. Livrone Mr. Livrone stated that the Committee met on July 8, 2025, where the Borough’s water engineers, CKS/ARRO, delivered the Distribution and Storage System Hydroponic Model Report. He said he has a copy of the report if anyone wanted to see it. FINANCE/PENSION - Ms. Popkin 1. Proposal for Additional Concerts at Broad Commons Park. Ms. Popkin stated that this item is a proposal for additional concerts to be held at Broad Commons Park in September. She said that the Committee reviewed this item at their July 10 meeting and the members in attendance recommend approval of the proposed concerts. 224  Ms. Hernandez stated the September concerts will be held at Broad Commons on the first and final Thursdays, the same as they did in May. She noted that the first concert actually leads into the Arts Festival and Bike Race weekend which is a nice complement. Ms. Hernandez said other municipalities’ concerts end in July so there will be no overlap. Ms. Hernandez noted one major change from the May concerts is that they will be looking to fund raise $20,000 to cover the $5,000 paid to Joe Montone of Stage United in May, so he will be fund-raising for his own fee. $5,000 has been raised already. The concerts were broken into two different sponsorships this time so there could be a $5,000 presenting sponsor for the first Thursday and then a $5,000 presenting sponsor for the second Thursday. Ms. Hernandez said that another change from May is that in September, we are looking to take 10% of sales from the major food and beer vendors, which amount could always be changed for future concerts. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to approve the proposed September concerts at Broad Commons Park. (Popkin-O’Hanlon) With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. The motion was unanimously approved. 2. Consideration of Resolution No. 2025-10, Supporting HB1152 Regarding EMS Reimbursements. Ms. Popkin said that Resolution No. 2025-10 supports Pennsylvania House Bill 1152 which requires insurance companies to directly reimburse Emergency Medical Service providers for services rendered to Commonwealth residents. She said the Committee reviewed this item at their July 10 meeting and the members in attendance are recommending this item be passed to Borough Council for approval. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to adopt Resolution No. 2025-10. (Popkin-Browne) Ms. Brinker commented that Mr. Kinney had her do some research to see what other municipalities have passed this. She said she found that most of our neighboring municipalities have already adopted it or are considering it at their next board meeting. Ms. Brinker said it’s definitely gaining favor. Mr. Davis commented that Central Bucks EMS and Chuck Pressler in particular have been talking about this exact issue for about 20 years and urging us to do what we could as it has a major impact on their bottom line. He said he knew they will very much appreciate Council taking this position and he would send a copy of the resolution to Mr. Pressler. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. The motion was unanimously approved. 3. Ms. Popkin called upon Ms. Brinker for the monthly Finance Report. Ms. Brinker said that a copy of the report showing payable and payroll had been provided in Council’s packet. She said that the total for all funds was $1,152,607.14. A motion was made to approve the report (Popkin-Kinney). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. 225 PERSONNEL - Mr. O’Brien 1. Mr. O’Brien reported that on June 23, 2025, the Personnel Committee met to interview candidates to fill a vacancy on the Environmental Advisory Council (EAC). In addition, on July 16, 2025, the Personnel Committee met to interview candidates to fill a vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Board, as well as a Student Member vacancy. He said that at the conclusion of those interviews and upon discussion, the Personnel Committee is recommending that Council appoint the following: Kirsten Gudknecht to the EAC for a term ending December 31, 2027, Patrick McCauley to the Parks and Recreation Board for a term ending December 31, 2026, and Tucker Brennan as Student Member to the Parks and Recreation Board for a term ending April 2026. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to make the appointments as indicated. (O’Brien-Popkin) Mr. O’Brien noted that Patrick McCauley actually worked as a summer laborer for the Public Works Department so he has some history with the Borough and its parks. With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. The motion was unanimously approved. PROFESSIONALS’ REPORTS Engineer’s Report - Mr. Dougherty: No report. Solicitor's Report - Mr. Closser: No report. Central Bucks Regional Police Department (CBRPD) Activities Report. Chief Knott said he had no report. The Police Activity Report for June 2025 indicated that were 931 incidents in the Borough and year-to-date, the Department had spent $3,065,655.40 and were at 40.51% of their yearly budget. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ADJOURNMENT At 7:31 pm, Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to adjourn. (Browne-Popkin) The vote was called and the motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, John H. Davis Borough Manager :sa 226