Borough Council

September 15, 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 Ben Bell, Larry Browne, Robert Kinney, Jennifer Jarret, Dennis Livrone, and Connor O’Hanlon. Also present were Mayor Noni West, Borough Solicitor Andrew Griffin, Borough Engineer Jim Dougherty, Central Bucks Regional Police Department Police Chief Karl Knott, Borough Manager John Davis, Assistant Manager/Finance Director Caroline Brinker, and Planning and Zoning Director Karyn Hyland. Councilperson Elizabeth Wyckoff was absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 1. Mayor West read a Proclamation Honoring the Bucks County Classic, which was held on September 7 in the Borough. The proclamation recognized and honored the 21st Annual Bucks County Classic, and expressed Council and Mayor’s deep appreciation for its organizer, Laura Reppert and team, athletes, volunteers, and sponsors, and affirmed how honored everyone is that this world-class race continues to call Doylestown home. Ms. Reppert and others were present to accept the proclamation, and Ms. Reppert gave thanks to the Borough and all its departments for their support of the race. 2. Thomas O’Reilly was sworn in as Junior Councilperson for the term September 15, 2025 through May 2026. He took his seat on the dais. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to approve the August 18, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes (Browne-Kinney). A vote was called and the minutes were unanimously approved. MAYOR’S REPORT: No report. PUBLIC SAFETY - Mr. Browne Mr. Browne reported that the Committee did not meet. 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. Mr. Browne reported that the Emergency Preparedness and Communications Board is preparing their first event on October 30, 7:00 p.m. here at Borough Hall, talking about intercommunity communication. 234 PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Kinney 1. 2025-2026 Rock Salt Bids. Mr. Kinney said that on August 13, 2025, bids were opened and publicly read for the purchase of rock salt for the 2025-2026 season. (A bid tabulation was provided.) Mr. Kinney said that if Council wished to award the bid to the low bidder, Morton Salt, it could do so by making a motion to award the bid at a price of $61.86 delivered and $61.00 undelivered, conditioned upon receipt of a properly executed performance bond and compliance with the bid specifications. He said that Morton Salt also held the contract for 2024-25 at $60.95 delivered and $60.00 undelivered. Motion to award the bid was made (Kinney-Popkin). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Mr. Kinney said that 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 Mr. Bell commented that the annual youth recognition award program is open for nominations. He said the eligibility details are on our Facebook page and the nomination deadline is November 1. He thought it has been a great experience to be able to be able to recognize these outstanding young leaders in our Borough over the past several years. ZONING AND PLANNING - Ms. Jarret 1. Application for Land Development, 159-161 West State Street. Ms. Jarret stated that Worth and Worth, LP, owner of the property, proposes a lot consolidation of the two parcels located at the northeast corner of the intersection of West State Street and North Franklin Street. She said the proposal includes demolition of the three existing buildings and construction of a three unit retail building with pedestrian access along the State Street frontage and vehicle parking along an existing private alley. Ms. Jarret said that this application was reviewed by the Zoning and Planning Committee on September 8, 2025, and the Committee recommended approval with the following conditions: (1) that the applicant resolve all outstanding issues in the Borough Engineer’s letter dated August 15, 2025, Borough Water Engineer’s letter dated August 20, 2025, Water Department Director’s letter dated July 30, 2025, Shade Tree Commission’s review dated June 17, 2025, and Building Inspector’s review dated June 9, 2025, to the satisfaction of staff, (2) that the Applicant provide a contribution to the Shade Tree Fund in the amount of $3,600, (3) that the project comply with all applicable regulations including local, state, and federal. Ms. Jarret said that in consideration of the foregoing, the Committee recommends the following waivers be granted: (1) §22-404, to allow concurrent separate preliminary and final plan submissions, (2) §22-516.6, to allow grading within five feet of the property line, (3) §22-517.1, to 235 allow a blanket easement rather than a twenty foot wide easement, (4) §22-520.5.C.(2), to permit street trees within the right-of-way, (5) §22-803.1.A.(1) and 805.1.A.(1). & 805.E., to allow a plan scale of 1 inch = 10 feet and 1 inch = 20 feet horizontal, and 1 inch 2 feet vertical, (6) §22-805.1.A(6), to allow a plan sheet size of 24 inches x 36 inches, (7) §22-803.C.(2). and 805.C.(2), to not provide existing features within 400 feet of the land to be subdivided, (8) §8-125-3.C.(5)(a), to allow storm sewer with an inside diameter of 12 inches, (9) §8-125-3.C.(5)(b) and §8-125-3.C.(10), to allow HPDE pipes within areas of vehicular traffic, to only provide RCP pipe within the area of West State Street right-of-way, and to provide pipe cover in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications, (10) §21-405.7.A.(2), to allow a driveway throat of 22.6 feet, (11) §21-405.7.B.(2), to allow a driveway apron width of 26.4 feet, and, (12) §21-405.7.C.(2), to allow a 15 foot driveway radius. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to grant approval (Jarret-Livrone). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Zoning Hearing Board. Ms. Jarret asked Ms. Hyland for this report. Ms. Hyland stated that the Zoning Hearing Board will hold a Public Meeting on September 18, 2025, to hear an application for 85 East State Street and 30 Garden Alley, for dimensional relief to permit an addition to the existing office building, as well as a new detached garage. 3. Historic & Architectural Review Board (HARB) Recommendations. Ms. Jarret 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: 31 West State Street, 111-113 East Court Street, and, 152 North Main Street; Building Applications: 338 West Court Street, for a roof - accepted as presented, with the condition that the color be charcoal, 56 South Main Street, for renovation - accepted as presented, with the gutters to be painted half round, 348 East Court Street, for renovation - accepted as presented with the following changes: the proposed gable on the face of the carport is to be removed, the trash enclosure should be a different color/material from the house, and the half-round gutters should be painted to match what is there, 119 West Oakland Avenue, for renovation, and 24 North Main Street, for an addition and renovation - it was recommended “that the application be bifurcated and that a Certificate of Appropriateness be approved for the north and west elevations as presented. The applicant will return with new drawings for the eastern elevation with smaller dormers, modifications to the connector roof, and to discuss the roofing materials.” Ms. Jarret said that the Zoning and Planning Committee recommends that Council approve the foregoing applications as recommended by HARB. A motion was so made (Jarret- Popkin). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. 236  4. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report and 5. Building Inspection Monthly Report. Ms. Jarret 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 In Ms. Wyckoff’s absence, Mr. Bell stated there was one item for consideration: Resolution 2025-11, Dissenting Comment to EPA’s Proposed Reconsideration of the Endangerment Finding and Vehicle Emission Standards. Mr. Bell stated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. He said that the proposal states that the EPA previously misinterpreted scientific data to create climate change concerns and that GHG standards are more harmful than helpful. The proposal also includes a reinterpretation of the Clean Air Act (CAA) section 202(a) such that the EPA would not be authorized to prescribe emission standards. Mr. Bell said that Resolution 2025-11 opposes the proposal based on the Borough’s ongoing commitment to combat climate change and the significant role of transportation in contributing to GHG emissions. Public comment on the proposal is being accepted until September 22. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to adopt and submit Resolution 2025-11 (Bell-Kinney). Mr. Kinney, an environmental lawyer for more than 30 years, gave comments stating that what the EPA is proposing is something that would be significantly harmful to the economy and the health and welfare to the citizens of this country and Borough. He said he very strongly supports the resolution. Mr. Davis commented that the text of the resolution with be made available to the public via social media. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. WATER UTILITY - Mr. Livrone Mr. Livrone reported that the Committee did meet and there were no actionable items. He stated the Water Department flushed 236 fire hydrants throughout the Borough for maintenance. Mr. Livrone noted that with regard to the PFAS project, work has already begun on the waterworks building where Well 12 is. He said once the existing building is demolished, a new building will be put up to house new PFAS treatment system. FINANCE/PENSION - Ms. Popkin 1. Disclosure of 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation to Pension Plan. Ms. Popkin said that this disclosure is intended to satisfy the legal requirements of Act 205 and that the Projected 2026 Non-Uniform Pension Obligation is $406,283. She noted that the obligation must be paid by 237 December 31, 2026, and must be met with general fund monies or with any General State Aid to Municipal Pensions to which the Borough may be entitled to under Act 205. No action was required by Council this evening. 2. Municipal Electric Procurement. Ms. Popkin said that Doylestown Borough’s three-year agreement with UGI Energy Service for our municipal energy procurement expires at the end of February 2026. She said that with the deadline approaching, the Borough partnered once again with Mantis Innovation to gather pricing options for our municipal energy needs with the goal of obtaining the best possible pricing. [The results were provided in Council’s packet.] Ms. Popkin said that Mantis Innovation is recommending “Option A” for a 48-month term with Constellation for our energy service needs. She said that the Finance and Pension Committee is very proud to further recommend the addition of the 100% Green option. She said Mr. O’Hanlon recommended it to the Committee and she was glad he did. Ms. Popkin said although the recommended option represents a significant increase in our current costs, it is unfortunately reflective of the current wholesale market. As the pricing changes daily, the actual price that will be locked in after approval will be different than the pricing indicated. She said that the 48-month term puts us in the best position for a favorable renewal. Ms. Popkin said that as of today, the 100% Green option is .08873. Following the recommendation of the Committee, a motion was made to accept Mantis Innovation’s “Option A” for a 48-month, 100% Green agreement with Constellation (Popkin-O’Hanlon). Mr. O’Hanlon thanked Committee members for their consideration in doing this and staying true to our commitment to sustainability and doing it in a fiscally responsible way. Mr. Kinney echoed Mr. O’Hanlon’s comments and further pointed out that the difference between what we had locked into three years ago and this year is based on a number of factors, but it’s a 800% increase in energy costs for the community which is hard to wrap your head around that number. He said going 100% is going to nominally increase our cost annually, but he concurred with Mr. O’Hanlon that it is consistent with the values and the direction that this Borough has taken and it’s fiscally and environmentally prudent. Ms. Popkin added that we have solar panels on the entire roof of Borough Hall, which is fabulous. Mr. Bell commented that he’s glad to hear the sentiments expressed because there will be other matters before Council that are in the same vein in terms of sustainability and balancing fiscal responsibility. He said he looks forward to hearing the same great support for those kinds of initiatives. Mr. Davis stated we should be seeing a schedule for the climate action plan - the final approvals are in the homestretch for that. He said this is in keeping with the spirit, if not the letter, of that plan. 238  With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Consideration of Central Bucks Regional Police Department (CBRPD) 2026 Preliminary Budget. Ms. Popkin said that the CBRPD preliminary budget was forwarded to the Borough by the Central Bucks Regional Police Commission by September 1, in accordance with the terms of the Intermunicipal Agreement. She said that the budget is still a work in progress, relying on multiple assumptions and that CBRPD intends to refine the budget in the coming months to incorporate actual health, workers’ compensation, and property and liability insurance premiums, and possible grant revenues which are expected to be finalized in September and early October. Ms. Popkin said that in addition, as neither the Police CBA nor the AFSCME CBA have been settled, all wages in the budget are at the 2025 wage scale. As recommended by the Committee following their review of the preliminary budget at their September 11 meeting, a motion was made to reject the First Draft Budget, an action that is anticipated by the Police Commission (Popkin-Kinney). Mr. Davis said the Intermunicipal Agreement does set this early deadline knowing that the budget will never be in a position to be finalized and adopted by Council tonight, but it gives all the municipalities a sneak preview of what things are looking like. He noted that Commission and the Department have traditionally always worked together to make significant cuts and improvements to the budget before Council sees it again, and they’re hopeful to do the same this time. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Before proceeding with the next agenda item, Ms. Popkin stated that the Committee had a very full agenda. She said that they discussed the preliminary January 1, 2025 Act 205 Valuation. Foster & Foster Actuaries, who work in conjunction with Girard Pension Services, was present at the Committee meeting and presented a summary of the actuarial results for the non-uniform pension plan as of January 1, 2025, which they compared with the January 1, 2023 valuation. She said the Committee recommended that the assumptions stay the same as last year at 6.75% interest rate, 4% salary scale, and asset smoothing. She said the resulting funding level is anticipated to be at 78.7% for the plan. The valuation will be finalized for filing prior to March 31, 2026 deadline. Ms. Popkin said that this item is informational and no action was required. Ms. Popkin also reported that the Committee reviewed the second quarter non-uniform pension plan performance and Girard Pension Services provided an overview. She said they had a great discussion about the investments and what’s happening year to date; the plan had a return of 6.2%. Ms. Popkin said Girard also reviewed the investment markets and money managers, noting any that are on watch, or scheduled to be replaced. Ms. Popkin next reported that the Committee also discussed a Finance Project Assistant proposal from Ms. Brinker and Mr. Davis. She said the company is Transcend Finance and it would 239 be for assistance in the Borough’s Finance Department and to assist in the conversion of the escrow module from QuickBooks to our new accounting software package. She said that Ms. Brinker already does so much, this module would have been impossible to add to her workload. Ms. Popkin said the Committee is very happy, at a minimal cost, to add this service to help her office. Mr. Davis commented that the Finance Department consists of Ms. Brinker and a finance clerk. He said that department not only handles all of the Borough’s finances, but on a contractual basis, also handles all the finances for the Central Bucks Regional Police Department. He said they make do, but it’s good to have some support. Ms. Popkin added that Ms. Brinker does the work of like four people all wrapped into one. Ms. Popkin reported that the Committee reviewed the 2025 mid-year budget, the mid-year revenues and expenditures for our General Fund, Water Fund, Water Capital, and the Reserve Funds, as well as the Department’s activities for the year. The first Preliminary Budget work session is October 9, at 6 pm, and Ms. Popkin hoped to see all Council members at that session. Ms. Popkin noted that Doylestown Borough received a loss control performance award from our Workers’ Compensation Carrier. She said this distinction is awarded to members scoring in the top 25% of loss experience during the past 3 years. What this means is that Doylestown Borough has very few and minor claims for workers’ injuries, and that a safe environment has been created for our employees. 4. Ms. Popkin then 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 $1,049,679.11. A motion was made to approve the report (Popkin-Browne). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. PERSONNEL - Mr. O’Brien: No report. PROFESSIONALS’ REPORTS Engineer’s Report - Mr. Dougherty: No report. Solicitor's Report - Mr. Griffin: No report. Central Bucks Regional Police Department (CBRPD) Activities Report. Chief Knott said he had no report. The Police Activity Report for August 2025 indicated that were 769 incidents in the Borough and year-to-date, the Department had spent $4,105,664.75 and were at 54.25% of their yearly budget. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: None. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT: None. 240 EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:41 p.m., Mr. Griffin announced there would be an Executive Session pertaining to legal advice with regard to an amendment of a land development waiver agreement and possible litigation for 280 North Broad. It was expected there would be a vote after the session. At 7:59 p.m., Council returned from Executive Session. Mr. Griffin said that if Council was so inclined, a motion could be made to execute and adopt the Amended Agreement pertaining to the development of 280 North Broad between the Borough and Arcadia Doylestown 3, LLC. The motion was so made by Mr. Livrone and seconded by Mr. Kinney. With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called, and the motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT At 8:02 p.m., Mr. Browne motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. O’Brien. Mr. O’Brien called the vote and the motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, John H. Davis Borough Manager :sa 241