Borough Council Meeting

June 26, 2023 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 Wendy Margolis, and Council Members Ben Bell, Larry Browne, Joe Frederick, Jennifer Jarret, Dennis Livrone, and Amy Popkin. Also present were Mayor Noni West, Borough Solicitor Maureen Carlton, Borough Engineer Geoff Attansio, Central Bucks Regional Police Department Police Chief Karl Knott, Building and Zoning Karyn Hyland, Planning/Public Works Director/Deputy Borough Manager Phil Ehlinger, and Chief Water Operator Jeremy Matozzo. Council Member Curtis Cowgill was absent due to illness, Borough Manager John Davis was on vacation, and, Finance Director Caroline Brinker was absent due to her attendance at the Fanny Chapman Pool Board meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to approve the May 15, 2023 Council Meeting Minutes. (Margolis-Browne) The vote was called and the minutes were unanimously approved. MAYOR’S REPORT: No report. PUBLIC SAFETY - Mr. Frederick Mr. Frederick said the only item was the Doylestown Fire Company monthly report, for both April and May, which were provided in Council’s packet, are available to the public by following the packet link noted on this meeting’s Agenda. PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Browne Mr. Browne reported that the Committee did not meet and then asked Mr. Ehlinger for any comments he had. Mr. Ehlinger reported the department was busy preparing for the first round of paving which begins in two week and includes North Franklin Street, a section of West Street, a section of Oakland Avenue, and Hohlbain’s Alley. He noted there have also been a lot of pavement repairs from the water repair jobs that have been done. Mr. Ehlinger also stated that Lou White contacted the Borough about mounting a plaque that was presented to Libby White upon her retirement as Mayor. He said that across the street in Broad Commons, Borough bedrock excavated out of the parking garage courthouse project was placed, the face of the stone was chiseled out, and the plaque was mounted. [Video slides were shown.] Mr. Ehlinger said the plaque is consistent with the theme and other plaques throughout 66 the park. Mulch is around the bedrock now, but flowers will be planted as an elegant monument to Mayor White. Mr. Browne noted that the Public Works Department did great work in preparing for and cleaning up after the 5K Race and Memorial Day Parade. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Mr. Bell Mr. Bell reported that the Committee had a long meeting, but there was nothing to report. ZONING AND PLANNING - Ms. Jarret 1. Historic & Architectural Review Board (HARB) Recommendations. Ms. Jarret said that at its regular monthly meeting, the HARB recommended the following: Sign Applications: 156 Green Street, applicant Jami Appenzeller, for a sign - HARB recommended approval, and 33 South Main Street, applicant Ryan Miller, for a sign and awning - HARB recommended approval, noting the applicant will return for approval of the awning fabric color; and, Building Applications: 107 East Court Street, for exterior building renovations - the HARB recommended that Council approve application as submitted with the condition that the siding and trim on the garage be Hardie Plank or equivalent and the gutters be half-round, 105 North Broad Street, a garage demolition - the HARB recommended that Council approve the application as presented, 110 South West Street, a new construction amended application - the HARB recommended that Council approve the application as presented at the meeting, the mortar to be “sandy” in hue, the applicant to consider different ratio of stone color combo; the materials are approved. Ms. Jarret said that the Zoning & Planning Committee recommends that Council approve the applications in accordance with the HARB’s recommendations, and if Council wished to follow the Committee’s recommendation, it could do so by motion. (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. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report and 3. Building Inspection Monthly Report. Ms. Jarrett 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. Margolis 1. Doylestown Athletic Association Fee Waiver Request. Ms. Margolis said that Doylestown Borough has a longstanding Lease Agreement with the Doylestown Athletic Association (DAA) allowing for the rent-free use of the Borough’s softball and baseball fields. There was a lack of enrollment with DAA for an older girls team this year, so Plumstead Softball absorbed those that had enrolled with DAA. Plumstead Softball then obtained permits for the se of Neis Park on Wednesday nights. DAA is requesting that any fees owed by Plumstead Softball be waived. 67  Ms. Margolis said that the Park and Recreation Board and the Environmental and Recreation Committee are recommending that Council waive softball field usage fees for Plumstead Softball in 2023. Motion was made (Margolis-Livrone). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Margolis then reported that Borough’s plastic bag ban is in effect officially. WATER UTILITY - Mr. Livrone 1. Consideration of Ordinance 2023-8: Cross-Connection Control Program. Mr. Livrone said this creates an EPA mandated cross-connection control program for our water customers to determine potential cross-connection hazards and enforce rules regarding installation and testing of backflow prevention assemblies. At its May 15, 2023 meeting, Council authorized the advertisement of the ordinance and it has since been properly advertised. Mr. Livrone said the Water Utility Committee is recommending that Council adopt Ordinance No. 2023-8. Motion was made (Livrone-Margolis). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Consideration of Ordinance 2023-9, Establishing Requirements for Construction of Water Mains and Appurtenances. Mr. Livrone said this ordinance codifies the technical manual known as the “Standard Specifications for Construction of Water Mains and Appurtenances” recently created by the Water Engineer and Chief Water Operator. At its May 15, 2023 meeting, Council authorized the advertisement of the ordinance and it has since been properly advertised. Mr. Livrone said the Water Utility Committee is recommending that Council adopt Ordinance No. 2023-9. Motion was made (Livrone-Browne). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Professional Services Agreement with National Water Specialties Company (NAWSC): Cross-Connection Control Administrative and Backflow Prevention Program. Mr. Livrone said this agreement provides for NAWSC to administer our federal and state-mandated cross-connection control program. He said that Water Utility Committee is recommending that Council enter into an agreement with NAWSC to administer our program, and that the Borough Solicitor has reviewed the agreement and finds it acceptable. Motion was made to adopt Ordinance No. 2023-8 (Livrone- Jarret). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 4. Professional Services Agreement: Design, Permitting, and Bidding of Wells 9, 10, and 12 PFAS Treatment Facilities Project. Mr. Livrone said that this proposed agreement with CKS Engineers for the design, permitting, and bidding of PFAS treatment facilities at wells 9, 10, and 12, at a total cost of $410,270. He said that the agreement would be funded by the Water Capital Fund. Motion was made for approval of the proposal (Livrone-Margolis). 68  Mr. Bell asked what the standard is that the treatment is intended to reach and the response was “zero”. Mr. Matozzo also replied that it doesn’t matter what treatment system we go with or what the DEP or EPA MCL limit finally gets set once everything has been completely established. Any system that goes in is still going to treat to zero. Mr. Browne commented that there was a very well-attended public meeting where good community input was received. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Livrone thanked Mr. Matozzo for all of the great work he’s put into this. FINANCE/PENSION - Ms. Popkin Ms. Popkin reported that the Committee did not meet this month. She then gave the Finance Report, indicating that Council was provided with a list of prepaid bills and a list of bills to be paid this evening. Ms. Popkin said the total of all funds expended was $872,168.48. A motion was made to approve the report (Popkin-Jarret) With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. PERSONNEL - Mr. O’Brien Mr. O’Brien called upon Ms. Margolis since she chaired the Personnel Committee meeting held on June 14, 2023. Ms. Margolis said that interviews were conducted at that meeting to fill a vacancy on the Historical and Architectural Review Board (HARB) which was created by the resignation of HARB member Anthony R.C. Hita. She said the Committee is recommending that Richard Chase be appointed to fill the vacancy, with a term expiration of December 31, 2023. The motion to appoint was made (Margolis-Jarret). With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. PROFESSIONALS’ REPORTS Engineer’s Report - Mr. Attansio: No report. Solicitor's Report - Ms. Carlton: No report. Central Bucks Regional Police Department (CBRPD) Activities Report. Chief Knott said they had a long day today, with one person now in custody. The monthly Activities Report was provided, which showed there were 983 incidents in the Borough in May 2023, and year-to-date, the Department spent $2,284,211.82, and were at 33.45% of their yearly budget. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None. OLD BUSINESS: None. 69 NEW BUSINESS Mr. Browne congratulated Michael Hedrick and AJ Manuel from the fire company for graduating from a Firefighter one class, the Borough’s Park Foreman, Dave Burger, who graduated from a Firefighter two class, and Dave’s son Ryan, who graduated from a Firefighter One class. He also said congratulations to the CB West Baseball District 1-6A champs for the first time ever, winning the first round, but lost the second round in extra innings to the eventual champ Father Judge. Mr. Browne then reported that he felt the HRC anti-bullying forum was very well done and was well-attended. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ADJOURNMENT At 7:17 p.m., President O’Brien entertained a motion to adjourn (Browne-Margolis). The vote was called and the motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, John H. Davis Borough Manager :sa 70