Borough Council Meeting

August 19, 2024 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, Joe Frederick, Jennifer Jarret, Dennis Livrone, 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, Finance Director Caroline Brinker, and Building and Zoning Director Karyn Hyland. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 1. Proclamation in Honor of Turn the Towns Teal Campaign. Mayor West read the proclamation which indicated that September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. She said that “Turn the Towns Teal” is a campaign where ribbons are tied in towns to promote awareness of ovarian cancer and its subtle symptoms. She said the Borough has supported this campaign for many years and is doing so once again. Mayor West called upon the community to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer, as well as all cancers, and the importance of early detection to help those in our community live longer, healthier lives. Former Councilperson Joan Doyle was present with her assistant, Cathy Hoot. Ms. Doyle gave remarks and also asked for volunteers to help hang the ribbons this coming Saturday, 9:30 am at Starbucks at Main and State Streets. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to approve the July 15, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes. He noted one correction to be made which was that there was no Executive Session at the July meeting. With that amendment, a motion was made to approve the minutes (Browne-Kinney). The vote was called and the minutes were unanimously approved. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor West had no report, but reminded everyone that Fonthill Castle is having a Beer Fest on August 24, and the Arts Festival and Bucks County Classic is being held on September 7 and 8. PUBLIC SAFETY - Mr. Frederick 1. Mr. Frederick said that 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. 147 PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Browne 1. Veterans Lane Pedestrian Signal Bid Award. Mr. Browne said that bids were opened and publicly read for this project on July 30, 2024. He said the low bidder Is Armour & Sons Electric, Inc. of Langhorne, Pa., at a price of $104,197 for the preferred solar panel option. Mr. Browne said that the project cost will exceed the $80,000 budget estimate due to PennDOT’s requirement that the solar powered signal also be hardwired as a backup. He said that despite increase in cost for this project, the overall 2024 capital outlay is estimated to be under budget due to cost savings for other capital items. Following the recommendation of the Public Works and Administration Committee, a motion was made to award the bid to Armour & Sons Electric , Inc. at the Option 1 price of $104,197, conditioned upon the receipt of a properly executed performance bond and compliance with bid specifications (Browne-Kinney). Christine Corcoran commented that there are people in Doylestown facing housing insecurities. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Mr. Browne then noted that the annual Doylestown at Dusk Car Show was a huge success this year and that was in part to our Public Works team deploying so many barriers. He also noted that paving started in July and continues this month. Mr. Davis commented that the Public Works Department’s Work Orders and Fleet Services Reports were provided in the packets. Regarding paving, Mr. Davis noted that the second phase is scheduled to be completed this week on sections of Court Street, Broad Street, and Lacey Avenue. He said upcoming are the Arts Fest and then leaf collection. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Mr. Bell Mr. Bell said the Committee did not meet, but restated that the Doylestown Arts Festival is September 7 and 8, with the Bucks County Classic on the 8th. He invited everyone to come out, to bring the kids and family, and he hoped to see everyone there. Mr. O’Brien commented that there was a request for some Borough representation for some of the bike races to do announcing. He asked if anyone was available, to do it because it is a lot of fun and they’re looking for some new faces and words. ZONING AND PLANNING - Ms. Jarret 1. Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) Report. Ms. Jarret reported that the Zoning Hearing Board held a Public Meeting on August 15, 2024 to hear an application for 542 Maple Avenue for variances for dimensional relief from to allow the applicant to replace the existing dwelling with a larger dwelling and to remove the existing detached garage. She said the Zoning Hearing Board did grant the requested relief. 2. Historical & Architectural Review Board (HARB) Recommendations - Certificates of Appropriateness. Mr. Jarrett said that at its regular monthly meeting, the HARB recommended 148 the following applications be approved for a Certificate of Appropriateness as submitted and presented: Sign Application: 46 East State Street; Building Applications: 85 West Ashland Street, for windows, as submitted with changes to simulated divided light, 387 Lincoln Avenue, for a roof, 116 Mary Street, for renovation and an addition, as amended, 132 West Oakland Avenue, renovation and an addition, approval with recommendations, 154 West Oakland Avenue, renovation and an addition, approval with recommendations, 67 North Church Street, for windows and the roof, approval with recommendations, As recommended by the Zoning & Planning Committee, a motion was made to approve the applications in accordance with the HARB’s recommendations (Jarret-Livrone). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 3. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report and 4. Building Inspection Monthly Report. Mr. Livrone 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. “Booorough Bash” Halloween Event. Ms. Wyckoff said that the Parks ad Recreation Board have proposed a free Halloween event, “Booorough Bash”, which would be held at Broad Commons Park on October 23, 2024, from 6 pm to 8 pm. She said the estimated cost is $350. Following the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board, a motion was made to approve the “Booorough Bash” (Wyckoff-Jarret). Mr. Bell asked for procedural clarification since this recommendation is coming from the Parks and Recreation Board rather than the Environment and Recreation Committee. Mr. Davis stated that when the Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Caitlin Hernandez came to him last week with this idea, it was already past the committee meeting dates. He said if this was put off until the next round of meetings, it would have made things tight for preparation. Mr. Davis said he gave the okay to put it on tonight’s Council agenda provided it was presented and received the blessing of the Park and Recreation Board first. He said Council is now aware and hopefully will approve the concept, and Ms. Hernandez will take it all through the committees and work on the details of the event this coming month. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Ms. Wyckoff added that the last “Wheelie Wednesday” of the Bucks County Classic series of events is being held at the pump track this Wednesday evening. She said that she, the Bucks County Composite Mountain Bike Team, and some other volunteers will be running it. Ms. Wyckoff said its their sixth or seventh year doing this and it has always been successful. 149 WATER UTILITY - Mr. Livrone Mr. Livrone reported there were no actionable items. He mentioned that everyone received an email from Chief Water Operator Jeremy Matozzo indicating that the Maplewood Water Tank project had been completed. He gave a shout out to Mr. Matozzo and the others involved in the project for a job well done. FINANCE/PENSION - Ms. Popkin 1. Consideration of Resolution No. 2024-5, Designating Signature Authority. Ms. Popkin said that the Borough has been contacted by the Commonwealth or Pennsylvania regarding the renewal of the annual Winter Maintenance Services that provides for the snow plowing and de-icing of designated state routes. She said that for the agreement to be signed, a resolution must be adopted designating the Council President as the signature authority. The resolution and PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Services Agreement showing the annual payment schedule to the Borough starting with winter 2024-2025, the term, and rates of the agreement were provided. Following the recommendation of the Finance and Pension Committee, a motion was made to adopt Resolution No. 2024-5. (Popkin-Jarret) Mr. Davis noted that this was the first time in the last 30 years PennDOT actually increased our mileage so that also led to an increase. He said they started crediting us for several roads that we share with the Township. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Ms. Popkin asked Ms. Brinker for the Finance Report. Ms. Brinker reported that the total of all funds expended was $1,496,030.83. A motion was made to approve the report. (Popkin-Kinney) 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: No report. 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 had no report. The monthly activity report that was provided showed that there were 919 incidents in the Borough in July and year-to-date, the Department spent $3,563,047.14 and were at 48.34% of their yearly budget. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: No report. OLD BUSINESS: None. 150 NEW BUSINESS Ms. Jarret announced that our own Fanny Chapman Dolphins had another undefeated year this year for swimming and diving. Mr. Browne announced the next Preparedness seminar will be held on August 26, 6:30 p.m., here in Borough Hall. He said last month they had a good turn out with 22 people attending. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. O’Brien announced there would be an Executive Session regarding personnel and that no action was expected at the conclusion of that session. ADJOURNMENT At 7:40 p.m., President O’Brien called for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Browne made the motion in memory of Clayton Long, who was a life member of the fire company and passed away on July 29. The motion was seconded by Mr. Frederick. The vote was called and the motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, John H. Davis Borough Manager :sa 151