Rescheduled: Borough Council (Rescheduled From 2/17/25)

February 24, 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 Elizabeth Wyckoff. Also present were Mayor Noni West, Junior Council Member Elisa Kremser, Borough Solicitor Ernest “Bucky” Closser, Borough Engineer Jim Dougherty, Central Bucks Regional Police Department Police Chief Karl Knott, Borough Manager John Davis, Planning & Zoning Director Karyn Hyland, and Park and Recreation Director Caitlin Hernandez. Assistant Manager/Finance Director Caroline Brinker was absent due to her attendance at the Fanny Chapman Pool Board of Managers meeting. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 1. Plaque Presentation to Joe Frederick. Mayor West presented a plaque to Mr. Frederick for his dedicated service as a Doylestown Borough Councilperson representing Ward 3 from 2014 to 2025. Mr. Frederick thanked the Mayor and Council. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. O’Brien called for a motion to approve the January 27, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes (Browne-Popkin). Hearing no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the minutes were unanimously approved. MAYOR’S REPORT: No report. PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Consideration of Ordinance No. 2025-1 Establishing an Emergency Preparedness and Communications Board. Mr. Browne said that Ordinance No. 2025-1 establishes a five member volunteer board to advise Council on matters of emergency preparedness and communications. Following the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, a motion was made to adopt the ordinance. (Browne-Kinney) In addition to thanking Council and the Mayor for their support, Mr. Browne also thanked Fire Marshal Scott Fleischer for his coordination and help in getting this set up. Mr. Browne was thanked for getting this put together. Mr. Davis commented that advertising for membership on this new board will be going out on social media in the next few days. Hearing no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the ordinance was adopted unanimously. 187  2. Mr. Browne 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. PUBLIC WORKS AND ADMINISTRATION - Mr. Browne: No meeting and no report. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - Mr. Bell 1. 2025 Block Party Schedule. Mr. Bell said that the Committee has reviewed the schedule and is recommending approval. Motion to approve the 2025 Block Party Schedule (Bell–Browne). Hearing no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the schedule was approved. Mr. Bell commented that nominations for the Borough’s Youth Leadership Recognition Program are being accepted until March 15. He said the form is available on the Borough’s website and Facebook page. Mr. Bell then reminded everyone that there is a meeting at Borough Hall on February 26 at 7 pm, hosted by the Human Relations Commission, called the “Community Immigration Forum.” He said this is a community discussion with a panel of experts talking about some of the challenges facing the immigrant community in Doylestown. ZONING AND PLANNING - Ms. Jarret 1. Zoning Hearing Board Report. Ms. Jarret asked Ms. Hyland for the report. Ms. Hyland reported that at its February 20, 2025 public meeting, the Zoning Hearing Board heard an application for 43 East Oakland Avenue by A + E Alliance, LLC. She said that right now, it is one-half of a twin. The first floor is an office and the two floors above are a second office. Ms. Hyland said the applicant is looking to turn the second and third floors into an apartment. She noted there was an old Zoning Hearing Board application that included a condition restricting the use saying that there shall not be any residential use of the property. Ms. Hyland said that the applicant appeared before the Board last week to have that condition removed, which was granted. 2. Historic & Architectural Review Board (HARB) Recommendations. Ms. Jarret stated that at its monthly meeting, the Historical and Architectural Review Board reviewed the following applications and recommended that a Certificate of Appropriateness be approved as presented for the following Building Applications: 2 East Court Street, for windows and exterior renovation; 184 West Court Street, for exterior renovation and roof, approved as submitted with conditions; 57 E. Ashland Street, renovation and addition, approved as submitted with conditions; 263 West Ashland Street, for a roof. Ms. Jarret said that the Zoning & Planning Committee recommends that Council approve the foregoing applications as recommended by HARB with the following added condition for the 184 West Court Street application: that the columns will be wood, Boral, or a similar 188 material. A motion was so made (Jarret-Popkin). With no comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion was unanimously approved. 3. Code Enforcement Monthly Activity Report and 4. 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. Wyckoff 1. Stage United Concert Proposal. Ms. Wyckoff said that the Committee reviewed a contract for the Summer Concern Preview Series by “Stage United.” Ms. Wyckoff motioned, seconded by Mr. Livrone, to approve the contract. Ms. Hernandez provided information on Stage United and noted the intent is to have two concerts at Broad Commons in May this year and hopefully to do more in the summers of subsequent years. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the contract was approved. WATER UTILITY - Mr. Livrone Mr. Livrone said the Committee did not meet, but noted the Committee will be meet in March where the Borough’s Water Engineer will be talking about the plan they are going to recommend for taking care of the PFAS contamination in our wells moving forward. FINANCE/PENSION - Ms. Popkin 1. Consideration of Resolution No. 2025 - 2 Authorizing Prepayment of Certain Invoices. Ms. Popkin said that this resolution authorizes the prepayment of certain invoices prior to the regularly scheduled approval at each monthly Council meeting. She noted that this is a housekeeping item and updates Resolution #2024-1. Ms. Popkin said that during the course of the month, there is often a need to pay an invoice outside of those approved at the Council meeting such as a vendor invoice with an early due date or a refund. She said limits are set on the maximum amount that can be approved by the Borough Manager and any invoices outside of those limits would be reviewed and approved by the Council President. Any and all payments paid prior to the Council meeting are detailed and approved through the report provided with the Council packets. Ms. Popkin said the Committee viewed the resolution at their February 13, 2025 meeting and recommend its adoption. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-2 (Popkin-Kinney). With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, Mr. O’Brien called the vote. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. 2. Finance Report. Ms. Popkin reported that Council was provided with a list of payables for the month and also the December payroll. She said the total of all funds expended was $939,522.37. A motion was made to approve the report (Popkin-Kinney). With no comments from 189 Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. PERSONNEL - Mr. O’Brien 1. Appointment of Alternate Member of Central Bucks Regional Police Commission. Mr. O’Brien said that the resignation of Joe Frederick has left vacant the Borough’s Central Bucks Regional Police Commission Alternate position. He said the Personnel Committee met on February 13, 2025 to discuss the vacancy and is recommending the appointment of Amy Popkin to the position. Motion to appoint Amy Popkin to the Central Bucks Regional Police Commission as the alternate member. (O’Brien-Jarret) 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 Resolution No. 2025-3 Filling a Vacancy in the Office of Member of Council. Mr. O’Brien said there is a Borough Council vacancy created by the resignation of Joe Frederick. He said that the Personnel Committee met on February 13, 2025 to interview candidates to fill the vacancy. As a result of the interviews, the Committee is recommending the appointment of Connor O’Hanlon to Borough Council to complete the term of Joseph Frederick, which expires on December 31, 2025. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-3. (O’Brien-Kinney) Mr. Kinney commented that it was really nice that six or eight citizens from Ward 3 applied for this seat. He said it was a pleasure doing the interviews and it really was a difficult choice because everybody brought something to the table that was worthwhile and valuable. With no further comments from Council, Staff, or the public, the vote was called. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously. Connor O’Hanlon, accompanied by his mother and father, came forward to be sworn in as a Borough Councilperson. Mayor West swore in Mr. O’Hanlon and he took a seat on the dais. 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 January 2025 indicated that were 866 incidents in the Borough and year-to-date, the Department had spent $498,093.31 and were at 6.58% of their yearly budget. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mr. O’Brien said he had no report but felt he would be remiss not to mention that our Junior Councilperson Elisa Kremser has been accepted to the Air Force Academy. Congratulations to Ms. Kremser. Ms. Kremser said her parents would be happy with any place she decided to go, but said going to the Academy has been her dream since she was in kindergarten. 190 OLD BUSINESS Mr. Kinney noted that last evening the Borough hosted the Coldest Night of the Year event at the Justice Complex in which about 300 citizens from across the community marched in support of the homeless population in our community and this county. He said he gave remarks on behalf of the Mayor who was unable to attend. Mr. Kinney commended everyone who put the event together. He thought the fund raising goal was $25,000 and he believed they raised $38,000 to support the homeless in this region, which is really a testament to what a wonderful community we have. Mr. Browne thanked Representative Brennan for giving the Borough’s preparedness efforts a mention on the floor during budget hearings last week. Mr. Browne said that the Public Works Department probably dropped more salt in the last four weeks than they have in the last four years. He said that once again, the Department did an excellent job during the snow events. NEW BUSINESS: None. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None. ADJOURNMENT At 7:31 p.m., President O’Brien entertained a motion to adjourn. (Browne-Kinney) The vote was called and the motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, John H. Davis Borough Manager :sa 191