Work Session of Council

Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 03/05/25 www.greenvilleborough.com MINUTES OF A WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE TOWN OF GREENVILLE COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order Paul Hamill, Mayor If you are a visitor to council, we ask you to please sign in at the door and turn off all cellular telephones. The public was reminded they may be audio or video recorded during the meeting. 2. Roll Call: Paul Hamill, Mayor Jean Carr-Fisher, Deputy Mayor Chad Bromley, Councilor Anne Butcher, Councilor Evan Hereford, Councilor Brian Shipley, Councilor Linda Zuschlag, Councilor Jasson W. Urey, Town Manager Solicitor, Douglas, Joseph & Olson Also present: Frank Vanderslice Joel Rinella – audio recording Ben Beck Lisa Hamill Beckey Savchuk Katherine Kerr Pastor Jim Chapin Sharon Emmett – video recording Brian Peterson Lori Peterson Jennifer Alexander Tracy Beil Patrick Eaton Lori Goodlin Robert Stone Jen Cornell – audio recording Staff: Media: Amy Hollowell, Administrative Assistant Caleb Stright, The Record-Argus – audio recording Rosalynn Reagle, Assistant Town Manager Hailey Rogenski, Sharon Herald Matt Breedlove, Director of Community Development 3. Invocation: Pastor Jim Chapin, Living Word Christian Center Flag Salute led by Councilor Linda Zuschlag 4. Public Comments – (3-minute time limit) Page 1 of 4 Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 03/05/25 Residents: Mr. Benjamin Beck, Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce (GACC), thanked Mr. Urey for assisting him with taking down the Christmas trees in Central Park this week. Ms. Becky Savchuk, 119 East Avenue, inquired about crosswalks, Wall Street closure, School House Commons project, and suggested the $17 million from the sewer system sale should be used to eliminate the Storm Water Utility and Fire Service Fees. Non-Residents: Mr. Brian Peterson, 5 Grant Street (business owner), asked council to consider paving Grant and Shenango Streets. He has invested a lot of money in his carwash and has customers complaining about the road conditions. 5. Unfinished Business A. Council was advised of the recommendation to adopt Resolution 2025-05, authorizing the sale of the 2018 Vac-Con Jet/Vac Truck. Mr. Urey provided an update that the truck was put out to bid, and we did not receive any bids. We will now look at using this vehicle as a trade-in for the truck for the street department. There were no deliberations. 6. New Business A. Council was advised of a request from the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce (GACC) to allow open containers on Main Street from Water Street to Mercer Street on September 13, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for their Fall Flavor Fest. Councilor Jean Carr-Fisher, seeking more information, asked Mr. Benjamin Beck and Ms. Lori Goodlin for details on their plans. Mr. Beck explained they are seeking permission from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PALCB) and will follow their guidelines. They have a designated area with set boundaries, the GACC will hold the liability insurance coverage, they will sell tickets for wristbands, and only those wearing a wristband and having a specific container will be permitted to purchase alcoholic beverages and have them within the defined boundaries per the request. Councilor Bromley asked about the boundaries. Mr. Beck said Main Street would be moved from Water Street to South Mercer Street unless PALCB wanted to change them. Ms. Lori Goodlin explained they will be talking to the establishments on Main Street about the guidelines and how wristbands will be enforced. She also noted that anyone can attend the event to see the band; the charge will only be for those wishing to purchase a wristband, which allows the wearer to have an open container of alcohol within the boundaries of the event. Ms. Goodlin reminded council they have had similar events in the last eight years without problems. They absolutely do not want glass containers and are looking for plastic ones. They will also have a concierge service in the GACC building for those purchasing items from vendors, as an extra step to ensure glass bottles are not on the street. Mayor Hamill asked how wristbands will be policed. Ms. Goodlin answered that identification must be shown to purchase a wristband, and vendors must check the wristbands before serving or selling. Councilor Bromley said he pitched the open container idea last year, but this board turned it down. He also said if we do it for one, we should do it for all. Mr. Beck said their event will be much smaller than the Heritage Days Car Show. Councilor Butcher agreed regulations are needed and cited what the PALCB already requires. Councilor Shipley reminded the board that Councilor Bromley’s request was denied because the event coordinator did not favor allowing open glass containers at the Heritage Days Car Show. Councilor Hereford offered the policy for To-Go Sales at bars. The board tabled discussions until April’s meetings so the Strategic Management Committee has time to review. B. Council was advised of the recommendation from the Airport Commission to enter into an Engineering Agreement with Rhea Engineering & Consultants for the design to reseal runway 15-33 Page 2 of 4 Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 03/05/25 (crack seal and remarking). There were no deliberations. C. Council was advised of the recommendation from the Code Committee to advertise Ordinance 1656, deleting and repealing Chapter 201, “Certificates of Compliance,” eliminating the requirement to have sewer lateral inspections. Councilor Shipley said the Code Committee reviewed this and determined to remove this requirement due to not being able to enforce with the sale of the sewer plant. He suggested buyers should still have an inspection done for peace of mind. D. Council was advised of the recommendation from the Code Committee to advertise Ordinance 1657, amending Chapter 169, “Amusements,” by changing the hours of operation. Councilor Butcher asked if we are defining amusements. Mayor Hamill stated no. Councilor Shipley explained this change was brought to the administration by the owners of the buildings that house skill games. E. Council was advised of the recommendation from the Code Committee to enter into a contract with First Due to replace both ESO and GoGov programs effective August 2025. Councilor Shipley said he is excited about this change; it will allow us to have one program with significant cost savings. It is a positive win for the community. He also thanked Mrs. Reagle, Cpt. Albaugh and Lt. White for their research. F. Council was advised of the recommendation from the Strategic Management Committee to enter into a transfer agreement for the donation of 10 South Mercer Street (55 518 003) and 12 South Mercer Street (55 518 002), plus all closing costs that will be incurred. There were no deliberations. G. Council was advised of the recommendation from the Home Rule Charter Review Commission to retain Campbell Durrant, P.C. (Attorney Peter Halesey) to provide legal review for the Home Rule Charter Review Commission. Councilor Bromley asked if there would be a cap on costs, and he is concerned that random commission members could call and ask questions, increasing the costs. Councilor Butcher said she anticipates the cost to be significantly less than the Home Rule Charter Study Commission's $35,000, as the review commission’s work is narrower in scope. Mr. Urey noted the costs incurred would fall under the general council line item of the budget. Mayor Hamill asked if the board would like a cap. Councilor Carr-Fisher added only the Commission Chair, Tracy Beil and Mr. Urey would be the only ones communicating with the attorney. Councilor Shipley added the procedures outlined seem reasonable. H. Council was advised of the need to adopt Resolution 2025-26, Supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiqincentennial (AMERICA250PA). There were no deliberations. I. Council was advised of the need to adopt Resolution 2025-07, Disposal of Common Records. Mr. Urey reminded the board that this is an annual procedure in accordance with the Municipal Records Retention Law. There were no deliberations. J. Council discussed the Blighted Property Review Committee (BPRC). Councilor Shipley said communities across Pennsylvania have BPRC without controversy, but it seems to be an issue here due to a concern about who is on the committee, even though all current members are residents. This committee only decides if a property meets the criteria for blight under the state Urban Redevelopment Law when asked by the Redevelopment Authority (RDA). Realizing there are some differing opinions regarding the solicitor’s opinion on what council can and cannot do regarding a residency requirement in the ordinance, he said the state Home Rule Law (53 PA, C.S. 2901; Home Rule charter and Optional Plan) section 2962 (2) Limitation on municipal powers is clear with regards to limits placed on Greenville’s Charter that cannot interfere with the power of eminent Page 3 of 4 Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 03/05/25 domain. Therefore, to use the powers of Initiative (8.1) and Referendum (8.2) of Greenville’s Home Rule Charter would violate the PA Home Rule Charter Law. We need another answer to the issue; he does not feel it prudent to use taxpayer money to litigate this. After much thought and conversation with the RDA, there are no plans for the RDA to pursue eminent domain as it would always be the last resort. Council has the power of eminent domain as well, and they are all required to be residents of the municipality. To alleviate some residents' concerns, he proposed that council amend the ordinance to repeal the BPRC in its entirety. Councilor Butcher agreed that the BPRC is not needed. Councilor Hereford felt this was a good idea. Councilor Carr-Fisher said everyone continues to argue, which could be costly. Councilor Bromley agreed to eliminate the BPRC. Councilor Butcher supported the idea and asked for it to be added to the agenda. Councilor Shipley said he is not voiding the solicitor’s opinion; he just wants the RDA to be able to get some work started. It was decided that repealing the ordinance would be added to the Regular Session Agenda for Monday night’s meeting. 7. Public Comments – Ms. Becky Savchuk, 119 East Avenue, responded to the Ohl Street Bridge update with a tentative demolition to be done in 2027 from Mr. Hamill’s committee report. She feels Ohl Street should still be paved. Mr. Bromley responded this would be a wasteful use of tax dollars until the bridge is removed. Ms. Sharon Emmett, 24 Homer Street, began speaking on a code enforcement visit and was stopped by Mayor Hamill because this was not an agenda-related item. She was directed to have a conversation with Mr. Breedlove. 8. Council Comments Councilor Hereford thanked everyone for attending. Councilor Bromley thanked everyone for coming and said the council is putting a huge effort into making the town better. However, focusing on certain issues is holding us back. We need to look forward, not backward. Councilor Butcher noted the Stray Haven fundraiser held downtown last weekend was fantastic. Councilor Carr-Fisher would like to research and have a plan for open container discussion in item A under new business. Not all groups are the same. 9. Mayor's Comments – none 10. Town Manager's Comments – Mr. Urey and Mrs. Reagle provided a summary of the PELRAS conference they attended last week. 11. Adjournment – This work session of council adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jasson W. Urey Town Manager/Secretary Page 4 of 4