Business Meetings

April 14, 2024 The Business Meeting of Lansdale Borough Council was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Lansdale Municipal Complex, One Vine Street, Lansdale, PA and called to order at 7:00 pm by President, Mary Fuller. ROLL CALL: (X) Councilwoman Bollens – arrived 7:02 pm (X) Councilman Breish (X) Councilman Carroll (X) Councilman DiGregorio (X) President Fuller (X) Councilwoman Oglesby (X) Councilwoman Razzak (X) Vice President Currie Teoh (X) Councilman Yetter (X) Mayor Garry Herbert Borough Representatives: Borough Manager, John Ernst Borough Solicitor, Patrick Hitchens Finance Director, Glenn Dickerson Borough Engineer, Chris Fazio Police Chief, not present Fire Marshal, not present Parks & Rec. Dir., Courtney Meehan IT/GIS Dept., David Nguyen Electric Superintendent, not present Code Enforcement, Jason Van Dame Public Works Director, not present WWTP Superintendent, Greg Rapp Residents: Jean Frtiz – 531 Pennbrook Avenue John Darab – Spruce Street Rose Chapman – 316 W. Mt. Vernon Street Agenda Item #5 - Petitions None Agenda Item #6 – President’s Comments None Agenda Item #7 – Residents to be Heard on Any Item Ms. Jean Fritz of 531 Pennbrook Ave – are the microphones just for recording? She can’t hear when people don’t speak directly into the microphone. Mr. John Darab of Spruce St – You have on your agenda about renovating the library, but there are no pictures of what the renovation would be. A portion of N. Broad Street was renamed in honor of Dr. Boston there should be a bigger sign. NPSD is looking at a property on Church Rd for a bus terminal. That area should be looked at then on the traffic study. Ms. Rose Chapman of 316 W. Mt. Vernon St – Heavy winds brought down a tree on S. Broad St. It was lucky it fell in the yard. 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 1 of 7 Agenda Item #9 – Action Items Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion A and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of March 2024 which shows the expenditures listed on the attachment. Motion seconded by Vice President Currie Teoh and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion B and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the bills $1,000.00 and over as per the attachment. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion C and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the following meeting minutes: Work Session Meeting: March 6, 2024 Business Meeting: March 20, 2024 Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion D and read as follows: I move that Borough Council adopt Resolution 24-09 affirming that public officials and employees of the Borough of Lansdale do not have authority to act or speak on behalf of Lansdale Borough, including through any social media platform. Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll. Mr. Hitchens – His office prepared this resolution and it was sent to all the municipalities they represent. This came about due to a lawsuit where a city manager acting on behalf of the city on his personal social media account made comments as a private citizen. Public officials and staff can maintain private social media accounts, but they should not be doing municipal business or making business comments on their personal accounts. Official comments and such should only be made through official borough accounts. Borough Code dictates that the Mayor, Chief of Police, Borough Manager and Council President can speak on behalf of the borough. It was suggested that we add to the resolution “In accordance with Borough Code” in Section A where appropriate. This motion was amended to include in Section A "In accordance with Pennsylvania Borough Code." Councilwoman Bollens made the amended motion and Councilman Breish seconded the motion and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Olgesby presented Motion E and read as follows: I move that Borough Council adopt Resolution 24-10 expressing its commitment to the Lansdale Public Library renovations and authorizing staff and representatives to pursue public funding to 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 2 of 7 support the construction phase of the project and designating officials to execute the associated grant documents. Motion seconded by Vice President Currie Teoh and unanimously approved. Councilman Carroll presented Motion F and read as follows: I move that Borough Council adopt Resolution 24-11 approving the sale, by electronic auction, of various used vehicles and equipment through Municibid. Motion seconded by Councilman DiGregorio and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Bollens presented Motion G and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the Parks & Recreation Department to contract with a vendor for alcohol sales during the Lansdale Festival of the Arts on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Vice President Currie Teoh presented Motion H and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the three Special Events listed below to be held in the borough per the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee: *Cinco De Mayo Block Party - May 5, 2024 *BAPS Charity Walk - June 8, 2024 *Under the Lights Car Show - June 15, 2024 Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Vice President Currie Teoh presented Motion I and read as follows: I move that Borough Council activate the Civil Service Commission to host an exam process to establish an eligibility list of new candidates for appointment to the Lansdale Police Department. Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion J and read as follows: I move that Borough Council award the contract for the East Main Street Streetscape project to Scott Building Corporation T/A Scott Contractors, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $3,199.280.75 per the recommendation of Pennoni Associates, Inc. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion K and read as follows: I move that Borough Council authorize the Borough Manager to accept the proposal from Remington & Vernick Engineers to provide construction management and inspection services for the East Main Street Streetscape not to exceed $152,000.00. Councilman Breish – It looks like we will only need part time inspection services. 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 3 of 7 Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion L and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve Change Order #2 in the amount of $88,765.00 (addition) for the Whites Road Pump Station Improvements per the recommendation of Environmental Engineering and Management Associates, Inc. This change order reflects work on the mold remediation. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Oglesby and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion M and read as follows: I move that Borough Council authorize the Borough Manager to accept the proposal from Environmental Engineering and Management Associates to perform additional materials review and inspection for mold encountered for the White’s Road Pump Station Improvement Project not to exceed $7,500.00. Councilman DiGregorio – How much remediation will be getting done? Mr. Rapp – It will be on the well side of the building. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bollens and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion N and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve Change Order #3 for the Chemical Feed Upgrade Project per the recommendation of Keystone Engineering Group, this change order reflects the extension of the contract by 72 days for a substantial completion date of June 12, 2024 and a new final completion date of July 12, 2024. Motion seconded by Councilman DiGregorio and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion O and read as follows: I move that Borough Council award the contract for the Norway Drive Outfall Replacement Project Base Bid, Alternate #1, and Alternate #2 in the amount of $399,700.00 to Horgan Brothers, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder per the recommendation of Remington & Vernick Engineers. Councilman DiGregorio – Will the split rail fence have a gate? Is the fence included or just the labor? Mr. Fazio – The bid includes labor and materials. Councilman DiGregorio – How big will the construction sign be on resident’s property? Mr. Fazio – It is part of the bid package and is required by the State. The State wants people to know they are funding the project. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Oglesby and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Ogelsby presented Motion P and read as follows: 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 4 of 7 I move that Borough Council appoint Rafia Razzak to the Civil Service Commission. This term expires April 30, 2030. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bollens and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion Q and read as follows: I move that Borough Council appoint the following individuals to the Lansdale Library Board as Borough Council appointees: -Mary Fuller -Meg Currie Teoh Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. Agenda Item #9 – Information Items Mayor’s Report: Mayor Herbert 1. On Friday, April 5th I attended and the 365 Foundation’s welcoming of Amanda Knox to our community where she will be lending her voice and support toward building a more fair justice system. In her speech, Amanda shared the realities of a disproportionate and unequal system that goes out of its way to treat women differently from men. It is my hope that Amanda’s partnership with 365 will help further bring these realities to light and precipitate the change necessary to address these inequalities comprehensively and in so doing build a better justice system for all. 2. On Saturday April 13th, for the first time since I have been in this office, I missed the opportunity to attend Manna On Main Street’s annual 5k, due to family related travel. It is my understanding that the event was a massive success with over 500 racers raising over $145k! Manna plays a crucial role in the lives of many Lansdale residents and I want to thank Manna for their commitment to our community and their efforts to end hunger in our area. 3. On Sunday April 14th I attended Team Jack Ryan’s annual Eagles Autism Awareness Fundraiser at Local Tap where Swoop, Eagles Cheerleaders, and local donors gathered to support autism research and the team’s effort to represent Lansdale in the annual event later this year. I deeply appreciate all that Victor and his boys (Jack and Ryan) have done to support autism awareness and research for everyone in our community. Solicitor’s Report: Patrick Hitchens 1. Communications with Borough staff and follow-up work relating to ordinance matters including draft zoning text and map amendments. - Approximately 5.5 hours. 2. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding land development and conditional use application matters that included properties located at 315 W Main Street, 521 Penn Street, 730 W Third Street and 630 York Avenue. – Approximately 2.8 hours. 3. Communications with Borough staff and legal work regarding municipal liens and litigation matters including insurance litigation and assessment appeals. – Approximately 6.2 hours. 4. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding contractor and service contract matters, and temporary construction easements. – Approximately 6.7 hours. 5. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding miscellaneous Borough matters including compliance, code and code enforcement, and right to know requests. – Approximately 8 hours. Borough Manager’s Report: John Ernst 1. Workplace Injuries - No lost time due to work related injuries since August of 2023 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 5 of 7  2. Library Logo Contest - We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the Library Logo contest that ended earlier this week. There were over thirty entries received. The library board is currently evaluating the entries and will be providing further information as the review process continues. 3. SEPTA Grade Crossing - SEPTA shares that from 9am Friday, May 10 to 6:00pm Monday, May 13, (announced that work start was pushed to Friday, May 17 – Monday, May 20) they will be working on the replacement of the grade crossing at the main station. W. Main Street will be closed in the area of the railroad crossing, very similar to their work last Fall at the South Broad Street crossing. As more details and detour information becomes available, we will make sure we update all our social media outlets. 4. Lansdale Electric – 2023 RP3 - I’d like to congratulate the Lansdale Electric Department for again being the recipient of the American Public Power Association (APPA) RP3 “Platinum” designation. Of the 132 eligible Public Power entities throughout the country, Lansdale was one of only two that received this distinction. This designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. Criteria include sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to safe and reliable delivery of electricity. The Platinum designation indicates members who meet 90-97 percent of the four criteria. Andy will be discussing this further at his committee meeting next month, but I think you’ll agree with me that Lansdale Electric has continually performed above and beyond our expectations for reliability and speed of service, and this award is certainly well deserved. Comments for the good of Council: President Fuller – The Scouts are here tonight I am assuming for a badge. Troop Leader – For their Citizenship Badge requirement. They are concerned about the homelessness and the amount of trash in the parks, particularly Stony Creek Park. Chief Trail – Currently the US Supreme Court is hearing a case about lawfulness of people to sleep in public places even though it could be against local ordinances. Since the pandemic there is not a lot of affordable housing. This is a problem across the nation. Troop Leader – They understand that, but they are more concerned about the trash that they leave behind in the parks. How do we combat that? Chief Trail – Parks & Rec. crews are trying to keep up with that as well as the police department. You can contact the police department if you see an abundance of trash. Mayor Herbert – There is also a fine line of what is really trash and what qualifies as their belongings. If it someone’s belongings, we can’t throw them out. Chief Trail – We do collect and tag items that are personal property that have been picked up in the parks. Councilman Breish – The trash issue goes beyond the unhoused. There are many layers to the trash issue. Troop Leader – How can we get them to use the trash receptacles or get more trash receptacles for them to use? President Fuller – Discover Lansdale will be cleaning up trash and stuff along Main and Madison Streets on April 22 to get ready for First Friday. Vice President Currie Teoh – Tuesday, April 22 is primary day, get out there and vote. Councilman DiGregorio – Thank you to the scouts for all that you do. Councilman Yetter – Thank you to the John and the Department Heads for the new council orientation meeting today. There is so much that you all do and continue to do on a daily basis. Old Business None New Business 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 6 of 7 None Meeting adjourned at 7:57pm. 4/17/2024 Business Meeting Page 7 of 7