Business Meetings

September 18, 2024 The Business Meeting of Lansdale Borough Council was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Lansdale Municipal Complex, One Vine Street, Lansdale, PA and called to order at 7:05 pm by President, Mary Fuller. ROLL CALL: (X) Councilwoman Bollens (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, not present Borough Engineer, Chris Fazio Police Chief, Mike Trail Fire Marshal, not present Parks & Rec. Dir., not present IT/GIS Dept., David Nguyen Electric Superintendent, Andy Krauss Code Enforcement, not present Public Works Director, Troy Spayd WWTP Superintendent, Greg Rapp Residents: Jean Frtiz – 531 Pennbrook Avenue Rose Chapman – 316 W. Mt. Vernon Street Agenda Item #5 – President’s Comments President Fuller – Manna on Main Street had their dedication and open of the HUB location where clients can place their order online and pick up at 10 N. Cannon Avenue. This event was well attended. The borough should be commended for their support of this project. Also, an Executive Session was held earlier this evening regarding potential litigation with no action and personnel items with two motions this evening. Agenda Item #6 - Petitions None Agenda Item #7 – Residents to be Heard on Any Item Ms. Fritz of 531 Pennbrook Ave – the light at the entrance of this building is out so all of the letters are not lit. Who fixes this? Redistricting needs to happen in Ward One. There are many more voters in Ward 1-2 than Ward 1-3 and Ward 1-2 line gets really long. Ms. Chapman of 316 W. Mt. Vernon St. – Her thoughts on the traffic study is too many people take shortcuts through the neighborhoods and are speeding when they do it. W. Mt. Vernon is a cut through as it is the only street that goes directly from Broad Street to Valley Forge Road. Maybe more stop signs would be helpful. We did have a good amount of parking years ago in the Madison Street parking lot. 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 1 of 7 Agenda Item #8 – Action Items Vice President Currie Teoh presented Motion #1 and read as follows: I move that Borough Council of the Borough of Lansdale grant a conditional offer of employment with the Lansdale Police Department to Brandi Rocco. The term "Conditional Offer of Employment" as used herein is as used and/or defined in the Borough of Lansdale Civil Service Regulations. Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Vice President Currie Teoh presented Motion #2 and read as follows: I move that Borough Council of the Borough of Lansdale grant a conditional offer of employment with the Lansdale Police Department to Daniel Talbot. The term "Conditional Offer of Employment" as used herein is as used and/or defined in the Borough of Lansdale Civil Service Regulations. Motion seconded by Councilman Yetter and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion A and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of August 2024 which shows the expenditures listed on the attachment. Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll 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 Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion C and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the following meeting minutes: Work Session: August 7, 2024 Business Meeting: August 21, 2024 Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bollens and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion D and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the Settlement Stipulation for the property tax assessment appeal Docket No. 2020-19653 for the property located at 401-581 S. Broad Street that will result in tax refunds being issued by the Borough. Mr. Hitchens – The first two years there is a refund by the borough to the property owner and the last two years there will be an increase to the borough. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 2 of 7 Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion E and read as follows: Borough Council approve the Settlement Stipulation for the property tax assessment appeal Docket No. 2020-19642 for the property located at 611 S. Broad Street that will result in tax refunds issued by the Borough. Motion seconded by Vice President Currie Teoh and unanimously approved. Councilwoman Oglesby presented Motion F and read as follows: I move that Borough Council adopt attached Resolution 2024-22 in support of establishing permanent and reoccurring funding for SEPTA sufficient to provide safe, clean, comfortable, frequent and reliable service for the entire SEPTA network including the Lansdale/Doylestown Regional Rail Line. President Fuller – This motion is to support from the state for SEPTA appropriate funding every year. Mr. Ernst – This would be funding for the entire regional rail, buses, trolleys, etc. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. Vice President Currie Teoh presented Motion G and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve the Special Events listed below to be held in the borough per the recommendation of the Public Safety Committee. *North Penn Mosque Community Day - September 21, 2024 *Well Crafted 6th Birthday Bash - October 5, 2024 *Manna Crop Walk - October 13, 2024 Motion seconded by Councilwoman Bollens and unanimously approved. Vice President Currie Teoh presented Motion H and read as follows: I move that Borough Council authorize the Borough Solicitor to prepare and the Borough Manager to advertise an Ordinance for new parking restrictions on E. Main Street related to the E. Main Street Streetscape Project. Motion seconded by Councilman Carroll and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion I and read as follows: I move that Borough Council adopt attached Resolution 2024-23 to temporarily display banners that will portray Lansdale Borough Veterans "Hometown Heroes" from approximately May 1, 2025 through November 12, 2025 and again May 1, 2026 through November 12, 2026. Motion seconded by Councilman DiGregorio and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion J and read as follows: 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 3 of 7 I move that Borough Council award the contract for the rental of snow plowing equipment with operators to P.K. Moyer & Sons, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Oglesby and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion K and read as follows: I move that Borough Council award the contract for the 2024 Liquid Fuels Roadway Program (Base Bid and Alternate #1) in the amount of $469,154.25 to James D. Morrissey, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder per the recommendation of Remington and Vernick Engineers. Councilamn Breish – The base bid would resurface most of the roadways we have for this project. Alternate #1 is included, but why not the other alternates? Mr. Ernst – We have limited liquid fuels fund. Mr. Spayd – The Parks Department parking lots were a good price, but the trails really need to be done first and the bid did not reflect a good enough price to include them. Motion seconded by Councilman DiGregorio and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion L and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve Change Order #5 (addition $8,200.00) for the Chemical Feed System Upgrade Project per the recommendation of Keystone Engineering Group. This change order reflects additional construction management services due to change in project completion date. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Oglsesby and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion M and read as follows: I move that Borough Council approve Change Order #6 (addition $2,188.00) for the Chemical Feed System Upgrade Project per the recommendation of Keystone Engineering Group. This change order reflects additional scope to furnish and install a remote operator station for the overhead valve. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Oglsesby and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion N and read as follows: I move that Borough Council reject all bids for the 2022 WWTP Blower & Aeration System Upgrades Project per the recommendation of Remington & Vernick Engineers. Councilman DiGregorio – Will this go out to rebid? Councilman Breish – The next motion explains that we are going to go through COSTARS so we won’t have to rebid. Mr. Rapp – The bids were up to $4 million so we looked at what work we could do in-house, which then allows us to do the project through COSTARS. 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 4 of 7 Motion seconded by Vice President Currie Teoh and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion O and read as follows: I move that Borough Council authorize the Borough Manager to accept the proposal from Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc. for construction of the WWTP Blower & Aeration System Upgrades in the amount of $3,063,340.00 through the Pennsylvania COSTARS Purchasing Program. Motion seconded Councilwoman Oglesby and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion P and read as follows: I move that Borough Council authorize the Borough Manager to accept the proposal from Kappe Associates, Inc. to provide the Positive Displacement Blower for the WWTP Blower & Aeration System Upgrades Project in the amount of $858,251.00 through the Pennsylvania COSTARS Purchasing Program. Motion seconded by Councilman DiGregorio and unanimously approved. Councilman Breish presented Motion Q and read as follows: I move that Borough Council authorize the Borough Manager to accept the proposal from Keystone Engineering Group to provide System Integration Services for the WWTP Blower & Aeration System Upgrades not to exceed $149,900.00. Motion seconded by Councilwoman Razzak and unanimously approved. Agenda Item #10 – Information Items Mayor’s Report: Mayor Herbert 1. On August 23rd I attended the YMCA’s Global Explorers Camp final day of camp celebration where students and teachers shared all that they learned about the multitude of cultures they learned about throughout their week of camp. As I said in my speech, it is critical that we continue to immerse our families, but especially our children, in global experiences that broaden all of our horizons. As a community, we thrive when we learn about the cultural experiences of our neighbors because it makes Lansdale a better and more interesting place to live, work, and play. 2. On August 24th I attended our annual Founders Day events and, in particular, our opening ceremony where I had the honor of helping celebrate Anne Scheuring’s well deserved Lifetime Achievement Award. I would like to thank Anne for her service to our community and to thank all the Borough Staff, volunteers, and Discover Lansdale organizers who helped make our annual celebration a huge success. 3. On September 7th I had the honor of helping the owners of More Than Fish cut the ribbon at the grand opening of their new store located on Main Street. The owners of the store could not be more excited to share their passion and their vision with our community and we wish them nothing but the best as they help Lansdale continue to grow and improve! 4. On September 8th I helped celebrate the life and times of Charlie the Cat who sadly perished in White’s Road Park. As I shared in my proclamation, Charlie was a special cat that helped bring our community together. Around a hundred people showed up to celebrate Charlie and it was a touching moment of unity for all those who have ever loved a furry friend. 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 5 of 7  5. On September 9th I met with County Commissioner Jamila Winder, County Staff from Health and Human Services, and members of council to discuss the ongoing need for a comprehensive and immediate solution to our challenges around the unhoused. It was a productive discussion around how we can continue to work toward our shared goal and it is my hope that we will have more updates on this topic as we head into the fall. I would like to thank all the members of council who have supported the effort to develop a solution that meets the needs of our whole community. Your teamwork, partnership, and engagement is deeply appreciated. 6. On September 17th I issued a proclamation for our local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their annual celebration of Constitution Day. As I shared in my proclamation, the constitution is the guardian of our liberties and embodies our commitment to working, tirelessly and continuously, to form a more perfect union for all of us. Solicitor’s Report: Patrick Hitchens 1. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding ordinance matters including DBOD text and map amendments. – Approximately 4.3 hours. 2. Communications with Borough staff and follow-up work relating to sewer/ waste water department matters. - Approximately 2.5 hours. 3. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding records requests and right-to-know matters. – Over 10 hours. 4. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding litigation including assessment appeal matters. - Approximately 3.0 hours. 5. Communications with Borough staff and related follow-up work regarding miscellaneous Borough matters including compliance, contract review, and land development. – Approximately 2.8 hours. Borough Manager’s Report: John Ernst 1. The Electric department energized the new 7.5MVA (Mega Volt Amp) substation at East Mt. Vernon on Monday. This new unit replaces an outdated 1978 5MVA transformer and switchgear. This $2M investment will serve a large portion of the southeastern part of the Borough. This unit also has a lot more capacity for future load growth here in Lansdale. Thank you to our customers and Borough Council for funding this much needed project. 2. Megan Lewis, Recreation Specialist, was accepted into the Leadership Academy hosted by the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society. The Leadership Academy is an exclusive opportunity for emerging leaders in the parks and recreation industry. In addition to being accepted into the program, Megan also received a scholarship covering 85% of the tuition. (FYI with scholarship it’s only $75) 3. In 2024 LPD began the process of applying for re-accreditation with the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. This process will ensure all members of the LPD are adhering to best practices in all department operations including a comprehensive review of department polices, practices, and facilities to ensure we are in compliance with the highest standards in our industry. The policy review portion was completed in July and our on-site facilities assessment will be completed on October 18, 2024. This process is very demanding and requires input from every member of the team. We expect to receive the re-accreditation by the end of October 2024, which will last for three years. 4. Earlier this year, Council approved $250,000 as a set-aside for purchasing good-quality used vehicles/equipment from the state-wide purchasing platform known as “Munici-bid.” I will provide a detailed list of the specifics in my weekly update to Council later this week. In the meantime, we have acquired four (4) vehicles and a piece of machinery for a total of $89k, where a purchase new value would be approximately $155k. I’d like to 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 6 of 7  thank Council for allocating the funding which has provided us the flexibility to look for good quality vehicles for a fraction of the cost. Comments for the good of Council: Mayor Herbert – Community Day at the North Penn Mosque at the mosque is this Saturday starting at 10:00am. Old Business None New Business None Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm. 9/18/2024 Business Meeting Page 7 of 7