Council Committee of the Whole

May 7, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The May 7, 2014 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Toroney in the Council Meeting Room, Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 East High Street, Pottstown, PA. ATTENDANCE Councilors present were Ryan Procsal, Carol Kulp, Sheryl Miller, Stephen Toroney, Dan Weand, Travis Gery and Joseph Kirkland. Also present were Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas, Manager Mark Flanders, Solicitor Charles Garner and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. INVOCATION President Toroney requested a moment of silence. UPDATES President Toroney advised that the presentations by Maillie, LLC and Nathaniel Guest for the Colebrookdale project will occur in June. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp referred to the minutes distributed. b. Safety – Councilor Gery advised that the next meeting is May 12th. c. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Weekley announced that the Manatawny Green Golf Course will be opening on June 13th. President Toroney added that Haggerty Steel has broken ground with completion scheduled for September. d. Transportation – There was no meeting. e. Ricketts Community Center – The minutes were distributed. f. Pottstown School Board – Ron Williams provided an update on PEAK projects sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation. He also reported on several upcoming events with Staff and students, along with the 175th Anniversary events. Mr. Williams added that there will be a balloon release during these celebrations. Mr. Williams presented a plaque to Mayor Thomas and President Toroney from Senator Mensch for their participation and support of the recent Native American Festivities. May 7, 2014 OFFICER OF THE YEAR Mayor Thomas read and presented the commendation of the 2013 Officer of the Year to Officer Michael Breslin in the presence of his family, Chief of Police F. Richard Drumheller and fellow officers. PROCLAMATION – WEITZENKORN’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY Mayor Thomas presented a proclamation to Marc Weitzenkorn’s on the 150th Anniversary of the Men’s clothing store. Mr. Weitzenkorn provided a brief history of the family owned business. PRESENTATION – PETRA COMMUNITY HOUSING, 228 HIGH STREET Steve Kambric, Executive Director of Petra Community Housing, provided information on his company’s request to redevelop the property located at 227 East High Street into a mixed use commercial and affordable housing. He stated that there is no intention of becoming a Section 8 landlord but a housing developer that creates affordable housing and no interest in being tax exempt. Mr. Kambric noted that in order to apply for a grant, he would need the community’s support. He also noted that the offer on the initial site of 228 High Street could not be negotiated with the owner. After a brief discussion among Council, President Toroney advised that this would be listed for action on Monday’s agenda. PART – NEW CONTRACT WITH PART, INC. Ms. Weekley reviewed the upcoming contract with the Pottstown Area Rapid Transit System along with the operating budget for PART. She advised that the 2014-2015 budget would be $1,278,000, a 2% increase. She added that with the federal, state and county funding the budget amounts to approximately $2 million. SCHUYLKILL RIVER RESTORATION FUND – GRANT APPLICATION Ms. Weekley reported that the Schuylkill River Heritage has offered the opportunity for a grant for hydrodynamic devices to filter products from the River in coordination with the Stormwater arch system. The grant is in the amount of $127,000 with a local match of 25%, to include equipment and labor. The Heritage is looking for a commitment with the project to be implemented by December 2016. Councilor Weand noted that the Finance Committee is supporting this endeavor. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE May 7, 2014 Manager Flanders explained the need to update the existing Stormwater management ordinance to satisfy regulations of the Department of Environment Protection. He added that through the Authority Engineer application has been made for the permit. Mr. Flanders requested authorization to proceed with advertising the Stormwater Management Ordinance. He added that Mr. Weld will be making a presentation at the July meeting. President Toroney advised that these items would be listed on Monday’s agenda. NON-UNIFORM PENSION PLAN Solicitor Garner explained the slight modification to Ordinance 2117 changing the withdrawal date of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System from December 31, 2014 to January 1, 2015 and requested Council’s approval of the amended Ordinance. RADAR COALITION – HOUSE BILL 1272 & SENATE BILL 1340 Chief Drumheller reviewed the pending bills to allow local and municipal police the use of radar similar to the devices used by the Pennsylvania State Police. The Department currently uses Jamar speed timing devices. The Chief requested Council’s consideration to send letters of support to local legislators. OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL – CAMPING EVENT – JUNE 11, 2014 Manager Flanders requested Council’s consideration in allowing the Outward Bound School to conduct its camping event for Riverfront Park as part of the Schuylkill River sojourn. This will be listed on the regular agenda. HARB Mr. Flanders reviewed the applications for HARB certificates for the following properties: a. 1011 High Street – for roof replacement b. 60 North Hanover Street – replace air conditioning units c. 990 High Street – installation of business sign d. 359 King Street – for roof replacement The HARB matters will be listed for the regular meeting. COUNCILORS GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Gery urged all to celebrate the upcoming Memorial Day services. He also spoke in tribute to his recently deceased father, Neil H. Gery. Councilor Weand reminded all of the dance marathon to save the lights for the Pottstown School District, scheduled for May 24th. May 7, 2014 Councilor Procsal urged citizens to contact police if any suspicious activity is occurring. He also thanked the Police Department for its ongoing efforts and assistance. Councilor Miller noted that a Ward 3 clean-up is scheduled for May 17th, 9:00 a.m. and a 3rd Ward meeting on June 7th, 11:00 a.m. at Smith Family Plaza. Mayor Thomas requested volunteers for the dance marathon. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Judy Memberg, Genesis Housing – confirmed that Genesis is not leaving the Borough of Pottstown, to which may have been alluded earlier in this meeting. She added that although its guidelines have changed slighted, Genesis continues with neighborhood revitalization. b. Lisa Muller, 12 East 5th Street – spoke in favor and support of the conversion of the former Fecera’s building, specifically with the presence of the Art and Cultural services. c. Paul Pawlaczyk, 12 East 5th Street – also urged Council to approve the proposed Artist housing at the former Fecera’s building. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Toroney recessed the meeting to executive session at 8:45 p.m. for one item of collective bargaining and one of judicial deliberation. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager