Council Committee of the Whole

July 9, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The July 9, 2014 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 6:30 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. CONDITIONAL USE HEARING – 557 HIGH STREET, LISA LUSCAN Solicitor Garner opened a Conditional Use hearing on the application of Lisa Luscan to permit the use of a hair salon blowtique at property located at 557 High Street. Ms. Luscan was present and testified on the proposed use of the property indicating there would be sufficient off-street parking and the proposed hours of operation. The hearing closed at 6:45 P.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Toroney advised that Council will go into executive session for one matter of collective bargaining and one of litigation. The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Mayor Thomas provided the invocation. PRESENTATION – HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Mayor Thomas presented the Human Relations Commission essay contest winners with the topic of Unity. Present were Mya Hassan, Davani Herring, and Luke Biehl, along with Ms. Wagner of the Rupert Elementary School. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Miller reported that a presentation was made regarding the use of Flexi-Pave. She added that the committee is recommending approval of the material for sidewalk repairs, subject to the guidelines of the Public Works Department. b. Safety – Councilor Gery noted that the next meeting is July 14th, 6:00 p.m. July 9, 2014 c. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Weekley reported that the Vist Complex project at 258 East High Street is nearing completion with the assistance of the Downtown Business Incentive program. Ms. Weekley also announced that DVRPC selected Pottstown for $1 million grant award for Walk/Bike Pottstown, partnering with the School District. She added that with the grant from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, the project will be shovel-ready. Ms. Weekley advised that the Riverfront Bridge replacement has arrived and will be in place in the near future. d. Transportation – Councilor Kulp advised that the Airport run-way was a topic of discussion with certain concerns regarding the length of the shut-down. Ms. Weekly added this project is through a PennDOT and Bureau of Aviation $2 million grant. The rehabilitation is weather permitting and noted that the last overlay occurred in the 1980’s. e. Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland advised that the minutes were distributed. Solicitor Garner advised that a final draft of the lease agreement has been sent to Olivet's for its review and should come before Council next month. f. Pottstown School Board – Mr. Williams announced that the Pottstown School Board was awarded a bronze metal through U.S. News and World report for its three elementary schools reconstruction project. Manager Flanders provided an update on the Spray Park and its closure. Certain reports were associated with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, and the Spray Park. The County Health Department was contacted and assured the Borough that the disease was not water borne but recommended the park be drained and scrubbed. The Park is in compliance with the County and State and has reopened on this date. Ms. Weekley also provided information of the On Your Park and Set Go competition for a $10,000 award through the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and urged all to vote daily at the Memorial Park. Presentation – Public Works Facility/Kimmel Bogrette Architects Andrew Dillon and Glenn Harris of Kimmel Bogrette Architects were present to provide a slide presentation with an update and the progress of the proposed Public Works Facility to be located at 10 Rice Street. Mr. Dillon advised that approval was received at last month’s Planning Commission meeting and requested authorization from Council to proceed with the Land Development Plan for the $3 million project. July 9, 2014 Solicitor Garner added that the site plan and impact to neighboring properties was reviewed at the Planning Commission and referred to the Engineer’s July 3rd letter, noting the recommendation of the seven waivers, which are technical in nature. President Toroney advised that this project would be listed for approval on Monday’s agenda. Message Sign Manager Flanders referred to the graphic of the Borough Hall message sign. He added that part of the Waste Management allocation was earmarked for the purpose of gateway signage. Mr. Flanders advised that comparative pricing is still being reviewed. Mr. Yerger added that the color scheme can be reviewed as well. Falls of French Creek Solicitor Garner explained the process of advertising the Borough’s painting, Falls of French Creek, with the request for a minimum bid of $4,000. He noted that the bids open on July 10th and request the award be listed for Monday evening. Bid Awards – Materials Mr. Yerger reviewed the bid tabulations for the Concrete Curb and Sidewalk project, the Street Sweeping and the Sanitary Sewer Televising project. He noted that the bids were within budget and requested the awards be awarded as recommended by Staff and review of the Solicitor. Tax Collection Agreement President Toroney recused himself from any discussion regarding the Tax Collection Agreement. Vice President Gery resumed the Chair and explained that the proposed agreement will memorialize the process and service-share agreement that has been done in the past. Mr. Flanders advised that the actual processing of taxes has been moved from the School District to the Borough with all operations being handed within the Borough. He added that the School District has approved this agreement and requested that it be listed for Council’s approval. Zoning – 398 Circle of Progress – Tabernacle Ministries Solicitor Garner explained the application for zoning relief from the Tabernacle Ministries requesting to use the property located at 398 Circle of Progress for a Sunday morning worship service and a Wednesday Bible Study. July 9, 2014 Councilor Kulp requested this be listed for possible action on Monday evening. Ad Hoc Zoning Committee President Toroney appointed an Ad Hoc Zoning Committee with Councilor Weand as Chairperson, Councilors Miller and Procsal and Licensing & Inspections Director Keith Place, along with Solicitor Garner. He also requested a member of the Zoning Hearing Board be contacted. Auditing Services Manager Flanders advised that Staff is recommending the reappointment of Maillie, LLC as the Borough’s and the Authority’s auditors for the next two years. President Toroney noted that as best practice, the auditing services should be reviewed every six years. Sly Fox Request Manager Flanders also explained the request of Sly Fox Brewery for the use of Borough property for overflow parking for the September 27, 2014 Can Jam event and also for May 3, 2015 Bock Fest/Goat Race event. President Toroney noted that these matters would be listed for action on Monday’s agenda. HARB Mr. Flanders reviewed the application for a HARB certificate for the property located at 59 North Hanover Street to replace wood siding. HARB (Administratively Approved) Manager Flanders also reviewed the recommendation for Certificates of Appropriateness for the following properties: a. 125 King Street – installation of gate b. 248 Beech Street – replace existing windows These HARB matters will be listed on the regular agenda. COUNCILORS GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Miller noted that the Pet Fair is scheduled for September 20th. She added that the July clean up is scheduled for July 26th, 7:00 a.m. July 9, 2014 Mayor Thomas advised that she met with the July 4th committee and commended all for their efforts. She also advised that the Capstone Institute will begin the Faith Based Initiative workshop. Mayor Thomas also provided statistics with police calls as related to Landlord/Tenant issues. Ms. Weekley reported on the grand opening of the Mini-Golf. Councilor Gery also thanked the citizens and all involved in the Independence Day events. He recommended that next year’s event planning should begin immediately. Councilor Kirkland also noted that a Joint Ward 6 and 7 meeting is being planned and will provide additional information at Monday’s meeting. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Marcia Levengood, 42 Walnut Street – requested Council’s consideration in appointing Independence Day LTD as lead entity for the 2015 Bicentennial Committee. President Toroney advised that Staff will meet initially and assign a committee. b. Ron William, 245 Walnut Street – advised that funding has begun for the field lighting through a donation from the Wolf Baldwin Law Firm. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager