Council Committee of the Whole

August 6, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The August 6, 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, 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. Councilor Kulp was absent. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Mayor Thomas. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – There was no report. b. Safety – Councilor Gery referred to the minutes distributed and advised that the next meeting is scheduled for Monday evening. c. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Weekley referred to the second issue of Momentum, which is listed on the website. She added that the street light project is near completion and the Chestnut Street street-scape project is waiting for approval. d. Transportation – President Toroney noted that Airport issues are listed on the agenda. e. Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland referred to the report distributed. f. Pottstown School Board – Mr. Williams provided an update on the Rupert School renovations and new school programs. He also advised that he attended last evening’s National Night Out. SWEARING IN POLICE OFFICERS Mayor Thomas read the orders and swore in new Officers Brett Cortis and Matthew Maciejewski in the presence of Police Chief Richard Drumheller and their families and friends. PRESENTATION POTTSTOWN HALF-MARATHON – SLY FOX TRACK CLUB Manager Flanders advised that Chris Bayless of the Sly Fox Track Club will be present on Monday evening to request approval for a half-marathon to be scheduled in July 2015. August 6, 2014 BETTER LANDLORD PROGRAM Mr. Flanders also referred to the outline of the Better Landlord program to compile data regarding problems and unidentified rental properties throughout the Borough. The cost of the program is $18,500 and requested Council’s authorization to move forward. Councilor Miller requested assurance that the data would be available to upload into the Borough’s systems. Mr. Place noted he would contact the officials and have an answer prior to Monday evening. Mayor Thomas commented that the initial investigation should be the appropriation of Section 8 housing, which should also be accessible through the County, free of charge. She added that she wanted to be on record that she is sensitive to this type of issue. OLIVET BOYS & GIRLS CLUB AGREEMENT Solicitor Garner presented the draft five-year lease agreement between the Olivet’s to begin September 1, 2014, with the funding to be approximately $40,000 per year. Councilor Kirkland expressed certain concerns reported to him from the Staff at the Center. President Toroney noted that the concerns should be addressed through the proper channels and would have the lease listed for Monday evening. FAMILY DOLLAR STORE LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN - 90 DAY EXTENSION Solicitor Garner explained the request of the Family Dollar Plan developers requesting an additional 90-day extension due to the fact that they have not yet received their PennDOT permit. Mr. Garner recommended this request to Council. FEXI-PAVE PROJECT Mr. Flanders explained that part of the Waste Management proceeds were designated to Trees, Inc. for the tree-damaged sidewalks. He also explained the proposal of Trees, Inc. for the use of flexi-pave as an alternative solution for sidewalk repair. Mr. Flanders added that a presentation was made by Tom Hylton to the Infrastructure Committee and the Committee is recommending moving forward with this test project in the area of North Hanover Street. Mr. Hylton was present and provided a brief explanation of the use of this product. He added that Pottstown would be the first municipality in the State to use this product, which would allow for State funding and the possibility of grants. August 6, 2014 KEYSTONE GRANT – LETTER OF SUPPORT President Toroney advised that as per Mr. Green’s request at last month’s meeting, a letter of support to the Keystone Grant Program for the Library’s rehabilitation will be listed on the agenda. PENNDOT CAPITAL GRANT FY14-15, TRANSIT AMENITIES Ms. Weekley explained the request to submit applications to the PennDOT Capital grant Transit Amenities to include bike racks for the PART buses and also the BigBelly Solar Compactors trash and recycling bins for the downtown. POTTSTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT - FBO Ms. Weekley requested authorization to move forward with the process of selecting a new Fixed Based Operator for the Pottstown Airport. She explained that Fare Share, Limerick, PA, is Staff’s recommendation after reviewing the proposals received. These transit items will be listed on the agenda. POW WOW EVENT – MAY 2 & 3, 2015 Mr. Flanders reviewed the request of the Lenape Native Americans for use of Memorial Park for its May 2 & 3, 2015 Pow Wow Event. IRON HORSE SHOW – JUNE 27, 2015 The Manager also advised that the Gospel Riders has requested to hold its Motorcycle event on High Street on June 27, 2015 to coincide with the Pottstown Rumble. President Toroney noted that these events will be listed on the agenda for approval. ANIMAL ORDINANCE REVIEW President Toroney appointed an Ad hoc Animal Ordinance review committee to include Councilor Miller as Chairperson, along with himself and additional staff members as assigned by the Borough Manager and reviewed by the Solicitor. ZONING – 211 NORTH YORK STREET – SULLIVAN ANGELUCCI Solicitor Garner reviewed the application of Sullivan Angelucci, for a dimensional variance for use of the first floor as a residential unit. August 6, 2014 Councilor Miller expressed concerns and requested Council send a letter of opposition and authorize her to attend the hearing. ZONING – 76 NORTH FRANKLIN STREET Solicitor Garner also explained the request of William Miller for use of the former Empire Hood and Ladder Company located at 74-76 North Franklin Street as an indoor recreational facility. Councilor Procsal requested that Council send a letter of support to the Zoning Hearing Board and authorize him to appear at the hearing. These zoning matters will be listed for further discussion on the regular agenda. BOARD APPOINTMENT President Toroney reviewed the various vacancies on the Codes Board of Appeals, the Environment Advisory Commission and the Human Relations Commission and urged any interested parties to send a letter to the Borough Manager. HARB Mr. Flanders reviewed the application for a HARB certificate of appropriateness for the property located at 239 Chestnut Street for replacement of shingles and gutters. He also explained the request to ratify the action of the Building Permit Officer for the property at 935 High Street for the installation of a privacy fence. The HARB matters will be listed on the agenda. MID-YEAR BUDGET TRANSFERS Ms. Lee referred to the August 6, 2014 outline of the proposed budgetary transfers for the mid-year. She explained that each transfer is within that particular fund and requested authorization to complete the transfers, which have been reviewed and recommended by the Finance Committee. Ms. Lee did confirm that several unfilled positions resulted in certain surpluses in the various departments. President Toroney advised that this will be listed on Monday’s agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT Bruce Madara, 543 North Adams Street – commented on the Public Works project and the new Mini-Golf Park, both paid by grant money and not taxes. Mr. Madara also commented on the recent 7th Ward meeting, wherein he complained of serveral unkept properties. August 6, 2014 President Toroney confirmed that the Public Works facility is not being funded by a grant, adding that the facility will be made possible through a loan. Dianne Krumm, 275 North Hanover Street – spoke as a volunteer for the Colebrookdale Railroad and noted that a good neighborhood program would be good for Pottstown. Bonnie Heath, 850 Feist Avenue – expressed remarks to President Toroney and her concerns over the negativity against him. She added that for 16 years on Council and his prior service to the Borough, he has been an exemplary figure. Ms. Heath also praised the Council members and spouses, along with Staff members for their services. President Toroney commented that they all do what they do because they love this town. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Kirkland thanked all for attending the recent 6th and 7th Ward meeting. Councilor Gery reiterated Mr. Kirkland’s comments and thanked Staff for attending as well. Councilor Procsal thanked Councilor Miller for rescuing a cat and kittens from his property. Councilor Miller announced that the next 1st and 3rd Ward meeting will be at the Chestnut Street Park and will confirm the date at Monday’s meeting. She also thanked Ms. Heath for her comments. Mayor Thomas noted that she attended each National Night Out event last evening. She also reported on the activities at the Pennsylvania State Association of Mayors’ conference, noting that the common denominator for crime throughout boroughs is drug activity. Mayor Thomas also announced that she has scheduled meetings with Pottstown High School class officers to discuss school operations. President Toroney thanked Kurt Zwikl, Executive Director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Center, for his article and positive outlook in a recent Mercury article and for promoting Pottstown. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Attested, August 6, 2014 Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager