Council Committee of the Whole

October 8, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The October 8, 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 The invocation was provided by Mayor Thomas. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp noted that the minutes were provided. Councilor Miller added that at the last meeting, Councilor Kulp expressed a concern regarding the neglect of the west end of the Borough. Councilor Miller added that in June, the Borough voted unanimously to outsource the mowing of Borough properties at a cost of $36,000, which she regrets. She advised that she witnessed numerous neglected properties, through no fault of the Clean and Lien, which works under direction of a supervisor, wherein there may be a problem in the process. She also questioned the condition of Quinter and Edgewood Streets. Mr. Yerger responded that Quinter Street has been patched and Edgewood Street will be reconstructed next year. b. Safety – Councilor Gery advised that with Monday being a holiday, the meeting will be cancelled. c. Economic Development & Business Liaison – There was no report. d. Transportation – Councilor Kulp noted that the minutes were provided. e. Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland reviewed the minutes distributed. f. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. g. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committee – Councilor Miller advised that Ad hoc Animal Committee met at the Wastewater Treatment Plant to review the process at the kennels. She also reported that the Zoning Committee is currently reviewing the parking section. Councilor Miller also objected to any further costs being incurred on studies as there is a new certified director in the department. October 8, 2014 Councilor Kulp provided an update of the Bicentennial Committee with dates for events being reviews. MONTGOMERY COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY PLAN Jon Lesher, Senior Environmental Planner and Meredith Trego, Community Planner, of the Montgomery County Planning Commission were present to provide an overview and outline of municipal sustainability. Mr. Lesher advised that sustainability can be defined as the plan for the future, addressing the economy, quality of life issues and joint organized efforts, both internal and external. Mr. Lesher provided examples of the sustainability plan adopted by Cheltenham Township and Collegeville Borough. He added that the time period to complete the plan is twelve to eighteen months and approximately five years to implement the plan. Council President Stephen Toroney commented that the presentation was previously provided to the Pottstown Planning Commission with the recommendation to move forward with the process with the County being the facilitator. The County’s assistance is included with the contract the Borough has with the Montgomery County Planning Commission. He added that it would be listed for discussion on the regular agenda. PRESENTATION - SCORE Peter MacFarland and Jerry Stevick were present to provide a brief outline of services provided by SCORE, Service Core of Retired Executives, a non-profit agency presently located at the New York Plaza, 238-244 East High Street. Mr. MacFarland noted that a small stipend is provided each year by the Small Business Administration for operations and workshops. PRESENTATION – CLOSED LOOP SIGNALS PROJECT Don Jacobs, Traffic Planning and Design, was present to provide an update on the Pottstown Area Closed Loop Signal System Project. He explained the federally funded project for 39 intersections encompassing the Borough of Pottstown and Lower, Upper, West Pottsgrove, Limerick and North Coventry Townships. Mr. Jacobs reviewed the updated improvements to intersections, synchronization of signals, the LED period light poles and fixtures and additional design related items for the project. Mr. Jacobs noted that the project is scheduled for advertisement in 2015 and requested Council’s approval of a Resolution to submit the application for the project to PennDOT. PROCLAMATION – ALLIANCE FOR AVIATION ACROSS AMERICA Mayor Thomas requested that this be presented at the regular meeting. PART/SEPTA MOU October 8, 2014 Ms. Weekley advised that she has been working with the Solicitor to update the existing Memorandum of Understanding between PART and SEPTA and requested that the agreement be listed for approval on Tuesday’s agenda. These items will be addressed at the regular meeting. PENNEVIRONMENTAL – GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS President Toroney referred to the letter received from PennEnvironmental agency requesting adoption of a resolution addressing Global Warming Solutions. Councilor Gery commented that he is not in favor of any action on this resolution. There were no further comments. President Toroney noted that he will respond to the applicant that Council chose not to act at this time. PDIDA APPOINTMENTS Ms. Dugan referred to the letters of interest from Jeffrey Hartman and Burke Meyers for the open positions on the Board. These will be listed for consideration on the agenda. HOUSE BILL 1671 – EXECUTIVE SESSIONS Solicitor Garner referred to correspondence from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs regarding House Bill 1671, proposing to authorize recording of executive sessions. He is recommending Council authorize letters of opposition to state elected officials. SCHUYLKILL RIVER GREENWAY ASSOCIATION – TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT Ms. Weekley reviewed the request of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association to grant a temporary easement on Borough property for the Riverwalk Project. The easement would be approximately ¼ mile for the purpose of installing five interpretive centers. SLY FOX – LONG TERM LEASE FOR BOROUGH PROPERTY Manager Flanders explained the request of the Sly Fox Brewery for a long term use of Borough property for special events in exchange for maintaining the lot for the Borough. HALLOWEEN PARADE Manager Flanders also reviewed the request of the Parks and Recreation, Rotary and Ambucs for the October 22nd Halloween Parade to close High Street from York to Madison. President Toroney noted that these items would be listed for consideration on the regular agenda. October 8, 2014 PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY BID AWARD Manager Flanders advised that the bids for the Borough Garage are being reviewed with a meeting scheduled tomorrow and will provide information for Tuesday’s agenda. RINGING HILL EMERGENCY USE AGREEMENT Manager Flanders reviewed the draft agreement with Ringing Hill Fire Company for the use of its facility as an alternate site in case of emergencies. He explained that the cost would be $900 per day for the first 14 days and requested Council’s approval of the agreement. These items will be listed on the regular agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT Carla Edwards, 1156 South Street – expressed a concern that a neighbor has buried a dead cat adjacent to her property and requested that Council address the fact that no provisions prohibit this action within the Borough ordinances. President Toroney referred this matter to the Ad hoc Animal review committee. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Gery urged all to honor Columbus Day and enjoy the Halloween Parade. Councilor Procsal reminded all of the October 11th Pick-it-up Pottstown day. Councilor Miller advised that Ward 3 members will be participating in the clean-up. She added that there were 113 tables occupied at the recent Pet Fair with over 3,000 people in attendance. Mayor Thomas noted that she will attend a breakfast at the Elks on October 26th, along with several community events. She also advised that the House Tour is scheduled for December 14th. Mayor Thomas also provided her cell phone as a contact number for constituents. Ms. Weekley reported on the upcoming October 24th CARES project in conjunction with The Hill School, Pottstown School District, the Montgomery County Community College and the Cluster of Religious Communities and welcomed all to participate. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:30 p.m. for one item of personnel. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Attested, October 8, 2014 Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager