Council Committee of the Whole

December 3, 2014 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The December 3, 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, Assistant Manager Erica Weekley, Solicitor Charles Garner and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Mayor Thomas. PRESENTATION – LIFE SAVING AWARDS TO FIREFIGHTERS Fire Chief Richard Lengel presented lifesaving awards to three members of the Pottstown Fire Department and one to a member of the Sanatoga Fire Department. Battalion Chief Chad Quinter and Firefighter Brad Reinert received life-saving awards for an incident on April 28, 2014 which occurred on King Street. Chief Rick Brendlinger of Sanatoga Fire Company and Steve Smola received exceptional awards as well. PRESENTATION – WINDOW DECORATING David Hollenbach, POST Halloween Extravaganza, was present along with members of the MOM’s Club, to present the October Window Decorating Contest to the three winning entities. The awards were presented to the O’Rourke Family, the Pottstown Roller Derby Rock Stars and Honorable Mention awards to Jaylynn Kennedy and Sarah Kulp. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Miller referred to the minutes distributed and urged Council to approve the use of the impervious paving material for tree surroundings as well as other contractor recommended uses. Mr. Yerger provided an update on the electronic sign being installed in front of Borough Hall. There was a brief discussion regarding the color of the signs and it was the consensus of Council to remain with the color amber, as is already committed on the first sign. b. Safety – Councilor Gery announced that the December 8th meeting is cancelled. He added that there is a proposal to switch street light system to an LED lighting system for safety and economic benefits. December 3, 2014 Chief Drumheller added that he is making efforts to encourage all business owners to install security cameras around their buildings. He also informed Council of the efforts being made in the Police Department to resolve the recent crimes, which includes the assistance of the District Attorney’s office. Chief Drumheller also urged all citizens to get involved and report any crime activity to the Police. He also informed Council that cameras have been made available to the Police vehicles by a $68,000 grant and is also investigating the use of body cameras. Mayor Thomas praised the Police Department for its efforts in solving the recent crimes. She also commended the financial officers and staff for economic efforts in order to attract investors to the town. c. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Weekley advised that the Montgomery County Community College received recognition and its bronze Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) designation from the U. S. Coalition for Bicycles, Washington, D. C. League of American Bicyclists as being a Bicycle Friendly University. She also noted that the November 29th Small Business Saturday was a success. d. Transportation – Councilor Kulp announced the Airport closure ended November 20th and construction will resume in the spring. The next meeting is December 17th. e. Ricketts Community Center – There was no report. f. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. g. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committee – Councilor Miller reported that a volunteer policy is being updated along with discussion on the Animal Control Officer Agreement. Councilor Miller referred to the changes being recommended to the parking section of the Zoning Ordinance and requested Council’s approval to advertise the amendment. Councilor Weand agreed, noting that these changes are recommended for only new construction or conversion projects. Councilor Kulp referred to the draft schedule of events for the Bicentennial celebrations. PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY BID AWARD Solicitor Garner explained that the bids for the Public Works Facility were opened on October 7, 2014 with the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder being E. R. Stuebner. He also referred to an outline provided by the Borough Manager, comparing the Borough’s proposed facility with that of Limerick Township’s. President Toroney advised that the cost to date for the facility is $470,000, which includes the cost of purchasing the property. December 3, 2014 Councilor Weand requested that the Solicitor incorporate a “not to exceed” amount of the $4,074,000 bid amount. Solicitor Garner suggested that certain cost overruns cannot be guaranteed. If any changes need to be addressed they would come before Council for approval and that he would make every attempt to include verbiage in the contracts. Councilor Gery moved to award the construction bid for the Public Works Facility, 10 Rice Street, to E.R. Stuebner, Inc. in the amount of $4,074,000, with any change orders or overages to come before Council. Mr. Weand seconded the motion. President Toroney opened a public hearing at 7:50 p.m. Hearing no public comments, the hearing closed at 7:51 p.m. President Toroney requested a roll-call vote. Gery yes Procsal yes Kirkland yes Weand yes Kulp yes Toroney yes Miller yes Motion carried: 7 ayes. RESOLUTION – DISCLOSURE SELF-REPORTING/MCDC INITIATIVE Ms. Lee explained the necessity of adopting the Resolution similar to a resolution recently adopted by the Authority to allow for self-reporting and disclosures of any financial concerns under the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Initiative (MCDC) and to remain in compliance with the Securities Exchange Commission. President Toroney advised that this Resolution has been executed with the approval of the Finance Committee due to timing constraints and requested that Council ratify the action at the regular meeting. COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD – TAX EXONERATION 1410 OLD GLASGOW STREET Nathaniel Guest, Executive Director of the Colebrookdale Trust, explained that the property was transferred to the Trust in April 2014 and requested a letter of support from the Borough to go before the Montgomery County Board of Assessments for a tax exemption status. He was also seeking the exoneration of the 2014 taxes. Solicitor Garner commented that if tax exempt status would be granted, it would be for the 2016 taxes and therefore may be premature in issuing a letter of support to the Trust. It was the consensus of Council to postpone a letter of support until the Trust receives official tax-exempt status from Montgomery County. FIRE SERVICES AGREEMENT – 90 EXTENSION December 3, 2014 Solicitor Garner reviewed the present agreements and the notification of termination for the four fire companies to be December 31, 2014. He explained the request of the companies for a one-time 90-day extension of the consolidation to resolve several outstanding issues and the recommendation of Staff to allow for the extension to March 31, 2015. President Toroney noted that this would be listed on the regular agenda. NON-UNIFORM PENSION PLAN ORDIANCNE Solicitor Garner reviewed the draft ordinance to establish the new Borough operated Non-uniform Pension plan to be in effect January 1, 2015. He added that an RFP has been advertised for the plan administrator and recommended the ordinance be listed for adoption. President Toroney noted the requirement of an elected official on the Board and volunteered his service. These matters will be listed on the regular agenda. RENTAL ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Solicitor Garner noted that the proposed ordinance amendment establishing annual inspections for rental units is not yet finalized and recommended it be considered in January. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SERVICES – BID AWARD MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE SERVICES – BID AWARD TOWING LICENSES BID AWARD Mr. Flanders reviewed the specifications on the bids for the Property Maintenance, Trash Bid and the Towing bids and requested these be listed for award at the regular meeting. PLANNING – 256-260 STORB SUBDIVISION Solicitor Garner advised that this is a simple subdivision with no development and suggested approval of the four waivers and the conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission. This matter will be listed for approval on Monday’s agenda. ZONING – HANOVER COURT APARTMENTS -371 NORTH HANOVER STREET Solicitor Garner reviewed the application of the Hanover Court Apartments for new signage and new name for the Apartments. It was the consensus of Council to take no action and forward to the Zoning Hearing board. December 3, 2014 YEAR-END ITEMS President Toroney reviewed the list of items to be address on Monday evening and requested these be listed for approval. BOARD VACANCIES President Toroney also reviewed the open positions on boards and committees along with the upcoming terms for the New Year. He urged interested parties to correspond with the Borough Manager. ADD-ON – RESOLUTION DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR Ms. Lee reviewed the requirement of the County to name a deputy tax collector for the elected Tax Collector, with a January deadline and requested approval on Monday’s agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT Dianne Krumm, 275 North Hanover Street – commented that she supports the use of cameras and more lighting in the area and recommended that this be a requirement under new construction or renovations. Ms. Krumm also recommended that the size of the Police Department be increased and would not object to an increase in taxes to do so. Mr. Yerger advised that it may increase the cost of construction by $4,000 to $5,000. President Toroney referred these recommendations to the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Council members wished all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:50 p.m. for one item of judicial deliberation. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Attested, December 3, 2014 Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager