Council Committee of the Whole

March 4, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The March 4, 2015 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 Manager Mark Flanders, Assistant Manager Erica Weekley, Solicitor Charles Garner and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas was absent. INVOCATION President Toroney requested a moment of silence. ADD-ON’S President Toroney noted that two positions on the Historic Architectural Review Board will be added to Monday’s agenda. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp noted that the minutes were distributed. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Weekley noted she would have a joint report with PDIDA for Monday evening. President Toroney added that the Tractor Supply Store will not be leaving Pottstown, only adding another store in the Gilbertsville area. c. Transportation – Councilor Kulp advised that the next meeting is March 18th. d. Ricketts Community Center – There was no report. e. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. f. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committee – Councilor Miller commended Sergeant Rathgeb for scheduling the meeting with the Berks County Humane Society. Changes to the Animal Ordinance will be presented in April. Councilor Miller urged all to report any animal abuse immediately to the proper authorities. Solicitor Garner explained the changes proposed by the committee. He noted that the changes include definition clarifications and parking requirements bases on staff and uses of facility. Mr. Garner requested authorization to move forward with advertising a public hearing on this matter. March 4, 2015 Councilor Kulp advised that Parks & Recreation Director Michael Lenhart has scheduled numerous groups and events highlighting the Bicentennial Celebrations. President Toroney noted that a suggestion was made to have flags replaced throughout town and also along King Street for the Carousel and Colebrookdale Railroad. PRESENTATION - PROCLAMATION - MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Present Toroney, on behalf of the Mayor, presented a proclamation to Karen McNear to acknowledge MS Awareness Week in the Borough. PRESENTATION – FIRE CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE Kevin Yerger, Chairman of the Consolidation Committee and Chief of Goodwill Fire Station was present, along with John Muir, Attorney representing the Consolidation Committee, Tom Braber, North End Fire Chief and Brian Seirocinski, Empire Hook & Ladder Company Fire Chief. Mr. Yerger read a prepared statement outlining the history and process of merging the four fire companies. He also reviewed the operations and compositions of the four companies. Mr. Yerger also highlighted the benefits of a merger and consolidation. A brief comment period occurred among the Councilors regarding, volunteers, response times and coverage of the Borough. Attorney Muir commented that the process of the merger could not occur sooner than 60 to 90 days. He added that the Phillies are still invited to join the merger. President Toroney noted an extension of the consolidation to expire June 30th will be listed on Monday’s agenda and requested monthly reports if an extension were granted. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN 2015 Manager Flanders advised that there is a requirement every two years to adopt an Emergency Management Plan and requested that a resolution be listed on the agenda. CLOSED LOOP EXTENSION Mr. Flanders also referred to a request from Traffic Planning and Design for a six-month extension to September 30, 2015 for the final design phase of the Closed Loop System. Mr. Yerger added that the bids should be out in the near future for this project. RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNITS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Solicitor Garner reviewed the proposed changes to the Rental Registration Ordinance amendments. He noted Council’s previous concerns regarding annual inspections and the inability of staff to accomplish. Solicitor Garner advised that timing is now being considered for a by- March 4, 2015 annual or every 24 months inspections. He added that the fees will also be determined. Mr. Place added that at this time, three full-time inspectors are available for rental inspections. Solicitor Garner suggested that a motion to advertise the ordinance would be appropriate for the regular agenda and the draft ordinance could be placed on the website for review. KEIM STREET BRIDGE Mr. Flanders advised that a letter was received from the Montgomery County Commissioners’ office seeking a resolution in replacing or repairing the Keim Street Bridge. There was also a request seeking any interest from the Borough in taking possession of the existing truss bridge for pedestrian use. It was the consensus of Council to reply to the County that this would be an undue financial burden on the Borough. FARMERS MARKET – READING LOT Mr. Flanders explained the request of Brian Steer and PDIDA to establish a Farmer’s Market and the use of the Reading Lot. President Toroney advised that the concept will be listed for approval on Monday evening. SCHUYLKILL RIVER SOJOURN- JUNE 10, 2015 POTTSTOWN RUMBLE – JUNE 27 & 28, 2015 INDEPENDENCE DAY – JULY 4, 2015 Manager Flanders reviewed the various requests for upcoming events in the Borough Parks and requested these be listed for approval on the regular agenda. LAWN MAINTENANCE BID AWARDS Mr. Yerger referred to the bid tabulation for the water and sewer right of way lots, the islands and the Airport and recommended the lowest bidders as per the bid tabulation. He requested that the bids for the boom mower be rejected. HARB Mr. Flanders recommended that Council ratify the action of the Building Permit Officer for a Certificate of Appropriateness for property located at 701/703 East High Street to change the face of existing business sign. March 4, 2015 COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Jacalyn Harmansky, 1008 Pine Street – expressed a concern regarding the statement that time doesn’t matter in association with the response time from the fire companies. She advised that house fires are the third leading cause of fatal injuries in the nation. Ms. Harmansky also noted that in five years, no one asked the residents of the Borough for their opinion or informed them of the Borough’s pending decision to consolidate the fire companies. b. George Harmansky (Jr.), 1008 Pine Street – commented on recent statements of the Newly tapped Fire Chief regarding response times, cost savings and the lack of a written plan. He also questioned the single position paper and Council’s knowledge of how this benefits the taxpayers. Mr. Harmansky stated that prior to joining the Phillies Fire Company, he was turned down by the other three companies. c. Doug Breidenbach, Esq., 1800 East High Street – spoke on behalf of the Phillies Fire Company. He noted that the question of why there is a need for a merger remains unanswered. Mr. Breidenbach urged Council members to consider their votes carefully. d. Dianne Krumm, 275 North Hanover Street – Thanked all the first responders for their efforts. She also expressed a concern regarding the comment that response time doesn’t matter. Ms. Krumm also commented that the end result will be a professional fire company and will be unionized, which the Borough taxpayers cannot afford. She urged Council to reconsider and postpone the vote for a merger. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Procsal noted that he received numerous calls regarding the merger and will take these under consideration. Councilor Miller also thanked the fire personnel for their ongoing efforts. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 8:45 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager