Council Committee of the Whole

August 5, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The August 5, 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 and Joseph Kirkland. Also present were Manager Mark Flanders, Assistant Manager Erica Weekley, Solicitor Charles Garner, Mayor Sharon Valentine -Thomas and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. Vice President Gery was absent. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Reverend Mary Etta Mest of the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp referred to the minutes distributed. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison / Transportation – Ms. Weekley reported on the successful walking restaurant mixer sponsored by the Chamber. She added that a public walk/bike meeting is scheduled for August 19th. Ms. Weekley reported that the film festival, In Focus is in progress and is listed on the website and the Colebrookdale Railroad will host a baseball event on August 9th in Memorial Park. c. Transportation – Councilor Kulp advised that there will be a meeting in September. d. Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland provided an overview of the summer programs. e. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. f. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committee – Councilor Miller advised that the Ad hoc Zoning Committee is working on conditional uses, impervious building coverage and set-back requirements. The Animal Review Committee is working with the Solicitor regarding new language and should be prepared for the September meeting. Councilor Kulp reported on the recent successful event in Memorial Park with another scheduled for September. She also referred to several letters received for the Bicentennial event scheduled for September 13th in conjunction with the Carousel of Flavor. PRESENTATION – BISHOP EVERETT VAN DEBNAM, D.D. Mayor Thomas provided a brief background on Bishop Everett Van Debnam, pastor of Invictus Church, Pottstown. Mayor Thomas announced that Reverend Debnam is officially August 5, 2015 reappointed as the Chaplain of the Pottstown Police Department. She explained the presence of Reverend Debnam at numerous crime scenes, counseling sessions and visits throughout the various departments in Borough Hall. Bishop Debnam accepted the official reappointment for the position of Chaplain for the Borough of Pottstown and the Pottstown Police Department as sanctioned by the International Conference of Police Chaplains, in the presence of his family and officers of the Department. PRESENTATION – MONTCO 2040 Matthew Edmond and Donna Fabry were present and provided the transportation initiatives and highlights of the new Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Fabry shared the goals of the Montco 2040 Shared Vision Plan. She reviewed the services of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, including the environmental planning, GIS and mapping and County-wide planning. Mr. Edmond added that the three themes for the Plan are Connected Communities, Sustainable Places and a Vibrant Economy. He also highlighted the proposed improvements to Route 422, Route 353 in Trooper and the Armand Hammer and Stowe interchanges. HOUSING VISIONS, 341 BEECH STREET Heather Schroeder was present for Housing Visions and explained the firm’s request for zoning relief regarding the parking requirements. She advised that Housing Visions has acquired two additional parcels to address the parking concerns of Council and the neighbors and is seeking relief from the Borough’s parking requirements. Solicitor Garner confirmed that the use of the property was granted last year regarding the commercial and residential aspects. Now the applicant is seeking relief of the Zoning Ordinance requirements regarding parking and signage. If this relief is granted, the next step would be a land development plan. He explained that the three options for Council are to oppose, support or simply take no position and pass on to the Zoning Hearing Board for its action. Ms. Schroeder added that if conditions are granted, construction could begin by February 2016 with a 2017 occupancy. Councilor Weand recommended that this matter be listed for Council action on Monday evening having a letter sent to the Zoning Hearing Board refusing to accept these variances. President Toroney noted that it would be listed. DORIS COLE, 562 BEECH STREET Solicitor Garner explained the variance relief requested by Doris Cole to cover a portion of brick with an alternate material for property located at 562 Beech Street. August 5, 2015 Councilor Procsal recommended that this be forwarded to the Zoning Hearing Board for action. JOSEPH GOLIGHTLY, 619 STATE STREET Councilor Miller commented that she inspected the property and recommended Council send a letter of support to the Zoning Hearing Board to allow the applicant to cover a portion of the brick with vinyl siding. FERRIS GRIFFIN, 335 CHESTNUT STREET Councilor Miller expressed opposition on the request of Ferris Griffin to allow a rooming house at the property located at 335 Chestnut Street. Councilor Procsal noted that the property is owner-occupied and recommended it be passed on to the Zoning Hearing Board. CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBILITY LIST Chief Drumheller explained the present and upcoming vacancies and requested that Council certify the Civil Service Eligibility List and requested authorization to proceed with the hiring of three police officers. President Toroney noted that these would be listed for consideration on Monday’s agenda. TRAFFIC STUDIES Chief Drumheller provided the following recommendations on recently conducted traffic studies. a. Center Avenue – recommended a reduction of speed from 35 mph to 25 mph. b. Wilson Street – working on additional enforcement with no change at this time. c. Oak Street – recommended parking modifications to accommodate Bause Catering. d. Beech Street – working with The Hill School and residents. These recommendations will be listed on the regular agenda. SIDEWALK ORDINANCE (Flexi-pave) Solicitor Garner reviewed the draft ordinance as recommended by the ad hoc zoning review committee and requested authorization to advertise the ordinance. MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Manager Flanders advised that a spread sheet with the budget adjustments and as recommended by the Finance committee, will be emailed to Councilors prior to Monday evening. President Toroney noted that these items will be listed on the regular agenda. August 5, 2015 EAC APPOINTMENTS CODES BOARD OF APPEALS President Toroney advised that a request from Maureen Piraino has been received for reappointment to the Environmental Advisory Council. There remains an open term on the EAC and one vacancy on the Codes Board of Appeals. He added that the reappointment would be listed on Monday’s agenda. HARB Mr. Flanders reviewed the application for HARB Certificates of Appropriateness for the following properties: a. 134 King Street – to replace and repaint siding b. 20 North Franklin Street – to replace cornices with FRP and replacement of banding c. 65 North Hanover Street – replace side porch and siding in rear Mr. Flanders also recommended that Council ratify the action of the Building Permit Officer for Certificates of Appropriateness for the property located at 80 North Hanover Street to repair or replace rotten soffits and cornices. The HARB matters will be listed on the regular agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Sheila Dugan, 17 North Hanover Street – provided an update on events including the recent restaurant event sponsored by the TriCounty Chamber. She added that PDIDA is working with the Pottstown FARM, Farm and Artisan Regional Market. Ms. Dugan also reported on the recent sales of downtown properties. b. Ron Williams, 245 Walnut Street – thanked Video Ray for its revitalization efforts in the downtown. He also provided an update on the Save the Lights Project and noted that a fundraiser is scheduled for August 7th at the High School. Mr. Williams also urged Councilor to oppose any variance issues requested by the Pottstown Cluster for the property located at 61 North Franklin Street. He added that the School Board opposes the variance. President Toroney advised that no application has come from the Cluster on this issue. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Miller commented that she would support the request of Mr. Williams and the School Board. She also thanked all involved with the successful National Night Out events. She also reminded all of the upcoming MiniGolf and Pet Fair events. August 5, 2015 Mayor Thomas thanked all for their attendance at various events this past weekend including the Penn Village Family reunion and the National Night Out. She also commended the Montgomery County Police and Safety Departments for their efforts during the Papal visit. President Toroney also commented on the successful events throughout the Borough. He added that a recent meeting was held with Congressman Costello and the unfunded expenses during the Papal visit and Stormwater management regulations that will impact numerous budgets. President Toroney added that he had the opportunity to discuss the Keim Street Bridge, the Keystone Boulevard Extension and Regional Rail system with Congressman Costello. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 8:50 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager