Council Committee of the Whole

September 9, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The September 9, 2015 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 6:30 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, Mayor Sharon Valentine -Thomas and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. CONDITIONAL USE HEARING – P3 TOWERS, 1269 Industrial Highway Attorney Alex Glasman was present to represent Larry Romanowski regarding the application to lease a portion of the property located at 1269 Industrial Highway, owned by the Pottstown Borough Authority. The applicant proposes to construct a 150’ cell tower. Mr. Romanowski, along with Engineer Paul Dugan, explained the project and also requested a waiver of the Land Development process. Attorney Glassman added that all requirements with the FAA and PDT aviation have been met. The hearing closed at 7:10 p.m. CONDITIONAL USE HEARING – MIKE GVODAS, 856 East High Street Mike Gvodas was present and testified to the proposed use of the property located at 856 East High Street. Mr. Gvodas stated that his intent was to use the property as a business office and also use the existing garage for storage of lumber and power tools. The hearing closed at 7:25 p.m. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Bishop Everett Debnam. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp noted that the report was distributed. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Weekley provided an outline and highlights of the fall issue of Momentum. She also reported on the recent real estate transactions throughout the downtown. Ms. Weekley announced that the Colebrookdale Railroad received the Preserve America designation from the First Lady, Michelle Obama. September 9, 2015 c. Transportation – The next meeting is September 16th. 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 reported that the Ad hoc Zoning Committee continues to work on impervious space issues and set back requirements. She added that the proposed changes to the Animal Ordinance are listed on the agenda. Councilor Miller noted that the changes address animal cruelty and shelter requirements and explained that the amendments to the ordinance simplify the requirements of Title 18 of the Crimes Code. Councilor Kulp advised that final plans are made for the Bicentennial event scheduled for September 13th to coincide with the Carousel of Flavor event. She noted that Susan Branco, the designer of the 1965 logo and a 1965 Pottstown High graduate, will be present. FBO LEASE James Rouiller, Manager, Flite Elite, was present and provided a report for the events and accomplishments of the last year. He advised that the runway rehabilitation is completed and requested that Council approve a two-year lease extension for his services. PROCLAMATION DELLA HICKS, HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Mayor Thomas noted that Ms. Hicks was not available this evening. She added that a presentation would be made to Ms. Hicks at an upcoming Human Relations Commission meeting. PRESENTATION - LAUREL HOUSE Beth Sturman, Executive Director of Laurel House explained the services of Laurel House throughout Montgomery County. Stacey Sweinhart, Manager of the Domestic Abuse Response Team, was also present and explained the 24 hours hot-line and the process of using the services of Laurel House. Mark Levy, Montgomery County Prothonotary, explained the operation of his offices and urged residents to use these services. He added that a Pass-Port day is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th. SERGEANT & CORPORAL PROMOTIONS Chief Drumheller requested Council’s authorization to begin the process of establishing an eligibility list for promoting sergeants and corporals in the Police Department. September 9, 2015 TRAFFIC STUDIES Chief Drumheller advised that the studies conducted for Wilson Street and Beech Street will be resolved internally with no action requested by Council. WATER QUAILITY INLET BIDS Ms. Weekley advised that a grant through the Schuylkill River Heritage Area has been received for a specific water quality project. The bids were received for the hydrodynamic devises and the recommendation of Staff is to award the bid to Mason Dixon Contractors. Owen Hyne, Remington & Vernick, was present and explained the recommendation to award the bid to Mason Dixon in the amount of $40,695.05. HIGHWAY SAFETY GRANT Chief Drumheller requested approval to submit the annual application to PennDOT to assist with DUI Checkpoint and enforcements. LERTA Solicitor Garner referred to the draft ordinance distributed and explained the creation of the tax incentive for improvements to certain development and projects. He added that the School District is also working on similar language. Mr. Flanders added that the ordinance proposes to allow certain downtown businesses with residential units to qualify under LERTA. President Toroney advised that these matters will be listed for Monday’s agenda. YWCA PARKING Beth McGee was present to explain the request of the YWCA for five additional parking spaces in the King Street Lot at the reduced rate of $31 per space to coincide with the present agreement, which expires in December 2015. President Toroney advised that this would be listed for consideration on the regular agenda. FIRE SERVICE AGREEMENTS Solicitor Garner advised that the present Fire Service Agreements are due to expire September 30, 2015. He referred to the notice provided to the companies indicating a termination of the existing agreements if a consolidation to one entity occurred. President Toroney’s recommendation would be to withdrawn the intent to terminate and referred to an article in the PSAB Bulletin regarding consolidations of companies and incentives for volunteers. September 9, 2015 After a brief discussion among Council, it was the consensus to list for consideration on Monday evening. EMS & FIRE RADIOS Mr. Flanders explained the one-time offer from Montgomery County to assist in the purchase and replacement of new Emergency Management and Fire Department Radios. He noted that municipalities can either submit purchase orders for radios with payment due in full by December 31, 2015 or can provide an interest free loan. Mr. Flanders added that the four Fire Companies, Goodwill Ambulance and Fire Police have requested that the Borough underwrite their applications as the sponsoring municipality, which may be a $250,000 acquisition without considering the Police Department. Councilor Gery recommended that the Borough purchase the radios outright and have it become Borough equipment and lease to the various companies. Funding would come back to the Borough through the departments. Mr. Flanders requested this will be listed for action at the regular meeting as a response is due to the County by October 1st. CROSS STREET Bishop Debnam provided a background and the proposal to honor the late Newstell Marable, Sr. in renaming Cross Street to Newstell Marable Memorial Street. He noted that after discussing with Mr. Marable’s family, they would like to reject the offer to rename Chestnut Street Park. In renaming Cross Street, Mr. Marable would be commemorated for the business he owned and operated on Cross Street for many years. Solicitor Garner confirmed that an ordinance change would be required along with County and postal change notifications. He suggested having Staff provide the implications of renaming the street. President Toroney advised that this would be listed for consideration on Monday evening. SESTERCENTENNIAL TIME CAPSULE PLACEMENT Mr. Flanders advised that items for the Sestercentennial time capsule are being accepted and recommended that it be placed inside of Borough Hall to eliminate any future concerns of it being on private property. DESTRUCTION RESOLUTION Solicitor Garner commented that this is a routine matter to eliminate certain records to be in compliance with the Records Retention Act and requested the resolution be listed for approval. Mr. Flanders added that the scanning project is ongoing and these documents are in compliance with the Destruction Manual. September 9, 2015 MMO RESOLUTIONS Solicitor Garner referred to the resolutions acknowledging the Borough’s minimum obligation for the Police Pension Plan and the Non-Uniform Pension Plan. He added that the 2016 MMO for the Police Plan is $903,774 and the Non-Uniform Plan is $295,277 as calculated by the Actuary. These resolutions will be listed for approval on the regular agenda. HALLOWEEN PARADE/TRICK R TREAT Mr. Flanders referred to the request from the Parks & Recreation Department to close High Street on October 28th with a rain date of October 29th. He added that the Mayor has designated October 31st, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. as Trick r Treat night in the Borough. BOARD VACANCIES President Toroney reviewed the Board vacancies for the EAC, Human Realtions Commission and the Code Board of Appeals. ZONING 304 North Charlotte Street – Councilor Weand noted that the applicant is seeking a variance to convert a professional office to an apartment and recommended this be forwarded to the Zoning Hearing Board for resolution. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS (HOME OCCUPATION) Solicitor Garner referred to the draft outline regarding the regulations of home occupations, as recommended by the Ad hoc Zoning Review Committee. He added that this could be listed for the October meeting for advertisement and a public hearing in November. HARB Mr. Flanders reviewed the applications for HARB Certificates of Appropriateness for the following properties: a. 327 King Street – for repairs to brick and supporting beams b. 242 Beech Street – to replace fence, gutters, downspouts and porch roof CLOSED LOOP Manager Flanders referred to a request from Traffic Planning and Design for a 6-month extension, due to Right of Way, Public Utilities Commission and PennDOT concerns. The present agreement expires September 30, 2015 and if the extension is granted will expire March 31, 2016. September 9, 2015 COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Arlene Billman, 312 North Charlotte Street – requested clarification on her property located at 121 North Adams Street being a residential or rental property. She noted that she owns the property but no one lives there. She also complained about the condition of the properties located at 117 & 119 North Adams Street. President Toroney assured Ms. Billman that the Licensing & Inspections Department will contact her for a resolution. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Gery urged all to be cautious of school students, now back in session. He added that September 11th is Patriot Day and September 14th, National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. Mr. Flanders added that flags are to fly half-staff on September 11th. Councilor Kulp reminded all of the upcoming Carousel and Bicentennial events scheduled for September 13th. Councilor Miller reminded all of the upcoming Pet Fair scheduled for September 19th and thanked all involved with the fundraiser at the Manatawny Green. Mr. Flanders responded to the Mayor’s constituent concerns regarding the street sweeping. He noted that the main purpose of the street sweeping is to remove the grit from the road way so as not to get into the waterways. It is not meant to remove leaves. Mayor Thomas also urged drivers to exercise safety and cautioned the use of headphone and earphones while driving. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Toroney recessed the meeting to executive session at 9:30 p.m. for one item of personnel. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 9:45 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager