Council Committee of the Whole

November 4, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The November 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, and 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 Batdorf, Solicitor Charles Garner, Mayor Sharon Valentine -Thomas and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Mayor Thomas. ANNOUNCEMENT President Toroney informed Council that Borough Manager Mark Flanders recently received the International City/County Management Association (ICMA)’s Credentialed Manager Candidate designation. He will become an ICMA Credentialed Manager in January 2016. President Toroney noted he does not recall any other manager receiving this distinction and along with Council members, congratulated Mr. Flanders on this achievement. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Miller provided a brief outline of the meeting and questioned the status of the line painting on King Street. Mr. Flanders noted that he is awaiting the contractor’s return to finish the line painting. He added that he will have an answer prior to Monday evening. President Toroney added that the parking space lines on High Street should be addressed prior to parking tickets being issued. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Batdorf thanked all involved with the successful CARES event. She also provided information on the shared tool shed, with contacts on the Borough website. Ms. Batdorf also reported on the Keystone Boulevard project scheduled for September 2016. c. Transportation – Councilor Kulp advised there was no meeting. d. Ricketts Community Center/OBGC – Councilor Kirkland provided the status of after school programs, along with the power hour initiative. He added that the First Presbyterian Church provided a donation to grant the next 30 children a free membership. November 4, 2015 e. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. f. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committees – Councilor Miller advised that several items are listed on the agenda regarding zoning amendments and the animal ordinance amendment. The Zoning Committee is working on setbacks, impervious space and reviewing guidelines for the conservation district. Councilor Kulp advised that the committee is finalizing the status of the time capsule items and most are displayed in the lobby of Borough Hall. She added that items are still being accepted for the next time capsule. PRESENTATION – MOMS CLUB Councilor Miller requested that this matter be moved to Monday evening. PROCLAMATION – NOVEMBER EPILEPSY MONTH Mayor Thomas presented a proclamation to Kristy Fegel to proclaim November as Epilepsy Awareness month. Ms. Fegel urged all to wear the color purple in honor of this neurological disorder. HOUSING VISIONS BEECH STREET FACTORY Judy Memberg, Executive Director of Genesis Housing and John Anderson, Cornerstone Construction Architects, were present to request approval of the Beech Street Factory project land development plan. Ms. Memberg explained the waivers being requested and reported on the acquirement of two additional parcels, which will result in demolishing two blighted properties and to alleviate the parking concerns for the project. She added that she met with Mr. Yerger regarding a resolution for Locust Alley and should have a recommendation by Monday evening. Solicitor Garner advised that a Fee in Lieu of open space is being considered with a contribution to the Mosaic Lands Trust property at 301 Walnut Street. He also noted that the improvements to Locust Alley would be at the recommendation of the Public Works Director. President Toroney advised that this plan will be listed for Monday evening. WYNDCROFT – DEMOLITION 414 ROSEDALE DRIVE Solicitor Garner explained the request of the Wyndcroft School to demolish a property at 414 Rosedale Drive, owned by the School. It was the consensus of Council to allow the school to proceed with the demolition, as the ranch home built in 1950 has no historic value. November 4, 2015 FOG ORDINANCE Natalee Sassaman and Chelsea Payne, Wastewater Treatment Plant Laboratory Technicians, provided an outline of the proposed changes and the reasons behind the changes to the FOG (Fats, Oils and Greases) ordinance. Ms. Sassaman explained that all the local restaurants are inspected for grease traps since the facility does not treat grease. Ms. Payne added that the last revision of the FOG Ordinance was in 2004. President Toroney advised that this will be listed for consideration on Monday’s agenda. ORDINANCE – FINANCING FIRE & POLICE RADIOS Solicitor Garner explained the need to purchase additional radios for EMS and Fire Departments and the Montgomery County’s offer to assist in the financing. He advised that the County has provided a draft ordinance and promissory note and if approved, would be listed for the December meeting. Manager Flanders added that the radios would include those for the Police Department, Good Will Ambulance and the four fire companies. He noted that the Police Department has established a capital plan to cover the cost of the radios over the next five years. Mr. Flanders advised that the approximate cost for the four fire companies is $589,413, with the financing to be the decision of the Council. After a brief discussion among Council, President Toroney noted that this would be listed for further discussion at the regular meeting. CONDITIONAL USE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Solicitor Garner referred to the draft language to add criteria for approvals of Conditional Use requests. Vice President Gery commented that additional criteria restricts what a homeowner can do to his property, for which he owns and upon which he is paying taxes. It was the consensus of Council to ask the Committee to revisit the criteria for conditional use and list for discussion at the December meeting. WALK BIKE POTTSTOWN Ms. Batdorf explained Phases 1 & 2 for the Federal Aid Reimbursement Agreement for Walk & Bike Pottstown with PennDOT to secure the funds for this project. BEKRS COUNTY MULTIMODAL FUND President Toroney referred to the letter of request in support of the Berks County Multimodal Fund to enhance the Boyertown site of the Colebrookdale Railroad. November 4, 2015 COLLECTION DELINQUENT TAXES Councilor Weand advised that the Finance Committee is in support of continuing to have Montgomery County collect the delinquent taxes. These items will be listed for the regular meeting. SEWER BUDGET 2016 Manager Flanders advised that the Pottstown Borough Authority recommended to adopt Fund 8 as proposed by Finance, with no increase in the sewer fees. This will be incorporated as part of the overall budget. PENNDOT QUARTLY STATEGIC ACTION PLAN REPORT Ms. Batdorf reviewed the performance report by PennDOT ending June 30, 2015. She noted that the Transportation Committee has been responsible for implementing the recommendations. She will provide a quarterly report to Council, along with the quarterly reporting to PennDOT. PART BUS SHELTER BID AWARD Ms. Batdorf explained the capital project of the new bus shelters and the upgrading of solar panels and lighting. She noted that the base bid is recommended to be awarded to Balton Construction, Reading, PA, in the amount of $141,772.00, with grant funding available. CHEMICAL BIDS HIGHWAY MATERIALS Ms. Sassaman reviewed and explained the bid tabulations for the 2016 Chemical Bids and requested they be awarded as outlined. Mr. Flanders reviewed the bids for Highway Materials, Uniforms and Property Maintenance for 2016. President Toroney advised that these awards would be listed on the regular agenda. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR Manager Flanders referred to the letter of resignation from Chief Richard Lengel as the Emergency Management Coordinator, effective January 1, 2016. He advised that the recommendation of Staff is to appoint Captain Robert Thomas, subject to the Governor’s approval. President Toroney noted that the recommendation of appointment will be listed for Monday evening. November 4, 2015 TIBURON POTTSTOWN TOUCHDOWN CLUB – BURN PERMIT Mr. Flanders referred to letter for the Tiburon Race scheduled for May 21, 2016 and the request from the Touchdown Club to hold a bonfire on November 25, 2015, requesting approvals from the Borough. Matt Madison, Touchdown Club, was present and explained the safety measures being undertaken by the Club, for the bonfire to take place prior to the annual Thanksgiving Day game with Owen J. Roberts High School. These will be listed for consideration on the regular agenda. BUDGET PRESENTATION Ms. Lee presented Draft #4 as being aligned with the Borough’s Mission Statement and Core Values. She noted that there are 91 full-time employees, 46 Police Officers and 60 Part-time employees in the Borough. Mr. Flanders noted that with the 326 tax exempt properties, both Ms. Lee and Ms. Batdorf prepared and sent letters to the owners, requesting a portion of their assessed taxes as a fee in lieu of taxes for the services they receive from the Borough. Ms. Batdorf also explained the cost-saving measures, including on line services, purchasing and water main replacement projects. Mr. Flanders added that the proposed budget will add one property maintenance inspector, an additional Human Resources full-time employee and the exploration of a three-year drainage resolution associated with sump pumps. He also explained the contractual and health care coverage requirements. Mr. Flanders advised that the health care broker has been replaced and has been successful in negotiating a lower rate increase. He also noted that when the budget process began, there was a $750,000 deficit in the General Fund and now down to $245,000. Mr. Flanders explained the options to cover the deficit as follows: to increase taxes by 3.25%, draw from the reserves, a combination of a tax increase and a portion from reserves and consider cutting staff and services for 2016. Councilor Weand advised that the Finance Committee is recommending a hybrid resolution to balance the General Fund. After a discussion among Council, it was the consensus to list adoption of the budget for the regular meeting. COMMENTS FROM CITIZEN PRESENT Jim Frymoyer, 422 Upland Street – provided information for the upcoming Christmas event for foster children scheduled for December 19th. He noted that the guest of honor will be outgoing President Toroney. November 4, 2015 COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Mayor Thomas requested additional information on the value of a half-acre of land and building lots as associated with redevelopment and questioned the number of Section 8 properties in the Borough. Mr. Flanders advised that the Borough does not have the legal right to access the information on Section 8 properties. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Toroney recessed the meeting at 9:40 p.m. for an executive session for one item of Pending Litigation, two items of personnel and one collective bargaining. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 10:15 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager