Council Committee of the Whole

December 9, 2015 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The December 9, 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 and Joseph Kirkland. Also present were Manager Mark Flanders, Solicitor Charles Garner, Mayor Sharon Valentine -Thomas and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. Vice President Gery and Assistant Manager Erica Batdorf were absent. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Mayor Thomas. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp reported on the replacement of trash receptacles along Riverfront Park, along with Ricketts roof repairs and minor leaks. She added that in discussions with PAID, the TRec district is progressing. Councilor Kulp also noted that cameras have been installed at the Skate Park and will be forthcoming for the Pavilion. Both bridges at Manatawny Park are being addressed for safety issues. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Manager Flanders advised that the next issue of Momentum is published, highlighting the positive story of Pottstown. c. Transportation – Councilor Kulp advised that the next meeting is December 16th. d. Ricketts Community Center/OBGC – There was no report. Councilor Miller confirmed that the roof repairs at the Ricketts Center have been successful. e. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. f. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committees – Councilor Miller reviewed the updates on the requirements for the Conditional Use Criteria and requested it be listed for Monday evening. Councilor Miller also outlined the new requirements and provisions regarding the Animal Ordinance, listed on the website under New Laws. She welcomed anyone interested in volunteering for rescue groups to contact her. Councilor Kulp reported that the Bicentennial committee is working on establishing the vault for the new Sestercentennial celebration. December 9, 2015 Presentation – Clifford B. Craft, Retiree Mayor Thomas read the Resolution to retiree Clifford Craft in the presence of his family and fellow- workers. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-23 RECOGNIZING CLIFFORD B. CRAFT FOR 39 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE BOROUGH OF POTTSTOWN WHEREAS, Clifford B. Craft has served the Borough of Pottstown as a dedicated employee since 1976; and Whereas, during his career with the Borough he served in a number of different capacities including Water Meter Reader, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Water Treatment Plant Operator; Operator/Mechanic; and WHEREAS, for the past eleven years Cliff has worked in the position of Water Treatment Plant Assistant Superintendent, and during that time he was called to duty at various times of the day and night in all types of weather conditions in order for customers to receive the best level of customer service possible; and WHEREAS, Cliff’s presence at the Water Treatment Plant will be truly missed by the people that have worked with him. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Town Council that Clifford B. Craft is officially recognized for the outstanding service he is provided the Borough of Pottstown through 39 plus years of employment; and further that he is extended best wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement. Adopted at Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 East High Street, this 9th day of December 2015. Zoning – 212 South Street (Hanover Square) Attorney Chris Hogan was present for the applicant, Hanover Square Commercial and provided a brief introduction for the commercial portion of the Smith Pie redevelopment. He referred to the plan presented in May 2015, which included two mixed use buildings, one at South Hanover and South Street and the other at South Hanover and Industrial Highway. He advised that the proposed 50,000 sq. foot office building, approve in 2006, was not feasible for that area. Attorney Hogan requested Council’s consideration in reducing the number of town homes from six to four and requested Council’s support in the variance request to reduce the density of the townhomes to be located in the Gateway district. President Toroney advised that this would be listed on Monday’s agenda. YWCA Parking Agreement Stacey Woodland was present and requested Council’s consideration in extending the parking agreement for the YWCA for the King Street lot. She requested a reduction of the fifteen space in the King Street Lot to $25 per space per year and five additional spaces at the regular rate of $31 per month, per year. December 9, 2015 After a brief discussion, it was the consensus to list for consideration on the regular agenda. Police Department – Promotion Authorizations Chief Drumheller requested authorization to ratify the Civil Service Sergeant and Corporal Eligibility list and authorization to promote Corporal Mark Boyce to the position of Sergeant and to promote Officer Steven Morrisey to the position of Corporal. Clothing Donation Bins Keith Place, Director of Licensing & Inspections, explained the ongoing problem with clothing bins throughout the Borough. It is becoming a health and safety issue with numerous item other than clothing being left on site. Mr. Place referred to an ordinance recently adopted by Pennsburg Borough and requested authorization to work with the Solicitor to draft a similar ordinance in the Borough. This will be listed on the regular agenda. PENNDOT Quarterly Strategic Action Plan Progress Report This will be listed for a report from Ms. Batdorf on Monday evening. Fire Companies – Reimbursement Fees Mr. Flanders reviewed the request of the Fire Companies, namely Good Will and Empire, for attorney fees incurred during the consolidation process. The total cost was $19,573.40. Councilor Weand noted that the Finance Committee is recommending the reimbursement to the Fire Companies due to the fact that they acted in good faith towards the consolidation as directed by the Borough. He added that the amount could be paid from the fire reserves. Councilor Miller commented that she does not want to strap the already strapped fire companies with a bill for a matter that cannot be resolved that quickly. She added that it would strap North End financially. Mr. Flanders noted that originally when the process began with Mr. Muir there were three companies involved. The letter received explained that expenses were incurred by Good Will and Empire and there was no mention of expenses incurred by North End. Costs were incurred by companies trying to consolidate. At this point, Council has abandoned that process. President Toroney requested that the Manager find out before Monday night if North End did incur any costs and if so to get copy of bill. Councilor Miller commented that she was not sure if North End reimbursed that bill, but Good Will was invoicing them for their responsibility and not sure if it was paid as yet. President Toroney noted that the check will be going to Good Will and Empire. December 9, 2015 Mr. Flanders read the letter from Good Will outlining the costs and that the retainer and three bills were paid by Good Will with no mention of payment by other companies. The total of the bills was $19,573.40. Councilor Miller advised that if Good Will is not reimbursed, they will in turn bill the other companies 1/3, 1/3 and 1/3. The Phillies retained their own attorney. President Toroney noted that it would be listed for Monday night and requested that the Manager reach out to North End to see if they actually did pay any of the costs. Bid Awards Manager Flanders referred to the bid tabulations for the Highway materials, traffic signs and water pipes and fittings. These will be listed for approval on Monday’s agenda. Budget and Tax Ordinance Manager Flanders advised that the 2016 budget has been advertised in the amount of $59,662,371. The Tax Ordinance stands at 10.311 mills with no tax increase. Fee Resolution Solicitor Garner noted that he would have amendments prepared and distributed by Monday evening. 2016 Meeting Schedule President Toroney advised that the budget, tax ordinance and meeting schedule will be listed for approval on Monday evening. Board Vacancies President Toroney reviewed the board vacancies that will be addressed in January. He commended Dave Renn for his efforts while serving on the Authority Board and recommended his reappointment in January. President Toroney also recommended the reappoint of Jay Harp to the Zoning Hearing Board. President Toroney also noted that he will be resigning from the Planning Commission. RETIREE RESOLUTIONS Barbara A. Toroney, Tax Collector President Toroney presented a gift and read a Resolution to outgoing Tax Collector, Barbara Toroney in the presence of her family and fellow staff. December 9, 2015 RESOLUTION NO. 2015-24 RECOGNIZING BARBARA A. TORONEY FOR TEN YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS TAX COLLECTOR FOR THE BOROUGH OF POTTSTOWN WHEREAS, Barbara A. Toroney was appointed to the position of Tax Collector for the Borough of Pottstown on January 3, 2006; and WHEREAS, Barbara A. Toroney volunteered and was appointed to fill a vacant position as Tax Collector on January 13, 2014; and WHEREAS, in addition to conscientiously and effectively attending to her daily duties as Tax Collector, Barb has served as treasurer for the Pottstown Historical Society and the Steel River Playhouse for the past seven years; and WHEREAS, Barb is an avid gardener, baker and biker; and WHEREAS, Barb’s presence in Borough Hall will be truly missed by the people that have worked with her and by the 22,000 residents of the community where she has lived and served with unparalleled honesty, veracity and reliability. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Mayor and Town Council that Barbara A. Toroney is officially recognized for the outstanding service she has provided through ten years as the Tax Collector for the Borough of Pottstown and further that she is extended best wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement. Adopted at Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 East High Street, this 9th day of December 2015. Stephen M. Toroney, Council President Mayor Thomas read and presented a Resolution to outgoing President Stephen M. Toroney. RESOLUTION NO. 2015-25 RECOGNIZING STEPHEN M. TORONEY AS A MEMBER OF POTTSTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS WHEREAS, Stephen M. Toroney was appointed to Pottstown Borough Council in December 1994 and again on January 3, 2000 and has served as President of Pottstown Borough Council since July 8, 2009; and WHEREAS, Stephen M. Toroney has been an invaluable resource and mentor to Pottstown’s elected and appointed officials who have relied on his professional skills and leadership abilities to bring about many positive changes to the Borough, such as the VideoRay, Haggerty Steel, Sly Fox Brewery and the Manatawny Still Works; and WHEREAS, in addition to effectively attending to his numerous responsibilities as Council President, Steve has willingly engaged himself in a wide variety of issues affecting the health, safety and quality of life for constituents of the Fourth Ward and of Pottstown’s 22,000 residents, and has also served the greater Pottstown Area and County of Montgomery by contributing and volunteering countless hours of his time to the boards of many civic groups, local organizations and County commissions with his guidance and inspiration and has provided his mastered carpentry skills to the Steel River Playhouse, the Carousel and the Colebrookdale Railroad projects; and December 9, 2015 WHEREAS, President Toroney, while serving in a most demanding position within Pottstown Borough government, maintained the highest standards of public service and professional integrity during a variety of difficult circumstances and situations; and WHEREAS, President Toroney’s presence in Borough Hall will be truly missed by the hundreds of people that have worked with him and by the residents of the community where he has lived and served with uncommon and incomparable respect, integrity and compassion. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Mayor and Town Council that Stephen M. Toroney is officially recognized for the outstanding service he has provided the Borough of Pottstown through seventeen years as a member of Pottstown Borough Council and further that he is extended best wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement. Adopted at Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 East High Street, this 9th day of December 2015. Manager Flanders also noted that an additional presentation will be made Monday evening. Mr. Flanders also read a letter from former Council member and Authority Chairman Ronald C. Downie. December 9, 2015 Dear Steve, Congratulations! Congratulations seems too easy to say, too easily said in expressing the enormous gratitude for the many years of service you've given to Pottstown. Those of us who served with you understand the demanding pressure put on you during your tenure of service with the borough. Good leaders, always the target of small minded know it alls, are best served by their own quiet demeanor, their big picture view, and their dogged determination to arrive at a just answer. In thinking about you and these words, I thought back to my own grandfather, Andrew Grey Downie, who I revered as my mentor when I was young. GrandPa was a sage who talked to me while performing carpenter skills on small furniture items he designed. He made inlayed tops for tables which took a lot of time with fitting and cutting and then attaching the pieces to form some geometric pattern. To me, he was a teacher who also was a carpenter. Seems to me this sounds like you. Maybe, the similarity to my GrandPa is why I've been drawn to you ever since I met you. In all reality, wasn't there a young man who traveled the Middle Eastern Lands some 2000 years ago who was also a teacher and most likely knew carpentry since his father was a carpenter and it is his story that has effected the World ever since. No, I'm not saying what you're thinking, except, that there must be some synergy between building and then teaching others how to build. Maybe it is the measuring twice before having only to cut once that makes a person more decisive, more self-assured, like you. In keeping with our country's founders, legislators were always expected to serve in their elective position for some period of time then return home to their land or job. I believed in these traditions and I believe you do too. As time moves on, so must others move into positions of responsibility. You've set a strong base for others to build upon and Pottstown applauds you. As GrandPa used to say, "a good job is its own reward"; and "a job worth doing, is a job worth doing well". Again, Congratulations! Respectfully, Ronald C. Downie December 9, 2015 Presently Toroney thanked all for the presentations and also Mr. Downie for his kind words. COMMENTS FROM CITIZEN PRESENT a. Jim Frymoyer, 422 Upland Street – requested Councilor and the Solicitor’s assistance in getting Quinter Street repaired. He also provided information on the upcoming Christmas party for underprivileged children. The honoree this year will be Council President Toroney and requested Council’s participation. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Miller noted that she spoke on the alley near Quinter Street alley last winter and noted that residents pay to upkeep that alley, not the Borough. She questioned if Quinter Street could be a no-truck access street in order to maintain it easier. President Toroney commented that the street needs a complete repair. Councilor Kulp also questioned if Quinter Street is actually a Borough street. She also recommended additional security in the Borough Hall building. President Toroney thanked Mr. Flanders for having all offices secured since time he has become Borough Manager. Councilor Miller introduced Ashley Rightnour, the first female fully certified firefighter with the Phillies and as a November 18, 2015 graduate of the Montgomery County Fire Academy. President Toroney thanked all for their comments. He also commented on the closing of the Very Best Hot Dog shop, advising that the first Council knew of its closing, was from the article in The Mercury. He added that Monday evening, all will “hear the rest of the story!” EXECUTIVE SESSION President Toroney recessed the meeting to executive session at 8:25 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 9:05 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager