Council Committee of the Whole

March 9, 2016 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The March 9, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Weand 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, Dennis Arms, Dan Weand, Rita Paez 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 President Weand provided the invocation. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp reported that a discussion was held regarding repairs and painting to the Borough Hall building. She added that the Closed Loop Project will be bid in October 2016. Councilor Kulp also advised that first education Community Meeting will be held on March 30th, in Borough Hall with the topic of rental and registration requirements. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Batdorf provided information regarding the new Montco2040 grant training, being offered to all municipalities in the County. She also reported that Kourtney High, Grants Administrator, attended the TriCounty Sustainability Symposium and presented the status of the Borough’s plan. Ms. Batdorf also announced the CARES and Rock the Block events scheduled for April 15th. c. Transportation – Councilor Kulp reported that the Committee recommended using Delta Airport Consultants. She also noted that the Maintenance Hangar will be discussed later on the agenda. d. Ricketts Community Center/OBGC – Councilor Kirkland provided an overview of the scheduled events at the Center. Mayor Thomas requested that Councilor Kirkland provide results of the tower garden project when available. Vice President Miller also announced the Olivet’s fun raising event, Kiss the Pig, May 25th at the Crown Plaza in Reading. e. Pottstown School Board – Mr. Arms announced that the Wiz event was a success and next year’s production will be Little Shop of Horrors. March 9, 2016 f. Ad hoc Zoning, Animal & Bicentennial Committees – Vice President Miller noted that there was nothing new on the Animal Committee. She added that the February zoning meeting was cancelled. g. Safety – Chief Drumheller reported that the Department is working with the School District regarding active shooter training and drills. He also invited Council to provide any traffic requests to the Department and Staff is still in the process of the study for South Street. Chief Drumheller announced an exchange zone program initiated by Councilor Arms, as a drop off and exchange area, for child exchange and security purposes. Chief Drumheller also noted that plans are progressing with the Criterium Race scheduled for July 10th in the downtown. He also reported that the current substation was closed and staff is seeking a new location. The Chief also announced that the defendant in the Rosedale house fire has been sentenced. Mayor Thomas also reviewed the process of children at bus stops with no one to meet them. They are then brought back to Borough Hall until contact is made. She advised that this will be made a policy with the School District and there may be consequences in the future. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Thomas explained the responsibilities of the Police Department being the enforcement of the law and to keep the peace. She also reminded all of the increase of children playing in streets and alleys. Mayor Thomas also commented on unsafe measures for example, walking and driving while wearing head phones. Mayor Thomas commented on the Human Relations Commission and explained the mission of the YWCA, which may be a contact advocate for the Human Relations Commission. She added that Stacey Woodland, Executive Director of the YWCA is also a member of the Montgomery County Advisory Council regarding diversity matters. Mayor Thomas also provided information of the recent presentation of the Gigabit Revolution. Mayor Thomas announced an initiative of purchasing blighted properties as a bundle and will report as this matter progresses. She also announced the Youth Summit to be held with the Police Department and the School District. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Flanders provided an update on the Public Works Facility, noting that it is substantially completed and inspections are scheduled this week. He also reported that a $25,000 grant was received through the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee and Pottstown Area Health and Wellness for a master plan for Pollock Park. Mr. Flanders also advised that the flags are flying at half-staff in honor of former First Lady Nancy Reagan. He also reported on the passing of former Borough employee, Gilbert Pennypacker. March 9, 2016 PRESENTATION – LOWER POTTSGROVE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT Chief Michael Foltz, Lower Pottsgrove Township, was present to honor several members of the Pottstown Police Department for a December 22, 2015 event on Ivy Lane, Lower Pottsgrove Township. His praised the efforts of Corporal Michael Long, Corporal Steve Hatfield and K-9 officer Kato, along with Detectives Michael Markovich, Mark Wickersham, Brooke Fisher, Michael Glauner and Officer David Mull. Also responding were Sergeant Ed Kropp, Officers Gregory Fritz, Brandon Unruh, Michael Breslin, Anthony Fischer, Andrew Licwinko, Ron Taylor, Christopher Zahorchak, Michael Mitchell and Matthew Macjiewski. Chief Drumheller added that he received a letter of appreciation from the victims of this incident. EASTWOOD COMPANY CAR SHOW Steve Hurter, Eastwood Company, explained the request to hold its annual car show at the Airport. Also present was James Rouiller, FBO for the Airport. Mr. Hurter advised that Eastwood is seeking to expand its annual car show and to request permission to hold the July 30th event at the Airport. He added that there may be a total of 1,500 cars, including spectators, on the premises. Mr. Rouiller commented that he is in support of the show being held at the Airport, noting that the recognition of the Airport and the exposure would outweigh the inconvenience of having no flights into the Airport. Deb Penrod, spoke as an airplane owner and hangar tenant at the Airport and agreed that any events to promote the Airport would be a benefit and the main intersection into the Airport can be handled as usual and as had been done in the past for events in that area. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION President Weand announced that this discussion would be postponed until the April meeting to allow for presentations from the local commission and well as the State and County entities. Diana Rivera O’Bryant spoke on behalf of the Commission and reiterated the request for Council’s support in approving enforcement powers and additional funding for the local Commission. Councilor Paez introduced potential members for the Commission. Present were Bobby Watson, Luvenia Lister, Carla Day and Al Dunn, who all spoke and introduced themselves and urged Council to continue its support and expand the services of the local Human Relations Commission. After a discussion with Council, President Weand reiterated his recommendation that this matter would be listed for April. March 9, 2016 AIRPORT ENGINEERING CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION Ms. Batdorf reviewed the RFQ and interview process regarding the appointment of the consulting firm for the Airport. She added that the Transportation Committee is recommending that a new agreement be negotiated with Delta Airport Consultants of Harrisburg. EARLY TERMINATION OF WITMER AVIATION LEASE Ms. Batdorf referred to the request of Yves Eynard, President of YCE Consulting and present lessee of the Airport Maintenance Hanger. Mr. Eynard explained his request for an early termination of the lease with the Borough, pending the sale of the business to Fly Elite. He added that he is anticipating a March 31st date. James Rouiller commented that he is attempting to be a true aviation center and would like to offer maintenance, storage, helicopters and medivac services at the Airport. Solicitor Garner commented that there is a 90-day notice requirement in the lease and reminded all that this is Borough owned property and would need to be an appropriate use of the property. President Weand advised that this would be listed for further consideration on Monday’s agenda. (ADD-ON) DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS Manager Flanders requested approval of a resolution for destruction of certain records and noted that the resolution has been reviewed by the Solicitor. CLOSED LOOP SIGNAL SYSTEM EXTENSION Mr. Flanders referred to the request of Traffic Planning and Design for a nine-month extension from March 31st to December 31, 2016 due to the coordination of the railroad signals. BID AWARDS Manager Flanders reviewed the bid tabulation for the Pottstown Regional Public Library, with the recommendation to award the bid to SMJ. Doug Yerger also noted that the lawn maintenance bids were opened on this date and will have recommendation for Monday evening. Solicitor Garner explained that the Library received the grant but the Borough must serve as the conduit in order to obtain the grant fund. Under the grant agreement, the Borough was noted as the property owner. He added that an agreement will be prepared between the Library and the Borough to proceed with the grant. March 9, 2016 POWWOW, SOJOURN, POTTSTOWN RUMBLE, CAROUSEL OF FLAVOR Manager Flanders reviewed the requests regarding the above stated events and for use of Borough parks and street closures. President Weand advised that these items will be listed for approval on the regular agenda. BOARD VACANCIES Mr. Flanders reviewed the vacancies of the various boards and urged any interested parties to submit a letter of interest. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Sheila Dugan, 71 North Hanover Street – commended the performance of the Wiz at the Pottstown High School. She also announced the upcoming 5K Run PDIDA fundraiser scheduled for May 15th. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Arms reminded all of the groundbreaking of the Fecera’s project, scheduled for March 11th and commended Genesis for their efforts in the Borough. Vice President Miller announced the Home Buying seminar scheduled for April 2nd at the Phillies Fire Company. She added that a new reporting item of Emergency Services will be listed on the regular agenda. Councilor Miller also reported that the four fire companies will be represented on the Community Collaborative Fire Committee and the first meeting will be scheduled for the end of March. Mayor Thomas reiterated her concerns regarding the Human Relations Committee, noting that she is trying to reduce any liability for the Borough. President Weand also commended the performance of the Wiz. He also reiterated his request for employers to consider relocating into the Borough. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Weand recessed the meeting to executive session at 9:05 p.m. for one item of Collective Bargaining. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned 9:15 p.m. Attested, Mark D. Flanders Borough Manager