Council Committee of the Whole

April 5, 2017 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The April 5, 2017 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, Solicitor Charles Garner, Mayor Sharon Valentine -Thomas and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. INVOCATION President Weand requested a moment of silence. PRESENTATION – CORPORAL CHARLES W. MCCLINCY, JR. Chief F. Richard Drumheller and Mayor Valentine-Thomas presented Corporal Charles W. McClincy, Jr. with honorary commendations upon his retirement, effective April 9, 2017 after 44 years of dedicated service. Chief Drumheller announced that Corporal McClincy holds the tenure of any police officer within the Pottstown Police Department organization. Corporal McClincy, in the presence of the Pottstown Police Honor Guard, his family and fellow-officers commented that it has been his honor to serve this community. PRESENTATION – TRICOUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Eileen Dautrich, President of the TCCC, was present and provided a report of the Pottstown Progress Luncheon held on March 22nd. Ms. Dautrich also provided handouts enhancing the exhibits, events and organizations that are promoting the revitalization of Pottstown and the reasons why these investors are promoting the Borough. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp reported the proposed upgrades to the Route 100 pedestrian crossing. She added that there were public meetings regarding the renovation of Pollock Park and plans for the Memorial Park playground equipment. Councilor Kulp also reviewed the quality of lift initiative between the Police and Licensing & Inspections Department. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Michael Lenhart, Director of Parks & Recreation, provided an update on the TRec district and upcoming regional marketing plan as a destination place. He highlighted the partnerships of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association, Pottsgrove Manor, the Carousel and the Colebrookdale Railroad and the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Lenhart also referred to the PottstownFamilies.org website for a coordination of events. Mr. Keller provided a grant and project update including construction on the Walk/Bike April 5, 2017 project to begin construction in July. He also noted that the Laurel Street project will be out to bid in the near future. c. Transportation – Councilor Kulp noted she would provide a report at the next meeting. d. Ricketts Community Center/OBGC – Councilor Kirkland advised that there was no new report. e. Pottstown School Board – Kurt Heidel referred to new programming and upcoming events at the District. He added that the Engineering program now has a programmable control unit for robotics. The next Board meeting is April 24th, 7:00 p.m. f. Ad hoc Zoning – Councilor Procsal noted that the sign ordinance and mural regulations were topics of discussion at the recent meeting. g. Ad hoc Animal – Councilor Miller reported that Perkiomen Township has joined and paid the annual kennel fee for the Borough kennel. h. Safety – Chief Drumheller advised that Staff is working on a resolution to the Route 100 crossing and will be conducting a study to increase safety measures. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Thomas again commended Corporal Charles McClincy for his 44 years of service to the Borough. The Mayor also reported that she attended the March 29th ribbon cutting of the Operation Inspiration, a conglomeration of faith based organizations, along with the March 30th grand opening of the Senior Center. Mayor Thomas advised that she attended the April 1st, NAACP inaugural luncheon at Sunnybrook and the Academy of Message’s 10-year anniversary. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Flanders requested direction from Council regarding a recent discussion on the concept of councilors at large. Councilor Kulp advised that she represents and concentrates mostly in her ward. Councilor Procsal noted that there is a geographical separation from the first ward and the seventh ward. Councilor Arms commented that everyone has the same problems throughout the Borough. He added that this should be a decision of the voters, not Council. Vice president Miller agreed that this is a decision of the voters, noting that she services all the wards. Mayor Thomas commented that she is in favor of equitable distribution of representation. April 5, 2017 Councilor Kirkland stated that the councilor should live in the ward in which he represents and suggested adding two councilors at large. Councilor Paez recommended keeping the wards as they presently exist. President Weand noted that having seven councilors at large could result in the possibility of seven councilors from one ward. It was the consensus of Council to authorize Staff and the Solicitor to investigate the possibility of councilors at large. Solicitor Garner clarified that he will research the area of abandoning the ward system, a vote by referendum and the process for expanding the number of councilors to nine. Manager Flanders provided information on the Bike Montco Bicycle Mobility Plan and announced that an award, from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, was received by Grants Administrator Kourtney High for overseeing the Citizens’ Leadership Academy. Mr. Flanders also reported that the Pension audit funds received no findings. He added that Borough Hall will be closed on April 14th in observance of Good Friday. MEMORIAL PARK – PHASE II RENOVATION Michael Lane, Regional Recreation Coordinator, explained the process of applying for the renovations and updated equipment to the Fountain of Youth Spray Park. He is in the process of writing a grant for the Tri-County Trail implementation study. Mr. Lane noted that he is seeking funding from DCNR in the amount of $70,000, which will bring the entire project to $140,000. PRESENTATION – 860 CROSS STREET Mr. Keller explained the history of Memorial Park, which was acquired through federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation and shall not be used for any purpose other than public outdoor recreational purposes. He added that at some point, a pump station was constructed in the southwest corner of Memorial Park and was eventually found to be an unapproved conversion of space. Mr. Keller also explained that Staff has been working with DCNR with respect to the development of the Colebrookdale Railroad station in compliance with the Act. Mr. Keller provided information on the opportunity to acquire the property located at 860 Cross Street via a donation of BASF, a former industrial site. This land may satisfy the requirement for potential recreational purposes as it may be used as a basketball court and may satisfy the recreational requirements for Mr. Lane’s application to DCNR for funding. Mr. Keller requested that ACTIO provide a presentation to Council in the near future. RESOLUTION – DCED CDBG GRANT – RICKETTS CENTER ROOF & HVAC Mr. Keller requested authorization to submit a grant for the Community Development Block Grant program for the repair and replacement of the Ricketts Center Roof project and address HVAC matters on site. April 5, 2017 RESOLUTION – BUREAU OF AVIATION GRANT – EAST APRON & T-HANGAR TAXIWAY Mr. Keller also requested authorization to submit a grant to the Bureau of Aviation for engineering only of the repaving of the East Apron and the T-hangar taxiway at the Airport. This is part of the 12-year plan, reviewed each year. These resolutions will be listed on the regular agenda. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – WIRELESS TOWERS Mr. Keller provided an update from the Ad hoc Zoning Committee, including permits for wireless cell towers, regarding insurance, maintenance and co-location as a first option. Attorney Hovey will be providing an updated draft amendment in the near future. PDIDA – BEER TENT “ALMOST FRIDAY” EVENTS Mr. Flanders reviewed the request of PDIDA to hold a beer tent in the 200 block of High Street for its “Almost Friday” events on the last Thursdays of the month beginning June 29th. BOARD VACANCIES Mr. Flanders reviewed the upcoming vacancies on the Human Relations Commission and HARB. These items will be listed on Monday’s agenda. ADD-ON – 260 HIGH STREET PARKING AGREEMENT Mr. Flanders referred to the letter distributed by Shaila Adluru on behalf of Dr. Ramesh Eluri for the Center for Allied Psychiatry & Psychology Services, presently located at 404 East High Street. Mr. Flanders reviewed the parking agreement request to rent 20 parking spaces on weekdays at a cost of $20 per space, for one year. There was a brief discussion regarding the use of the property in the PDIDA district. Shaila Adlurur and Dr. Eluri explained the medical practice, staffing and hours of operation. Solicitor Garner explained that the Zoning Officer has determined that this is a permitted use and therefore the issue before Council is simply the parking request, not the use of the property. President Weand advised that this would be listed on Monday’s agenda. April 5, 2017 COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Marlene Armato, 4 Park Court – reiterated her concerns regarding the bike lane project on North Roland Street and suggested that the next time grant money is received, that the back end of the project should be reviewed. She added that now the design cannot be changed and there is a risk of losing the grant money. Ms. Armato also objected to the statement that only 6 or 7 residents will be effected as parking will be shifted to the surrounding streets and property values will drop. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Kirkland congratulated the reorganization of the NAACP. Councilor Procsal commended the emergency facilities in close proximity to his residence. Vice President Miller commented on the success of the citizens Fire Academy. She added that the local representatives that attended will be addressing issues of sustainable fire services. Vice President Miller also reviewed the upcoming May events. Mayor Thomas noted that as it is election season, all should review information and check the sources and be careful of lible, slander and defamation of character. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Attested, Mark Flanders Borough Manager