Council Committee of the Whole

August 9, 2017 6:30 P.M. - CONDITIONAL USE HEARING – Michelle Rohrer, 17 North Hanover Street Solicitor Garner opened a Condition Use Hearing on the application of Michelle Rohrer to open a holistic center at the property located at 17 North Hanover Street. Mr. Garner entered several Council Exhibits items into evidence. Michelle Rohrer was sworn in and testified that she would be holding classes and events related to her holistic studies. She added that the hours of operation would be Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. initially. Ms. Rohrer added that she would be using the first floor only with no changes to the exterior of the building. She also provided a traffic report. The hearing closed at 6:45 p.m. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The August 9, 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, 100 East High Street, Pottstown, PA. ATTENDANCE Councilors present were Ryan Procsal, Carol Kulp, Sheryl Miller, 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. Councilor Dennis Arms was absent. INVOCATION President Weand requested a moment of silence. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG PECO GREEN REGION PRESENTATION Suzanne Ryan, County Affairs Manager for PECO, along with Patrick Gardner, Land Protection Project Manager for Natural Lands, were present to award a $10,000 PECO Green Region grant to the Borough for the addition of a pavilion at the Riverfront Park, located adjacent to the former PECO Generating building. PRESENTATION – CCLU – LATINO FESTIVAL Giovanna Steyaert was present on behalf of the CCLU, (Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos) and provided a review of last year’s Latino Festival and highlighted the events for the 2nd Annual Latino Festival, scheduled for September 23rd in the Riverfront Park. Ms. Steyaert thanked Michael Lenhart and the Borough for their support with this Festival. She also requested the use of the PART Trolley for the event. August 9, 2017 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp noted there was no meeting. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Mr. Keller provided an update on the Washington Street/Industrial Highway Stormwater mitigation project noting that it has begun this week and will continue through August 17th. He also advised that the Walk/Bike project will begin in mid- September and continue to the summer of 2018. Mr. Keller referred to the grant report distributed and explained the upcoming grants including the PECO Grant, the Disney Play Space Grant and the Health and Wellness grant for restoration of aging playground equipment. c. Transportation – There was no meeting. d. Ricketts Community Center/OBGC – Councilor Kirkland referred to the report distributed, adding that the Heart of God ministries will be conducting a book bag drive on August 19th. e. Pottstown School Board – Mr. Heidel announced the new hires will occur for the 2017- 2018 school year. He added that a special meeting was held to discuss the uniform policy and comments are under consideration. Mr. Heidel also reported that Friday Night Football will resume on August 28th and will be under the lights. The next board meeting is August 21st. f. Library – Mr. Green provided an update on events and programs at the Library. He added that special glasses to view the August 21st Solar Eclipse will be offered through the decorating T-shirt event on August 18th. He added that a Schuylkill Highlands grant was received and will be used for water runoff issues and safety measures to the building. g. Ad hoc Zoning – Councilor Procsal advised that Donna Fabry, Montgomery County Planning Commission, joined the meeting to discuss downtown issues from Manatawny to Washington Streets. h. Ad hoc Animal – Vice President Miller again provided information on the new laws governing maiming, killing or injuring animals, which will result in felony charges and goes into effect August 28th. She also commended Officer Portock and K-9 Officer Taz for assistance in locating two suspects in a shooting incident in Norristown and commended the working relationship and collaboration between the municipalities. i. Safety – Chief Drumheller noted a few related incidents on Industrial Highway with larger trucks and traffic. He added that draft parking signs are being reviewed with the Parking Committee and will be providing recommendations to Council. Chief Drumheller also provided an update on the recent homicide in the Borough with the investigation continuing. He also introduced Dawn Gulick to provide a report of the recent bike race. August 9, 2017 Ms. Gulick advised that the bike race could not have taken place without the assistance of Chief Drumheller and Corporal Long. She added that with every event, something new is learned and will continue to improve the race with the planning for next year. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Thomas commended all for their presentations this evening. She also announced an open Community Communion service scheduled for September 16th, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Life Church with Minister Justin Valentine. There is also a National Back to Church Sunday event scheduled for September 17th. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Flanders provided an update on the Land Bank, noting that he recently met with Winifred Branton, who will assist in the finalization of the Land Bank ordinance and will also be meeting with the Tax Claim Bureau. Mr. Flanders also advised that certain playground equipment safety issues have been discovered and therefore the equipment will be removed at the end of the summer season. With the assistance of the Health & Wellness Foundation and the Disney grant, the impact will be minimal to the community. Mr. Flanders added that the upcoming vacancies will be considered on the agenda and no additional vacancies are expected until the end of the year. He added that Labor Day is September 4th and the Hall will be closed. ROCKWELL DEVELOPMENT Tom Burleigh, General Manager of Rockwell Development Group, presented an outline of the revised plan to convert the HOA governed portion of South Charlotte Street between Cherry Street and Industrial Highway into a one-way street. He advised that the plan would satisfy the parking concerns and requirement for the redevelopment of the 300 Cherry Street building. Mr. Burleigh also noted that Rockwell attempted to purchase adjacent properties to accommodate the parking issues, but to no avail. Sandra Franklin, Cherry Street, commented that she met with the developers and agreed that making South Charlotte Street one-way, would be beneficial to the area residents and could see no opposition from neighbors. Mr. Burleigh requested Council’s support and consideration in concept for parking relief of the revised plan. President Weand noted that this would be listed for action on Monday’s agenda. ESM PRODUCTIONS Scott Mirkin, President of ESM Productions, requested Council’s consideration of a beer garden for the 1st Annual Citadel Palooza festival, scheduled for October 7th in Memorial Park. He also announced that Hunter Hayes will be the performer for the event and 100% of the proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle Network. Mr. Mirkin advised that the company has been producing events for the last 25 years. August 9, 2017 President Weand advised that this would be listed for approval on the regular agenda. AMBUCS – SOAP BOX DERBY Mr. Flanders referred to the request of the AMBUCS to hold a Soap Box Derby on September 16 & 17, 2017 and requested the closure of Wilson Street from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days. MID-YEAR BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS Manager Flanders explained the request of the Finance Department to allocate funds from the various departments to shift funds from one line-item to another. It does not affect the approved budget amount. PARKING SWAP AGREEMENT, SECURITY PLAZA Mr. Flanders referred to the request of Chris Aita for a swapping of seven parking spaces in Security Plaza, in order to accommodate the District Courts. These items will be listed on the agenda. 505 LINCOLN AVENUE Solicitor Garner advised that a 90-day extension has been requested by the applicant and therefore no action is required at this time. ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – STANDARD TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Solicitor Garner reviewed the draft ordinance and draft requirements for the changes being made to the specifications of water mains and appurtenances. He added that the Authority has approved the changes and Council may ratify the new standards by ordinance. Mr. Garner added that this will be advertised and ready for adoption at the September meeting. RESOLUTION – PENNDOT DUI SAFETY GRANT Chief Drumheller requested approval of the annual grant in the amount of $50,000 to be used towards DUI enforcement. BOARD VACANCIES – CODES BOARD OF APPEALS & EAC President Weand reviewed the open vacancies and the letters of interest for the Codes Board of Appeals and the Environmental Advisory Board. No applications have been received for the Human Relations Commission open position. These will be listed for consideration on Monday’s agenda. August 9, 2017 HARB Mr. Flanders requested approval of the Administratively Approved application for the property located at 58 King Street. ADD-ON – GENESIS HOUSING Judy Memberg, Executive Director of Genesis Housing, was present and requested the closure of a portion of Washington Street for the second annual Community Field Day to be held August 19th. President Weand advised that this request would be listed on the agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT Tom Hylton, 222 Chestnut Street – commented that he made a presentation to Council in November 2014 regarding the use of flexible paving materials and the use of asphalt on sidewalks. He confirmed that the ordinance was passed in September 2015 allowing the flexible paving material, with asphalt being the most common material. He noted that he recently obtained a permit to replace the sidewalk at the Mosaic Community Garden on North Charlotte and Walnut Streets and was then told by Public Works that he could not use asphalt. Mr. Hylton requested that this matter be reviewed and resolved between Council and the Public Works Department. COUNCILORS GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Procsal reported that the National Night Out was a success in the First Ward. Vice President Miller recognized the Dugan family for their efforts in the downtown events. She also commended Marianne Lynch and Stacy Woodland for their Fair-Funding application to the State, along with Judy Memberg, Matt Green, Erika Hornburg-Cooper and Adam Burke for their efforts in revitalizing Pottstown. She also praised the new Fire Chief, Michael Lessar and the Phillies Fire Company. Vice President Miller reminded all of the September 16th Pet Fair. Vice President Miller announced that she would not be seeking another four-year term and has withdrawn her candidacy for reelection in 2018. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Weand recessed the meeting at 8:45 p.m. for an executive session for one item of personnel and one of potential litigation. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. on motion by President Weand. Attested, Mark Flanders, Borough Manager