Council Committee of the Whole

November 8, 2017 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The November 8, 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, 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. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ADD-ON’S President Weand noted that a discussion on the 2018 budget will be added to the agenda, along with a video presentation from Creative Health and Mission Kids. EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS Manager Flanders announced the Years of Service Awards to the following employees: Brian Marquette, Public Works – 5 years; Charles Weller, Licensing & Inspections – 10 years; Stephen Sanders, Police – 15 years; Randy Neiman and Rodney Stahl, Utilities – 20 years; Charles Bleile, Police and James Hennessy, Utilities – 25 Years. Mr. Bleile was present to accept the award. PRESENTATION - MISSION KIDS – CREATIVE HEALTH Chief Drumheller provided a brief video from Creative Health, partnering Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, featuring Pottstown Police Captain Robert Thomas and Detective Heather Long. Mission Kids provides a variety of services and support for abused or traumatized children in the community. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Councilor Kulp noted there was no meeting. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Mr. Keller provided an update on the Pottstown United Brewery and the new Asian restaurant coming into the former Brickhouse facility. He added that the Schuylkill River Trail is substantially complete and the King Street railroad crossing was replaced by October 23rd. Mr. Keller also provided a brief video for the “I pick Pottstown” campaign. November 8, 2017 Michael Lenhart reminded all of the In Focus events beginning November 9th through November 11th. c. Transportation – There was no meeting. d. OBGC/Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland noted that the report was in the packets. e. Pottstown School Board – Kurt Heidel provided a report of recent events at the School District, including the Pennsylvania Department of Education profiles for the district, advising that four of the six schools showed an increase in scores. He also reported that the tradition of the Owen J. Roberts and Pottstown High School Thanksgiving day game will come to an end on November 23rd, according to PIAA regulations. He added that the School Board will welcome three new directors as a result of the November 7th elections and thanked the outgoing directors for their service. f. Library – There was no report. g. Ad hoc Zoning – Councilor Procsal noted that the zoning recommendations are listed on the agenda. h. Ad hoc Animal – Vice President Miller noted that there was nothing new to report. i. Safety – Chief Drumheller advised that speeding will be enforced on the Industrial Highway as the project is complete. He also reported a change in the Community Police Prosecution Unit and introduced Captain Richard Bradbury and Ben McKenna. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Thomas congratulated the reelected Councilors and also the newly elected Mayor. She commended the voters for performing their civic duty on election day. She added that her most enjoyable service to Pottstown was performing over 100 weddings. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Flanders advised that an appreciation letter was sent to Carol Richael, West Beech Street, for her volunteer services for her community in the Pottsgrove Manor area. He also reported that Montgomery County Commissioners Arkoosh and Lawrence attended a PAID meeting and were impressed by the development of new businesses in town. Mr. Flanders added that Staff will be participating in an Exelon Drill to test emergency preparedness on November 14th and Borough Hall will be closed on November 10th in honor of Veterans Day, November 11th. PRESENTATION – PARKMOBILE Dan Schmieder provided a presentation outlining the benefits of the Parkmobile smartphone app with the concept of replacing the existing kiosks. He noted that the concept is more efficient as enforcement and payment is tracked by license plates. Mr. Schmieder added that it takes 4-6 weeks for set-up in the Borough, it is GPS coordinated and has 11 locations in November 8, 2017 Pennsylvania. He also noted that Parkmobile provides customer service 24/7/365 for any customer concerns or needed support, adding that there is no sign up costs. Chief Drumheller added that the enforcement will be divided into zones and will be cost effective for the department. He requested that an additional presentation be listed for the December meeting. GREATER POTTSTOWN TENNIS & LEARNING Kerriann Herdelin, Executive Director of the Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning project provided a video and outlined the concept of upgrading and adding tennis courts to the Maple Street Park. Ms. Herdelin advised that a 100% funding grant for new tennis courts was awarded to five sites with Pottstown being one. The grant included new tennis courts, new fencing and new drainage. Ms. Herdelin requested that Council authorize the Solicitor to draft an agreement between the Borough and her association at no cost to the Borough. PRESENTATION – CRITERIUM BIKE RACE, July 22, 2018 Dawn Gulick was present and requested Council’s approval for the 2018 bike race to be held July 22, 2018, with a few route changes for the third annual event. Councilor Procsal commented that there were concerns from Lastick’s Furniture and he will be contact the owners. CONDITIONAL USE ORDER – ABP INVESTMENTS, 505 LINCOLN AVENUE Solicitor Garner reviewed the hearing held in October with ABP Investments to construct six single family dwelling units on the property located at 505 Lincoln Avenue. He referred to the draft order for Council’s review, noting that the applicant will be required to comply with all borough ordinances as well. Solicitor Garner also commented that regulations have been updated within the last 10 years, such as Stormwater Management requirements. ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS Solicitor Garner reviewed the three zoning ordinance amendments to be considered as recommended by the Ad-hoc Zoning Ordinance Review Committee. The amendments will include changes due to inconsistencies with respect to the use of terms or language, construction and maintenance of sidewalks and curbs and an ordinance to create and regulate managed meadows in the Borough. Solicitor Garner requested authorization to advertise the ordinances and public hearings where required. Mr. Keller reviewed the changes to the sidewalk ordinances, with the purpose to allow asphalt sidewalks, provided that the color and texture of the sidewalk matches at least one adjacent sidewalk. He also explained the benefits of a managed meadow, regarding attractions to wildlife and the reduction of mowing requirements. Councilor Arms commented that the Borough is spending a lot of money on advertising these ordinances for non-critical items. November 8, 2017 President Weand noted that these matters will be listed for further action on Monday’s agenda. STANDARD SEWER SPECIFICATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Solicitor Garner explained that several months ago, an ordinance was adopted to amend the water specifications. He requested authorization to draft a similar ordinance to amend the Standard Sewer Specifications as recommended by the Pottstown Borough Authority. HILL SCHOOL/HOBARTS RUN 5K – APRIL 15, 2018 TIBURON ENDURANCE SPORTS 5K – MAY 19, 2018 Manager Flanders reviewed the requests for street closures from the Hill School/Hobart’s Run and the Tiburon Endurance Sports committee for events in 2018. Vice President Miller expressed a concern regarding the neighbors and churches being impacted on a Sunday morning. Mr. Flanders agreed to clarify with the applicants. President Weand advised that these would be listed on the regular agenda. HIGHWAY MATERIALS BID AWARDS Mr. Yerger reviewed the bid tabulations for the various highway materials opened on November 2, 2017. Councilor Arms questioned how much of the fees are recovered from billing properties for property maintenance issues. Ms. Lee agreed to provide this information. BOARD VACANCIES Mr. Flanders noted that no applications have been received for the Codes Board of Appeals alternate position and the Human Relations Commission appointment will be considered in December. HARB Mr. Flanders reviewed the recommendations from HARB as follows: a. 118 King Street – to replace existing windows b. 123 King Street – to replace existing windows November 8, 2017 HARB Mr. Flanders also requested approval of the Administratively Approved applications for the following properties: a. 720 High Street – to replace damaged roof materials b. 125 North Hanover Street - to replace damaged serpentine materials President Weand noted that these will be listed for approval on Monday’s agenda. DISCUSSION ON BOROUGH MANAGER VACANCY President Weand commented that the options to fill the vacancy of the Borough Manager will be to appoint an Interim Borough Manager and allow additional time for a search or hire someone immediately. Councilor Procsal agreed to hire an Interim Borough Manager, especially due to the budget constraints. Vice President Miller also agreed on the Interim, which would allow the Borough to continue operations. Councilor Arms also concurred to appoint an Interim. President Weand announced that an Interim will be appointed and consider a formal search at a later date. BUDGET President Weand advised that the Finance Committee met and explained that the cost of running the Borough has declined. He added that the committee has requested that department heads attempt to trim their budgets. Manager Flanders added that in July the proposed 2018 budget had a deficit in 9 of the funds, mostly due to the decreased value in assessments and increase in personnel costs. As of September 30, 2017, the estimated value of the Borough is $776.5 million. Mr. Flanders also noted that all funds with the exemption of the General Fund and the fire fund are balanced and the combined deficit now stands at $1,417,049. He also reported that the healthcare cost will be a 0% increase for 2018 and the Liability Insurance is now at a 3% increase. Mr. Flanders advised that he is in discussions with The Hill School and Tower Health regarding potential PILOT payments. He added that to balance the budget with the present deficit, it would require a tax increase of 18.39% and a 1.902% mil increase, which represents an increase $161.67 for a home assessed at $85,000. If Council is not willing to raise taxes, options could be cutting services resulting in the police force by 13 officers or a reduction in civilian personnel by 30 fulltime and two part-time employees or a combination thereof. Vice President Miller commented that cuts could be made to several departments without a decrease in services. She cautioned against any emergency services being cut. Vice President Miller also noted that there may be multiple people doing a service that one person could do. November 8, 2017 Councilor Procsal agreed, noting that this is the fourth year in Part I crime reduction. Ms. Lee agreed to provide a list of current donations within the budget. Councilor Arms commented that he trusts the Finance Director and understands there needs to be an increase in taxes, notably pension obligations and there is a need to do something. Mr. Flanders advised that a cut in staff would result in a decrease in services to the citizens and requested Council’s direction on this matter. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT None. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Kirkland thanked all for coming out to vote and for the support of the 7th Ward. Councilor Paez commented that she hoped that Council can work together to make the Borough run more efficiently. Councilor Arms questioned if any codes fees are owed to the Borough, such as the City of Reading. He also noted that approximately 15 garbage bags have been on a property at the 500 block of High Street for more than a week and expressed a concern that no one has addressed the situation. Mr. Flanders responded that an amount of $7,800 was recovered recently from the Licensing and Inspections Department. Councilor Procsal also thanked all for coming out to vote and commended Councilor Miller and Mayor Thomas for their service. Vice President Miller expressed appreciate to all receiving service awards and commented on a recent Reading Eagle article recognizing Borough Secretary Ginny Takach for her service as well. She also recommended that October was fire prevention month and since there was no recognition, she would like to see a fire person of the year during the December meeting and every October thereafter. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Weand recessed the meeting to executive session at 9:25 p.m. for one item of potential litigation. ADJOURNMENT President Weand adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Attested, Mark Flanders, Borough Manager