Council Committee of the Whole

January 2, 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The January 2, 2018 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 7:35 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, Donald Lebedynsky, Dennis Arms, Dan Weand, Rita Paez and Joseph Kirkland. Also present were Interim Manager Justin Keller, Solicitor Charles Garner, Mayor Stephanie Henrick and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. INVOCATION President Weand requested a moment of silence. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG ANNOUNCEMENTS President Weand welcomed the new members to the Board. Add-On’s - President Weand noted that a discussion regarding the financial committee will be listed on the agenda. He added that the Veterans’ Island presentation and the Parks Regulations Amendments will be removed from the agenda. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Vice President Kulp advised that there was no meeting. b. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Mr. Keller advised that the topics will be addressed in the Manager’s report. c. Transportation – Vice President Kulp noted that minutes were provided in the packets. Councilor Arms noted that the report indicated that ridership is down and questioned if PART should be eliminated. d. OBGC/Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland reviewed the upcoming programs including outreach programs for community engagement. e. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. f. Library – There was no report. g. Ad hoc Zoning – Councilor Procsal advised there was no meeting. January 2, 2018 h. Ad hoc Animal – Councilor Kirkland advised that former Councilor Miller would like to continue to chair the committee. He added that the Township billing will be forwarded to the Townships in January. The participating Townships at this time are New Hanover, Collegeville, Perkiomenville, North Coventry and the Pottsgroves. Councilor Kirkland also referred to the new annual cruelty protection laws in the State. President Weand requested a copy of the report be provided to the Secretary. i. Safety – Chief Drumheller reported that the new cameras are installed and operational. He added that Councilor Arms participated in a ride-along and welcomed other Councilors to do the same. j. Emergency Services Reports – Kevin Yerger provided the December statistics for the Goodwill Fire Company. He also outlined the recent events, included the Santa Run with the Phillies Fire Company on December 17th and advised that there were 1,361 hours of man-hours of training. Chief Yerger also highlighted the use of kerosene heaters and the importance of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Andy Pyles, North End Fire Company, provided statistics for the North End for December as well, adding that training continues with the members. Councilor Arms questioned the status of the tax incentives for first responders. President Weand advised that this would cause a loss of revenue but can be revisited on the next Finance committee agenda. k. Human Relations Commission – Marcia Levengood provided a background of the Commission created due to the needs of the community. Ms. Levengood also announced the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in January and noted the next meeting of the Commission is January 11th, 6:00 p.m. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Henrick had no formal report and wished all a Happy New year. MANAGER’S REPORT Interim Manager Keller welcomed the new members of the Board. He also announced the cancellation of the Polar Bear Plunge for New Year’s Day due to the frigid temperatures. He added that Parks & Recreation will be creating an on-line newsletter and eliminating the paper mailing in the near future in order to reduce costs and continue to provide services. Mr. Keller also thanked Council for his recent appointment as the Interim Borough Manager. PRESENTATION – PARKING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Peggy Lee-Clark, Executive Director of PAID, outlined the recommendations of the Parking Committee and reviewed the parking conditions with the effort of improving the clarity and equity of parking in the Borough. She advised that the committee consisted of Chief January 2, 2018 Drumheller, Captain Thomas, Corporal Long, Adam Burke, Sheila Dugan, Justin Keller, Burke Meyers, Deb Penrod and herself. Ms. Lee-Clark reported that a main concern of the committee is directional signage and wayfinding signs. There was also a recommendation to rename the Parking Lots, numbered 1 through 6 rather the formal names. Ms. Lee-Clark added that there will be no change to the fees to residential permit parking but a recommended increase from $.35 per hour to $.50 per hour. She also outlined the benefits of entering into an agreement with Parkmobile to set up and manage the system, possibly a one or two-year trial basis. Solicitor Garner commented that the three items to be considered, being a fee resolution amendment, the authorization to expend an amount of $1,250 to reskin signs and an approval to engage with Parkmobile. EIP INTERVENTION PROGRAM Mr. Keller reviewed the grant program through the Department of Community and Economic Development to continue to examine the efficiencies and operations of the Borough. He noted that the total value of the grant is $80,000 and therefore the match to the Borough would be 20% or $16,000. He requested a resolution by listed for the regular agenda. WENDY’S SUBDIVISION, 234 SHOEMAKER ROAD Solicitor Garner explained the subdivision request to create a separate lot, which has been approved and recommended by the Planning Commission. He added that a separate discussion took place regarding the safety conditions of that intersection and was noted by the applicant that this matter would require improvements and authorization from the Pottstown Center. Solicitor Garner noted that the applicant has offered a fee of $15,000 to be geared toward the improvements to the sidewalk or for barricades. He also reviewed the conditions as part of the previous zoning approval, including crossings for parking and Stormwater requirements. Solicitor Garner noted that this could be listed for action on Monday evening. YWCA WAIVER OF TAXES, 323 & 325 KING STREET Mr. Keller explained the request of the YWCA for an abatement of taxes due to a timing issue for filing for tax exemption. He noted that the total amount of real estate taxes due for 2016 and 2017 is $1,530.60. DEPUTIZATION TO COLLECT TAXES Solicitor Garner explained the annual process of deputizing the Finance Office for the collection of Borough and County real estate taxes. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION COMMUNITY FAIR Mr. Keller reviewed the request of the Human Relations Commission to close High Street for a Community Fair on June 10, 2018. These matters will be listed for approval on Monday’s agenda. January 2, 2018 HARB Mr. Keller reviewed the recommendations from HARB as follows: a. 344 King Street – to place decals on inside of windows b. 842-846 East High Street – for replacement of windows, concrete steps and existing railing 2018 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE President Weand referred to the 2018 meeting schedule and noted it would be listed for approval. BOARD APPOINTMENTS Mr. Keller reviewed the vacant board positions, which are also listed on the website. President Weand noted that he will be appointing members to the Ad hoc Financial Committee to review the 2018 budget. Councilor Kirkland commented that this will continue the promise to constituents to reduce the budget tax increase to a single digit. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT Bruce Madara, 543 North Adams Street – commented that the audio at the meetings has improved expressed a concern regarding the audio of the meetings presented on PCTV and questioned why the Borough is paying for an inferior product. Mr. Madara also welcomed the new members of the Board and commented that he was offended that someone called the process of the meetings a circus. He also noted that the budget is a major problem and Council should present real facts. Tom Hylton, 222 Chestnut Street – presented an initiative and asked permission to plant a number of trees, remove stumps and trim trees, at no cost to the Borough. He added that Mr. Keller has the outline of the properties, which he may forward to Council. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Kirkland noted that the committee has only to February 15th to change the budget and suggested this be acted upon this evening. President Weand advised that it would be listed for Monday evening. He also advised that the major objective is to bring economic development to the area. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Weand recessed the meeting to executive session at 8:40 p.m. for one item of personnel. January 2, 2018 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Attested, Justin M. Keller Interim Borough Manager