Council Committee of the Whole

May 9, 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The May 9, 2018 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, Donald Lebedynsky, Dennis Arms, Dan Weand, Rita Paez and Joseph Kirkland. Also present were Interim Borough 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 PRESENTATION – RETIREE GARY L. STULTZ Interim Manager Keller referred to the resolution for Retiree Gary L. Stultz. The presentation will be provided to Mr. Stultz as he was unable to attend the meeting this evening. PRESENTATION – EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE 2017 – LAURA E. KLINE Interim Manager Keller announced the Exceptional Employee of the Year 2017. Laura Kline has been with the Utilities Department of the Borough since 2016 as was voted by her peers for this award. Ms. Kline was present along with her supervisor, Brent Wagner. PRESENTATION – 2017 POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR – DETECTIVE MICHAEL GLAUNER Chief F. Richard Drumheller, along with Mayor Henrick, presented the commendation of the 2017 Police Officer of the Year to Detective Michael Glauner in the presence of his family and fellow officers. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Vice President Kulp highlighted the activities of the Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation and the Licensing and Inspections Department. She added that the paving is nearly complete and the Licensing and Inspections is on its second cycle of the rental inspections. Vice President Kulp advised that the Nature Plan project is completed at the Park. b. Economic Development – Peggy Lee-Clark, Executive Director of PAID, explained the Quality Opportunity Zone and provided a map of the census tracks approved by the Governor. She added that Pottstown has qualified for three tracks and the final determination is forthcoming May 9, 2018 from the federal government. The areas include the Keystone Boulevard, the Circle of Progress and High Street. c. Transportation – There was no meeting. d. OBGC/Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland noted that he will be meeting with the new director in the near future. e. Library – Deb Penrod provided a monthly update on upcoming programs and events. f. Pottstown School Board – There was no report. g. Ad hoc Zoning – There was no meeting. h. Ad hoc Animal – Councilor Kirkland announced that there was nothing new to report. i. Safety – Chief Drumheller had nothing new to report. j. Emergency Services Reports – Goodwill Chief Kevin Yerger, provided the April statistics and the various training events. He also reviewed the monthly presentations and the upcoming fundraisers, including Mother’s Day flowers and the Memorial Day breakfast. Miles Feather, provide the report for the Phillies Fire Company. He also reviewed the training and fundraising events. Mr. Feather advised that the Juniors and Explorers continue to train with the senior member. He also reported the award of a $15,000 grant to replace two doors in front of the building. k. Human Relations Commission – Marcia Levengood reported that the Commission is working on recruiting additional members. She reminded all of the event scheduled for June 10th, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. . l. Ad Hoc Financial Sustainability Oversite Committee – Councilor Kirkland advised that he was unable to attend the last meeting and will be scheduling a new date and time. President Weand noted that information is forthcoming from the EIP and will present at the next meeting. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Henrick provided a report of recent volunteer activities. She also reported on her visits to the Airport, ACLAMO and the various festivals throughout the month. She urged all to vote on primary day, May 12th. MANAGER’S REPORT Interim Manager Keller reported on the recent grant activity. New overhead lights will be installed within the 200 and 300 blocks of High Street. He also provided an update on the King Street Bridge project. Mr. Keller added that a TCDI grant has been submitted for a planning study May 9, 2018 in anticipation of the County’s proposal for the Keim Street Bridge in 2020. He also announced the appointment of Michael Lessar by Governor Wolf as the Borough’s Emergency Management Coordinator. PRESENTATION – MAY 12, 2018 VEGAN FEST Bill Sharon and Caitin Mercer were present to provide the schedule and events for the May 12, 2018 Vegan Fest to be held in the Smith Family Plaza. HANOVER SQUARE WAREHOUSE, 300 CHERRY STREET Solicitor Garner reviewed the Conditional Use hearing held on April 4, 2018. The request was to allow residents on the first floor and allow two twin homes to be constructed on the project. KONNICK SUBDIVISION Solicitor Garner reviewed the minor subdivision located at North Hanover and Wilson Streets. The proposal is to draw a line on the property on the same parcel to allow two separate parcels, which has been recommended by the Planning Commission. These items will be listed on the regular meeting. GREATER POTTSTOWN TENNIS LEARNING – DRAFT 2 Mr. Keller reviewed the draft agreement regarding the upgrades to Maple Street Park. The agreement would allow for upgrades to the existing courts and construction of one new court. The agreement does not include any all-weather facilities. The recommendation to Council is that the agreement include a provision for final plans to come before Council. Solicitor Garner advised that the agreement can move forward, subject to review of the Solicitor. PART – LOCAL MATCH Mr. Keller explained the annual resolution to approve the local match for the Pottstown Area Rapid Transit, which is federally funded. The match is provided by Chester and Montgomery Counties, which pays 100% of the match. TCDI GRANT APPLICATION Mr. Keller also noted that this grant would be for zoning and planning work along Keim Street in preparation for the renovation of the Keim Street Bridge. The match for this grant is $8,000. HILL SCHOOL STREET CLOSURE Mr. Keller referred to the request of The Hill School to close a portion of Beech Street for its annual graduation. May 9, 2018 GOFOURTH FESTIVAL – JULY 4, 2018 Mr. Keller also explained the request of the GoFourth Committee to conduct a beer garden in Memorial Park during the July 4th festivities. President Weand advised that these items would be listed on the regular agenda for approval. FIRE CODE & BUILDING CODE REGULATIONS Fire Chief Lessar explained the proposed ordinance amendments to include areas to certify training requirements, a maintenance reporting system, strengthen fire alarms systems and changes to sprinkler system requirements, reducing square footage of the area to 10,000 square feet for any change in building use. The Chief also explained the request to improve reports through a new software, the Compliance Engine System. VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM Chief Lessar also reviewed the proposal to enhance the Volunteer Firefighter Incentive Program with the intent of having volunteers report to fire calls. He noted that it would be an annual point system to insure participation at fires and the points would convert to dollars. After a discussion among Council, President Weand advised that these proposals will be listed on the regular agenda. PARKING REGULATIONS AMENDMENT & LAND BANK APPOINTMENTS Mr. Keller noted that these items will be moved to the June agenda. APPOINTMENTS Mr. Keller reviewed the vacant positions on the Civil Service Commission and PDIDA. CIVIL SERVICE ELIGIBILITY LIST Chief Drumheller requested approval to authorize the Civil Service Commission to begin the process of a promotional list for the positions of Sergeant and Corporal. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Torry Dugan, 71 North Hanover Street – thanked Council for its support of the PDIDA 5K FARM run, scheduled for June 28th, 6:30 p.m. in Riverfront Park. She was accompanied by Pottstown Senior, Hanna Schenkle. b. Sheryl Miller, 59 West 9th Street – expressed a concern that the Land Bank appointment and letter of interest from Madison Morton were removed from the agenda. She also noted that The Hill school has proposed seven cameras for the Borough’s camera system, with the May 9, 2018 condition of five of the cameras to be posted near The Hill School and two in the areas determined by the Police Department. Ms. Miller commented that any contribution to the camera system should not come with a designation for the location and advised that cameras would be more beneficial in the numbered streets and in Wards 2 and 3. Ms. Miller congratulated Councilor Arms on his recent marriage and commended him for using merchants all located within the Borough. c. Ron Williams, 245 Walnut Street – noted the recent successful PowWow event in Memorial Park and thanked Council and the Police Department for its support and assistance. d. Peggy Lee-Clark, Executive Director PAID – expressed a concern with the proposed fire system and sprinkler amendments, noting that there are numerous regulations in place to bring these buildings up to code. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Kirkland announced the opening of a new Barber Shop in the area of the former Spat & Slipper North Charlotte Street. Councilor Procsal praised the efforts of the Rock the Block Committee and the assistance of Staff and the District Attorney’s office. Mayor Henrick announced the reopening of the Farmer’s Market on High Street. Councilor Arms thanked the quality of all the downtown merchants for their assistance during his wedding planning. Councilor Arms also presented his resignation letter effective immediately as he will be relocating outside of the Borough. Councilor Weand thanked the Montgomery County Commissioners for their recent town hall meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Weand recessed the meeting to executive session at 8:40 p.m. for one item of personnel. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Attested, Justin M. Keller Interim Borough Manager