Council Committee of the Whole

September 5, 2018 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The September 5, 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, Trenita Lindsay, Dan Weand and Joseph Kirkland. Also present were Borough Manager Justin Keller, Solicitor Charles Garner, Mayor Stephanie Henrick and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. Councilor Paez was absent. INVOCATION President Weand requested a moment of silence. PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG PRESENTATION – SOLSMART BRONZE DESIGNATION Manager Keller presented the SolSmart bronze award to Council for the Borough’s designation as a solar friendly and energy efficient community. Mr. Keller commended Council for its initiative in ordinance changes and removing restrictions on solar development. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – Vice President Kulp reported that Licensing & Inspections’ property transfers have increased and is seeking an in-house zoning officer. She also reported that the remediation efforts continue for Pollock Park, along with improvement to Memorial Park. Councilor Kulp added that the Closed Loop project is continuing with PennDOT. b. Economic Development – Peggy Lee-Clark was present and provided an update on the Fete en Blanc and invited all to attend the September 14th event in the Smith Family Plaza. She also referred to the 422 Business Advisor and the I Pick Pottstown campaign recognition. c. Transportation – Vice President Kulp reported that the meeting was this evening and will provide the report in October. d. Ad hoc Zoning – Councilor Procsal noted there was no meeting. e. Ad hoc Animal – Councilor Kirkland had no report this month. a. Ad Hoc Financial Sustainability Oversite Committee – Mr. Keller advised that this will be discussed later on the agenda. September 5, 2018 BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Emergency Services Reports – There were reports. b. Human Relations Commission – Marcia Levengood noted that the next meeting is September 11th and is awaiting the signed MOU from the State Human Relations Commission and will then move forward with the plan. She also reported that September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage month and the CCLU Latino Festival is scheduled for September 22nd in the Riverfront Park. c. Land Bank Report – Mr. Keller advised that there was no meeting. d. Library – There was no report. e. Olivet Boys & Girls Club – Councilor Kirkland noted summer programs are being finalized and will have a full report next month. f. Pottstown School District – President Weand advised that Councilor Lindsay will be meeting with the Superintendent and will be scheduling tours of the schools in October and has agreed to be the Councilor liaison for the district. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Henrick reported that she attended the fourth annual Unity in the Community event sponsored by numerous ministries in the area, along with the Rotary Clam Bake held at the home of Peggy Whittaker. She also advised that she canvassed for candidates in town and provided an update of upcoming events for September. The Mayor announced that there are 50 job openings in the Borough in a warehouse and applications will be available in the Police Department beginning on Monday. She also provided details for the September 15th Pet Fair to be held in Memorial Park. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Keller reported that several grants were submitted, one to purchase new PART buses and another for the PART operating grant. He also advised that a meeting will be conducted by the Montgomery County Conservations District on September 20th, 6:30 p.m. at Borough Hall, to address the spotted lanternfly issue with registration required. Manager Keller added that flags will fly at half-staff on September 11th, Patriots Day, in remembrance of all first responders. PRESENTATION – PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY CORPS Greg Trainor was present to provide a history and goals of the Philadelphia Community Corps based in Philadelphia. He explained that the mission to address blight began in 2009, which hires former inmates, veterans, high-school dropouts and homeless, who are trained in the skills and safety of the job. The process of the Corps is deconstructing homes rather than demolishing them and to reprocess all materials that are salvageable. Evan Brandt suggested that the proposal may be of interest to the newly formed Land Bank Board. September 5, 2018 MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL AUDIT PROPOSAL AWARD Manager Keller reviewed the three bids received for the Management and Financial Audit Proposals received from Econsult, Pennsylvania Economy League and the Novak Consulting firms. After interviewing Econsult and the Pennsylvania Economy League, Staff’s recommendation is to award the bid to Econsult in the amount of $64,925. He noted that Econsult is able to begin the process in October and hopefully completed by March 2019. CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT – POLICE ELIGIBILITY LIST Manager Keller announced the request of the Police Chief to hire two new officers from the eligibility list. Chief Markovich added that presently the department is down two officers, with the possibility of two more leaving by the end of October. He explained that it takes approximately ten months after a new officer is hired to be on the streets. The Chief also noted that one of the first two candidates on the list has completed the Academy and could be on the street in four months. President Weand noted that these matters be listed on Monday’s agenda for discussion. RESOLUTIONS 2019 MMO PENSIONS Mr. Keller referred to the resolutions addressing the minimum municipal obligations for the pension plans. He noted that the actuary has established an increase from $1 million in 2018 to $1.5 million in 2019 for the police and an increase for the non-uniform pension plan from $300,000 in 2018 to $920,000 for 2019. This results in a combined increase of $2.4 million for 2019. Mr. Keller added that state aid is expected in the amount of $700,000. RESOLUTION – MONTGOMERY COUNTY LOCAL SHARE – STORMWATER ARCH REHABILITATION Mr. Keller explained the request to apply to the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s local share account in the amount of $500,000 to address emergency and priority repairs to underground Stormwater arches. He added that the scope of the grant would be 20% for engineering purposes, 40% for emergency repairs to collapsed sections and 40% for priority repairs and future collapses. Mr. Keller also noted that the match is $100,000 and a companion grant will be submitted in January to cover the match. These resolutions will be listed on the regular agenda. EAST APRON, AIRPORT BID Mr. Keller suggested that this bid award be put on hold until the October meeting in order to review the scope and proposals. September 5, 2018 LAWN MAINTENANCE BIDS Mr. Keller reviewed the bid tabulations of September 4th for lawn maintenance and property maintenance and requested these be listed for award on the regular agenda as per the recommendations of the Public Works Department. TRICOUNTY ACTIVE ADULT CENTER – CHEESETOBERFEST Mr. Keller referred to the request of the TriCounty Active Adult Center to hold a beer garden at its October 13th Cheesetoberfest in Memorial Park. POTTSGROVE CROSS COUNTRY, CLOSE COLLEGE DRIVE Mr. Keller also referred to the request of the Pottsgrove Cross County to close College Drive for its 5K race on November 22nd. PARKS & RECREATION FUNKY SANTA 5K Mr. Keller also noted the request of the Parks & Recreation Department to close College Drive for the annual Santa 5K scheduled for December 9th and requesting a waiver of the $100 street closure fee. President Weand advised that these requests will be listed for approval on Monday’s agenda. HARB Mr. Keller explained the recommendation of HARB to deny the request of Michael Benedict to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness for the property located at 107 King Street. Mr. Keller also referred to the request of Anthony Campbell to fill the vacant term on HARB. HUMAN RELATION COMMISSION Mr. Keller noted that Lisa Vanni has submitted a request to fill the vacant term of the Human Relations Commission. These requests will be listed on the agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT None. September 5, 2018 COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Kulp reminded all of the September 29th Veterans’ Community Day, honoring three local veterans, James Galloway, Robert Boyce and Frank Strunk and all are welcome to attend. ADJOURNMENT President Weand adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Attested, Justin M. Keller Borough Manager