Council Committee of the Whole

May 6, 2020 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The May 6, 2020 Committee of the Whole GO-TO on-line meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. by President Weand. ATTENDANCE Councilors present were Ryan Procsal, Lisa Vanni, Donald Lebedynsky, Trenita Lindsay, Dan Weand and Michael Paules. Also present were Borough Manager Justin Keller, Assistant Solicitor Matthew Hovey, Mayor Stephanie Henrick, Grants Assistant Kourtney High and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. Councilor Kirkland was absent. INVOCATION President Weand requested a moment of silence for assistance and recovery from the Corona Virus. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS Borough Manager Keller explained the format for this evening’s meeting ,advising that the meeting is a GoTo Meeting and available on-line. Public comments are being accepted through email and chat from 6:30 p.m. – 7:10 p.m. and will be announced to all. Comments are limited to 300 words to be in compliance with Council’s three-minute rule and participants shall be identified accordingly. This format will continue with the Borough’s public meetings, which have not already been cancelled. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – There was no meeting. BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Human Relations Commission – The report was in the packet. b. Ricketts Community Center – The report was in the packet. c. Economic Development – Ms. Lee Clark advised that PAID continues to provide opportunities and keep the business community informed. She reported that the County has opened a second round of grants in the amount of $5 million and will be open for one day, May 13th, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and will focus on women-owned, veteran-owned and minority businesses. Ms. Lee-Clark announced the opening of Imprint Brewery in the High Street Terminal. d. Emergency Services Reports – Chief Hand reported tat the Department continues to work daily with the FEMA and PEMA reimbursements, to include overtime and supplies. He added that the staff and the community are following guidelines provided through the County. May 6, 2020 MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Henrick advised that she performed her first wedding ceremony on April 26th in the Riverfront Park and thanked Councilor Lindsay for acting as photographer. She added that she met with members of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation regarding green space grant opportunities. She noted that a goal of the Green Space National Movement program is to assure that 100% of residents will have a walkable area or green space within 10 minutes of their homes by 2050. Mayor Henrick also provided the recent statistics from the County and cancellations for upcoming events. She urged residents to complete the Census forms and announced this is National Nurses’ Day. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Keller advised that a process has begun to return to a more normal situation, bringing back some furloughed employees for construction and real estate matters. Staff continues to follow the CDC guidelines and the Hall is not yet opened to the public. He explained Act 15, wherein the Borough is not required to hold in house tax hour for the foreseeable future. Mr. Keller reported that grants are being sought through Fema and Pema and working to meet the threshold established by the County. He noted that through the CARES Act and Federal Transit Administration – PART received $750,000 for operating costs during the crisis and $1 million in capital funds to be used for two fixed route buses. In addition, $30,000 has been granted through FAA for operating costs, along with a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant for the Police Department in the amount of $48,536. Mr. Keller requested that authorization to submit these grants be listed on Monday’s agenda. He also commended Kourtney High for her efforts in pursuing these grants. Mr. Keller also announced that the Memorial Day parade and the Independence Day parade have been cancelled. The GoFourth festivities have been rescheduled to September 6th. He also advised that a Virtual Lunch and Learn session hosted by the Land Bank Board is set for May 18th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and urged the Councilors to complete their NIMS training on line. PUBLIC HEARING – MONTGOMERY LODGE NO. 1271, 605 WALNUT STREET, LIQUOR LICENSE Solicitor Garner reported that the Public Hearing scheduled for this evening has been continued to June 3rd, Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7:30 p.m. with the intention of having the applicants meeting in person. RESOLUTION EXTENSION REAL ESTATE TAX DEADLINES Mr. Keller explained that under Act 15, the Borough is allowed to extend Real Estate tax deadlines. Solicitor Garner advised that Act 15 allows an extension of the discount rate for Real Estate base tax, which is due December 31st. Council may also further extend the discount period to August 31st of this year. He added that fees or penalties could also be waived as long as taxes are paid by December 31st. May 6, 2020 After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of Council to postpone any extensions to the June July meeting. EXTENSION CLOSED LOOP TO DECEMBER 31, 2020 Mr. Keller referred to the request of Traffic Planning and Design for the engineering services for Part III of the final phase of the Closed Loop project to December 31, 2020 to include the support of PennDOT. Solicitor Garner noted that this has been a 22-year long project. This will be listed for the regular meeting. GOFOURTH FESTIVAL/BEER GARDEN RESCHEDULED TO SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 President Weand advised that the request of the GoFourth Committee to reschedule its events and to hold a beer garden in Memorial Park from July 4, 2020 to September 6, 2020 will be listed for consideration on Monday’s agenda. PART – OPERATING SYSTEM AWARD PART BUDGET Mr. Keller advised that one response was received from PART Inc. for $1.872,000 cost of the transit system and $146,000 for paratransit. These costs are paid through PennDOT, FTA grants and Montgomery and Chester Counties. He also noted that the budget was provided in the packets. He added that significant grants have been received due to the decrease in ridership during the pandemic. The total budget is $728 million. These items will be listed for approval on the regular agenda. POTTSTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT CONSULTANT SERVICES Mr. Keller recommended an extension of the existing contract with Delta Airport Consultants. This is the 2nd year of the contract extension, with same terms and conditions. An RFP will be required in 2021. RESOLUTION – JUDY BALDASARRE, RETIREE Mr. Keller read and presented a resolution to Judy Baldassare in honor of her retirement. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-14 RECOGNIZING JUDITH L. BALDASSARE FOR 34 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE BOROUGH OF POTTSTOWN May 6, 2020 WHEREAS Judith L. Baldassare has served the Borough of Pottstown as a dedicated employee since 1985; and WHEREAS, during her career with the Borough she served in the Pottstown Police Department as a Radio Dispatcher; and WHEREAS, for the past seven years Judy has worked in the position of Civilian Processor II, and during that time she served our residents and our surrounding communities by directing requests for police and emergency services, monitored closed circuit cameras, and also served as the Borough’s Terminal Agency Coordinator verifying the accuracy of all CLEAN/NCIC entries and transactions, in order that residents could receive the best level of police customer service possible; and WHEREAS Judy’s presence at Borough Hall will be truly missed by the people that have worked with her. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Mayor and Town Council that Judith L. Baldassare is officially recognized for the outstanding service she has provided the Borough of Pottstown through 34 years of employment; and further that she is extended best wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement. Adopted at Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 East High Street, this 8th day of April 2020. Ms. Baldassare was participating and appreciated this recognition. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Sheila Dugan, 17 North Hanover Street – expressed concern regarding the closure of small businesses and questioned the Borough’s plan moving forward. Mr. Keller suggested that Ms. Dugan contact PAID and review its updates on a daily basis. b. Debbie Buckley, 420 Glasgow Street – commented that she has background as a lab technician and microbiology and offered her serviced to coordinate testing in the area or in Montgomery County. c. Jim Derr, 343 Rosedale Drive – provided his contact information to Ms. Buckley regarding her services. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Lindsay provided information for donations for Pottstown students for chrome books. She also noted that today is Nurse’s appreciation day and provided the new polling places for the Borough. Mayor Henrick and Councilor Paules updated all on the Mayor’s Ward War initiative and commended School Board member Raymond Rose for his survival skills and home projects. President Weand clarified that Borough Council had no part in the $50,000 raise provided to a Pottstown School administrator and any issues should be directed to the School board. May 6, 2020 EXECUTIVE SESSION President Weand recessed the meeting at 8:15 p.m. to executive session for litigation matters with no action to follow. ADJOURNMENT President Weand adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.