Council Committee of the Whole

April 5, 2023 ANNOUNCEMENT Borough Manager Keller explained the format for this evening’s meeting, advising that the meeting is a public in-person and a GoTo Meeting and available on-line as well. Public comments are being accepted through email and chat until 7:05 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. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING The April 5, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with President Weand in the Chair. INVOCATION President Weand requested a moment of silence. ATTENDANCE Councilors present were Ryan Procsal, Lisa Vanni, Don Lebedynsky, Trenita Lindsay, Dan Weand and Andrew Monastra. Also present were Mayor Stephanie Henrick, Borough Manager Justin Keller, Solicitor Charles Garner (virtual) and Borough Secretary Virginia Takach. Councilor Kirkland was absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRESENTATION – HONORING PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT President Weand announced the Excellence in Recreation and Parks award presented to Director Michael Lenhart and Programs Coordinator for their initiative in the 2022 Pottstown Play Streets Program. The award was presented to Mr. Lenhart and Ms. Graham at the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society Awards Banquet on March 21st in Hershey Pennsylvania. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – The report was in the packet. b. Transportation – There was no meeting. c. Efficient Methods Committee – Councilor Lebedynsky noted that the homeless issue was a topic of discussion. d. Ordinance Review Committee – Councilor Procsal advised there was no meeting but will meet in April. e. Economic Development & Business Liaison – There was no report for this month. April 5, 2023 BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Land Bank – There was no report. b. Emergency Services Report – Chief Hand is attending the West Pottsgrove meeting. Reports were in the packets. c. Human Relations Commission – Ms. Levengood reported that Passover begins this evening and Easter is April 9th. She added that Earth Day is April 22nd and the next Commission meeting is April 11th. d. Library – Ms. Lipsky announced that the March statistics have surpassed the pre-pandemic numbers. She added that new directional signs will be added this week, which were obtained through a grant. Ms. Lipsky will be attending several upcoming community events. She also noted that the Library is seeking new board members. e. Ricketts Community Center – There was no report. f. Pottstown School District – Councilor Lindsay advised that she had no report. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Solicitor Garner reviewed the bidding process for the Borough also known as Municipal Procurement. He noted that the bid tabulations are the culmination of an advertised bid, which is a statutory process for services, goods or construction projects with an estimated amount that exceeds $22,500, which must then go out for competitive bid. The law requires that the award go to the lowest responsible bidder. Solicitor Garner advised that several years ago, the law allowed for quotes if the estimated costs ranged from $12,200 - $22,500, with the requirement to seek three quotes, which must be kept for a period of three years. Attorney Garner provided and explanation for the four main exceptions to the bidding process, which are an in-house project using a borough’s own employees; professional services, such as attorney, engineering or auditing services; piggy-back on a state bid contract, such as co-stars; and an emergency doctrine, i.e., a water or sewer plant failure. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Henrick reviewed the events at which she recently attended including the NAACP and Pottstown Community Action pet adoption event at the Carousel. She also attended a reading event at the Day Care located at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Mayor Henrick noted the Hill School has opened a sustainable coffee bar located near the former New York Store building on High Street. She also advised that several Council members met with the Executive Director of PAED to outline the role of PAED. She also advised that a Gable Street resident with a flooding issue in the yard, has been resolved with the assistance of Representative Joe Ciresi. The Mayor also provided information on upcoming April events. She also reported that on May 2nd, the April 5, 2023 Montgomery County Bar Association will provide free assistance for wills, advanced medical directives, etc. at the TriCounty Area Active Adult Center. MANAGER’S REPORT Manager Keller advised that the PUC announced its findings for the 2022 Hale Street explosion as one part of the ongoing investigation. He also advised the PECO will partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide customers with trees to plant at their homes for energy savings and environmental impacts. Information is located on PECO’s website and in coordination of a local pick-up location. He also announced a $1 million grant to allow for the conversion of all the street lights in the Borough with LED lights and the installation of additional security cameras. Mr. Keller also advised that the Authority will be completing the investigatory work for Phase I of the $1.275 million lead service replacement project. The second phase is a $3.75 million project in 2024. He added that the annual street sweeping will continue throughout the summer. PRESENTATION – 2023 STREET PAVING PROJECT Manager Keller and Public Works Director Doug Yerger presented the 2023 Paving Plan for the Borough. Mr. Keller advised that 60 miles of Borough Roadways are the responsibility of the Borough. He noted the roads that are state roads and the responsibility of PennDOT. He also outlined the funding sources including Liquid Fuel funds, Authority funds and Utility Funds mainly PECO. Mr. Yerger explained how the roads are prioritized, with a rating of #5 being the worst. He noted that 19.92 miles of roadways are rated #5. He also explained the coordination with planned utility work so as not to have a road paved and then dug up for a utility project. Mr. Yerger provided a map for the proposed roads to be paved in 2023. He reviewed certain pilot program materials, such as Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA), developed by Penn State University, to address alleys when time and dollars allow. Mr. Keller requested approval of the 2023 paving plan and authorization to bid on the project to pave 5.35 miles of roadway in the Borough. RADIOLOGICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS (RERP) Mr. Keller referred to the resolution required to adopt the Radiological Emergency Response Plan for the Borough. This has been approved by the County. COLEBROOKDALE REILROAD REIMBURSEMENT AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT Mr. Keller noted that the reimbursement and maintenance agreement has been signed by Mr. Guest and recommended Council approval. CDBG GRANT APLICATION – STORMWATER INLETS Mr. Keller noted that CDBG funding has been used to address Stormwater Inlets. This is the third phase and the locations will be announced in the near future. April 5, 2023 President Weand advised that these items will be listed for consideration on Monday’s agenda. ZONING – DAVID PURSEL, 1 WEST 5TH STREET Solicitor Garner referred to the request for zoning relief for the property located at 1 West 5th Street. He advised that the owner is seeking to subdivide the property into two lots. Solicitor Garner added that if the zoning relief is granted the project will come back to Council for approval. ZONING – MEGAN HORAN, INTREN, LLC, 225 SOUTH PRICE STREET Solicitor Garner also reviewed the zoning relief request for the property located at 225 South Street. He explained that the one-acre parcel is unapproved and asking to keep an over-sized storage container on the property. Solicitor Garner noted that he is recommending these applications go directly to the Zoning Hearing Board but may be listed for Council’s direction. SCHUYLKILL RIVER GREENWAYS – ALCOHOL IN RIVERFRONT PARK Mr. Keller referred to the letter from the Schuylkill River Greenways Association requested to include alcohol during its May 20th and June 20th events in Riverfront Park. PLAY STREET – PARKS & RECREATION – STREET CLOSURES Mr. Keller also explained the request of the Parks & Recreation Department for the closure of various streets located near the Borough parks, in order to hold the Play Streets events throughout the summer. These events will be listed for consideration on Monday’s agenda. UPCOMING BOARD VACANCIES President Weand advised that one 5-year term is open on HARB and two 3-year terms on the Land Bank Board. These will be listed for the regular agenda. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT a. Deb Spence, 153 South Roland Street – questioned if the Borough is allowed to have a Pottstown Housing Authority and how that would look. She also questioned the availability to allow for co-op apartment homes or condos in the business district. Ms. Spence also advised that the Land Bank Board information doesn’t call for real-estate experience. She does not believe that every member of the Board is a real estate agent. b. Bruce Madara, 543 North Adams Street – reiterated his concern regarding potholes, including the parking lot to the south of Borough Hall. He was told to call the County and was advised that the County or Courthouse owns this roadway. He also commented on the discussions that the homeless are responsible for crime, they lower property values and may even derail the April 5, 2023 trains. He questioned who really belongs in the Borough and who really needs help. Mr. Madara also noted that one Councilor went to the Zoning Hearing and expressed more than a neighborly or personal opinion and questioned if that was breaking the law. c. Robert Pltonen, 19 Walnut Street – questioned when the Manatawny Park bridge will be completed. He also thanked Representative Ciresi for getting the sink hole fixed on Walnut Street and urged additional street sweeping on Walnut Street. He also expressed a concern regarding the increased shootings in town and questioned when the Colebrookdale Railroad be worked on again and open to the public. COUNCILORS’ GENERAL DISCUSSION Councilor Procsal noted that he will again visit Juan Carlos Restaurant as he does every April 7th. Councilor Vanni commented that she would like a discussion on flags and signs listed for next month’s pre-agenda meeting. Councilor Lindsay reported that she attended a seminar on grants hosted by Representative Paul Friel and acknowledged the tedious grant process. Councilor Monastra expressed a concern regarding a homeless situation in the proposed Iron Globe facility that he is attempting to market. The building had been broken into, with a space heater, produce and Narcan found in the building. Councilor Monastra advised that the developer left the building. He also expressed a concern regarding the County’s lack of assistance for Pottstown. He noted that the actual problem is balancing economic development and concern for the homeless. He commended the Borough Manager and Staff for their efforts within the Borough. He also reminded all of the April 29th Edgewood Cemetery clean up event. Mayor Henrick suggested creating a committee. Manager Keller noted the TCN is a committee to oversee these issues. ADJOURNMENT President Weand adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.