Council Committee of the Whole

March 6th, 2024 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 five-minute rule and participants shall be identified accordingly. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING March 6th, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. with President Weand in the Chair. ATTENDANCE Councilors present were Ryan Procsal, Lisa Vanni, Donald Lebedynsky, Dan Weand, Trenita Lindsay, Andrew Monastra and Joseph Kirkland, Mayor Stephanie Henrick, Borough Manager Justin Keller, Solicitor Charles Garner, and Borough Secretary Alexa Barry. PRESENTATION – RETIREE – Manager Keller presented long time Borough employee, Allen J. Britton, his retirement resolution and thanked him for his years of service and dedication to the Borough of Pottstown. RESOLUTION 2024-7 RECOGNIZING ALLEN J. BRITTON FOR 48 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE BOROUGH OF POTTSTOWN WHEREAS, Allen J. Britton has served the Borough of Pottstown as a dedicated employee since 1975; and WHEREAS, duririg his career with the Borough he served in different capacities including Public Works Refuse Collector; and WHEREAS, for the past 34 years Allen has worked in the position of Service Worker I in the Streets Division of the Public Works Department and during that time he has provided the daily maintenance of our public streets and alleys for all our residents and visitors by providing safe passage in all types of weather conditions {summer heat, heavy rains and blizzards}and responding at various times of the day and night, all with the highest level of customer service possible; and WHEREAS, Allen's presence at the Borough Garage will be truly missed by the people that have worked with him. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Mayor and Town Council that Allen J. Britton is officially recognized for the outstanding service he has provided the Borough of Pottstown through 48 years of employment; and further that he is extended best wishes for a happy and well-deserved retirement. March 6th, 2024 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Infrastructure – The report was attached to the agenda. b. Efficient Methods Committee – Councilor Lebedynsky reported that they are continuing to expand the capabilities of Express Bill Pay. Long term goals include water, sewer, and utilities to be monitored and controlled from the central utility area. c. Ordinance Review Committee – Nothing to report at this time. d. Economic Development and Business Liaison – Peggy Lee-Clark was present this evening to report they are continuing the lighting project installation, continuing to the 400-block and 800-block. Small business grant applications, through Univest Bank, are available on PAED’s website. Ms. Lee-Clark reported there are a lot of business moving into the downtown district, such as a brewery and an Italian bakery. She expressed her support for Dwight City Group and their development plans. Ms. Lee-Clark urged that they value working with businesses and detailed the process behind event applications. BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Land Bank Report – Ms. Lee-Clark was present this evening and reported 403 Walnut was awarded by the Land Bank and chosen to be sold. Further information is found on the Pottstown Borough Land Bank website. b. Human Relations Commission – Marcia Levengood was present this evening and reported that March is Women’s History Month, Ramadan will begin on March 11th, and March is Irish American Heritage Month. Both the first day of Spring and Daylight Savings are impending, and Easter is at the end of the month. The Commission’s next meeting is Tuesday, March 12th. c. Library – Ms. Mindy Lipsky was present this evening to report that there was a statistical report within the packet. Further, the annual report with the state illustrated that in 2023, programming more than doubled, offering 896 programs to the Pottstown Community. She detailed that passport photos can be taken at the library as well. d. Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland reported that there are quite a few activities going on for both children and adults. For children, there are multiple weekend and weekday events currently and upcoming. For adults, there are different events, including a Health Fair and blood drive. He directed further questions to call the Ricketts Center. e. Pottstown School District – Councilor Lindsay reported that Beauty and the Beast is going on at the High School and tickets are available both online and at the door.  March 6th, 2024 SOLICITOR’S GENERAL DISCUSSION – Solicitor Charles Garner reported on the process of ordinance enforcement, noting the entire process is laid out and followed via the planning code. Solicitor Garner details what needs to be done in order to file a violation and how that violation works going forward, as well as the rights of those who are being filed against, and the timeframe for the duration of filing violations. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Henrick detailed her tour of the JP Mascaro facility and how the process works when items are recycled. She continued to detail numerous events she partook in, such as Coldest Night of the Year, where she fundraised and met her goal. Mayor Henrick also detailed noteworthy events upcoming in the remainder of March and into April. She urged residents to visit the Parks and Rec website to view their newly launched newsletter. MANAGER’S REPORT – Borough Manager Justin Keller began his report by informing everyone that negotiations with PPOA and the union have begun, and he will keep everyone updated going forward. There is a streambank restoration along Manatawny Creek Bridge underway. Michael Lenhart offered further insight into this, stating this project is projected to take 2 months, not to run consecutively. Although it was not able to be added to the agenda in time, Manager Keller noted that we will be seeking permission to apply for the DCNR C2P2 grant at the Monday meeting. Bus Diesel Fuel Bid – Manager Keller stated we did receive a bid for this, and we will have a recommendation for the bid award at the Monday meeting. Lawn and Right of Way Maintenance Bid – Manager Keller stated we received the bids for this, and we will have recommendations for the bid awards at the Monday meeting. 276-278 N. Hanover – The applicants from Dwight City group were present this evening for a presentation to Council regarding their application, what they are requesting, what their project will look like in and for Pottstown, and why they advocate for a lower parking to unit ratio. Notably, the applicants were requesting relief regarding the parking requirement, more specifically, their plan includes 146 spaces while the ordinance requires 180. The applicants also detailed for Council some of their previous lots that were renovate and what those projects looked like. 2024 Paving Presentation – Manager Keller and Public Works Director Doug Yerger had a presentation, detailing the plans for the 2024 Pottstown Street paving that includes 2.67 miles of Pottstown roads, where it would be, and how they decide what streets they prioritize. 400-Block Mini Improvement, phase 2 – Marie Haigh was present this even to detail her plans for the second phase of the 400 block of High Street mini-improvement project. This project will include tree bed plantings on the 400-block north side, artistic paintings of payphones on the 400- block north side, and potentially a street mural painted intersection at the intersection of High and Washington, with the hopes of welcoming you into the downtown area and bringing the community together. Pottstown Rotary Club 4th of July Parade – The Rotary club is planning to start this at 10:15 AM on July 4th at Parade start time will be 10:15 AM on July 4th at Goodwill Fire Company on High & Adams St. and run from High to Manatawny and will then disband at Manatawny. Environmental Consultation Services for the Borough of Pottstown Pollack Park Brownfield Clean-up Project – PA DEP Grant Funding requires a Request for Proposals for professional  March 6th, 2024 services for environmental consultations and the Borough is in the process of interviewing 3 firms and will have a recommendation for Monday night. 502 Hale – This lot is currently a vacant lot and the plans submitted show a 4-unit apartment building, however, the proposal does not meet the zoning ordinance so they are asking for a number of variances relating to the size of the building they are proposing. Specifically, they are looking for a variance relating to rear yard set back relief, the overall size of the building, the building height and the location of the parking spaces as they relate to hale street. 223 Shoemaker – This is a vacant building and the plans submitted are for an Urgent Care Veterinary Center. The relief solely relates to signage and the number of signs they are seeking, the maximum sign area, and the window signage exceeding 25% of the glass size. 1501 High Street – This is a lot with a pharmacy being the primary use and the applicant is asking for a permanent food truck to be placed on the property. The zoning ordinance states that you cannot have 2 unrelated uses on one site, and the food truck is not an accessory use to the pharmacy, and the location of the food truck on the property could affect parking. Pottstown Play Streets – The Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department is requesting street closures on various different Thursday evenings throughout the summer from 5:15 PM to 7:30 PM for community outreach. Non-uniform Pension Smoothing and Uniform Pension Smoothing – These two items request council approval for the transition in pension valuation methods from the snapshot date approach to asset smoothing which both options are permitted by actuarial regulations governing pensions. The Borough's snapshot date of January 2022 occurred when the market was more than 30% lower than it is today which would have caused the Borough's MMO to increase by $1.4MM in 2025. This shift for both non-uniform and uniform pension will allow for a strategic move towards managing pension fund finances. PAED Street Fest – Pottstown Area Economic Development is requesting a street closure for their annual street fest that will entail 3 different events, affecting the 200-block of high street from 12-7 PM. Red Horse Motoring Club Car Show – Applicants for this car show submitted a street closure request for their annual car show that will occur on various Saturdays throughout the summer months. It is important to note a few changes to the car show, specifically, moving the time up to 1 PM rather than 4 PM, and expanding the High Street road closure. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT – Leena Devlin, 245 E. High Street – Ms. Devlin was present this evening to speak about the upcoming High Street closures, specifically, the Red Horse Car Show. She expressed that moving the time up for the car show from 4 pm to 1 pm negatively impacts their business and planned events, a potential loss of $10,000. Dan Glennon, 132 E. 3rd Street – Mr. Glennon was present this evening to make clarifications regarding moving their street closure time up and the ability they might have to work with businesses that may be affected by this change. Mr. Glennon also detailed the costs of the car show and his feelings of unaffordability of the costs associated.  March 6th, 2024 Tom Niarhos, PO Box 60 – Mr. Niahros was present this evening to speak about the walk that was organized, Coldest Night of the Year, that included 196 people coming out to learn about the event and the impact in Pottstown. This event was able to raise $42,000 dollars. Joshua Souders, 252 E. High Street – Mr. Souders was present this evening to express his concerns about the Red Horse Car Show street closure and lack of communication throughout the application process. Doug Slick, 474 N. Evans Street – Mr. Slick was present this evening highlighting the need for the Borough to continue to reach across levels of government for aid in addressing the unhoused. He continued that, positively, the county has reached 3 million dollars of covid-19 money to help avoid evictions. Johnny Corson, 544 Jefferson Avenue – Mr. Corson was present this evening to speak on behalf of the NAACP. He encouraged all in Pottstown to sign up for the blood drive at the Ricketts Center as there is a shortage. He continued to thank those involved in bringing back to life the Bright Hope playground. COUNCILOR’S GENERAL DISCUSSION – Councilor Vanni spoke about her visit to JP Mascaro and her takeaway. She continued that the Pet Loss Group that the Mayor spoke of is very helpful for those in need. Ms. Vanni continued by thanking her neighbor for her efforts to keep Pottstown clean. Councilor Monastra spoke about his time working in conjunction with other Council members regarding recent issues in the Borough. Councilor Kirkland asked if anyone had questions regarding events at the Ricketts Center to reach out to the center directly. President Weand thanked Commissioner DiBella for coming out and speaking to Council and commended him for staying for the duration of the meeting. He continued that for the Monday meeting, he will devise a schedule for attendance at the pre-agenda meetings.