Council Committee of the Whole

May 8th, 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. CONDITIONAL USE – There was a conditional use hearing, led by Assistant Solicitor Matthew Hovey and called to order at 6:30 PM. Applicant, Jansell Arias, was present to request permission to convert the existing commercial units at 404 N. Charlotte Street into residential units. Present to publicly speak and present questions and concerns regarding parking availability was Seneca Covington. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING May 8th, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting was called to order at 7:00 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, Assistant Solicitor Matthew Hovey, and Borough Secretary Alexa Barry. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Emergency Services Report – The report was attached to the agenda. b. Infrastructure – The report was attached to the agenda. c. Efficient Methods Committee – Councilor Lebedynsky reported that they met with Chief Hand to discuss the future goals of the fire companies and potentially consolidating in the future. d. Transportation – Nothing to report at this time. e. Ordinance Review Committee – Councilor Procsal reported that the sign ordinances were discussed at the recent ORC meeting. f. Economic Development and Business Liaison – Peggy Lee-Clark reported on her gratitude for her staff and their efforts towards planting the early spring flowers on High Street. She continued that there are a lot of Spring events going on in Pottstown, including a ribbon cutting for Gazo’s Steaks. Ms. Lee-Clark stated that there is another round of small business grants that will be open for applications until May 17th, 2024. BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPORTS  May 8th, 2024 a. Land Bank Report – Ms. Lee-Clark had no updates for the Land Bank at this time – all properties have been sold. b. Human Relations Commission – Marcia Levengood was present this evening and reported that May is Jewish American month, as well as Asian and Pacific Islander American month. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12th and Monday, May 27th is Memorial Day. The next Commission meeting is May 14th at 6 pm and all are invited to attend. c. Ricketts Community Center – Councilor Kirkland reported that the continuing programs for the Ricketts Center are the school programs, the karate fitness center, and the dance programs. He pointed out that new enrollment for the last month is 20. SOLICITORS GENERAL DISCUSSION – In lieu of the Solicitors General Discussion, President Weand asked that we allow Attorney Mike Murray to present early on behalf of Lastick Acquisitions on 305 High Street. It is a land development plan proposing to renovate the current building and requesting certain waivers. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Henrick presented a proclamation for Public Service Recognition week 2024. She continued into her report and stated she has 4 tickets left to the Big-Ticket Night for the Rotary Club, for which all proceeds go to STRIVE. Further, she recently did a ride-along with Office Cordes and was astonished with the number of calls that come in throughout the day. Mayor Henrick met with social services and discussed the plans for the PECO encampment. Mayor Henrick attended multiple cleanups, including Memorial Park and one of the abandoned campsites on Borough property. She continued by addressing an article that was published in WHYY regarding a rumor stating that Kensington residents were being shipped to Pottstown and stated she had no evidence to support this. MANAGER’S REPORT – Borough Manager Justin Keller reported by plugging the Library Fundraiser that was occurring May 11th from 4 pm – 8 pm. He continued by thanking Mindy for her diligent service and how lucky the library, as well as the Borough, is to have someone with her expertise. Mr. Keller updated everyone that the Borough is working with PAED to distribute the required notice relating to the Business Improvement District. He reminds all that the Borough will have the Spring hydrant flushing Monday, May 20th from 8 am – 3 pm. Construction has begun on the Chestnut Street Park, starting with demolition of the playground, and is expected to be completed in July. Construction is also ongoing for the Memorial Park Bridge replacement and abutments are expected to be delivered. The construction on the Riverfront Park waterway is complete in terms of the embankment. Lastly for the parks, there was a meeting with environmental consultations for Pollack Park and they will begin the process to secure a civil engineer for this project. Mr. Keller detailed some pressing issues and stated that the Borough is making significant progress addressing these issues, particularly issues regarding the sign ordinance, recovery homes and litter on Borough sidewalks and streets. Lastly, Mr. Keller reported that the sign-ups for the Adopt a Street program have been launched on the Borough website. Presentation and Permission to Operate a Mobile Farmers Market – Max Kulp was present this evening to present to Council on operating a Mobile Farmers Market for a 12-week pilot program, 1 day a week from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, beginning in August 2024. Intermunicipal Agreement for Paving of Mervine Street – This is an agreement between the Borough and Lower Pottsgrove for a joint paving project of Mervine Street, where half of the  May 8th, 2024 cost of the project would be the Borough’s responsibility. Crossing Guard Agreement with All City Management – By state statute the Borough is required to contract with crossing guard services for the school district. The school district reimburses the Borough for the cost of these services, and All City Crossing Management has signed a three- year contract for these services. The School District tentatively agreed to this proposal. Local Match Resolution for PART for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 – Requesting a resolution certifying the local match for state operating financial assistance grant for $1.79 million and the local match is $120,000 which will be paid by Montgomery and Chester Counties. Permission for alcohol consumption in Riverfront Park - 2024 Schuylkill River Sojourn – Requesting to allow alcohol consumption in Riverfront Park on June 18th, 2024, from 5 pm – 9 pm. Permission to Operate Biergaten in Memorial Park – Pottstown Rumble is requesting to operate a Biergarten in Memorial Park from June 21-23, 11 am – 12 am. Permission for Alcohol Consumption in Smith Family Plaza – Pottstown Area Economic Development is requesting permission to consume alcohol in Smith Family Plaza during Fete en Blanc on September 6th, 2024, from 6 pm – 9 pm. Street Closure Request - Fete en Blanc—Pottstown Area Economic Development is requesting for the closure of certain streets during their Fete en Blanc event on September 6th, 2024, from 4 pm – 10 pm. Street Closure Request – Church Service (Friends & Family Day) – Victory Christian Life Center is requesting the closure of certain streets for a Friends and Family Day on June 9th, 2024, from 9 am – 3 pm. Street Closure Request - All-American Soapbox Derby Race – Pottstown AMBUCS is requesting for the closure of certain street for their annual Soapbox Derby on June 14th and 15th with a rain date of June 16th from 7 am Friday until 7 pm Saturday. Building Permit Violation Fees Discussion – President Weand would like to see the fee for doing work without a permit, Building Permit violation fee, to increase from $250 to $500 as a maximum fee. Amendment to Chapter 20, Solid Waste – The amendment to this ordinance would require all Neighborhood Convenience Stores to provide trash receptacles outside of their store. Amendment to Chapter 27, Zoning – This amendment would amend the sign regulations for window signs, banner flags, and inflatables. Upcoming Board Vacancies – a. EAC, one 3-year term to expire August 10th, 2024 b. HARB, two 5-year terms to expire April 1st, 2029 Hylton  May 8th, 2024 Purdy c. Land Bank Board, two 3-year terms to expire April 9th, 2027 Kulp Vanni COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT – Tom Niarhos, PO Box 60 – Mr. Niarhos was present this evening and gave Council a handout that recapped the winter warning center season as well as the season for the entire county. There were over 11,000 code blue beds filled in Montgomery County. Mr. Niarhos thanked the Pottstown community and leadership for their efforts this season. He will continue case management over the summer months. Doug Slick, 474 N. Evans – Mr. Slick was present this evening and stated there was a planned cleanup in Kensington, and most residents there had already relocated. He stated there is no data that supports the statements that these residents are being relocated to Pottstown, and furthered that the mayor’s office in Kensington denied these allegations as well. COUNCILOR’S GENERAL DISCUSSION – Councilor Procsal stated that despite the damp weather, he enjoyed what he could of the annual Powwow. Councilor Vanni thanked Mayor Henrick for getting her to go out and go roller-skating. She continued that she walks High Street prior to work and was pleased with what she has seen. Councilor Lindsay stated she went to the Powwow, as well as the Shred Event hosted by Parks and Recreation, and that she was able to see her son prior to him deploying. Councilor Monastra detailed an event upcoming at the Edgewood Cemetery on May 18th, a living history tour. President Weand attended the ribbon cutting at the newly opened Good Will, to which was followed up with an email to him, thanking him for joining the ribbon cutting, as well as thanking the Borough for being easy to work with.