Council Committee of the Whole

September 4th, 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 September 4th, 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, Donald Lebedynsky, Dan Weand, Trenita Lindsay, Mayor Stephanie Henrick, Borough Manager Justin Keller, Assistant Solicitor Matthew Hovey, and Borough Secretary Alexa Barry. Absent was Lisa Vanni and Andrew Monastra. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS a. Emergency Services Report – Chief hand will disburse his report to Council via email. b. Infrastructure – The report was attached to the agenda. c. Ordinance Review Committee – Councilor Procsal reported that the ORC discussed, in their recent meeting, commercial trash pick-up, as well as the use of scooter and e-bikes. d. Economic Development & Business Liaison – Ms. Lee-Clark was present this evening and shared her thoughts on the impact social media has on businesses and the business community. She shared facts and statistics on downtown business revitalization. BOARDS & COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Land Bank Report – Ms. Lee-Clark stated the Land Bank Board acquired 633 Walnut St. and they are recommending a clean-up due to it being a previous hoarding situation. b. Human Relations Commission –Ms. Levengood was present this evening and reported that this month is Hispanic Heritage month, and there is a CCU event upcoming on September 13th at Riverfront Park. The next HRC Meeting is September 10th at 6 pm. c. Ricketts Community Center – There was a report attached to the agenda. d. Pottstown School District – There was a report attached to the agenda.  September 4th, 2024 SOLICITOR’S GENERAL DISCUSSION – Assistant Solicitor Matthew Hovey discussed the noise ordinance in the Borough, general provisions and definitions of the ordinance. MANAGER’S REPORT – Borough Manager Justin Keller updated everyone that the Borough CDBG Stormwater Project, phases I and II, to replace stormwater inlets, has begun and work is taking place on Grace Street – this is a multi-year improvement plan. He also provided an update about general Borough news, such as the Parks and Recreation Fall Newsletter bring published, and new mural boxes being painted in around the Borough. Traffic Calming Street Mural Request – Beth Desch was present this evening to present and request permission to develop a traffic calming mural at the 200 block of Walnut Street. Street Commemoration Request: Chief James Rodgers – Councilor Lindsay requested permission to commemorate Grant Street in honor of the late Chief James Rodgers. Line Striping Bid – Requesting a Bid for line striping, however, no bids were received prior to the window closing. This was the second time the project was placed out to bid. Aviation Fuel Bid – Requesting a Bid for Aviation Fuel, however, no bids were received prior to the window closing. South Street Park Bid Award – Requesting a bid for playground construction, as well as park improvements. Ricketts Center Lease Extension: Boyertown Multi-Service Inc. – This is a request from Boyertown Multi-Service Inc. for a 5-year extension of their current lease and requesting a continuation of the current annual payments. Manatwany Green Concession Stand Lease – This is a request to renew the lease for the concession stand located at 71 W. High Street. PBA/Borough Sewer System Lease Agreement – This was a discussion regarding the renewal of the lease for the sewer system between the Borough and the Pottstown Borough Authority. Local Pollutant Limits Ordinance – This will require an ordinance amendment to reaffirm the current local pollutant limits and reduce the limit with respect to Total Cyanide. Police Pension Plans 2025 MMO – Requesting approval for the 2025 Police MMO increase and resolution. Non-uniform Pension Plan 2025 MMO – Requesting approval for the 2025 Non-uniform Pension MMO increase and resolution. Street Closure Request – Ride for the River – Requesting the closure of College Drive from Hanover to High with monitored traffic through to College Drive from High Street for Keystone Blvd business on September 28th from 8:30 am-2:00 pm. Street Closure Request – Community Block Party – Requesting the closure of Washington St. between Chestnut St. & Rowan Alley on September 19th from 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm.  September 4th, 2024 Upcoming Board Vacancies – a. EAC, one 3-year term to expire August 10th, 2024 b. Human Relations Commission, one 4-year term to expire October 11th, 2024 and one 4- year term to expire November 14th, 2024 c. HARB, one 5-year term to expire 4/1/27 (vacant) COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT – Kelly Fenstermacher, 1023 E. High Street – Ms. Fenstermacher was present this evening to inform everyone of an upcoming event at Edgewood cemetery and urged everyone to come out to this event. Doug Slick, 474 N. Evans – Mr. Slick was present this evening to discuss a major cleanup that occurred at the College Drive Encampment and thanked all who were involved and donated. COUNCILOR’S GENERAL DISCUSSION – Councilor Lindsay spoke on the free fruit and vegetables giveaway that Rep. Ciresi had, and gave a shoutout to Ashley, the artist for the sunflower mural box. Councilor Lebedynsky reported on the positive feedback he received regarding the L’OE Show and thanked everyone again for his shoutout. Councilor Procsal reported that his children were back to school and was happy to report that NAACP was handing out free books.