Borough Council

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

April 13, 2009

President Edwin Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM with the following Councilors present: Ms. Holliday Giles, Mr. Theodore Streeter, Mr. Michael Birkner, Mr. John Butterfield, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mr. Robert Krummerich, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis and Mayor William Troxell. Staff present included Manager John Lawver, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Solicitor Harold Eastman, Chief Joseph Dougherty, Finance Director Ramona Overton, Planner Merry Bush and Rec Coordinator Jackie Green.

Others present included Gene Golden, Gettysburg Signs Express, Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA, Dan Ebaugh, Adams County Habitat, Mark Berg, 175 Cold Springs Road (property owner), Judie Butterfield, 999 Sunset Avenue, Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street, Carol Miller, 47 North Hay Street, Jeanie Poole, 317 Buford Avenue, Graham Weaver, 721 Sunset Avenue, Stacey Green, 357 West High Street.

Representing the press were Scot Pitzer of the Gettysburg Times, and Erin James representing the Evening Sun

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Ms. Giles to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Butterfield to approve the March 19, 2009 minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Citizens in attendance:

Mark Berg attended to express his concern that Council does not update publicly on the REDDI project. He noted Mr. Streeter serves on the GEDC and Ms. Estrada is Council liaison but isn't reporting at the meetings. He feels the tax payers of the borough should be informed of GEDC plans for the REDDI project.

Solicitor Eastman responded the development of property is not the responsibility of Council and that was the purpose of establishing GEDC. He pointed out GEDC will need to go through the proper boards and committees when they arrive at that point.

Ms. Estrada said the negotiations are confidential while GEDC works with potential developers in reviewing the possibilities of proposals.

Mr. Birkner expressed concern that Council doesn't have any input when the taxpayers may be responsible to pay certain fees. Solicitor Eastman responded Council can ask questions but GEDC doesn't have to answer that real estate is confidential until they are ready to announce their plans.

Gene Golden expressed his concern over the sign ordinance that is not revised after 4 years from his initial request. He feels these revisions should have been in place by now and the delay has hurt his business. Mr. Golden first notified Council in 2005 and his Attorney sent a letter to Solicitor Eastman in 2007 and the ordinance is still pending.

Mr. Butterfield responded Council understands his frustration but the ordinance committee has been dedicating time to the Sign Ordinance and are nearing completion of a final draft.

Carol Miller attended to encourage Council to apologize to a reporter who she felt was harassed during the March Council meeting. Mr. Peterson responded he didn't know which member of Council she was referring to.

Mayor Troxell announced the Adams County Borough's Association meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18th at 6:15 pm at the Pike Restaurant. The guest speaker will be State Senator Richard Alloway. Anyone interested in attending should contact Sara.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Ms. Estrada to approve the CDBG allocations as follows: Administration $15,000; PICPI $10,000; Habitat $4,472.50; Survivors $13,200; Code Enforcement $9,298; and Borough ADA $83,017.50. YEA: Mrs. Lewis, Ms. Estrada, Mr. Krummerich, Mr. Birkner, Ms. Giles, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Streeter and Mr. Butterfield. NAY: Mrs. Naugle.

Mrs. Naugle express concern with the Breckenridge Street project and recommended dividing PICPI in half to give to SCCAP funding. She was disappointed in the outcome and thought this wasn't going to be on the agenda for approval until May.

Ms. Estrada felt SCCAP fell to the bottom of the list and also it is a duplication of services between PICPI and SCCAP for their Counseling Service Program.

Mr. Birkner asked if SCCAP would be eligible for other sources of funding if the Borough doesn't allocate any funds to them. Ms. Overton noted the Borough hasn't received final allocation and that there may be additional funding to allocate. She also noted the application deadline has been extended. Manager Lawver said it is unclear what the Federal Government is planning, that normally the application deadline is due in April but has been extended to May 22nd.

Mr. Streeter reported the Adams County Council of Governments held their first meeting on March 12th. He noted they will establish a fee structure and that Council should consider this during budget preparation. Mr. Streeter requested an alternate be appointed to the COG committee. Mr. Butterfield volunteered to be the alternate.

Mr. Streeter announced the Transportation meeting is scheduled for May 28th.

Ms. Estrada asked if Representative Rich Alloway discussed a 1% sales tax during their meeting. Mr. Streeter answered no but there may be an alternative plan. He will update Council as information becomes available.

Mr. Birkner reported the fence is completed at the Stratton Street Bridge.

Mr. Birkner introduced and welcomed Jackie Green the new Recreation Coordinator who began her duties on April 6th.

Mr. Birkner reported Tom Jolin continues to work on the bike trail and is hopeful that grant money may become available for this project.

Mr. Birkner reported the boy scouts placed recycling flyers throughout town to better inform everyone about recycling. He noted Ms. Stull received a recycling container from the Gettysburg College to be used at the recreation building.

Mr. Birkner reported an upcoming meeting for the Peer-to-Peer representatives will be held in the near future to speak with the regional coordinator. Cumberland Township Manager Flo Ford is organizing this meeting.

Mr. Butterfield reported the Ordinance Committee has been reviewing the Sign Ordinance and will now send it to an Urban Planner for their expertise and recommendations.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Birkner to adopt a resolution increasing the towing fees for approved storage garages from $45.00 to $75.00. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Butterfield reported the Civil Service Commission held the police written exam testing on April 4th and of the 8 applicants 5 successfully passed and will proceed to the oral exam on April 25th.

Mrs. Naugle reported Healthy Adams County held their first walk which was the Gettysburg Inter Loop/proposed bike trail. It encompasses 2.9 miles throughout town and was well attended with 120 people walking the trail.

Mr. Krummerich asked the status of grants. Ms. Estrada responded the finance department is preparing a priority list and will present to the committee.

Mr. Krummerich reported the finance committee continues to work on establishing a fee chart for events. Council will have the opportunity to comment before adoption.

Mr. Krummerich reported the PILOT letters were sent out to the businesses and we are starting to get responses and donations. A thank you letter will be prepared by Mr. Peterson to send to these businesses. Ms. Estrada suggested calling people that we haven't heard from.

Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Mr. Butterfield to approve all bills and payrolls for the month as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Estrada reported the college cancelled or postponed some of their scheduled events due to the tragic college student death recently.

Ms. Estrada reported Jackie White, owner Dobbin House is working with Bob Sharrah to complete plans for parking to present to the Planning Commission.

Mr. Estrada reported as information becomes available regarding the REDDI project she would share it with Council and residents.

Mrs. Lewis reported Schmuck Lumber Company will be opening a store in the old Lumber Yard building on York Street.

Moved Mrs. Lewis, seconded Mr. Streeter to approve HARB consent agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Solicitor Eastman announced Council would need to hold a public meeting regarding the Borough of Gettysburg acting as a sponsor in establishing a signing district within the Borough of Gettysburg under the Tourist Oriented Directional Signs (TODA) program of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT).

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Ms. Estrada to authorize the Solicitor to advertise a public hearing on May 11, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. to receive comments regarding the TODS program. Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Naugle asked if there are drawings for the TODA program available for review. Manager Lawver responded he has a set in his office for review.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to adopt the Emergency Operations Plan resolution. Motion carried unanimously.

Manager Lawver reported a majority number of council will need to take the NIMS training course as required by the county.

Manager Lawver reported census 2010 is up and running and a committee should be formed to get a complete count of the Borough. He suggested 1 member from each WARD serve on this committee. This is very important as it could effect out federal funding. Any members of Council interested in volunteering for this committee should contact Mr. Peterson.

Manager Lawver reported the borough brush pick up is scheduled for May 18th.

Mr. Peterson reported the Community Video Tour Book Agreement will be assigned to the Community Development Committee meeting for further review. Ms. Stull will contact them to arrange a webinar for the next Community Development Committee meeting.

Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Krummerich to authorize the Manager to extend the contract with H.R. Gray to continue reviewing for ADA compliance. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Butterfield to accept the J. P. Harris Tax Exonerations after removing the following names; Sonia Gonzalez, Julie Arcelus, Victor Arcelus and Alfred Hernandez. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Krummerich complimented Chief Dougherty and his department in handling the recent college incident.

Ms. Estrada asked the status of the Train Station. Solicitor Eastman responded the National Park Service asked to wait on the proposals since they are only good for 1 year. Manager Lawver noted an agreement is needed between the National Park Service and CSX Railroad before proceeding.

Mr. Butterfield commented more research is needed regarding impact fees from developers to see if we can receive funds for recreation, roads etc. Solicitor Eastman responded it isn't a large developing area and would cost to implement such a program. He would not discourage Council but can look to see what options may be available. Mr. Peterson recommended the Community Development Committee review this.

Mrs. Naugle reported she and Mrs. Lewis will work together in developing a borough newsletter. Ms. Estrada noted she spoke to an advertising agency who offered to help at no charge to print it.

Mrs. Naugle requested an East/West traffic study for oversized trucks. Council should review options for special request for oversize loads. Mr. Streeter noted ACTPO is scheduled for their quarterly meeting on Tuesday and would need information prior to that. Mrs. Naugle and Mr. Peterson will prepare a special request to be added to the traffic study.

Mr. Butterfield asked if Council could conditionally approve the Straban Township Resolution for the donation of bleachers for the Recreation Park. When the Public Works committee meets and reviews the agreement the Resolution could be signed and forwarded to Straban Township. Solicitor Eastman answered yes and noted this is time sensitive because Straban Township must spend the money before the deadline or they would lose it.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Krummerich to adopt a resolution assuring residents of Straban Township access to spectator stands to be donated by Straban Township and to be placed within the Gettysburg Recreation Park contingent upon approval of the Public Works Committee. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to authorize COLA increase for retired police pensioner Charles Fritz to be paid from the Police Pension fund effective March 1, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.

Council adjourned to an executive session at this time to discuss ADA Litigation.

With no further business to come before council moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Butterfield to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull, Borough Secretary