Borough Council

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

September 14, 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, Mr. Robert Krummerich, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis and Mayor William Troxell. Mrs. Susan Naugle was absent. 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 Jackie White, Dobbin House/SABA; Paul Witt, Quality Inn/SABA; Bob DeFayette, 100 King Street; Gene Golden, Gettysburg Signs Express & borough vent; Erik Bergdale, Gettysburg Fire Department; Ken Rohrbaugh, Gettysburg Tours Inc.; Carol Metzler, Gettysburg Tour Inc.; Judie Butterfield, 999 Sunset Avenue; Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street; Graham Weaver, 721 Sunset Avenue; Speros Marinos 912 Baltimore Pike and Jim Cooke, 1040 Long Lane.

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

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

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Ms. Giles, to approve the August 10, 2009 minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

President Peterson announced an executive session of the Gettysburg Borough Council was conducted immediately following the Borough Council meeting held on August 10, 2009, consistent with Section 708 (a)(1) of the Sunshine Act to discuss matters involving employment and the conditions of employment of Borough employees.

Citizens in attendance:

Bob Defayette addressed council concerning the 2010 census noting when the census is complete the borough would become a Class 5. He suggested council review this further and get a formal explanation from the County regarding this.

Judie Butterfield on behalf of the recycling committee introduced Erik Bergdale of the Gettysburg Fire Department and thanked him for the recycling that was handled during the firemen's carnival. Mr. Bergdale thanked council and borough staff for their support of the firemen's carnival.

Speros Marinos addressed council with his concerns regarding several safety issues that need reviewed: illegal parking along 779 Baltimore Street (near cemetery) and walking to the Pike Restaurant is dangerous; the horse and carriages making U-turns on Baltimore Street near Lefever Street and the Ghost Tours that are walking on the cemetery graves at the GAR Building is disrespectful. Mr. Butterfield, Safety Committee Chair will be in contact with Mr. Marinos.

President Peterson announced John Butterfield is appointed to serve as the liaison for the Steinwehr Avenue Business Association (SABA).

President Peterson announced Bob Krummerich is appointed to serve as the liaison for the Borough's Sister City - Leon, Nicaragua.

President Peterson announced the Mayor gave a great speech during the inauguration for President Janet Riggs, Gettysburg College.

Mayor Troxell announced the Adams County Boroughs Association meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 21st at 6:15 p.m. at the Pike Restaurant.

Mayor Troxell made a recommendation to hire William Gonzalez as a full time police officer for a 6-month period.

Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mr. Streeter to authorize the Civil Service Commission to conduct a non-competitive examination for William Gonzalez for a provisional appointment to the police department.

Mr. Streeter reported the silent complaint form Elm Street started using is working very well.

Mr. Streeter reported the videographer from CGI Communications was recently in town filming restaurants and other locations for the Boroughs new community video program web site.

Mr. Birkner noted the borough has been working with several municipalities through the Peer-to-Peer group and asked for patience of groups that have come forward to take over the recreation park. Ms. Estrada said she didn't realize the Peer-to-Peer was moving as fast as they are and agreed they need to proceed and continue with discussions.

Mr. Birkner reported regarding the flagpole offered by Mr. Sutton, American Legion that they are satisfied the borough is doing their due diligence. He noted the borough also has a flag that flies continuous at the borough building.

Mr. Birkner reported Mr. Watts has agreed with councils' request regarding the Lincoln Statue and the final agreement has now been signed. At this point it must be presented to the school board for their approval.

Mr. Birkner commended the recycling committee for their work with being proactive and that the next step is to get the citizens to recycle. Ms. Estrada asked if the extended list of recycling is ready for dispersal. Mrs. Butterfield answered yes.

Mr. Birkner commended the Borough Manager for being very thorough with minor details concerning street and sidewalk projects especially with the ADA regulations.

Ms. Estrada suggested council consider paying to remove street trees and purchase replacements if possible.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Krummerich to authorize the solicitor to prepare and advertise for enactment an ordinance amending Section 15-305 of the Code of Ordinances by adding an area where parking is prohibited at all times on the west side of Long Lane between Queen Street and a point 375 feet south thereof. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to enact an ordinance amending Chapter 5- Part 1 of the Code of Ordinances by adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, 2009 Edition with modifications as the Property Maintenance Code of the Borough of Gettysburg. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to enact an ordinance amending Chapter 10, Part 2 of the Code of Ordinances regulating grass, weeds and other vegetation to come into conformity with the provisions of the new Property Maintenance Code of the Borough of Gettysburg. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Butterfield reported the Segway Tours could be a potential hazard in town.

Mr. Butterfield gave a brief update on the North Gettysburg Area Trail meeting noting the idea was conceived in 1996. He pointed out the commissioners will need reaffirmation if council desires to continue with this project.

Mr. Butterfield gave a brief update on the Steinwehr Avenue Business Association (SABA) noting the anticipated approval of the project plans is set for July 30, 2010. Ms. Estrada asked when the SABA letters would be mailed to the businesses. Mr. Butterfield responded if council adopts the Neighborhood Improvement District Preliminary Plan tonight; SABA would mail them out on Wednesday.

Moved Ms. Giles seconded Mr. Streeter to authorize entry into a contract with Municipal Resources of Pennsylvania for the provision of interim management services to the Borough of Gettysburg for an average of twenty (20) hours per week at a rate of $90.00 per hour consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the proposal submitted by Municipal Resources of Pennsylvania dated July 18, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Streeter to authorize entry into a contract with Municipal Resources of Pennsylvania for the provision of recruitment and selection services for the hiring of a new professional Borough Manager for the Borough of Gettysburg for a fee of $6,000.00 consistent with the terms and conditions set forth in the proposal submitted by Municipal Resources of Pennsylvania dated July 18, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Krummerich announced the third annual Salsa Dance sponsored by Project Gettysburg/ Leon will be held Friday, October 2, 2009 from 6-10 p.m. A portion of Carlisle Street would be closed for the event.

Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Mr. Birkner to adopt a resolution authorizing the adoption of a Premium only Plan as an amendment of the Health Insurance Plan of the Borough of Gettysburg. Motion carried unanimously.

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

Mr. Krummerich announced the budget workshops are scheduled for each Thursday in October at 4:00 p.m. in council chambers.

Ms. Estrada reported the College Community met and Mr. Ted McPhearson addressed the committee regarding the disruptive student issues located in and around Carlisle Street.

Mr. Peterson announced the college community would become a committee and not a liaison position. The committee members would include Chairwoman Alice Estrada, Bob Krummerich and Michael Birkner. The meeting will be advertised for the first Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Estrada reported REDDI is planning to work the bike trail into their project.

Moved Mrs. Lewis, seconded Mr. Streeter to approve issuance of Certificates of Appropriateness for items B. and C. as set forth in the minutes of the August 19, 2009 meeting of the Historic Architectural Review Board for the Borough of Gettysburg consistent with the recommendations of HARB. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Birkner to reaffirm Gettysburg Borough's participation in the North Gettysburg Trail Project. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to adopt the proposed Neighborhood Improvement District Preliminary Plan for establishment of Steinwehr Avenue Business Improvement District. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to set a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday October 21st, 2009, at the Charlie Sterner Building, commencing at 5:00

p.m. for the purpose of receiving comment on establishment of the proposed Steinwehr Ave. Business Improvement District and the proposed Neighborhood Improvement District Preliminary Plan. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Streeter to set a special meeting of Borough Council to be held on Wednesday October 21st, 2009 at the Charlie Sterner Building to commence immediately following the public hearing on the establishment of the proposed Steinwehr Ave, Business Improvement District to take action necessary for the establishment of the Steinwehr Ave. Business Improvement District and any other business which may come before Borough Council. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Streeter to accept the J.P. Harris Tax Exonerations for tax year 2008. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Overton reported the cashiers desk has the RPP stickers available for purchase at $24-12 month period; they would be permitted 2 guest passes. She noted the police department has begun to enforce the RPP areas.

Solicitor Eastman announced Borough Council will conduct an executive session on Friday, September 18, 2009, commencing at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of meeting with and consulting with the Borough Manager, the Borough Solicitor and the Borough's special legal counsel in connection with identifiable complaints associated with pending litigation filed in the United State District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by Marilynn Phillips seeking relief under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

With no further business to come before council moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Butterfield to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull,Borough Secretary