Borough Council - Special Meeting

Special Borough Council Meeting Minutes

 March 18, 2009

President Edwin Peterson called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Mr. Theodore Streeter, Mr. John Butterfield, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis and Mayor William Troxell. Staff included Manager John Lawver, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Finance Director Ramona Overton and Planner Merry Bush.

Citizens in attendance: Ed Jenkins, PICPI

Mr. Streeter announced the special council meeting is for the purpose of reviewing the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications. The allocation is approximately $135,000 which is intended to fund projects and programs that directly benefit low to moderate income level families in Gettysburg. The Borough has received applications from six agencies.

Ms. Overton reported the borough received $33,470 with the stimulus package but the projects must be ready to begin work in 120 days. Ms. Estrada asked what competitive money means, someone that has submitted an application. Ms. Overton responded anyone that would be "shovel" ready within the 120 days.

Mrs. Naugle suggested using other funding sources and would not be in favor of funding the full amount for code enforcement. Mr. Streeter responded there is no other funding source available. Mrs. Naugle asked if code enforcement would continue next year. Manager Lawver responded yes that CEO Gettel began with a backlog and the borough plans to begin using his service for RRUO inspections. Mrs. Naugle asked if the fees cover the expenses. Manager Lawver answered no.

Ms. Estrada asked for an explanation of Mr. Streeter's comment about no other funding sources. Mrs. Naugle pointed out other businesses don't have other sources to turn to. She pointed out others didn't have huge request and feels the borough should honor them if possible. Ms. Estrada feels preference should be given to organizations that don't have other sources.

Mr. Butterfield asked if any of the applicant's projects would be ready in 120 days. Ms. Overton responded yes the Housing Authority and Survivors are ready.

Mr. Butterfield asked about the $100,000 for the borough ADA request. Manager Lawver responded this could coincide with the sidewalk repairs. Ms. Overton suggested offering a grant program to income eligible residents.

Ms. Bush questioned the DCED guidelines requiring funds spent in 120-days or project ready within 120-days. Mrs. Naugle asked Ms. Bush to contact DCED for clarification.

Ms. Overton pointed out that this is a grant and borough staff has been instructed to locate grant monies that may be available and therefore would support the borough applying for this grant. Manager Lawver also noted the many sidewalks that need repaired due to the ADA regulations.

Mrs. Naugle asked why the 2007 administration money wasn't used and could it be transferred now. Ms. Overton answered the borough could amend this and distribute. Mr. Butterfield asked the time frame an organization has to spend these funds. Ms. Bush answered generally 2 years.

After some discussion Mr. Streeter asked Ms. Overton to prepare a report to present to the upcoming Community Development Committee meeting with the following approximate recommendations; $5,000, Habitat for Humanity; $10,000 PICPI; $13,000 Survivors; and $82,000 Borough ADA. Mr. Streeter noted these are approximate figures until the final allocation is received.

Ms. Bush asked if the annual allocation is higher, where the committee would recommend these funds be allocated. Mr. Streeter answered Code Enforcement.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary