Borough Minutes

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

January 24, 2011

President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Mr. Theodore Streeter, Mr. Michael Birkner, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mr. Robert Krummerich, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis, Mr. Graham Weaver and Mayor William Troxell. Ms. Holliday Giles was absent. Staff present included Manager Florence Ford, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Solicitor Harold Eastman, Chief Joseph Dougherty, Finance Director Ramona Overton, Planning Director Scott Dellett, Public Works Director Dan Hilliard and Planning Administrator Merry Bush.

Others present included: Chad Clabaugh, C.S. Davidson Inc.; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA: and Jon Muller, Great T-shirt Co., 65 Steinwehr Avenue.

Representing the press were Scot Pitzer of the Gettysburg Times, and Tim Prudente representing the Evening Sun

President Butterfield announced that the Gettysburg Borough Council conducted an executive session on January 10, 2011 immediately prior to the adjournment of its meeting consistent with Sections 708 (a)(1), 708(a)(2), 708(a)(3) and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act.

President Butterfield announced that the semi-annual HUD survey of unsheltered homeless will be conducted by ACHA under the leadership of Stephanie McIlwee on January 26th. Volunteers will be traveling throughout the Borough.

President Butterfield announced that Council would conduct a topical workshop on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 5 PM.

The agenda was approved as presented.

Mrs. Naugle noted a correction to the January 10, 2011 minutes on the second page where she requested for an analysis of fines in general not just parking fines. The minutes were then approved.

Mr. Butterfield reported on the Steinwehr Avenue project noting the lights to be installed are the standard 10’ poles.

Mr. Weaver expressed his concern regarding the Gettysburg Municipal Authority rate increase. Manager Ford responded that Mark Guise, Utilities Manager is expected to attend the February Council meeting and these questions can be addressed at that time.

Mrs. Naugle reported the National Park Service is requesting two nominees for the NPS Advisory Board noting Mayor Troxell’s term expired in September 2010. Mrs. Naugle spoke to Mayor William Troxell and Graham Weaver who are willing to serve on the Advisory Board if chosen.

Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Birkner to nominate Mayor William E. Troxell and Council Member Graham Weaver as candidates for consideration for a 3-year term on the Gettysburg National Military Park Advisory Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Naugle gave a brief report on the first meeting of the Public Works/Safety Committee meeting. She acknowledged the outstanding work by Code Enforcement Officer Dale Gettle and Tammy Murdorf for their work involved with the Regulated Rental Unit records. Mrs. Naugle pointed out of the approximate 800 rental units only 12 have not paid the RRU permit fee. Council asked that they be commended for their work.

Mrs. Naugle reported on the Healthy Community Advisory Committee pointing out they reviewed information on bike rack designs. Tom Jolin gathered information on a grant request to the Hoffman Trust to purchase racks and apply bike markings to selected streets. Mrs. Naugle asked Council to approve the submission of a joint application pointing out the deadline to apply for the current round of grants is January 31st.

Mr. Weaver said he thought bikes were allowed on the sidewalks. Mrs. Naugle responded some areas are congested and would be better for bikes to be on the streets.

Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mrs. Lewis to authorize the Borough Manager to prepare and submit a joint application with Healthy Adams Bicycle Pedestrian, Inc. for a Robert C. Hoffman Charitable Endowment Grant for bicycle racks and sharrow street markings. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Krummerich recommended staff review purchasing bike racks from a local provider.

Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve and authorize the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for item A. (110 Chambersburg Street) as set forth in the minutes of the January 19, 2011 meeting of HARB consistent with the findings and recommendations of HARB as set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.

Solicitor Eastman reported the ordinance meeting would be held this week and the special events and noise ordinances will be discussed. Mr. Weaver asked if the draft burn ordinance is ready for review. Solicitor Eastman responded it is not prepared yet but he would share with Council when it is ready for review.

Manager Ford thanked the Public Works crew for the timely snow removal.

Mr. Dellett presented Council with information regarding requirements for Zoning Ordinance Amendments and Zoning Map changes. Ms. Estrada suggests combining all necessary changes at the same time. Mr. Dellett agreed all changes would be addressed; he wanted to inform Council of the proper procedures involved.

Public Comment:

Jon Muller, Great T-shirt Co., asked for explanation why the Gettysburg Municipal Authority told him he must replace the water lines to his property on Steinwehr Avenue. Mrs. Naugle said she wasn’t aware this was a requirement for the Steinwehr Avenue project. Manager Ford noted property owners were encouraged to replace sewer lines but water lines were required to be copper. Mr. Muller was instructed to contact Mark Guise for clarification regarding his property.

With no further business to come before council moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Weaver to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary