Borough Minutes

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

February 28, 2011

President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Ms. Holliday Giles, 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. Staff present included Manager Florence Ford, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Solicitor Harold Eastman and Chief Joseph Dougherty.

Others present included: Albert Penksa, Adams County Manager; Chad Clabaugh, C.S. Davidson Inc.; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA; Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street; Caroline Smith, Former Councilwoman, 180 Confederate Avenue; Sara Putnam and Shannon Hartley, Gettysburg College Students.

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

President Butterfield announced that an executive session of the Gettysburg Borough Council was conducted immediately following the adjournment of the Borough Council meeting held on February 14, 2011 consistent with Section 708(a)(4)of the Sunshine Act.

President Butterfield announced that the Borough Council will conduct an executive session immediately prior to the adjournment of this meeting consistent with Sections 708 (a)(1) and 708(a)(2)of the Sunshine Act for the purposes of discussing matters involving the employment of Borough employees and providing information in connection with contractual matters related to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the nonuniformed Borough employees and the collective bargaining agreement with the police officers of the Borough.

The agenda was approved as presented.

With no changes to the February 14, 2010 minutes they were approved as presented.

Special Presentation:

Mr. Butterfield introduced and welcomed Mr. Albert Penksa, Adams County Manager. Mr. Penksa addressed Council and said he looks forward to working with the Borough and Council Members. He recently started working at the county to handle the day-to-day operations which will help free up the County Commissioners time for other necessary work. Mr. Penksa said the board is moving along with its plans for the St. Francis project and that the school plans to be completed by the start of the upcoming school year.

Mayor Troxell reported the Chief would like to give a brief remark regarding new uniforms for the police department. Chief Dougherty presented Council with a handout outlining the cost analysis of the proposed new uniforms. The current uniform costs are $736.44 and the new uniforms would be $374.00. This would result in an initial cost savings of $362.00 to fully uniform a new officer. Chief Dougherty also said the new uniforms are machine washable thereby eliminating approximately $2,300.00 in annual uniform cleaning expenses. Officer Orth modeled the new uniform for Council members.

Ms. Estrada asked what the downside would be. Chief Dougherty responded nothing. Mr. Birkner agreed the uniforms look nice and they should proceed. Manager Ford pointed out they would not need to purchase dress uniforms for court because officers wear dress clothes to court.

Chief Dougherty also presented Council with information regarding on-street parking meter behavior, a report that was completed by the U. S. Department of Transportation. He said he takes "umbrage" that the parking enforcement is not doing their job.

Mr. Birkner responded he didn't think it was said that people weren't doing their job; they are doing a great job. He suggested the Chief speak at the Safety Committee meeting to discuss parking issues. Ms. Giles also said it wasn't intended that parking enforcement personnel aren't doing their job but that fines are down because they were obeying the law. Ms. Estrada noted the Chief's report is good and has helpful information.

Mr. Butterfield reported citizens thought the newsletter was very informative and thanked Susan Naugle for her work in getting it out.

Ms. Giles reported the College Community Committee would meet four times on the fourth Tuesday at 5:00 pm on the following months: March, May, September and November. She noted the first meeting will be on Tuesday, March 22nd

Ms. Giles reported the Gettysburg Area Industrial Authority (GAIDA) met and took action to recommend Council disband its Board. There is no reason to continue GAIDA's existence since it has been replaced by the Adams County Industrial Development Authority.

Mr. Butterfield suggests Solicitor Eastman contact Attorney John White, Chairperson, GAIDA to discuss what actions are necessary to disband the board.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Ms. Estrada to authorize the Borough Manager to execute the BFPE International Fire, Safety & Security Monitoring Agreement for the new fire alarm system. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Weaver to appoint Scott Dellett as the Borough Zoning Officer. Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Naugle reported for the Healthy Communities Advisory Committee that an application was made to the Hoffman Trust jointly with the Borough for a grant to be used for bike racks and sharrows. She also reported that HABPI recently submitted and application to the Pa Department of Health/Centers for Disease Control for $5,000. This would fund preliminary survey work on certain properties.

Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Ms. Giles to authorize COLA increase for retired police pensioner Cytha Grissom to be paid from the Police Pension fund effective February 1, 2011. Motion carried unanimously.

Solicitor Eastman gave a brief summary of the Special Events Ordinance that he has prepared for advertisement.

Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Mr. Weaver to authorize the solicitor to advertise for enactment an ordinance of the Borough of Gettysburg regulating special events within the Borough and to authorize the solicitor to prepare and finalize for adoption a resolution setting the fees for the application for and the issuance of special events permits under the ordinance.. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Estrada reported the Community Development Committee met and that Anne Thomas attended to give an update regarding CDBG funds.

Mr. Weaver reported Main Street held its annual board meeting and that Brad Hoch gave a report on the Sesquicentennial.

Manager Ford reported the COG continues to work on the sign application. She will have more information as it is finalized.

Manager Ford reported the ACTPO project is on the TIP- Enhancement Project.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 for an executive session.

Upon Reconvening Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Lewis to authorize the Borough Manager to execute and deliver to the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative a termination agreement effective March 1, 2011. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Streeter to authorize the Gettysburg Police Department to transition to a new style and color of duty uniform contingent upon the Borough Manager satisfactorily resolving the requirement as found in the police union contract requiring the Borough to pay for uniform cleaning and maintenance. Motion carried unanimously.

With no further business to come before council moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Krummerich to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull, Borough Secretary