Borough Minutes
Borough Council Meeting Minutes
May 24, 2010
President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Ms. Holliday Giles, Mr. Theodore Streeter, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mr. Robert Krummerich, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis, Mr. Graham Weaver and Mayor William Troxell. Mr. Michael Birkner was absent. Staff present included Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Solicitor Harold Eastman, Chief Joseph Dougherty, Finance Director Ramona Overton and Planner Merry Bush.
Others present included: Ann Thomas, Adams County Office of Planning and Development, Judie Butterfield, 999 Sunset Avenue, Kathy Gilbert, 221 Chambersburg Street, Jim Cooke, 1040 Long Lane and Carolyn Smith, 149 West Lincoln Avenue.
Representing the press was Scot Pitzer of the Gettysburg Times.
Mr. Butterfield announced an executive session of the Gettysburg Borough Council was conducted immediately prior to the adjournment of the Borough Council meeting held on May 10, 2010 consistent with Section 708(a)(1), 708(a)(2), 708(a)(4) and 708(a)(5) of the Sunshine Act.
Mr. Butterfield announced the Borough Council will conduct an executive session immediately following the adjournment of this meeting consistent with Sections 708(a)(1) and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act for the purposes of discussing matters involving the employment of Borough employees and to consult with its solicitor in connection with matters on which identifiable complaints are expected to be filed.
With no changes to the agenda, it was accepted as published.
The May 10th minutes were approved after making a correction to the HARB motion - Mrs. Naugle made the motion not Mrs. Lewis.
Anne Thomas, CDBG administrator for the Borough gave a brief summary regarding the Community Development Block Grant and the Women's Business Enterprise Plan arrangement with the County. She noted the County recently adopted the Minority and Women's Business Enterprise Plan, and adopting a Section 3 Plan in which the Borough must also adopt before the 2010 CDBG application is filed.
Ms. Estrada asked if this is the first time the County adopted this plan. Ms. Thomas explained this dates back to 1968 and that the County adopted it in 1995. It's always been their goal to get Minority and Women's Businesses throughout the community. Ms. Bush noted this was always a CDBG requirement but the Borough never adopted the plan and now HUD is making it mandatory for everyone to adopt it. Ms. Overton pointed out this will only apply to federally funded programs which is the CDBG fund.
Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Weaver to adopt a resolution authorizing the Adams County Office of Planning and Development to submit an application on behalf of the Borough of Gettysburg to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for $150,530 in Fiscal Year 2010 Community Development Block Grant funds to be allocated as follows: $21,074 for the administration of the CDBG program, $40,000 to the Borough of Gettysburg for Code Enforcement, and $89,456 to the Borough of Gettysburg to bring sidewalks and intersections into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to adopt a resolution adopting a Minority and Women's Business Enterprise Plan and adopting a Section 3 Plan as promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and as requested and recommended by the County of Adams in its administration of the Borough's Community Development Block Grant program. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to authorize release of the financial security for the completion of improvements in connection with development of certain real property on North Fifth Street in the Borough of Gettysburg by Adams County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. in the amount of $49,065.50 consistent with the certification of C. S. Davidson, Inc., Borough Engineers, dated May 12, 2010. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Streeter to approve and authorize issuance of certificates of appropriateness for Items A. (100 Buford Avenue) and B. (59 York Street) as set forth in the minutes of the May 19, 2010 meeting of HARB and consistent with the recommendations of HARB set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Dougherty gave a brief report on the upcoming Aryan Nation group scheduled for a demonstration on June 19th. The National Park Service has asked for support from the Gettysburg Police Department.
Mr. Butterfield asked if there would be any additional cost to the Borough. Chief Dougherty responded no. Mr. Krummerich asked if there would be any overtime paid. Chief Dougherty responded there would be some overtime paid. Mr. Streeter pointed out a similar rally occurred in 2006 and it didn't cause any problems for the Borough. Mr. Weaver asked if it were necessary to have extra police if no problems are expected. Chief Dougherty responded they must be prepared because you never know what the outcome might be.
Solicitor Eastman pointed out the cooperation agreement between the Borough and National Park Service must be approved prior to the event.
Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Streeter to adopt a resolution to authorize the Borough of Gettysburg to enter a Memorandum of Agreement with the Gettysburg National Military Park and the United States Park Police for the purposes of appointing and activating auxiliary and special police from qualified personnel of the United States Park Police and the National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers in connection with security issues of the Borough of Gettysburg which may occur as a result of a First Amendment demonstration of the Aryan Nation group on June 19, 2010 at the Gettysburg National Military Park and any counter demonstrations of others in response to that demonstration. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Butterfield expressed concern with the Chambersburg Street construction work that has affected many businesses. The meters have been bagged for no parking and asked if the contractors are paying to use them. Chief Dougherty responded his department has been keeping track of the bags and times they are on the meters and that an invoice will be sent.
Mrs. Naugle asked council to consider a DCNR matching grant to be used for Rec Park planning. She has been in contact with Dick Schmoyer, Adams County Planning and Development to discuss this and noted council would need to send a formal request to the commissioners. Mrs. Naugle noted the Borough can use administrative monies for planning purposes and presented council with a handout of unused CDBG administrative monies. She pointed out from 2007 to 2009 there is a total of $49,496.63 of unused monies for consideration.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Ms. Estrada to approve designating CDBG administration monies to be used for a grant match, maximum amount $20,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Krummerich asked if the money is not used would the Borough lose it. Mrs. Thomas responded the funds must be reallocated or returned.
Mrs. Naugle reported the Peer-to-Peer is moving forward and that the Gettysburg Area School District has the Intergovernmental Agreement on its agenda for approval at t the next meeting.
Mr. Butterfield suggested conducting a topical workshop the week of June 14th. He will announce the date in the near future.
Public Comment:
Darlene Brown, ACHA/PICPI announced that the Unity Meetings would be starting again by the YWCA and United Way. The date will be announced at a later date.
Kathy Gilbert asked Council to consider planning something special for the businesses that have been affected by the Chambersburg Street construction project. She suggested something similar to the "First Friday" events and offered to help coordinate it.
Mayor Troxell announced he presented the Gettysburg Garden Club with a proclamation in recognition of its 50th anniversary on May 27th.
Mr. Butterfield thanked Ms. Thomas for attending and answering CDBG questions.
At this time recess was called so that Council could begin its executive session.
With no further business to come before council moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara L. Stull
Borough Secretary