Borough Minutes

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

August 23, 2010

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, Mr. Robert Krummerich, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis, Mr. Graham Weaver and Mayor William Troxell. Mrs. Susan Naugle was absent. Staff present included Manager Florence Ford, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Solicitor Harold Eastman, Chief Joseph Dougherty, Finance Director Ramona Overton, Public Works Director Dan Hilliard and Planner Merry Bush.

Others present included Chris Glatfelter, Executive Director, Adams County Arts Council; Walton Davis, 301 Ridge Avenue; Fran Drago, 301 Ridge Avenue; Chad Clabaugh, C.S. Davidson Inc.; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA, Judie Butterfield, 999 Sunset Avenue; Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street; Bob Prosperi, 812 Hanover Road and Stephanie Pililis, 100 Baltimore Street.

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

President Butterfield opened the meeting and welcomed the new Borough Manager, Florence Ford who began her duties on August 16th.

With no changes to the agenda, it was accepted as presented.

The August 9, 2010 minutes were approved as presented.

Citizens in attendance:

Chris Glatfelter, Executive Director, Adams County Arts Council attended to request approval for the Borough's allocation to the Arts Council to be used for the Star Grant. She pointed out this is the 13th year for this successful program. Ms. Glatfelter noted this is a pass through of funds for the Borough that is used for schools and organizations.

Stephanie Pililis attended to address the parking issue she has on Baltimore Street. She noted she had attended a meeting a few months earlier and asked if Council has made any decisions regarding this. Mr. Butterfield responded Council has been discussing the parking issues at the Council workshop meetings. Manager Ford noted staff is working on a program whereas renters in the downtown area may purchase a sticker to allow them to park in a certain downtown area.

Walton Davis attended to express his concerns that the newly hired Borough Manager is not a Borough resident. He asked Council to reconsider keeping this position mandatory to live within the Borough limits when discussing the residency ordinance. Mr. Davis feels it's important for the manager to always be available to its residents and paying the same taxes.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Birkner to deny the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for item 3C (112 Chambersburg Street) as set forth in the minutes of the August 17, 2010 meeting of HARB and consistent with the recommendations of HARB set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Bush gave a brief summary regarding the Civil War Chapel located at 112 Chambersburg Street. She explained the site was approved in 2006 to install a fence and a temporary platform to serve as a Civil War Chapel. After the winter storms of January and February of 2010 the tent that had been on the platform was replaced with a structure made of rough-hewn wood. They did not apply to HARB for a Certificate of Appropriateness before creating the structure.

Ms. Estrada asked why they didn't present this to the Planning or Zoning Boards. Ms. Bush responded they recently attended the Planning Commission meeting. Mrs. Lewis asked if they could go back to using a tent again. Ms. Bush responded temporary structures are not allowed. Mr. Weaver noted he currently has two tents behind his property. Ms. Bush will notify the Code Enforcement Officer to check this out.

Mr. Streeter commented that the Chapel is a nice structure but they must follow state regulations.

Ms. Estrada reiterated that staff should work with John Wego, United States Christian Commission regarding the Civil War Chapel. A letter should be sent addressing this since Council said they would assist them after he attended the Council meeting last month.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to appoint Florence A. Ford as manager of the Borough of Gettysburg. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Streeter pointed out that times have changed since the 1960's with the use of computers and cell phones that the manager is always accessible. He noted Mrs. Ford has overwhelming qualifications and would be a good asset to the Borough..

Ms. Estrada noted that as Council reviewed the applicants they looked at their qualifications and that hiring was not based on where a person lived. She commented that with today's economy it might not be feasible to buy or sell a home at this time.

Mr. Krummerich reiterated that Mrs. Ford was the best candidate for the position so why would Council take the second best just to live within the Borough.

Mr. Butterfield read a prepared statement outlining the nationwide search process to find the best candidate to fill the position of Borough Manager. He pointed out that in a survey of 15 municipalities in Central PA., 7 municipalities have no residency requirement and only 5 of the remaining 8 enforce the ordinance requiring residency See attached.

Solicitor Eastman gave a brief summary regarding the residency requirements of the Borough Manager. He noted the current ordinance says to move within the Borough in a timely manner and with today's economy could take a long time. Solicitor Eastman pointed out Council would need to update the ordinance regardless of the change.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Ms. Estrada to enact an ordinance amending Chapter 1, Part 3.A., Sections 1-303 of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough of Gettysburg for the purpose of eliminating the Borough residency requirement for the office of Borough Manager. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Streeter to appoint Gary W. Shaffer to the Historic Architectural Review Board of the Borough of Gettysburg for a term of five (5) years commencing August 2010 and expiring August 2015. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Birkner to appoint Nancie W. Gudmestad to the Historic Architectural Review Board of the Borough of Gettysburg for a term of five (5) years commencing August 2010 and expiring August 2015. Motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Ford explained the County of Adams has requested three (3) reserved parking spaces on East Broadway to accommodate persons with disabilities for the North Gettysburg Trail Project. An ordinance change is needed to comply with ADA parking.

Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Ms. Estrada to authorize the solicitor to prepare and advertise for enactment an ordinance amending Chapter 15, Part 10 of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough of Gettysburg for the purpose of removing an area on East Broadway from the residential parking permit system to enable the designation in that area of three (3) reserved parking spaces for persons with disabilities. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Hilliard announced PennDOT would begin milling on Chambersburg Street this coming Wednesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. Ms. Giles asked if this would affect the Gettysburg College Freshman walk to be held on Thursday. Chief Dougherty responded it would not affect the walk.

Ms. Giles asked how the meters would be bagged for the PennDOT work to begin. Chief Dougherty responded meters would be bagged at 4:00 pm with signs stating closed 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Mr. Butterfield asked when the 30 East road work was scheduled to begin. Mr. Hilliard responded August 25th.

With no further business to come before council moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Weaver to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary