Borough Minutes
Borough Council Meeting Minutes
November 8, 2010
President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Ms. Holliday Giles, 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, Chief Joseph Dougherty, Finance Director Ramona Overton, and Planner Merry Bush.
Others present included: Attorney Jens Damgaard, Rhoads & Sinon; Gary Pulcini, Valco Capital; Chad Clabaugh, C. S. Davidson; J. R. Reed, Road Ranger's Auto & Truck; Judie Butterfield, 999 Sunset Avenue and Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street.
Representing the press were Scot Pitzer of the Gettysburg Times and Tim Prudente representing the Evening Sun.
President Butterfield announced an executive session of the Gettysburg Borough Council was conducted immediately prior to the adjournment of the Borough Council budget workshop held on October 27, 2010 consistent with Section 708(a)(1) of the Sunshine Act.
President Butterfield announced 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 pending litigation and with matters on which identifiable complaints are expected to be filed.
Mayor Troxell announced the PSAB meeting is scheduled for November 15th at The Pike Restaurant. Anyone interested in attending should contact Sara Stull.
Mr. Butterfield announced the Towing Ordinance would be removed from the agenda and postpone action until a later date. Solicitor Eastman noted the Towing Ordinance would come before the Ordinance Committee meeting for further review and will plan to have ready for Council approval in January.
After removing the Towing Ordinance from the agenda it was approved as presented.
With no changes to the October 25th minutes, they were accepted as written.
Special Presentation:
Gary Pulcini, VALCO Capital, gave a brief report on the Gettysburg Municipal Authority bond auction that took place today. It had a AA+ rating with 5 bidders, with MORG-PM as the winning bidder.
Mr. Birkner asked if other areas such as the wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia would get the same rating as Gettysburg. Mr. Pulcini responded they review the fund balance policy to determine these rates.
Mr. Krummerich asked if the Borough's taxation powers were affected by this bond sale. Mr. Pulcini answered the Borough is only backing the Gettysburg Municipal Authority with no financial effect to the Borough.
Jens Damgaard, Rhoads & Sinon gave a brief summary on the ordinance for the bond issuance in the amount of $6,355,000 to be used by the Gettysburg Municipal Authority to construct improvements to its sanitary sewer system.
Mr. Weaver asked why the Borough must approve since the revenues received by
GMA would cover the cost for the bond. Mr. Damgaard explained this is very common with a guaranty agreement and that Council has the power of appointments to the GMA Board. Mr. Weaver asked how many of these have not worked. Mr. Pulcini answered he doesn't know of any that failed noting that Authorities must prove revenues to pay for the bonds.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to enact Ordinance #1385-10 as presented by Bond Council, approving the guaranty by the Borough of bonds to be issued by Gettysburg Municipal Authority for sewer projects. A roll call vote was taken. YEA: Mr. Birkner, Ms. Estrada, Ms. Giles, Mr. Krummerich, Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Streeter, Mrs. Naugle, Mr. Weaver and Mr. Butterfield. The vote passed unanimously.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Ms. Giles to approve and authorize the issuance of certificates of appropriateness for items A. (233 North Stratton Street) and B. (125 South Washington Street) of old business and item A. (328 South Washington Street) of new business as set forth in the minutes of the October 20, 2010 meeting of HARB consistent with the findings and recommendations of HARB as set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.
Mrs. Naugle reported she was tasked with establishing a Healthy Community Advisory Committee to consist of citizens working together to make Gettysburg biker/ pedestrian friendly. The members on this committee are Susan Naugle, Claire Lewis, Becky Brown, Patricia Lawson, Tom Jolin, David Shaffer, Dan Gallagher, Kathy Gilbert, Lea Czar and David Czar. Mrs. Naugle pointed out everyone on the committee lives in the Borough except Tom Jolin who is instrumental with the bike loop.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mrs. Naugle to give conceptual approval to the Gettysburg Sesquicentennial Steering Committee to begin the planning of events to be held in Gettysburg Borough during April 2011. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Estrada asked who is coordinating this or is it a third party. Mr. Birkner said he believes this committee will do planning for April with no financial commitment to the Borough. Mrs. Naugle reported the Events Committee she serves on has not met yet.
Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve all bills and payrolls for the month as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Weaver asked if the Borough received payment for the Halloween Parade. Ms. Overton responded the invoice was recently sent to the organizers for payment.
Manager Ford gave a brief report on the upcoming project regarding the curb ramp along Washington Street. Mr. Butterfield asked the cost. Mr. Chad Clabaugh responded $170,000.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Birkner to authorize C. S. Davidson, Inc. Borough Engineers to advertise for bids for the curb ramp and Washington Street Overlay Project with a bid opening date of December 10, 2010. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mrs. Lewis to accept the J. P. Harris Tax Exoneration Report for tax years 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Weaver to adopt a resolution authorizing John D. Butterfield, President of Borough Council and Sara L. Stull, Borough Secretary, to execute all documents necessary on behalf of the Borough of Gettysburg in connection with the filing of Liquid Fuels forms with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Weaver to reinstitute committee meetings beginning in January 2011. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Birkner asked the status of the Train Station sale since the National Park Service hasn't finalized it yet. He expressed his concern with who would pay to operate it. Mr. Weaver noted he contacted Representative Casey's office but hasn't received a response. Mr. Streeter said he would also make some contacts and report back to Council.
Ms. Giles expressed her concern regarding the ADA compliant ramps that are being installed and asked if the Borough is responsible if people fall. Solicitor Eastman responded the Borough is held harmless for installing and the maintenance of these ramps. The property owners are responsible for them and the Borough would be secondary. Solicitor Eastman pointed out the property owners must maintain good, safe and passable sidewalks for pedestrians.
Ms. Estrada noted Council should be sensitive to these property owners that have complied with the ADA requirements for putting in ramps.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Weaver to approve the request by GARMA for the 2011 Antique Market dates of May 21 and September 24. Motion carried unanimously.
At his 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. Graham to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara L. Stull
Borough Secretary