Borough Minutes

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

March 28, 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 and Planning Director Scott Dellett.

Others present included: Jill Rohrbaugh, Architecture Workshop Inc.: Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA: Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street: Sara Putnam and Alexandra Petleova, Gettysburg College: Jennifer Eckerson, 139 Breckenridge Street and Shirley McCleaf, Borough Cashier.

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 will conduct an executive session immediately prior to the adjournment of this meeting consistent with Sections 708(a)(2) and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act for the purposes of providing information relative to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the police officers of the Borough and the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with the nonuniformed employees of the Borough and to consult with its manager and solicitor regarding information or strategy in connection with pending or possible litigation and with matters on which identifiable complaints are expected to or may be filed.

The agenda was approved after removing the parking garage bid award and placing it on the April 11th agenda.

The March 14, 2011 minutes were approved after an amendment to Solicitor Eastman's response regarding the GAIDA remarks.

Special Presentation:

Jill Rohrbaugh, Architecture Workshop Inc., gave a brief update on the municipal building construction, noting the project is still under budget. She reported the construction is 85% complete with the completion date April 15th. The final inspection is scheduled for April 13th. Ms. Estrada said the Gettysburg Municipal Authority staff is not happy with the outcome and asked if GMA was involved with the construction. Jill responded the Utilities Manager, Mark Guise was included in the discussions for the GMA office.

Kathy Gilbert addressed Council regarding a parking incident that occurred on March 16th. She explained she put money in a meter near the Lincoln Diner and was only given 8 minutes on the meter. Kathy called the cashier's office to report the meter was broken. She said she was later told the meter was checked and found not to be broken and would need to pay the ticket. She was very upset and went to the office to speak with the cashier and Mayor Troxell. Kathy later contacted John Butterfield to report her ordeal. She reported another incident happened in front of her business on Chambersburg Street when an employee was dropped off for work by her boyfriend. The meter person told the driver he would need to put money in the meter or move on. She suggests Council consider training employees on how to treat customers.

Kathy apologized to Shirley for her attitude when she came to the borough regarding the ticket. John Butterfield commented that it's been his experience that Shirley, the Borough cashier is a very friendly person and is always nice to the customers. Alice Estrada pointed out no one wins in these cases-that tickets generally make people upset.

Mayor Troxell addressed the issue stating meter #318 near the diner was checked by borough employees and found to be working. Regarding the other incident the parking enforcement officer noticed the vehicle sitting with someone in it as they went by. The PEO continued around the block and when they came back the vehicle and person was still sitting there with an expired meter so a ticket was issue. Mayor Troxell pointed out everyone is treated the same. Manager Ford reiterated the Mayor's comments and agreed everyone is treated fairly.

Rich Farr, Rabbit Transit Director, gave a brief update on the trolley system. He informed Council that final designs for a new bus transfer center are complete and they plan to award a construction contract in June. Mr. Farr also announced the transit system is launching a commuter service between Gettysburg and Harrisburg later this year.

Mr. Birkner asked if the transit authority communicates with the college students. Mr. Farr responded yes and that the ridership continues to grow with the college students.

Susan Naugle reported the $5,000 grant was approved for the Healthy Adams County survey work.

Susan Naugle introduced the Bikes Belong coalition that was formed in 1999. She pointed out a grant opportunity is available for funding related to the Inner Loop Project and asked Council to consider applying for the grant. A decision would need to be made since the application is due April 29th.

Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Weaver to authorize the Borough of Gettysburg to make application to the Bikes Belong Grant Program for funding related to the Gettysburg Inner Loop Project. Motion carried unanimously.

Bob Krummerich asked if there would be any tax dollars required. Susan responded no.

Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Ms. Estrada to authorize COLA increase for retired police pensioner Charles Fritz to be paid from the Police Pension fund effective March 1, 2011. Motion carried unanimously.

Alice Estrada announced The Adams County Farmers Market would begin holding the Farmers Market at the Rec Park in May formerly held at the Wellspan parking lot. It will make it more convenient and accessible for people to use.

Scott Dellett gave a brief summary regarding the ACNB agreement relative to a temporary driveway for access to the bank. This is needed due to the street closing during the West Middle Street construction.

Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Lewis, to authorize the Borough to enter into an agreement with ACNB Bank relative to the construction, use and subsequent removal of a temporary driveway for access to and from ACNB Bank's branch office at 545 West Middle Street while West Middle Street is closed due to construction activities related to the upgrade of sewer and water lines of Gettysburg Municipal Authority and the subsequent resurfacing of West Middle Street by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mr. Streeter to approve modifications to the 2009 Community Development Block Grant budget as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve modifications to the 2010 Community Development Block Grant budget as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Manager Ford presented Council with the Len Dick sign proposal for the office and asked for a recommendation. Council authorized the manager to proceed with this sign.

Susan Naugle reported the Borough Newsletter should be ready to be sent out in May. If anyone has anything to put in the newsletter should contact her.

The meeting was adjourned at this time for an executive session.

Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to authorize the Borough Manager to mark a certain note dated December 31, 1985 to the Borough of Gettysburg from Fahnestock Associates Limited Partnership as "unpaid but retired" and to cause the same to be returned to Fahnestock Associates Limited Partnership for the purpose of retiring the note. Motion carried unanimously.

With no further business to come before council moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Krummerich to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary