Borough Minutes
Borough Council Meeting Minutes
April 11, 2011
President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Mr. Theodore Streeter, Ms. Holliday Giles, 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, Planning Director Scott Dellett, and Public Works Director Dan Hilliard.
Others present included: Cate Magennis Wyatt, The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA; Ted McPherson, Carlisle Street; Kathy Gilbert, 39 south Street; Aleksandra Petleora, Gettysburg College; and Jennifer Eckerson, 139 Breckenridge 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 meeting held on March 28, 2011 consistent with Sections 708(a)(2) and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act.
President Butterfield also announced that beginning on Monday, May 2nd, all Council and Committee meetings would be held at 59 E. High Street.
The agenda was approved as presented.
The March 28, 2011 minutes were approved after an amendment on the second page, last paragraph, Alice Estrada announced the Adams County Farmers Market not Wellspan, would be holding a Farmers Market beginning in May that formerly was held at the Wellspan parking lot.
Special Presentation:
Cate Magennis Wyatt, President, The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, presented Council with handouts and a slide show of the scenic byway from Monticello to Gettysburg. They continue to work on the Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War events and pointed out a boxed Director's cut of Gettysburg and God's and Generals DVD's will be released and go on sale in May. Ms. Wyatt announced invitations are going out for a hospitability training scheduled for May. They are also planning on a tree planting this fall to commemorate the soldiers who fell during the Civil War under a Living Legacy Program. The trees will be planted and cared for along the Journey Corridor payable with grant funds and donations they have received.
John Butterfield reported a copy of House Bill 1335 was included in Council books for review. Representative Platts introduced the bill to revise the boundaries of the Gettysburg National Military Park to include the Gettysburg Train Station.
Holly Giles reported the College Community Committee met for the first time this year. They discussed the Second and Third Ward crime rates that include the police substation within the Elm Street District and college areas. Alice Estrada asked if this is draining the police resources. Ms. Giles responded no; and that they are interested in the high crime areas that the police respond to. Graham Weaver noted he reviewed the police report and it appears the high areas are within the college area. Mayor Troxell pointed out all calls are dispatched by the county regardless of the incident. Ms. Giles suggested the borough and college review their statistics together. Chief Dougherty pointed out the county includes every call they receive regardless if the police respond.
John Butterfield referred this to the next Public Safety/Works committee meeting to discuss further.
Susan Naugle reported she met with College representatives to discuss the possibility of college students helping with the borough clean up program.
Solicitor Eastman gave a brief report on the Parking Garage Bid process. The Borough received four bids. The bidders were as follows: Precision Technology Solutions, Whitaker Parking Systems, CTR Systems and Scheidt & Bachmann. Manager Ford explained Precision was the lowest bidder; however, their bid was thrown out as they were a non responsive bidder. They did not include unit pricing in their bid as required by the RFP. Graham Weaver asked if Precision was notified about this prior to the opening. Solicitor Eastman pointed out that would be improper as these were all sealed bids and opened publicly. Bob Krummerich asked if there is any reason Precision would appeal. Solicitor Eastman responded Council could proceed and accept the contract from Whitaker Parking System noting all bidders completed necessary documents except Precision.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Ms. Estrada to award a contract to Whitaker Parking Systems as the lowest, responsible and responsive bidder in the amount of $139,260.10 for the purchase and installation of automated parking access and revenue control equipment for the Borough's Race Horse Alley Garage. Motion carried unanimously.
Michael Birkner asked what the transition of the parking attendants would be handled. Manager Ford responded someone would continue working during a period of time as needed until customers get acquainted to the new system.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Ms. Giles to accept resignation from Larry G. Weikert as the alternate board member of the Gettysburg Zoning Hearing Board. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Ms. Giles to adopt a resolution appointing Larry G. Weikert as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Gettysburg to serve the remainder of the term of Robert Kornack which will expire on December 31, 2014. Motion carried unanimously.
Susan Naugle reported 20 college students turned out on Saturday for the Company's Coming Clean Up Day. She reported 5 people showed up today for the Borough's clean up kick off day. She noted others have offered to help at the next clean up day.
Susan Naugle announced HABPI was awarded a grant from the PA Department of Health in the amount of $5,000. The grant will be used to complete a survey of a segment of the Gettysburg Inner Loop on Racehorse Alley from Washington Street to Buford Avenue and on Buford Avenue to the Post Office. C. S. Davidson will be contracted to do the work.
Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve all bills and payrolls for the month as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve and authorize the issuance of a certificates of appropriateness for item A (221 South Washington Street ) and item 150 North Stratton Street) as set forth in the minutes of the March 16, 2011 meeting of HARB consistent with the findings and recommendations of HARB as set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.
Graham Weaver reported the Main Street report is included in the books if anyone has any questions. Alice Estrada asked why Delta Development is not managing the BID. John Butterfield reported Main Street is the managing administrator because of financial considerations.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Ms. Estrada adopt a resolution adopting the Adams County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Streeter, seconded Mr. Krummerich to accept the J. P. Harris Tax Exoneration report for tax years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, excluding Helen Bream, Benjamin Sipkoff, Miguel Vinuela and Benjamin Birkner. Motion carried unanimously.
Alice Estrada asked about the issue of rezoning on Buford Avenue regarding a request from a local business. Scott Dellett responded the planning department is currently reviewing this issue.
Holly Giles announced the Land Conservancy Art Auction is scheduled for Sunday, April 17th to be held at the Blue Parrot at noon.
Dan Hilliard reported the Wayfinding Signs would be installed by the end of this month. He thanked Codori Memorial for the use of its bucket truck to install the signs. Susan Naugle asked how many signs are being installed. Dan responded approximately 60 signs. Dan also reported street line painting would begin in May.
Scott Dellett reported The CDBG changes were approved by Anne Thomas, Adams County Grant Coordinator.
With no further business to come before council moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Ms. Lewis to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara L. Stull
Borough Secretary