Borough Minutes

Borough Council Meeting Minutes

April 25, 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 and Police Officer Thomas Knaper.

Others present included: Dr. Kerry Moyer, Civic Research Alliance; Chuck Teague, 150th - Sesquicentennial Kick off Events; Chad Clabaugh, C.S. Davidson Inc.; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA; Jon Muller, Great T-shirt Co., 65 Steinwehr 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 that the building renovations are complete and that all meetings would be held in the Council Chambers beginning in May. An open house is being planned for June 10th from 3 -5 PM.

The Borough Council will conduct an executive session immediately following the adjournment of this meeting consistent with Section 708(a)(1), Section 708(a)(2) and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act for the purposes of discussing matters involving the employment of Borough employees, 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 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 as presented.

The March 28, 2011 minutes were approved after an amendment on the third page, first paragraph, 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.

Special Presentation:

Chuck Teague, Gettysburg 150th Kick-Off Committee, presented handouts to Council and gave a brief review on the upcoming events scheduled for April 29th and 30th. Mr. Teague noted he will be attending the committee meeting tonight to finalize the plans for the events.

Dr. Kerry Moyer, Director of Research and President, The Civic Research Alliance, presented Council with the scope of work for financial review and strategic planning. It would include a five-year plan. He pointed out the project timeline if approved by Council to proceed would begin in June and a final report would be presented to Borough Council in October in preparation for 2012 budget.

Michael Birkner asked what the cost for the study is. Manager Ford responded it is a 50/50 match with DCED funding. The total is $75,000-borough match $37,500. She noted she is currently looking for benefactors.

Ted Streeter asked if the completion date of October would affect next year's budget. Manager Ford responded that date was flexible to incorporate findings into our budget in September-October. She will have more information for Council at the next meeting.

Susan Naugle suggests Council check with other municipalities as we move forward with this study. Dr. Moyer will get a list of municipalities to Manager Ford for review. Alice Estrada pointed out Manager Ford has worked with Mr. Moyer in the past and has been satisfied with his services. She feels the borough will benefit from this financial review.

President Butterfield announced the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities (PLCM) annual convention is scheduled for June 21 - 24 in Erie. If any Council member is interested in attending and would like to be the voting delegate should notify Sara to register.

Michael Birkner reported the Public Works/Safety Committee meeting was well attended by Ghost Tour operators. They were invited to attend for the purpose of updating and reviewing the regulations.

Susan Naugle reported Scott Dellett, Planning Director was task with preparing the Bikes Belong Grant due this week.

Graham Weaver recommended Council eliminate the second monthly Council meeting. He pointed out citizens can talk to Council members by phone, email, and committee meetings. Mr. Weaver said the Borough could save money by reducing legal fees and senior staff attendance at the meeting.

Moved Mr. Weaver, seconded Mrs. Lewis to limit the Gettysburg Borough Council to one regular meeting per month starting May 2011. YEA: Ms. Estrada, Mr. Krummerich, Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Streeter, Mr. Weaver. NAY: Mr. Birkner, Mrs. Naugle and Mr. Butterfield. The vote passed 5-3.

Alice Estrada agreed and said it's not just senior staff attendance at the meetings but the preparation time involved for these meetings. She pointed out it is also difficult to get citizens interested in running for Council with so many meetings. Bob Krummerich pointed out a special meeting could be held at anytime if necessary.

Susan Naugle expressed her concern that times have changed and Council should be more responsive to the citizens. Items come up before the next months meeting and feels it's beneficial for the two meetings.

Claire Lewis asked if items could be handled in the interim before the next Council meeting. Manager Ford explained certain items can be approved administratively and then ratified at the next Council meeting.

Ted Streeter agreed one Council meeting is sufficient. He noted a lot of preparation time goes in to preparing for these meetings.

Solicitor Eastman said there are good points to both sides regarding how many Council meetings. He pointed out he is here to serve Council and will provide what services they need.

Michael Birkner agreed with Solicitor Eastman that there are good points on both sides. He feels that one meeting won't serve the public as much.

Mr. Butterfield stated that having 2 meetings a month provides the flexibility to expeditiously advance those issues that come before Council.

Manager Ford reported the Gettysburg Municipal Authority agreement is close to finalizing.

Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mr. Birkner to ratify a Declaration of Disaster Emergency for severe flooding in the Borough of Gettysburg on April 16 and 17, 2011 and to authorize the submission of the Declaration along with an Initial Damage Report to the Adams County Department of Emergency Services. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Streeter commented the Manager's Information Memo (MIM) is very informational although, some of the reports are long and asked if they could be shortened. Manager Ford will relay to staff.

The meeting was adjourned to an executive session.

The meeting reconvened and with no further business to come before Council moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Krummerich to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary