Borough Minutes
Borough Council Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2011
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, 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, Public Works Director Dan Hilliard and Merry Bush Planning Department.
Others present included: Chad Clabaugh, C.S. Davidson Inc.; Daniel Konstalid, Gettysburg College; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA: Elaine Henderson and Wendy Allen of Lincoln Into Art, 329 Baltimore Street; Wren Miller, Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle Street; Bruce Zavos and Hannah Weikel, Zavos Architecture & Design, 22 Chambersburg Street; Susan & Paul Rinaldi, Peggy Rock, Linda Atiyeh, Roseanna Kdasa, Linda Ann Daugherty and Kyrstie Walker representing Gallery 30; Erik Dorr, Gettysburg Museum of History; Stephen Herr, Christ Lutheran Church; Kim and Jane Patrono, 17 on the Square; Jack and Pat Ziegler, 236 York Street; Wayne Mayers 55 South Street; James and Barbara Entwistle, 66 West Middle Street; Philip Goble, 132 East Middle Street; Michele Zigler, 20 Chambersburg Street; Peggy Gustafson, HARB Member; Judie Butterfield, Borough Recycling Commission; Dominic Picarelli, 106 N. Howard Avenue; Royall Harner, 35 Buford Avenue and Mary Alice Forbes, 200 South Third Street, McSherrystown.
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 conducted an executive session immediately following the adjournment of the Borough Council meeting held on April 25, 2011 consistent with Sections 708 (a)(1), 708(a)(2), and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act.
The agenda was approved as presented.
With no changes to the May 9, 2011 minutes, they were accepted as written.
Special Presentation:
Gary Shaffer, Chairman, Historical Architecture Review Board, presented the 2011 Preservation Awards to property owners for work completed on their property. The categories for the awards were Exceptional Merit, Certificates of Merit and Honorable Mention. A complete listing of the awards recipients are attached to the minutes.
Citizens in Attendance:
Dominic Picarelli addressed Council regarding his concern about the availability of bath salts as a designer drug. This is becoming a serious problem that needs to be addressed. He presented Council with informational hand outs to review further.
Mayor Troxell announced the Adams County Boroughs Association will meet on May 16th at the Pike Restaurant.
John Butterfield asked the Finance Committee to discuss the parking fee schedule for the new parking system at the next Finance Committee meeting.
Moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Krummerich to authorize providing a letter of support for a grant application for the Adams County Historical Society’s efforts to preserve Schmucker Hall for the National Scenic Byways Program. Motion carried unanimously.
Holly Giles asked Chief Dougherty if he completed the police study to present at the upcoming College Community Committee meeting. Chief Dougherty responded he is scheduled to meet with a College Professor at Mt. Saint Mary’s for assistance with the report.
Alice Estrada asked why the sidewalks aren’t being done simultaneously, noting some areas have no activity for extended periods of time. Dan Hilliard responded there was an issue with the gas line which delayed the work for two weeks and they also couldn’t get concrete delivered.
Moved Mrs. Naugle seconded Mr. Weaver to reappoint David J. Sanders to the Civil Service Commission of the Borough of Gettysburg for a 6 year term, expiring
in May 2017. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve all bills and payrolls for the month. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Krummerich, seconded Ms. Estrada to authorize the Manager to proceed with the DCED Grant Agreement in the amount of $35,000 for a five year fiscal plan and pension study. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Naugle to approve and authorize the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for item B. (451 Baltimore Street) and item C. (32 South Washington Street) as set forth in the minutes of the April 20, 2011 meeting of HARB consistent with the findings and recommendations of HARB as set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Birkner asked why the downtown BID process was dropped from the downtown businesses. Ms. Estrada responded there wasn’t a lot of response or interest from the downtown businesses. Mrs. Naugle pointed out it would take 60% of the property owners to proceed with a BID. The property owners are able to rent the store fronts and don’t feel the need to spend money on this program at this time.
Graham Weaver reported Main Street will transfer the Wills House operation to the National Park Service in 2012.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Krummerich to authorize a contract change order in the net amount of $2,789.00 in order to increase the contract price from $187,150.00 to $189,939.00 for the installation of a trench drain and a lower gas service and to further extend the substantial completion date by an additional 35 days to June 15, 2011 in connection with the Curb Ramps and Washington Street Overlay project with Kinsley construction. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve the financial security for the completion of required improvements in connection with the Gettysburg College Stevens Street parking facilities land development project in the Borough of Gettysburg in the amount of $238,229.20 consistent with the certification of C. S. Davidson, Inc., Borough Engineers, dated My 3, 2011 and in a form authorized by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Ms. Estrada authorizing the Borough of Gettysburg to execute and deliver a Land Development Agreement and a Stormwater Management Practices, Facilities and System Maintenance and Monitoring Agreement with Gettysburg College in connection with the Stevens Street parking facilities land development project. Motion carried unanimously.
Manager Ford recommends Council appoint Scott Dellett to the County Housing Committee. The Committee makes recommendations to the Commissioners for the use of Affordable Trust Fund-Act 137 requests for funding. The Planning Director in the past has served on this Board
Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Naugle to appoint Scott Dellett to the County Housing Committee. Motion carried unanimously.
Manager Ford reported she met with area stake holders to see if there is an interest in devising a Board that would oversee the Recreation Park. Graham Weaver asked where the membership would come from. Manager Ford responded baseball leagues, fire department, Council member and other stakeholders. It could consist of 5-9 member Board.
Ted Streeter noted the Borough had a Recreation Board in the past but members didn’t attend the meetings so the Board was abolished approximately 8 years ago. He asked how this would alleviate the money the Borough puts in to the Recreation Park. Manager Ford responded the Board would possibly hire a Recreation Director that would be funded through the membership and not the Borough.
Solicitor Eastman commented the prior Board consisted of surrounding municipalities, whereas the new Board would include the ball leagues and other stakeholders.
Ms. Estrada applauds Manager Ford for her endless work and meeting with stakeholders regarding the Rec Park.
Mr. Krummerich asked if the Borough would continue to hold liability insurance on the Rec Park. Solicitor Eastman recommends the Borough always maintain liability insurance. The Borough could devise a partnership agreement between the Borough and the Board
Council agreed Manager Ford should continue to pursue this endeavor.
Manager Ford announced the open house is scheduled for Friday, June 10th from 2-4. A ribbon cutting will take place at 1:45 with Council and the Mayor.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Birkner to accept the J. P. Harris Tax Exoneration report for tax years 2008 and 2010. Motion carried unanimously.
With no further business to come before Council moved Ms. Giles, seconded Mr. Streeter to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara L. Stull
Borough Secretary