Council Meeting

President Michael Birkner called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Vice President Jacob Schindel, Mr. John Butterfield, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mrs. Claire Lewis, Ms. Rebecca Brown, Mr. Kyle Leinbach and Mr. Charles Teague. Mr. Graham Weaver was absent. Staff present included Mayor William Troxell, 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: Brian Devost, Recreation Director; Scott Christopher and Brenda Snyder representing ABATE of PA; Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA; Scott Pitzer, 59 York; Stan Clark, 915 Fairview Avenue.

Representing the press were Jim Hale of the Gettysburg Time, and Lillian Reed

representing the Evening Sun.

President Birkner read a prepared statement regarding the 150th Anniversary events that took place the past two weeks. His remarks are attached.

At this time President Birkner asked Chief Dougherty to give a brief explanation as to why the Independence Day Parade was cancelled.

Chief Dougherty gave a brief summary to the events following up to the cancellation of the parade. He said that on July 2nd a vehicle was stolen and that on July 3rd at approximately 3:15 pm the vehicle was observed within the Borough. After officers confirmed it to be the stolen vehicle his department called for back up assistance. The vehicle was speeding at times 60-70 mph, hitting a state police car and then coming to rest after hitting the wall of a house injuring the person inside. Chief Dougherty went on to say that the driver ran away but the passenger was apprehended at the scene. The police thought he had a gun and the passenger also reported that the driver had a gun. The Borough Police, Cumberland Township, State Police and State Police helicopter were searching the Colt Park area and other properties of interest to locate this person.

At approximately 5:00 pm Chief Dougherty recommended to the Mayor that it was in the best interest for the safety of the public to cancel the parade. Borough Manager Ford was also informed and agreed with their decision. At that time all officers continued the search for the suspect and there would be no man power to assist with the parade. At approximately 5:15 Mayor Troxell contacted Nancie Gudmestad, parade organizer to inform her of the situation.

Chuck Teague thanked Chief Dougherty for his wise decision and feels he made the right call for the safety of everyone involved. President Birkner agreed stating the safety and security of the community is the main priority.

President Birkner announced an executive session of the Borough Council was conducted immediately prior to the adjournment of its regular meeting held on June 10, 2013 consistent with Sections 708(a)(1) and 708(a)(3) of the Sunshine Act. An executive session of the Borough Council will be conducted immediately prior to the adjournment of this meeting consistent with Sections 708(a)(1), 708(a)(2) and 708(a)(3) of the Sunshine Act for the following purposes: (1) to discuss matters involving the possible employment of prospective employees of the Borough; (2) to receive information related to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement; and (3) to receive information and consider the possible purchase, sale or lease of real property of the Borough.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mr. Leinbach to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mrs. Naugle to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2013 Borough Council meeting and June 24, 2013 special Council meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Special presentation:

Scott Christopher speaking on behalf of ABATE of PA would like to raise awareness of noise with the scheduled upcoming bike week. He presented Council with signs to be posted throughout town for bikers to "throttle down".

President Birkner thanked Mr. Christopher for his remarks and asked the Public Works Department to post the signs.

Public Comment:

Stan Clark addressed the problems with the Flagger Force Services the Borough hired to direct traffic during the 150th events. He said they didn't provide a good service causing many delays and backups. He also pointed out on several occasions he notice the flaggers were sitting or standing around not directing traffic. Mr. Clark suggested that in the future Council may want to hire a consulting firm to help with this service.

Manager Ford responded that there were problems between Flagger Force, the state police and Chief Dougherty to enforce traffic. She said that the state police would ask Flagger Force not to enforce at times when Chief Dougherty was instructing them to enforce. Manager Ford agreed that there were issues on the square but they did get them resolved. It did cause some confusion at times but overall the Borough did not receive a lot of complaints.

Mayor Troxell mentioned how effectively the police departments and everyone involved with the police incident on July 3rd worked very closely together. 

Mayor Troxell said he is very proud of how well the 150th anniversary celebrations went. He complimented Nancie Gudmestad for organizing the Independence Day Parade and suggested a thank you be sent to her for her efforts. Mayor Troxell recommended to Council that the parade fee be returned due to the unforeseen police incident causing the parade to be cancelled. President Birkner agreed a thank you note should be sent to Nancie.

President Birkner told the Council that Straban and Cumberland Township supervisors have requested a meeting to discuss expansion of the GMA Board. A meeting that will include two Supervisors from Cumberland, the supervisor chair of Straban and Straban's Solicitor, and Gettysburg's Council President and Solicitor is being planned for August, at a date yet to be determined.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve all bills and payrolls for the month as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mrs. Lewis to authorize a COLA increase for retired police pensioner Walter Gliem to be paid from the Police Pension fund effective June 1, 2013. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mr. Teague to authorize the County of Adams to advertise a request for bids and proposals of multiple municipalities of Adams County to include the Borough of Gettysburg for the curbside collection, transportation and processing/disposal of municipal waste and recyclable materials for a three (3) year contract period beginning on January 1, 2014 and extending to December 31, 2016 with an optional one (1) year extension consistent with the instructions and specifications prepared for the Borough by the County. Motion carried unanimously.

Susan Naugle reported the first hearing for CDBG allocations was held on June 26th and the second meeting will be announced at a later date. She also reported that county representatives attended the Community Development meeting to discuss the joint comprehensive plan that we will be working on with Cumberland Township. A steering committee will need to be formed to include 5 -7 members that will devise the concept of the plan. The county will provide the Borough with preliminary information to see what is expected of this membership. 

Susan Naugle reported the last meeting of the Rec Board was held in June and that everything will be transferred to the new Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority at its meeting in July.

Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve and authorize the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness for Item B (339 Carlisle Street), as set forth in the minutes of the June 19, 2013 meeting of the Historic Architectural Review Board ("HARB") consistent with the findings and recommendations of HARB as set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.

Claire Lewis announced the next College Community Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25 at 5:00 pm.

President Birkner acknowledged Graham Weaver for his efforts in maintaining contact with Senator Alloway and Representative Moul about the Boroughs concerns and needs for the 150th Anniversary. He thanked him and the other Council members that spoke with representatives in regards to the 150th expenses.

Moved Ms. Brown, seconded Mr. Schindel to reappoint Wesley Heyser to the Civil Service Commission for a six year term expiring in May 2019. Motion carried unanimously.

Chuck Teague announced the next Public Safety Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 22 at 3:00 pm.

Moved Mr. Butterfield, seconded Mrs. Naugle to accept the J. P. Harris Tax Exoneration report for tax years 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007and 2006 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Butterfield complemented the Public Works Department for the exceptional work to keep the Borough cleaned during the 10 day period of the 150th events. Their schedules were adjusted to work day and night to keep trash picked up and anything else that needed done.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm to an executive session. The meeting reconvened at 9:02 pm.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Ms. Brown to hire Eric Yost as entry level Police Officer with the Gettysburg Borough Police Department until December 31, 2013 upon completion of required testing. Yea: Mr. Teague, Mr. Leinbach, Ms. Brown, Ms. Lewis, Mr. Schindel, Mr. Butterfield and Mr. Birkner. Nay: Mrs. Naugle. The vote passed 7-1.

President Birkner announcement an executive session of the Borough Council will be conducted on July 22 at 4:00 pm consistent with Section 708 (a)(2) of the Sunshine Act for the following purpose: to receive information related to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement. No action will be taken during, or at the conclusion of the executive session. 

With no further business to come before council moved Mr. Teague, seconded Mr. Butterfield to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull, Borough Secretary