Council Meeting
President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mr. Michael Birkner, Ms. Alice Estrada, Mrs. Claire Lewis, Mr. Graham Weaver, Mr. Jacob Schindel, Ms. Rebecca Brown, Mr. Kyle Leinbach 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 Chad Clabaugh, Borough Engineer,C.S. Davidson Inc.
Others present included: Darlene Brown, PICPI-ACHA.
Representing the press were Mark Walters 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 its regular meeting held on January 9, 2012 consistent with Sections 708(a)(3) and 708 (a)(4) of the Sunshine Act for the purposes of receiving information relative to the negotiation or arbitration of a collective bargaining agreement of the Borough and to consult with its manager and solicitor regarding information related to any pending legal matters of the Borough..
The agenda was approved as presented.
After a change on page 2 regarding Mr. Weaver's report on the House Bills, the minutes of January 9, 2012 were accepted as written.
There was no public comment.
Moved Mrs. Naugle, seconded Mr. Birkner to appoint Becky Brown to the Adams County Library System committee to plan a special event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the library building in 2014. Motion carried unanimously.
Mrs. Naugle reported the Rec Board met and the next meeting is scheduled for February 15. The Rec Park study is proceeding and a public meeting will be planned in the near future. They hope to complete the survey in May.
Ms. Estrada asked if the Rec Board is looking at donations such as Friends of the Park programs. Mr. Birkner agreed noting people may also want to make donations to the Biser Fitness Trail. Manager Ford responded Council will consider at a later time for these programs.
Mrs. Naugle reported she and Judie Butterfield are working on the newsletter and hope to have it ready for distribution in March.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Weaver to approve the Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association (GARMA) Agreement letter with the Borough concerning the erection and dismantling of the Christmas tree on the square for a period of two years. Motion carried unanimously.
Manager Ford noted the banners are owned by Main Street and it is not necessary to include in this agreement.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mrs. Naugle to adopt a resolution of the Borough Council, of the Borough of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania establishing that Florence Ford, Borough Manager has the authority to sign on behalf of the Borough of Gettysburg, the Reimbursement & Maintenance Agreement between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Borough of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania for Agreement No 089665. (Middle Street Streetscape Improvement) Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Leinbach to authorize Chad Clabaugh, Borough Engineer to prepare and advertise the bid specifications for the Middle Street Streetscape Project. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Weaver to adopt a resolution for additional street lights between the Borough of Gettysburg and Metropolitan Edison company to provide energy, lamp and photo-control maintenance to one company owned, 100-watt, high pressure sodium vapor, cobrahead street light located at the rear of 75 East Broadway on pole number 14639-18407. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Ms. Estrada, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve and authorize the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for Item A (430 Baltimore Street) and Item B (58-60 York Street) as set forth in the minutes of the January 18, 2012 meeting of the Historic Architectural Review Board consistent with the findings and recommendations of HARB as set forth therein. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mrs. Lewis, seconded Mrs. Brown to appoint Philip E. Goble to the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) for a five-year term expiring in August 2016. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mrs. Lewis, seconded Ms. Estrada to appoint James C. McCabe to the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) for a two-year term expiring in August 2014. Motion carried unanimously.
Moved Mrs. Lewis, seconded Mr. Schindel to adopt a resolution appointing Holliday Giles as alternate member to the Zoning Hearing Board to complete the term of Larry G. Weikert as an alternate member whose term will expire on December 13, 2013. A roll call vote was taken. YEA: Mr. Birkner, Ms. Brown, Ms. Lewis, Ms. Naugle, Mr. Schindel, Mr. Weaver and Mr. Butterfield. NAY: Ms. Estrada and Mr. Leinbach.
Ms. Estrada expressed her concern regarding Holly serving on the Zoning Hearing Board. She pointed out since Holly is friends with Wayne and Kim Mayers who serve on the Board that Loring Shultz will have a difficult time with his proposed business plan. Ms. Estrada said Council needs to be responsible and look at each applicant separately and they should be treated fairly.
Mrs. Naugle explained that Holly is the alternate and would only vote when needed for a quorum. Holly would bring history to the Board since she served on Council for a long period of time.
Mrs. Lewis announced the College Community Committee meeting is scheduled for February 22nd at 5:00 pm.
Mr. Weaver announced members of the USS Gettysburg are planning a visit to Gettysburg in May.
Mr. Weaver reported he composed a letter to send to Governor Thomas Corbett to urge that he sign legislation (House Bill 1588) to increase the County pillow tax to 5%.
Moved Mr. Weaver, seconded Mr. Schindel to send a letter to Governor Tom Corbett to express support of the Gettysburg Borough Council for House Bill 1588. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Schindel reported the Finance Committee will continue discussions regarding parking meter enforcement time change from 8 pm to 5 pm.
Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve all bills and payrolls for the month as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Butterfield asked if letters would be sent to residents before the South Howard Ave. project begins. He noted he had a call from Bob Macks asking where residents would park during construction.
Manager Ford said there is just preliminary work happening now and that letters would be sent informing the residents of the street project.
Mr. Butterfield announced the public hearing was held for the Shultz/O'Shea property. The next step is to conduct a public meeting to get options from the Solicitor and Planning Director. Mr. Butterfield pointed out when the transcript from the public hearing is available Council would have adequate time to review before the meeting.
With no further business to come before council moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Schindel to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sara L. Stull
Borough Secretary