Council Meeting

President John Butterfield called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following Councilors present: Mr. Michael Birkner, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mrs. Claire Lewis, Mr. Graham Weaver, Mr. Jacob Schindel, Ms. Rebecca Brown, and Mr. Charles Teague. Mr. Kyle Leinbach was absent. Staff present included Mayor William Troxell, Solicitor Harold Eastman, Manager Florence Ford, Borough Secretary Sara Stull, Chief Joseph Dougherty, Finance Director Ramona Overton, Planning Director Scott Dellett and Public Works Director Dan Hilliard.

Others present included: Attorney Jens Damgaard; Rhoads & Sinon; Attorney Frank Leber, Rhoads & Sinon; Gary Pulcini, Valco Capital; Mark Guise, Gettysburg Municipal Authority Utilities Manager; Jeffrey Heishman, PA State Association of Boroughs (PSAB); Merry Bush, Borough Planning Department; Gary Shaffer, HARB Chairman; Ann Thomas, Adams County Planning; Darlene Brown, ACHA/PICPI; Harry Stokes, 22 Mummasburg Street; J. Scott Hill, 124 North Stratton Street; Ernie & Linda Kranias, Ernie's Texas Lunch, 53 Chambersburg Street; Philip & Pat Schindel, Ragged Edge, 110 Chambersburg Street; Debi Golden, The Carlisle Apartments; Maria Pukownik, Art Conservation; Judie Butterfield, 999 Sunset Avenue and Kathy Gilbert, 39 South Street. 

Representing the press were Mark Walters of the Gettysburg Times, and Tim Prudente representing the Evening Sun

Mr. Butterfield announced an executive session of the Borough Council was conducted immediately prior to the adjournment of its regular meeting held on April 9, 2012 consistent with Sections 708(a)(1) and 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act. An executive session of the Borough Council will be conducted immediately prior to adjournment of this meeting consistent with Section 708(a)(1) of the Sunshine Act for the purpose of receiving information and discussing matters involving the employment, the terms and conditions of employment, the evaluation of performance, promotion or disciplining of current employees of the Borough.

The May 14, 2012 agenda was approved as presented after adding the May 10, 2012 special Council meeting minutes for Council approval.

With no changes to the April 9, 2012 Council meeting minutes and May 10, 2012 special Council meeting minutes, they were accepted as written.

Special Presentation:

PSAB Presentation

Jeffrey Heishman, representing the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs presented awards in recognition of municipal government service. Sara Stull (22years) and Mayor William Troxell (20 Years) both received the Thomas F. Chrostwaite Award for 20 or more years of service. Mr. Heishman noted the Thomas F. Chrostwaite Award was named in honor of the founder and first president of PSAB established in 1956. Also receiving awards but who were not present were Holly Giles, the Thomas F. Chrostwaite Award for 20 years of service and Ted Streeter, Cecil K. Leberknight Award for 10 years of service.

HARB Historic Preservation Award Presentation

Chairman Gary Shaffer presented the following with the 2012 Preservation Awards in three categories as follows:

Exceptional Merit Awards: Adams County Arts Council, 125 South Washington Street; Harry Stokes and Lisa Portmess, 38 West Middle Street; Clodius and Maxine Willis, 140 East Middle Street; Orchard Development, 140 Carlisle Street; and Jacob, Philip and Pat Schindel, Ragged Edge, 110 Chambersburg Street.

Merit Awards: Randy and Amy Naill, 326-334 South Washington Street; Cheri Uhrinek, 232 West Middle Street; Scott Hill, 124 North Stratton Street; Linda Zhea, 300 North Stratton Street; Steven Sexton, 116 Chambersburg Street; Maria and Kazimierz Pukowik, 252-254 Chambersburg Street; Ernest and Linda Kranias, 54-56-58 Chambersburg Street; Rebecca Fissell, 264 South Washington Street and Karen Fouchie, 266 South Washington Street.

Honorable Merit Awards: Earl and Betty Steinour, 43 Breckenridge Street; Edward and Bonnie Huggins, 338 South Washington Street; Dorothy Nunemaker, 168 York Street; Twin Bridges Farm, 163-165 York Street; Marianne Larkin, 233 North Stratton Street; and Annsan Partnership, 143 Carlisle Street.

Gettysburg Municipal Authority Bonds

Gary Pulcini, VALCO Capital, gave a brief report on the Gettysburg Municipal Authority General Obligation Bonds bidding results. He pointed out that GMA will see a total savings of $709,681.56.

Mr. Schindel asked how much the insurance would have cost. Mr. Pulcini responded $50,000. Mr. Schindel asked if this was due to the Boroughs good rating.

Mr. Pulcini responded yes. 

Jens Damgaard; Rhoads & Sinon, gave a brief overview of the ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2012 in the amount of $8,135,000. 

Mr. Weaver asked the amount of savings for GMA. Mr. Daamgard responded approximately $700,000 which the majority would be in the first two years.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Ms. Lewis to adopt and enact Ordinance 

No. 1400-12 authorizing and securing the General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2012 of this Borough to advance refund its General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2007, as presented by its bond counsel, Rhoads & Sinon, LLP, and containing the financial information as presented by its financial consultant, VALCO Capital, Ltd. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes; Kyle Leinbach was absent. The motion passed unanimously. 

There were no citizen comments.

Mr. Butterfield announced changes to the committees which will take effect immediately. Mrs. Lewis will serve on Community Development and Mr. Teague will serve on the Finance Committee and Human Resources Committee.

Mr. Butterfield reported the new Borough Code was approved by the state and is on the Governors desk for approval. It would go into effect 60 days after it is signed.

Mr. Birkner said he is unclear about the letters in the Council book from Daniel Konstalid, Gettysburg College regarding 227 North Washington Street and response letter from Mr. Butterfield. He is unclear what the particular role Council has in this and noted the property owners must go to the proper boards such as planning and HARB.

Mr. Butterfield responded he had asked Scott Dellett to distribute copies of the letters to the necessary boards.

Mrs. Naugle presented a draft of a solicitation of funds to purchase trees for the Rec Park. The contributions would be used to purchase and maintain native species trees along the Biser Fitness Trail She noted a grant was received last year from DCNR to widen the Biser Fitness Trail and part of that was to include planting of 30 trees. That portion of the grant was not approved and therefore is establishing the tree planting program. 

Mrs. Naugle reported a letter of interest was received from Cumberland Township regarding the recreation study. Cumberland Township Board member Steve Toddes attended the April Rec Board meeting and will attend this months meeting to discuss further. They are very interested in working with the Borough.

Mrs. Naugle reported the Master Plan for the Rec Park has had a very good response with the voting process. The consultant will post another drawing that would be released in the near future regarding the responses and comments he has received. Another round of voting will be made available soon with other sketches available for citizens to vote on. She noted a second public meeting will be scheduled in June.

Mrs. Naugle reported the ad hoc GMA Committee has met and are in the information gathering stage. They are reviewing the past agreements and are comparing the different provisions.

Mrs. Naugle reported she is gathering information for the Borough Newsletter if anyone has anything. She plans to have the newsletter ready for distribution the beginning of June.

Mrs. Naugle thanked the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau for their help cleaning the downtown area recently. Approximately 25 people came to help during the National Tourism and Travel Week. 

Mrs. Naugle announced the Adams County Community Health Assessment Forum is scheduled for June 12th from 9:00 am to3:30 pm at HACC if anyone is interested in attending. Healthy Adams County through Wellspan does this assessment every three years. The Borough benefits from these assessments for some of the grant requests such as the inner loop because of the health benefits.

Mr. Birkner asked for an update of the tournaments scheduled at the Rec Park. Manager Ford responded none of the contracts have been signed and returned to date. She noted there is an umpire shortage which is causing a delay. The Rec Board will be sending letters to follow up with these event coordinators asking them to let us know if they intend to use the fields or risk losing the dates.

Mr. Birkner commented on the parking garage complaints that have been received stating the new equipment is working properly. The problem is during large events held at the Majestic and Hotel that cause traffic delays. He pointed out management has been moving forward with pursuing chaser tickets and lane configurations to help with the traffic flow.

Mr. Teague stated he was at an event recently with approximately 250 people at the Hotel and it took 1 ½ hours to get out of the garage. He asked what the threshold is with the chaser tickets. Manager Ford responded that the Hotel and Gettysburg College are to notify the Borough when large events are scheduled and that she wasn't notified of this event.

Mrs. Naugle asked how many people use credit cards. Ms. Overton responded only 18% - 20% use credit cards that most pay with cash. Manager Ford pointed out it was expected that most would use credit cards. The cash boxes must be changed out on a daily basis. She is planning to purchase another cash box to use at the garage.

Mr. Birkner noted the traffic light at Steinwehr Avenue that he had reported last month causing traffic congestion has been corrected. The timing was off and Mr. Hilliard had it changed.

Moved Mr. Birkner seconded Mrs. Lewis to enact an ordinance accepting dedication of a twelve (12') foot strip of land along West Wall Alley as offered by Deed of Dedication from Adams County Housing Authority. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mrs. Naugle to enact an ordinance accepting dedication of a proposed area to be added to Brickyard Alley and to Smith Alley as offered by Quitclaim Deed of Dedication from Gettysburg College. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Birkner asked when the public works crew can begin work on Brickyard Alley. Mr. Hilliard responded he would add it on his schedule.

Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Schindel to award a contract to C. E. Williams Sons, Inc. as the lowest, responsible bidder for the rental to the Borough of Gettysburg of heavy construction vehicles and equipment as set forth in the Borough's specifications and instruction to bidders. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Birkner seconded Mrs. Naugle to award a contract to Stewart & Tate, Inc. as the lowest, responsible bidder for the micro-surfacing project in the amount of $143,889.84. Motion carried unanimously.

Moved Mr. Birkner, seconded Mr. Weaver to authorize C. S. Davidson, Inc. to advertise for the Howard Avenue Improvement contract bid. Motion carried unanimously.

Chad Clabaugh reported a meeting will be held on May 23rd at the Rec Park with the property owners to discuss the Howard Avenue project.

Mr. Weaver reported the Federal Bill regarding the expansion of the train station was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. It is now waiting for consideration by the full house possibly by the beginning of July. He reported the Senate Natural Resources Committee chaired by Senator Bingaman of New Mexico is not proceeding as quickly. 

Mr. Schindel reported the Pillow Tax Bill passed the House of Representatives on April 4th and is now in the Senate Community Economic and Recreation Development Committee chaired by Senator Earl.

Moved Mr. Weaver, seconded Mr. Schindel to adopt a resolution welcoming the sailors from the USS Gettysburg on their visit to the Borough on May 24th and 25th. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Weaver reported the Mayor will present the resolution to the sailors on Thursday, May 24th at 10:30 in Council Chambers.

Ms. Brown reported a preliminary report of the Borough's Strategic Plan was presented at the Community Development Committee meeting by Kerry Moyer, Civil Research Alliance. The final product should be complete in July.

Moved Ms. Brown, seconded Mrs. Lewis to approve and authorize the issuance of certificates of appropriateness for Item A (922 Johns Avenue), Item B (302 South Washington Street) and Item D (243 Chambersburg Street) as set forth in the minutes of the April 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. Brown, seconded Mr. Schindel to adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of an application for 2012 Community Development Block Grant Funds to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Schindel reported Smith Elliot Kearns, Certified Public Accountants will attend the next Finance Committee meeting to review the financial audit that was recently completed.

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

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mr. Birkner to adopt a resolution setting a flat rate of $4.00 for the issuance of a chaser ticket for parking in the Gettysburg Borough Parking Garage for certain designated events held within the Borough to be used on a trial basis from May 15, 2012 until October 31, 2012. Motion carried unanimously.

Manager Ford reported Bill Aldrich completed work on the USS Gettysburg Ship model and it is fabulous.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mrs. Lewis to accept the J. P. Harris Tax Exoneration report as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

At this time, 8:35 pm Council adjourned for an executive session.

Council reconvened and with no further business to come before council moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mr. Birkner to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary