Council Meeting - Special

Special Council Meeting Minutes

President Michael Birkner called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. with the following Councilors present: Mr. John Butterfield, Mrs. Susan Naugle, Mr. Jacob Schindel, and Ms. Rebecca Brown. Mrs. Claire Lewis, Mr. Graham Weaver, Mr. Kyle Leinbach and Mr. Charles Teague were absent. Staff present included Mayor William Troxell, Solicitor Harold Eastman, Manager Peter Marshall, Borough Secretary Sara Stull and Finance Director Nickie James.

Others present included: Stan Clark, 915 Fairview Avenue; Scot Pitzer, 59 York Street; and Steven Hemler, 535 York Street.

Representing the press were Jim Hale of the Gettysburg Times, and Mark Walters of the Evening Sun. 

President Birkner announced that an executive session of the Borough Council was conducted immediately following the adjournment of its special meeting held on December 16, 2013, consistent with Section 708(a)(1) of the Sunshine Act. An executive session of the Borough Council will be conducted immediately following the adjournment of this meeting consistent with Section (708(a)(2) of the Sunshine Act for the purpose of receiving information, and to discuss matters related to the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters Local No. 776.

Public Comment:

Stan Clark addressed Council regarding the proposed budget asking about expenses for the 150th anniversary - line item 400:299 which is listed at $71,891; but the actual submission to the county was $134,000 and asked why the difference. Nickie James responded that the amount is the non-payroll expenses. Mr. Clark asked where the reimbursement amount would appear as revenue in the budget. Ms. James said it is listed on line item 395- refund of prior year's expenses at $126,000. Mr. Clark also asked about the Code Enforcement budgeted amount of $50,000, and noted that this year's actual expenses were $34,000. Ms. James responded that the amount is estimated expenditures for this year, and that we haven't closed out the year yet. She noted that the amount is dependant on the amount of activity regarding people requesting permits. 

Steve Hemler addressed Council regarding the proposed budget and asked how they can increase fines to $25,000 - line item 331.110 when the amount taken in was only $20,600. Manager Marshall explained it is an average, and pointed out the amounts received in prior years. Nickie James also said that due to an employee being out a few months, there wasn't full enforcement coverage. Mr. Hemler also asked about the street light amount that changed significantly from $23,379 to $103,000. Nickie James explained that street lights were moved out of the Highway Aid Fund and moved back into the General Fund. She pointed out that the State Liquid Fuels Funds, that the Borough receives, can be used to repair roads. She said that it was also acceptable to use this to pay for street lights as done in the past. She went on to say that the Borough has opted to change this year to use the $100,000 in the Highway Aid Fund to provide road repair work instead of street lights. 

Steve Hemler questioned the Recreation contribution to the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA) which was 55% of their budget and would be $63,334, and that the Borough only budgeted $50,000. Nickie James responded that the information was received late from GARA, and noted that there were calculation errors on their budget that need to be resolved. Solicitor Eastman said that the Borough has not ratified the agreement with GARA, and that changes can be made as necessary. Manager Marshall pointed out that the MOU has never been completed, and that Council and Staff need to review the agreement. President Birkner noted that the numbers given were incorrect, and that Jacob Schindel, who serves on that board, is aware of the issues. He also said other possibilities may be the sale of equipment to GARA, but we will continue working with GARA to finalize an agreement. 

Manager Marshall presented the 2014 budget stating the revenues are $4,617,493 and expenses are $4,715,969.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mr. Butterfield to adopt the Borough Budget for fiscal year 2014 in the amount of $4,617,493 in revenues and $4,715,969 in expenses. A roll call vote was taken. YEA: Ms. Brown, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Naugle and Mr. Birkner. NAY: Mr. Schindel. The vote passed 4-1. 

Mr. Schindel noted that he voted no because he is not in favor of raising taxes.

Mr. Butterfield asked what the amount of over/under expenditures is. Manager Marshall responded $98,476. Nickie James also said that the ending fund balance will be $1,004,931.

President Birkner thanked Manager Marshall and Nickie James for their hard work in providing a budget in a short time. He noted that Council had handled themselves extremely well, and that he is optimistic for 2014.

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Ms. Brown to enact an ordinance fixing the tax rates of the Borough of Gettysburg for fiscal year 2014: at 3.6203 mills on each dollar of real estate assessed valuation for general Borough purposes; at 30 mills on each dollar of occupational assessed valuation for general Borough purposes, and at 0.25 mills on each dollar of real estate assessed valuation for fire protection services appropriations tax purposes. A roll call vote was taken. YEA: Ms. Brown, Mr. Butterfield, Ms. Naugle and Mr. Birkner. NAY: Mr. Schindel. The vote passed 4-1. 

Mayor Troxell and President Birkner had hoped to honor Claire Lewis and Charles Teague and present them with plaques but unfortunately they are not here. 

Moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Mr. Butterfield to adjourn to an executive session.

With no further business, moved Mr. Schindel, seconded Ms. Brown to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Sara L. Stull

Borough Secretary