PRESENT
President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Forgeng, Harbaugh, Hegele, McElroy & Palmer; Manager Zollers, Assistant Secretary Hegele, Chief Gardner, Solicitor Pionzio, & Engineer Walsh.
ABSENT
Treasurer Kalnjas was absent
CALL TO ORDER
President Tompkins called to order the Committee meeting of Council to order at 7:00 P.M.
PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST
Councilman Palmer stated Council was in receipt of the May 2017 Expenditure List. This item was moved to the May 22nd, 2017 Council agenda for approval.
FINANCE
Councilman Harbaugh stated he had nothing for the agenda this evening.
GRANTS AND FUNDING
Councilperson McElroy stated she recently attended the PSAB conference in Hershey and found the conference very informative.
PUBLIC WORKS
MICRO ROAD SEALING LIST
Manager Zollers stated that he is recommending six roads to be done, Crooked Billet, Continental, Wilson, Broad & our portion of Jacksonville Road. He stated Horsham Road was done a few years ago and looks great. He stated he likes this program and is requesting Council to consider the roads requested. This item was moved to the May 22nd, 2017 Council agenda for approval.
FACILITIES AND PARKS
WOODWINDS OPEN SPACE PARK RENAMING DEDICATION
President Tompkins stated after hearing some comments from Mayor Hawkes he would like to suggest naming the park Celano Park or Celano Park at Crooked Billet, this would honor Mrs. Celano too. Mrs. Celano was a veteran and was very involved in Hatboro. Tony Celano, Joe and Arlene’s son thanked Council for this honor. He stated his Dad’s first love behind his mother was the Borough. He read a prepared statement and thanked Council again on behalf of his family. This item was moved to the May 22nd, 2017 Council agenda for approval.
ZONING/HISTORIC PRESERVATION
ZONING HEARING BOARD MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT/UPDATE
President Tompkins stated the ZHB meeting will be on Thursday, May 11th at 7:00 PM at Keith Valley Middle School. President Tompkins stated he attended the meeting with the residents and he still has concerns over the gas. He would like a consensus from Council if they would like to send the Solicitor to oppose the variance for gas. This item was moved to the voting meeting at the end of the agenda.
DOWNTOWN PARKING
President Tompkins stated after some feedback from various sources he is asking Council to consider adjusting parking requirements along York Road. He outlined the changes in a memo that he shared with Council. He is asking that Council direct staff to begin preparing a change. Manager Zollers stated that several successful businesses had to go to the ZHB for parking relief, Nourishing Storm was one. Councilman Harbaugh stated a thriving business community helps Borough residents. This item was moved to the May 22nd agenda for approval.
ADMINISTRATION
EVENT REQUEST – USE OF POOL – YMCA
Vice President Rich stated they have asked to use the pool for three meets on 6/27, 7/11 & 7/20, he stated the pool will need to close early for these meets. There was a discussion on payment and contributions from last season. These will be addressed before the meeting. Councilman Hegele asked about the procedure for staying open late on hot nights. Manager Zollers stated he would have something put in writing by the Pool Manager. This item was moved to the May 22nd agenda for approval.
STEERING COMMITTEE PARKS/OPEN SPACE & COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Vice President Rich stated Mr. Jim Kinney as volunteered as the business community representative for the steering committee. President Tompkins asked if anyone wanted to meet him, if they did contact Assistant Secretary Hegele. This item was moved to the May 22nd agenda for approval.
VOTING MEETING
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – Rich Harrison, 29 Horsham Road asked if Council opposes this matter and it goes to the County judicial process and then back to Land Development is there a conflict of interest.
YORK/HORSHAM (402 and 412 SOUTH YORK ROAD AND 29 HORSHAM ROAD) – Vice President Rich motioned to oppose Wawa Fuel Sales variance in RC-2 and R1 District, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Bruce Hart, Earl Lane stated he has been watching the paper and has not seen the notice for the hearing. Solicitor Pionzio stated it was not necessary, the hearing was opened and it was time certain, date certain and place certain there is no need to advertise in the newspaper.
Tony Celano questioned the procedure for common pleas court. Solicitor Pionzio stated there are still choices to discuss, the procedure has not been decided yet.
Leslie Jones, Crooked Billet Road also questioned the appeals process and court procedure. President Tompkins responded the courts look at the merits of a case appeal. He stated this happened before in the Borough, the case went before all branches of the court, back to the ZHB and back to court, then settled. He stated again it is merits not parties.
ADJOURNMENT
President Tompkins adjourned the May 8th, 2017 Committee meeting of Borough Council at 7:36 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Alfred Zollers
Borough Manager/Secretary
Transcribed by Assistant Borough Secretary Diane Hegele