PUBLIC HEARING: RC-2 ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the public hearing to order at 7:07 P.M.
Notes of testimony were transcribed by Tim Kurek.
President Bollendorf closed the public hearing at 8:50 P.M.
PUBLIC HEARING: 21-23 & 37 N. YORK ROAD ZONING CHANGE
CALL TO ORDER– President Bollendorf called the Public Hearing to order at 8:52 P.M.
Notes of testimony were transcribed by Tim Kurek.
President Bollendorf closed the public hearing at 9:07 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
PRESENT – President Bollendorf, Vice President Stockton, Councilwoman McMenamin, Councilwoman Reichner, Councilman Myers, Councilwoman Jacobus, Mayor Schultz, Manager Hegele, Assistant Secretary Derenzis, Chief Gardner, Deputy Chief Ruegg, Superintendent Frydlewicz, Solicitor Geiser, Engineer Goff, Planner Kennedy, and Treasurer Smith were present.
ABSENT – Councilwoman Ostrander was excused. Director of Parks and Facilities Dermer was absent.
CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the October 10, 2022, Committee Meeting to order at 9:21 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chief Gardner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
MEETING NOTES – President Bollendorf reviewed the Public Comment Policy on the back of the agenda with regards to addressing Council and time allotment.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Ron Battis, 320 W. Moreland Avenue, stated that the slide at the pool needs replacement as it doesn’t work when swimmers go down and commended the pool staff for a fantastic year. He also stated that the pool revenue should go to staff salaries as they did a great job this year and hop it continues.
Cindy Giovinazzo, 33 Abbotts Lane, asked what the 2022 MMO item is on tonight’s agenda. Manager Hegele stated is the Borough’s pension obligation that we must do every year as a municipal obligation.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Safety Committee
ENTERPRISE FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Myers stated this is to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for the month of September 2022 in the amount of $ 16,254.10. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
2023 POLICE CAR PURCHASE – Councilman Myers stated Chief Gardner recommends the purchase of a 2023 Hybrid Ford Interceptor in the amount of $54,822.00 which includes marking and upfitting and this purchase coincides with the department’s vehicle replacement schedule. Chief Gardner stated if we order in October, it will be delivered sometime next year. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
WARMINSTER ROAD BRIDGE PROJECT – Councilman Myers stated there is no update at this time.
Finance/Grants Committee
UNION LIBRARY EXPENDITURE LIST – Vice President Stockton stated this is to approve the Union Library Expenditure List for the month of October 2022 in the amount of $17,873.83. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
BONAIR, PENN, AND MONUMENT INTERSECTION– Vice President Stockton stated a while ago the Borough applied for this project to introduce traffic calming measures as well as increased walkability at said intersection however, we had several public meetings about it and have encountered a lot of resistance from the residents in that area and hasn’t found any in favor of the project. He stated we are in a tough spot because if you apply for a grant and you don’t take up the grant, your chances of receiving a future grant go down but based on the Boroughs success with grants, he does not find that will be an issue as since his time on Council, this would be the first one we did not use. He stated his recommendation would be to not move forward with this as he does not want to make changes on an intersection that make people that live there unhappy. Solicitor Geiser stated a vote is not required for this. Kevin Lavery, 200 N. Penn Street, asked if the grant could be used in another way to improve the intersection. Vice President Stockton stated when you apply for a grant you are stating if we are awarded this money, this is exactly what we are doing with it, and they leave very little wiggle room to change the entire project. Ken Bishop, E. Monument Avenue, stated he feels bad a grant was applied for and will not be used but agrees with Kevin and asked if there is something that can be done to slow the traffic down and stop at the stop sign. President Bollendorf stated that the stop signs are enforced but the PD unfortunately cannot be everywhere and when they sit there, people stop anyway. Mr. Bishop stated that he would like something done so that people slow down and stop if possible.
TREE VITALIZE PLANTING GRANT– Vice President Stockton stated this grant is to add trees to the Pennypack Property and the average amount awarded is $6000.00 with a 25% match however staff time to apply and plant could bring down that cost. He also stated he thinks asking for $6000.00 to $10,000 would be an appropriate amount to add some trees. This item has been moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
BOROUGH HALL MECHANICAL CONTRACT PAYMENT #12 – Vice President Stockton stated this is to approve the Borough Hall Mechanical Contract Payment #12 to Guy M. Cooper in the amount of $ 43,202.94. He also stated the Engineer is presently working through the punch list items with the contractor. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
2022 MMO – Vice President Stockton stated this is an annual housekeeping item that staff has prepared the paperwork for the 2022 Minimal Municipal Obligation payment to fund the pension plans and this year’s payment would be $ 485,698.00 which would include $134,691.74 received in state aid. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
PECO GREEN REGION GRANT RESOLUTION (CELANO PARK OUTDOOR CLASSROOM) – Vice President Stockton stated they are looking at a DCNR grant to do a storm water feasibility study for Pennypack. He also stated this is just a formality since the grant application was already approved at a prior meeting. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
Community Outreach & Events Committee
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT – Councilwoman Reichner stated the Borough spotlighted all the sponsors for the Bingo event
NEW BUSINESS – Councilwoman Reichner announced the new businesses.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Councilwoman Reichner announced the upcoming events.
GOLD STAR GARDEN UPDATE – Councilwoman Reichner stated the end of last month we had our dedication ceremony for the garden and thanked everyone who attended and supported this project.
FRIENDS OF CRESSBROOK UPDATE – Councilwoman Reichner stated last month the 2nd annual Blues and Brews Event was held to raise money for the restoration of the property and thanked the events committee for another great job.
TREE TENDERS EVENT REQUEST – Councilwoman Reichner stated the tree tenders will be holding a tree planting event on November 19th to plant trees throughout the borough and Council will need to approve this request. This item has been moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
Public Works Committee
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE – Councilwoman Jacobus stated Public Works has been working hard to keep the Borough clean and thanked them for working hard to get Pennypack ready for its first event.
SALE OF STOP SIGNS – Councilwoman Jacobus stated Superintendent Frydlewicz is requesting the approval to sell the 4 stop signs, originally purchased for $ 4,000, for a starting bid of $ 2,700.00. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
DEER CROSSING SIGN INSTALLATION ANNOUNCEMENT – Councilwoman Jacobus stated there was a request for deer crossing signs to be placed along Horsham Road as there has been an increase in the deer population in that area. She stated the signs will be installed going west at 74 Horsham Road and going East by 309 Horsham Road and the total cost of the signs was $ 235.76 and will be erected per the request of multiple residents in the area.
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL CONTRACT – Councilwoman Jacobus stated the contract is included in pastes and the Consortium submitted bids with Convanta being the lowest responsible bidder and the cost per ton is increasing and the figures will be factored in to the 2023 budget accordingly. This item has been moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
2022-2023 FUEL CONSORTIUM – Councilwoman Jacobus stated in the packets is a copy of the contract and this year’s bid was awarded to Petroleum Traders Corporation and the Borough has previously used this vendor. She stated no action is required with this agenda item.
Facilities
FACILITIES UPDATE – Councilwoman Jacobus stated the Pennypack budding committee held its first Bingo event which was successful and raised a substantial amount of money that will go toward the revitalization of Pennypack.
PENNYPACK FACILITY UPDATE – Councilwoman Jacobus stated the committees continue to meet regarding the revitalization of the property.
Environmental Affairs & Parks Committee
EAC UPDATE – Councilman Myers stated the EAC met on October 3, 2022, and their next meeting is November 7, 2022. He also stated that he received a resignation from the Chair of the EAC and Council will need to appoint a new Chair. This has been moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
PENNYPACK STEERING COMMITTEE UPDATE – Councilman Myers stated the exterior steering committee continues to hold meetings regarding the revitalization of the property.
POOL SLIDE PURCHASE – Councilman Myers stated the current slide experienced a failure during the 202 season and after the temporary repair was made, it will not be able to be used in 2023. The second option was chosen, as it fits in the footprint, in the amount of $ 185,000.00. This item was moved to the October 24, 2022, Council Meeting Agenda for approval.
ADA PLAYGROUND GROUNDBREAKING EVENT AND PENNYPACK OPEN HOUSE – Councilman Myers stated the ADA playground groundbreaking and Pennypack open house will be Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 10AM and all are invited to attend.
EATON PARK UPDATE – Councilman Myers stated Flyaway Construction began repairs to the Eaton Park Riparian Buffer on September 27, 2022, and this repair work is covered under the warranty.
MEMORIAL PARK FLAG POLES– Councilman Myers stated this is to approve additional flags for all branches of service at Memorial Park which will be placed at the Road to allow Public Works to maintain them more easily. He stated this came out the last month that there are no memorials in Memorial Park. The flag poles will be closer to Mr. Battis’ house, so President Bollendorf asked for a rendering of placement of the flagpoles for the next meeting.
Administration Committee
MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS – Councilwoman McMenamin announced the meetings for the next month.
COUNTY BRIDGE LAND USE REQUEST – Councilwoman McMenamin stated the Land request was reviewed by Solicitor Geiser and she recommended Council discuss the information contained in the memo and see if the Borough is open to accepting an offer for the purchase for the use of this property. Manager Hegele stated the County wants to replace the bridge and they are not ready yet as they are still doing a survey of the bridge and they need part of the property on all four sides to do the work and aren’t sure yet if they need a temporary easement or will need to purchase property. She stated either way, they will have to make an offer to the Borough.
HATBORO STATION PROJECT UPDATE – Councilwoman McMenamin stated they completed the paving at the end of September and are working on punch list items.
Karen, 37 Fulmor Avenue, asked what was left on the list for the Hatboro Station project. Engineer Goff stated most of the punch list items involve the landscaping.
OLD BUSINESS AND UPDATES – There was no old business or updates.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Kelly A’Harrah, W. Lehman Avenue, asked where we were regarding the Memorial Park Streambank Project and Engineer Goff stated we are in the permitting stage right now and just made some revisions and submitted to DEP again. Mrs. A’Harrah stated she would like a presentation on it when it is completed. President Bollendorf stated we can have a presentation when ready.
George Forgeng, 166 W. Lehman Avenue, stated he wants everyone to read Charles Strange’s new book as he thinks it was an inside job by our government. President Bollendorf stated that is not Borough business and this is a Council meeting and not about conspiracy theories. Mr. Forgeng encouraged everyone in the room to read his book as it all relates.
ADJOURNMENT – President Bollendorf adjourned the October 10, 2022, Committee Meeting at 10:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by:
Diane C. Hegele, Borough manager
Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf