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September 9, 2024 Committee Meeting Minutes

PRESENT – President Bollendorf, Vice President Reichner, Councilman Myers, Councilwoman Jacobus, Councilwoman Shay, Councilwoman Hendrickson, Mayor Schultz, Chief Ruegg, Manager Hegele, Solicitor Geiser, and Treasurer Smith were present.

CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the September 9, 2024, Committee Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chief Ruegg led the Pledge of Allegiance.

INVOCATION – Mayor Schultz led the invocation.

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 – Gary Blickley, 46 Harding Avenue, asked if more information could be provided to residents during the budget workshops last year wasn’t very helpful. President Bollendorf stated that they can.

NEW BUSINESS

Public Safety Committee

    • ENTERPRISE FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilwoman Jacobus stated Included in your packets is the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for the month of August 2024 in the amount of $ 19,999.57. This item has been moved to the September 23, 2024, Council Meeting Agenda for consideration.

    Finance/Grants Committee

      • UNION LIBRARY EXPENDITURE LIST- Vice President Reichner stated Included in your packets is a copy of the Union Library Expenditure List for the month of September 2024 in the amount of $ 24,378.00. This item has been moved to the September 23, 2024, Council Meeting agenda for approval.
      • BUDGET WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT DATE DISCUSSION – Vice President Reichner stated budget season is upon us so Council will need to pick a date for the workshop to review with the public. Tentatively we are looking at November 4th to meet.
      • EVENTS OVERTIME MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT – Vice President Reichner stated as all are aware, the Chamber of Commerce hosts several of our biggest events which require staff overtime from our Police and Public Works Department. Over the past several years, costs have increased which includes wages for both departments which are contractual. President Bollendorf has asked Vice President Reichner and Councilwoman Shay to review costs for events as well as schedule a meeting with the Chamber and other event organizers to review costs going forward.

      Community Outreach & Events Committee

        • UPCOMING EVENTS – Councilwoman Hendrickson announced the upcoming events such as the final cruise night, Fireworks at Pennypack and the Fall Bingo event.
        • NEW BUSINESS – Councilwoman Hendrickson stated there were no new businesses.
        • FRIENDS OF CRESSBROOK UPDATE – Councilwoman Hendrickson stated The Friends of Cressbrook met on September 3 and discussed bylaw changes and membership drive so please look for them at your next event.

        Public Works Committee

        • LIBRARY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT- Councilwoman Shay stated Included in your packet is the 2018 Library Maintenance Agreement with the Borough of Hatboro. This agreement expired on December 31, 2021, and since then, the library receives tax dollars every year and therefore Council will need to discuss if the Borough will continue the property maintenance of the library such as mowing and snow removal. President Bollendorf has asked Councilwoman Shay and Vice President Reichner to make a recommendation on future in kind services provided to the library. Councilwoman Shay stated that currently the library receives over $ 225,000.00 in tax dollars and we currently mow, plow, and hang tree lights. President Bollendorf asked Vice President Reichner to rewrite the agreement.
        • TOWN HALL REFUSE/SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE DISCUSSION FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES – Councilwoman Shay stated Per the Borough of Hatboro Solid Waste Ordinance, all non-owner-occupied residential properties and commercial properties must pay a fee for refuse removal. Assistant Borough Secretary Derenzis prepared a trash presentation in 2023, which was posted on the Borough’s website, to help to educate residents on actual costs for trash/recycling collection. It was learned that refuse collection is expensive, and some concern has been expressed regarding the fees. Council and staff are working on a date and notification to the business owners for a Town Hall to discuss. The two dates being considered for this are September 25th or October 2nd. President Bollendorf, Councilman Myers and Councilwoman Shay will be on this committee and will participate in the town hall. This town hall must take place sooner than later as changes to the ordinance will need to take effect to coincide with tax billing and fees for the 2025 budget. September 25, 2024, was decided and Manager Hegele stated that staff will notify the business owners and rental
          property owners.
        • SOLID WASTE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – Councilwoman Shay stated Staff continues to gather feedback, review ordinances from other municipalities that self-collect trash. A trash presentation will be done again this year for the budget workshop. We continue to plan in November to advertise and pass a new ordinance.

        Environmental Affairs & Parks Committee

        • EAC UPDATE – Councilwoman Jacobus stated The EAC met on September 4, 2024, and announced the resignation of Member James Macaroni, openings on Board, removal of Member A’Harrah as the Chair, Sunshine Law training, WeConserve PA membership, CCA update, solar projects, DCNR Meadow Project at Pennypack, presentation from PA Bird Town, No Mow May options, composting ordinance update, Retriever announcement from Montgomery County and dates for an EAC workshop on Birding. The EAC has two vacancies, and Council is accepting letters of interest for these two positions as well as the open Chair position. Anyone who is interested can send their letter to Borough Manager Diane Hegele at dhegele@myhatboro.org.
        • SHARED ENERGY MANAGER PROGRAM UPDATE – Councilwoman Jacobus stated Manager Hegele and Assistant Secretary Derenzis met with representatives from Wilson Engineering in August. They reviewed with staff the fleet study they are working on to assist the Borough with transitioning to an EV fleet where possible. They reviewed with staff upcoming grant opportunities for EV vehicles and EV charging stations. They are currently working on a review of our ordinances to see where EV charger parking resources could work, looking at future development and EV stations. They will be sending a prequalification survey to begin communication with PA Solar Center to do a solar feasibility analysis at no cost. We would like council to consider authorizing staff this month to complete and submit the survey. They are also working on a review of our utility bills for Borough facilities to review potential cost savings to the Borough as well as Energy efficiency.
        • PA SOLAR CENTER SURVEY: See info under #2 Shared Energy Program Update.
        • LAWN TO MEADOW PROJECT UPDATE – Councilwoman Jacobus stated Land Studies (not the same company as Herman Moser who is working in Miller Meadow) was scheduled to spray at the end of August. They were not able to spray due to the site markings not being clear to them. They indicated they were not comfortable spraying without the markings since there has historically been concerns raised about this. They have requested that the Borough and DCNR remark the area and then reach out to reschedule. Second letters were distributed to the residents immediately to this area. 2 Once
          we mark the area, we can schedule another date. We will post the new date and any other information on our website, Facebook and savvy citizen notification platforms.
        • PENNYPACK PLAN DISCUSSION – Councilwoman Jacobus stated the plan was presented at the August meeting by the County and it has been on the website for review by the public. The next steps are to enact the plan as presented. Council will need to decide tonight if they want to move this forward to vote at the September Council meeting or discuss again and vote to implement it in October.
        • ENERGY TRANSITION PLAN GOALS DOCUMENT – Councilwoman Jacobus stated in your packet is a memo from the EAC outlining their goals and accomplishments working towards the ETP Plan. After reviewing the document, if there are specific items you would like the EAC to focus on, staff can let them know. There is no action needed by Council on this document.
        • NATALIE FORBES HONORARY POLLINATOR GARDEN – Councilwoman Jacobus stated The EAC requested to place an honorary pollinator garden for Natalie Forbes at Loller Academy. Council will need to discuss and decide on an appropriate placement for this honorary garden. It is not recommended to have this at Borough Hall due to the amount of public that use Borough Hall. There are some staff members who are allergic to bees and as you know, tragically we lost an employee who died from a bee sting. Councilman Myers suggested Eaton Park by the footbridge and all agreed. This item was moved to the September 23, 2024, Council Meeting Agenda for consideration.

        Administration Committee

        • MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS – Councilman Myers announced the upcoming meetings for the next month.
        • LAND DEVELOPMENT UPDATE – Councilman Myers stated the Land Development updates are as follows:

          CVS Property: All permits have been issued and development has begun. 21-23 & 37 N. York Road (Canalley Property): The developer is still working on the next steps of filing agreements, posting financial security, permit applications, etcetera. We will keep everyone updated as it progresses.

          Victorian Village: They were issued their permits for the new construction of building D which is underway.

          100 Meadowbrook: The property at 100 Meadowbrook Ave. was issued preliminary/final
          land development approvals from Borough Council in June 2024. Permits have been sent to our third party for review.

          104 W. Lehman Avenue: The property at 100 Meadowbrook Ave. was issued preliminary/final subdivision approvals from Borough Council in June 2024. The plans were signed and sent to the Recorder of Deeds for recording.

          2-4 Home Road: The applicant submitted their LOC and agreement, and we are waiting for a response from Engineer Goff if we can submit the plans to Barry Isett for review and issuance of building permits. 410 N. York Road: The applicant is still working with their planner to make amendments to their land development application. Once an updated application is received, this
          will be passed back to the planning commission for review. Gamburg’s: We will continue to keep everyone updated regarding the sale and proposed use of the property when the time comes.
        • ZONING RE-WRITE UPDATE – Councilman Myers stated the County presented the zoning rewrite to the Planning Commission members at the June 11, 2024, Planning Commission meeting and came back to the August 13, 2024, Planning Commission meeting to continue the discussion. The Planning Commission will meet tomorrow at 7:00 P.M. to review policy and procedure going forward to help get the project finished and will include some housekeeping items (minute approval and reorganization) and then spend the time coming up with a plan of action going forward, anticipated
          timeline, what documents the PC members would like to receive from the county for the rewrite as well as other pertinent information/input from the members.
        • RATIFICATION OF COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATE AMENDMENT – Councilman Myers stated On May 24, 2024, Council authorized the signature of the pro bono representation letter with the Community Choice Aggregate Program to authorize the Borough’s participation in the petition for Declaratory Order to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. In August another Borough, Camp Hill Borough approved participation and as a result the application to the PUC had to be amended to add Camp Hill Borough. This was time sensitive and had to be done by August 30th. Borough Manager Hegele polled each council member individually to get their consent to authorize the addition of Camp Hill Borough to the application. Borough Council needs to ratify the addition and vote this evening. This item has been moved to the September 9, 2024, Voting Meeting Agenda for consideration.
        • ACCEPTANCE OF EAC RESIGNATION – Councilman Myers stated included in your packet is a resignation letter from EAC Member Jim Maccaroni. This item has been moved to the September 23, 2024, Council Meeting Agenda for consideration.
        • OPEN VOLUNTEERS POSITIONS – Councilman Myers stated We have a few open volunteer positions and are currently accepting letters of interest/applications for: • EAC Chair • EAC Member • Parking Commission Member 3 Anyone interested can send their letter of interest/application to Borough Manager Diane Hegele at dhegele@myhatboro.org.
        • RENTAL ORDINANCE AMENDMENT – Councilman Myers stated on July 15, 2024, Council voted to authorize Solicitor Geiser and Borough Staff to draft an amendment to the Borough’s Rental Inspection ordinance that would require renters to obtain renters insurance and shorten the length of time between inspections (it is currently every 3 years) to two years. Included in your packet is a memo from Fire Marshal Valesky which states after meeting with Solicitor Geiser, we are not able to require renter’s insurance, but it is recommended that we shorten the length of inspections to be
          required every two years as opposed to three years due to safety concerns. It is recommended that we remove section A under Chapter 11 Part 2, 11-206, Exceptions to Inspection Requirements. This section lists two exceptions for inspections. It is recommended that we remove section A, “When the structure has been designed and built in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Zoning Code [Chapter 27] of the Borough of Hatboro wherein the structure is identified and recognized as a hi-rise apartment building or garden type apartment.” Regardless of how the building is built, they should still receive a life safety inspection. It is recommended that Council address section B of the same Chapter “When a single-family home, a twin home, or a condominium is rented or leased to a member of the owner’s family.” As written, it is required for registration of those units (payment), but no inspection is required. Council should decide to either require registration and inspection or allow the exception for family members, and not require registration and inspection. This item was tabled until October.
        • 246 E. COUNTY LINE ROAD SETTLEMENT STIPULATION – Councilman Myers stated Included in your packet is a Memo from Solicitor Geiser regarding an assessment appeal filed by Hatboro-Horsham School District and as such, her office has been contacted by the attorney representing the School District to propose a settlement of this pending appeal. This memorandum provides the Borough Council with a summary of the pertinent information to evaluate and vote on a course of action. The property at issue is situated on 2.49 acres, is identified as Parcel #08-00-00963-00-1 with address of
          246 E. County Line Road, Hatboro Borough, and is owned by W H Bentz SR Properties LP (“the Taxpayer”). This property is improved with an industrial warehouse and manufacturing facility. The settlement stipulation is also included in your packets, and the reassessment of this parcel results in money owed to the taxing agencies, including the Borough in the amount of $ 6,317.86 for Borough taxes. This item has been moved to the September 23, 2024, Council Meeting Agenda for consideration.
        • APPOINTMENT OF NEW COUNCILPERSON – Councilman Myers stated Included in your packet are letters of interest for the open Councilperson position. President Bollendorf announced in August a committee to review resumes received and make a recommendation on the new appointment. The committee was comprised of Vice President Reichner, Councilman Myers and Councilwoman Shay. Council will need to discuss and appoint this evening. This item has been moved to the September 9, 2024, Voting Meeting Agenda for consideration and swearing in.

        OLD BUSINESS AND UPDATES – There was no old business or updates.

        PUBLIC COMMENT – Gary Blickley, 46 Harding Avenue, stated he is concerned about changing the rentals to every two years when it was mentioned at the last meeting that the Fire Marshal is behind and asked if she has caught up. President Bollendorf stated that she is catching up and her current numbers will be provided at the September 23, 2024, Council Meeting.

        ADJOURNMENT – President Bollendorf adjourned the September 9, 23024 Committee Meeting at 7: 48 P.M.

        VOTING MEETING AGENDA

        CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the September 9, 2024, Voting Meeting to order at 7:48 P.M.

        PUBLIC COMMENT (VOTING ITEMS ONLY) – There was no public comment.

        APPOINTMENT OF NEW COUNCILPERSON – Councilwoman Shay made a motion to appoint Don Hoover to the position of Councilperson for the Borough of Hatboro. Motion was seconded by Vice President Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.

        RATIFICATION OF COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATE AMENDMENT – Councilman Myers made a motion to ratify the amendment to PUC application for the Community Choice Aggregate Agreement. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.

        OLD BUSINESS AND UPDATES – There was no old business or updates.

        NEW BUSINESS – There was no new business.

        PUBLIC COMMENT – There was no public comment.

        ADJOURNMENT – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to adjourn the September 9, 2024, Voting Meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Shay, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0. President Bollendorf adjourned the September 9, 2024, Voting Meeting at 7:52 P.M.

        Respectfully Submitted by:

        Diane C. Hegele, Borough Manager/Zoning Officer/Open Records Officer
        Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf, Recording Secretary