BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2018 7:00 P.M. Wyomissing Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting at the Borough Hall on the above date. Council President Thomas M. Moll called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following persons present: Council Members Thomas M. Bausher, D. Michael Forester, John C. Woodward, Stephen D. Brunner, Gregory L. Portner, and William S. Jenckes; Mayor Frederick C. Levering, Treasurer Paul W. Brass, Solicitor Christopher J. Hartman, Consulting Engineer Charles Hess, Police Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl, Public Works Director James V. Babb and Borough Manager/Secretary Marti Hozey. CALL TO ORDER: Council President Moll announced that Council had met in executive session before the Council meeting to discuss real estate and personnel matters. Council also met in Executive Session on January 25, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. and January 30, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ROLL CALL: VISITORS: Michele Bare, Borough Zoning/Codes Officer and Asst. to the Manager Barbara Reeser, Tax Collector Pat Brandenburg, Fire Commissioner David Kostival, Reading Eagle Bethany Emkey, Borough Solicitor from HVML for part of the meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None RECEIPT OF REPORTS: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council received all reports submitted for consideration. COUNCIL MINUTES: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the minutes of the regular meeting of January 9, 2018. CONSULTING ENGINEER S REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council accepted the Consulting Engineers report dated February 7, 2018. Consulting Engineer Charles Hess was present in the absence of Jim McCarthy. He updated Council that the 2018 Streets Improvement Project bid opening will now be on March 7, 2018. POLICE CHIEF & MAYOR S REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Police Chief & Mayor s report of February 1, 2018. Police Chief Biehl presented his 2017-year end report to Council. He said that criminal activity was the lowest it has been since 1984. 1
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Fire Dept. report for January 2018. Fire Commissioner Brandenburg presented his 2017 annual report to Council. He highlighted some of the year end statistics. There were 2,313 total responses by the FD in 2017; 787 of them were in the Borough. 29.27% of the calls were overlapping. The average turnout time, dispatched to enroute was 1 minutes 56 seconds. The average response time, dispatched to arrival, was 6 minutes 46 seconds. The total fire loss was $416,570.00 and the total property saved was over a million dollars worth for the combined departments. There were 611 total QRS responses and 980 total safety inspections total. There were 36 fires investigated and 716 total hours of public outreach. INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE REPORTS: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Infrastructure Committee report of January 15, 2018. Councilmember Bausher reported on the meeting. The Infrastructure Committee discussed the PA Grants for Small Water and Sewer Systems. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Woodward, to recommend that Council authorize the Solicitor to prepare resolutions for the Small Water and Sewer System Grant Applications, all in favor, 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-04: BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA REQUESTING A PENNSYLVANIA SMALL WATER AND SEWER PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FOR A WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Woodward, to adopt Resolution # 2018-04, requesting a PA Small Water Grant, all in favor, 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-05: BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA REQUESTING A PENNSYLVANIA SMALL WATER AND SEWER PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FOR A SEWER PROJECT. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to adopt Resolution # 2018-05, requesting a PA Small Sewer Grant, all in favor, 7-0. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Personnel Committee report of January 16, 2018. 2
Councilmember Bausher reported on the meeting. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to approve the evaluation and salary adjustment for Receptionist Kimberly Weniger in accordance with the budget guidelines, all in favor, 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-01: BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK FOR THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING TO CONVERT THE TIMING OF EMPLOYEE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS AND BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS TO REGULAR SPECIFIED TIMES DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR FROM A ROLLING BASIS. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Portner, to adopt an amendment to the employee handbook changing Borough Employees who are not in a collective bargaining unit to the date of January 1 or July 1 for their benefits and reviews, instead of their current date of hire, all in favor, 7-0. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to approve the consulting agreement with the Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College to perform an Executive Search for a new Borough Manager for a fee of $6,000.00, all in favor, roll call vote, 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-07: BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ADOPTING AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND AMENDING CERTAIN JOB DESCRIPTIONS. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Jenckes, to adopt Resolution # 2018-07 to adopt an organizational structure and amend certain job descriptions, all in favor, 7-0. ORDINANCE NO. 1391-2018: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, CHAPTER 1 ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENT, PART 1 APPOINTED OFFICIALS TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE BOROUGH MANAGER S POWERS AND DUTIES, AND BOROUGH MANAGER S ABSENCE. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Forester, to approve Ordinance #1391-2018 for advertising, all in favor, 7-0. 3
Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Forester, to approve advertising for the position of Borough Manager, all in favor, 7-0. RECREATON BOARD REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Recreation Board report of January 16, 2018. Councilmember Brunner reported on the meeting. The Recreation Board has recommended that Jodi Bukowski become an alternate member of the Rec Board. The Board also recommend that the Finance Committee approve the necessary purchase of 3 new doors at the Stone House for $4,600.00. Councilmember Brunner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bausher, to approve adding Jodi Bukowski as an alternate member of the Recreation Board for 2018, all in favor, 7-0. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Economic Development Committee report of January 25, 2018. Councilmember Woodward reported on the meeting. He said that representatives from Spring Township were present as well as Equus. George Haines and Kevin Flannery from Equus Capital Partners updated all present on the plans for the former VF property. Councilmember Woodward also discussed having another Business Meet and Greet, possibly on April 26, 2018. More information will be forthcoming. PARK & SHADE TREE COMMISSION REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Park & Shade Tree Commission report of January 25, 2018. Councilmember Jenckes reported on the meeting. The Commission was informed that PennDOT is requiring that three of the large Borough sycamore trees along Penn Ave. will have to be removed due to sight distance issues turning in and out of the Wawa. Equus has agreed to give the Borough $5,000 to plant trees at locations of the Borough s choice. There was discussion regarding the spotted lanternfly and current information has been put on the Borough website. Several of the Commission members are working with Borough staff to update the park map and identify areas on it. The Commission also discussed having signs put up that say not to feed the ducks or other wildlife. FIRE & POLICE COMMITTEE REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Fire & Police Committee report of January 29, 2018. Councilmember Forester reported on the meeting. The Committee discussed the Green Light Go Grant. Consulting Engineer Jim McCarthy was at the meeting to discuss the change in controllers from the older type that was part of the original grant application several years ago. Those controllers are being phased out and the new ATC controllers are now the norm. Three new ATC controllers will cost about $45,000 more than has been indicated in the grant. The F&P Committee is in favor of this upgrade and asked the Finance & Administration Committee to also look at this issue and decide if they agree. 4
The Committee discussed neighbor concerns regarding fireworks. Fire Commissioner Pat Brandenburg said that fireworks are illegal within 150 of an occupied structure per Borough Ordinance. Councilmember Forester made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Jenckes, to authorize the Borough Solicitor to prepare an amendment to the current fireworks ordinance to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks, with the exception of novelty items such as sparklers, or professional displays for community events that would be allowed if a permit is obtained from the Fire Commissioner, all in favor, 7-0. ORDINANCE NO. 1388-2018: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, CHAPTER 15 MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, PART 8 LARGE VEHICLE PARKING TO APPLY THE LARGE VEHICLE PARKING REGULATIONS IN THE C-1 NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT. Councilmember Forester made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bausher, to approve Ordinance # 1388-2018 for advertising, all in favor, 7-0. Councilmember Forester made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Portner, to approve a handicapped sign at 77 Woodland Road, all in favor, 7-0. Councilmember Forester made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Bausher to approve the purchase of two police SUV s totaling $59,730.00, which have been budgeted, all in favor, 7-0. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Planning Commission report of February 5, 2018. The Vanity Fair/McDonald s Parcel Lot Consolidation Plan was discussed. Councilmember Woodward made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Forester to grant a waiver from Section 303 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to allow the plan to be processes as a preliminary/final plan, in favor, 7-0. Councilmember Woodward made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brunner to grant conditional final plan approval, subject to the comments in McCarthy Engineering s review letter dated January 30, 2018, and a lot consolidation deed being prepared and reviewed by the Borough Solicitor prior to being recorded, all in favor, 7-0. ORDINANCE NO. 1389-2018: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15, MOTOR VEHICLES AND 5
TRAFFIC BY AMENDING PART 4 GENERAL PARKING REGULATIONS, SECTION 401 PARKING PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS TO ADD LOCATIONS WHERE PARKING IS PROHIBITED, AND SECTION 403 PARKING TIME LIMITED IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS, CERTAIN DAYS AND HOURS, TO AMEND THE PARKING REGULATION FOR THE NORTH SIDE OF THE 800 BLOCK OF PENN AVENUE. Councilmember Woodward made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Forester, to approve Ordinance # 1389-2018 for advertising, all in favor, 7-0. FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Finance & Administration Committee report of February 6, 2018. Councilmember Portner reported on the meeting. The Committee met earlier today and discussed the purchase of new custom doors at the Stone House. Recreation Director Rob Lewis has received two estimates and the less expensive one is from ProVia in the amount of $4,695.41. Councilmember Portner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to authorize the purchase of 3 new custom doors to be built for the Stone House at the cost of $4,695.41, all in favor, roll call, 7-0. The Fire Commissioner and Fire Chief presented a PowerPoint to the Committee regarding the possible purchase of a Quint Fire Apparatus. Councilmember Portner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Jenckes, to allow the Fire & Police Committee to proceed with the specification process for a Quint, all in favor, 7-0. Councilmember Portner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Woodward, to approve the upgrade purchase of ATC Controllers as part of the Green Light Go Grant s traffic signal upgrade at a cost of an additional $45,000, all in favor, roll call, 7-0. BOROUGH MANAGER S REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Borough Manager s report of February 7, 2018. Borough Manager Marti Hozey said that most of her information had already been discussed. She mentioned that playground registration has begun on-line and pool registration on-line will be done next. She asked that someone from Council make a motion to approve the advertising of Ordinance # 1390-2018. ORDINANCE NO. 1390-2018: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING, CHAPTER 1 ENTITLED ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENT, PART 20 ENTITLED INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE WITH OTHER BERKS COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES IN THE BERKS COUNTY MS4 STEERING 6
COMMITTEE, BY FULLY AMENDING AND RESTATING SUCH PART 20, TO ENTER INTO A NEW INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BERKS COUNTY MS4 STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLABORATIVELY MEETING THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE 2018-2023 MS4 NPDES PERMIT. Councilmember Portner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Jenckes, to approve Ordinance # 1390-2018 for advertising, all in favor, 7-0. TREASURER S STATEMENT OF OPERATION: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Treasurer s Statement of Operation and all financial statements. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Accounts Payable Report outlining the following invoices paid: General Fund $ 267,387.65 Water Fund 83,435.18 Sewer Fund 194,291.56 Refuse Fund 52,703.83 Liquid Fuels Fund 36,146.51 Total of all Funds $ 633,964.73 TAX COLLECTOR S REPORT: On motion duly made, seconded and passed, Council approved the Tax Collector s report for the month of January 2018. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-02: BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA IN SUPPORT OF A CITIZENS COMMISSION FOR LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING. Councilmember Bausher made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Jenckes, to adopt Resolution # 2018-02, all in favor, 7-0. RESOLUTION NO. 2018-03: A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WYOMISSING APPROVING THE CERTIFICATE OF TERMINATION OF THE WESTERN BERKS REFUSE AUTHORITY Councilmember Woodward made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Forester, to adopt Resolution # 2018-03, all in favor, 7-0. OTHER BUSINESS: 7
Police Chief Biehl said that the police department s annual report for 2017 has been distributed to Council for their perusal. Public Works and Property Manager Jim Babb has also distributed his annual report for review. Borough Council adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marti Hozey, Borough Manager/Secretary Approved by: Thomas M. Moll, President Wyomissing Borough Council 8