Monday, July 18, 2011

Council Meeting Notes


BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
July 18, 2011
7:00 P.M.

Call to Order .............................................................................................. Melinda Keen

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call – Everyone but Councilman Chuck Persch are present.  Mayor Hagan is on vacation.

PUBLIC HEARING

Borough of Parkesburg Zoning Ordinance of 2011

The Borough has prepared a new zoning ordinance to replace the 2005 version.  The planning commission has reviewed the new ordinance and now it comes here for a public hearing this evening. 

Public Comments

No public comments were made and the public hearing was closed.


COUNCIL MEETING

Approval of Agenda

Agenda reviewed, no changes made.

Review and Approval of Minutes of the June 20, 2011 Regular Council Meeting

Minutes reviewed and approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Borough Treasurer Wendy Keegan read the report.

Approval of Bills

The bills were reviewed and approved.

Public Comments (Agenda Items Only)

No comments were made

Public Safety Reports:

Police Chief’s Report ....................................................................... Brian Sheller

85 traffic citations, 6 arrests

Meeting about the park, and video survalence in the park.  The grant has been researched and when we’re ready we’ll bring it before council.


Fire Chief’s Report ....................................................................... Richard Klingler

Not here right now.  When he gets here we’ll have him give his report

Emergency Management Coordinator ............................................. Richard Irwin

No report

Planning Commission/Subdivisions:

Heritage Group - Crystal Springs – Presentation by Tony Maras


Heritage owns the Crystal Springs apartment complex and the acreage behind the apartments.  A 125 unit townhouse is planned.  The economy has changed and housing demand has changed.  Not as many people want to own homes.  Lending and consumer loans requirements have changed.  Need for affordable housing has grown.  Not low income or subsidized housing but rather housing that families can afford. 

The idea is to build two or three story apartment units.  This is a concept only.  Seeking council’s feedback. 

This plan is less dense and disturbs fewer exiting trees than the previous plan did.  Each unit is 3 stories high on one side and 4 stories on the other side.  The development includes a pool, clubhouse, tennis court, walking trails.  The woodlands and stream under the dam would be given to the Borough.  The dam would be breached and the resulting stream routed across the front of the property.

A project like this could start in 3 to 6 months.

Mr. Maras presentation was difficult to hear and went on for 45 minutes.

Borough Solicitor John Carnes states, one thing we would want is for Heritage Group to enter into an escrow to protect the borough.  Heritage is willing to put $20,000 in escrow tonight.

Keen makes a motion that the Borough enters into an agreement with Heritage to explore the project.  The motion passes with no opposition.

Heritage gives the borough an escrow check for $20,000.


Unfinished Business

• Chester County SPCA

Changed their requirements for the borough.  Questions last month about who gets charged and whether the borough would be reimbursed. 

The numbers indicate the number of strays picked up around town were as follows:


2008 – 11
2009 – 9
2010 – 12

Each instance costs the borough $35 a piece.

The finance committee will examine how such a cost could be handled in the budget.

New Business


Motion to enact Ordinance 492 – An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 477 "The Parkesburg Rental Space Ordinance" to Establish a Two (2) Year Permit, Provide for a "Pass/Fail" Inspection Process; Identify and Provide Remedies for "Disruptive Conduct"; Require That All Rental Agreements Be Consistent with the Ordinance; Require a Local Owner or Agent to Be Identified in Any Lease and Provide New Definitions Consistent with Such Changes

Council has done research over the last several weeks to see how this ordinance has worked in other townships.

Kathy Rick and Mark Agen made a motion to adopt the ordinance.

Council President Keen recuses herself because she owns rental properties


The motion passed unanamouly



Motion to enact Ordinance 493 – An Ordinance Adopting the Borough of Parkesburg Zoning Ordinance of 2011

No questions from Council.  The motion passed unanimously


Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2011-03– A Resolution Establishing Fees for Registrations and Inspections Pursuant to the Parkesburg Borough Rental Space Ordinance

A new set of fees reflecting our decreased costs.  The new fees reflect the Borough’s new cost structure.  A $50 inspection fee for the initial application,  $25 for a re-inspection fee, $500 for an appeal.  These are in line with what other municipalities are charging.

The motion passes unanimously.  Keen recused herself for reasons cited above.


Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2011-04–A Resolution Establishing the Transition for Registrations and Inspections Pursuant to the Parkesburg Borough Rental Space Ordinance No. 492

This resolutions grandfathers in existing rental inspection / agreement.

Keen Recused herself for reasons cited above.

Department Reports:


Engineer’s Report .............................................................................. Mendi Lowe

Zoning Officer’s Report ............................................................. ARRO Consulting

Building Code Official’s Report ....................................................... John Coldiron

Code Enforcement Officer’s Report ................................................ Robert Hosier

Manager’s Report ........................................................................ James Thomas

Train station – 15 interviews conducted to hear what people would like to see in the train station.  Wide selection of people interviewed.  People who live in town, ride the train, work in town.  The next step is to schedule several charets.

State Street – the revised curb designs are out of PenDot and hope to have it wrapped up soon.

West Bridge Street – seeking temporary easements.   Meeting once a month with Amtrak, Norfolk Southern.

Public Works Report ....................................................................... Melinda Keen


Fire Marshal’s Report ......................................................... Raymond Stackhouse

Mayor’s Report .......................................................................... John P. Hagan, II

PABA ............................................................................................... Eric Jamison

Solicitor’s Report .................................................................... John S. Carnes, Jr.

We just got a settlement check for $3,169 from Citi for the property at 805 West 3rd Avenue paying for for old trash and sewer bills.


West Bridge Street – another meeting scheduled for August 14th to meet with people to acquire temporary easements. 

We have received a draft construction contract from Amtrak for the bridge.  The contract requires the Borough set aside money for construction and environmental escrow.  This is a sizable amount of money.  The Borough is trying to figure out what the financial impact would be on the Borough’s cash flow across the 34 month contract.

Agreement from Norfolk Southern has a provision for flagmen as does the Amtrak agreement.  NS is late to the project.  

Very challenging to bring all parties together.

Committee Reports:


Parks & Recreation ......................................................................... Kathleen Rick

August 20th Lions club market

Sign in front of Borough Hall

Progress & Development .................................................................. Sharon Wolf

Streets & Property ........................................................................... Melinda Keen

Looking at streets that can be paved.  A lot of streets are disqualified for a number of different reasons.

Water company wants to work on Octorara Avenue in the Fall

Finance ........................................................................................ Charles Persch

Police & Fire ................................................................................. Charles Persch

Library Board Representative ......................................................... Melinda Keen

Library is looking for volunteers

Emergency Management Coordinator ............................................. Richard Irwin

Public Comments

Council Comments

Adjournment


Scheduled Public Meetings:


Committee Time Date Location

  • Parks & Recreation 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2011 Borough Hall
  • Progress 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2011 Borough Hall
  • Streets & Property 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2011 Borough Hall
  • Finance 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 11, 2011 Borough Hall
  • Fire & Police 6:00 p.m. Thursday, August 11, 2011 Borough Hall
  • PABA 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 Borough Hall

2011 Scheduled Council Meetings:

  • August 22nd
  • September 19th
  • October 17th
  • November 21st
  • December 19th

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