BOROUGH OFFICE BUILDING36 West Allen StreetMechanicsburg, PA 17055-6257REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGFebruary 17, 2009 7:30 PMCALL TO ORDER:President Whitcomb called the regular Council meeting of February 17, 2009 to order at 7:30 p.m.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:President Whitcomb led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken with the following present: President Whitcomb, Vice President Ryder, CouncilmenCiecierski, Humes, Seagrist, Stoner, Mayor Ritter, Solicitor Schorpp, Engineer Barber, Chief Seagrist, Chief Spotts,Manager Dennis and Assistant Secretary Boyer. Councilman McDermott was absent due to a family emergency.Also in attendance: A Palleschi – Patriot, K. Wilson – Sentinel, Rob Bertram, Eric Casanave, Mary Coover, JohnEspenshade, Sean Forsythe, Lee Frey, Chris Gulotta, Darryl Kenes, Ranny Singiser, Ron Trace, John Walker, JackWinchell and Rebecca Yearick.GUESTS:Ranny Singiser, President of the Wildcat Foundation, addressed Borough Council. Mr. Singiser thanked Council for theirhelp with the installation of the turf field, noting that Lacrosse and Soccer would be played there this spring. Heencouraged Council to let Community Organization know that they could make arrangements to use of the facility forCommunity Events. Mr. Singiser then reviewed the current projects of the Foundation which include putting in newbleachers at the soccer filed and putting a green environmental classroom at the Trails and Tree Enviromental Center.This Thursday the Wildcat Foundation will be reviewing 45 applications from teachers, students, and the community andwill help to fund project that fall outside the School District’s budget. He noted that any money that is contributed throughthe Wildcat Foundation Capital Campaign does not go to cover administrative costs. He explained that the AdministrativeCosts are raised by the Foundation Board Members. Mr. Singiser then challenged Council Members and Borough Staff tocontribute by sponsoring the Foundation Black Tie Gala Fund Raiser and Silent Auction, noting that the Upper AllenCommissioners had agreed to the challenge. For $250 Borough Council can participate. Interested Elected Officials andStaff should contact Boyer with their donations.John Espenshade, McCullough Consulting Group, addressed the Borough Council regarding the Borough’s CFA grantapplication. Mr. Espenshade stated that he has met with Borough Staff and reviewed what is required in this grantprocesses and stated his firm would be interested in working with Borough Staff to secure this grant funding in the secondround of CFA grant funding. After his presentation, he answered questions from Borough Council on the funding streamand anticipated subsequent grant funding rounds. Mr. Espenshade reviewed the methods of payment open to theBorough should they contract with the McCullough Group which includes a contingency fee, shared fee basis and also onan hourly rate basis. He noted that his firm would work with the Borough from the application process through thecompletion of the project and grant audit.CITIZENS COMMENTS:NoneADDITIONS TO AGENDA:Chief Spotts requested the addition of discussion and possible action to hire Kendrick Jones, III as a school crossingguard.Chief Spotts also requested the addition of discussion and possible action on the 2009 Humane Society contract.Chief Spotts also asked for the addition of an Executive Session on a personnel matter, with no action.Vice President Ryder requested the addition of Resolution 05-2009 in honor of Eagle Scout Jordan Duncan.APPROVAL OF AGENDA:Councilman Ciecierski made a motion to approve the agenda, with the additions noted. Vice President Ryder secondedthe motion, which passed with no dissenting votes.

Regular Borough Council Meeting – February 17, 2009 - 2 -

CORRESPONDENCE:Manager Dennis stated that he had no correspondence to report.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Vice President Ryder made a motion to approve the minutes from the regular Council meeting held on February 3, 2009.Councilman Ciecierski seconded the motion, which passed with no dissenting votes.MANAGER’S REPORT:

Manager Dennis reported that Hamilton and Musser completed the annual audit last week and all went well.MAYOR’S REPORT:February 9

– Record turn out for the monthly Crime Watch meeting. Matthew Bennett from the Cumberland-Perry Drugand Alcohol Commission had lots of good information. Hot dogs were served before and after the meeting.February 14

– Friends of the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library held their used book sale at Books by the Gross onCheryl Avenue.February 14

– Served on the Host Committee for the United Methodist Home “Have a Heart for Kids” banquet held at theWest Shore Country Club. The Methodist Home for Children was started on West Main Street at theCumberland Valley Institute in 1859.The Washington Fire Company will be holding their annual Banquet Saturday February 21

at the Mechanicsburg Club.Be sure to visit the Mechanicsburg Museum’s exhibit “Enriching Your Life Through quilts” February 4

through May 16

.Trivia Question: There was a church on the South West Corner of the square here in Mechanicsburg. Four part question,what was the name of this church? Why did it move? Where did it relocate? What is its name today?Answer: Mechanicsburg Methodist Church is now the Wesley United Methodist Church at Filbert and Simpson. Itrelocated after storm damage in the 1950’s.CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT

Chief Spotts reported that he received a letter of commendation for Office Vincent on a recent Community RelationsProgram.SOLICITOR’S REPORT:No report.ENGINEER REPORT:No report.FIRE CHIEF REPORT

Chief Seagrist reported that he and his wife attended the Upper Allen Fire Company annual banquet. He reported holdinga Fire Officers meeting on February 2

. Chief Seagrist noted that he has assisted Codes Enforcement Officer Ressler inseveral matters over the last few weeks. Chief Seagrist commended the Washington Fire Company for providing lightingfor the Friday evening book sale for the Friends of the Library. Chief Seagrist reported recently participating in bothCumberland Valley and Mechanicsburg High School’s shadowing program. This program allows students to observedifferent professionals as they work through a typical day in their field. Chief Seagrist provided this service to twostudents from each school. Chief Seagrist reported that the Washington Fire Company will be holding their annualbanquet this Saturday at the Mechanicsburg Club.COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Capital Area COG -

McDermott – No report.

Community Development

– Humes – Councilman Humes thanks the Fire Company for providing lighting for the LibraryBook Sale and reported that the sale generated over $9,500 for the Library which was the highest revenue for a Februarybook sale.

Environmental Committee -

Ryder

– Vice President Ryder reported that the both the Enviromental Advisory Council andRecycling Committee met this evening. On April 25

and April 26

the community will be celebrating Earth Day. Awardswill be given for a business and a resident that does an exemplary job of recycling. On Jubilee Day the Recycling

Regular Borough Council Meeting – February 17, 2009 - 3 -

Committee and the Adult Enviromental Club have volunteered once again be providing recycling services. The RecyclingCommittee is going to be offering scholarships for children to defer the cost of the summer environmental camp programat Tree and Trial Enviromental Center this summer. The EAC and Shade Tree Commission are once again doing a treeplanting and are in need of tree lawn locations to plant trees. There is a grow out center sponsored by the ChesapeakeBay Alliance and that may be moved from the East Shore to a location on the School District property behind the middleschool if an agreement can be reached with the School District. The bear root seedlings would be grown at the site andprovided to residents for planting to increase the tree canopy in the Borough.

Finance/Appropriations/Insurance

– Whitcomb – No report.

Fire –

Ciecierski – No report.

Health and Recreation –

Seagrist – Councilman Seagrist reported that the Recreation Commission met on February 10

at 7 PM in the Borough Council Chambers. The Joint Recreation Commission will meet on Thursday, February 19

at 7PM in the second floor conference room at Elmwood Elementary. The next Recreation Commission meeting will be heldon March 10

at 7 PM. Councilman Seagrist stated that he would like to discuss changes to the financial reporting for thepark and pool with Borough staff.

Highway/Public Safety

– Stoner – Councilman Stoner reported that Verizon is going door to door to sell their servicesand asked Chief Spotts if they have a solicitation permit. Chief Spotts stated that he would have to check on the status ofthat permit. Stoner reported having a negative experience with the solicitation. Vice President Ryder reported that healso had a sales call from Verizon and had a totally different experience than Councilman Stoner. Manager Dennisreported that the Borough does not control programming under the franchise agreement, noting that the office hasreceived several complains about Verizon not offering the sports package.

Loan Review Committee

- Humes – Councilman Humes reported that there is an agenda item this evening

Ordinance Administration

– Ciecierski – No report.

Property & Buildings –

Stoner- No report.

Public Communications

– McDermott – No report.

School Board -

Ryder – No report.

AGENDA ITEMS – February 17, 2009

♦

Discussion and possible action on the application of Ritter’s Hardware for a Commercial Revitalization Loan.

Vice President Ryder moved for approval of the loan application. Councilman Ciecierski seconded the motion, andPresident Whitcomb opened the floor for discussion. Applicant Jack Winchell was present with Chris Gulotta andRebecca Yearick from the Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Winchell reviewed the project withBorough Council. He explained the heat, air conditioning and lighting improvements proposed for the Ritter’sHardware and also improvements that would be made to the heating and air conditioning in the two residential unitsover the commercial space. Winchell noted that local contractors will be used for the upgrades, with the exception ofthe lighting upgrades, which would be done by a firm from Lancaster. Mr. Winchell indicated that he has secured acommercial loan for the residential portion of the upgrades. Chris Gulotta, Executive Director of the CumberlandCounty Redevelopment Authority, addressed Borough Council stating that this loan has been reviewed by him andthe Borough’s Loan Review Committee and meets the requirements. Mr. Gulotta recommended that BoroughCouncil approve this loan application, as recommended by the loan review committee. Mr. Gulotta indicated that thiswould be a ten year loan from the revolving loan fund and that if this loan was approved, it would be subject to reviewof the Borough Solicitor. Councilman Seagrist asked what other businesses have received funds from the fund.Gulotta noted that the Library, Eckels and Linda Willis have all received funding. Councilman Seagrist asked wherethe funds originated. Gulotta explained that the funds are from a 1983 grant from DCED for CommercialRevitalizations loans. The original twelve loans have been repaid and the money is now being recycled to othercommercial establishments under the loan fund guidelines, with about $80,000 out on loan at this time. The motionand seconded where amended to include pending review and approval of the Borough Solicitor. President Whitcombstated he will abstain from the vote, which was taken and the motion passed with all in favor.

♦

Discussion and possible action on the Land Development Plan of Admirals Quay – Brandy Lane.

Eric Casanave of Penn Terra Engineering and Lee Fry, the applicant were present to represent the application. Mr.Casanave advised that this plan was before the Commission about one year ago. He added that the original plan,which was approved by the Borough, proposed 90 homes in Hampden Township on approximately fifteen acres. Mr.Casanave stated that the property has since changed hands and the new owner wishes to increase the density bythirty-six units. He added that Hampden Township gave conditional approval on 01/08/09 and advised that they mustcome before Mechanicsburg Borough for approval due to the impact of increased traffic.

Mr. Casanave stated thatthe Borough Planning Commission has reviewed the plan and recommended approval of the waivers requested andthe land development plan, subject to the conditions noted in Engineer Barber’s review. President Whitcombquestioned the increased traffic volume, in view of the modest contribution the developer previously made towardsfuture signalization of the Brady Lane- Walnut Street intersection. Councilman Seagrist asked if the 34 foot cartwayproposed for Admiral Quay Drive would be adequate for Emergency vehicles to access the development. After