Meeting Minutes

NEW HOPE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
January 10, 2007
MINUTES

PRESENT: Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Ed Duffy, Geri Delevich, Dr. Claire Shaw, Rey Velasco, Randall C. Flager, Esq., Mayor Larry Keller, Borough Manager John Burke, Borough Solicitor T.J. Walsh, and Chief Pasqualini.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Keller administered the oath of office to the following members of the New Hope Eagle Fire Company Fire Police:
Captain, Chris Bollenbacher
First Lieutenants, Tom & Patricia Villareale
Lieutenant, Mike Williamson
Lieutenant, Jim Finn
Gordon Nieburg
Tom Carroll
Doug Oswald
Paul Stubbs
Elliot Mercer
Phil Castrogiovanni
John Dwyer
Herb Millman
Sid Ginsberg

Ellen Bollenbacher, Terri Randol, and Beth Joyner were sworn-in at the firehouse on January 2, 2007.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Richard Hirschfield announced that items 6 C, the Scannapieco residence Zoning hearing Board application, and 6 E, the 50 S. Main St. Zoning Hearing Board application, are not on the agenda this evening and will be scheduled at the next regular Council meeting in February.

Richard Hirschfield announced that there was an Executive Session before the regular meeting tonight to discuss a land acquisition matter and a pending litigation matter.

Richard Hirschfield announced receipt of a letter from Dene Taylor thanking the Police Department for making sure that New Year’s Eve was quietly observed in his neighborhood.

Richard Hirschfield announced the re-establishment of the Police Committee and the appointment of the following council members to this committee:
Richard Hirschfield, Chairman
Sharyn Keiser
Claire Shaw

This is a committee that will meet, as a whole, from time-to-time with the Mayor and the Chief of Police to receive a report on police activities. This will insure that there is ongoing communication between Council and the Police Department. It will also allow the committee to discuss any concerns or issues of Council.

Randy Flager asked for a motion to re-appoint Cynthia Ford and Dee Dee Bowman to the HARB Board for terms to expire 12/31/09. Claire Shaw moved to appoint Ford and Bowman, and Rey Velasco seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Randy Flager moved to appoint Tom Carroll, Tom Gockowski, and Horst Kubon to the UCC Board of Appeals for terms to expire on 12/31/09, and Geri Delevich seconded.

Randy Flager amended the motion to add Bob Larason and Paul Raywood for appointment to the UCC Board of Appeals for terms expiring on 12/31/09 and to change the terms for Tom Carroll, Tom Gochowski, and Horst Kubon to expire on 12/31/08. Geri Delevich seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously.

Randy Flager moved to appoint Karen Doughty to the Civil Service Commission for a term expiring 12/31/12, and Claire Shaw seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Randy Flager moved to appoint June Bierman to the Park and Recreation Board for a term expiring 12/31/11, and Geri Delevich second. The motion was approved unanimously.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda items 4A through 4 C, as follows.
A. Consideration of approving payment of accounts payable for January 10, 2007, in the amount of $118,922.13; of payroll for December 20, 2006 in the amount of $51,422.78; and of payroll for January 3, 2007 in the amount of $44,689.78.
B. Consideration of adopting Resolution No. 2007-01R, establishing an employee compensation plan for 2007.
C. Consideration of awarding a contract to Land Stewards, LLC in the amount of $11,000.00 for landscape maintenance services in 2007.

Randy Flager moved to approve the consent agenda, and Rey Velasco seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Richard Hirschfield announced that there are alternate positions available on the Shade Tree Commission if anyone is interested.

MANAGER’S REPORT

John Burke asked for consideration of Resolution No. 2007-02R, establishing parking permit fees for the American Legion Post 79 parking lot. In May of 2006 the Borough entered into an agreement with the American Legion Post 170 and the Eagle Fire Company for use of 30 spaces at the American Legion facility on South Main Street and New Street. The agreement will renew in May of this year, unless the Borough provides notice to terminate at this time. No one has purchased any of the parking passes, and the parking is limited to Mondays through 5 P.M. Fridays. Councillor Geri Delevich asked Council to consider a lower monthly permit fee at the December meeting to encourage the use of this facility. The recommendation is to charge $15.00 a month for parking effective April 1, 2007, and beginning now through March 31st, allow the spaces to be used free of charge on a first come first served basis.

Randy Flager moved to approve Resolution No. 2007-02R, and Rey Velasco seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Geri Delevich asked if the Borough would be notifying the businesses, the Chamber and the Business Alliance.

John Burke answered that there would be press releases for the local newspapers, and an e-mail would be sent to the Chamber for distribution to its members.

LAND USE AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Ed Duffy announced that the following applications will involve discussions on pending Zoning Hearing Board applications to determine whether or not Council will support or send the Borough Solicitor to oppose any of the applications or take no position at all.

Ed Duffy announced the first application under review is the application of Chris Bollenbacher for the Landing Restaurant, located at 22 North Main Street.

Carl Lindsay Esq. was present to represent Chris and Ellen Bollenbacher, owners of The Landing Restaurant. Mr. Lindsay stated that they are developing a breakfast restaurant, which is in the flood plain, and they are asking for a variance because they are proposing to provide public rest rooms for The Landing and the breakfast restaurant and the general public. The construction of the rest rooms will be costly because the applicant is exceeding the code standards in terms of the number of stalls and sinks that would be required for the new restaurant use alone. The additional facilities are intended for use by the public at all times that the restaurants are open. The variance is needed to not exceed the 50% threshold in the floodplain ordinance that would trigger flood proofing of the entire building.

Richard Hirschfield stated that the appraisal of the structure totaled $300,000, and the proposed cost to renovate for the breakfast restaurant is $142,000, which would be less than the 50% threshold. However, the cost of the additional bathroom facilities would be $80,000, which would push the project over the 50% threshold. The elimination of the cost of the additional bathroom facilities would keep the project cost below the 50% threshold.

Carl Lindsay commented that if the bathrooms were just for the new restaurant, the total project cost would not exceed the 50% threshold, but because the restrooms are designed for use by the general public, additional commercial facilities are required, resulting in the higher costs.

Randy Flager moved for Council to support the Bollenbachers’ application to the Zoning Hearing Board to allow additional bathroom facilities for the proposed restaurant use and the general public on North Main Street and also moved to waive the Zoning Hearing Board filing fee since this application is in the public interest. Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Ed Duffy announced the next Zoning Hearing Board application for review is for the New Hope Solebury School District.

Michael Carr Esq. identified himself as representing the applicant. Mr. Carr stated that the proposed LED sign is 5-½ feet tall by 8 feet long. The idea is to use it to announce school and community events.

David Dozbaba, a member of the New Hope Solebury School Board and the Facilities Chairperson, stated that the sign would fit into the community, would be set in brick, with electronic mechanisms, and would provide public information.

Ed Duffy stated that he thought the sign might be a distraction to drivers in a school zone.

Sharyn Keiser stated that she did not agree with the proposed sign and was concerned because it would be across the street from the Historic District, and it is located in the middle of a residential area. Also, Ms. Keiser objected to the size of the sign and the fact that it is an LED sign, which is not permitted in this zoning district.

Richard Hirschfield stated that the district is seeking three variances for this sign—height, area, and type.

Geri Delevich stated that more than one school shares West Bridge Street and that the proposed sign would detract from the quaint historic nature of the Borough.

Rey Velasco stated that the district had a sign in this location in the past and asked why the district could not simply replace the old sign.

David Dozbaba stated that it would be labor intensive and expensive to continually alter the lettering on the old changeable copy sign.

Henry Marzula asked if the objection was to the scrolling feature or to the illumination. He stated that the sign could be used in emergencies.

Randy Flager stated that Council has worked hard to enjoy a good relationship with the school district. He asked the district to withdraw this application and to meet with the Borough to work out a suitable alternative.

David Dozbaba stated that it was a good idea for the two boards to meet and discuss this matter.

Randy Flager moved to send the Borough Solicitor to oppose the application to the Zoning Hearing Board submitted by the New Hope Solebury School District for an LED sign. Sharyn Keiser seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously.

Ed Duffy announced a presentation by Scannapieco Construction on proposed renovations to the building located at 8 Stockton Avenue, which will be known as the New Hope Arts building.

Len Scannapieco and Tom Scannapieco attended to present and discuss the design plan.

Tom Scannapieco stated that the New Hope Arts Center would be a great community asset and that 40% of the space will be donated to New Hope Arts Inc.

Ralph Fey identified himself as the architect for the project and discussed the differences between an older illustration that had recently been presented to HARB and the new proposal. Mr. Fey discussed the first floor plan, with an on grade entrance, a stairway to get to the second floor, and a legal fire stairway to get back down to the first floor. The first floor would be retail and another retail piece would be added, where the parking lot is now, along with an elevator and an exit stair. The second floor would feature an upper lobby. The glass entrance has been flattened out and reduced from the previous presentation to HARB to make it a more industrial entrance with masonry. The new building would have a mill building aesthetic with columns and the gable-ended roof. The upper floor would be office space and the lower floor, retail. The gallery will hold about 350 people.

The project and the revisions to the design plans were generally well received by Council. Richard Hirschfield commented that there may be a little too much glass, but the mix of the outside materials was appealing, and he encouraged the applicant to refine the plans for the project.

Geri Delevich commended Mr. Scannapieco for recognizing the importance of the performing arts in New Hope.

Lastly, Council asked what variances would be requested.

Len Scannapieco answered that there are structural problems with the Night Owl building and the brick building and both structures are in very bad condition and cannot be preserved. Len Scannapieco stated that the Zoning Hearing Board application is in preparation at this time and that he does not have the answer to this question.

Elaine McNealy of 45 North Main Street commented that she was very pleased with the project up to this point.

Len Scannapieco added that they were interested in burying the utility wires abutting the property on West Bridge St. and asked if Council could provide assistance with the arrangements.

Richard Hirschfield answered that Council would help with the arrangements, but not the costs.

Tom Scannapieco stated that he wants the entrance to be a feature similar to a marquee. There will be a couple of updated features to the building the next time that plans are presented to Council.

Richard Hirschfield announced the next item is the public hearing for a conditional use application, submitted by Marsha Brown for 15 South Main Street.

The minutes of the Marsha Brown conditional use hearing are attached in the form of a typed transcript.

Council’s regular meeting resumed following the continuation of the Marsha Brown conditional use hearing to Council’s February 14, 2007 public meeting.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Rey Velasco announced the Visitors’ Center report for December 2006 as follows.

Visitors 2,623
Calls 336
Brochures 4
Sales $50.00
Donations $316.00

Total visitors at the Center for the following years:

2006 34,640
2005 34,942
2004 34,572

Geri Delevich announced that there is a position available for a coordinator for the H.O.P.E Organization and asked anyone interested to contact Borough Hall or to contact Geri.

Geri Delevich announced that Ginger Shelley, a resident of New Hope, has moved away. She lived on North Main Street and will be very much missed in New Hope.

Geri Delevich announced that Rey Valesco and Frank DeLuca will both turn 50 this month.

Sharyn Keiser acknowledged the success of the Monroe Crossing Event, which took place during the month of December, and thanked Elaine McNealy, who was in the audience, for her involvement in the event.

OLD BUSINESS

Geri Delevich announced that she spoke to Arts Bridge about the cottage on the canal. Arts Bridge informed her that it would be too much of an expense to move it to the location that someone in town has offered, and it looks like it will come down.

Geri Delevich thanked John Burke and Tom Carroll for their efforts in contacting PennDOT and Solebury Township concerning the section of River Road, south of New Hope, which is deteriorating.

Richard Hirschfield asked the members of Council how they would feel about changing the meeting date in February from the 14th to the 21st of February.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Roy Ziegler, President of the New Hope Historical Society, announced that an historic walking tour of New Hope would begin at the Canal Locktender’s House on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 1:00 P.M., with refreshments served. The tour will proceed north towards Randolph Street and head back towards town along North and South Main Street, ending at the Parry Mansion with a free tour of the mansion.

Elaine McNealy stated that it is a privilege to be involved with the Monroe Crossing Event each year and thanked Council for its support.

ADJOURNMENT