Quick takeaways from Monday's Borough Council meeting
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Four junior councillors were sworn in.
A motion to approve $650,000 to Cimarron Properties for the Clarion Hotel project at 2nd and Locust was tabled, pending attorney review. Residents stated their opposition to giving the money.
Several residents voiced complaints about borough codes, code enforcement, and fairness of the quick ticket system.
Former borough manager Norm Meiskey chided council on protocols, spending, and legalities.
Mayor Lutz said there may be a method to remove abandoned cars from borough streets, which he will discuss at this Wednesday's legislative/safety committee meeting.
Rebecca Denlinger was sworn in as borough manager/secretary/treasurer. She became Columbia's Assistant Borough Manager/Economic and Community Development Manager on January 1, 2018.
The mayor announced that another municipality has offered Columbia the use of their K-9, if needed.
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Comments
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Upstanding, municipalities with an eye for excellence, progress, transparency and granting equality in the recruitment and hiring processes actually reach out by advertising open positions. They cast wide nets ... besides, it's the ethical way to do business.
For example, look at the borough manager positions advertised at the Pennsylvania State of Boroughs Website (http://boroughs.org/subpage.php?link=Classified%20Ads):
Job Announcements
Borough Manager, Parkesburg Borough (Posted 6/4/18)
Police Chief, Edinboro Borough (Posted 6/4/18)
Borough Manager, Ellwood City (Posted 5/22/18)
Borough Manager, Crafton Borough (Posted 5/15/18)
Public Works Director, Sharpsburg Borough (Posted 5/7/18)
Community Development Director, Kutztown Borough (Posted 4/30/18)
Borough Manager, New Hope Borough (Posted 4/30/18)
Borough Manager, Kittanning Borough (Posted 4/24/18)
Columbia Market House (Loser: Citizens)
Columbia No.1 building for $900,00+ (Loser: Citizens)
208-210 Locust Street $125,000 (Loser: Citizens)
Lancaster Land Bank $100,00+ (Losers (Citizens)
3rd Beautification Loans (Losers: Citizens)
4th & Locust Street Lot $25,000 + (Losers: Citizens)
Tree Grates $2,500 (Losers: Citizens)
Flags and Bags $10,000 (Losers: Citizens)
Heritage Drive $40,000+ (Losers: Citizens)
Columbia Trolley $50,000+ (Losers: Citizens)
Columbia Crossings $50,000+ (Losers: Citizens)
Possible Council Miscues:
McGinnis Airfield $1,6 Million (Losers: Wow a close one for the citizens)
Now we have a potential $750,000+ (Grant and taxes) loss for the taxpayers if this approved with not potential earnings. Council please be smart and tax each room so the citizens will see a return on our taxes. This $10,000,000 Bond is possibly the most ridiculous thing for the Borough. It should have been a $5,000,000 Bond for infrastructure, not a development venture.
What is next? Let me guess, the Colonial Metals property for $2,000,000+. With all the tax incentives and non profits the school district will never survive and with major cut to come.
Time to stand up!
GO to the bank to borrow the money you need, not the backs of us taxpayers.
If Columbia borough has so much cash on hand to give it away, they should taxing the hell out us
There are some people paying more now since it is a flat. But someone who has a high water usage saw the bill go down (those of us with swimming pools and large families saw a decrease.)
CWC's lawyer stated something like "we provide clean water for 1 cent a gallon" or something to that. I pay 10 cents/gallon here. Do the math....the less you consume the more it cost/gallon. A
the Boro has a manager and multiple managers but the REAL BOSS is Boro COuncil. IF you don't like something, anything, you MUST take it to Council!!! they run the show. like it or not.
i do thing the code manager has done what should have been done years ago and that is to condemn blighted, unsafe properties. however, i do NOT agree with them telling you that you have to paint your house....most of us don't have $6,000 and up to do that...you see the School taxes are so so out of control that every day there are more of us losing our homes. THIS is what I will NEVER understand. How can COuncil NOT GET THAT???
I do however, support the codes dept to insist on and quick ticketing for the following:
1. trash and rubbish sitting, laying, scattered on ANY property. I don't want to look at it, see it or smell it. and it draws rodents. 2. high grass and weeds also draws rodents, mosquitos and looks disgusting 3. a junkyard full of vehicles...they do NOT belong sitting in any front yard or rear yard for decades. 4. dog waste! who wants to smell that?
So the bottom line is...we support the code dept for having everyone CLEAN UP their properties either by trash removal or cutting grass (onto your lawn NOT the street!). but it's 100% UNACCEPTABLE TO TELL THE HOMEOWNER THEY HAVE TO PAINT THEIR HOMES. IF THEIR HOME IS TRASH FREE AND THE GRASS IS CUT AND IT DOESN'T SMELL LIKE SHIT, THEN LEAVE IT ALONE. That's crossing the line. Any one agree?