Columbia Borough Council rejects resolution calling for county health department

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting, April 13.

What happened: Borough Council voted against approving a resolution calling on Lancaster County Board of Commissioners to create a county health department. Officials also announced a one-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic and listened to resident comments about a proposed industrial park development.

Health department: Sharon Lintner was the only yes vote on the resolution, which Manheim Township approved last month and sent to every municipality and school district in the county. The document supports creating a county health department. Council did ask Borough Manager Mark Stivers to work with other municipalities as well as the county to research options on what tasks a county health office would cover and who could perform these duties.

Quotable: "I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to the COVID pandemic," Mayor Leo Lutz said of the resolution initiated by Manheim Township. "I can't support another layer of government." Council member Peter Stahl expressed a similar opinion.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-council-rejects-resolution-calling-for-county-health-department/article_6af6799a-9e4f-11eb-ab24-ef30f67ea488.html 

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A third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will "likely" be needed within a year of vaccination, followed by annual vaccinations, Pfizer's chief executive said.

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https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/15/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases 

Here's how Lancaster County townships, boroughs stand on a county health department

Columbia Borough

Borough Council voted against approving a resolution calling on Lancaster County Board of Commissioners to create a county health department at their April 13 council meeting.

"I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to the COVID pandemic," Mayor Leo Lutz said of the resolution initiated by Manheim Township. "I can't support another layer of government." Council member Peter Stahl expressed a similar opinion.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/health/heres-how-lancaster-county-townships-boroughs-stand-on-a-county-health-department/article_b37370ba-9922-11eb-9376-1ff1b4e9a33f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

A few takeaways from Tuesday's borough council meeting

From the April 13, 2021 Columbia Borough Council meeting:

Citizen comments

Borough resident Dennis Wolpert asked who will pay the school taxes on the McGinness property if it is sold before tax notices are sent in the fall. Borough solicitor Evan Gabel said the borough is tax-exempt, but school taxes will be prorated. The borough will have to pay school taxes annually from there on out, if the property is purchased. Wolpert noted that a potential sale of the property has been in the works for quite some time but that neighbors never got input from the borough. Borough manager Mark Stivers said the borough sought input at public meetings. Stivers also said the borough hasn't made a final decision to purchase the property.

In answer to a question from resident Mary Wickenheiser, Stivers said zoning permits do not need to be displayed but building permits do.

Resident Frank Doutrich noted that the borough forgot to add the McGinness property into the KOZ program [a few years ago] and time ran out. “I just would have thought the municipality, to get that developed, would have been more involved in helping somehow,” Doutrich said. “They can and they do when they want to.” [KOZ stand for "Keystone Opportunity Zone." According to the PA DCED website: "Keystone Opportunity Zones eliminate specific state and local taxes within specific underdeveloped and underutilized areas.]


New pizza shop/night club?

Mayor Leo Lutz talked about the possibility of a new pizza shop/night club opening on Locust Street. “We don’t know exactly what’s going to 'go on' there.” He said if something goes on that violates borough codes or regulations, the borough will issue a cease-and-desist. “We are going to keep a very close eye on it,” Lutz said. He stated that the borough doesn't want a business or venue in that location similar to a previous establishment where several fights occurred and there were reports of gunfire.

Traffic studies underway
Chief Brommer said a traffic study is underway as a preliminary step to have a stop sign erected at 13th and Franklin, after several complaints were received about the intersection. He also said the intersection at 5th & Maple is of concern, and the department is working with the borough engineer to come up with recommendations. He said more than 30 accidents have occurred there over a 5-year period.

A county health department?
Council discussed approving a resolution to support creation of a Lancaster County Health Department. Lutz urged against it, saying, “I think this is a knee-jerk reaction to COVID-19 pandemic.” Council voted 6-1 against the resolution, with Sharon Lintner being the only “yes” vote.

New management position created
After an extended discussion, council voted 5-2 to create a new position titled ”Facilities Manager” and appoint current custodian Wilson Affeld to it. The position includes a $20,000 a year pay increase. Stivers said he created the position but admitted he had not yet formulated a job description for it. Affeld’s vacated custodial position will remain open in case there's ever a need to hire another employee, a move that was requested by the union. Stivers said the job was not advertised because the borough is not legally required to do so and he didn't see a need for it.


New police officer hired

Council unanimously approved authorization to hire police officer Bryce Mowbray, contingent on testing and background checks, to replace Officer Ed Mann, who retired in March.

921 Spruce Street
Council voted unanimously to allow the Lancaster County Land Bank Authority to acquire 921 Spruce Street.

Do you want to be the mayor of Columbia? If so, contact the Columbia Democratic Committee before May 18 to start a write-in campaign

Hi everyone! The Columbia Democratic Party is looking for registered Democrats who would be interested in running a write in campaign for mayor in the May 18th primary! We believe that it is important for Columbia voters to have more than 1 option when choosing their leaders. If you or someone you know is interested, please message or email us! And please share this post to spread the word!!!

columbiademocraticcommittee@gmail.com

DEEDS RECORDED - COLUMBIA BOROUGH - APRIL 12, 2021

Jack Ruth and Kelly M. Ruth conveyed property on a public road to Juliana Mento for $160,057.

Erick Shope and Mandy S. Shope conveyed 601 Manor St. to Adam R. Burkhart and Megan E. Burkhart for $65,000.

Johnny L. Hedges conveyed 919 Spruce St. to Carlos R Rivera Colon for $150,000.

The estate of Pauline K. Willingham and The estate of Pauline L. Willington conveyed property on South Fifth Street to Nancy L. Poindexter for $1.

John C. Hibberd & Sherryl A. Hibberd Living Trust, John C. Hibberd and Sherryl A. Hibberd conveyed 130 Perry St. to Lee Z. Allen for $127,500.

Donald L. Hanes conveyed property on Manor Street to Nathanael A. Miller and Shelby R. Miller for $192,500.

Alison Sky conveyed 614 Walnut St. to Shadow 9 LLC for $75,000.

Jazlyn Alexis Herr and Garrison Reese Motter conveyed property on Walnut Street to Gary A. Motter and Julia A. Motter for $173,400.

Yoshifumi Fujii and Michelle Stone conveyed 241 N. Second St. to Awakened Properties LLC for $76,500.

Renewed Concepts LLC, Wayne C. Nauman, Patrick B. Reardon, JP Real Estate Development LLC and Joseph A. Dougher conveyed property on North Seventh Street to Ethan H. Byers and Stephanie C. Hopper for $274,000.

Edna M. Wakefield and Edna Wakefield conveyed property on a public road to Kirk J. Wakefield for $1.

Mark H. Troutman conveyed property on Ironville Pike to Kevin H. Troutman for $117,000.

Jeffrey S. Groff and Joan M. Inman conveyed 26 S. Fourth St. to Dennis L. Kemmick Jr. for $75,000.

Eric W. Quinn and Sarah E. Quinn conveyed property on Poplar Street to Sarah E. Quinn for $1.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at Columbia Market House - Lancaster General Health | Penn Medicine

Register for the April 18th vaccine clinic.

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health recognizes that communities of color continue to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

We are working with the Columbia Ministerium and the Columbia Borough to bring to bring the vaccination to you!

Be prepared for your vaccination:

• Masks are required.
• Please wear a short-sleeved shirt, or wear a short-sleeved shirt under a sweater or jacket that can be easily removed. The vaccine will be administered in the upper arm of your choice. 
• This is the Pfizer vaccine.  For full benefits of the vaccine, you must receive a 2nd dose. Your appointment for the second dose will be on May 16th, 2021 at Columbia Market House at the same time as your first dose appointment. 

Please review information about the vaccine and FAQs at lghealth.org/vaccine.

MORE:

http://lancastergeneralhealth.org/services-and-treatments/community-health-and-wellness/columbia-market-house