Download the meeting packet HERE.
Monday, January 9, 2023
Takeaways from the December 29, 2022 Council Meeting: Safety, Codes, RTK, ARPA, CEDC, TNR, etc
Safety meetings are no longer public, according to Columbia Borough Councilman Todd Burgard at the December 29, 2022 Columbia Borough Council meeting. A few years ago, the previous council held individual meetings for committees such as safety, community development, etc. but later abolished the practice. At that time, committee meetings - including the safety committee - were public. In answer to a question from councilwoman Sharon Lintner, Burgard said that current safety meetings are still held quarterly, during the day, with representatives of emergency providers: fire police, EMS, EMA, etc. - but not the public.
No consistency in codes?
Columbia resident Frank Doutrich asked why things are done differently every time the borough gets a different code inspector. Borough Manager Stivers explained that different code officers look for different things.
Doutrich also said that previously if he fixed a problem found by the code inspector, he could simply take a photo of the "fix" and submit it. Now, however, the officer must return for a second inspection and charge another $50. Stivers explained that photos were acceptable during the COVID pandemic to protect the code inspector.
Doutrich noted that photos are still acceptable for some demolitions, apparently referring to 3 Shawnee Avenue. In that case, the owners submitted photos of the structure's interior to receive authorization for demolition. (NOTE: The demolition was approved, as Columbia Spy reported HERE.)
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Right-to-Know
Councilwoman Sharon Lintner asked how many right-to-know requests the borough received last year. Stivers said there were 34 tracked requests, adding that if a right-to-know is simple, no paperwork is required [thus no tracking and no charge]. Lintner asked why the borough has charged for some requests, and Borough Solicitor Evan Gabel said market research firms have requested information about the borough, at times amounting to 500 pages, and the borough has therefore begun following state law and charging for such requests.
Councilwoman Sharon Lintner asked how many right-to-know requests the borough received last year. Stivers said there were 34 tracked requests, adding that if a right-to-know is simple, no paperwork is required [thus no tracking and no charge]. Lintner asked why the borough has charged for some requests, and Borough Solicitor Evan Gabel said market research firms have requested information about the borough, at times amounting to 500 pages, and the borough has therefore begun following state law and charging for such requests.
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Employee bonuses
Council authorized one-time bonuses to union employees for a total of $39,203. Full-time employees received $800, and part-time received $400. Councilwoman Sharon Lintner asked why the bonuses were authorized to come from ARPA funds when no borough employee was laid off during the pandemic. According to Stivers, the borough awarded the bonuses to avoid having to pay a larger percentage for raises over the next few years.
Council authorized one-time bonuses to union employees for a total of $39,203. Full-time employees received $800, and part-time received $400. Councilwoman Sharon Lintner asked why the bonuses were authorized to come from ARPA funds when no borough employee was laid off during the pandemic. According to Stivers, the borough awarded the bonuses to avoid having to pay a larger percentage for raises over the next few years.
Stivers previously announced the bonuses at the December 13, 2022, saying they would come from ARPA funds when the union agreement was voted on. Lintner said she disagreed with using ARPA funds. Stivers said, “ARPA funds - because we adopted a resolution to take it as lost revenue for the borough - it now becomes - technically - general fund money.”
(ARPA stands for American Rescue Plan Act. Municipalities can use ARPA funds to address the economic impacts of a public health emergency, and provide premium pay for essential workers, among other things.)
Sale of borough real estate
Council voted to enter into an agreement of sale with the Columbia Economic Development Corporation to sell borough-owned properties at 137 South Front Street and 400 South Front Street. Currently, both properties are occupied and are being rented by K.T. Graham and J.G. Environmental, respectively.
According to Stivers, the borough cannot sell the properties directly but must instead go through the CEDC, which will negotiate sales. The properties will be sold for at least the current appraised values.
Police Pension Board
Marlene Geltz and Columbia police officer Daniel Bell will serve on the police pension board.
CCAT adding distemper shots to program
At the request of Alan Landsman, chair of the Columbia Cat Action Team, council authorized distemper shots for cats trapped during the TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) program due to a feline disease recently found in local ferals. The disease has the potential to be transmitted to domestic cats. Funds will come from money already allocated for the program.
Columbia streets are clean
Stivers said that he was told that one of the reasons businesses want to come to Columbia is because "the streets are so clean."
Another real estate transaction
Council adjourned to executive session to discuss "potential land acquisition."
At the request of Alan Landsman, chair of the Columbia Cat Action Team, council authorized distemper shots for cats trapped during the TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) program due to a feline disease recently found in local ferals. The disease has the potential to be transmitted to domestic cats. Funds will come from money already allocated for the program.
Columbia streets are clean
Stivers said that he was told that one of the reasons businesses want to come to Columbia is because "the streets are so clean."
Another real estate transaction
Council adjourned to executive session to discuss "potential land acquisition."
Sunday, January 8, 2023
About Town - January 8, 2023
Recent photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)
The crew from Henkels & McCoy that was working around town last week was installing fiber optic cable. Finally, Columbia joins the 21st Century.
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Heron in the fog
Feisty groundhog in the 400 block of Avenue G
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A cozy little cottage (actually a section of The Elks)
You can post as many signs as you want and sometimes they'll still get ignored.
Markers like this one were painted at various locations along Route 462 for placement of detour signs for the Malleable Road overpass project a few months ago. The markers were painted on August 9, 2022 by the Atlas Flasher & Supply Company, 430 Swedesboro Avenue, Mickleton, NJ 08056.
Unfortunately, the company did not remove the paint after the project was completed and left it for residents to deal with. Under other circumstances, this would be considered vandalism.
The 900 block of Barber Street will be closed weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through 27, as Columbia Spy reported previously. Some residents of that block were not notified of the closure until after the project had begun. The same thing often happens at various locations around town when utility companies begin a project.
The Holy Trinity Catholic Church will be asking HARB to consider demolition of these three properties on the 400 block of Cherry Street. According to the January 11, 2023 HARB agenda:
New Business
a Consider motion to recommend to Borough Council for the COA - 427, 429, 431
Cherry Street
APPLICANT/OWNER:
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
AGENT:
DC Gohn Associates Inc
CONTRACTOR:
TBD
ALTERATION:
Demolition of three neighboring, wood-framed, residential row home type structures located at 427, 429 and 431 Cherry Street.
Demolition of back yard and side yard concrete walkways and miscellaneous slab areas. Demolition of metal fencing. Backfill, compaction, fine grading, seeding and tree plantings and installation of new concrete curbing and sidewalk.
Here's the notice.
Almost sunset - Thursday, January 5, 2023
Sunset - Saturday, January 7, 2023
Graffiti at Rotary Park (censored)
More graffiti at Rotary Park
Trashcan in a trashcan - Somehow this makes sense.
Graffiti on an old bridge pier
(This is one of the piers that supported the bridge that was burned in the Civil War.)
This was growing out of one of the mortar joints there. As Dr. Ian Malcolm said, "Life finds a way."
Demolition, almost done, at 332 Locust
This is how it looked the other day but has since been filled in with dirt. It will ultimately become a courtyard.
Foggy morning. Some visitors still think this road at Columbia River Park is the way to the trail.
Time to hose down the steps again.
What's happening at the old Columbia Drive-in site?
"A planned development that will include 18,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,000 square foot restaurant, a 3,500 square foot bank, 163 mid-rise apartments, and 9 low-rise townhomes, according to West Hempfield Township Planning Commission meeting minutes of May 16, 2019. The project was also discussed at the February 2, 2021 and October 5, 2021 West Hempfield Township Supervisors' meetings."
A two-vehicle accident occurred Thursday morning at the oft-confusing North 5th & Chestnut intersection. One driver suffered minor injuries.
These two cars fared a bit better and even used the boat ramp as a parking space.
Columbia Hometown Hero banners extend clear out to 15th Street.
The curb itself needs protection.
Stormwater grate and accompanying puddles
Moving
Smokes, automotive supplies, and lotto -
Truly a "convenient" store
Foggy valley
[Photo by Melissa Shirk]
The fox is still hanging around.
[Video by Howard Stevens]
Columbia, Lancaster Catholic girls basketball barrel to runaway wins in West York Showcase
The Tide, back on the court for the first time in nine days, throttled York Catholic 76-44. Meanwhile, the Crusaders motored to 10-0 overall, and picked up their 10th straight victory via the mercy rule with a 56-20 triumph over Susquehannock.
MORE:
Columbia Animal Shelter To Host Winter Concert Series | TownLively
Since 2020, the Columbia Animal Shelter has been hosting a Summer Concert Series, featuring live music performances in the grassy field next to the shelter. Now the organization is expanding its entertainment offerings into the colder months with the new Winter Concert Series. The concerts will be held in the warehouse across the street from the shelter, located at 265 S. 10th St., Columbia, from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month from January through March.
MORE:
Former Columbia Borough police officer Troy Engle selected as Red Lion school board director
From ydr.com
The school board also selected a new board director Thursday night after interviewing six candidates during the meeting to fill a vacancy in Region II.
The board selected Troy Engle, a 2001 alumni of Red Lion. He is a retired police officer from the Columbia Borough department and served as a school resource officer for six years. He now is a Realtor and business owner.
He has four children in the district.
"I think overall the district has done a lot of really good things," Engle said during the interview.
He said he wants to be a part of what helps the district continue to grow.
The term expires this year.
Road closures possible on the 900 block of Barber Street 7 AM-5 PM through January 27
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