COLUMBIA SPY

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Sealed bids for Chip Factory Hampton Inn, Columbia, PA _ Site Improvements, Demolition, Abatement, and Masonry Restoration

Sealed bids for Chip Factory Hampton Inn, Columbia, PA _ Site Improvements, Demolition, Abatement, and Masonry Restoration will be received and opened publicly at the Wohlsen Construction Office located at 1295 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601 on December 20th at 4:00 PM.

Notice is hereby given to bidders that construction of this project is being funded, in part, by a federal grant provided to Lancaster County from the U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development and is subject to the Davis Bacon Act of March 3, 1931, as amended. Wages must be paid by contractors according to the U.S. Department's Wage Decision included in the specifications. All bidders must also comply with the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; the Executive Order of 11246 or any other order which prohibits discrimination in employment. All bidders are advised that an executed Attachment B from the Section 3 Action Plan included in the specifications must be submitted or the bid will be rejected as non-responsive.

Project documents and supplemental information can be found on the Construction Manager's online bidding platform, Building Connected. https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/565f4533a894a40f0072a364

Qualified Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MBE/WBE) are encouraged to respond to the Invitation to Bid.

Public Notice - published 11/28/2024
LNP Media Group, Inc.

Council settles on original 2-mill tax hike after multiple failed proposals

Council voted 5-2 Tuesday night to increase millage by 2 mills, raising the total municipal millage to 10 mills. Peter Stahl and Joanne Geesey voted against the proposal.

After several failed attempts to modify the proposed tax increase, council ultimately reverted to its original 2-mill proposal. The decision on the millage rate was particularly time-sensitive Tuesday night, as council needed to advertise the budget before deadline. The ad would necessarily include a proposed millage rate. After advertising, council will take a final vote in December. The increase will bring the total municipal millage to 10 mills.

The meeting began with council supporting a 2-mill increase. However, Mayor Leo Lutz unexpectedly suggested reducing it to 1 mill, citing his recent budget review.

Councilman Peter Stahl went further, advocating for no increase at all. He argued that council had not sufficiently addressed expenses and underlying issues. Stahl expressed concern that a tax increase would reduce the pressure on council to tackle necessary cost-cutting measures.

Stahl: “Why are we raising taxes when we didn't draw below 15%? Makes no sense to me.” [File photo]

“If we pass the tax increase that will solve our problem this year, we’re not going to solve the long-term problem in the next year or even the following years,” Stahl said. “It’s just going to kick it down the road until we gotta raise taxes again.”

Later in the discussion, Stahl added, “We have the opportunity right now to hold our feet to the fire . . . Some of these topics are going to be hard to talk about.”

Lutz said that while he agreed with Stahl in principle, he wanted to proceed “with a little more ease,” which is why he recommended a 1-mill increase.

Zink: "It's time to pay the piper."

[File photo]

Council President Heather Zink said, “We’ve gotta do something about the debt service . . . We’ve been saying let’s put it off. It’s time to pay the piper.”

A topic of concern was the amount still held in reserves, currently $1.6-1.7 million, or 19% of the budget. According to a borough resolution, that amount cannot dip below 15%. Some council members were concerned that without raising taxes, it would be necessary to borrow from reserves, which could fall below the lower limit.

During discussion, Councilman Todd Burgard proposed a compromise rate of 1.5 mills. After debating each proposal, council voted on the various options, but all were rejected. With no resolution in sight, council made a final attempt to pass the original 2-mill increase, which succeeded with a 5-2 vote. Councilors Stahl and Joanne Geesey cast the dissenting votes. A subsequent vote approved advertising the budget for public inspection, at 2 mills.

The situation highlighted council's missed opportunities for budget review, as a budget meeting and at least two work sessions had been canceled throughout the year, limiting chances for a detailed expense analysis.

During the voting process, it was often unclear who supported which proposal, until the final roll call vote brought clarity to the matter.

During public comment, resident Sharon Lintner addressed the council, discussing ongoing projects and expressing concerns about how higher taxes would impact economic development and quality of life in the community.

“The borough has had a tendency to have too many irons in the fire at once with major projects," Lintner said. “With this looming tax increase, how much is economic development and home ownership worth to you as a council? I keep hearing we want economic development, we want home ownership, but you're going to keep driving it away if you keep raising taxes year after year.”

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Agenda - Zoning Hearing Board Meeting - November 27, 2024

The meeting packet is HERE.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Agenda (Revised) - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - November 26, 2024

The meeting packet is HERE.

Monday, November 25, 2024

Columbia Borough Receives $1 Million to Build New Public Works Facility

Columbia Borough purchased this property on the 1100 block of Ridge Avenue, with the intent of moving its public works department there.

PA Senator Ryan Aument has announced that his office was recently notified that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved $1 million in state funding to Columbia Borough to renovate a 16,000 square foot prefabricated metal building into its public works facility on the 1100 block of Ridge Avenue. Columbia Borough purchased the property in August 2023 for $1,350,000 (plus $50,000 for a right-of-way). The total cost of the project has been estimated at $2 million, in addition to the purchase price.

Specifically, the renovations will include a new roof, new coating of exterior corrugated metal, replacement of bay doors, new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, and an addition of 2,500 square feet for offices, locker rooms, and restrooms.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development that administers many of Pennsylvania’s economic development and community improvement programs.

The backstory on the project is HERE.

[Sources: Press release, Columbia Spy]

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - November 25, 2024

Snyder Robert W, Snyder Gale L, Burke Stephen, Burke Stephen J, Burke Christine M. conveyed 1114 Lancaster Ave. to Frank J. Doutrich for $76,500.

John W. Hopkins conveyed 118 S. Ninth St. to Zoe Zambito for $154,000.

Mtglq Investors LP conveyed 1081 Cloverton Drive to Nathaniel Kroninger for $176,000.

Gordon J. Tolson conveyed 1260 Cloverton Drive to Seibert Megan, Motter Garrison Reese for $302,057.