Technical problems, e-bikes, Columbia's 300th, and ordinances dominate council meeting

Technical problems 

Last Tuesday's Columbia Borough Council work session began with technical problems: no livestream and no microphones. Council Vice President Eric Kauffman requested a five-minute delay to address the issues, but after it became clear they couldn't be fixed, council proceeded with the meeting anyway (in contrast to a recent Lancaster City Council meeting that was cancelled under similar circumstances).

Citizens' comments

John Markley spoke about the dangers of children on e-bikes who disobey basic traffic rules and asked if anything could be done legally to stop this. (Two weeks ago the mayor stated that the police were "cracking down" on violations regarding e-bikes.) Markley also spoke about young people carrying a type of gun that fires projectiles which he said are capable of cracking a window or taking out an eye. 

Mary Wickenheiser (also chair of the borough's Planning Commission) talked about 156 Locust Street where the sidewalk bricks have been torn up for probably two months. That sidewalk and the sidewalk across the street cannot be used due to fencing at the chip factory demolition site, according to Wickenheiser.

She added that electric scooters are also a problem, in addition to e-bikes. Police Chief Brommer acknowledged the e-bike issue as "rampant" and announced an upcoming bike education program scheduled for late May, involving Columbia Crossing and local bike shops.

Sharon Lintner thanked Councilman Kauffman for his suggestion to take time out to attempt to fix the livestream system. She also said she saw an e-bike rider almost hit a pedestrian. 

Vaping and education
Mayor Lutz said the school district is preparing to install vape detectors next year and develop educational programs to inform students about the dangers of vaping.

STEM

The borough is exploring a collaborative STEM program to engage high school students in community projects, including creating a quarterly newsletter and designing materials for the upcoming tricentennial celebration.

Celebrating 300 Years of Columbia

The borough is planning its 300th-anniversary celebration. Key developments include:

- Pursuing a $20,000 grant from America250thpa.com
- Proposing a week-long celebration from June 20th to July 4th, culminating in Riverfest
- Establishing a dedicated Parks & Recreation checking account to manage celebration funds
- Collaborating with the high school STEM program to create commemorative materials

Michelle Kauffman from the Parks & Rec Committee suggested funding the celebration through donations rather than taxpayer money.

Zoning Ordinance Updates

Council discussed Ordinance 957 amending current zoning. Heather Zink, council president, said the EDC won't do a marketing agreement until the amendment is done, and it needs to be "buttoned up." She said council needs to do it now to allow for  a hearing in August, "We can't afford to let this go," Zink said. The amendment introduces these definitions:

“Data Center” – An establishment engaging in the storage, management, processing,
and/or transmission of digital data, and housing computer and/or network equipment, systems, servers, appliances, and other associated components related to digital data operations.

“Smoke Shop” - A retailer whose main purpose is the sale of smoking and/or tobacco
products, including, but not limited to, cigars, pipe tobacco, and smoking accessories for off-
premises consumption at a retail establishment that either devotes more than fifteen (15%) percent of its total floor area to smoking, drug, and/or tobacco paraphernalia or devotes more than a two foot by four (2' by 4') foot (two (2' 0") feet in depth maximum) section of shelf space for display of for-sale tobacco products and the sale of smoking and/or tobacco paraphernalia.
Includes electronic cigarettes and electronic vapor devices.

“Tattoo Parlor” – An establishment where the act or process of indelibly marking or
coloring the skin of any person by the insertion of pigment under or in the skin or by the production of scars us conducted.

"Medical Marijuana” - shall mean medical marijuana as defined in the Medical Marijuana Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Act No. 16 of 2016, P. 0. 84; being marijuana for certified medical use as set forth in the Medical Marijuana Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The document will proceed to the Planning Commission for review, with a potential hearing and adoption vote in the coming months.

Budget Considerations
Councilman Todd Burgard led a brainstorming session aimed at saving costs, and invited council members to develop innovative solutions, including "crazy ideas."

Looking Ahead

The next council is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 7 p.m.

[Sources: Meeting Attendees, Legal Notice, Meeting Minutes]

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - May 12, 2025

The estate of Harry G. Fisher conveyed 239 N. Second St. to Stacia J. Johnson for $1.

Dennis L. Kemmick Jr. conveyed 665 Plane St. to Jonas H. Miller for $149,900.

Lancaster Area Habitat For Humanity Inc., Lancaster Lebanon Habitat For Humanity conveyed 245 S. Fifth St. to Tesso Kasahun Mulugeta, Tucho Tibka Tolasa for $315,000.

Lancaster Area Habitat For Humanity Inc., Lancaster Lebanon Habitat For Humanity conveyed 243 S. Fifth St. to Fitwi Amanuel Fessehaye, Teklu Selamawit Tekleab for $311,500.

The estate of Carole A. Haug conveyed 642 Chestnut St. to Becky L. Murphy for $1.

Paul A. Witmer Jr. conveyed property on Purples Lane to Laura Franks for $220,000.

Distracted Driving | Department of Transportation | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law

Known as Paul Miller's Law, this law bans the use of hand-held devices while driving.

Effective June 5, 2025, the law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device (IMD) while driving a motor vehicle.

The law:

Defines an interactive mobile device as a handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the Internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data.

Defines driving as operating a motor vehicle on a highway, including anytime the motor vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device (e.g., a traffic light or stop sign), or other momentary delay.

Defines the use of an interactive mobile device as using at least one hand to hold, or supporting with another part of the body, an interactive mobile device, dialing or answering an interactive mobile device by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for an interactive mobile device that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.

MORE:

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/traveling-in-pa/safety/traffic-safety-driver-topics/distracted-driving.html 

About Town - May 11, 2025

 This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

On Tuesday, workers from Land Studies sprayed herbicide on the banks of Shawnee Run to ward off poison hemlock, mugwort, japanese hops, and other invasive plants, according to a spokesman.  

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The Pennsylvania Furniture Mission is located at 341 Chestnut Street. According to their website: "The Pennsylvania Furniture Mission is a 501(c)3 non-profit serving Pennsylvania residents experiencing challenges related to living near or below the poverty line. We work to redirect gently-used, donated furniture to families in need, keeping usable furniture out of our landfills."

No telling where they went

Big clouds

A pseudoscience from back in the day

Time to mow the astroturf at Columbia Curiosities 

On Monday, workers installed a huge HVAC unit on the roof of the National Watch & Clock Museum. 

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Different styles 

A recent addition to the grounds of the Buddhist temple 

Line work on the 700 block of Locust 

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Gas in the grass

On South Front Street 

Pothole becoming a sinkhole?

(Avenue I)

Hope on Locust

Cactus in Avenue G 

Drop Zone Danger

At the historic society 

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Checking out the rails and switches 

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Batman hanging on

They're not there anymore. 

An egret in Shawnee Run 

Completing the mural

Signs down at 4th & Chestnut 

The water level was four feet above normal Thursday into Friday. 

The public works department put up barriers and caution tape.

The geese didn't seem to mind the high water, though.

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Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - May 9, 2025

Hinkle's Restaurant, 261 Locust St., Columbia, May 1. Pass. Observed totes of food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler No. 2, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous foods (raw shell eggs) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. Observed static dust accumulation on the fume hood in the middle food preparation area. The inner walls of the ice maker in the basement are cracked and broken and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Observed a plastic container being stored in the hand-wash sink in the preparation room in the basement. Observed old food residue on the underside and spindles of the milkshake mixer.

Parma Pizza & Grill, 232 Locust St., Columbia, May 1. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection; prior violation. Observed in-use knives stored between edges of a spice holder and the cooling unit, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Observed static dust and a grease buildup on the fume hood, Ansul system, and the lights. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (hot dogs), located in the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened; prior violation. Meatballs and sauce were held at 116 F, in the front service area, rather than 135 F or above as required.
Observed a package of turkey meat thawing on top of a hot pizza oven, which is not an approved thawing method. The hand-wash sink in the front preparation area was blocked by a chair and not accessible at all times for employee use. The hand-wash sink in the employee restroom is filthy. Observed a nonfood-grade paint brush, being used to apply and oil on a pan for baking items. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous foods (assorted pizzas) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. There were five different times displayed ranging between noon and 1 p.m., displayed above 11 items, which according to the person in charge were all taken out at 11 a.m. Salami, tomatoes, cheese, steak meat, (pizza toppings) were held at 51-58 F, in the pizza prep unit, rather than 41 F or below as required. The doors to this unit do not seal properly and remain partially open, leading to the temperature increase inside and on the top. Time control for temperature safety foods are not permitted to be stored in this unit until it is maintaining a temperature of 41 F or colder. The ceiling in the back storage area is not finished, observed plastic draped in some areas due to ceiling leakage, and holes observed in the insulation sheets. Exposed insulation hanging from the open ceiling tiles in that food storage area in the back; repeat violation. Prepackaged cookies are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, and distributed by statement. Prepackaged cookies are not labeled to clearly indicate any "Big 9" allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Back door located in the storage area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Blade of the slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The food facility does not maintain food employee certification records as required. The food facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course. Food facility does not have a certified food manager certificate to display.