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' commentsJohn 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 ConsiderationsCouncilman 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]
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