May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING was held on' Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in the Millersville Borough Public Meeting Room located at 1001 Municipal Drive,  Millersville, Pennsylvania.  COUNCIL MEMBERS  Lauren E. Hauck Lynn M. Miller Linda L. Bellile Mary Ann Gerber, Absent  David T. Aichele, Mayor Christopher Hubbs Darlene Eager Maggie Weidinger  OTHERS PRESENT  Sue McCullough, Millersville Borough Receptionist David Sykes, 344 Valley Rd, Millersville Dorothy Imel, 1902 Blue Ridge Dr, Lancaster Sam Bigler, 17 Wabank Rd, Millersville  Elaine Walmer, LNP  David & Linda Chalfant, 128 Landis Ave, Millersville Steve & Phyllis Giberson, 332 Manor Ave, Millersville Pat Reinhart, 433 Brookview Dr, Millersville Jeff & Wendy Rambish, 2102 Millersville Pk, Lancaster Elizabeth & Paul West, 3 Chamberlain Ln, Millersville Melissa Hohman, 50 Glen Oaks Dr, Lancaster Karen Hoffer, 49 Glen Oaks Dr, Lancaster Victor DeSantis, Millersville University Gary Hess, 4531 N George St, Millersville Karen Labiak, 105 N Duke St, Millersville Susan Guggenheim, 3421 Manor Ave, Millersville Michael Hershey, Director of Operations, Immerse International Corey Hamilton, CFO, Landis Communities Evon Bergey, COO, Landis Communities Claude Hicks, SVP, HDC MidAtlantic  Ed Kaminski, Director, Landis Quality Living, Landis Communities  At 7:00pm, President Hauck, began the Public Hearing for the LERTA Ordinance and stated, no action would be taken at this meeting. She said a LERTA, Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance District would be created. The Ordinance is to re-establish the district which was created in 2016. The property is at 321 Manor Avenue and is currently 501(c)(3) and no taxes are being paid to the Borough. This hearing is an opportunity for public comments. Darlene Eager, Councilwoman, asked representatives from Immerse/Landis Communities, ift they have received any funding for the project thus far. Ed Kaminski, Landis Communities, stated they have an application into the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority for a home loan, which is a standard funding source: for affordable! housing, and was submitted last week. The application to PHFA for tax credits, will be submitted by June 30, 2022. He said they also have a commitment of $100,000.00 from Landis Communities for a capital commitment to the project. There is also one other grant for $50,000.00 for the budget. Ms. Eager addressed Mr. Kaminski and said, in the past, you stated, ifthere is no LERTA, then there is no project and she asked ift this is still correct. Mr. Kaminski stated feasibility is a critical issue and  1of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCILI MEETING MINUTES  some projects get funding from PHFA without a LERTA, because they happen to be feasible, but this project, which has been applied for three times, still has not gotten tax credits. Currently, the project is not feasible without LERTA, because the higher taxes in year one, reduces the amount ofhard debt that can be placed on the property. Lynn Miller, Councilwoman asked ifthel LERTA isa approved, and you go back tol PHFA and still do not get the loan, then what happens? Mr. Kaminski stated their agreement with Immerse is for two developments on the property. One for affordable housing and one: for middle market and mixed use and they would have to re-evaluate the mixed income portion oft the project. Ms. Miller asked ifit is common to go back tol PHFA a number of times to get funding approval. Mr. Kaminski stated it can take three times. Itis uncommon to take four times but Immerse/Landis Communities has taken the feedback from PHFA and with the LERTA, they feel they will be successful this time. President Hauck then asked for comments from the public and stated representatives: from Immerse/Landis Communities will have time to respond, after comments are heard, and Council Members will A resident who attended the April 26, 2022, Council meeting, which LERTA was discussed, gave ai report on: information she researched from PHFA regarding LERTA. She stated at the last meeting, Immerse/Landis Communities said the expired LERTA was the issue in not: receiving funding from PHFA, because the project is not feasible without LERTA. This resident emailed PHFA, regarding additional information on the application submitted and how Landis Communities scored on that application. The resident strongly recommended that Millersville Borough hold off approving a new LERTA for the property at 321 Manor Ave, until 2023, soi it can be used as ai negotiating tool. The LERTA should not be approved without aj plan, contact list ofall developers/partners involved, and a guaranteed funding source, in writing. Concerns were given regarding low-income housing in Millersville Borough. A resident stated she used tol live in a 55+ community, but when the park owners were not able to sell to that specific age group, the homes were opened up to the public. In the twenty years she lived there, it went from a pristine park to ai run-down trailer park. She then moved tol Millersville. She feels Millersville does not need: more. low-income housing. She does not want her taxes to goup because someone wants to own a property and not pay taxes on it. She stated she also did research A resident asked for LERTA to be explained. She stated Borough residents pay the third highest taxes in Lancaster County and does not want to see her taxes go up to support someone else making al lot ofmoney on something across the street from her property. She stated she has no problem with 55+ housing, but when they cannot fill the units, it will become college housing and property values are going to decline. Her concern is the project will not sustain the historic value A member of the audience asked ift the Borough knew what the taxes would be for this property, when iti is finished, and how much ini taxes would the Borough be losing over the ten years. A discussion followed regarding estimated taxes paid during the LERTA period. Ms. Weidinger stated, right now we are getting no tax dollars for this property and if we do not do anything, at the end of those ten years, there will be no taxes unless something is built there. A question was asked ift there could be a LERTA for other than ten years ahd asked to consider an eight year  give their final comments at the end.  and feels this project should not go through.  ofMillersville Borough.  LERTA.  2of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCILI MEETING MINUTES  Comments were made in regards to additional expenses involved ift this project goes through. There will be additional traffic to deal with, and also road work which may need tol be done for completion oft the project, and who is going toj pay for that work. A: resident stated Immerse A question was asked, when the LERTA becomes effective? Is it when they break ground or when the project is finished? Ms. Weidinger responded, they would have to wait for Lancaster County to come out and assess the property and LERTA would begin after occupancy is President Hauck asked the applicants to comment. Ed Kaminski, Director ofLandis Quality Living/Landis Communities introduced those in attendance at the meeting; Michael Hershey, Director of Operations-Immerse International, Corey Hamilton, CFO -Landis Communities, Evon Bergey, COO-Landis Communities, Claude Hick, SVP-HDC MidAtlantic. Mr. Kaminski stated each representative would like to take a few minutes to address questions and the erroneous statements made. Landis Communities would like toi invest in Millersville and' believes whole heartedly in providing quality housing for both those with middle and lower incomes. Mr. Kaminski stated lower incomes today, are things that Landis Communities housing, for this project, would not provide. He stated rental pricing will be ini the range of $600.00, $700.00, $800.00 and low-income people would not be qualified and it would be looked at, as moderate- income housing. This housing comes with services toj provide quality places to live. Ms. Eager stated that Mr. Kaminski, previously said rentals would be $280.00- - $1,000.00. He replied the $500.00-5800.00 rent range would be the majority of the units, which is meant for people with incomes 0f.25900.00535,00.00 range. Thei rest oft the development is middle income, with rent between 1,200.00-52,500.00 range and is for those with higher incomes. There will also be commercial space with a doctor's office and ai restaurant. This is al high-quality construction Michael Hershey spoke on behalfofImmerse. He stated Ed: McMannes, Executive Director is currently traveling and his wife, Joan! McMannes, was not able to attend the meeting. Michael read a letter from Joan. In the letter, she stated, that she and Ed live at and work at] Immerse. They support Landis Communities and this project. Immerse is a non-profit facility providing housing for college and international students. They are excited the Borough will receive tax dollars from aj portion of the property. She wanted Council and those present tonight, tol know they have turned down contractual relationships with others who have requested to do projects on1 this property; Wawa-with gas pumps, CVS, Dollar General and other companies. They have said no to potential projects because they did not feel it fit the: needs ofMillersville Borough. She believes ini the partnership with Landis Communities, a trusted leader in quality housing and quality services and hopes that Millersville Borough Council will vote to approve this short-term tax exemption. Corey Hamilton wanted to emphasize, you can not assume a project is going tol happen and LERTA: is used to encourage certain types of developments and for Council to frame what happens, in certain places in the Borough. The risk is, ifyou do not encourage development, properties such as Immerse will stay with nominal or zero taxes. They are: not trying to doa project with no taxes, they are trying to do a project which is more feasible with LERTA. The PHFA scores which were mentioned earlier ini the meeting, are not given to the applicant when the application is declined, but PHFA's feedback stated, they had a great project except for the fact that the LERTA had expired. Projects are very complex and are very hard to get off the  should have toj pay full taxes to take the burden off the residents.  approved.  project and will be an asset to the community.  3of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  ground. Having al LERTA inj place, helps to provide some time to get the project going andi in a position to pay taxes. Market studies show the units will fill-up and the project will be very successful. Senior housing is different from other types of] lower income housing. Evon Bergey stated they are. here to answer resident's questions and concerns. Landis Quality Living's mission is toj provide housing and services for older adults. Support services are required by PHFA, such as care: navigation (nurse or social worker) to helpi individuals as they age. Landis Communities will be working with the Millersville University's graduate nursing program. Claude Hicks said he understands resident's concerns. He hears these concerns all the time and he is the person sent out to address them and make sure the residents receive the correct information. The application will be submitted to PHFA by 6-30-22 and they expect to get an answer around late fall ori into November. Landis Communities will have a commitment oft thirty years of ownership. Statutes and rules are required and must abide by. The project must be built in a specified amount oftime and there are specific rules on ages oft those residing in the units. Owners and investors make sure his project can be stabilized and sustained over the project's thirty year. The combination ofthese two projects is a $40,000,000.00: investment in Millersville.  Landis Communities would like tol be aj part ofthe community. President Hauck then asked for comments from Borough Council.  Darlene Eager expressed concerns as to the purpose OfLERTA. Through research, she found LERTA is for dilapidated properties and to make something out of those properties, and this does not describe the property at 321 Manor Ave. She is not against LERTA,. just LERTA for this project. Also, ifthe property at 321 Manor Ave is not needed for tax exempt and is now put out there tol be built on, why is part ofthe property already tax exempt. Ms. Weidinger replied,  they are eligible by Federal Guidelines.  Lynn Miller stated the water tower is going up and construction will begin in the Borough and would hate to think what else could go in at that property, instead of the project being proposed. She said al lot of properties start out as saying senior living but change because it wasn't in the deed, or it wasn'ti in the rules. The fact there willl be written verification on the age rules, addressed her concerns regarding this happening for the proposed project. She stated this sounds  like a good project for Millersville Borough.  Maggie Weidinger stated about twenty years ago, these same conversations were. had, with the first LERTA, and what could be put on this land. She personally feels this is thel best project for that property. She mentioned a comment that was said earlier, regarding this being a negotiating tool and that is what this is. When we support aj project because we really like it, one oft the tools we have is the LERTA on this one property. With that said, we have not seen aj plan yet. When it goes to the Planning Commission, that is where negotiating of the plans comes in, as to traffic, how it will look, where sidewalks are going to go, where the buffers willl be, ifyou have ahouse next door. This is where we stay on top ofit. She: feels Landis Valley is an honorable organization and has been in Lancaster County al long time. Before we throw this away, Council should look long and hard ati it, as to what could be there ifs something like this does not go in. for the future oft the Borough. Planning Commission and Comprehensive Plan-Steering  President Hauck stated her main concern is the same as the residents, which is what is best  4of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  Committee will be a long term help as far as commercial compliance in the Borough to feed into the tax base and help the Borough. One oft the pieces oft the project she appreciates, is the large benefit of walkability in the Borough. It potentially could give people and students aj place to spend money. The feedback from Planning Commission is extremely positive and do worry about what other type of businesses could end up on this property. President Hauck stated thel hearing is now closed. No action would be taken at this meeting and will be at the next schedule meeting. She thanked everyone for attending and participating. She informed the audience, the meeting  will now continue with the rest oft the Council Agenda. CITIZENS' REQUESTS OR CONCERNS  None MINUTES:  A motion was made by Ms. Weidinger and seconded by Ms. Miller to approve the April 26, 2022, Borough Council minutes. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. A motion was made by Ms. Hauck and seconded by Ms. Bellile to approve the May 10, 2022, Borough Council Minutes. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote with Ms. Weidinger abstaining from the vote  because she did not attend the May 10, 2022, meeting.  NEW BUSINESS None  REPORTS OF BOARDS. COMMITTEES. AND COMMISSIONS  BLUE ROCK REGIONAL FIRE COMMISSION  None  PLANNING COMMISSION - STEERING COMMITTEE  President Hauck stated the Planning/Steering Committee Meeting will be held on. June 2, 2022, at the Borough Office. Mike Weidinger, Chair-Planning Commission stated the public meeting held on May 5, 2022, had a large turnout, around100 people. The Committee is looking forward to completion of the Comprehensive Plan. The meetings are held the first Thursday of every month. There will be additional public hearings before adoption ofthe plan.  PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE  Lynn Miller, Chair-Personnel Advisory Committee stated they met on May 11, 2022. Police Officer Jason Hottenstein is retiring effective August 1, 2022, and he is the current School Resource Officer for Penn Manor High School. This Committee voted to accept his retirement. Before this retirement, the Police Force had twelve full-time and two part-time officers. After Office Hottenstein's1 retirement, the force goes down to eleven full-time and two part-time. Millersville Borough Police Department requests the department stays at twelve full-time and two part-time officers, which means hiring another officer. Ms. Miller made a motion out of  5of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCILI MEETING MINUTES  committee, to approve the Police Force's request to begin the work, to hire another officer to replace Officer Hottenstein. President Hauck stated it does not need a second motion sincei iti is  out of committee. Motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.  Ms. Miller stated, as mentioned at previous meetings, the Borough Manager resigned, and we are currently without a Borough Manager. The Committee has started the search and had an interview last week. This will be discussed during Executive Session held later in the Meeting. PUBLIC WELFARE AND PUBLIC WORKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT  Linda Bellile, Chair-Public Welfare and Public Works Advisory Committee stated a meeting was held on May 19, 2022. A presentation was given by members of the Humane Society ofthe U.S. They requested creation of an ordinance "Sale of Animals", preventing puppy-selling at pet stores in Millersville. Council received a sample of the ordinance to review. This is supported by the Pennsylvania SPCA. A pet retail sales ban has been enacted in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and the Boroughs of Sharpsburg, Bellevue and Wilkinsburg. No motion to adopt will be made at this meeting. Ms. Bellile asked Ms. Weidinger to do some investigation, sO Borough  Council can make an educated decision.  Ms. Bellile asked President Hauck to comment on the Climate Action Plan. President Hauck said the Borough participated in a yearlong free program from the State ofl Pennsylvania. Two Penn State students did research for the Borough and gave their final presentation at the April 26, 2022 Borough Council Meeting. Ms. Weidinger stated the motion is to acknowledge the Climate. Action Plan and not to adopt the plan. Ms. Eager asked what does acknowledgment of the plan mean? Ms. Weidinger and President Hauck stated it puts the plan into the minutes as framework that Council has received the plan and can take recommendations from the plan as needed. This framework does not tie future Councils into having to act on any part oft the Climate Action Plan. In the future, this information could be used when applying for grants. Pennsylvania has adopted a Climate Action Plan. President Hauck made the motion to Acknowledge the Framework oft the Climate Action Plan. With no further discussion, the motion passed by  unanimous voice vote except Ms. Eager voted no, opposed.  Ms. Bellile stated Millersville University Facilities Department presented updates on projects in the Borough. The Shenks Lane & W. Frederick St intersection project: a beacon is being installed and it is button activated. The construction began on. May 9, 2022, with completion by the end of May. The barrels will be removed, and the intersection willl be closely monitored. Borough Street Vacation Status: Discussion on vacation consents with diagrams, was held. The Borough solicitor has provided all details and the University will be consulting with her. Discussion was held on the Creek Drive-Heisey Tract. Millersville University provides all maintenance and snow: removal. Access is needed forl kayaks near the pump station location on Creek Drive. East Frederick St, which is one way with parallel parking is due to expire in August 2022 and will need to be updated. Concrete Repairs and Curb] Repairs: These repairs are scheduled for the Summer of2022 on Cottage Ave, N. George St and High School. Sidewalks will be. ADA compliant, and the University will be submitting forj permits and working with  PennDOT.  FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE  6of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Maggie Weidinger, Chair-Finance Advisory Committee made ai motion to approve the April Financial Statements. Ms. Miller seconded the motion. President Hauck asked ifthere were  any questions or discussion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.  Ms. Weidinger made a motion to approve the exemption of park fees for Millersville Meals on Wheels. Ms. Weidinger stated they are on the list of businesses the Borough provides funds to and it does not make sense to fund them and then have them pay for the pavilion reservation. Ms. Eager seconded the motion. This exemption will continue as long as the Borough funds this organization. Mayor Aichele asked about waiving pavilion reservation fees for non- profit organizations and Ms. Weidinger stated, this would be handled on a case-by-case basis.  With no further discussion, motion passed by unanimous voice vote.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Dave Aichele gave an update on the Penn Manor School Resource Officer. Officer Hottenstein was the School Resource Officer and will be retiring. There was an interview with Penn Manor, and they have met Officer Jason Turner and they liked his approach. Hel has shadowed Officer Hottenstein over the last few weeks. Paperwork will be coming back to Council regarding Officer Jason Turner being appointed the School Resource Officer and will start in the  fall ofthis year.  Mayor Aichele hosted the Lancaster County Mayors Association meeting on May 11, 2022, at the Millersville Borough Office. There are nineteen mayors and a few ex-mayors in the association. Mayor. Aichele provided lunch for the attendees. Hej presented Dick Moriarty, former Mayor of Millersville Borough, with a plaque for his sixteen years ofs service to the community. Mayor Aichele reviewed the Millersville Borough Monthly Police Report for April 2022. Mayor. Aichele gave information on the Penn Manor Unified Track and Field Team which is ai new program that enables students with disabilities to compete in organized sports. Student  athletes compete alongside partners without disabilities.  PENN MANOR REPORT  None  MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY REPORT  Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President for External Affairs & Chiefo of Staff with Millersville University, stated there are: many projects going on at the University and in the Borough and hei is so impressed with how the University staff and the Borough staff! has been working together. Itis ag great cooperation of Town and Gown. Commencement was held and four inches of rain fell over graduation weekend. The ceremonies had tol be moved inside and instead of one large commencement on Saturday, there were: four mini commencements held. It seemed to be very successful. Over 1,000 under-graduate students graduated on Saturday and 200 in the graduate program received their diplomas on Friday. Mr. Jacob Marino is the new Executive Director of  the HUB, which provides a great outreach to the community.  7of8    May 24, 2022  MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  BOROUGH SECRETARY REPORT  None  PRESIDENT'S REPORT None  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  None  EXECUTIVE SESSION  At 8:22pm, President Hauck made ai motion to move into Executive Session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Bellile. President Hauck stated no action would be taken during the  Executive Session.  The Borough Council Meeting reconvened at 8:39pm. President Hauck stated no action  would be taken from the Executive Session.  ADJOURNMENT meeting at 8:41pm  Having no further business to discuss, President Hauck: made ai motion to adjourn the  Mary Gmns Serben Mary Ann Gerber Borough Secretary  MAG/sam  8of8