4 1 Town of Williamsport Mayor & Town Council Regular Session Meeting Minutes - August 19, 2024 On August 19, 2024, the Mayor & Town Council for the Town of Williamsport held a Regular Session. Those members oft the elected body who were present included Mayor William Green, Assistant Mayor Dennis Grove, Councilman Jim Braswell, Councilman Charles Brown, Councilman Earle Pereschuk, Councilman Ben Tinsley, and Councilperson Margaret Yaukey. Town employees in attendance were Chad Rooney, Town Manager, Ed Kuczynski, Town Attorney, and Linda Kuczynski, Town Planner. Mayor Green called the meeting to order at 4:00pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Green requested a motion to approve the July 8, 2024, Regular Session meeting minutes. Councilman Brown motioned to approve the minutes as presented; Councilman Tinsley seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green requested a motion to approve the August 9, 2024, Work Session meeting minutes. Councilman Tinsley motioned to approve the minutes as presented; Councilperson Yaukey seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green requested a motion to approve the August 12, Work Session meeting minutes. Councilman Pereschuk motioned to approve the minutes as presented; Assistant Mayor Grove seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green noted there is not a report from the Board ofElection Supervisors, Board ofZoning Appeals, History & Museum Board, Land Use, Legal Counsel, nor Sheriff's Office. Councilperson Yaukey gave a report as liaison of the Planning Commission. During their most recent meeting, the commission discussed potential for the Canal Headquarters to begin work on housing for interns to live near the facility, the bike shop opened and has been servicing bicycles, the bakery has opened, and business is going well, and there are several businesses looking to open in the downtown area in the next few months. The commission also discussed traffic calming in the downtown area and will continue researching ideas. Councilperson Yaukey noted a potential increase in electrical rates which are likely unavoidable. Councilman Pereschuk reported the pool being closed and a rough end to the season for pool employees. He added the conversation of2025 operations will continue with the Mayor and Town Manager. Councilman Brown reported on a successful C & Canal days and acknowledge the boats at the canal did not operate all weekend long, only Saturday. He added that everyone should be looking for information on the Harvest Hoedown event held at the Springfield Barn. Assistant Mayor Grove noted the work to the Springfield Barn is nearly complete. Councilman Tinsley had no report for the Mayor and Town Council. Councilman Braswell offered a compliment to the town employees as the streets are looking clean and that public safety should be at the forefront of everyone's minds, especially with school being in session. Mayor Green asked for a formal vote to increase the salaries of pool employees as previously discussed during the Emergency Session earlier this month. Councilperson Yaukey motioned to approve the increases retroactively to August 9, 2024; Councilperson Pereschuk seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green requested approval to utilize Shaeffer Fireworks for the 2025 Independence Day celebration. Councilman Brown motioned to approve the request as presented and allow the Mayor and Town Manager to secure services for July 4, 2025; Assistant Mayor Grove seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The Town Manager outlined the town's ability implement virtual payments to the metered areas of Town Center. The town can either utilize an advertised request for proposals publicized by OMNIA Partners, of which the town is a member, and set a cost at Town Council's direction. Councilman Braswell motioned to implement the program, allow the Mayor and Town Manager to move forward with documentation to install the program, and set the virtual rate at $1.00 per hour; Assistant Mayor Grove Seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The Town Planner presented a request from the property owner and business at 30 North Conococheague Street, to install an awning over the entranceway. Mike Creek, owner of Ruth's Market provided a preliminary drawing to explain the project. The Town Planner explained this would require an ordinance to authorize and allow the property owner and business to work together to begin installing the awning. Permission authorized by this ordinance would not transfer to the next property owner. Assistant Mayor Grove made a motion to pass as an emergency ordinance, Ordinance 2024-06 to authorize the installation of the awning as presented; Councilperson Yaukey seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The Town Planner and Selena Wilkes, Port 44, presented an idea to install bike parking hangers on various buildings owned by Port 44. The idea was discussed with the Town Council asking questions of the idea and how bicycles are parked in other areas. The Town Attorney and Town Planner explained this also would require an ordinance to allow Port 44 to begin moving forward. The request this evening is to allow for the bicycle shop to hang a bike hanger on the property at 22 North Conococheague Street and authorize it through ordinance, like the awning in the previous request. Councilman Brown made a motion to pass as an emergency ordinance, Ordinance 2024- 07 to authorize the installation ofthe bike hanger as presented; Assistant Mayor Grove seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green presented information regarding the services ofManno & Associates for consulting services and the money provided to the town as a direct result of their services. Mayor Green recommended continuation of services and asked for a motion to reflect such. Assistant Mayor Grove made a motion to continue services with Manno & Associates for another: year; Councilman Pereschuk seconded; the motion passed unanimously The Town manager explained the need to have formal authorization to cease work on the Boat Ramp Project as the state has already withdrew funding. The reason for the withdrawal ofs support is due to the town's lack of ownership of the proposed property and First Energy's lack of cooperation to allow the town a lease termed long enough to allow for construction. Councilman Braswell motioned to approve the Town Manager's request as presented; Councilman Pereschuk seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The Town Manager provided a recommendation to approve Mackin Engineers at a cost of $40,000.00 to complete the town's comprehensive plan update. The town was approved $40,000.00 to complete the project limiting the ability to look at firms who submitted a proposal over this amount. Councilman Brown made a motion to approve the Town Manager's and Town Planner's recommendation to contract with Mackin Engineers in the amount of $40,000.00; Councilman Pereschuk seconded; the motion passed unanimously. The Town Manager explained the need to advertise Request for Proposals 2024-01 to complete the demolition and rebuild of the bathrooms at Doub Park. Councilman Braswell made a motion to advertise the request for proposals; Councilman Brown seconded; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Green provided an update on a previous motion by the Town Council to move forward with the purchase of the Manor House. Mayor Green explained the town now has enough money to make a notable offer and outlined several reasons to do SO now. Mayor Green explained that he has provided directions to the Town Manager and Town Attorney to see an offer drafted to present to the property owners and wait for their reply. Ideas about the future use of the property were discussed, but Mayor Green noted, nothing can be done, and grants can't be applied for until we own the property. Mayor Green asked ifthere was public comment; Will Ball outlined the need for money to support the purchase of an ambulance at the Williamsport Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. He explained the cost of an ambulance and outfitting may be several hundreds of thousands of dollars and he is searching for monetary support. Will outlined the services provided locally by the department. The Mayor and Twon Council advised they will consider the request, but there in limited money currently available to the Town as American rescue Plan Act money was spent majorly on the streets and recent sewer work. Assistant Mayor Grove made a motion to recess the Regular Session and go into Executive Session; the motion was seconded by Councilman Brown; the motion passed unanimously. The Mayor and Town Council began the Executive Session at 5:42pm. Assistant Mayor Grove made a motion to end the Executive Session and resume in a Regular Session; Councilman Brown seconded; the Regular Session was resumed at 6:03pm Assistant Mayor Grove made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Councilman Tinsley seconded; the meeting was adjourned at 6:09pm. Réspectfully Tendered, Chad P. Rooney Town Manager