Regular Council Meeting

REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023
HYBRID MEETING 7 pm

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RULES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT COUNCIL MEETINGS
Public comment at all meetings of the City Council of the City of Reading shall be governed by the following:
• Residents and/or taxpayers of the City who wish to make or submit public comment must pre-register utilizing one of three (3) following options:
1. By calling (610-655-6205) or emailing (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) the City Clerk's Office by 4 pm on the day of the meeting with your name, address and the subject matter or topic to be discussed. If you are not able to attend in-person, instructions to access the virtual meeting app or dial-in telephone number will be provided.
2. By submitting written public comment to be read into the record at the meeting by submitting an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 4pm on the day of the meeting. The email message must clearly be marked as Public Comment.
3. By registering in-person at the Council Chambers on the sign-up sheet found on the podium in Council Chambers between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of the scheduled meeting, with your name, address and the subject matter or topic to be discussed.
• No person shall be permitted to speak who is not a resident or taxpayer of the City, except upon permission of the President of Council or a majority of City Council.
• Public comment will occur only during the Public Comment period listed on the meeting agenda at which time the Presiding Officer will recognize speakers and written comment that properly registered in the order received.


CITY COUNCIL
Meeting Agenda

• All public comment shall be delivered from the podium and speakers may not approach the Council tables at any time.
• Those individuals registered to speak on agenda matters will be allotted no more than 5 minutes and those individuals registered to speak on non-agenda matters will be allotted no more than 3 minutes. The City Clerk will control a timer to monitor these time periods. When the alarm rings, a speaker must immediately end their comment. If a speaker refuses to comply, the microphone at the podium will be turned off and the next speaker will be given the floor. These time periods also apply to written comments that are being read into the record such that any written comment may only be read into the record for a 5-minute period for agenda items and a 3-minute period for non-agenda items. The President of Council or a majority of Council may grant an additional period of time in their discretion.
• If anyone is present in a group or association, each such group should designate a spokesperson to address the City Council on the group’s collective behalf in order to avoid repetitive public comments.
• Comments posted in Zoom Chat and on Facebook are not considered public comment and will not be read into the record of the meeting or addressed by City Council.
1. OPENING MATTERS
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. INVOCATION: Pastor Melvin Padilla Santos, Lamb of God ministries
C. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
D. ROLL CALL
E. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS: An Executive Session was held after the conclusion of the November 13th COW on contracts, before the November 20th COW on litigation and after the November 20th COW on contracts
2. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
• Proclamation recognizing America Recycles Day
3. PUBLIC COMMENT – AGENDA MATTERS:
• Those individuals registered to speak on agenda matters will be allotted no more than 5 minutes and those individuals registered to speak on non-agenda matters will be allotted no more than 3 minutes. The City Clerk will control a timer to monitor these time periods. When the alarm rings, a speaker must immediately end their comment. If a speaker refuses to comply, the microphone at the podium will be turned off and the next speaker will be given the floor. These time periods also apply to written comments that are being read into the record such that any written comment may only be read into the record for a 5-minute period for agenda items and a 3-minute period for non-agenda items. The President of Council or a majority of Council may grant an additional period of time in their discretion.
• All public comment must be directed to Council as a body and not to any individual Council member or public or elected official in attendance. Public comment is an opportunity to make a statement only. It is not designed for questioning and there is no guarantee or requirement for a question presented during public comment to be answered or responded to.
• Each speaker shall speak clearly and slowly.
• No speaker shall register or speak more than once at a meeting.
• A speaker shall not comment in a manner that is disruptive, scandalous, impertinent, redundant, rude, unruly, personally offensive, irrelevant to the registered topic, done for the purpose of preventing the conduct of the business of the meeting or promotion of candidates at an upcoming election, or otherwise in disregard to the rules of order or decorum. Any such comment will not be accepted or included in the record.
• In the event that a speaker or written comment violates any of these rules, that speaker or written comment will be deemed to have forfeited their right to public comment and the President of Council or a majority of City Council may direct the City Clerk to turn off the microphone or cease reading the comment into the record, have the individual removed from Council Chambers and/or cited.
• All persons in attendance are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner that does not disrupt the meeting. Clapping, calling out, cheering or interrupting speakers or the discussions of City Council during or after a public comment is not permitted. Those wishing to have conversations should do so in the hall outside Council Chambers in a low speaking voice.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA & MINUTES
A. AGENDA: Meeting of November 27, 2023
B. MINUTES: The minutes from the November 13th Regular Meeting, and the summations of discussion from the November 13th, 15th, and 20th COWs

5. Consent Agenda Legislation
The Consent Agenda is designed to provide efficient approval of non-controversial legislation that does not require discussion/debate by giving approval via acclimation when the meeting agenda is approved. The President of Council will call Council’s attention to the list of Consent Agenda legislation at the meeting before action is taken, which allows Council to remove a piece of legislation for separate consideration.
A. Award of Contract – to approve a co-stars vendor purchase from Doug Lamb Construction for $61,965.00, for the installation of a concrete floor for the Public Works pole barn
B. Award of Contract – to approve a co-stars vendor purchase from Denny Electric for $88,980 for the instillation of 2 EV vehicle chargers adjacent to City Hall
C. Resolution – regretfully accepting the resignation of Steve Karnat from the O&E Pension Board
D. Resolution – authorizing the submission of an $800,000 Local Share Account Fund grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for the Reading
Skate Park to complete Phase III construction including: bathrooms, security perimeter fencing and shaded areas for spectators and guests
E. Award of Contract – to Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc to fabricate, and install four (4) 40’ replacement dumpster rails for a total of $82,920 at the WWTP. The dewatered biosolids are placed into roll-off dumpsters outside the Solids Handling Building prior to hauling for disposal. Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc. is a COSTARS vendor.


6. ORDINANCES FOR FINAL PASSAGE
Pending Legislation for the Budget Review Process

Ordinance – 2024 Real Estate Tax Rate Introduced at the Oct 2 Special Meeting

Ordinance – 2024 Position Ordinance Introduced at the Oct 2 Special Meeting

Ordinance – 2024 General Fund Budget Introduced at the Oct 2 Special Meeting

Ordinance – 2024 Capital Budget Introduced at the Oct 2 Special Meeting
A. Bill 102-2023 – authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Borough of Kenhorst to authorize the City of Reading Police Department to provide police services within the corporate limits of the Borough of Kenhorst from 2024 – 2027 Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting
B. Bill No. 103-2023 – approving the transfer of funds totaling $64,000 within the EMS Division in the Department of Fire and Rescue Services $64,000 from Revenue Acct - 01-09-35-00-36041 (User Fees) to 01-09-35-00-42009 (Collection Expense-EMS). This transfer will provide the funds needed to pay for EMS Billing for the remainder of the year. The funds will be paid by a reallocation of funds within the Fire Department’s budgeted funds Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting
C. Bill No. 104-2023 – amending Code of Ordinances Chapter 328 Lead Based Paint per Exhibit “A” as attached Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting
D. Bill No. 105-2023 - amending City Code Fee Chapter Sections 141 Subdivision and Land Development and 147 Zoning and Historic Preservation by increasing the fees, as per Exhibit “A” attached Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting
E. Bill No. 106-2023 – authorizing the transfer of $110,000 from the ARPA Fund to Part-time wages to cover expenses from the Summer Youth Works Program. Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting
F. Bill No. 107-2023 – authorizing the commitment of the remaining balance of
Approximately $32M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding as revenue lost during the pandemic for public projects as outlined the attached exhibit. Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting
G. Bill No. 108-2023 – authorizing the amendment of the 2023 Position Ordinance by increasing the salary of the Emergency Vehicle Technician position in the Fire Department to $74,860.96 per year from $55,000 Introduced at the November 13 regular meeting


7. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
A. Ordinance – amending the General Fund Budget to authorize the transfer of $20,000 from PW Highways to PW Traffic Consulting Services to cover the costs associated with the Glen Road Survey
B. Ordinance – amending the Capital Budget by allocating $1M for the downpayment of a Pierce Enforcer 102 foot Ascendant Tiller for the Fire Department at the total cost of $1,982,500 and the balance of $982,500 to be paid over the next two years.
C. Ordinance – pursuant to section 576-402 of the Code of Ordinances, the City of Reading agrees to establishing a limited No-Parking zone located on the North side of Green Street between N. 13th Street and Linden Street during the hours of 7:30AM and 4:00PM on days when school is in session at Thirteenth and Green Elementary School only. The zone shall be posted with official signage, per City Code section 570-403.A.10. The zone is established to alleviate the double-parking and traffic congestion problems during pick-up and drop-off times for students at Thirteenth and Green Elementary School and for the purpose of improving the safety of students and other pedestrians in the area.
D. Ordinance – authorizing the appropriation of $400,000 in ARPA Funding to be used to establish and maintain temporary housing for those in need during the 2024 winter months. This effort is in conjunction with Opportunity House and other social service agencies to house and provide meals and other needed care to individuals and families who have no suitable place to live during this time.

8. RESOLUTIONS
Withdrawn By the Administration
scheduled for discussion/review Spring 2-024
Resolution 45-2023 – adopting and committing to the implementation of the Downtown Plus Strategic Master Plan as a guideline for the specified Downtown core areas described in the plan. Tabled at the April 10th regular meeting
A. Resolution – authorizing the City Council Solicitor to file a Land Use Appeal with the Berks County Court of Common Pleas appealing the decision of the Zoning Hearing Board dated November 14, 2023 for the application of Reading Hill, LLC relative to the property located at 1400 Hill Road.
B. Resolution – pursuant to City Code Section 576-105 the City of Reading authorizes a temporary, limited No-Parking zone located on the North side of Green Street between N. 13th Street and Linden Street during the hours of 7:30AM and 4:00PM on days when school is in session at Thirteenth and Green Elementary School only, effective Jan 1, 2024. The zone shall be posted with official signage by the Reading Parking Authority. Any person who shall violate any provision hereof shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty of a fine of not more than $25 together with costs of prosecution. The zone is established to alleviate the double-parking and traffic congestion problems during pick-up and drop-off times for students at Thirteenth and Green Elementary School and for the purpose of improving the safety of students and other pedestrians in the area. Also requiring the Administration to submit a recommendation on this program based on an evaluation or study by a traffic engineer to the Reading City Council and, with that recommendation and information prior to the expiration of the 90 day experimental period.

9. REPORT FROM DEPT. DIRECTORS, BOARDS, AUTHORITIES, & COMMISSIONS
Electrical Examining Board – Tim Waldman

10. COUNCIL REPORT

11. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Attached
12. REPORT FROM OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR
Attached

13. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Monday, December 4
Committee of the Whole – Council Chambers – 5 pm
Regular Meeting – Council Chambers – 7 pm
Tuesday, December 5
Public Meeting re Mt Penn Preserve Trail and Forest Stewardship Public Meeting by Natural Lands – Council Chambers – 6 pm
Monday, December 11
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Nominations & Appointments Committee – Penn Room – 4 pm
COW – Council Chambers – 5 pm
Monday, December 18
Committee of the Whole – Council Chambers – 5 pm
Regular Meeting – Council Chambers – 7 pm
**Monday, December 25
Christmas Holiday – no meeting – City Hall closed
**Tuesday, December 26
Christmas Holiday – City Hall closed

15. ADJOURN