Phoenixville Council in a Nutshell: Borough Hall Bond, Parking and More

The first regular meeting of 2012 led to an outburst of emotion over parking permits and also resulted in a final decision on a bond for a new borough hall.

Council President Richard Kirkner was absent and newly appointed Vice President Mike Speck ran Tuesday's meeting.

Here’s a quick look at what happened Tuesday evening:

Council Unanimously Approves $22.8 Million Bond

What Happened: Financial Adviser Gary Pulcini was before council to go over the results of Tuesday’s bond auction. The borough rolled 2003 bonds into a 2012 bond issuance and also added $10.9 million in new debt, with $500,000 for the borough sewer system, $2 million for the water system, $8 million for a new borough hall and the remainder for the costs of issuing the bond.

Pulcini told council the borough has a AA bond rating and he commended the borough’s timing, as the bond buyer index was very suitable.

“You’re in a very exclusive club [with a AA bond rating],” Pulcini said.

How It Affects Residents: By consolidating the old 2003 debt with the new 2012 debt, the borough saved $1.6 million, Pulcini said. Because of the payoff schedule, there will also not be another tax increase associated with the 2012 debt.

The $10.9 million in new debt means a 0.71 mill hike in taxes, however, which made up the majority of the 19 percent tax increase approved by council at the end of 2011.

Background: Council has been working on the bond . You can find out more about the borough hall project .

Residents Angry About New Parking Permits

What Happened: Two residents engaged in a heated debate with borough staff and council members at Tuesday’s meeting over a new residential parking permit program.

Though the residents were told that the program has been in the works for more than a year, they protested, saying they weren’t aware of the changes. One of the biggest issues the residents had was with the visitor passes, which residents of the 200 and 300 blocks of Hall and Church streets will have to pay $5 for if they have someone coming to stay for more than two hours who wants to park on either of those streets between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

At Tuesday's meeting, council voted unanimously to reinstate an ad-hoc parking steering committee for 2012 and several members told the two audience members that the ordinance, which goes into effect Feb. 1, is a work in progress and may change in the future.

How It Affects Residents: The residential permits cost $15 per year and allow residents of the 200 and 300 blocks of Hall and Church streets to park in those blocks for more than two hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Two permits are issued per residence and visitors’ passes, which are good for two weeks, may also be purchased for $5 at borough hall.

Background: A public hearing was held on the ordinance and to ask for tweaks to the new permit system. The parking steering policy committees for residential permitting for more than a year, and a survey was delivered to residents in the area.

Candidates Interviewed for Open Planning Commission, Zoning Positions

What Happened: Seven borough residents—coincidentally, three from Northridge Village—came forth to introduce themselves and be interviewed for open positions on borough boards and commissions. Most were applying solely for a planning commission spot vacated when Kyle Guie was elected to serve on council.

For the open zoning hearing board spot, council voted 5-2, with Councilwoman Dana Dugan (D-West) and Councilman Jim Kovaleski (D-West) opposing and Kirkner (D-North) absent, to reappoint Walt Rubel to the five-year term.

No decision was made on the planning commission appointment. Two applicants were absent. It was also noted that two more seats—those belonging to Marcia Eldred and Ron Knabb—will be up for reappointment on March 31. Borough Manager Jean Krack said whether or not Eldred and Knabb would seek reappointment hadn’t been discussed yet.

How It Affects Residents: Most likely, the new appointment to planning commission will be part of implementing the borough’s comprehensive plan, which hasn’t been previously updated for decades. Planning commissin members also weigh in on new development in the borough.

Background: The planning commission seat opened up due to in the November municipal election. Previously in 2011, Jennifer Mayo was chosen for the Middle Ward seat that opened following a resignation and her on planning commission as well, and several of the same candidates are interviewing this time.

Phoenixville Opposing Redistricting

What Happened: Council voted unanimously to oppose the redistricting plan put in place by the state legislature.

The redistricting map for Phoenixville was changed after the public comment period closed and three precincts—North 3, West 1 and Middle 1—were moved into the 155th House of Representatives district.

Mayor Leo Scoda noted that the changes mean the downtown has been taken out of the 157th, which covers the remainder of the borough.

“It would be very detrimental to Phoenixville as a whole,” Scoda said.

An appeal was filed Tuesday with the state’s Supreme Court and Scoda explained that the appeal will not cost the borough anything. A hearing is expected later in January, Scoda said.

How It Affects Residents: Depending on where you live in the borough, you may have a different state representative than your neighbor. Currently, Rep. Warren Kampf represents the 157th district, and Rep. Curt Schroder, who is set to retire, represents the 155th district. Scoda said the borough has never been split before.

Background: In the final plans for redistricting, the as far as House districts were concerned.

Just before approval, however, the three voting precincts—including downtown Phoenixville—were spun off and separated as the lines were redrawn.