Meeting of the Whole April 27, 2015

Agenda (Click for larger view.)

Quick summary of meeting highlights:
Present: Councillors Ford, Murphy, Smith, Beury, Weisser, and Barninger; Acting Borough Manager Ron Miller, Finance Manager Georgianna Schreck.
Absent: Mayor Lutz and borough solicitor
Presentation by Daisy Pagan regarding management of Northwest River Trail Services Building:
Daisy Pagan of Perfect Settings stated (regarding building rental):  “It’s about quality not quantity.” She said it could be rented every weekend, but there are “enough fire halls” to cover other events.  She has her own list of caterers that she would use.  She suggested that she and the borough split rental fees 50/50.  She attended the meeting with a 3-year contract in hand, stipulating $9,000 a year over the course of the contract, plus a commission on each event. 
Jim Cox of Chiques Rock Outfitters spoke regarding the River Park:
Cox began by thanking the police department for apprehending a man that crashed into his vehicles on Lancaster Avenue.
He wants to install a vending machine for bait and miscellaneous items related to fishing and boating.  He has to have electricity and a cement pad to do so.  If the borough approves, he will need a permit to proceed.  
He also presented an offer to the borough regarding the cleaning of the restrooms in the Trail Services building.  He offered to clean them twice a day on Saturdays and Sundays, if the borough does not raise his rent for space in the park.  The borough custodial staff will clean them on weekdays.  
Claire Storm was present and spoke about a letter she hand presented to the office for council:  
Council knew nothing about the letter.  They believe it may have gone to Jeff Helm.  Claire requested use of the Trail Services Building on August 16th for a church picnic (St. Peters).  She requested a timely answer.  

Mary Loreto discussed Avenue J:
Mary Loreto stated that she had spoken to Mayor Lutz on the phone, and he suggested that Avenue J could be divided, with half given to each property bordering it: 120 and 106 South Second Street.  She also stated that the Mayor proposed dumping stones in the alley.  She proposed closing the avenue at each end (South Second Street and Bank Avenue).  She suggested that Ron Miller could apply for a grant for necessary improvements such as exposing the original bricks.  (Jim Smith implied that grants are hard to come by anymore.)  She added that Chis Vera, president of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, plans to take walking tours down Avenue J.  She also stated that there is plenty of on-street parking along South Second Street, although some residents have argued that parking is a problem. Council President Beury suggested enough time has been spent on the matter.  Several residents of South Second Street were also present and voiced opinions.  Councillor Barninger stated that no more than two council members may go to Avenue J at a time or else it has to be advertised. Beury said he does not want to take away anyone’s rights, in regard to the parking space in back of 120 South Second.  No one from that residence was present at the meeting.  Ash Alley presented a bit of confusion for some members of council.  Only two council members stated that they actually walked both Avenue J and Ash Alley and not necessarily at the same time, as was discussed at the March meeting.

Columbia Borough Police patrol Avenue J on Tuesday afternoon.

COLUMBIA SPY – WHY?

Recently, the name of this site changed from “Columbia PA 17512” to COLUMBIA SPY.

WHY?

Because . . .

  • It’s shorter and easier to say “Columbia Spy” than “Columbia PA 17512” when someone asks the name of the site. It’s also easier to remember.
  • Similarly, it’s easier to say columbiaspy.com instead of columbiapa-17512.blogspot.com when asked the site’s URL (web address).
  • Columbia Borough is steeped in . . . HISTORY.  “Columbia Spy” has a certain archaic yet appealing ring to it, connected as it is to the original publication, “The Columbia Spy.” The name of this site is a tribute to that former publication. It’s much too good and evocative a name to be left sitting forgotten on the shelf of history, gathering dust (even though issues of the original can be retrieved digitally).
  • Last and probably least, this site’s logo/avatar looks a lot like one of the spies in the cartoon “Spy vs Spy.”

Arbor Day observance on a cold and windy day

A large crowd defied the chilly winds on Friday at the 24th annual Arbor Day observance at Locust Street Park, which included music by Stu Huggins and George Keyser, recognition of coloring contest winners and other award recipients, and an appearance by Smokey the Bear.  Emily Anderson, a Columbia High School senior, read the Joyce Kilmer poem, “Trees,” and a tree was planted in memory of Jeff Fortna.
 Members of Scout Troop 35 recite the pledge

 Smokey and friends

 Coloring contest winners Zachary Detz, Bailey Finegan, and Breanna Young

Friends and family of Jeff Fortna planted a tree in his memory . . .

 Scouts braving the cold
Shade Tree Commission Chairman Bill Kloidt, Jr. and a well-known celebrity

The Litter Letter Project

Columbia Borough will launch a project next week that seeks to send a message through art. The letters PRIDE will be displayed at Columbia River Park this summer.

The project is inspired by The Litter Letter Project which began in Louisiana by Rachael Hatley, who back in 2013 used it to build a one-word message to her community. More information can be found at www.thelitterletterproject.com

The idea has since spread to other states. Columbia Borough will be the first in Lancaster County to use the concept with the hope this will inspire the PRIDE in Columbia residents and increase awareness of the need to recycle.

A special thank you to Butcher along with Chris Bongart and Chas Snyder, of Garage Boyz Powder Coating, who donated, created and constructed the 5-foot tall letters out of steel bars and chicken wire for the Borough.

On Friday, May 1, 2015, the public will get its first chance to contribute to the project at the River Park Trail Services Building Dedication and Celebration. Help fill the letters by bringing bottles and jars with lids. Make sure you bring your camera to get a picture taken with the letters. Send the picture to the Borough at columbiaborough@comcast.net . It will get posted on the Boroughs website and may get posted on the litter letter project website for all to see.

Also, for those that bring recyclables to the event  on Friday, they may enter a drawing to win a free visit to the Turkey Hill experience.

COLUMBIA RECYCLES
Borough Offices: 308 Locust Street, Columbia PA 17512 |Phone: 717-684-2467