Last night’s Council meeting featured a packed agenda, a bigger than normal gallery of persons in attendance, some insightful discussion and some contentious debate displays. During the nearly three and a quarter-hour meeting, the councilors, mayor, borough solicitor, borough manager, some citizens, representatives from special interest groups and a citizen exchanged ideas, viewpoints and insinuations in a spirited meeting. Columbia news, views and reviews counted a total of 19 persons in the audience. 

May council meeting agenda

Notes:

• Sager Swisher and Company’s Mike Reiner presented an overview of the 2010 audit. He stated the borough managed an increase in assets of some $171 thousand and that shows an uptick in the economic health of the borough. There was discussion about the “legacy” post-retirement programs that will impact the borough’s budgets in future years. The borough manager stated that “We haven’t raised taxes in three years.” He also said, “We have managed grant opportunities.”
• There was discussion about the issue of handicap accessible parking designation spaces. The mayor stated that he and the police have spot-checked and found no violations. They found that cars parked in designated handicapped accessible spaces displayed the appropriate designations on or in the vehicles. PA Narrative for Person(s) With Disability Parking Placards/Plates
• The mayor stated there were a number of automotive break-in’s recently. He cautioned residents to (1) lock your vehicles; (2) do not leave items in your car in plain sight; (3) report any break-in (no matter how trivial) to the police department and (4) be vigilant and report suspicious activity to the police department.
• Council voted to approve the “acceptance of a lease with Chiquies Rock Outfitters as a River Park land area” operator to provide canoe/kayak leasing for a six month period. The mayor noted that the presence of Chiques Rock Outfitters personnel will inhibit the “bad actors” who have defaced public property or committed acts of vandalism at the park.
• Much discussion centered on a motion to add borough money to the grant application for completion projects at River Park and the refurbishment of Rotary Park.
• Frank Splain, Jr. read a document informing the council and audience that the Columbia Quick Response Service intends to enter into a partnership with the Eastern York County EMS. According to www.manta.com, Eastern York County Ems in Hallam, PA is a private company categorized under Ambulance Service. Current estimates show this company has an annual revenue of $1 to 2.5 million and employs a staff of approximately 10 to 19. He also stated that Columbia Quick Response Service has withdrawn its interest in the fire and emergency medical services consolidation initiative.
• A citizen asked the council to provide annual financial information about the three fire departments. The borough manager responded that the borough does not manage the separate fire departments and that information would have to be requested from them. (NOTE: According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), “An organization that normally has $25,000 or more ($50,000 for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2010) in gross receipts and that is required to file an exempt organization information return must file either Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, or Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. The return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization’s fiscal year.  [For example, the 2008 return of an organization whose fiscal year ends on June 30, 2009, would be November 15, 2009.]  The due date may be extended for three months, without showing cause, by filing Form 8868 before the due date; an additional three-month extension may be requested on Form 8868 if the organization shows reasonable cause why the return cannot be filed by the extended due date. Small organizations – those whose annual gross receipts are normally less than the threshold – are not required to file an annual return, but may be required to file an annual electronic notice – e-Postcard.”) 990 filing documents from these organizations are available for public review. Guidestar.org (GuideStar’s Mission: to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.)provides this information to charitable organizations and 990 filing.