Members of the Kittanning Borough Planning Commission met last night and held an open discussion with a consultant currently evaluating the operation of the borough. Members pictured (L-R): Ronald Ruffaner, Michael Johnston, Alan Puccetti, Gary Stover, Jayne Koster, and Michael Rizzo. Sean Walker was absent.
The Kittanning Planning Commission had an open dialogue with one of the consultants that are currently evaluating the operations within the Borough.
Jason Dailey of Grassroots Solutions spent an hour with six of the seven functioning members of the Commission at a public meeting last night. He was able to hear some of the struggles the Commission has faced the last several years and gave some advice for their operation in the future.
Council obtained a grant to hire Grassroots Solutions to study the operations and finances of the Borough and make recommendations for improvement.
“We were brought in to work with the various commissions and committees as well as the various borough departments and operations in working toward efficiencies, identifying projects and programs that are they are working towards, to evaluate their ordinances, and the effectiveness of their commissions and committees,” Dailey explained.
Dailey said that most of his discussion with the Planning Commission dealt with how to have two-way communication between Council and the Commission.
Consultant Jason Dailey gathered information from the Kittanning Planning Commission last night while congratulating them on their efforts.
“That is a common problem among many local governments,” he said. “They both serve two very distinct roles in their Borough Code. Sometimes they operate within a vacuum. It is understandable since they often meet at different times and do not have a lot of interaction with one another. The common theme discussed was how we could improve that relationship; how can this Commission work with more direction from Borough Council and understand the vision of Council that they have for the Planning Commission; and finally, how can we celebrate the successes after a recommendation goes from the Commission to Council and (Council begins to take steps toward implementation).
Planning Commission Member Alan “Butch” Puccetti explained the frustration of the Commission in sending recommendations to Council that seemingly did not get acted upon.
Councilman David Croyle was in attendance. Croyle was appointed by Council to attend meetings and serve as a liaison between the Commission and Council.
“I believe Council has heard you clearly,” Croyle replied. “Many of the ordinance changes we are making in property management is a direct result of your input”
Croyle added that perhaps Council has not given a specific response that indicated they are listening.
“That’s why I am here - to make sure you know Council appreciates your efforts.”
Croyle also echoed Dailey’s remarks that revamping the Borough Master Comprehensive Plan and Re-zoning will be a long process, and encouraged Commission members not to give up.
Dailey said there was also discussion on opportunities within the sub-development and land ordinances, changes to the zoning ordinances, and the general role of the planning commission. Dailey said he plans to attend the next meeting on October 29 and bring an informational packet for Commission reviews.
“I am recommending some training opportunities for Planning Commission members,” he said. “They have a lot of energy and really great ideas, and we want to harness it to use their energies in the best way.”
Dailey congratulated the Commission on their efforts.
“They are leaps and bounds ahead. They realize some of the challenges, they articulated those challenges, and they discuss solutions. Often times when we work with communities, it has taken a long time to get to that point. This Planning Commission knows where they are, they understand their place, but they also know they need to get some training and direction. They are right where they need to be.”
Planning Commission Chairman Michael Rizzo said he welcomes the counsel of Mr. Dailey on helping the Planning Commission move ahead.
“I think it is super positive,” Rizzo said following the meeting, “that an outside party is helping us address and look into a whole variety of issues throughout the borough. It is also very positive that he is giving us feedback as to what other communities are doing. It is positive that he feels there is a lot of opportunity here. Perhaps he can ‘grease the wheels’ to get other things moving.”