Borough Council

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 1, 2022 PRESIDENT – Joseph Papaleo: Called the Council Meeting to order at 7:01 PM Mayor DiCicco gave the Flag Salute and Invocation. Roll Call (Council President Papaleo, Councilmember Nicholas Waters was absent, Councilmember Leigh Daly, Councilmember Tawana Grayson, Councilmember Malinda Isaac, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe, Councilmember Stephen Ropski, Mayor Franny DiCicco, Solicitor Alex Baumler attended by phone, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman) were present. Audience Participation Mr. Kevin Savage from Dynamic Traffic was present on behalf of the 7/11 application for the Beacon of Folcroft. Mr. Savage explained that this was to provide a driveway onto Hook Rd which requires approval from PennDOT. Mr. Savages said that a permit for the driveway would be to Beacon of Folcroft LLC and one would be for stormwater issued to Folcroft Borough and another permit would be for modifications to the traffic signal at Hook Rd. Mr. Savage said the N950AA form is for coordination with PennDOT allowing the applicant to submit the application on the borough’s behalf to streamline the process and the second form – TE 160 is an application for traffic signal improvement which is required every time a traffic signal is updated. Engineer Lisa Catania said that the 950 form is merely for stormwater which the Borough is required to submit for the developer and the Borough is responsible once the permit is issued for maintenance of the stormwater facility. Ms. Catania said the agreement with PennDOT is for taking over the ownership and maintenance of this stormwater facility. Ms. Catania said she is not aware of whether or not the Borough is aware of or agreed to a traffic signal maintenance agreement with PennDOT. Ms. Catania said that she is not aware if any action was taken since March of last year. Ms. Catania said right now PennDOT will not accept the 160 form until Council accepts this agreement. Ms. Catania explained the maintenance agreement with PennDOT and explained that this is an updated version. Ms. Catania said that Alex Baumler has a copy and there should be no edits. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • At the direction of Council President Papaleo, Manager Hayman reviewed the ARPA funding plan, mentioning that specific funding would be set aside for the purchase of green spaces, storm water maintenance and lost revenue replacement from 2020. Manager Hayman said that he intended to have a presentation however some matters were still not complete but he hoped to be ready soon. • Council President Papaleo directed Manager Hayman to discuss this proposal. Manager Hayman said he had received a proposal from a website designer who has experience in Municipal Government and that it would be at $500 per month. Council President Papaleo had misgivings about the cost. Manager Hayman said he agreed and believed the number was negotiable. Ms. Daly said that she believed that part of this was to update regular posts on social media as well and would include all of the communications that go through social media. Ms. Daly expressed her concerns about the GOGov application and not being able to view the documents. Mayor DiCicco said someone could be shown how to updates to the website were done. Mr. Papaleo said that it would be easier to have someone train someone to train an in-house employee. Ms. Grayson said she did not believe there was $500 worth of work needed. Ms. Daly said that right now this is a lot to do and that there are frequently more regular updates in the winter. Mayor DiCicco said that someone was sent to take classes to update the website in a situation in her personal life. Mr. Hayman said he agreed and that it might be advisable to entertain similar quotes or a lower cost. Ms. Grayson said that she had concerns about light editing but there were spelling errors in the presentation. Public Works - Ms. Grayson Ms. Grayson said the two areas discussed were already discussed. Mr. Savage asked if the 995 proposal could be approved at the meeting. Ms. Catania said that she needs to see the proposal and that she would be open to it if this was provided. Mr. Savage agreed to provide the review. Ms. Catania said this is just to allow this organization to put the application in. A motion to approve the M950 AA form was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Waters • Mr. Papaleo took over in Mr. Waters absence. Members considered an MOU with FOP Lodge 27 extending the length of the Police collective bargaining agreement. Mr. Papaleo said this was an increase from $19.00/hour for part timers to $22.00 hour for part timers and three percent raises for all. A motion to approve the MOU with FOP Lodge 27 approving a salary increase for part-time employees and three percent raises for all employees going forward for three years with an extension of the contract was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe had no new business to report Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly discussed school pickup/drop off plans saying that while this was not technically under her committee she wanted to add it and discuss. Ms. Daly said she knew that some issues had gotten better with pickup and dropoff lane but that there currently is chaos due to vehicular traffic on school lane. Ms. Daly said that cutting off traffic on school lane might be helpful. Chief Bair said that he has found previously that having one way at certain times on school lane. Ms. Daly said that work trucks going down school lane is an accident waiting to happen. Mr. Papaleo said he did not understand why students who are six blocks from school need a ride. Ms. Daly said there are good reasons for this and the world has changed citing bullying as an example. Ms. Daly said there are now 8 th graders in the school. Ms. Daly said that most time students walk to school but she sometimes does drop them off. Ms. Fyffe said that sometimes its easier to drop students off on the way to work. Ms. Daly said that 7 th and 8th graders are doing different things than 1st graders and should not be walking them home. Chief Bair said COVID had become a problem and officers had not been on site as regularly. Mr. Bair said that traffic was brought in off Hook Rd and then turn left onto Grant, left onto Fowler and then onto School. Mr. Bair said that because his officers weren’t present and as a result this has happened. Mr. Bair provided examples of things he has seen in these situations. Mr. Bair said there have been lots of problems with crossing guards. Mr. Bair gave examples of solutions he had to make the traffic issues go away involving having his officers on site to direct traffic personally instead of changing traffic directions. Ms. Catania said that a similar traffic matter had been resolved in Eddystone Borough and Ridley Park resolving the matter as well. Ms. Daly said that this would not be as easy in this scenario. Ms. Catania said that the school must have a safe route for students to walk. Ms. Catania said there should be a plan for dropoff and busses but if there is a plan the school district must adopt it to give it to students and parents. Chief Bair said he would ask southeast delco if there was a saferoute plan and a dropoff plan. Chief Bair and Ms. Daly discussed some concerns and changes that had happened in the recent past. Ms. Daly said that there is a school board member from Folcroft and that she will communicate with this person to coordinate some adjustments. • Ms. Daly discussed repairing telephone poles saying that she got a call from a resident in Glenolden saying that their telephone polls have been repaired. Ms. Catania said that PECO is currently changing telephone poles and that this is being done by municipality. • Ms. Daly mentioned that there is a lot of littering from students coming home from school. Ms. Daly said that it might be worth reaching out to Mr. Macdougal letting them know that they will be fined if students continue to do this. Mr. Papaleo asked why students are being released at the same time. Mr. Papaleo said that this should not be done. Ms. Daly explained the reasoning about why this was done. Mr. Papaleo said that students had to be listed as being on a car or bus or walking out and that students were not released to walk at the same time that cars pulled in. Mayor DiCicco suggested signage saying no littering. Ms. DiCicco said that students sometimes drop what they are eating. Ms. Daly agreed and also suggested sending a letter home to the school district about this matter. Ms. Daly said she can also see if trash cans could be placed out front of the buildings. Ms. Grayson said that she agreed with the signage but at the end of the day students are going to do what their parents do but that kids nowadays aren’t listening. Mayor DiCicco said adults are doing it on her street. Ms. Grayson reiterated her previous point and said that because adults are doing this children are not listening and said that it may not be worth putting a lot of money into. Ms. Daly questioned whether there was a grant for this. Ms. Catania said that there used to be a grant for this if there isn’t now. Ms. Daly said that this could be done by letter to start. Ms. Daly said that the parents have an application now which has been in place due to covid and a letter could be sent out through that. Mr. Papaleo said that when he grew up there were dismissal plans. Ms. Daly said there are more students now than before and was afraid there would be a huge pushback. Ms. Isaac said children back then were more respectful. Mr. Papaleo suggested closing off school lane only to busses if there was a lot of pushback but suggested sitting down with a member of the school board first before acting. Mr. Papaleo and Ms. Daly discussed various solutions to dismissal with Mr. Ropski. Mayor DiCicco asked if there are fines for littering. Chief Bair said that there are fines and noted that dunkin donuts wrappers were joking referred to as Folcroft tumbleweeds by some individuals. Mr. Bair said that teachers need to be willing to corroborate their reports if they see a student littering but suggested that fining a few students might get the message out. Ms. Grayson said that for the first few weeks that the Wawa no-turn sign was put in many tickets were issued. Chief Bair said that the sign leaving the Wawa may be down again as it is broken. Ms. Grayson said that residents are going to need to say something to the children. Chief Bair said that changing the pattern and residents on the street may be something that could be looked into. Ms. Daly discussed utilizing the street sweeper approximately once per month during the winter but that she was not sure if this was possible. Ms. Daly said she understood that Glenolden uses the street sweeper once per month in winter. Ms. Daly said that when the street sweeper wasn’t running previously the buildup of trash was terrible. A resident asked whether instead of a fine community service could be done. Mr. Papaleo said he believed this was done through a magistrate and cannot be issued by the Police. Ms. Daly said that the Borough had originally intended to create a Youth Aid Panel before COVID 19. Mr. Ropski asked if this could be done next year and placed on the calendar. Manager Hayman suggested running it as needed but not posting signage or requiring Police assistance. Mr. Papaleo suggested purchasing a buggy or smaller equipment to suction trash. Ms. Catania said its about the size of a golf cart or smaller minus a tank for trash. Mayor DiCicco said there is a big hose used to pclean up trash. Ms. Daly said this would not be bad to look into. Mayor DiCicco said that she would take pictures of them. Mr. Papaleo suggested contacting Philadelphia Councilman Squilla for this information. Ms. Isaac said it could be used since we cannot predict when snow may come. Mr. Papaleo said that street sweepers are for large amounts of debris not trash. Mr. Papaleo asked whether trash was worse in the summer or winter. Ms. Daly said that it seemed worse in winter because the sweeper is not running. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Ropski • Mr. Ropski made a motion approving ordinance 2022-1 establishing Responsible Contractor Requirements. Ms. Daly seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac Ms. Isaac had no new business to discuss. Mr. Papaleo asked Ms. Isaac to brainstorm ways to make the Borough prettier. Ms. Grayson suggested a competition to instill pride. Mr. Papaleo noted the old Borough fence as being an issue. Ms. Daly mentioned the pumping station was also falling apart. Ms. Grayson said that the fence was ugly but eliminating the fence has caused traffic issues that she did not have previously. Mr. Papaleo said that he could not justify spending more money on the Borough property but noted things like the traffic “porkchop” and said that the borough’s actions might spur a trend in investment. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Ms. Catania said that she believed that she needs to advise Mr. Linn that the package is being bid back out as she was concerned that pennbid questions might go through his office. Ms. Catania said that she believed this would be on pennbid next week. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said that she received a complaint about having to pay for a full annual permit fee. Ms. Daly said she knew this had been discussed previously. Mr. Baumler said that the ordinance would not need to be amended as it is just an internal control questionnaire. Ms. Petty said that having been in a meeting with GOGov this was suggested previously. Mr. Papaleo said that until the Borough can purchase scanners for this. Ms. Daly explained some of the logistical concerns about the timing of when annual parking permits were issued and explained the resident’s specific issues that brought her to contact Ms. Daly in the first place. Members agreed that the fee would be cut in half at the six month point after determining that the 6 month point was the day of this specific meeting. Ms. Daly said that August. Members agreed that on February 1 st of every year permit fees would drop in half. Old Business Manager Hayman asked for professional photos from members for identification badges. Ms. Catania said that for the past three years the bridge demolition projections have not been updated but now they have been updated to 2024. Ms. Catania said that the Borough received funds for a turnaround at this location that cannot be spent until the bridge is demolished. Ms. Catania said that the county has constantly check in to this but there may be some risk of losing the funds. Ms. Catania suggested potentially finding an alternative project. Ms. Catania said there is $109,200 in the grant that has not been used that HUD is looking to have spent. Ms. Catania wanted a sense from Council of what could be entertained. Ms. Catania said the same kinds of projects she sends around. Ms. Catania said we would need to send a letter to County Council to that effect. Mr. Papaleo suggested the entrance to Montgomery Park. Ms. Catania said her design of the project is about 40% complete but that stream bank restoration should be done. Ms. Catania said that phase two of the project is probably a bit over the total funds but there are ways to adjust. Ms. Catania said she wanted to bring it up because she hates when things get stalled. Ms. Catania listed some projects which were not eligible because of the types of grant funding that had been received. Mr. Papaleo asked what the outdoor classroom would cost in total. Ms. Catania said approximately $200,000 but the funds had not yet been received or $250,000. Mr. Papaleo said he wanted clippings from the Harvard University Arboretum would be advisable and he had been working on a idea to that effect with a resident. Ms. Catania said that right now the scope of the project is to maintain what is currently present with one exception where trees will be taken down and the stumps would be used as tables. Ms. Catania said that concrete lookalike or actual stumps would be used as a seating area. Ms. Catania said that ADA parking and bus parking on the site would also be allowed. Lastly, Ms. Catania said that a structure would be built with a weather proofed whiteboard that could be used for a classroom event. Ms. Daly said that her understanding was that there would be no new species on site but that the current species would be identified without changing so that children could see what is in part of the community. Ms. Daly said she would be hesitant to bring in more plants or animals as it could cause issues. Ms. Catania said this is similar to a project in Parkside Borough in partnership with the Philadelphia horticultural society which identifies trees with placards. Mr. Papaleo discussed the potential of the foundation to a property which may be back on the property which could be an issue. A resident asked about the potential of invasive species which are already in the area. Ms. Daly said that this could be considered but speculated that it may be an issue. Mr. Papaleo said there isn’t much that can be done besides cutting everything down. Another resident said that they hoped that the Borough would be lenient as there are trees growing up over onto neighbors properties. Ms. Daly said that these could be chopped down if they cross over the fence. Ms. Daly suggested praying mantises to kill lantern flies. Ms. Catania said the grinder pump in the pumping station needs to be replaced and the wet well needs to be cleaned. Ms. Catania said she has not gotten prices on this yet but that this needs to be done sooner or later. Ms. Catania said that this could cost $140,000. Manager Hayman said that he believed ARPA funding could be utilized for this. Mr. Papaleo said that this should be on a needs list. Ms. Daly said she would love to see the plan as it may have been presented prior to 2020. New Business Chief Bair thanked the Borough for the Memorandum of Understanding for the contract extension and working this out. Mr. Papaleo said he would be rectifying the other matter. Mr. Papaleo explained that an expenditure was approved for gift cards but due to a clerical error the Police did not receive gift cards. Mr. Papaleo explained that he was aware of this issue and how it happened and that the number added up. Ms. Daly said that she personally signed all of the cards and did not notice. Mr. Ropski made a motion to adjourn at 8:29pm seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously.