Borough Council

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 18, 2022 Location: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 Council President Papaleo called the meeting to order at 7:00pm Mayor DiCicco led the flag salute and invocation. Roll Call (Council President Papaleo was present, Councilmember Leigh Daly was present, Councilmember Tawana Grayson was present, Councilmember Malinda Isaac was present, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe was present, Councilmember Stephen Ropski was present, Councilmember Ike Wilson was present, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor James Gallagher was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present. Audience Participation Engineer’s Report Mr. Van-Otoo said the shared driveways project started last Tuesday on Llanwellyn avenue and at this point there are some additions to the program such as D avenue, which the manager was made aware of Mr. Van-Otoo said that the base repair is being done and is scheduled to continue for the next few weeks. Mr. Van-Otoo said that there were some quantities that needed to be added for base repair but the project is still within budget at this point. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the municipal complex project has several change orders and also payment number two and three are pending and must be addressed. Mr. Van-Otoo said that there is a lot of sitework with the stormwater basin and retaining wall with a change order for $10,000 for a basin liner. Mr. Van-Otoo said he was not initially sure it was needed and the dimensions needed to change water would go around the liner so it was extended along the full length of the retaining wall to its bottom giving the water more time to move away from the wall without an additional cost to the borough. Mr. Van-Otoo said there was also a change order for the removal of soil with organic material costing $150,000 however this is negotiable and no final price has been received. Mr. Van-Otoo said there was also an increase for stone in the amount of $3,600 however Mr. Van-Otoo said he was against this as there is not normally an escalation of price but that he would address this. Mr. Van-Otoo said these are the three main items for change orders. Mr. Van-Otoo said he had the 2022 roads program which is starting by the end of the month and that he spoke to the contractor AF Damon who said they intend to complete the work by the end of the month, however he had to submit a request for an extension to complete this work. Mr. Van-Otoo said that this was in place just in case. Mr. Ropski asked about the sewer work at Ashland Avenue and Delmar Drive. Manager Hayman said that the contracts were received however they were probably in the possession of the previous engineer. Mr. Van-Otoo described the payment releases and prices for the sitework for the new municipal complex, which Mr. Van-Otoo noted that some of this was before RVE worked for the borough. Mr. Van-Otoo said the MS4 annual report was submitted on September 30 th and a checklist from DEP was received and that there were several things which needed to be addressed next year including calculations required from the previous engineer which could prove time consuming to reproduce. Mr. Van-Otoo said he had some grant opportunities he wanted to discuss as well as some of these had various matches. The first was for open space from DCNR and it would be a 1:1 match starting at $5,000 at a minimum. Mr. Van-Otoo asked if there were any projects the borough had in mind however the deadline is on the 27th of October. Ms. Daly said the borough had received grant funding for part one and two of Montgomery park with part three for the rehab of the park and that there may already be existing plans for this work. Mr. Papaleo asked how much the cost of the project was. Ms. Daly said she was unsure. Mr. Papaleo said he wanted to make sure that this did not slip through the cracks. Ms. Daly said that money to upgrade the park. Manager Hayman mentioned that the borough may not be eligible for DCNR funding due to not being compliant with the LWCF. Mr. Papaleo mentioned that greening up the traffic triangle on Delmar Drive was a plan of his. Mr. Van-Otoo said that there was a multi-modal grant that the borough could apply for. Ms. Daly mentioned traffic calming in the area of the new outdoor classroom including lighting and crosswalks. Mr. Papaleo asked what the cost for greening up the traffic triangle would be and said that he did not believe this would be $100,000. Ms. Daly said for pedestrian crossing and lighting would be great and mentioned that this was an issue. Mr. Dave Martino who said he is just moving in and that signage is out of code as none of it is a minimum of 7 feet off the ground. Mr. Martino (a resident) said that he has a sign company and that he could correct the issue. Mr. Van-Otoo asked if the signs themselves are not compliant or if this was a height issue. Manager Hayman mentioned that many of the signs leaned at a 45 degree angle previously and that many signs have now been refaced and area continuing to be refaced. Mr. Van-Otoo said he is preparing a list of illuminated signs for this project which would be more than $100,000. Mr. Van-Otoo said this is due November 14th. Mr. Papaleo reminded members that this is a matching grant. Mr. Hayman said that the borough would only pay 30% Mr. Van-Otoo mentioned the PA H20 grant for stormwater improvements including acquisitions for improvements and expansion including sewer and disposal. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the difference is that the minimum project starts at $500,000. Lastly, Mr. Van-Otoo mentioned the PA small water and sewer for sanitary and stormwater supplies with a matching of 15%. Ms. Grayson said this was extremely important. Mr. Papaleo said he would like to look at this one. Mr. Van-Otoo said the deadline for this grant is in December. Mr. Papaleo said he would like to look at this one. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • A motion to approve the bill list for the month of September, 2022 was made by Ms. Daly and seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of September, 2022 was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Mr. Wilson. • A motion to approve the September 6th 2022 and September 20th 2022 council meeting minutes was made by Ms. Fyffe and seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson considered a proposal from Remington & Vernick for the 2022 Roads Program in the amount of $4,000. Mr. Van-Otoo said the second matter is for paving offers for Ashland Avenue, Columbia and Henderson however since work is being done on Ashland Avenue he asked if Henderson and Columbia could be paved and then Ashland Avenue could be repaved by the borough at a later date. Mr. Van-Otoo said he believed that this would be the best option. Ms. Daly asked what the work on Ashland Avenue. Mr. Van- Otoo said the new borough hall and that vehicles were breaking up the road. Ms. Daly said that this plan sounded like the best option. Ms. Grayson asked about the roads program and listed the streets involved. Mr. Ropski said that it was Primos Avenue, Dalmas and Charmont. Ms. Daly said that the Columbia and Henderson work is because of aqua. Ms. Grayson asked for clarification about what the roads program. Ms. Grayson noted that Glenolden splits one of the streets. ENTER DIFFERENCE BETWEEN R program and Aqua. Mr. Papaleo clarified that Aqua is paying for the roads that are currently being dug up and wanted to ensure that the roads are being dug up. A motion to accept a proposal from Remington and Vernick for $4,000 was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Van-Otoo reiterated that Ashland Avenue would be paved later and that this work would be done at the expense of Aqua. A motion to approve the paving offer from Aqua for Ashland Avenue, Henderson and Columbia to have Henderson and Columbia repaved and allow Ashland Avenue to be repaved at a later date was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve the Police Chief’s Report for the month of September, 2022. Ms. Grayson said that she thought there were typos noting that there were over 100 burglaries listed in September. Mr. Gallagher noted a major increase in contacts with children as well. Mr. Ropski made a motion to table and seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to approve the Fire Chief’s Report for the month of September, 2022 was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to approve the Fire Marshall’s Report for the month of September, 2022 was made by Mr. Rospski and seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to approve the Fire Marshall’s Report for the month of August, 2022 was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe said she had nothing under the library but she mentioned that chair yoga class is up to 10 regular attendees now including return visitors from other events and some residents who were recruited at community day. Ms. Fyffe said this is growing. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said Trunk or Treat is Saturday night and that a large amount of candy has been ordered. Ms. Daly said the borough and the FOP are supplying all of the goods and that 7,500 pieces of candy went out within the first hour last year. Ms. Daly said there are 20,000 pieces of candy available this year and that leftover cups from community day will also be given out. Mr. Wilson asked how fast the candy went out last year. Ms. Daly reiterated the amount and said that the flyer went out to Delcroft Elementary this week and that she would speak about upcoming borough events at Academy Park next year. Ms. Daly said that the borough is excepting monetary donations and winter coats for a winter coat giveaway that donations must be in by 11/7 and the coat drive is 11/17. Ms. Daly said that a flyer would be coming out this week. Ms. Daly said that a toy giveaway would be December 5 th with a signupgenius made available at a later date. Ms. Daly said a Christmas tree lighting is November 26 th with a flyer going out by the end of the week. Ms. Daly said she is looking at getting a flagpole Christmas tree that can be put up and taken down as needed as the old tree was in the way of the borough sign. Ms. Daly said that this would not be complicated and could be done easily. Ms. Daly said the library flagpole would not be practical based on its size and location. Mr. Wilson asked about music for trunk or treat. Ms. Daly said that last year the borough had a DJ which was very loud and that there are 20 cars sign up currently. Ms. Daly said that last year about 35 people showed up with only. Ms. Daly and Ms. Grayson spoke about setting up the borough gym for the coat giveaway. Ms. Isaac asked if this was for Folcroft residents only. Ms. Daly said that it was. Ms. Grayson asked about any thanksgiving events. Ms. Daly said that she spoke with Detective White and that the police would give the borough turkeys for a giveaway. Ms. Daly said that the borough would not know how many turkeys it would have until last minute. Ms. Daly said that the borough is hoping for 25 turkeys at least. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Wilson • Mr. Wilson had no new business. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Members considered the approval of the swim club subdivision plan. Mr. Gallagher said that this action would authorize his firm to draft a subdivision plan. Ms. Isaac made a motion authorizing the solicitor to draft a resolution approving the subdivision at the swim club voted on by roll call seconded by Mr. Ropski. Grayson – Y Isaac – Y Wilson – Ropski y Daly – Abstain Papaleo – Y Fyffe – Y The motion passed with 6 yeses and one abstention. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Consider a change order in the amount of up to $157,585 for organic • Consider a change order in the amount of $10,000 for the basin liner • Consider a change order in the amount of $3,685.75 for stone • Consider payment certificate number two and three for new municipal complex construction for work already completed. DALY Mr. Papaleo asked what this work was for. Ms. Grayson said the first one was submitted back during Catania Engineering’s employment. Mr. Papaleo said it looked like this was for two underground basins. Mr. Van-Otoo said that this work is mobilization, site clearing, sediment control. Mr. Van-Otoo said the third certificate is for erosion, sediment control, demolition and rough grading to ensure that the site is at the right level. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Grayson said that the motion for a change order in the amount of $10,000 for the basin liner Ms. Grayson made the motion and Ms. Fyffe seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Grayson asked about the organic soil removal was needed according to the engineer but wanted to table this amount until it can be reviewed. Mr. Papaleo said that he would imagine that this means that the soil which was there already has too much organic material. Mr. Van-Otoo said no, the soil was already removed and soil from another site was brought in. Mr. Van-Otoo said soil from two other sites was already brought in and that there was more requested from another site. Mr. Ropski said that Ms. Catania had already done this. Mr. Papaleo asked for a final number. Mr. Gallagher said that it would be ok to authorize the negotiation. Ms. Grayson said that she believed that the stone did not need to be done as per her understanding for the stone price increase and she wanted to table this. Ms. Grayson made a motion to table the change order for stone and the organic soil removal. Ms. Isaac seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly discussed the repaving schedule and adjustment. Ms. Daly said that she was aware of the adjustments as weather can delay some of the work. Manager Hayman explained that there were some items not in the original bid and some taken out and that these were almost exactly the same price. • Members considered a proposal from Remington & Vernick for shared driveway repaving services for $61,000. Ms. Daly made a motion to approve and Mr. Ropski seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Police Chief’s Report Chief Bair was not present. Solicitor’s Report Mr. Gallagher had nothing to report. Finance Director’s Report Ms. McMenamin said that in Septmeber $684,000 of deposits were received into the republic general fund and gave itemized amounts and noted that ARPA funding was received as well along with fire relief and pension aid and gave details about payroll fees and expenses. Ms. McMenamin said all bank accounts are reconciled. Mr. Wilson asked why this was a five pay month. Ms. McMenamin said pay is weekly. Borough Manager’s Report Manager Hayman gave a report regarding code enforcement updates, highway department updates, events and other matters in the community. Old Business Ms. Grayson asked if there was any decision about signage to improve Oak Avenue to slow down drivers as there is no speed limit sign on Oak Avenue. Mr. Papaleo said he believed a sign had been ordered. Mr. Hayman said he would check in to this. Ms. Grayson said the community garden would be shut down during the winter as the rain barrels would be frozen and should be left. Mr. Papaleo asked about his garden and whether his plants were still alive. Ms. Grayson said this work was a great success. A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Ropksi and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously.