Borough Council

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 20th, 2022 Location: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 President Papaleo called the meeting to order at 7:03pm Mayor: Flag Salute and Invocation. Council President Papaleo, Councilmember Leigh Daly, Councilmember Tawana Grayson, Councilmember Malinda Isaac, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe, Councilmember Stephen Ropski, Councilmember Ike Wilson, Mayor Franny DiCicco, Solicitor James Gallagher and Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman were present There was no audience participation. Engineer’s Report Mr. Van-Otoo said that the Folcroft complex project payment application number five has been submitted for $180,318.19 and the scope change for unsuitable fill and the reduction which decreased the cost of this. Mr. Van-otoo said he is still waiting to get back with the contractor. The roads program which was completed a few months ago has a payment application number one for over $70,000 which Mr. Van-Otoo said is being closed out. Mr. Van-Otoo said he was unaware of the bond processs for the borough and wanted to understand the agreement for what the Borough actually wants although he can look in the contract. Manager Hayman said he probably had a copy of this contract. Mr. Van-Otoo said that payment application number 2 has been received for the shared driveways project. Mr. Van-Otoo reiterated the schedule for this project and noted that he has a map of completeness for the project. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the MS4 requirements for the borough had been submitted and a PRP has been submitted to the DEP however no action is required until September of next year. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the stormwater replacement at Ashland Avenue and Delmar Drive had been completed and noted a change order for this project which was reduced to $7,942.90. Mr. Van-Otoo asked what the maintenance requirements are for this project. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he went out over the past few weeks to close out the Popeyes and Safestor projects with site visits in both locations however for Safestor he did ask to have a top rail installed on a new fence behind the store as this would be a better standard. Mr. Van-Otoo said that there is also an area where gravel is spilling down a slope and grass is not growing which he was told would be addressed in the spring. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he had spoken to Mr. Razzi and that permenant certificates of occupancy would be issued later on. Lastly, Mr. Van- Otoo said that he is doing the plan review for the Delaware County Intermediate Unit. Mr. Papaleo asked if this was the large building and traffic circle which Mr. Van-Otoo confirmed tha tit does. Mayor DiCicco asked if this was the large building which Mr. Van-Otoo confirmed. Mr. Van-Otoo said the PA Small Water Grant is due tomorrow with a match of 15% with a maximum of $500,000. Mr. Van-Otoo asked if the Borough would like to ask for all of it. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he is aware that the sanitary sewer has not been maintained in years. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo Mr. Papaleo asked Ms. Stilwell how the general fun • Mr Ropski made a motion to approve the bill list for the month of November, 2022 seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. • Ms. Isaac made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of November, 2022 seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Motion to approve the November 1st 2022 and November 15th 2022 council meeting minutes was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. • Motion to approve Ordinance 2022-07 levying real estate taxes, sewer rental fees and refuse disposal and collection fees for 2023. Ms. Daly said that it is a shame to raise taxes but that it must be done. Mr. Papaleo said that to continue the quality service they receive this must be done. Ms. Isaac made a motion to approve seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson made a motion for an RFQ for trash collection. Ms. Grayson said that this has been discussed for the past two meetings. Mr. Papaleo said he had read through this and that it included everything needed. Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Grayson said that Christmas Tree collection will begin on January 4 th. For the month of January residents can put their tree out with their trash. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • A motion to approve the Police Chief’s Report for the month of November, 2022 was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • There was no new business to report. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • No new business. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Wilson • A motion to approve Ordinance 2022-06 setting fire safety inspection fees for commercial properties was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac made a motion to get gift cards for the winners of the Christmas cards. Ms. Daly said that this could come out of the parks and recreation budget. Ms. Grayson asked how this was done. Mayor DiCicco said that members would ride around and review the contestants. Ms. Grayson asked if residents could nominate their houses. Ms. Daly said that this was discussed in several meetings. Ms. Isaac said she meant to do a robocall and said that she meant to acknowledge winners. Ms. Grayson asked where this was posted. Ms. Isaac said this was on the Borough page. Mr. Papaleo said all of the pcitures should be posted. Mayor DiCicco said that she was going to ride around. Ms.Daly said that she noticed that in some towns people let you know that they want to be entered instead of randomly driving around the community. Ms. Daly suggested riding around and looking at houses on a certain night. Ms. Isaac said that this was a good idea for another year. Mr. Papaleo said that the judges would patrol and asked what night this would be. Ms. Isaac said she heard that there could be an ice storm. New Building – Ms. Grayson • No new business. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said that this was partly addressed already but work would stop through the holidays. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the work is almost done and may continue briefly after Christmas. Ms. Daly said that a map had been provided, which she reviewed in a color coded system. Ms. Daly said a notification went out this week that trash would return to the driveways and parking permits would return in January and suggested that when work returns to the remaining streets that permit enforcement not be relaxed. Ms. Daly said that with milling being done paving should be completed quickly in the spring, noting that there should be no interference. Ms. Daly said that residents could park out front during the day and noted that residents have complained about the current system and reiterated that she did not want to lay off permit enforcement again. Mr. Papaleo asked if this is the same group of residents who always complains. Ms. Daly said that they do not and noted instances in which residents have complaints. Ms. Grayson said she has also heard several complaints about this. Ms. Daly said that with this continuing into the spring permits must still be enforced. Mr. Papaleo said that residents could buy a monthly permit if they do not want to buy yearly permits. Ms. Daly said that with most of the village being complete enforcement should return. Ms. Isaac said that Llanwellyn is done. Ms. Daly said that warnings should not be given and tickets should be issued for illegal parking. Ms. Daly said she had heard that a fire truck damaged a car. Mr. Ropski asked if permits would be suspended during the holidays. Ms. Daly confirmed that this was part of the plan. Mr. Papaleo Police Chief’s Report Chief Bair thanked council for their support during the year and asked if there is any way to ever help. Mayor DiCicco asked why there was so much crime in August. Mr. Bair said that this was probably weather related. Mayor DiCicco noted the increases. Mr. Bair said that July reporting is lagging so this could be the issue. Members discussed various reasons they believe that crime could be higher during these months. Mr. Bair said that there is a lot of catalytic converter theft however this has gone down slightly. Mr. Bair said that now big freight trucks are getting robbed whereas previously Hondas were being robbed. Mr. Bair said that his department had apprehended two juveniles who had been arrested for stealing cars but they would be sent home. Mr. Bair said that there was a shooting in Collingdale where two kids got ankle bracelets. Mr. Bair said that he believed this has something to do with the juvenile detention center. Mr. Bair said that he spoke to the crossing guards and let them know that if there are any kids without jackets he would get them. Ms. Daly said that she is finding kids who have them in her school as well and noted that there are larger jackets needed. Ms. Daly said she was seeking donations for this. Solicitor’s Report Mr. Baumler had no new business. Finance Director’s Report Ms. Stilwell had no new business Borough Manager’s Report Manager Hayman encouraged members to read his report. Old Business Mr. Van-Otoo said that he had sent a resolution this afternoon for a grant application. Manager Hayman suggested adding this to the agenda for the next meeting and using a placeholder for the timebeing. New Business Mr. Ropski made a motion to adjourn at 7:36pm seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously.