Borough Council

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17th, 2023 Location: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 Council President Papaleo called the Council Meeting to order at 7:01 PM President Papaleo noted that he called an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters. Mayor DiCicco led the flag Salute and Invocation. Roll Call (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, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman) were present. Audience Participation Mr. Brandon Robbins – 1903 Carter Road – said he just moved in and now he has some disgruntled neighbors who are working on their house along with other noise. Mr. Robbins compared this to football being played in the home. Mr. Robbins said the neighbor hit his car on Christmas eve and later denied it for which he later called the police. Mr. Robbins said he noticed that the person now has a dog and never cleans up after them and dog feces is in front of and behind his home. Mr. Robbins said that he asked the neighbor to clean the mess. Mr. Papaleo asked the address. Mr. Robbins said that the address in question is 1905 Carter Road. Mr. Papaleo directed the code enforcer to inspect regularly. Mr. Papaleo asked Ms. Ramona Petty for a report on the owners. Mr. Robbins said the owner is not there every day. Mr. Robbins said it sounded like the person was changing their garage and making it into a room and also speculated that there could be 10 kids in the home. Mr. Robbins said there has been no remedy for the matter. Mr. Robbins reiterated his concerns about the property and stated that he felt the neighbor is not being truthful. Mr. Robbins said that the felt that another neighbor is moving as a result of this situation. Ms. Darlene Taliaferro – 504 Folcroft Avenue – came to make a complaint about the boat in her neighbor’s yard. Ms. Taliaferro said that all sorts of animals are going in and out of it and, in consultation with Ms. DiCicco said that this was at 508 Folcroft Avenue. Ms. Taliaferro said that it looks like the boat is falling apart and said that there are cats and squirrels in the boat. Ms. Taliaferro asked what could be done. Mr. Randall Woods said that he would investigate. Engineer’s Report Mr. Van-Otoo said that the Folcroft Municipal Complex project payments are being processed and noted that at a project meeting everything is back in order and thanks to a lot of rain there has not been much activity on the site. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the site work will be completed by the end of March if all goes well with 60% being completed. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the roads program payment was made and submitted and he wanted to check on the maintenance bond. Mr. Van-Otoo said that payment number 3 for the shared driveway program is being submitted for though the contractor has left the site, however he said that with any good weather the contractor will return. Mr. Van-Otoo said that there is only about one week left of work to do before that project has been completed. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the MS4 report was submitted in December and moving forward there are several things that need to be done by September 31st. Mr. Van-Otoo said the Ashland avenue project has been completed with payment number one being submitted, which is pending. Lastly, Mr. Van-Otoo said that the solid waste/recycling contract was initially done via RFQ however the dollar amount was too large so he is putting together a binding contract with this work going out to bid shortly. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the trash truck size was addressed. Mr. Van-Otoo said he did a plan review for the Folcroft technical school which was already submitted with some comments about the potential traffic circle. Mr. Van-Otoo asked to have some of the alignment issues with the traffic circle be adjusted. Mr. Van-Otoo said that Popeyes and safestor are receiving their certificates of occupancy and he has added a few items to be addressed on their punch lists. Mr. Van-otoo said there is a cracked curb in two locations at popeyes but agreed not to hold up their certificate while this is corrected. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the 7/11 project is about to restart as he met with the owner, who provided information including a note that one of the partners for this project had passed away causing some delays. Mr. Van-Otoo noted that the diesel pumps would be eliminated from the plan but there were no other changes. Mr. Van-Otoo said that this work was going to start up in March. Ms. Daly said that she believed that this would address some traffic pattern issues. Mr. Van-Otoo said that a letter of credit would be issued before this project went forward. Ms. Grayson clarified that this would be started in March and asked if the cars would be cleaned up. Ms. Daly said that there were only two trucks. Ms. Grayson said that some days there were more. Mr. Hayman said he had not seen this yet. Ms. Grayson said that this is happening in the evening. Mr. Van- Otoo said he asked for a schedule. Ms. Petty said that the property would be inspected. Ms.Petty said she thought the popeyes was going to sell. Mr. Van-Otoo said he would check in on this now. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • A motion to approve the bill list for the month of December, 2022 was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of December, 2022 was made by Ms. Fyffe and seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to approve the December 6th, 2022 and December 20th 2022 Meeting Minutes was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Consider recognizing a collective bargaining unit of Borough staff through Teamsters Local 107. Isaac – Ropski. Unanimous. • Ms. Grayson made a motion to ratify an expense of $800 for an appraisal and Ms. Fyffe seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • No new business to discuss. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • Mr. Ropski made a motion to hire Maximilian Malarkey as a part-time Police Officer. Ms. Isaac seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve the police chief’s report for the month of December. Ms. Fyffe seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Ropski made a motion to table the November and December fire chief’s report seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Members discussed appointing Susan Ropski to a two year vacancy on the Library Board Ms. Grayson asked how someone gets on the library board. Ms. Fyffe said someone applies. Ms. Grayson asked what Ms. Ropski’s experience was. Mr. Papaleo said that Ms. Ropski was a prior council president and had been very involved. Ms. Daly said that some members had been appointed previously when it was determined that there were vacancies and explained who the new members were. Ms. Isaac said that Ms. Ropski would be great for the board. Ms. Grayson said she was supportive. Ms. Fyffe made a motion to appoint Ms. Ropski to the Library Board seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. This vote was done by roll call as follows: Mr. Papaleo – Yes Mr. Ropski – abstain Ms. Fyffe – Yes Ms. Daly – Yes Ms. Isaac – Yes Mr. Wilson – Yes Ms. Grayson - Yes Ms. Fyffe said that yoga had celebrated it’s first anniversary and now has 10 members. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Members considered fencing quotes for the newly acquired green space next to the Folcroft Swim Club Ms. Daly said that there were three proposals and recommended all parts and labor for $3,500 with parts and labor and an option for barbed wire which was needed. Ms. Daly listed the other two options which were incrementally higher (ENTER LATER) and noted that Mr. Payne had recommended the quote from Suburban. Ms. Grayson asked if this was replacing existing fencing. Ms. Daly said that it was not, but instead was a continuation of the entire property. Ms. Daly said that this would fence in the area to separate it from the swim club. Ms. Grayson asked if there was not a fence there why would there be one now. Mr. Papaleo described the area that was to be fenced in by physically drawing a copy of it on a piece of blank paper. Ms. Grayson asked if this would be for the swim club. Ms. Daly said that this was for the area purchased as green space which would be open to all residents. Mr. Papaleo asked how many feet this is. Ms. Daly said it was for 130 feet at 6 feet high. Mr. Papaleo said that this seemed expensive. Ms. Daly noted that this was also for the labor at 6 feet. Mr. Papaleo speculated about how many posts there were with 13 posts at about 3 feet deep. Ms. Daly said there were also large oak trees on the hill. Mr. Papaleo said he still felt that these quotes were high. Mr. Ropski said he did not believe the quote was high. Mr. Hayman noted that members did not have to accept any quote and that they could alternatively approve and still seek cheaper installation options. Ms. Daly said that there was a limited amount of time as the club opens in May. Mr. Papaleo said he would support it. Ms. Daly gave examples of other fences which were similar. A motion to accept the proposal from suburban $3,695 for fencing with the additional $300 for barbed wire installation. Ms. Daly made the motion seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Daly thanked Donna Stilwell for donating several more winter coats in larger sizes as there were many kids who needed them. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Wilson • Members considered an annual code enforcement notice Mr. Wilson asked members to consider the annual code enforcement notice which was provided to members and noted the items listed on the notice. Mr. Wilson said this was basic things people should know. Ms. Daly asked the size. Manager Hayman explained the size but wasn’t sure the exact amount. Mr. Wilson made the motion to approve seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • No new business. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Consider payment release #1 and #2 for construction of the new municipal complex Ms. Grayson asked the amounts again. Mr. Van-Otoo said that this was for $145,543 and it is release payment number 6 which he was asking to have released. Ms. Grayson asked about storm water at the site. Mr. Van-Otoo said that there was a meeting today but that it was better. Mr. Papaleo said it looked better so far. Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve payment release number 6 for $145,543 seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Discuss including the 100 block of Folcroft Avenue to the list of streets that have permit parking. Ms. Daly said she did not know what this was about. Ms. Daly said it would be appropriate to call a driveway permit meeting about it and discuss and then bringing it back to council. Ms. Daly said that every time streets are added we take away from what the funds are used for and the residents must sign off on it as they do not necessarily personally benefit. Ms. Daly said she did not believe that streets cannot just be added in. Mr. Papaleo said that there is an alleyway behind one side of the street however he acknowledged that it is concrete. Mr. Papaleo said that there were 35 cars on the street which he believed to be from an illegal dealer. Mr. Papaleo said that Folcroft Avenue is being lined with these vehicles which he did not care if they are inspected because they should not be on the street. Ms. Daly said that there already were issues which cars parking in a lot illegally as a result of permit parking. Ms. Daly said that adding another street could push more cars into the private lot. Ms. Daly said that people are upset that cars are being pushed into their lot and if it is not an issue it should not be addressed. Ms. Grayson said she has not heard complaints from residents. Mr. Papaleo and Mr. Ropski said that they had heard complaints. Ms. Daly asked if there was another way to address the matter that was causing these parking issues. Ms. Daly and Mr. Ropski reviewed several situations which are causing issues for the street. Ms. Daly said that she wanted to be sure that residents in this area want the permit parking. Mr. Gallagher said that part of the ordinance notes that residents in the new areas must be polled and the safety officer must weigh in and there also must be a public hearing. Mr. Gallagher said that right now all funds from permit parking go to the driveway parking and new funds must go to something else. Mr. Papaleo described the situation and which side of the street has parking. Ms. Daly said that people who park on the street have to park across the street from them. Ms. Daly and Mr. Papaleo discussed the percentage of the permit parking areas already designated which do not have shared driveways and have permit parking noting valleyview. Mr. Papaleo said that there are over a dozen homes that have a shared driveway on this street. Ms. Daly said she was not talking about this area but noted that money must come out of the fund to go to another matter siphoning funds away from the intended project. Ms. Daly reiterated that there would have to be a petition. Ms. Grayson confirmed that there are areas that have permit parking and do not have shared driveways. Mr. Hayman suggested calling a parking committee meeting tonight to address this as the conversation was a prime example of the need for a committee meeting. Mr. Papaleo asked what an official poll to add permit parking would be. Mr. Gallagher said he believed that this was already in the ordinance. Ms. Daly said that a resident had come to discuss parking permit issues and reiterated that there should be more deliberation. Ms. Daly said that the renters in the apartment complex in the vicinity are still residents and must be considered in this process. Ms. Daly said she felt comfortable calling a parking permit committee meeting to discuss this. Mr. Papaleo said that there is a person is spraying paint and fumes. Mr. Papaleo described what he had witnessed. Manager Hayman said that there was no right to operate a business at all and directed the code enforcer. Members deliberated about what constituted a business and whether one was illegally being operated. Mr. Gallagher would need to take a look but that he believed that this was not permissible unless it is his personal car. Mr. Papaleo said that there are cars all along the street that are being advertised for sale. A motion to advertise a permit parking committee meeting was made by Ms. Daly and seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Police Chief’s Report Chief Bair said that there was a fire on valleview drive with no injuries however one person was hospitalized to get checked out. Mr. Bair said that the fire was probably caused by a lit candle. Mr. Bair said that yesterday cameras at Montgomery Park caught juveniles stealing amazon packages and taking them to the park. Mr. Bair then logged in and was able to tell officers where to go and where they were, reiterating that they were juveniles. Mr. Bair said that cops have been going to the schools periodically and officer Dorman is now the juvenile officer. Ms. Daly asked for friendly conversations with the officers as some of her students there were anxious. Ms. Daly said that she feels that there might be more positive interactions first. Mr. Bair said officers go and read to the students but that the would relay that suggestion. Mr. Bair said that some of his officers had gone and played basketball with the students but that many activities had but curtailed due to covid. Mr. Bair thanked council for hiring Mr. Malarkey and said that before covid there were 50 students per class but now there are only 25 per class with 9 going to SEPTA generally. Mr. Bair said now there are 50 students of whom SEPTA typically hires 22. Mr. Bair said that right now some part timers are on other lists for other agencies so officers are being lost to full-time positions in other communities. Mr. Bair said right now another application has just been received however he does not believe that this will go through. Mr. Bair said that officer Dorman has been addressing the parking issues twice per week checking cars to make sure they are legitimate. Solicitor’s Report The solicitor had no report. Finance Director’s Report The finance director had no report. Borough Manager’s Report Mr. Hayman presented the manager’s report. There was no old or new business. A motion to adjourn was made at 7:36pm.