Borough Council

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING APRIL 4th, 2023 LOCATION: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 Council President Papaleo called the meeting to order at 7:03pm 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, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor James Gallagher was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present) Audience Participation Ms. Darlene Taliaferro 504 Folcroft Avenue said that 502 Virginia Avenue has work trucks, ten cars and materials dropped off behind the property. Ms. Taliaferro said this is unsightly. Mr. Papaleo asked if this is a business. Ms. Grayson said that this is a business and said that she sees the work being done every morning, noting personal interactions with the workers. Mr. Woods said this is actually a Garfield Road address but that he is aware of the situation. MS. Taliaferro asked about a boat parked on grass that she reported previously. Mr. Woods said that he is aware of this and the owner is going to court soon for the issue. Mr. Woods said that he has a meeting scheduled with the owner on April 17 th to review as well and that the property has been cited for trash, cars and a boat. Ms. Taliaferro said that the grass is going to grow at 540 Folcroft Avenue and requested this be addressed. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • There was no new business Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Members considered a quote from Martin Stone Quarries for $1,188 for a truckload of specialized soil for the Montgomery Park baseball field. Ms. Grayson made the motion seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Members considered a quote for a vinyl sign wrap from 95 Signs for a welcome to Folcroft sign. Ms. Grayson said that one sign would replace a sign damaged LOCATION ENTER BACKGROUND. Mr. Papaleo said that he felt the signs were dainty compared to those in other municipalities. Mr. Papaleo thought the welcome signs were a bit small. Mr. Ropski said that there was money given out years ago however the manager at the time Truscello did not want to spend the money. Ms. Daly said that the current signs are free. Mr. Papaleo said he would push for new signage as well in the next budget. Mr. Papaleo said that it could be replaced at that point if needed. Mr. Ropski asked if this could be with the treescaping. Ms. Daly said this is already part of the plan from Mr. Van-Otoo. Ms. Daly said that Mr. Van- Otoo is looking for grant money for that project. Ms. Daly said that even having it is worth it. Ms. Daly said that part of the project is putting up flowers and a garden around it. Mr. Papaleo said that he would vote for this. Mr. Papaleo said he always thought that the signs looked small. Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Ms. Grayson discussed a motion to ratify an expense of $2,900 for tree work conducted by Jake’s Tree Service. Ms. Grayson said the tree had been totally removed along with some work from an ash tree as discussed in a previous meeting. Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. • Ms. Grayson discussed a motion to ratify resolution R2023-04 extending the tax collection 2% discount period to April 30th. Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Papaleo asked why this was under public works. Mr. Hayman said it was a mistake. Ms. Grayson discussed the previously discussed side yard fence ordinance that was voted down at the past meeting and asked what the cause for the no votes was. Mr. Papaleo said that he was absent. Ms. Grayson confirmed she was as well. Ms. Daly discussed who voted for and against the ordinance. Ms. Daly said that this was not really discussed as there was no indication at the time that it would not be passed. Ms. Daly said Ms. Fyffe made the motion seconded by Ms. Isaac. Mr. Papaleo said he would have supported this ordinance as part of a compromise. Ms. Grayson said she was surprised that the ordinance was vetoed. Ms. Grayson said that before she considers bringing it back she wanted to discuss why this happened. Mayor DiCicco said it wasn’t vetoed. Mr. Ropski said he did not think it was a good idea to put a six foot fence beside a four foot fence. Ms. Daly said she was thinking about side yard fences in the village whereas Ms. Grayson was thinking about other areas. Ms. Daly asked if there was an ordinance where you can’t put a fence up against a fence already. Ms. Daly said her mom lives in Aldan and there was an ordinance prohibiting a larger fence against a smaller fence. Ms. Grayson said that she believed this was the case. Mr. Woods said that he was not aware of anything. Ms. Isaac said that she did not quite understand the ordinance. Mr. Papaleo said a legal opinion is being sought now. Mr. Papaleo asked if Ms. Isaac is on a breezeway which she confirmed. Mr. Papaleo said that this would prohibit her putting a fence in her side yard starting at the corner of her home. Ms. Daly said that with the current fence height you can’t have a pool. Mr. Woods said you cannot have a fence in the side yard. Mr. Papaleo said there already is a ppol on a side yard that has been there for many years. Mr. Papaleo said he would support the fence however he would not support cyclone fences in front yards under any circumstances. Mr. Papaleo asked what the fence had to be made of. Mr. Papaleo asked to specify whether or not this would be a privacy fence or not. Ms. Grayson said she would like to revisit this ordinance. Mr. Papaleo asked to change some aspects of the ordinance regarding the material changes. Mr. Gallagher explained the process for reconsidering but said that rewording the fence ordinance would require it to be reconsidered. Mr. Hayman suggested a motion authorizing the solicitor to draft a new ordinance like the previous ordinance but specifying the material. Mayor DiCicco described the height concerns she had because of her and said that she could not see over her fence. Mr. Papaleo confirmed whether or not councilmembers could rally around an adjustment to the material used in fences. Mayor DiCicco said that she looked into getting a pool years ago and she found that she needed a privacy fence. Mr. Papaleo asked Mr. Hayman to let the property owner whom original brought this concern to council that members were still discussing the matter. Ms. Grayson discussed the nature of how this matter came to council. Mr. Woods noted that the property in question is an end house and this was another matter. Mr. Gallagher said that a variance could be issued and gave an example from Plymouth Meeting noting that ordinances should be adjusted when there are regular concerns about fencing. Mr. Woods said that to adjust for this fence another variance would still need to be issued. Mr. Papaleo asked for the wording of this ordinance. Mr. Gallagher said it had to do with visibility. Mr. Ropski described how the ordinance reads. Mr. Gallagher read the ordinance to councilmembers. Ms. Daly said that there are many homes with these issues and noted that the hedges on Delmar Drive prohibit visibility. Mr. Woods said that there is an ordinance that allows the borough to remove hedges at corner properties. Mr. Woods noted several instances in the Borough where this is already an issue. Ms. Daly noted a property that she is aware of where this is an issue. Mr. Woods noted another instance where a property owner is waiting to see if this fence was updated. Mr. Papaleo said that as the ordinance is worded now he believes it should be reworded and noted that with a variance the owner could just put up a cyclone fence and noted that it would be harder to get one. Mr. Gallagher said the owner could still get a variance but said that the solicitor could still be sent to challenge it. Ms. Daly said that fencing is too expensive and cyclone material is not cheap either. Mr. Papaleo asked the pricing for new fencing installed. Ms. Daly said that council approved it. Ms. Isaac asked if the neighbor’s consent must be given. Ms. Daly asked if this will cause more confusion with the current language and asked if corner property can be excluded. Mr. Papaleo recommended a solution to the problem for the home in question, noting that redrafting the ordinance specifying for side yards and end properties with existing fences can be excluded. Mr. Gallagher said that there could be wording EXIST NON CONFORMING ENTER Ms. Grayson said she agreed with the wording adjustment to exclude side yard fencing. Ms. Daly asked if this person would get away with the fence. Ms. Daly said that she is familiar with the person and said that the owner yelled at her during a community cleanup. Mr. Woods said that he addressed the issue the day after it came up and it took them three months to apply for a permit and the application was only made because fines were issued. Mr. Papaleo said that he did not want to reward bad behavior. Mr. Gallagher asked if aluminum picket fences could be excluded or there was any difference and presented an example of what it looked like. Ms. Daly said the fencing would still be inconsistent. Ms. Daly said that she believed the current fence should be accepted and said that the wording should just be made to say not cyclone. Mr. Ropski suggested allowing slots in the cyclone fence and said this would still be a privacy fence. Mr. Papaleo sought confirmation from council to craft a side yard privacy fence ordinance excluding cyclone. Ms. Grayson said she did not want to discuss the boys club matter at this time. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • Mr. Ropski discussed R2023-03 authorizing the sale of a 2016 Dodge Rampickup. Ms. Daly asked why the Borough a bad idea. Ms. Daly said she hates Tahoes and preferred the pickup. Mr. Papaleo asked if this resolution could be reworded but Mr. Gallagher said it could not. Mr. Papaleo asked Mr. Hayman to draft a new resolution for the next meeting selling the 2009 Tahoe. A motion to reject resolution 2023-03 authorizing the sale of a 2016 dodge ram was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. . • Mr. Ropski discussed ratification a quote for a 2023 Chevy Tahoe for $45,000 Mr. Ropski made a motion. Mr. Papaleo said that he made a phone vote to confirm the order of the vehicle. Mr. Papaleo said that this was done by a phone vote previously. Ms. Daly said that she was not aware of the price but may have forgotten. Ms. Daly asked if the vehicle was white. Mr. Hayman said that it was not but the quote does say that. Mr. Ropski made the motion seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Daly noted that the vehicle was ordered on November 18 th 2022 and said that the budget wasn’t done yet. Mr. Papaleo noted that the preliminary budget was passed by that point. Ms. Daly said that it also says November 1st. Manager Hayman explained that he has provided guidance in writing for the proper process for buying and selling vehicles. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe listed the upcoming events at the Folcroft Library through April. Ms. Fyffe said that the library does not have access to it’s facebook. Ms. Daly said that all activities for the library are now on the website. Mr. Papaleo said he loved the longwood gardens trip idea. Mr. Papaleo thought this would be a nice summer excursion tour. Mr. Papaleo asked if a bulk rate can be sold to the Borough. Ms. Fyffe said she would look into this. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said that the Easter Egg hunt has been rain-dated to Saturday at the same time and location as previously scheduled. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Delegated to Councilor Grayson • A motion to approve a sewer module agreement with DCIU was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac said the upcoming cleanup is on April 22nd and said she needs signups for volunteers. Mr. Papaleo said he is going to Ireland sometime around then but hopes to attend. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Consider tabled motion to accept a proposal for furniture for the new municipal complex. Ms. Daly said that if the items aren’t ordered soon it could be a problem. Mr. Papaleo asked if there was no real negotiating. Ms. Petty said that a third quote is being sought but there are plans to reduce the amount of furniture needed. Ms. Daly said there are backlogs and it could take a lot of time to get the items. Ms. Daly said there is a lot of pressure from the builder to get the plans of where electrical sockets are. Ms. Grayson said that the builder would have to pay storage fees for the items if they come too early. Ms. Grayson said she believed there was another few weeks until the site is ready to start work. Ms. Petty said that office basics is doing some editing. Ms. Isaac asked when the building should be finished. Mr. Papaleo said he thought there was more time on this than originally anticipated. Mr. Papaleo said the concern is that there isn’t a plan to go with. Ms. Petty said that Mr. Caponi is negotiating for higher prices. Mr. Papaleo said that the office basics materials are going to be replaced in two years. Ms. Daly said that once company assembles and installs and one does not guarantee this. Ms. Daly said that this would be a better option. A motion to table the proposal for furniture for the new municipal complex was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business. Mr. Ropski asked if the alleyways are still being sealed. Ms. Daly said that they are. Mr. Ropski said this was the 1100 block of Taylor Drive. Ms. Daly said that she forwards requests to Mr. Hayman. Ms. Daly said the stretch missed was completed last week and the aprons have been completed. Ms. Daly said that resident complaints should be reported however there will be occasional reports of issues like water pooling, which was not as bad with the previous potholes. Old Business Mr. Ropski asked about the trash bid. Mr. Hayman gave the date of the bid opening. New Business Mr. Papaleo asked if staff could be released on noon on Thursday with a luncheon after. Ms. Daly said yes but asked what the overtime pay was. Mr. Hayman said there is not technically a union contract and it is not a holiday so overtime was appropriate. Mr. Papaleo asked if a motion was needed. Mr. Gallagher said it was personnel and a motion was not needed. Mayor DiCicco said that on Saturday night she was at china wok two next to the pop-up shop and there were guards outside with weapons and described a party being held inside. Mayor DICicco said she did not understand why armed guards were needed and said that she did not believe this was appropriate. Ms. Daly noted that bingo was being hosted there and this is also an event and not just shopping. Members discussed what types of events were being held there. Mr. Papaleo asked the code enforcer to investigate. Mr. Hayman said this was probably a police matter. Mr. Papaleo said he would just leave the matter for now. Mr. Papaleo was given an example of a flyer showing gambling going on at this event. Ms. Fyffe made a motion to adjourn at 8:04pm seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously.