Borough Council

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING JULY 11th 2023 Location: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 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 absent, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe was present, Councilmember Stephen Ropski was absent, Councilmember Frank Redding was present, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor James Gallagher was absent with Colleen Marsini standing in, Manager Andrew Hayman was present *Council President Papaleo noted that an executive session was held on June 29 th to discuss three potential legal matters* Mr. Papaleo turned the meeting over to Deputy Chief Eiserman. Mr. Eiserman said he had a check for $1,000 for community on behalf of FOP Lodge 27 and thanked the Borough for its assistance with the community. Mr. Eiserman said that by far Folcroft Council is the best to work with in the County. Audience Participation Ms. Dawn Andonian of 537 Crotzer Avenue said that she was upset about Bamboo noting an issue with her neighbor’s property. Ms. Andonian said that the soil is sinking on her property and that bamboo is regrowing on her property and neighboring properties. Ms. Andonian said she wasn’t clear if more would be done. Ms. Andonian asked when the bamboo would be addressed. Manager Hayman said that while notice of intent to abate had been posted it was determined to be a more complicated legal matter and that it would hopefully be resolved in the coming weeks. Ms. Andonian thought it was very unprofessional that the landlord left a small piece of paper and wanted to talk to the Borough first. Ms. Darlene Taliaferro at 504 Folcroft Avenue was here to complain about the neighbor’s property and said that a parcel of land still is not cut along willow avenue. Ms. Taliaferro said the street looks like a jungle and described the weeds. Ms. Taliaferro said that she has spoken with Mr. Woods about it frequently and that the property has not been maintained at all this year and that she was just here to speak publicly about it. Mr. Papaleo asked for the address of the property. Ms. Taliaferro said its 535 willow ave and 537 Willows avenue but also noted a house on Folcroft Avenue. Ms. Taliaferro said that she did not even know if the owner had seen the issue. Ms. Grayson asked the address on Willow but the problem is on Folcroft Avenue. Mr. Woods said that one of the addresses is a bank owned property and not being maintained but clarified that the address was 435 willows and the neighboring address does not exist. Mr. Woods said that a portion of the property was listed as a paper street but according to the county records there is no paper street between these roads. Mr. Papaleo asked if there was any documentation of a paper street historically. Mr. Woods presented a picture of the land and explained what his understanding of the situation was. Mr. Papaleo asked to move on and said that he would look into it. **Ms. Daly made a motion to open a public hearing. Ms. Grayson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.  Public Hearing about zoning ordinance 2023-01 regulating smoke shops A public hearing was held on ordinance 2023-01 regulating smoke shops. Meeting minutes were taken by a court reporter. There were no comments. **Ms. Daly made a motion to close the public hearing seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. **A motion to approve ordinance 2023-01 regulating smoke shops was made by Ms. Daly – and seconded by Ms. Grayson. A roll call vote was held: Papaleo – yes Daly – Yes Fyffe – Yes Redding – Yes Grayson – Yes The roll call vote passed unanimously. Engineer’s Report Mr. Nick Cross said that PECO was on site today at the new municipal complex and the RACP grant funding is being reimbursed. Mr. Cross said that there are some sealing issues to be corrected at a few addresses on Delmar Drive for the driveway repaving and the MS4 information is currently being prepared to submit to DEP. Mr. Cross said he is putting forward proposals for surveys for the Montgomery park entrance project. Mr. Cross said that the 2023 roads program said that he is looking to get the project out to bid in the coming weeks. Mr. Cross aid that the DCIU land development plan proposals have sent forward and he is coordinating with the new 7/11 property owner to get proof of the new ownership. Mr. Cross said that with the safestor project closed out the maintenance bond is being released and he has been working with Mr. Gallagher to get this problem alleviated. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the bill list for the month of June, 2023 seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of June, 2023. Ms. Daly seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the June 22nd 2023 Meeting Minutes. Ms. Fyffe seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to ratify a donation of $2,500 to the Folcroft Swim Club seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion was voted on by roll call vote as follows: Papaleo – Yes Daly – Abstain Fyffe – Yes Redding – Yes Grayson - Yes The motion passed with four in support and one abstention. Public Works - Ms. Grayson **Ms. Grayson made a motion to ratify advertising of ordinance 2023-03 regarding surface repair for street openings seconded by Ms. Daly. Mr. Hayman explained that this was to comply with proper advertising requirements for ordinances and that this advertisement had been done in June to allow for a vote this evening. The motion passed unanimously. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve ordinance 2023-03 regarding surface repair for street openings seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Members considered a motion to authorize bidding the 2023 roads program Manager Hayman clarified if this was ready to advertise. Mr .Cross said he was not aware. **Ms. Grayson made a motion to table advertising the 2023 roads program seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Members discussed potential of partnering with Darby Township for trash and recycling collection in the future Ms. Daly said that she would generally be in support of the plan but wanted more details. Manager Hayman said that this would allow the Borough to bid out trash collection jointly with Darby Township however it did not require either party to lock into anything and only authorized the engineer and solicitor to begin drafting bids. Mr. Hayman said that he had been in contact with the manager in Darby Township and that similar issues with regard to the quality of trash collection had been reported there, too. Mr. Papaleo asked if council could withdraw from the plan separately if needed. Mr. Hayman said he understood that they could. Ms. Daly said she believed that this could not hurt but only help. Mr. Papaleo said he believed the economy of scale might be sufficient to decrease costs. Ms. Marsini explained her understanding of the process and said she is familiar with it and that a resolution could be drafted. Ms. Marsini said if there was a consensus she could draft such a resolution. Ms. Grayson said she agreed. Ms. Daly said she wondered how this would affect trash days but that this could be figured out later. Ms. Daly said she imagined that this would be a larger team of people. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski **Mr. Grayson made a motion to approve the June 2023 Police report seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve the June 2023 Fire Chief’s report seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. **Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve the June 2023 Fire Marshal’s report seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to ratify hiring of part-time officer Edwin Guerrero seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe had no new business to discuss. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said that the fireworks were entirely funded by Paollella and Abbonizio and sons and said that the entire cost has been covered. Ms. Daly said that 37 applications for vendors have been sent out and some applications are already being returned and that food vendor fees are lower so that there are no issues with the county. Ms. Grayson asked the day. Ms. Daly said that was all for her. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Redding • Mr. Redding had no new business. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Mr. Papaleo said he did not know if other members had seen the painting of the fire department building but he was concerned, not that this was a bad job but that he did not like the color. Ms. Grayson asked if anyone had seen the color before voting. Mr. Papaleo said he thought it would be cypress green. Manager Hayman requested council’s consent to negotiate with the painter and find a solution that all members could be in support of. Mr. Papaleo said he has seen nicer looking federal disaster areas. Ms. DiCicco joked that the building was ugly. Mr. Hayman asked for permission to have it painted with primer and covered. Ms. Grayson said she was supportive of a white primer. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson said she had no new business and that weather over the past two weeks this has put a damper on the project. Ms. Grayson said she was hoping to finish by the end of the year. Ms. Daly said the good news is that PECO was on site. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business to discuss. Police Chief’s Report Chief bair was absent. Solicitor’s Report Ms. Marsini solicited for questions but none were received. Finance Director’s Report Ms. Stilwell mentioned that budget season is starting and asked members to be ready to participate for meetings in August. Borough Manager’s Report Manager Hayman presented a manager’s report on code enforcement, parking, public works and current projects. Old Business Mayor DiCicco reported a suspicious white van on Folcroft Avenue and a red vehicle that gets tickets and asked why the vehicle keeps getting tickets. Officer Depietro said he would stick an abandoned sticker on the vehicle and that he would tow the vehicle if the matter persists. Mr. Papaleo asked if he could make this area residents parking only. Ms. Marsini said yes but there were more steps involved. Mr. Papaleo said that he believed that local autobody shops were parking vehicles there. Ms. Marsini said that as long as the majority of people on the block want it – estimated at 75% - this could be done. Ms. Marsini said that once this is done there project could move forward and the resident signatures must be confirmed. Ms. Marsinis suggested a traffic study could also be undertaken. Ms. Grayson asked the status of the 7/11. Ms. Daly said that this was in the report and the new owner has to prove ownership. Ms. Daly said that she understood that the new owner has to prove ownership. New Business Ms. Fyffe presented information about an upcoming event at the library in August. ** Ms. Daly made a motion to adjourn at 7:47pm seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously.