Borough Council

AGENDA FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 1st 2023 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, Councilmember Leigh Daly, Councilmember Tawana Grayson, Councilmember Malinda Isaac, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe, Councilmember Stephen Ropski, Councilmember Frank Redding Mayor Franny DiCicco, Solicitor James Gallagher, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman all were present. *Council President Papaleo noted that an executive session was held on July 24 h to discuss potential litigation and also noted that there would be another executive session directly after this meeting* Audience Participation Ms. Lorn Adams 1913 Delmar Drive said that the traffic on her street is becoming increasingly fast especially this time of the day and there’s also a lot of noise which she said was horrible. Ms. Adams said she understood that the Borough can’t stop the traffic but suggested speed bumps from Grant road to the Dunkin Donuts. Ms. Adams also said that her neighbor’s trees are hanging over her yard which said has been going on since 2006 and she’s been paying to get this done herself which she says she cannot afford due to her fixed income. Ms. Adams said she spoke to her new neighbor and then called the code department who she didn’t get in touch with. Ms. Adams said she wanted something to be done. Mr. Papaleo provided Ms. Adam’s phone number to Ramona Petty and said they would speak after. Engineer’s Report Mr. Cross said that tonight there is a payment recommendation for approval and that he is in contact with the conservation district to discuss EMS issues for the new municipal complex. Ms. Cross said he is coordinating a meeting with the Borough and the state for the RACP grant funding received. Mr. Cross said that there is nothing new to report this week but the September submission to DEP is moving forward for the mS4 project. Mr. Cross said he is waiting for reports from a surveyor and there is still grant funding needed for projects and design costs for Montgomery Park. Mr. Cross said that for the road program there will be authorization of the road program and cost estimates were also provided for this work. Mr. Cross said that the DCIU technical school project sewer planning module is being reviewed and the 7/11 project land development agreement is being drafted and should be finalized shortly. Ms. Fyffe asked about the status of a renovation grant for the inside of the library. Mr. Cross said he would look into this. Mayor DiCicco asked about the lot at Hook and Folcroft Avenue and said she heard this was going to be a Lukoil. Mr. Cross said he was not aware of this and so far as he is aware there are no changes. Mayor DiCicco said she was certain that this was for a Lukoil. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve resolution 2023-04 naming the new Community Center in honor of Ethan Joner Grayson seconded by Ms. Fyffe. A roll call vote was held: Mr. Ropski – Yes Mr. Papaleo – Yes Ms. Daly – Abstain Ms. Fyffe – Yes Mr. Redding – Yes Ms. Isaac – Yes Ms. Grayson -Yes 6-1 abstention. President Papaleo read the resolution into the record. A RESOLUTION OF FOLCROFT BOROUGH, DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, OFFICIALLY NAMING THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTER LOCATED AT XXX ASHLAND AVE, FOLCROFT PA 19032 IN HONOR OF ETHAN P. JONER WHEREAS, Folcroft Borough (the “Borough”) is currently completing construction on a new community center, police station and borough hall, and WHEREAS, Borough Council has the right to name any municipal facility or structure at any time, and WHEREAS, Borough Council recognizes the hard work and exemplary community service of Ethan P. Joner, who sadly passed away during construction of the new center. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Borough of Folcroft as follows: Folcroft Borough Council designates the new community center located at (XX Ashland Avenue) currently under construction as the Ethan P. Joner Community Center.  DULY PRESENTED AND ADOPTED by the Borough Council of Folcroft Borough, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, this 1st day of August, 2023. In emotional remarks, Ms. Daly thanked council for their kindness and said that she was proud that the building would be named after her son. ** Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the July 11th 2023 meeting minutes seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson Ms. Grayson said that in May Council had decided a part-time worker and no applicants applied and finally an applicant had applied. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to hire part-time worker Dillon Harding extended by two months. Mr. Ropski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Members discussed bidding the 2023 road program Grayson – Daly. Nick Cross explained that the Borough could select which roads get paved in 2023 depending on pricing. Mr. Papaleo asked after this has done nearly everything will have been paved within the past 5 years if the recommended streets are paved. Manager Hayman explained what streets had and had not been paved. **Ms. Grayson made a motion to authorize the Borough engineer to bid the 2023 roads program seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. ** Ms. Daly made a motion to authorize rebidding trash and recycling collection seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski ** Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve a letter of support for a DCED emergency services study through GCLGS seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hayman explained that this grant would be administered by the Governor’s office and would examine how well emergency response is working in the Borough, especially fire and ems service. Mr. Redding asked about the way grant funding is administered and whether it benefitted larger, wealthier municipalities. Manager Hayman said he was unsure but relayed his experiences. Mr. Gallagher explained his understanding of some of the wording in the actual letter of support, comparing property values and a percentage of grant funding. Mr. Redding asked to clarify if grants are based on property values. Mr. Gallagher said that they were not. ** Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve a quote for a 2023 Dodge Durango to replace a totaled vehicle seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hayman explained that this is to replace one of two vehicles totaled in the middle of July and that it was ready for pickup now, allowing the vehicle to be in service shortly. Mr. Bair said there are 11 possible patrol cars when prompted by Ms. Grayson and noted that there are also two under cover vehicles which are not police equipped. Mr. Bair said there are three that are police equipped but not patrol vehicles so there are 8 patrol vehicles counting the k9 vehicle. Ms. Grayson mentioned that the Borough received a chevy tahoe this year Mr. Bair said that the deputy chief has this one. Ms. Isaac said that there would be insurance money. Mr. Taliaferro asked if the equipment. Ms. Grayson said that she did not think it would be a lot of money. Ms. Grayson said that she is here frequently and always sees police cars and then they are not out. Mr. Ropski suggested getting this vehicle now and not getting one next year. Ms. Daly said she would be 100% sure to vote for it but only if there was no vehicle purchase and that was excluded from next year’s budget. Mr. Bair said council could do what it wants but that other vehicles could still theoretically come out of service because they run constantly and being able to switch out vehicles for maintenance purposes was important. A resident suggested working with finance companies to look up funding. Mr. Bair said that there is a grant coming up in September that municipalities can apply for grant funding to buy vehicles and said that the officer sent to grant writing school could write this grant. Ms. Daly said she is fine with this large expense if the Borough does not order a new vehicle excluding grant funding to potentially get multiple vehicles. Ms. Grayson said she would agree with that. Mr. Ropski said he was good with that. Mr. Bair said he was fine with this. Ms. Daly said she just wanted to make sure that the Borough isn’t getting two cars every year as the Borough has had to replace a few hits in the past few years. Mr. Bair said that this happened before because there was a vehicle being replaced because it had significant maintenance costs. Ms. Daly said she was fine with brand new cars with no other issues. Mr. Bair said he just wanted to ensure that the Borough is not depleting vehicles. Ms. Grayson asked about the car pricing and asked about the additional funds. Mr. Bair said he belived this was about $8,000. Ms. Daly said that the Borough had budgeted about $51,000. Mr. Bair said the vehicle is not maintained. Mr. Hayman said he understood this vehicle was ready to be dropped off now. Mr. Papaleo suggested that the Borough is about 4-5 months from the 2024 additions of vehicles. Ms. Grayson said that this is next month that they come out. Ms. Daly said that the vehicles are out for two months and more vehicles are needed. Ms. Daly said that the Borough could hold and wait or buy a vehicle now. A resident asked the difference between 2023 and 2024 amounts. Mr. Papaleo explained his understanding but he was ok with this. Mr. Papaleo said if the Borough could get a newer one for the same price but noted that if the Borough is in a rush it may be worth it. Ms. Daly said this paperwork was just written up. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe Ms. Fyffe made a motion to appoint Rose George-Bretz to the Library Board for a two year position seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business but mentioned that the Borough is continuing to push community day and vendor applications are being sent out and reiterated the date. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Redding • Mr. Redding had no new business. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac said that she will be meeting again on the last Monday of August which she believed to be the 26th and said she would set up who would check out landscaping and gardening and then winning contestants would be chosen. New Building – Ms. Grayson **Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve payment certificate #5 to Paolella Construction for $391,487.49 seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Grayson said that the concrete was laid for the new community center last week and the metal structure of the building would come up last week. Ms. Grayson asked about status meetings at the new Borough Hall Mr. Cross said there would be more meetings. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly Ms. Daly made a motion to approve a parking permit fee waiver for Kevin Boone seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Police Chief’s Report Chief Bair thanked council and said that officers are working on permit renewals as they come in right now and the ones that were ordered don’t reflect like last year so some residents are being asked to put the stickers on the front of vehicles. Mr. Bair said that his officers would drive the wrong way down one ways and that this already being done in some instances. Mr. Bair said that they tested out old and new stickers and they don’t work. Ms. Daly said that another company was sought out for the stickers and they don’t exist. Ms. Daly said she would potentially move to stickers outside of the vehicle for 2024. Mr. Bair said that he and his officers are showing people how to use the new stickers. Ms. Daly said she would share on social media. Mr. Bair said because there is no limit on tint on the back of the vehicle that even the older stickers were sometimes an issue but that he believed they would get there. Mr. Bair said that frost and other issues will become a problem. Ms. Daly said that there was a huge pushback for stickers outside the car previously. Mr. Papaleo said that he didn’t have a problem with the sticker on the front of the car. Mr. Redding asked for clarification that these are the stickers. Mr. Hayman clarified if new instructions should be created. Ms. Daly said she was concerned about the stickers being hard to see on the wrong side. Mr. Papaleo asked the cost of buying a machine to print it. Mr. Hayman said he was unsure but the cost was prohibitive for the printing company and would be costly for the Borough. Mr. Papaleo said he was fine with front windows. Mr. Bair said that he is looking at a grant from years ago for new AEDs which are going to expire in February 2024. Mr. Bair said he is looking to get new AEDs which run from $1,400 to $1,700 a piece. Mr. Bair said a grant to do something like that would be great. Mr. Papaleo asked how many were needed. Mr. Bair listed the number estimating at least 12 and provided options. Mr. Bair said he believed they should be in every vehicle and every borough owned vehicle and property. Ms. Daly said that she believed every employee should be trained to use AEDs. Mr. Bair said that there was a 10 year warranty. Ms. Daly said that once the charging pads are used they cannot be reused but new pads can be purchased but when the machine is used successfully you get a free machine. Ms. Daly said she knows the company and believes it is phenomenal. Mr. Bair reviewed options and said he wanted a number put together for the next meeting. Mr. Papaleo asked for a price and said there would be a way. Mr. Bair said that he dropped the crime watch application QR code to the office and some businesses. Mr. Bair said that residents could use it to contact supervisors and 911 if needed. Mr. Bair said that complaints would be seen in real time. Mr. Bair said the LPR cameras were put in at grant and Delmar and chester pike and oak avenue and the cameras would be in use within about two weeks. Mr. Bair said that this is from the county and the Borough was looking to buy two but that these are from the county and now there are 8 cameras. Ms. Grayson asked Mr. Bair to review where the tag readers are. Mr. Redding asked if the program is part of a similar program that reads license plates. Mr. Bair explained what the tag reader does noting that it reports vehicles that are stolen or wanted for something else as well giving examples of how the tag readers would be used. Residents voice comments that the scanner sounded similar to the movie Minority Report. Members explained examples and how it was not similar to that. Mr. Bair noted other municipalities that have tag readers and some machines have up to 500,000 vehicles going through every month. Mr. Bair said it was worth waiting to see how this goes before getting more and reviewing their effectiveness later. Mr. Bair explained again tha the tag reader reads every single vehicle tag that goes past. Mr. Bair said that the tag reader can be hooked into certain phones and the phone would notify its user if there is a potential issue. Mayor DiCicco said that Mr. Bair should call Camden because their crime was lower due to camera usage. Solicitor’s Report The solicitor had no new business. Finance Director’s Report The finance director had no new business. Borough Manager’s Report Manager Hayman presented a monthly report on code enforcement, public works and other ongoing projects in the Borough. There was no old or new business. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to adourn at 8:02pm seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously.