Borough Council

Meeting Minutes FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 Location: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 President Papaleo called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM 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 absent, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe was present, Councilmember Stephen Ropski was present, Councilmember Frank Redding was present, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor Colleen Marsini was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman) Audience Participation Mr. Fred Davoodi 39 Folcroft Avenue said that he has been here since 2018 or 2019 complaining about his neighbor who has a dog barking and defecating on the lawn. Mr. Davood said he has called the police many times and has reported his background as well. Mr. Davoodi said that his neighbor was a friend of his and a Glenolden police officer. Mr. Davoodi said that since the neighbor’s girlfriend has moved in there have been many problems in the home. Mr. Davoodi said that even the police chief was mad at him and noted that Mr. Hayman and Chief Bair are aware of the situation along with 300 over police calls. Mr. Davoodi said that he was told because the cops were aware he believes that there is no favoritism in the situation. Mr. Davoodi said that he cannot bring his grandchildren to his home and that his neighbor does not walk the dogs. Mr. Papaleo asked if there are large dogs. Mr. Davoodi said that they are large. Mr. Papaleo asked when the dogs are barking. Mr. Davoodi described situations in which the dogs bark that cause issues. Mr. Davoodi said that Mr. Hayman had resolved the issue several times and that he was afraid Mr. Hayman was upset with him. Mr. Davoodi said that he was told there was no ordinance that the dog could bark at 5:00pm for an unlimited time. Mr. Papaleo said that this is not the case and the dog cannot bark more than 10 minutes at any time. Mr. Papaleo asked if these ENTER NOTES ABOUT DAVOODI SITUATION. Mr. Davoodi said that he has a dog but he is afraid to bring the dog here because the neighbors are vicious. Mr. Papaleo said that if there is a claim of abuse it will be reported to the state. Mr. Davoodi said he did not want to claim that the township or the police are not doing their jobs and said that his neighbors are ignorant and have many issues. Mr. Davoodi said that he admits that there have been mistakes. Mr. Davoodi said that he was tired and made a mistake and put flour on the lawn and the neighbor claimed that this was poison, which Mr. Davoodi claimed was not real. Mr. Davoodi said that the same day he received two tickets for $1,8000 for this. Mr. Papaleo said that this is a court matter and he cannot exert influence and encouraged Mr. Davoodi to be honest with the judge in this situation. Mr. Papaleo said that he would connect Mr. Davoodi with the state agency that handles this. Mr. Papaleo said he would do what he could to help Mr. Davoodi. Ms. Marsini said that she had good news and she said that when the situation with the lawsuit with the trash hauler and said that initially she was concerned however it went wonderfully and she thanked the manager for this. Engineer Nick Cross said that the building certificate is up for tonight and abbonizio is addressing the concerns for tonight and that the project status meetings have been ongoing and the Mr. Cross said that the low bidder for trash collection was B&L disposal and listed all prices. Mr. Cross said delco greenways round 4 was adopted at the last meeting and the 2024 keystone grant for library renovations was up for tonight as well. Mr. Cross said the 2023 liquid fuels paving was almost done with some sealing that needed to be completed. Mr. Cross said the DCIU review needed to be completed and there were more revisions being doing. Mr. Cross asked if there were any questions. Mr. Papaleo asked when the amphitheater could be completed. Mr. Cross explained the award process in 2024. Ms. Daly suggested 2025. Mr. Cross said late 2024. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo ** Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the bill list for the month of September, 2023 seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of September, 2023 seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the September 5 th 2023 and September 19th 2023 meeting minutes but noted two edits requested in which the mayor was erroneously listed as Mayor Frey and simply as Mayor. Mr. Ropski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Members considered approval of the 2024 preliminary budget Mr. Papaleo said the new budget includes an $82,000 surplus, hires two new full-time officers and asked if there were any questions. Ms. Daly said she was not sure if she was reading it correctly and asked if it seems like there is a massive cut to the recreation budget and noting it went to $15,500 from $18,000 with a new center. Ms. Daly asked what she could do to increase this. Ms. Daly said she also wanted increases for new items like swings and communication boards for people who do not speak English or are unable to speak. Ms. Daly said there was a significant amount of money received for fireworks and ms. Petty had done a great job raising funds but said that this could not be relied upon and asked that this be $25,000 for the next year. Ms. Grayson suggested $30,000 for the line item and said that it would not make money for some time as the building is not open. Ms. Daly said she would accept $22,000. Ms. Grayson said she believes Folcroft has the worst playgrounds in the areas. Mr. Papaleo said he believed the grants received for Montgomery Park include funds or overhaul. Mr. Cross said that he believed there was some funding. Ms. Daly said she was confident that it was not. Ms. Grayson asked for clarification about the entranceway. Mr. Hayman suggested that more funds be provided as the Borough is now building a new community center and needs available funding for programs. Mr. Papaleo said he would be ok with $25,000. Mr. Papaleo asked if this is doable. Donna Stilwell said that it was. Mr. Papaleo asked if there was consensus for this. Mr. Papaleo asked for approval for the preliminary budget with approval for the $25,000. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the 2024 preliminary budget seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. Members considered a Land Development Agreement for 1498 Delmar Drive. Mr. Hayman explained that this was tabled previously and included no known changes to the plan from previous years, which was confirmed by engineer Nicholas Cross. Mr. Papaleo said he was not comfortable with the plan without confirmation that this would be a 7/11. Other members expressed their concerns about the plan as well. Ms. Marsini suggested tabling the motion and asking the developer to come to a subsequent meeting. **Ms. Daly made a motion to table the meeting seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously . • Members considered a contract with Portnoff Law Associates for delinquent trash and sewer fee collection services. Mr. Hayman said that this was the proposal received from the RFP put out earlier in the year and that it would be required to begin delinquent tax collection in the Borough, along with an ordinance to be passed directly afterwards. Ms. Daly was unclear if this was a normal contract and Ms. Marsini said she was not personally certain. Ms. Petty said that right now there is $714,000 in liens on the street and right now the money is not always being collected. Ms. Petty said that she has found homes with liens that were not settled upon the sale of the home and she is not satisfied with the current property owner. Mr. Redding asked about bankruptcy notices and if they are being received. Ms. Daly said that her pushing and holding rental licenses is getting payment for the liens. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the contract seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. Members considered advertising ordinance 2023-04 setting fees and costs for Portnoff Law Associates Ms. Daly asked how the annual fees work for this contract. Ms. Daly said that she understands that the Borough is liable for a certain amount of funds up to 50 accounts per year. Ms. Marsini said that this is a standard contract when prompted by Mr. Hayman. Ms. Marsini suggested tabling it. Ms. Marsini said she did not want to have to explain a contract that she did not write. Mr. Hayman suggested having an employee from Portnoff Law. **Ms. Daly made a motion to rescind the contract with Portnoff law as noted in the prior motion. Ms. Grayson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. **Ms. Daly made a motion to table ordinance 20230-04 and a contract with Portnoff law for delinquent trash and sewer fee collection seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson Members considered bids for trash collection in Folcroft Borough **Ms. Grayson made a motion to accept the recommended bid from B&L disposal services for trash collection seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski **Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve the September 2023 Police report seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. **Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve the September 2023 Fire Chief’s report Ms. Grayson asked what company time is. Mr. Kesser said this is the total time spent on calls. Ms. Daly seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. **Mr. Ropski made a motion to approve the September 2023 Fire Marshal’s report seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Ropski mentioned that the Fire Company is host it’s annual Christmas party on December 9 th Mr. Papaleo asked if there is a charge for tickets. Mr. Kesser said that all of this is free. Mr. Ropski asked if this is the same day as the senior luncheon. Mr. Kesser said that it is but much later. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe Ms. Fyffe said that she has a lot of updates. Ms. Fyffe said there is a arrangement design tonight starting at 6:00pm. Ms. Daly said there is a wait list. Ms. Fyffe said that there is an open house to join the board this evening at 6:30pm on October 19th and noted that there is also a new facebook page that needs more likes. Mr. Papaleo asked if this can be shared to the Borough page. Ms. Daly said that she had already done this. • Members considered resolution 2023-09 supporting a keystone grant for the Folcroft Library Mr. Cross said that this resolution authorizes the Borough to put together a grant application on behalf of the library which is a 50% matching grant for $30,000 for renovations including new walls and replacing the boiler which is old and baseboard heating and a new sign out front. Mr. Cross said he thought this was good. Ms. Daly asked if this was for a new reception area. Mr. Cross said it was not. Ms. Daly said that this area was outdated. Mr. Cross said this grant is only for renovations. Mr. Hayman said that he had added only a resolution noting the 50 year guarantee was on the agenda. Mr. Hayman suggested a voice vote for the second grant and noted that this could be ratified later on. Mr. Papaleo said he was comfortable with this. **Ms. Fyffe made a motion to approve resolution 2023-09 supporting a keystone grant seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business but requested for volunteer trunks and asked to have the LED sign to remove all councilmembers and only include events. Mr. Hayman said he would create a new playlist. Mr. Kesser asked what the time for community day is. Ms. Daly said 3pm to 8pm and fireworks at 9pm. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Redding ** Mr. Redding made a motion to ratify a vote by phone hire of a new code enforcer Ethan Williams seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac was absent, there was no new business. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson said that at the last meeting Ms. Isaac had mentioned the Halloween contest. Ms. Grayson sought clarification about what day this is happening. Mr. Papaleo said that he understood there would be a tour of the Borough. Ms. DiCicco said that Ms. Isaac would tour the Borough and examine the properties. Members discussed confusion about this event. Ms. Daly said she understood that ms. Isaac’s committee would be involved in this and asked if Ms. Grayson would be like to be on the committee. Ms. Grayson said she would not. Ms. Grayson said that as of today the roof is complete, the doors and windows are installed, furniture is in the final stages of being ordered and right now this is $62,000 under budget and there was an IT meeting waiting on a proposal for all parts. Ms .Grayson said that the current move in date is 3 weeks ahead of schedule with a move in date in February. ** Ms. Grayson made a motion to adjourn at 7:52pm seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously.