Borough Council Workshop Meeting

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING APRIL 5, 2022 LOCATION: Folcroft Borough Hall, 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft 19032 PRESIDENT – Joseph Papaleo called the Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM Mayor DiCicco led the Flag Salute and Invocation. Roll Call (Council President Papaleo was present, Councilmember Nicholas Waters was absent, 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 Alex Baumler, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman) were present. Audience Participation Mr. David Gillan – 986 Grant Rd in Folcroft – mentioned item three for the friendly reminder saying that homeowners will be ticketed for vehicles parked on grass the home will be fined and asked why. Mr. Papaleo said that this was because it was the homeowner’s responsibility. Mr. Gillan asked why the ticket goes on the car and that this was not a friendly reminder and that he believed this was wrong. Mr. Gillan said that he is a military veteran and that’s why he knows this is wrong, notating at 983 Grant Rd the property owner was told to cement their property not to get tickets and he was worried about senior citizens who get the tickets. Mr. Gillan said that the code enforcer is nice but noted that the owner of the vehicle was driving away without a ticket and while he understood that vehicles should not be parked on grass and then noted that he was upset to find that the code enforcer had written a ticket for the property owner. Officer Daniel White advised Mr. Gillan not to make threatening comments. Mr. Papaleo spoke about it and said the Borough was always willing to consider tickets. Ms. Daly said that she was inclined to agree with Mr. Gillan noting a personal incident in which her daughter had inadvertently gotten a neighbor a ticket for her parking on the vehicle. Ms. Daly said that she believes that the car is in violation. Mr. Papaleo said that abandoned vehicles which are not road worthy should go to the homeowner. Mr. Papaleo advised Mr. Gillan to report the matter to the Borough in the future and that this was how it should be handled. Mr. Papaleo said it would be assumed that the vehicle was on the property. Mr. Papaleo said that he was unaware who the person at 983 Taylor spoke to. Mr. Gillan said that the property owner was told to cement the property. Mr. Papaleo asked Mr. Ropski’s committee to investigate the matter. Mr. Gillan said that the resident had signs up saying no parking and that the property owner was innocent. Mr. Papaleo said that there are a lot of matters which were not properly handled for decades and many vehicles had been left abandoned in the Borough for years. Ms. Joanna Newdorp – 1726 Delmar Drive – asked about the progress on the arboretum project and if anyone needed any help with resources as she had made a call to Tyler Arboretum which she could access on Council’s behalf and that a resource in Media had also been contacted. Mr. Papaleo said he did not know when the work would begin but that he had contacted Harvard University to see if they would donate some clippings from these for specimens in the outdoor classroom. Mr. Papaleo said that this was great as Ms. Newdorp is next door and could get over to assist. Ms. Catania said that the idea of the classroom was not to take trees down except in the area where classroom space would be it. Ms. Catania said that she had contacted the Delaware County Planning Department in charge of the greenways grant funding and they had not gotten all of the contracts. Ms. Catania said there would be a subrecipient agreement but had not received it yet. Ms. Daly said that this would take awhile and did not know yet. Mr. Papaleo asked why he thought it was an arboretum. Ms. Daly said because there had been discussions about bringing in Tyler Arboretum to identify species. Ms. Catania said that a rain garden would be installed to teach children about the environment and compared this to the implementation of recycling. Ms. Catania said that the idea was to teach kids at schools as they would teach their parents. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • Members considered renewing an agreement for financial services with Brinker Simpson. Mr. Papaleo said that Brinker has been amazing and helped the Borough bring order to serious disorganization and attributed their work to a lot. Mr. Papaleo asked if members would like to add anything A motion to renew a contract for financial services with Brinker Simpson was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Members discussed borrowing and bids and the loan. Mr. Papaleo clarified that the fire truck was financed separately. Ms. Stilwell said it was determined that DelVal financing was the best option and some information was still needed from the Tax Collector and that this loan option would save about $270,000. MGR HAYMAN ENTER LATER. Mr. Papaleo asked Ms. Stilwell to clarify what was needed. Ms. Stilwell explained that this was old tax information from previous years. Ms. Stilwell said that the total amount borrowed was $10.3 million. Mr. Papaleo said that this was a big number but noted that there was money from a grant, permit funding and revenue from the early sale of the current Borough Hall property. Mr. Papaleo and Ms. Stilwell deliberated the utility of paying the loan early as Mr. Papaleo did not expect rates to stay low forever. Ms. Stilwell said DelVal was going to prepare the ordinance and resolution. Mr. Papaleo asked to know if there were any objectors now because he did not want any surprises. Mr. Baumler said that everyone has until April 19 th to make these decisions with the intent to approve the ordinance at the first meeting in May. Mr. Papaleo asked if the Borough was in good financial health which Ms. Stilwell confirmed. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Members considered purchasing a new Z572X Husqvarna Z Turn Mower for $11,679.99 from OK Rentals. Ms. Grayson asked Mr. Hayman to explain, however Ms. Daly said that she could also elaborate. Ms. Daly said that last year the Borough had purchased a mower for the Highway Department and that the old mower, purchased many years ago, was dying. Ms. Daly said that having a second mower would also be more efficient as the Highway Department is being effective. Mr. Papaleo said that high gas prices might make it worth keeping one mower at the pumping station and one at borough hall. Mr. Papaleo joked about how he would agree. A motion to approve the purchase of a Z572X Husqvarna Z Turn Mower for $11,679.99 from OK Rentals was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Waters • Mr. Papaleo said that there was no new business but did not believe it was realistic that Mr. Waters would be able to return. Mr. Papaleo gave a health update about Mr. Waters and said he would visit him and asked members to keep him in their prayers. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • There was no new business. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said the Easter Egg hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 9 th and that she would check the field to ensure it isn’t saturated with water but that a rain date is April 16 th. • Ms. Daly mentioned that the cleanup is April 23 rd and asked for volunteers, noting sponsorship from TNT Cleanup. Ms. Daly said that if any residents have junk in their yards to get rid of they could get rid of these items during the cleanup, even bulk trash. Ms. Daly said TNT was also supplying manpower to clean the streets and reiterated her call for street captain, noting there are already ten volunteers. • Ms. Daly said that there was vandalism again on Sunday and that some residents were caught dumping in the park previously. Ms. Daly said that there was a lot of effort to make it nice and that she is dabbling in installing permanent cameras with a tentative price of $4,300 for cameras and their setup for recording which could be pulled and checked although these would not necessarily be monitored constantly. Ms. Daly noted the make a type of camera with microphones which would be installed. Mr. Papaleo asked if there could be audio. Mr. Baumler said generally this was not allowed and said this was complicated to explain and that audio is generally not recorded even when the Borough is able. Ms. Stilwell said that the Borough could use ARP funding for this item. Mr. Papaleo asked to find out about redoing the park as this might need to be repositioned. Ms. Daly said that she believed any of this could be done by Shawn and that he could reposition. Ms. Grayson said she asked if there were still quotes as she believed this quote was high as the audio feature was not going to be used. Ms. Grayson said that regardless even if the capability was available it was not worth using. Mr. Baumler said there were some circumstances in which audio could be used noting criminal cases and civil lawsuits however this was a gray area. Ms. DiCicco said that she has a security system at her video store which has live video however it does not record sound and gave examples from her business where she had done this. Ms. Daly said that she believed $4,300 was reasonable to keep the park safe. Ms. Daly said most of the fee was due to installation of junction boxes. Mr. Papaleo asked about information storage. Ms. Daly said she understood there was a digital recording which presumably was in the clubhouse. Mr. Papaleo asked if this could be in a computer. Ms. DiCicco asked if the company would train employees to look the information up. Ms. Catania said that this was done in Norwood as there was some dumping and other things last time someone was dumping there was a violation issued by DCNR. Ms. Catania said that cable service had to be installed in this location and that Bill Gavin had gotten all of these prices but that Comcast cable was installed in this area so that there was a feed to the Police Station. Mr. Dan White said that there would need to be care into who could and could not monitor it as it should go straight to the Police Station. Mr. White said that this was to avoid anyone accessing video and potentially accessing it to delete it. Mr. Papaleo said that this would only be for a criminal investigation and there should be no intermediary. Mr. White gave examples of instances of how and when he could use audio in an investigation. Ms. Daly said she would advise Mr. Payne to find an opportunity for a camera without audio. Mr. White said he believed signs advertising the cameras were needed. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Ropski • Members discussed an ordinance amending zoning to prescribe administrative fees. Mr. Ropski asked if anyone had any questions about this. Mr. Baumler said that there is not currently anything on the books requiring a fee and that this would amend the zoning ordinance to allow these fees to be charged although this takes time as it would have to go to the County Planning Commission for review, at which point the accompanying resolution would be passed simultaneously to include the fee. Mr. Baumler said attorney’s fees could not be covered by law but everything else would be included. A motion to authorize Solicitor Alex Baumler draft an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance fees was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. • Members discussed a resolution setting zoning hearing board and conditional use application fees. Mr. Baumler said that this was just for the member’s information and that no action was needed tonight. Mr. Papaleo asked Mr. Baumler to explain. Mr. Baumler said that this allowed the borough to update these fees by resolution however this could not be done tonight. • Members discussed a purchasing a Segway for code enforcement. Mr. Papaleo said that for the purpose of patrolling, the price of gas for the truck was horrendous and asked if Mr. Woods would have a problem riding a Segway and that he would not. Ms. Grayson asked why the Borough would have two vehicles and a Segway for one employee. Mr. Papaleo asked the price of a Segway. Mr. Hayman said approximately $20,000. Ms. Grayson suggested an electric bike and it would be much cheaper. Members deliberated the potential pitfalls including insurance and other matters. Ms. DiCicco said that it might be better to invest in an electric golf cart, which Mr. Papaleo said would be safer than a Segway. Mr. White said that if this happens residents may think that they can use a golf cart. Mr. Papaleo said he understood that there was not a consensus and understood that. A resident suggested purchasing a smart car. Mr. Hayman joked that it might be worth purchasing a code horse. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac had no new business to discuss. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Members considered adjusting the building plans to include attic storage and a stairwell in the records room at a total cost of $4,000. Ms. Daly said that this was a no brainer. Ms. Catania asked where this price came from and clarified that this was only a design cost. Ms. Catania noted that there is a whole section of the building which had no load bearing ability but that the number seemed cheap. Mr. Papaleo said the motion needed to be contingent upon the area having load bearing ability and asked what that would be. Ms. Catania said there were regulations for the weight and shelving. Ms. Daly clarified that members were discussing the new borough hall and not community center. Mr. Papaleo said that this was related to an attic space on the design which had no access point and that there was no point for an enormous attic space with a drop door. Mr. Papaleo said the design cost may not factor in shoring up load bearing. Mr. Papaleo asked if this should be factored in as Linn Architects advertised the space as open attic space. Ms. Catania said that this would increase the cost of the building so members were aware. Ms. Catania said the Borough may need a meeting with the low bidder to find value engineering to put some of these fees could be put in or taken out. Ms. Catania said to do the authorization to find out what is needed to change. Ms. Catania said revisions would be on a separate piece of paper for a contractor with a change order and then the total cost increase would be known. Mr. Papaleo said that otherwise the Borough would waste space and that later this would need to be done anyway. Ms. Daly agreed that it should be done as well. A motion to approve a $4,000 for Linn Architects to approve renderings and any needed changes to make the attic space usable was made by Ms. Isaac and seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business to discuss. Mr. Papaleo asked the target date to put the work out to bid. Mr. Papaleo said he believed the waivers needed to be done. Ms. Daly said that the Borough would just ask permission first as the fee was low and that waivers would come later if needed. Ms. Daly said residents would just need to say yes. Mr. Baumler said it would just be a letter and nothing more. Mr. Baumler said that there was a timing issue because this was technically a waiver from a temporary construction easement and that it expires in 6 months so it must be much closer to the bidding process. Ms. Catania said from a timing standpoint that the plants open in April and close in November. Ms. Catania said that some plants stay open all year round and there is a surcharge which is large. Mr. Papaleo said it should happen before November. Ms. Catania said that it took her firm about three and a half weeks to pave the entire Delmar Village after the completion of the PECO restoration. Ms. Catania theorized that if she were authorized to bid the project in April, bids would be taken in May, a contract would take the Borough to June and between June and September or October the work would begin. Ms. Catania said she had discussed the road program as well but that the funding should be in place. Ms. Stilwell said that the money should be ready by the end of June. Ms. Catania said she needed three weeks for a bid and speculated that she could be authorized to bid the project in the next April meeting and contracts in June. Mr. Papaleo directed Mr. Hayman to add these bids to the next agenda. Ms. Catania made members aware of potential increases. Old Business Ms. Grayson said that she wanted to give an update on the community garden, noting that the signage has returned and that there will be a protective coating added to it. Ms. Grayson said that the boyscouts have agreed to add two elevated boxes that should take only a week to complete and then they should be ready by the 23rd. Ms. Grayson said that seeds had also been donated and it was hoped that more items would also be donated. Ms. Grayson said that someone had donated a table, benches and two chairs for the garden as well as a sitting area. Ms. Grayson said that rain barrels were also set up. Members discussed the popularity of the beds. Ms. Grayson said rented spaces are four foot sections. Ms. Daly advised everyone to walk down and take a look. Ms. Daly said that some gift cards had been donated by the FOP for students who helped with the project. Mr. Papaleo asked what residents would be allowed to grow. Mr. Papaleo said he was really excited to see this working and was glad that Ms. Grayson was so active with this. Ms. Daly asked residents to bring canned goods for the pantry and children to bring canned goods for the pantry to the easter egg cleanup. Ms. Daly thanked Brinker Simpson for their help with supplying products for the winter. New Business - Ms. DiCicco discussed a centennial parade update saying that several months to a year is needed to do this work. Ms. DiCicco said that the date would be Saturday, September 10 th or Sunday the 11th. The parade will form on Henderson Boulevard from Delmar down at the kickoff and then up Taylor to Montgomery Park and that way there aren’t any issues. Ms. DiCicco said it will start at 11:30am and there would be parade winers along with mockup copies with palm teasers with all the information for this event needed. Ms. DiCicco asked Mr. Baumler to take a look at her applications to make sure there weren’t any legal issues with it. Ms. DiCicco said there would be 8 categories of prizes and 5 judges reviewing and at least two local residents along with sponsors and councilmembers. Ms. DiCicco suggested that Mr. Papaleo be the grand marshall fo the parade along with a youth grand marshall along with parade honorees. Ms. DiCicco said she believed many people would like to join from other municipalities. Ms. DiCicco said she is already seeking out sponsors for this work. Ms. DiCicco said she was hoping the website would be updated for the parade and that participants could be added to the list to encourage more participation. Ms. DiCicco said she would go out in May and mentioned enthusiasm she has experienced in the community. Ms. DiCicco said she is trying to see if there is a branded vehicle from Popeyes that could join and mentioned other businesses in Folcroft as well. Ms. DiCicco said she has already found marching bands that could join and a motorcycle parade. Members discussed other parameters and goals for the event. - - Ms. DiCicco said Police appreciation week is May 11th to the 17th and said that Council should purchase them dinner. Ms. DiCicco said she had communicated with the Folcroft Diner and that they would work out a lowered price. Ms. DiCicco said this would be a food ticket and officers could purchase lunch or breakfast with it. Ms. DiCicco said that she thought some other businesses might actually be free and that the tickets would be to one of many businesses in the Borough. Mr. Papaleo asked Ms. DiCicco to clarify what she was talking about. Ms. DiCicco said that with this many officers and shift work there was no way they could all be together at the same time. A motion authorizing an expense up to $500 to provide meals for officers for officer appreciation week of May 11th through 17th was made by Ms. Daly and seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Catania said she received an email from OHCD that county council is willing to look at utilizing the turnaround funds for the Montgomery Park project. Ms. Catania said that there would be a joint public meeting to discuss the tunnel project so that residents in other municipalities can understand the tunneling project. Ms. Catania said these would be in April and that they were looking at having the meeting at the community center on Sharon Avenue and Hook Road. Ms. Daly said it would be worth keeping an eye on this so it could be shared on Borough pages. Ms. Catania said that someone for the Borough pages could be provided. Mr. Ropski asked about the collapse on Delmar Drive. Ms. Catania said that Ernel had come in and excavated it and the piping had disintegrated and the area will have to be scoped to figure out how much work will be needed. Ms. Daly said there was a new, large pipe. Mr. Gillan said he believed that residents should be educated about installing gas meters as they have an overpressurization valve on the side and this valve is frequently against the house or it may be on the lawn. Mr. Gillan said he is seeing residents put barbecues or fire pits right against this area and was afraid that there could be an explosion. Mr. Gillan said that it might be worth teaching residents about it. Ms. Catania said she wondered if Michelle Garrity from PECO has some information. Mr. Papaleo directed Mr. Hayman to contact Ms. Garritty about this information. A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Grayson and seconded by Ms. Fyffe. The motion passed unanimously.