Borough Council Workshop Meeting

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 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 absent, Councilmember Malinda Isaac was present, Councilmember Lorna Fyffe was present, Councilmember Stephen Ropski was present, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor Alex Baumler was absent with Mr. James Gallagher filling in, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present.) President Papaleo noted that an executive session to discuss personnel matters and potential litigation had been held prior to this meeting. Audience Participation There was no audience participation. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • A motion to appoint Remington & Vernick Engineers as the Borough Engineer was made by Ms. Daly and seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. • A motion to hire Andrew Caponi as an administrative assistant was made by Ms. Fyffe and seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. • Members considered an engagement letter for services in 2023 from Kilkenny Law Manager Hayman explained that this was not until 2023 but that he presented it to council now in the runup to the budget meeting. Manager Hayman also noted it represented about a $250 increase per month over 2022. Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the 2023 engagement letter from Kilkenny Law. Ms. Isaac seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. • Members considered an estimate from Ecode to update Borough Code online. Manager Hayman explained that this was a follow-up to a previous discussion which was had early in the summer and that this was the cost to update the Borough ecode with new ordinances passed since 2020. Manager Hayman said this was a regular cost expected under any circumstances to update the ecode. Ms. Isaac Made a motion to accept the proposal from ecode seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Ms. Daly discussed ratification of an expense of $26,734 to Upper Macungie Township for a bucket truck on municibid. Ms. Daly made a motion to ratify this expense seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– • There was no new business. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe said yoga in the park was doing well until the heat set in at which point participation decreased. Ms. Fyffe said inside Yoga will return on September 22 nd and asked if this would be free for residents. Mr. Papaleo and Ms. Daly agreed that I should be free. Ms. Fyffe said that this was a good experience until the extreme heat set in. Ms. Daly said it could potentially go outside earlier in the season and if there was rain it could be relocated indoors. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said that the arts and crafts bag giveaway was successful this year with close to 100 bags given away each week and that extended hours had made this process easier than normal. Ms. Daly said that this would be continued until next year. Ms. Daly said that last week the Borough partnered with the Police and local businesses and residents who donated backpacks and supplies with 80 backpacks donated by the Folcroft Police with 85 students who signed up to receive them. Ms. Petty said 25 bags are still remaining and that this was a fantastic giveaway. Ms. Petty said Millers and Italian style both graciously accepted donation boxes with lots of local business support. Ms. Daly said some bags were remaining and recommended directing children in need to collect them at Borough Hall. Lastly, Ms. Daly said that community day is coming up on September 24 th. Ms. Daly listed the donors noting a total of $3,100 in donations from businesses has been received. Ms. Daly said that the Borough currently has four food trucks and lots of different businesses and services. Ms. Daly said that the Red Lantern is looking at getting a one day license from the liquor board so that they can come down and do a beer garden. Ms. Daly ordered centennial cups with the centennial logo which turns green when it gets cold. Ms. Daly said that whatever the Borough doesn’t sell his business will purchase. Ms. Daly offered each time needed to help out. Ms. Daly said that the Borough could take half of the cups and sell them with soda instead of alcohol. Ms. Daly said she did not want to confuse the Police. Ms. Isaac suggested bracelets for the beer garden. Ms. Daly said the Police Chief would handle that and that the color changing cups might be popular with children as well. Lastly, Ms. Daly got workers from Bette’s moon bounces so that the volunteers don’t have to monitor them and that there will be fantastic activities. Mr. Papaleo asked if Taylor Drive would be closed down for the fireworks. Ms. Daly said she would meet with the fire chief and police chief to investigate shuttling as they do not want residents driving to the fireworks. Ms. Daly said she would reach out to the school district which she did not expect to be an issue. Ms. Daly said she preferred that residents walk over to fireworks to help prevent traffic. Ms. Isaac asked where the banner was going up. Ms. Daly said on Delmar Drive. Ms. Isaac asked how she would get there and be aware. Ms. Daly provided the various methods that this event was promoted. Ms. Isaac said that she was afraid that some residents might not know in her neighborhood. Councilmembers agreed that this would be a possibility anyway. Mr. Ropski asked whether this would be similar to Juneteenth with Ms. Daly confirmed that it would be. Mayor DiCicco suggested giving a centennial award to Rep Dave Delloso as she said he does a lot for the Borough. Mr. Ropski suggested a citation from the state and for Mr. Waters as well. Mayor DiCicco said that there have been issues with children crossing the street at Hook and Delmar Drive. Ms. Daly said that she did not ever believe there was a guard here and said that this location is dangerous. Mr. Papaleo said that all students from this part of the district are eligible for bussing. Mr. Bair said that kids from this location are supposed to be bussed but currently aren’t for some reason. Mr. Papaleo asked why this is happening. Mr. Bair said that he was unaware but said it should be looked into. Ms. Daly said that part of this is parental responsibility. Mr. Bair said that the paperwork may not have been done correctly. Ms. Isaac said she feels bad for the kids walking to school. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Ropski • Mr. Ropski made a motion advertising a Bamboo Ordinance 2022-05 seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac discussed “Hometown Heroes” banners and deferred to Mr. Hayman. Mr. Hayman explained that this was a memorial banner honoring Folcroft veterans who’ve served and that they would be paid for by sponsors – or private individuals or groups who choose to do so and said the cost was $175 per banner. Ms. Isaac said that the Borough should do this. Ms. Daly asked if residents can give their preferred location. Mr. Papaleo suggested an avenue of the honored for the preferred space. Ms. Daly said yes but some residents would like specific locations. Mr. Papaleo said he understood but if these residents were interested they could have banners on their own property. Ms. Isaac said that this would start to bring the community together as one. A resident asked if these were permanent. Ms. Daly said that these would need to be replaced. A resident mentioned that this is done in other communities and said it was worth it to have them installed on the main drag. Ms. Daly said that a large number could be received and put all over the Borough. Mayor DiCicco asked if the Borough could pay for banners for those who cannot afford them. Ms. Daly said that there could be donations to honor these individuals. Mr. Papaleo suggested a banner for Charles Montgomery. Ms. Daly said that the Borough was getting a new sign at Montgomery Park and that this could incorporate remembering Mr. Montgomery. New Building – Ms. Grayson • There was no new business. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly There was no new business, though Ms. Daly called on residents to hand in easement avers. Mr. Papaleo suggested meeting with the engineer to discuss priorities. Mr. Papaleo said that doors in priority areas could be knocked first. Ms. Daly said 700 out of 1500 is a good example. Mr. Papaleo asked if there were specific areas. Ms. Petty said Taylor and Grant. There was no old business. Chief Bair said that parking permits must be renewed and encouraged all residents to purchase them. Mr. Bair said the new reflective pass is better and warnings were posted twice as well as social media and other communication means. Mr. Bair said that until September 1 st tickets were not issued and none were issued over the holiday. Mr. Bair said that there was a speed study on Ashland ave next month with 15000 cars and only 1% of vehicles could receive tickets with an average speed of 26 miles per hour. Mr. Papaleo asked what prompted the speed study. Mr. Bair said that it came from a resident complaint. Mr. Bair said residents are now complaining about stop signs and that the first day has been a nightmare due to rain. Mr. Bair said that stopping and standing on the residential sign of school lane is an issue but that he has been warning those who are doing it. Mr. Bair said that a barrier cannot be put up because of buses coming down the street. Mr. Bair made several potential suggestions about how to resolve these matters. Mr. Bair said it always takes time but eventually these solutions will work. Lastly, Mr. Bair said that he would like to join in driveway repaving meetings. Mr. Papaleo said he would like to get a construction plan together like was done with gas line replacement. Mr. Bair said that parking has been a premium in the village neighborhood. A motion to adjourn was made at 7:32pm by Ms. Isaac and seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously.