Borough Council Workshop Meeting

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 4, 2022 Location: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 President Papaleo called the meeting to order at 7:04pm and noted that there was an executive session to discuss a potential land transaction. 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 present, Councilmember Ike Wilson was present, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor Alex Baumler was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present) Audience Participation There was no audience participation Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • Consider ratification of a proposal valued at $5,246.00 for urgent MS4 report completion and submission. Manager Hayman explained that this item was necessary for state funding and that the report needed to be submitted before the end of September and had already been completed. Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the proposal from Remington and vernick for MS4 reporting in the amount of $5,246.00 and Mr. Ropski seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. • Consider an RFP for delinquent tax collection. Manager Hayman said that currently delinquent taxes and fees are collected by MRRS however it would be good to examine other sources and requested authorization to advertise an RFP for this service. Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the posting of an RFP for delinquent tax collection seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Members considered tax assessment arbitration settlement. It was discussed that this matter must be discussed in more depth before a decision can be made. Ms. Daly made a motion to table this item seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson had no new business to discuss. Public Safety– • Mr. Ropski had no new business to discuss, though Mr. Ropski asked if the fire marshal’s report had been received. Mr. Hayman said that it had and would be on the next meeting agenda. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe had no new business to discuss. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly thanked everyone who helped for community day and listed the donors sponsors for this event including raffle contributions. Ms. Daly thanked Borough staff who participated in this event and mentioned the tremendous response to the fireworks display. Mr. Wilson asked if anyone saw the rocket that happened during the launch saying that it was a spacex rocket. Ms. Daly said she was unsure of the total amount brought in and said that $15,000 was budgeted for the day but that this was not spent thanks to the generous donations. Ms. Daly clarified that this was including the cost of the fireworks. Members discussed that many residents were watching from home as Ms. Daly noted that there was not a huge turnout for the event. • Ms. Daly said the second truck or treat is Saturday October 22nd and said that the Borough and FOP will help out with candy. The Borough will supply toys as well. Ms. Daly said that pumpkins would be small and that she would only order half as many as before. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Ropski • Mr. Wilson had no new business to discuss. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac was absent. There was no new business to discuss. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson discussed a motion approving a proposal for soil testing at the site of the new municipal complex from Earth Engineering Incorporated including an invoice of $5,721.25. Mr. Van-Otoo said that earth engineering was hired to do all the soil engineering for the project site including remediation and anything to do with the dirt on the site. Mr. Van-Otoo said that entailed excavation and making sure the work was being done properly. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he was making sure that things that weren’t absolutely necessary weren’t being done, which he had also communicated to the contractor. Mr. Van-Otoo said a line of communication had been established and that they would go through him and the manager. Ms. Grayson made a motion to approve this action seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said that the repaving of the alleyways was scheduled to start on October 11 th and that during this time parking permits would not be enforced in this area. Ms. Daly said that work would begin in the Llanwellyn Gardens area and that there was a section of this community needed more contacts. Mr. Ropksi asked about the retaining walls. Manager Hayman and Mr. Woods discussed the status of the retaining walls on School Lane. Ms. Daly reviewed the status and timeline of the work and mentioned that the contractor will hand out flyers. Manager Hayman provided background on the process for advertising the start of work and the expected timeline for it to begin. Old Business Ms. Grayson asked about the status of the 7/11 work. Mr. Van-Otoo said the main reason for the delay is that one of the company owners died and that there were some personell related matters. Mr. Van- Otoo said he asked for a formal letter to be issued to the Borough since this work has been delayed significantly. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the former engineer, council and planning commission had been approved but that building permits were outstanding and that more information – when it became available – would be issued. Mr. Van-Otoo said he expected to have a formal update in the near future. Mr. Baumler said he spoke to the council from 7/11 and that this had been reiterated as well but that a few documents had not been executed and recorded yet, at which point work would begin. Mr. Baumler said that the company is dealing with a lot right now. Ms. Grayson asked to confirm that the work was scheduled to continue. Mr. Van-Otoo said that it was scheduled to begin and hopefully before the end of the year. Ms. Daly said that cars from across the street are parked on grass which Ms. Daly said does not comply with zoning. Mayor DiCicco said that she found it amusing that only one small section was being mowed at another property on Folcroft Avenue. New Business Mr. Papaleo asked members to meet with him after the meeting including residents. Mr. Papaleo said that there was an executive session prior to the meeting to discuss potential litigation. Mr. Baumler suggested calling a brief session after the meeting to discuss tax arbitration. Ms. Grayson asked for a speed limit sign posted on shallcross avenue as residents had asked for this as there was speeding on Oak Avenue. Ms. Grayson said she agreed that the speed was high but that a sign may help. Mr. Baumler explained the process for penndot allowing the speed to be lowered. Mr Van- Otoo said it was a state matter. Ms. Grayson said that a new speed limit sign should go up. Ms. Grayson directed manager Hayman to move a radarsign to this location. Ms. Grayson said that there were no Folcroft banners on selected streets in the neighborhood roughly defined as old Folcroft. Manager Hayman said that there were banners posted and noted one on Elmwood Avenue that had been posted during the previous week. Mr. Ropski asked about the status of the 2022 roads program. Manager Hayman said it should be in the next few days. Mr. Van-Otoo said he wanted a preconstruction meeting and that AF Damon had stopped by Borough Hall to meet with staff. Mr. Van-Otoo said the project would take about two days and that milling would start followed by paving. Ms. Daly made a motion to adjourn at 7:37pm seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously.