Borough Council Workshop Meeting

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MARCH 7, 2023 LOCATION: 1555 ELMWOOD AVENUE, FOLCROFT PA 19032 President Papaleo called the Council Meeting to order at 7:03PM Council President Papaleo said that an executive session was held prior to the meeting to discuss a personnel matter. Mayor: 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 James Gallagher was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present. Audience Participation There was no audience participation. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • Consider a candidate for Deputy Tax Collector Mr. Papaleo said that the candidate for this position must have a residency requirement and be act 48 certified. Mr. Papaleo said the one person who meets these qualifications is Susan Ropski who is also recommended by the Tax Collector who Mr. Papaleo said recommended this individual. Mr. Papaleo said this was the most qualified applicant. A motion to hire Susan Marie Ropski as Deputy Tax Collector was made by Ms. Fyffe and seconded by Ms. Daly. A roll call vote was held Ropski - Abstain Papaleo - Yes Daly - Yes Fyffe - Yes Wilson- Yes Grayson - No • Consider an updated proposal from Brinker Simpson for financial services Manager Hayman said that there was a slight adjustment in pricing and services as payroll had been brought in-house. Mr. Hayman said that some other fees had increased however the differences were slight. Ms. Daly made a motion to approve the proposed contract from Brinker Simpson and Ms. Grayson seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson had no new business to discuss. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • A motion to ratify the hiring of Lori Millison was made by Mr. Ropski and seconded by Mr. Wilson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe said that there are two upcoming events at the library in March. Ms. Fyffe said both programs start in the afternoon and are for all ages. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business to discuss. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Wilson • Members considered advertising a zoning ordinance prohibiting smoke shops within 1000 feet of schools Mr. Wilson asked council to advertise a zoning ordinance to prohibit smokeshops within 1000 feet of schools. Mr. Wilson said that this would provide a standard for what can and cannot be near a school especially the one on Delmar Drive. Mr. Wilson said there were two separate inquiries and this makes clear that there would be no type of business in the vicinity which could provide minors with tobacco or e-cigarettes. Ms. Grayson confirmed the distance and asked if this covers the Delcroft shopping center. Manager Hayman explained that prohibiting smoke shops within 1000 feet of a school would block them along most of Delmar Drive however it would not prohibit them within the Borough. Manager Hayman also said that existing smoke shops if they were approved would be considered existing, non conforming businesses and would not be prohibited. Mr. Gallagher said this would need to be approved by the planning commission first as it is a zoning ordinance. Mr. Gallagher could include that this needs to be sent to the planning commission first. Mr.Wilson clarified what the motion should say. Mr. Gallagher said a motion should include the planning commission and to advertise. Ms. Grayson clarified if this targeted smoke shops with this ordinance but noted that there was a bar within that same area. Ms. Daly said there are several bars in the area. Ms. Grayson asked if this would be included in the future and asked what would happen if a bar closed. Mr. Papaleo said that an intermunicipal transfer would have to come before council anyway. Ms. Daly noted that this would not have to come before council if there is already a bar present. Mr. Wilson clarified what percentage of the business must have smoke shop products. Mr. Papaleo said he thinks this is a good bill. Ms. Grayson said she was just curious. Ms. Daly said that alcohol is much harder to get access to whereas these items are easier for children to get. Ms. Daly said that based on her experience she sees children going into these businesses and noted personal connections with these issues. Ms. Daly said a smoke shop selling pipes and vapes and candy like a corner store is a problem. Mr. Wilson made a motion to advertise a zoning ordinance prohibiting smoke shops within 1000 feet of a school pending support from the County Planning commission. Ms. Grayson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac was not present. Mr. Hayman said that the community cleanup had been planned with TNT cleanouts which was providing four dumpsters for this event and would coordinate pickup and dropoff. Ms. Daly asked MR. Hayman to ensure that TNT Cleanouts does not drop dumpsters the night before the meeting but to wait until the day of the meeting. MS. Daly said she would put the cleanup flyer and give Mr. Caponi’s email to become a street captain. Ms. Daly said this list would be used to drop off supplies in the morning. New Building – Ms. Grayson Ms. Grayson said she would like to discuss the proposals received for furniture for the new municipal complex. Ms. Grayson asked if members had a chance to take a look at it. Ms. Grayson said she could not believe the price of some of these items and noted that she went online and found chairs for sale for considerably less and asked if top of the line type chairs are needed. Ms. Grayson asked if this much money is needed for chairs sat in twelve times a year plus some other times and said that this seemed like a waste of money. Ms. Grayson asked why spend the money if the Borough doesn’t have to and noted cheaper option provided which were not provided in the quote. Ms. Daly said it was not worth buying these chairs more than once. Ms. Grayson said even with the discount there are other options available. Ms. Grayson said that she has not gone through the entire price but she is a purchasing manager and she looks and negotiates every day. Ms. Grayson said that for the volume of money spent the Borough should negotiate harder. Ms. Grayson asked if it would take $17,000 to install everything. Mr. Caponi said that office basics does not do the room designs but office basics does. Mr. Caponi said that the Borough can go back and make adjustments if items are needed or not needed. Mr. Caponi said that the total price will vary and she could see the number not being that high. Mr. Caponi said that this is for outfitting an entire building – a community center and police department as well – and this is something that the builder said the Borough should be working on. Mr. Caponi said that this needs to be done prior to moving in and not to wait for chairs and such. Ms. Grayson asked the status of the building. Mr. Van-Otoo said he scheduled a meeting for the builders and site work next Tuesday and there is an issue with getting more dirt on the site. Mr. Van-Otoo said there are other locations to get clean fill on the site which hopefully will be received soon to hopefully build up the grade on the site. Mr. Van-Otoo said a site at 31 st and Ludlow had a clean fill report to make sure the material was ok to be transported but it will take time to get this on site. Mr.Van-Otoo said that if the soil isn’t received within two weeks it could push back the project a little bit. Ms. Grayson said that she expect to get gas at a new wawa before this project is completed. Mr. Van-Otoo reiterated that more fill is needed. Mr. Papaleo said that the Wawa was built on a toxic waste dump. Ms. Grayson said that there was no work done over the winter and it was a very nice winter. Mr. Van-Otoo said the previous site fill has all been used up because the dirt was gone by the time they got to it. Mr. Papaleo asked to have the project expedited. Mr. Papaleo said that the builder has one year to complete the project and that he does not want to release the bond. Mr. Van-Otoo said he would have to look into this. Ms. Grayson said it sounds like the project will be rushed then. Ms. Grayson said that she had spoken to the builder and he is waiting on the site work. Ms. Daly said there was no anticipation of how wet the soil is at the building location. Ms. Daly asked who is droping the ball on this project. Mr. Van- Otoo said that the site is building up and more soil is needed. Ms. DiCicco asked if this problem is everywhere. Mr. Papaleo, Ms. Daly and Ms. Grayson discussed the status of this project compared to other projects. Ms. Daly asked if a contract must be accepted tonight as she did not like the costs. Mr. Papaleo said he liked this idea and he liked that corporate interiors designed the space. Mr. Papaleo said he saw a lot of excess here and asked if the cost can be scaled back. Ms. Daly said that looking at the pictures she believes corporate interiors has a better design of the building but the price is unacceptable. Ms. Daly said she wants to buy quality but she wants it to last and said that this is double marked up. Ms. Grayson said she feels like it is marked up but then has a slight discount and the prices is still higher. Ms. Daly said that the price tag on corporate interiors is scary but the images are better. Ms. Petty suggested letting staff go through the quotes and check online to see if anything is cheaper. Ms. Petty noted several items that could also be cut out of the project. Ms. Daly said that this should even go through the police station to see what is being bought or what is not being bought. Mr. Papaleo asked Chief Bair to take a look at this project and he agreed. Ms. DiCicco asked about a community center opened on cobbs creek and said that there might be a closet with no door and asked to have a superintendent to oversee the project. Mr. Papaleo said that this was the job of the engineer. Mr. Papaleo said he likes corporate interior better but he agrees with concerns about the price. Ms. Petty said that worst case scenario the Borough can always order their own chairs. Ms. Daly said she wanted to avoid this but it could be done and note that the quote includes putting the chairs together. A motion to table a motion to approve a proposal for furniture DALY. Unanimous. Ms. Daly asked to have pictures printed for Council in the future to make a decision. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly asked Mr. Van-Otoo to clarify about driveway aprons. Mr. Van-Otoo said the price for the aprons went from $81,000 to $72,000 for six aprons. Mr. Papaleo said that this is for really bad aprons. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he was told that council wants to wait on this project as the price is high and put the work out to bed or he could go back and see if there’s another item in mind. Mr. Papaleo asked how under budget the project. Ms. Daly said that she found a street on Carter Road that was not done, noting that it was the breezeway closest to 2001 Carter Road is not paved. Mr. Papaleo asked if this was in the middle of the block .Ms. Daly said that they are all done however this section was skipped and has potholes. Mr. Van-Otoo said he would check to see if this was on the map. Mr. Papaleo said that this needs to be done. Mr. Papaleo asked if everything is paved. Mr. Van-Otoo confirmed that it was paved. Mr. Papaleo asked what he thought it should cost for this project. Mr. Hayman explained some of the costs including removing curbs which are deep and poured under the street potentially. Members discussed some of the damaged sections including Delview Drive .Mr. Papaleo said this needs to get done quickly and asked what the full price should be. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he would have to measure the aprons but thought it could go lower. Mr. Papaleo said that one section of work was still not done so maybe this could also be included. Mr. Hayman explained that the pink paint seen was from the Borough delineating which portion of the apron needed to be repaired. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he would talk to the company and see if the price can be reduced. Ms. Daly said if this cannot be done the work must be put out to bid. Old Business Mr. Van-Otoo said that he spoke to Bob Miller from the new 7/11 project and he would have a towing company come out and remove vehicles which he claimed he did not authorize to park there. Mr.Van- Otoo told him that council is not happy with the situation and that he was told the project was delayed as one partner backed out of the deal. Mr. Van-Otoo said that he could no longer confirm if the project was scheduled for March or April. Ms. DiCicco said that all of a sudden there are vehicles parked along the two lots where there are going to be twin comes. Ms. DiCicco said she had a feeling this is coming from the transmission place and that both neighbors there have nice driveways and want to park on the street. Mr. Papaleo said as long as the vehicles are registered they can be parked there. Chief Bair said that he is going to bring across another crossing guard at some point who is currently doing a background check and he is just waiting for finger prints to come back. Mr. Bair said that this should be at the next meeting. Mr. Bair said that there are still some parking issues and is aware of 14 cars with thousands of dollars in tickets and that these vehicles cannot be held until the fine is paid. Mr. Gallagher said that the Borough could boot or impound vehicles. Mr. Papaleo discussed a product called barnacle. Mr. papaleo said that if the product is not returned the vehicle or card used is fined significantly. Mr. Bair said that some people have paid and that some people have been given a bargain and that when tickets go to citation the county gets a portion of the cost which should be avoided. Ms. Petty asked if a release can be withheld until the tickets are paid. Mr. Gallagher said that the Borough could not be the judge, jury and executioner. Mr. Papaleo described the process for getting vehicles from the parking authority. Mr. Bair said he was just explaining what was being done in the meantime and said he would support changes but that he is taking cars off the street. Mr. Bair said that he is now telling people to take tickets to court and he is not cutting any slack as he says that some people consider this to be a game. Ms. Daly asked what percentage of people are paying their tickets. Mr. Bair gave examples of residents who have avoided tickets by parking on private property. Mr. Bair gave an example of towing a vehicle with many tickets off of Glen avenue. Mr. Papaleo asked why residents wouldn’t go and buy a permit at the Borough. Mr. Bair reiterated by giving examples of residents who said that they did not know about parking permits. Mr. Bair said that there are drug warrants coming soon probably tomorrow and discussed fights and guns at academy park high school. Mr. Bair said that he would send one officer when there was a big threat but he is not sending officers to sit and be security guards at academy park. Mr. Bair said that the school districts asked if the Borough would send officers to provide security and the district would pay overtime at the school district building during school board meetings. Mr. Bair said that this would be handled like other events like basketball games and such. Mr. Bair said that the district has its own department but has also hired security. New business. Manager Hayman said that he had investigated the trash issue and recommended that the bids be delayed until the end of the year to avoid potential cost increases. Ms. Daly said that council put off bidding this out last summer due to concerns about an increase in tipping fees and worried that the costs would go up more as a result. Mr .Papaleo said that if there is a $100,000 increase it would be worth buying trash trucks and bringing it in house. Ms. Daly asked if bids could be rejected. Mr. Hayman said that a $7,000 per month increase was provided by the current trash hauler in retaliation for bidding the project out and that this to him meant they were not a responsible bidder. Ms. Daly said that this was already an $84,000 increase in cost and that if it would be expected anyway the project should be bid out. Ms. Grayson said she still did not understand why trash isn’t collected out front like in Philadelphia. Ms. Daly said that it is done but it looks bad. Ms. Daly said that this is not done locally. Mr. Papaleo said he would be ok with this but there would have to be some code changes as well like trash cans being taken back by 5pm that day. Ms. Grayson said that the Borough could just enforce it better. Mr. Papaleo said that trash can lids are frequently just thrown onto the grass. Mr. Woods said he has three videos of the trash men taking trash cans and throwing them. Mr. Woods said he has received complaints from residents about this. Mr. Papaleo said there are a lot of dilemmas out right now and he just wants a solution. Mr. Papaleo said he would be in the new building meeting as he wants this project. Mr. Hayman said that council has already authorized the bid and and asked Mr. Van-Otoo to bid the project out immediately. Mr. Papaleo asked Mr. Van-Otoo to confirm the work with the aprons. Members discussed damaged aprons and which should be repaired. Ms. Petty noted an instance where aprons are damaged and water is getting in a hole. Mr. Papaleo said driveways that are damaged must be replaced. Ms. Daly said that concrete speed bumps cannot be put in driveways. Ms. Petty said that this was a rubber speed bump. Mr. Caponi said that Mr. Shawn Payne had gotten photos of damage. Mr. Papaleo asked for a public service announcement to be sent out for damage like this. Ms. DiCicco asked to have James Gallagher get a name plate. Mr. Hayman said that he would do this. Mr. Ike Wilson said that this will be his last meeting and he had a great time working with all of Council. Mr. Wilson said he planned to be here a lot longer but he got a job opportunity in Amsterdam and he would resign after this meeting. Members wished Mr. Wilson luck. Mr. Ropski made a motion to adjourn at 8:17pm seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously.