Borough Council Workshop Meeting

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING May 2nd, 2023 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. d Roll Call: (Council President Papaleo was present, 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, Councilmember Frank Redding was present, Mayor Franny DiCicco was present, Solicitor James Gallagher was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present) Audience Participation Ms. Carvet Donaldson 2090 Heather Road said that she’s new and moved here in 2020 and she just put a patio out front and that her next step is to put up a gazebo and then put in a fence but she called and was told no fencing. Ms. Donaldson said that she visited borough hall and heard that fences are ugly and said that she agrees that cyclone fencing is ugly. Ms. Donaldson said that even though councilmembers don’t like fencing doesn’t mean all of it is ugly and gave examples of fencing that she thought was nice around the community. Ms. Donaldson asked if there was any way to come to some sort of compromise and noted that she has a friend who would also like a fence. Ms. Donaldson said she would like consideration of a compromise for fencing of some types instead of a prohibition. Ms. Donaldson said that she recognizes that a permit is needed. Mr. Papaleo said that this was discussed and that there were strong feelings, however the major impasse is that members must work together and that some members may be willing to come to a compromise around a style of fencing excluding fencing. Mr. Papaleo said that some members are completely against fencing. Mr. Papaleo said it would require four votes on a compromise which is not impossible but might take more time and negotiation. Mr. Papaleo said the alternative is to request a hearing before the zoning board for a variance but this is not a guarantee and it is costly. Mr. Papaleo said this is delicate and divisive but all members are friends and there are strong feelings. Mr. Papaleo reiterated that this was discussed and said that he is open to compromise where there were option. Ms. Donaldson said that when a community is in the development stage she noted that there were different types of houses. Ms. Donaldson suggested talking to a professional and perhaps soliciting different types of fence designs that are affordable but look nice. Ms. Donaldson suggested a vid range option and a variety of fencing designs. Mr. Papaleo said that he though Ms. Donaldson’s suggestion was a good idea for a compromise. Ms. Donaldson suggested a warranty on fences for 5 to 10 years so that homeowners don’t have to repairs for that time and reiterated her request to have members consider this alternative. A resident asked about front or rear fences. Ms. Donaldson described her home and mentioned that her neighbors dog comes on her property. Mr. Papaleo asked if the dog is on her lawn without a leash. Ms. Donaldson said that it is however the neighbors are around. Ms. Daly said that the current ordinance does not require the dog to be on a leash but it must respond to commands. Ms. Donaldson said that with a fence the dog would not be on her property. Denise Miller 2125 Valley View Drive said she just moved in and that she is not familiar with the community but wanted to report that her neighbors are unruly or combative and argue, however her concern is that the neighbors smoke marijuana and that she has asked her neighbors not to smoke however the neighbor cursed her out. Ms. Daly said that Ms. Miller should call 911 and that the resident would get a ticket. Ms. Daly said that her neighbors do the same thing and she asked them to walk outside and do it. Ms. Miller said that by the time she gets home the neighbors are gone but she still smells it. Ms. Daly reiterated that it is a fine and the police might issue a warning first. Ms. Miller said that her child has asthma and she is concerned about this issue. Mr. Frank Taliaferro 504 Folcroft Avenue said that the neighbor behind him about two houses up in the alleyway have overgrowth like tall grass and weeds and said that he believed the property may already have received a fine. Mr. Taliaferro confirmed that he believed the address was on Willows Avenue. Ms. Grayson said that Willows ave is an alleyway and that there are several houses with this issue. Mr. Woods said he is already aware of the issue and noted several properties that are issues in this vicinity. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • There was no new business Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Members considered bids for trash collection in Folcroft Borough Ms. Grayson discussed considering bids for trash collection in Folcroft. Ms. Grayson said this has been discussed for several meetings. Ms. Grayson said that H&H had a discrepancy in the bid and it was rejected by Engineer Edwin Van- Otoo. Ms. Grayson made a motion to accept the bid from Opdenaker for trash collection seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • Members considered appointing Crista Balanow to a six year term on the Civil Service Commission Mr. Ropski made a motion to appoint Crista Balanow to a six year term to the civil service commission. Ms. Daly asked what this is. Mr. Hayman explained that this board oversees civil service employees. Mr. Gallagher said that the board oversees civil service employees like police officers and firefighters. Mr. Hayman noted that there are no active members. Ms. Grayson said that she was only just aware of this and that she wanted to table this to discuss it in more detail. Ms. Grayson said that she just looked this up now and was unaware. Ms. Daly and Ms. Grayson asked the qualifications. Mr. Hayman said there were none except being residents and that Ms. Balanow currently serves on the board. Ms. Grayson made a motion to table to the appointments and Ms. Daly seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Fyffe said that she wanted to say that the Library is having a workshop on Thursday May th 18 about senior scams that starts at 2pm. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly said she had no new businesses. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Redding • Members considered advertising ordinance 2023-01 with amendments Mr. Redding said that he believed councilmembers had a copy of ordinance 2023-01 regulating smoke shops with amendments. Mr. Redding made a motion to advertise ordinance 2023-01 seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac thanked Ms. Daly and Mr. Hayman for cleanup day assistance and said it went well. Ms. Isaac told Ms. Daly she did not know how much work this was and thanked Ms. Daly for her work. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Members considered a tabled motion to accept a proposal for furniture for the new municipal complex Ms. Grayson said that this motion was tabled at the last meeting and said that all members had an updated quote from Belia Interiors Group for plans for the new municipal complex. Ms. Petty said that this quote was on price and professionalism. Ms. Grayson said that Belia was responsive and had detailed quotes and that ultimately the medium quote was accepted. Mr. Papaleo said he would like to see the plans. Mr. Papaleo said he wanted to see the plans before voting on it. Ms. Petty said that the employee came out and showed plans and that she was satisfied with the plans. Ms. Grayson said this was great work and there are still various options. Ms. Daly said this is better furniture than initially planned. Ms. Grayson said that there were positive references received for the quality of work that was done. Ms. Grayson said that when this was tabled it was understood there was some time and understood that this needed to be done by June 1 st. Ms. Daly said she thought this work was good. A resident asked for a sketch of the plans. Mr. Papaleo said that there is one however he trusts the employees who are going to be working here and they will be the ones working in this. Ms. Daly seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Lastly Ms. Grayson asked for an update with the new building from Mr. Van-Otoo. Mr. Van-Otoo said most of the base is down with the remainder to be completed on Thursday and noted that the property is draining properly. Mr. Van-Otoo said the main construction of the building is starting May 15 th. Mr. Van-Otoo said that the gym floor samples are being delivered tomorrow. Mr .Van-Otoo said this is all he had for now. Ms. Grayson said that the building is currently about a week ahead of the projected schedule. Ms. Grayson said she routinely hears about when this should be done. Ms. Grayson asked if the Borough is still on track for completion before the end of the year. Mr. Van-Otoo said he still does not have an updated schedule but he would send one. Mr. Papaleo said that next time the Borough builds something he would like to hire the company that builds wawa. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business. Old Business Mr. Ropski asked if the driveways are done. Mr. Van-Otoo said they are. Ms. Daly said she emailed about the sealing on Taylor Drive. Mr. Van-Otoo said he spoke to the inspector the only areas that need to be sealed have been sealed. Mr. Van-Otoo said this might be areas where asphalt meets concrete and this is not sealed. Ms. Daly asked about how this area works. Mr. Papaleo said he believe his apron is sealed but it is not in great shape however he believed it was sealed. Mr. Van-Otoo said that in some places areas were sealed to be uniform however typically concrete joints with asphalt are not sealed. Mr. Ropski said Ms. Daly could email this resident. Mr. Van-Otoo said the punch list is complete at this time. Ms. Grayson said the community garden spaces are going quickly with a lot of interest in the last week and a half. Ms. Grayson said there are two spots where residents have not done anything and she would give them away if there was no response. Ms. Daly said that her spots have been cleaned and are ready. Mr. Papaleo said to let people who are interested and need space. Ms. Daly said that there would be a sign and Mr. Hayman confirmed this and said that a trail cam has been installed to catch whomever is damaging the gardens. Ms. Daly said a few garden users have asked for a lock however it was believed that this would be too complicated. Mr. Papaleo said that he would not object to a combination lock if it happens again. Ms. Daly said that this would be hard with several seniors. Mr. Papaleo said that the taller gardens are not great because of drainage issues and that water is seeping through faster if nobody is watering it regularly. Ms. Grayson said that she goes through and waters these every day. Ms. Grayson said that these were done for seniors who cannot bend easily. Ms. Daly said that she and her son Brady also water these. Ms. Grayson said that this is easier now that water is more accessible. Mr. Papaleo said that he would fill beds that were leftover this year but offered up his raised beds. Mr. Taliafferro asked if these were all raised beds. Mayor DiCicco mentioned the homes with fences on Hook Road and with small yards and said that front and rear yards all look the same but have lots of trash and that you could not tell which was the front and which was the back and said this was the perfect example of why fencing was bad in Sharon Hill. There was no new business. A motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Daly at 7:42pm and seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously.