Borough Council Workshop Meeting

MEETING MINUTES FOLCROFT BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING OCTOBER 3rd, 2023 LOCATION: 1555 Elmwood Avenue, Folcroft PA 19032 Council President Papaleo called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM 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 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 absent – Colleen Marsini was present, Secretary/Manager Andrew Hayman was present) Council President Papaleo announced that there was an executive session prior to this meeting Audience Participation Darlene Taliafero 504 Folcroft Avenue said she met with Manager Hayman about the issue reported previously and that she had informed Manager Hayman of this but she said she saw kids coming into or out of the house and that they must have entered the home and that she was worried about this. Ms. Isaac asked if she saw them breaking in. Ms. Taliaferro said no. Mr. Bair asked if Ms. Taliaferro had called the police and she said no. Mayor DiCicco asked Mr. Bair to investigate this. Mr. Bair explained crime watch and explained what she would happen. Ms. Taliaferro said that ENTER EXPLANATION. Public Finance & Administration - Mr. Papaleo • Members considered a Land Development Agreement for 1498 Delmar Drive. Mr. Hayman explained that this was to develop the site of the proposed 7/11 on Delmar Drive.Ms. Daly said she was not for this plan unless she was certain what the deal was pertaining to. Ms. Marsini said that it could be advisable to table this motion and revisit it later. Mr. Hayman said that this had only just been received and that it would be worth more discussion with the developer. **Ms. Daly made a motion to table seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. • Members considered an agreement to extend health purchase extension. Mr. Papaleo said the Borough is enrolled in a trust where municipalities are bound together and have combined  purchasing power which allows the Borough to collectively purchase and said that this is an extension of that plan. ** Ms. Daly made a motion to accept the agreement with the trust seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. • Members c onsidered Resolution 2023-07 authorizing county aid for the 2023 roads program. Mr. Hayman said that this was double the normal amount as it had not been utilized the year prior. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve resolution 2023-07 seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously. • Members considered Resolution 2023-06 authorizing an application for round four of the Delco Greenways Grant. Mr. Hayman said that this was for more work at Montgomery Park and was a county-wide grant that had been applied for in the past. Ms. Grayson asked what the amphitheater project was for. Mr. Papaleo explained the location and what it would be for. Ms. Daly listed events that this could be used for. Ms. Grayson said she understood but lamented that there are many places that need funds for green space. **Ms. Daly made a motion to approve seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Works - Ms. Grayson • Members considered bids for trash collection in Folcroft Borough. **Ms. Grayson made a motion to table acceptance of bids seconded by Ms. Isaac. The motion passed unanimously. Public Safety– Mr. Ropski • Mr. Ropski proposed the conditional hiring of part-time officer Dylan Jones upon graduation from the Police Academy and subsequent tests and exams **Mr. Ropski made a motion to conditionally hire Dylan Jones as a part-time Police Officer seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. • Mr. Ropski proposed the conditional hiring of part-time officer Angela Faraglia upon graduation from the Police Academy and subsequent tests and exams ** Mr. Ropski made a motion to conditionally hire Angela Faraglia as a part-time Police Officer seconded by Ms. Grayson. The motion passed unanimously. Public Health and Literacy - Ms. Fyffe • Ms. Daly said that Ms. Romanski hosted a petting zoo and there was great attendance and said that participation is up as well. Public Parks and Recreation – Ms. Daly Ms. Daly reminded guests that community day was now combined with trunk or treat into a single event and explained what the event would be. Ms. Daly said that there is an online form to fill out and the Borough will supply candy and will accept donations from residents or anyone else. Ms. Daly said that the Borough is in very good shape with lots of money rolled over from community day, easter and Juneteenth and that the Borough will buy pumpkins and do tie dye. Ms. Daly said there would also be a raffle and a DJ among other activities. Ms. Daly said she is refunding vendors who cannot come but is also attracting other vendors who are new to these events. Ms. Daly said she is excited to see if this will work. Municipal Ordinances and Code Enforcement – Mr. Redding • Members considered hiring a code enforcement officer **Mr. Redding made a motion to table hiring a code enforcement officer seconded by Ms. Daly. The motion passed unanimously. Municipal Planning and Borough Beautification – Ms. Isaac • Ms. Isaac said that her garden event did not happen and no residents sent her pictures but she would hope to try this again next year. Ms. Isaac said that she would host a Halloween decoration contest and encouraged residents and members to decorate their homes in preparation for judging. Ms. Isaac said that she would like to start a youth aid panel in town and that it would be helpful, especially noting that children are entering the house. Ms. Isaac cited things that she would do. Mr. Papaleo said that this had been approved previously. Ms. Grayson asked what this is. Mr. Papaleo explained that this is a diversionary program to avoid sending young offenders. Ms. DiCicco said this was discussed years ago and listed Judges who do this in other areas. Ms. Daly said that the Borough paid for this service and residents would go to classes to learn how to effectively do this. Mr. Redding clarified that these are volunteers and that the charges are preempted. Mr. Bair said he understood the youth aid panel but said that there is no juvenile detention center in Delaware County and currently fines and court hearings are held with no community service. Mr. Bair said that families know that their children aren’t going to be charged and that parents ignore it because this is a civil matter. Mr. Bair said that the judge generally throws out cases as well. Ms. Daly said she is aware that fighting cases are also thrown out. Mr. Bair asked what would happen if the person doesn’t comply with the requirement. Mr. Papaleo said that he understood that the charges would be revived. Ms. Grayson said that somehow the matter must be addressed before the person becomes a troublemaker. Ms. Isaac said that she understands that Havertown has it as well and then discussed confidentiality agreements. Mr. Bair said that if members table it he will look into other youth aid panels and how they are operating now. Mr. Redding said that he understood that it did not take his charging power away. Mr. Bair said that this is a lot of work on the other end and Ms. Daly said the child involved needs to be motivated. Ms. Daly said that she had a student who told her that she got into a fight and was told she cannot fight for 6 months or she will be charged. Mr. Bair said he would look into it. Mr. Papaleo said the matter is not on the table for a former action and that no tabling would be needed. Mr. Papaleo said that it was also important to note that this was going to go under the police and fire. Mr. Bair provided an example of a situation in which a young person in Collingdale fired a gun and was released with an ankle bracelet. Ms. Daly said she knew about the situation and that the parents were upset. Mr. Bair said that this is a cycle. Members discussed the behavior that causes these issues. Mr. Bair explained that he believed the situation has changed dramatically since this was first discussed and approved and noted the challenges in finding candidates. New Building – Ms. Grayson • Ms. Grayson had no new business. Driveways and Parking Permits – Ms. Daly • Ms. Daly had no new business. Old Business Mayor DiCicco said that the boat next to her house is 70 percent gone. There was no new business. **Ms. Grayson made a motion to adjourn at 7:32pm seconded by Mr. Ropski. The motion passed unanimously.