Borough Council

Sharon Hill Borough Legislative Meeting Minutes Thursday, June 16th, 2022 Quote of the Meeting “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” — Malcolm X • Call To Order: 7:05 PM • Pledge of Allegiance • Roll Call: (Present) President Tanya Allen, Vice- President Keith Martinez, Councilor Sharon Booker, Councilor Edward Booker, Councilor Sandra Holcombe, Councilor William Felder, Mayor Hykeem Green, Borough Engineer Kevin Matson, Solicitor Courtney Richardson, Police Chief Richard Herron, Borough Manager Ieasa A. Nichols (excused), Borough Secretary Celandra Rice-Adeloye (excused), Councilor Rodney Hill (excused) • Public Comment (Related to Motion to Appoint Officers) – No Public Comment • Motion to Appoint New Part-Time Police Officers Moved – Councilwoman Sharon Booker Second – Councilor William Felder Motion Passes 5 – 0 • Mayor Green conducted the Swearing in of newest Police Officers - Christopher Dezii, Keith Hirsch, Derrick Taylor Jr. Madam President congratulated the officers on behalf of the council. • Public Comment (General): Pat Rummaker (Sharon Hill resident): Thanked council for installing the decorative banners on Chester Pike and inquired why some residents did not receive the Sharon Hill Newsletter. President Allen stated that the borough took great measures to be sure all constituents would receive the newsletter and she has addressed her concerns with the Postmaster at the Sharon Hill US Postal Service. Mr. Whittaker (Sharon Hill resident) – Thanked the borough for the newsletter and for getting the light fixed so quickly. He also acknowledged the council’s progress with the executive trade. Tracy Turner (Sharon Hill resident) – Inquired about a parent obtaining a refund on football fees paid for the Florida trip and questioned the whereabouts of the remaining pantry monies $2162.23 Mayor Green advised that the parent must produce proof of payment for refunds. President Allen advised that there was no record of the pantry funds and addressed what destroyed the pantry. Mayor Green advised that he is partnering with our Highway Department to create a safe, secure, and refrigerated area for food donations. • Approval of Meeting Minutes: Thursday, May 19th, 2022 Moved: Councilor Sandra Holcombe Seconded: Councilor Edward Booker Councilor William Felder inquired if his open letter to council would be entered into the record of the meeting minutes. Councilwoman Booker asked if the open letter will be visible on our website and suggested that in the future, we provide each councilor with a copy of such statements prior to the meeting. Madam President advised that the minutes published to our website currently include the open letter from Councilor Felder and acknowledged the suggestion. • Committee Updates: • President Tanya Allen, CPCIP – No new developments; CPCIP is currently working on securing grants and will begin following a summer meeting schedule. • Treasurer, Will Morgan read the finance report. Councilwoman Sharon Booker inquired about the SHACC account and how the funds were transferred between accounts. Treasurer Morgan explained that event vendors were paid from the SHACC account and further explained that the transfers were done to avoid bank fees as each account must remain at a certain balance. Councilwoman Booker would like council to consider a new bank that can further service the borough with newer technologies, easier processes, and less fees. Motion to approve treasurer report: Moved: Councilwoman Sharon Booker Seconded: Councilor Sandra Holcombe Motion passes 5 – 0 Treasurer Morgan read the irregular bills list and advised to take notice of the special explanations by certain bills. President Allen had inquiries on the CDBG Study bills. Treasurer Morgan advised that inquiries related to the CDBG study be addressed to the Borough Manger at the next legislative meeting. Councilor Felder had questions on the car repairs from Cerino’s and a bill for a computer firewall at the library. President Allen advised that the borough is responsible for making payment for the firewall and not the Delco Libraries. The Sharon Hill Library did not have proper internet security. Councilwoman Booker inquired about Delco Public Schools Health Care payment. Treasurer Morgan advised that it is a trust fund that pays the Sharon Hill Police benefits. Questions were raised regarding the April and May invoices for the SPCA. Mayor Green advise that constituents were calling SPCA and Brandywine, and the borough is getting billed. President Allen advised the bill is under investigation as we currently have no contract with the SPCA. The conditions for which the SPCA will perform services was addressed by President Allen and Police Chief Herron. Mayor Green would like guidelines for calling the SPCA on the Sharon Hill borough website. Treasurer Motion to approve irregular bills list:  Moved: Councilor Sandra Holcombe Seconded: Vice President Keith Martinez Motion passes 5 - 0 • Library Director Richard Ashby provided the library report with highlights on the recent activities such as: Yoga for youth, the Juneteenth event, Summer Reading Club, Donuts and Dads and the library is number 4 for the digital download of the SHPL app. Councilor William Felder requested a list of items sold recently by the library. Library Director Ashby advised the report will be provided at the Delco Library Board. Councilor Edward Booker announced that the library is working alongside the Veterans Administration with job placement. President Allen invited all to the Juneteenth celebration. • Vice-President Keith Martinez, Public Safety – The Sharon Hill Fire Department reports were read. Residents were reminded that fire detectors are available at the Sharon Hill Fire Department. • Councilor Sharon Booker, SHACC – Councilwoman Booker thanked the council for the bereavement floral arrangement sent to her family on the loss of her sister. Advised the Jazz Pilates classes were extended and invited everyone to participate in the Flea Market. Councilor Felder asked if the Jaz in the Park will be happening. The Jazz in Park event was discussed. It will occur October 9th. Advised that SHACC is partnering with the Recreation Department for the Jazz in the Park event and more information if forthcoming. • Councilor Edward Booker, Public Health /Multiple Municipality – Councilor Booker reminded constituents of the following resources and highlights which are Alzheimer’s awareness, the Farmers Market Voucher Program and Suicide Prevention. The Suicide Prevention Hotline has a new phone number which will be active starting July 6th. The new number to call is 988. Brief overview of the plans for the Senior Luncheon. • Councilor Rodney Hill, Recreation / Community Engagement – In Councilor Hill’s absence, President Allen advised of two upcoming movie nights and advised that the Recreation Department will be partnering with the library for game nights. • Councilor Sandra Holcombe, Parks, and Properties – No new updates • Councilor William Felder, Public Works – April 2022 Code report was provided, Code Official Chris McSween advised that the May and June report will be provided at the next meeting. President Allen inquired if there are additional code updates. Code Official McSween advised that there were 42 violations with 15 culminating into citations. There will be upcoming abatements scheduled and more residents are complying with keeping their grass cut. • Officials’ Reports  • Mayor Hykeem Green – The Sharon Hill Police Department report was read for the month of May. Mayor Green provided an update on the Rambler teams and with a championship win. President Allen prompted the discussion on ‘Delco Alerts’ which provide emergency updates and notices. • Borough Engineer, Susan Lynch discussed coordination between the contractor and Delco Community Housing. Estimated start date is one month out. The DEP issues should be addressed in June or July. • Borough Treasurer Morgan spoke on behalf of Borough Manager Ieasa Nichols. Feedback was provided regarding Telvue which has not been used or updated in approximately 3 years. Telvue provided guidance on how to update programming. Google analytics will run to see how many constituents have visited the channel. President Allen asks for a volunteer from the council. Councilwoman Sharon Booker offered to volunteer alongside another councilor. President Allen briefly discussed the issues with trash collection. The borough will continue to work alongside H&H as we are currently under contract with them. Liquid Fuels reports were reviewed, and the deadline of June 30th was met. Although the borough lost funds, we were able to retain 2019, 2020, 2021. Councilor Felder had inquired on the creation of the newsletter. Hoff Communications assisted with the newsletter. • Police Chief, Richard Herron – President Allen asked about the nature of many of the crimes and how residents can stay safe. Chief Herron provided details of 8 crimes. President Allen asked about more signage to help with speeding. Chief Herron discussed blinking stop signs and permanent fixtures such as trailers that can assist with speed control. Mayor Green discussed how the borough can further control speeding and deter drivers from going around busses. There will be camera installed in the future. • Borough Solicitor, Courtney Richardson discussed the Folcroft Bridge issue and how the borough is working alongside Lighthouse Engineering. The bridge was built 1921 and updated 1974. However, it is not operable, and a new bridge should be erected. Solicitor Richardson advised that the Zoning Hearing board resolution decreasing the board from nine members to five must be recorded by a court reporter and will occur during our July meeting. • New Business: • Motion to Approve ARPA Budget – Treasurer Will Morgan discussed the items that ARPA funds will be used towards such as: a sign improvement program, food pantry and fire department. Advised quarterly updates must be made to the treasury on the ARPA funds. There was a motion to table the vote on ARPA funds distribution until July as councilors would like to review the report further.  Moved: Councilwoman Sharon Booker Seconded: Councilor William Felder Yes to table the motion: 2 SB / WF No to table the motion: 3 EB / SH / KM Motion will not be tabled until July Moved: Vice President Keith Martinez Seconded: Councilor Edward Booker Yay Nay Motion Passes 5-0 • Motion to Raise Juneteenth Flag Moved: Councilwoman Sharon Booker Seconded: Vice President Martinez Councilor Felder provided a brief history of Juneteenth and its significance. • Resolution #2022-019: Sewer Project Approval 400 Sharon Avenue Solicitor Courtney Richardson read the resolution providing a brief synopsis. Moved: Councilor Sharon Booker Seconded: Councilor Edward Booker Motion Passes 5 - 0 • Motion to Approve Block Party for Burnside Ave. [July 16th] A discussion occurred to differentiate between the number of residents that must sign the block party petition, or the number of persons total that reside on the block. There are 13 houses. Police Chief Herron advised there will be a police presence and it will cost $20 per hour for a total of $150. Approval of block party contingent upon requirements being met. Yay EB/SH/KM/WF Nay SB Motion passes 5 - 1 • Old Business: Recognition on website for Councilwoman Booker as she was reelected to state committee and Councilor Felder received certification as a borough official from PSAB Quote of the meeting read by President Allen • Adjournment 9:15 PM The next Sharon Hill Borough Council Legislative Meeting will be held on: Thursday, July 21st, 2022 @ 7:00pm