Borough Council

Sharon Hill Borough Legislative Meeting Minutes Thursday, December 19, 2024 Call To Order: 7:00pm Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call: President Tanya Allen (P), Vice President Edward Booker (P), Councilor Rodney Hill (E), Councilor Sandra Holcombe (P), Councilor Sharon Booker (E), Councilor James Patrick, III (P), Councilor Will Felder (P), Mayor Hakeem Green (P), Borough Solicitor Colleen Marsini (P), Borough Engineer Susan Lynch (E), Code Official Anthony Tartaglia (P), Police Chief Richard Herron (P), Treasurer Will Morgan (P), Borough Manager Ieasa Nichols (P) Public Hearing: Read by Borough Solicitor Colleen Marsini o Ordinance #1416: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF SHARON HILL DELAWARE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE BOROUGH ZONING CODE CHAPTER 200 GENERAL REGULATIONS TO INCLUDE SECTION 200 TITLED “SMOKE SHOPS AND TOBACCO STORES”. Borough Manager Nichols request advertisement. o Ordinance #1417: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF SHARON HILL DELAWARE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING ARTICLE I SECTION 332-1 COMPENSATION OF TAX COLLECTOR DECREASING THE ANNUAL SALARY OF THE ELECTED BOROUGH TAX COLLECTOR TO $250.00 PER YEAR. Public Comment: None Motion to Approve Ordinance #1416 Motioned E.B. Seconded S.H. Passed Motion to Approve Ordinance #1417 Motioned S.H. Seconded E.B. Passed Councilor Felder inquired about the tax collector process. 2025 Municipal Budget Hearing: 2025 Proposed Summary Budget Review Read by Borough Treasurer William Morgan 1 Public Comment: None Committee Updates President Tanya Allen, (Library, CPCIP): Announced Chester Pike Park Improvement Partners met this month. Informed upcoming progress on Fight the Pike Project. Provided updates for Delaware County Transportation Management Authority partnership with PennDot and Southeast DelCo and Interborough school districts to resolve behavioral patterns not due to infrastructure. Announced CPCIP has been awarded LSA $50,000 grant. Will provide updates throughout the year. Mr. Ashby: Provided Monthly Library Report on ongoing programs and three volunteers for day to day operations. Shared success on past events (Luncheon, Tree lighting, Christmas Tea). Announced Library 2025 goals and initiatives through programs, community services and engagements, and funding opportunities. Councilor Edward Booker, (Public Safety/DCJA): Announced attendance at the Darby Creek Joint Authority. Provided the monthly report on responses, incidents, and calls for service and assisting other municipalities totals from Sharon Hill Fire, Office of Fire Chief for November 2024. Shared fire prevention and safety tips. Advised residents to pick up free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors by contacting Sharon Hill Office. Shared success on past event. Solicitor Kyle Miller gave comments on Act 54 and fire tax, how funds are allocated and what the needs are for Sharon Hill Borough Fire Station. Councilor Rodney Hill (Recreation Board): Report recognized by Councilor William Felder: Shared the success of past holiday events. President Allen shared support, partnerships, and media coverage for events. Councilor Sharon Booker (SHACC): No Report Provided Councilor Will Felder (Public Works): Shared the Sharon Hill Borough Code Report on Inspections: rental inspections, rental licenses, rental re-inspections, resale inspections, and transfers for re-inspections with totals. Permits: received, issued, pending, doubled, to be approved, in review, denied, and stop work orders. Property: maintenance code, code violations, high weeds and grass, abandoned vehicle violations, towed vehicles, abatement by order, abatement by owner, removal by owner, legal reinstatements for the totals. Total categories amounted to $24,744. Councilor Sandra Holcombe (Public Health): Announced attendance at Race Across America this past weekend. Provided information on holiday wreaths. Also, shared information for next year’s event. Councilor James Patrick, III (Personnel): Reported two new hirers. Informed updates on employee handbook will be provided in 2025. Officials' Updates: 2 Mayor, Hykeem Green: Shared Sharon Hill Police Department Monthly Report for November 2024: Criminal arrest and domestic assaults Investigations: arrests, burglary, warrants, domestic disputes, thefts, weapon offenses, narcotics, Service calls: alarms, medical assists, building checks, and assisting other municipals, Traffic: vehicle stops, traffic citations, traffic stops, accidents, abandoned vehicles and parking tickets. Solicitor Kyle Miller provided research on holidays and religious observances and symbols. Provided information on third party tax abatement process. Question Councilor Holcombe: Asked if there is a current agreement and if Council has been in communication with vendor. Regarding payment and timeline of process. Question President Allen: Shared concerns confirming abatement the information and process to the residents/homeowners in relation to how sensitive information is handled and the protection of the Borough. Borough Manager Nichols: Suggested additional steps with third party to be adopted by Sharon Hill Borough providing three different agreements to consider. Further discussions with council took place on abatements. Borough Solicitor, Colleen Marsini: Provided information on upcoming fire services and other tax agreements. Economic Development Susan Lynch: Borough Manager Nichols: Provided updated report on borough engineers and PECO on plan views, gas mains for Folcroft Bridge and timeframe for 2025 and future updates on street re-pavements. Code Official Anthony Tartaglia: Reiterated abatement process and reported on one outstanding. Addressed the sidewalk retortion on Sharon Avenue and lawn repair by Spring. Shared concerns on parking safety issues and code enforcement. Question President Allen: Asked if request was made for sidewalk repair and can there be a request for a permit if there are open violations. Police Chief Richard Herron: Announced ongoing progress with Holiday Statewide Traffic Safety seasonal grant. Shared safety tips on delivery packages. Question Councilor Felder: Provided concerns about youth crossing management on Chester Pike. Treasurer Report: William Morgan: Provided November 2024 Treasurer Report. General fund balance, on hand, deposits, receipts, disbursements, withdrawals. Bills and ACH, check reports, insurance policies and installments, partnerships and contributions, tax refunds, events. Borough Manager Nichols discussed overpayment on taxes. Undisclosed/Inaudible at 1:18:04 to 1:19:56 Borough Manager Ieasa Nichols: Resolution request from council at next Legislative Meeting in January for CDBG grant adjustment of $50,000. Provided project update and funding adjustments. Requested a Public Comment period, upgrades for Memorial Park per the State requirements and for ADA guidelines and compliances. 3 Public Comment: Paula Jones: 600 5th Ave, Sharon Hill Provided concerns on debris and in neighbor’s yard. Inquired about fence and tress territories. New Business: Motion to Approve Treasurers Report Motioned J.P. Seconded E.B. Passed Resolution # 2024-13: A RESOLUTION TO RATIFY THE RETIREMENT OF A SHARON HILL BOROUGH POLICE OFFICER ANTHONY BUCKLAND Motioned J.P. Seconded E.B. Passed Resolution # 2024-14: A RESOLUTION ENTERING INTO AGREEMENT WITH MUNICIPAL REVENUE SERVICES FOR 2024 DELINQUENT TAX SALE Motioned J.P. Seconded S.H. Passed Resolution # 2024-15: A RESOLUTION SETTING THE 2025 TAX LEVY Motioned J.P. Seconded E.B. Passed Resolution # 2024-16: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF A TAX AND REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTE OF THE BOROUGH IN THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025. Motioned J.P. Seconded E.B. Passed Motion to Adopt the Borough of Sharon Hill 2025 Municipal Budget Motioned S.H. Seconded E.B. Passed Motion to Cancel January 2nd, 2025, Caucus Meeting Motioned J.P. Seconded E.B. Passed 4 Motion to reschedule the regularly scheduled Legislative Meeting of June 2025 from Thursday, June 19th to Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. Motioned S.H. Seconded E.B. Passed Motion to Hire Full-Time Police Officer Maximillian Malarkey Motioned J.P. Seconded E.B. Passed Motion to Hire Full-Time Police Secretary Jill Laber Motioned S.H. Seconded E.B. Passed Borough Manager Nichols: Informed council of a continuance of duties and task by former police secretary for three days post retirement under contract guidelines. Motion to approve Legislative Meeting Minutes: September 19th, 2024. Motioned E.B. Seconded J.P. Passed Old Business: • Economic Development: None • Traffic Calming Initiatives: None President Allen: Announced upcoming dates and times on website and social media platforms for Town Hall Meetings and open office hours for 2025. Shared Sharon Hill dedication to Fanta Bility at Memorial Park playground on January 15th 2025. Quote of the Meeting read by President Tanya Allen: “Celebrate what you want more of.” - Tom Peters Meeting adjourned at: 9:50pm Upcoming Meeting: Legislative Meeting, Thursday January 16, 2025 5