RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL AGENDA
April 15, 2024
7:30 PM Council Meeting
The Rutledge Borough Council Meeting of April 15th 2024 began with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30pm in Borough Hall 212 Unity Terrace Rutledge PA 19070.
Roll Call
Mr. Totaro began with calling the roll and present were: President Jody Roberts, Vice President Sue Hunt, Ms. Heidi Sentivan, Ms. Andrea Juarez, Mr. Sean Sheehan, Mr. Vaughn Johnson, Mr. Ken Torres-Zickler was absent. Also present were Mayor Gamal Sherif, and Borough Secretary Craig Totaro.
Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Sheehan motioned to approve the agenda,
Seconded by: Ms. Hunt
Vote: Unanimous
Public Comment:
Several member of the Girl Scouts were present. The Girl Scouts presented information to the Borough Council about several upcoming events.
Tax Collector’s Report:
None
Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor read his report into the record as follows:
The Mayor reported on police activity for the period between March 18th and April 11th 2024 as follows: Eight (8) parking tickets, three (3) traffic citations and nine (9) traffic warnings were issued during the month of March to April.
On March 19th at 9:14PM: Officer Dunn was dispatched to the 100 block of Linden Ave for a medical emergency. The patient was transported to Riddle Memorial Hospital by Swarthmore Ambulance.
On March 19th at 10:45AM: Officer Mattioli and Officer Dunn responded to the 100 block of Morton Ave to serve temporary PFA papers. The papers were served without incident.
On March 20th at 11:38AM: Sgt Stilwell was dispatched to the 100 block of President Ave for an unwanted subject. Upon arrival, Sgt Stilwell spoke to the unwanted subject and was able to get him to leave the area without incident.
On March 21st at 12:35AM: Sgt Stilwell was dispatched to the 100 block of Rutledge Ave for a medical emergency. The patient was transported to Crozer Chester Medical Center by Swarthmore Ambulance. On March 22nd at 11:07AM: Officer Mattioli and Officer Dunn were dispatched to the 100 block of Linden Ave for an animal complaint. The complaint was about a dog that had attacked a cat. Upon arrival, Officer Mattioli spoke to the victim who stated the dog was not on a leash when it attacked the cat. Officer Dunn spoke to the dog’s owner who confirmed the dog was not on a leash at the time. The cat’s injuries were minor. The dog’s owner was cited for violation of the dangerous dog statue.
On March 24th at 09:29AM: Officer Dunn while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was issued a traffic citation warning.
On March 24th at 10:13AM: Officer Dunn while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was issued a traffic citation warning. On March 24th at 10:31AM: Officer Dunn while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was issued a traffic citation warning.
On March 24th at 12:03PM: Officer Mattioli was dispatched to the 100 block of President Ave for a medical emergency. The patient was transported to Taylor Hospital by Swarthmore Ambulance.
On March 25th at 12:07PM: Chief Stufflet while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation warning.
On March 25th at 12:28PM: Chief Stufflet while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation. On March 26th at 14:49PM: Officer Hinckley while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Sylvan Ave at Unity Terrace that did not stop at the stop sign. The driver was pulled over and was given a traffic citation.
March 27th at 12:56PM: Officer Dunn was dispatched to the 100 block of Rutledge Ave for a parking complaint. The owner of the vehicle lost his keys and wanted permission to leave the car parked in front of their house. On March 28th at 10:57AM: Chief Stufflet while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation warning.
On March 28th at 11:11AM: Chief Stufflet while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation warning.
On March 28th at 18:46PM: Sgt Aloi was dispatched to the 100 block of President Ave for a missing person. Sgt Aloi was able to leave a voicemail on the missing person’s phone. The missing person called back and stated they were fine and returning home.
On March 31st at 06:38AM: Sgt Aloi and Officer Dunn were dispatched to the 100 block of Morton Ave for a medical emergency of an overdose. The patient was alert and conscious prior to the arrival of officers. The patient refused to be transported to a medical center or rehab facility as well as medical treatment.
On April 04th at 12:18PM: Chief Stufflet while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation warning.
On April 04th at 12:43PM: Chief Stufflet while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation.
On April 5th at 15:16PM: Officer Lyons was dispatched to the 100 block of S. Morton Ave for a landlord/tenant dispute. Upon arrival, the complainant stated the people living below her were threatening her. Sgt Aloi checked the apartment below and it was vacant.
On April 05th at 13:27PM: Sgt Aloi was dispatched to the 200 block of President Ave for a medical emergency. The patient was transported to Riddle Memorial Hospital by Swarthmore Ambulance.
On April 07th at 08:31AM: Officer Lyons was dispatched to the 100 block of President Ave for a medical emergency. The patient was transported to Taylor Hospital by Woodlyn Ambulance.
On April 07th at 10:59AM: Sgt Aloi while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Melrose Terrace by Linden Ave that failed to stop at a stop sign. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation warning.
On April 08th at 11:25PM: Officer Ulmer while on routine patrol observed a vehicle traveling on Swarthmore Ave and Platt Ave that was speeding. The driver was pulled over and issued a traffic citation warning.
On April 10th at 22:35PM: Officer Mattioli was dispatched to 100 block of President Ave for a suspicious vehicle sitting at a stop sign. Upon arrival, Officer Mattioli spoke to the driver who was a LYFT driver waiting for a new rider. The driver was advised to move the vehicle so he wouldn’t be blocking traffic. On April 10th at 23:18PM: Officer Mattioli was dispatched to the 100 block of President Ave for a medical emergency. The patient was transported to Crozer Medical Center by Swarthmore Ambulance. Chief Stufflet of the Swarthmore Police was present to discuss various public safety items including: The department is fully staffed and with the break in the weather has resulted in an uptick in enforcement and incident response times and general patrols. The Swarthmore Police Department has received training including Crisis Intervention Training to process a range of conflicts and de-escalation trainings.
Approval of Minutes:
Action Items:
Ms. Juarez motioned to approve the minutes of the March 4th 2024 meeting of Borough Council
Seconded by: Ms. Sentivan
Vote: Unanimous
Ms. Sentivan motioned to approve the minutes of the March 18th 2024 meeting of Borough Council
Seconded by: Mr. Sheehan
Vote: Ms. Juarez abstained and the vote was otherwise unanimous
Mr. Sheehan motioned to approve the minutes of the April 1st 2024 meeting of Borough Council
Seconded by: Mr. Johnson
Vote: Ms. Juarez abstained and the vote was otherwise unanimous
Activities:
Ms. Hunt presented information on the following items:
A recap and summary of the Snow Jam event; that there would be an Activities meeting on 4/17/24;
Earth Day celebration is set for 4/20/24; and there will be a Happy Hour on 5/3/24.
Building:
Mr. Sheehan reported on the range of activity and service delivered in the monthly reports from Catania including 6 Building Inspections and 6 building permits issued; code enforcement activity at three (3) properties; Two (2) use and occupancy inspections; no rental inspections
Mr. Sheehan also introduced the format for the Borough Hall Strategic Plan / Community Engagement Session set for May 15 2024 from 7:30pm – 9:00pm This will be the first of several community engagement sessions.
Finance:
A motion was made by Mr. Sheehan to Approval of Bills/Distributions for the period,
Seconded by Ms. Sentivan
Vote: Unanimous
Ordinance:
Mr. Sheehan updated the group on recent research into the codification of the local code and the scope of service offered by both CivicPlus and General Code. He will follow up with further details on the process and cost of moving the initiative to the next step.
Streets:
Mr. Roberts introduced the 2024 Road Program base bid and options that included the ~ $95k payment in lieu of restoration from Aqua PA for the Swarthmore Avenue piping project.
Action Item: Ms. Juarez motioned to approve the 2024 street paving project to include: Swarthmore Ave from Morton to 9th; Unity Terrace from Swarthmore to Rutledge; and Linden Ave from Morton to Unity Terrace.
Seconded by Ms. Sentivan
Vote: Unanimous
Trash & Recycling:
Ms. Hunt updated the group on the planned activities for the Earth Day/Sanitation Workshop
And presented information on the scope and range of items acceptable by the two companies: Recycle Right and Cyber Cycle.
Ms. Hunt also issued a reminder that the next yard waste collection is scheduled for 5/3/24
Ms. Hunt provided additional information on the two possible two E-waste events and will return to the May meeting with action items. Finally, it was noted that a hazardous waste event is set for Colwyn on Saturday April 20th 2024.
Borough Commissions:
Mr. Johnson updated the group on a new member for the Shade Tree April 21st has been identified and that coordination of the next tree planting event is underway. Finally, May 13th is the next Shade Tree meeting. The Shade tree meetings are held in the Borough Hall.
Public Comment:
None.
Old Business/New Business:
Mr. Roberts thanked Ridley for their work on the Triangle Park field that was provided without charge to the Borough.
Ms. Sentivan updated the group on the installation of two new pieces of equipment, (1) a merry-go-round and (2) a saucer swing both of which are scheduled to be installed in the next two weeks or so
Ms. Hunt shared the Haverford Recycling information and a scheduling of an update for recycling collection event.
Adjournment
Ms. Sentivan motioned to adjourn the meeting
Seconded: Ms. Juarez
Vote: unanimous
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46pm