RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES
May 20, 2024
7:30 PM Council Meeting
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call: Jody Roberts, Sue Hunt, Heidi Sentivan, Ken Torres-Zickler, Andrea Juarez, Sean Sheehan,
Vaughn Johnson, Mayor Gamal Sherif, Borough Secretary Janet DiIorio
Approval of Agenda
Action Item:
Ms. Juarez motioned to approve the agenda
Seconded by: Ms. Sentivan
Vote: Unanimous
Public Comment:
None
Tax Collector’s Report:
None
Mayor’s Report:
Mayor Gamal Sheriff presented his report from April 10th to May 17th.
He noted reporting from police has been reformatted to be more consumable. Mayor proposes review
in partnership with Streets and Public Safety.
Approval of Minutes:
Action Items:
2024.04.16 Council Meeting Minutes
Mr. Sheehan motioned to approve minutes
Vote: 9 Approved, Mr. Torres-Zickler abstained
Activities:
Information Sharing:
Game Night was recapped, determined successful and next event slotted for 2024.06.26.
Memorial Day celebration short presentation set for 11am 2024.05.27. Flags requests to the Borough
office for US and State marching flags, borough hall flag pole, and small flags for 2024.07.04.
Further activities and volunteering needs for 2024.07.04 to be determined in a meeting on 2024.05.29
at 7:30pm.
Building:
Information Sharing:
Reporting on the range of activity and service delivered in monthly report from Cantania.
Reminder about Borough Hall Community Engagement Session on Wednesday, 2024.05.22 at 7:30PM
Discussion:
Recommendations to improve Rutledge Borough processes and policy:
Clarify staff support requests; flow of staff reporting to Secretary up to Borough Council President.
Institute Activities Committee to manage requests; update language on form to indicate Activities
requirements, maintain separate request to distinct funding and insurance for Activities property.
Increase options to request property.
Communications:
Information Sharing:
First newsletters delivered by USPS.
Ms. Hunt requested reimbursement for stamps on trash schedule and letter sent to residents and
property owners.
Further discussion on Borough calendar annual timing.
Trash likely unavailable by mid-December. Request to have everything; working document to be
revisited as needed in future meetings.
Finance:
Information Sharing:
Review of 2023 Budget to Actual:
Small surplus in 2023, some 2024 payments recognized in 2023 budget.
Surplus in sewer fund. Trash fell below budget, but increasing spend in 2024 likely to consume surplus.
Review in 6 months to determine use of reserves.
Action Item:
Approval of Bills/Distributions
Mr. Sheehan motioned to approve.
Seconded by: Ms. Sentivan
Vote: Unanimous
Ordinance:
Information Sharing:
Analyzed switching Digital Code Hosting Vendor to CivicPlus Software
18-month process, initial codification up to 300 pages is estimated at $9,000.
$1,300 annual fee for supplementation and $450 hosting.
Allows payment installments.
Comparatively, eCode’s initial cost of $14,000-18,000, annual fees ranging from $700-1,000.
SPD most familiar with AM Legal
Parks & Property:
None
Personnel:
None
Public Safety:
None
Sewer:
None
Streets:
Information Sharing:
Resurfacing of Unity from Swarthmore to Rutledge and Swarthmore from Morton to ninth has been
completed
Action Item:
None
Trash & Recycling:
Information sharing:
Yard waste event on 2024.06.07
Glass Recycling updates include addition of Glass Survey to next eNews. Summer glass bin available in
Harverford beginning 2024.06.01.
The Sanitation Workshop recording is on the website
Discussion Item:
E-waste event 2024.06.15
Schedule together for rebid for Trash Contract to include: Listed specifications for request items (where
recycling goes, transfer station availability, tracking trucks, empty confirmation), Cost management once
materials are recycled/purchased, request Solid Waste authority to support draft, Request solicitor for
neighboring borough bid details.
Borough Commissions:
- Shade Tree
- Planning Commission
Status of LOI for open seats, raised questions about Triangle Park maintenance plan, accepted Streets
Committee request for solar street lamp recommendations.
Public Comment:
None
Old Business/New Business:
Old Business:
Parks Steering Committee timing / contact, tracking Borough repair requests, 250-year fourth of July
Zoom.
New Business:
Resident raised interest in Borough paper dumpster similar to one in Swarthmore, PECO removal
request for old telephone pole on Melrose Place between Linden and President, send eNews reminder
third parties must remove pool water as street dumping is illegal.
Adjournment
Ms. Sentivan motioned to adjourn the meeting
Seconded by Ms. Juarez