RUTLEDGE BOROUGH MINUTES
October 21, 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: Approve Agenda
- Heidi motion, Andrea second. All in favor.
Public Comment:
- Mascaro attending, shared history of company, and some additional questions and commentary regarding the trash/recycling bid proposal.
Tax Collector’s Report:
Mayor’s Report:
- Swarthmore Police Department – monthly report
- One question regarding multiple calls within short time frame; there is one log for each 911 call
- Chief Stufflet commits to having additional presence during Halloween and for the full duration of Election Day (although not inside the polling station).
- Wallingford Swarthmore School buses will be adding stop sign cameras and send camera footage to the police department for review and citation. The review and citation portion is not outsourced to another company for review; these will all be reviewed by the police department. Citations have moved from traffic to civil and fines have been increased to $300. There is an education campaign to help reduce drivers running. Anticipated in around 6 months.
Approval of Minutes:
- Action: Approve Meeting Minutes from 2024.10.07
- Sean motion, Sue second. Vaughn Abstain, remainder in favor.
Activities:
- Recap of Happy Hour/Game Night: Less well attended but very much enjoyed. Art show included two local artists with oil/acrylic and embroidery. Next happy hour is planned for spring.
- Halloween Grow and Glow 10/27:
- 3PM for pumpkin drop off, 1 hour of fun then judging.
- Hall-Oween with the Mayor 10/31: Candy and non-food items, 6-8PM.
- Luminaries – accepting volunteers for bag folding.
- Activities Donations are still being accepted.
Parks & Property:
- Discussion: Update on Gather Space DCNR Approval & Bid Schedule
- DCNR currently reviewing drawings and cost estimate; cannot go to bid until furniture is all priced by Costar. Goal is to go to bid and approve bid by December business session.
- Zoning Board Hearing: Shed was approved at the additional set back (6’ from sidewalk).
Personnel: none
Public Safety:
- Reading of the MRFC Report
- MRFC is working on grants to replace the apron in front of the Morton firehouse. Rutledge Borough would be happy to write a letter of support for any related grants.
Sewer: none
Streets:
- Action: Approve heat taping of crosswalks at Linden, President, Sylvan, and Rutledge Ave as well as across Morton from the corner of Rutledge to Cornell for the cost of up to $4,000, utilizing the remaining Aqua funds.
- Motion Vaugh, Andrea second. All in favor.
Building:
- Information Sharing: Monthly Reports from Catania for August and September
- Action: Vote to approve request from Activities Committee to use Borough Hall for Grow and Glow on 10/27 and Halloween on 10/31
- Action: Vote to approve request from Sanitation Committee to use Borough Hall, the Truck, and staff time to support Campaign Sign Recycling on 11/6
- Grouped approval: Heidi motion, Sean second. All in favor.
- Information Sharing: Borough Hall Project Working Session on 10/28.
- Information Sharing: Update on progress with IPMC
Communications:
- Action: vote to Approve new cost for every door direct mail, up to $135 per mailing
- Motion Sue, Vaugh second. All in favor.
Finance:
- Action: Approve Bills and Distributions 10/3-10/17/2024
- Motion Heidi, Andrea second. All in favor.
- Action: Vote to approve ARPA Funds Resolution:
- ALLOCATE THE ENTIRETY OF THE BOROUGH’S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING TO THE STANDARD ALLOCATION FOR REVENUE REPLACEMENT
- Resolution 2024-06
- Motion Sue, Vaugh second. All in favor.
- Discussion: 2025 Budget Requests
Ordinance: none
Trash & Recycling:
- E-Waste recap 10/12/24: about forty participants, full truck and look forward to doing this again in the spring. Partnership with Swarthmore was well received and Recycle Right would love to include other neighboring boroughs in the follow on collections.
- Next Yard Waste is 11/1/24
- Glass Bin update: Location originally planned did not fit the bin, and pursuing additional. May also request Morton or Nether Providence to support.
- Discussion: Bid Summary Sheet for Review and Discussion of 3 vendors who submitted proposals. Future review required. Anticipate bidding at next meeting.
Borough Commissions:
- Shade Tree
- Planning Commission
- Plan to Review and Update Action Matrix as part of November Work Session
Public Comment:
- Question about whether the Garden Club is still meeting. If not, remove from the calendar.
- Mascaro shares their interest in servicing the community and shares they are the low bid for our current service level.
Old Business/New Business:
- Door to door solicitors are required to get permits for sales within the Borough. Paperwork is available in the office. Religious or political canvassers are exempt from this requirement. Residents are recommended to post no solicitation signs out if they would like to deter solicitors as this can help bolster complaints.
- National Night Out – these are standard night scheduled the same night everywhere. SPD generally does not participate due to staffing, but will be reviewing a partnership with Nether Providence in 2025.
Adjournment- 9:00 PM
Heidi motion, Sue second. All in favor.