April 5, 2021 Council Minutes

RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

April 5, 2021

7:30 PM Council Meeting

 

The remote meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance recited at 7:33 pm. 

 

Roll Call   Heidi Sentivan, Jody Roberts, Marlaina Kloepfer, Samantha Newell, Christine Gradel, Ken Torres-Zickler, Lindsay Reed, Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Solicitor Christine Reuther, Administrator Jen Mickle.  Tom Heron 

Guest: Lee Awbrey 206 Linden Ave, Gamal Sherif 6 Rutledge Ave & David Ramirez 16 President Ave (8:32)

 

Public Comment: None.

 

Police Forum Discussion: New 5 year contract will start in 2022. Council asked residents to provide feedback about policing and police policies in the Borough ahead of the RFP for the Police Contract being completed and advertised: 

• Lee Awbrey (206 Linden Ave):
  • Ms. Awbrey provided a number of resources and connections to organizations working on police and policing in Delaware County
  • Ms. Awbrey noted that while the Borough is in a position to be proactive with regards to police and policing in our community
  • She indicated her appreciation for the current policing relationship and her hope that a renewed contract with the current provider could be developed
• Gamal Sherif (6 Rutledge Ave):
  • Noted we should take proactive measures to avoid issues later
  • Emphasized a need for crisis intervention or deescalation
  • Suggested better data collection could be possible in a future contract to facilitate conversations about training and resource allocation
• The Borough Solicitor noted that because the Borough is contracting with a police department that already exists, and because many aspects of policing including training, tactics, etc. are developed in contracts between unions and departments, the Borough may not be able address all issues within the RFP process alone.

 

Tax Collector: 

• Tax Collector noted that collections to date match expectations of other years (full report attached)
• Solicitor mentioned proposed legislation at the federal level that may provide mortgage assistance to homeowners in need

 

Mayor’s Report:

• Police are almost done with traffic study of Triangle Park (3 streets surrounding park)
• Wanted to thank Kent Kowalski for all his help with the Easter candy shoot & Rachel Sten for the flower decorations

 

Minutes: approval of the minutes of 3.15.2021work session HS/LR unanimous

 

Trash & Recycling: preparing for bid for new contract

 

Communications: sent out another newsletter  

 

Parks & Property: 

• Master Plan Update: Public Forum #3  4.6.2021 @ 7:30 same zoom link
• Approve VLS February Payment ($3232.50) HS/CG unanimous
• Approve Playground Mulch & Softball Field Work ($2465 Mulch Playground & $1950 Softball Field) HS/SN unanimous
• Triangle Park Clean Up went well. There was a good turnout.
• There will be an upcoming native plant installation in the rain garden as part of DCNR Grant Phase 1 (New Moon Nursery $570.50).

 

Activities:  

• Easter recap
• Earth Day Event, Sunday  4.25.21 with rain date of Sun, 5.2.21
• Looking into having a Logo competition for t-shirts and hats

 

Public Safety:  

• MRFC  March 2021 Chief’s report  attached

 

Finance: 

• Bills list  3.16.2021-4.5.2021 CG/HS unanimous
• FY2020 and FY2021 updates were provided to Council (attached)
• Liquid Fuels Audit (2019) is complete with only a small adjustment needed. Council noted the significant change in audit performance in recent years.
• The Mayor noted his appreciation for the significant improvements in the handling of Borough finances in recent years.

 

Building:  New exterior lights have been installed on the building. Thanks to Karl Kloepfer for helping us get a discounted price on the fixtures and for volunteering his time to install.  

 

Public Comment:

• Dave Ramirez talk about his support of the SPD

 

Old Business/New Business:

 

Adjournment 8:52 HS/KTZ unanimous