Agnes Woebkenberg

The meeting commenced with roll call and a statement regarding the purpose of the Municipal Financial Recovery Advisory Committee, which is to consult with the receiver regarding the recovery plan implementation. The committee approved the minutes from the December 8th meeting. A significant portion of the discussion involved updates on the 2021 budget, which the receiver expected to have approved by the end of the following week. Future priorities slated for January included renegotiating the Teamsters contract and other workforce-related initiatives. The public comment period included 25 distributed comments; 24 related to the monetization of the Chester Water Authority, which remains in litigation, and one comment addressed the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and salaries for elected officials.

The meeting addressed several resolutions and agenda items. Discussions included the 2020 budget public error resolution, a resolution authorizing the appointment of laborers in the parks department, and a resolution to approve advertising for a request for proposal (RFP) for the management of the pension fund. Further resolutions involved approving the first subdivision/development for a renovated park area and authorizing an expenditure. A supervisor's report highlighted that the Time Street Bridge is slated to reopen mid-December. Other topics included progress on the streetscape project, the start of a six hundred project in March of the following year, camera installations, and progress on the police station project. There was also mention of submitting an LED lighting grant.

The discussions involved resolutions pertaining to the Delco Green Ways Grant Program for Crozier Park, authorizing the rescission of Resolution Number 124-2021, and approving a contract with Recast City LLC. Further resolutions addressed the refund of monies for tax overpayments and the approval of an expenditure list. The session concluded with the welcoming of Samantha Johnson as the interim Communications Director.

The regular council session began with prayer and the pledge of allegiance, followed by roll call. Public comments were taken, addressing several contentious issues. Concerns were raised regarding the potential contract extension with Covanta and issues with current recycling practices, specifically the mixing of non-recyclable items (blue cans) with recycling, potentially affecting city funding. Other public comments focused on dissatisfaction with the current trash vendor, J.P. Mascara, questioning contract extensions given poor performance and advocating for a 'responsible bidder' approach. The city's proposed residential parking resolution was also debated, with concerns raised about potential violation of an existing parking contract and the financial jeopardy it might cause, as well as issues faced by seniors finding parking near Crozier Hospital. Furthermore, public input included concerns about large trash piles, the use of city workers for curbside requests, and inadequate communication from the receiver's office to Councilman Jacobs. Finally, comments addressed traffic safety issues caused by large trucks violating height restrictions on Highland Avenue and concerns about an abandoned property and a homeless situation on Route 291. The Mayor and Council members responded by addressing the trash contract (stating J.P. Mascara was the lowest responsible bidder and acknowledging COVID-19 related service disruptions), confirming community clean-up efforts, outlining anonymous reporting methods for illegal dumping, and directing the engineer to address the trucking route signage and development proposals, while also committing to supporting seniors regarding residential parking.

The meeting commenced following an acknowledgment that the proceedings were being recorded. Key discussion points centered on operational matters and executive/information sessions. During the information session, the board received briefings on matters concerning the operations of the Czech Water Authority, with no deliberation occurring. Executive sessions involved receiving legal advice on agenda items, labor and personnel issues, a family development matter, and briefings on current litigation concerning the City of Chester's bankruptcy and the authority's involvement. A letter from the Chester Water Authority chair to Delaware County Council was read, informing them of serious challenges, potentially requiring an emergency rate increase before the end of 2025 due to the ongoing litigation. The letter detailed the negative impact of the City of Chester's bankruptcy plan on CWA's credit rating (downgraded by Moody's) and the potential need for water service rates to more than double in 2026 if 2022 revenue bonds cannot be refinanced. The board also reviewed and approved expenses by function, accepted option year exceptions for janitorial services contracts (9A and 9B), and accepted an option year acceptance for furnishing commercial diving services (9C). There were no new or old business items, and no public comment on other matters.