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Everyone, I'd like to call to Order County Council's Agenda Me, a regular meeting for Wednesday, September 17th, 2025. Please rise to the Pledge of Allegiance.

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Thank

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you, everyone for joining us today. I will kick it over to our solicitor just for some opening comments.

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I could evening everyone. First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming out today.

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you all individually have things that you could be doing other than being here, but you chose to come and participate in government, which is awesome.

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And I respect that you are taking the time to provide that input, and it's something that everyone in this room actually has in common.

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So thank you for being here, and I hope you take a moment to acknowledge yourselves for that part of you,

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that you care and you're participating.

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I want to set some expectations for public comment

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that will happen.

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The first is an expectation of myself.

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Okay, as a solicitor, from time to time,

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I need to speak up and I expect myself to be fair

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and attentive and observant of the law.

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And if I err because I'm a beautiful human,

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like all of you and we do err sometimes,

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I do expect you to hold me accountable within the appropriate form, whether that's after the meeting or an email to the clerk or in some way.

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And I expect of myself to receive input and continue to evaluate my performance and my service to the county and to our community.

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This meeting is a forum for respectful discussion and open expression.

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Everyone has the right to be heard and there's a specific time for that.

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many of you are accustomed to the rules of that, the three-minute cutoff, and we do ask,

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please refrain from heckling, speaking out of turn, or otherwise disrupting the proceedings.

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With the right to be heard, there's the responsibility to listen. If disruptions occur,

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the meeting will be paused until orders are stored. And individuals who persistently

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violate those rules of decorum, maybe ask to leave. Those are my comments, and I look forward to

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listening to you all during public comment, and thanks again for being here and participating in

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government. Thank you, Miss Alvary. I will move on to council announcements, and first we have

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council member Shaefer. Thank you, Dr. Taylor. I have two announcements this evening.

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The first, I'm very thrilled to share details about a few upcoming events that are being

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billed as three cheers for Delco's birthdays, a three-day celebration of history, hometown

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pride, and America's upcoming 250th. This exciting celebration organized through a partnership

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with America 250PA Delco, visit Delco and the Delaware County Historical Society takes place

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This next weekend, September 26th through September 28th, all in service to three birthdays,

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the 236th birthday of Delaware County, the 130th birthday of the Delaware County Historical

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Society, and the once in a generation, Miles Joan of America's 250th birthday, the semi-Queen

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centennial, coming up on July 4th, 2026.

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So, this is not a single festival, but rather a series of fun Delco events happening across

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three days, ranging from historical open houses and community happy hours to the debut of

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the Delco downhill derby, a big birthday celebration right here at the courthouse, with

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the weekend culminating in the inaugural Delco 10 mile aerobrace.

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The fun begins on Friday, September 26, with an open house at the Historical Society right

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here in media, followed by birthday cheers on the county courthouse, courthouse steps on Friday

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at 4 p.m. This celebration will feature live music, speakers, birthday cupcakes for everyone,

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and the unveiling of a new America 250 banner that will hang in front of the courthouse through July

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4th. These banners carrying the themes of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness will serve as

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a visual reminder of the role Delaware County has played in shaping American democracy.

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We encourage the public to come out, enjoy a cupcake, and be part of this exciting community moment.

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Later that evening, cheers for Delco Happy Hours. We'll be taking place here in media and across the county in Ridley Park,

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Prospect Park, Clifton Heights, Chadsford, and other locations.

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These events give residents a chance to raise the glass in Delco.

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With Delco pride, while proceeds benefit community history programs leading in to 2026. Finally, on Sunday,

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September 28th, the weekend wraps up with the most anticipated event, the inaugural Delco 10-mile

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or park pitch. This new road race, which I'd like to point out was the idea of my colleague,

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council member Christine Ruther. Begins at Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence, passes through media

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and another Providence and finishes at Subaru Park in Chester.

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The response to my race has been incredible.

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More than 1,200 runners are registered with bibs selling out quickly even after the cap was expanded.

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We even have participants coming from as far away as Florida and California to run right here in Delco.

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Thanks to strong volunteer support, the race is ready to go.

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We're encouraging residents to come out along the course and

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year-on-runners between 7.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. along the route.

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Together, these events honor our past, celebrate our present, and build excitement for America's

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250th.

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For more information on the weekend schedule, including the race details, visit America

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250paDelco.org or America10Milor.com, and the 10 is the numeral not the letters.

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We hope to see you out there next week, and if you would like a cupcake, please join us

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on the court have steps and next Friday.

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My second announcement is about Suicide Prevention Month.

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As many of you know, September is Suicide Prevention Month,

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and earlier this month at our September 3rd Council meeting,

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we heard from Colonel Arthur Jenkins

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from our Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

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and from Janet Drightline from our Department of Human Services

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about the Suicide Prevention resources available

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to our residents and to our veterans.

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I want to remind everyone that if you are in crisis,

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or if you know someone who is,

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our mobile crisis team is available at 855-889-7827,

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or you can call 911.

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The crisis connections team does more than respond in emergencies.

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They also work proactively with community groups,

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educators, law enforcement, and medical professionals

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professionals to prevent crises and raise awareness of the mental health challenges linked to

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psychiatric illness, substance abuse, trauma, and violence. Really, it's just a great resource in

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this county. September is also recovery month, which highlights the many resources and supports

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available for individuals and families impacted by substance abuse disorder and mental health conditions.

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One of the most impactful resources here in Delaware County is the warm handoff program whose mission is to provide comprehensive support and linkage to treatment.

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Through this program, residents can access recovery planning, family support, and referrals to community services.

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Certified recovery specialists are available 24-7 at 855-687-2410 or online at MVPRecovery.org.

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MVP has been a truly great partner and we're proud to say that they do such a great work here in Delaware County.

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I also want to take a moment to recognize two outstanding individuals whose work related to recovery and suicide prevention has recently received some very well deserved a claim.

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Shannon Fitzpatrick-Thomas, our community and court and community connections administrator, was honored on World Suicide Prevention Day

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with the Mary Ellen Carpenter Appreciation Award by survivors of Suicide Inc.

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Recognizing her more than 25 years of dedication to Suicide Prevention in Delaware County, this is a very big deal.

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And

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Shannon Optaneker, a certified recovery specialist embedded in our office of adult probation and parole through MVP Recovery,

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was invited to present at the AOPC regional summit in Chester County on the vital role that CRS's play on

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diversionary treatment court teams offering hope and guidance through lived experience.

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That is an honor and proof that the work that we are doing here in Delaware County is being recognized beyond our borders

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regionally and across the Commonwealth. And I believe we are very fortunate to have two of these

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Both Shannon's, Shannon fits Patrick Thomas and Shannon up in Naker, here with us tonight.

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So if would you both please stand up, if you are here.

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And let's give them a round of applause.

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Thank you for your work.

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We are all the better for it.

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And that is the end of my comments.

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Thank you, Council Member Schaefer, Council Member Rue.

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I

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also have two comments. First, we have municipal elections coming up on Tuesday, November 4th. The right to vote is central and fundamental to our identity as Americans. I want to stress the continued importance of every voter exercising that right, having your voice heard at the ballot box and participating in shaping our shared future. This year, like every year, Delaware County relies on the dedication of

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thousands of residents who serve as election poll workers.

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It's hard work, it's a long day, but it's also extremely important work, and I would urge

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all residents who are able to consider serving.

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There's truly nothing more patriotic than taking part in our election process.

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Serving as a poll worker provides hands-on civic engagement, ensures fair and smooth elections,

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strengthens community trust, and inspires confidence in the integrity of our elections.

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It's also extremely rewarding work.

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Mail and ballots are expected to go out beginning on October 4th, possibly sooner.

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Remember, Pennsylvania voters must apply each year to receive a mail-in ballot.

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If you have not applied in 2025, you may apply for this election or make a plan to vote in person.

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Applications for mail-in and absentee ballots now, or by early October,

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or, excuse me, applications for mail and ballots and absentee ballots now or by early

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October to be sure you have time to receive and return your ballot.

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Completed mail ballots must be received by the Bureau of Elections, by 8 p.m. on election

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day, Tuesday, November 4th.

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That means you can either mail them in time to be received in the mail that's delivered

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prior to 8 p.m.

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You can go to the county voter services office and drop it off by hand or you can drop it in any of the drop boxes that are around the county and you can go to our website to find out where they are located.

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There are fewer now than there used to be. I'm told for administrative reasons.

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For more information, visit the Delco Votes website at delcopa.gov slash vote, the site lists sample ballots, polling location, ballot drop boxes, election results, and resources for voters and poll workers.

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I urge everybody, especially those who want to get their voters out, to make sure they take a look at the sample ballots because various questions carry over to the other side, and you may want to remind your voters.

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You can also call the Delaware County Election Hotline at 610-891-VOTE with any election-related

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questions.

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I feel like I get to say that every year, but my second announcement, I want to call attention

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to tomorrow's annual senior expo at the Drexel Brook.

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The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

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It brings together more than 70 vendors and organizations with resources for seniors,

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families, and caregivers.

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The expo is one of the largest and most popular senior events in our region, offering

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everything from health screenings and state programs to interactive activities, live music,

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raffle prizes, and refreshments.

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It's a true one-stop opportunity for older residents and their families to connect directly

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with providers, ask questions, and discover new services, and supports.

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Several Delaware County Departments will also be participating, including our Office

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of Services for the Aging, COSA, I think because it's actually the County Office

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of Services for the Aging, which will be on site to help residents learn about county

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services, programs, and opportunities designed to support healthy, active, and engaged lives

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for seniors. And I'd like to thank Senator Tim Carney and Representative Heather Boyd for once

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Again, hosting this popular event now in its six-year.

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It continues to grow each year

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and has become valued tradition in Delaware County.

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We look forward to welcoming seniors,

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the families and caregivers tomorrow

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with the Drexel Brook at 4,700 Drexel Book Drive

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and Drexel Hill from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

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Thank you Council Member Madden.

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Thank you, Taylor.

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Tonight I also have two announcements.

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First, I'd like to highlight

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that September is library card sign-up month, and here in Delaware County, frankly, we have a lot to celebrate.

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Libraries truly are, for everyone, no matter your age, background, or goals.

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A single library card can open the doors to endless possibilities.

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Whether you're diving into a new hobby, searching for your next great read,

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brushing up on text skills, or helping a child succeed in school, it all starts with a library card.

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Today's library's connect communities to information and

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We are proud to say we have the second-highest library outlet density in the entire country. Just one card gives you access to 28 locations across our county. We're basically the library capital of America, and that's something to be proud of. Getting a library card is free, easy, and empowering for students. It's a key to academic success. For adults, it's a gateway to lifelong learning, and for everyone, it's a smart way to stay connected.

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to your community. This month, Delaware County Libraries are hosting a series of special

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events to encourage residents to sign up. One highlight is read at Rose Tree on Wednesday,

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September 24th, so next Wednesday, from 5.30 to 7.00 pm. Families are invited to join staff

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at Rose Tree Park for an evening of reading and activities and, of course, to sign up for a card.

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I want to thank the staff and leadership of Delaware County Libraries for the work they do every day

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to keep our communities engaged and informed.

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I encourage every resident, if you don't already have a library card,

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make this the month you go out and get one.

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For more information or to sign up online, visit delcolibraries.org

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or stop by any of our 28 locations across Delaware County.

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My second announcement is that I want to bring to everyone's attention that we have

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have two openings on our Delaware County Sustainability Commission.

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The Sustainability Commission plays a vital role in guiding our county's environmental

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and energy policies.

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Members provide recommendations on everything from responsible purchasing and energy efficiency,

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to air quality, storm water management, natural resource protection, and climate resiliency.

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And the work of the commission helps ensure that Delaware County continues to grow in a way

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that protects our environment,

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supports sustainable practices,

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and strengthens our communities for future generations.

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Right now, we are seeking applicants

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with specific areas of expertise.

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One opening is for a representative

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with specific experience

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in water resource management,

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and I want to emphasize that this seed

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has been opened for more than a year.

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This is a critical area for a county

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with direct impact on storm water management,

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flooding, and the health of our rivers

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is streams and drinking water.

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Filling this role is a top priority.

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So if you or someone who you know is an expert

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in water resource management, please let them know about this.

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We could really use their help in this position.

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The second opening is for representative

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with expertise in energy efficiency

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and green building practices.

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This includes knowledge of sustainable design,

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energy conservation, and innovations

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that can help the county reduce costs,

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save energy and reduce our overall carbon footprint.

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We encourage anyone who feels they can contribute in these important areas to step forward and to apply.

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The commission includes both designated members of county government and

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county residents who bring their professional knowledge and personal commitment to sustainability.

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Sovereign on the Sustainability Commission is a meaningful opportunity to share your expertise,

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give back to the community and shape policies that will guide Delaware County's future.

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In addition to the vacancies I just mentioned on our Sustainability Commission, we also have eight openings on the Board of Directors for the Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County.

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For those that aren't familiar with it, the Hero Scholarship Fund was founded in 1977, and it provides educational scholarships to the children of police officers and firefighters who have died or were killed in a line of duty.

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To date, 36 children have received support with more eligible for future scholarships.

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Funding comes from community traditions like the annual Hero Bowl football game and

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the Springfield run for heroes as well as voluntary donations from jurors serving in Delaware County.

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These community contributions make a direct difference in the lives of children who have endured profound loss.

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Directors are appointed by County Council to three year terms and me quarterly, and applications are due by September 19th, 2025, so in a few days, although honestly given the fact we've got so many openings, if you're a little late, I'll bet we can find a way to get you in, so please, if you have interest, please reach out to learn more and apply, visit our website delco.pa.gov, click on the government tab, then click on boards and commissions.

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and like I said, applications will be accepted through September 19th.

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Thank you all.

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Thank you, Council Member.

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Mr. Walak.

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Good evening.

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Tonight I have two announcements.

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The first is this Friday, September 19th.

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12 noon. On the steps of the county courthouse, the other county council and the other county team will join our Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, led by Colonel Arthur Jenkins, Jr. To raise the United States Air Force flag and honor of the Air Force 78th birthday.

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We will hear from retired Master Sergeant Tanya Harris of our Office of Military and Veterans Affairs who will provide a brief history of the Air Force in vital role in defending our nation.

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The Air Force was established as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947, and for the past 78 years has carried out an admission to fly, fight, win, protect our nation in the air and space and cyberspace.

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and supporting peace and stability across the world.

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We will also be joined by the family of First Lieutenant William E. Woody Rice,

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a distinguished member of the Legendary Tassisky Airmen,

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who was a longtime Delaware County resident who passed away in 2022.

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Lieutenant Rice's daughter, Ms. Janice Robinson, will speak on behalf of the family.

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His legacy as one of the first African-American military aviators

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who bravely served our country in World War II,

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remains an enduring source of pride and inspiration

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here in Delbert County.

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This ceremony is a part of our ongoing tradition

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here in Delbert County,

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to honor each branch of our military

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with a flag raising at the courthouse

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on their founding anniversaries.

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Earlier this year, we raised the flags of the Army

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and Coast Guard,

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and later this fall,

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we will recognize both the Navy and Marine Corps.

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I hope that many of you can join us this Friday at 12 noon to honor our Air Force, celebrate

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his proud history and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have worn his uniform.

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For my second announcement for tonight is in regard to a Pennsylvania Career Link Awareness Day.

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I would like to share that tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th,

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Gilbert County will host the Pennsylvania CareerLink Awareness Day at the PA CareerLinks

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media and check the locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual event is organized by

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the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. It gives residents and employees a chance

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to explore the wide range of services. CareerLink provides to help people connect with meaningful

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employment and career pathways. Highlights include free professional headshots

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employer-led workshops on digital recruitment and entrepreneurship in a community.

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Launch and learn sessions call the startup of you.

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Veterans can also access a program on entrepreneurship and individuals re-entering.

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The workforce are encouraged to attend the second-chance job-seekers workshop.

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And for young people, the Chester Career Link will host a special youth open house

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from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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With this workshop and networking opportunities,

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they'll later in the day to allow students

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to participate after school hours.

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We're also proud to partner with the Pennsylvania Department

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as a labor and industry in health

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to pilot a new initiative that provides on the spot

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birth certificate for pre-registered residents

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at our Chester Career Link Office,

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helping to remove areas that can stand in the way

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of employment, education, and benefits.

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The Pennsylvania Career Link Awareness Day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both locations

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with the Chester site open until 6 p.m. for the second hour in youth open house.

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I want to thank Kate McGeever and the Delaware County Workforce Development Team, our local

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Pennsylvania Career Link staff, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, and all of

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our community partners were making tomorrow possible.

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I encourage residents to stop by the media

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and check the Pennsylvania CareerLink locations tomorrow.

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The Pennsylvania CareerLink and media is located

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at 901 South Media Line Road and Media.

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And the Pennsylvania CareerLink and Chester's location

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is found at 701 Crosby Street,

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Sweet Bay and Chester.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Rolman.

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Great, and so for my first announcement, I want to highlight an important event happening

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tomorrow. Thursday, September 18th and Friday, September 19th. That speaks to the health

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and well-being of families here in Delaware County and across the region. Delaware County

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is proud to support the born to thrive. The South Eastern Pennsylvania Maternal and Infant

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Survival and Equity Summit, which will be held at Subaru Park in Chester. This event is

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being presented.

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In partnership with the Office of Representative Gina Curry, Nemours and the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus. Born to thrive, brings together community voices, healthcare innovators, and policy experts to confront the maternal and infant health crisis in Southeast Pennsylvania. And to boldly reimagine what it means to be well beyond medicine. Tomorrow's program includes a policy hearing from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a fireside chat from 3.30 to 5.

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and Friday includes from 9 to 4 p.m. panel discussions and breakout sessions.

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All sessions are open to the public and will provide opportunities to hear directly from experts and community leaders who are working to improve outcomes for mothers, infants and families.

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I encourage residents to join us at Subaru Park, one stadium drive and Chester for this important community event.

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But for my second announcement, I'd like to highlight two important events being hosted

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tomorrow by our Delaware County Health Department, led by Director Laura Warner.

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First, from the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th, our Health Department will

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host the kickoff to N. Rostate Cancer, the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Center

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at 125 Chester Avenue in the Aden.

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This men's health event emphasizes preventative care, Jefferson Health will provide free prostate

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screenings with a simple blood test, no appointment or insurance required, local organizations

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will also share health information, and there will be giveaways and raffle prizes.

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It's a vital opportunity for men in our communities to check in on their health.

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Also, tomorrow, from 5.30 to 7.30 pm, we will gather at Sharon Hill Park,

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at 12.01, Chester Pike, Sharon Hill, for the Rally for Recovery and Observance of National Recovery Month.

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This event in collaboration with the Department of Human Services Office of Drug and Alcohol is a time to celebrate those in recovery.

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Remember, lives lost and bring hope to families and communities still affected by substance use.

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There will be live music, food trucks, yoga speakers, and access to recovery and wellness

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resources.

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It's free and open to all.

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If you have any questions about either of them, please call the DCHD wellness sign at 484-276-2100

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to available 247 for residents seeking health information, services, or support.

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All right.

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And with that, that concludes our county announcements.

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I will move into our presentations, agenda item 4A calls for the Delaware County Zero Waste Plan by Rebecca Yerkovich, our Director of Sustainability.

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Good evening members of council and members of the Delaware County community.

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I am thrilled to come for you this evening to present Delaware County's Zero Waste Plan.

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This plan comes as a companion document to the sustainability plan, which was released

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in 2023, and it serves to really take a deeper dive into the county's waste system.

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So during this evening's presentation, I'm just going to give you a brief tasting and overview

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of our plan, recognizing the many components and resources that this serves to offer both

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our government as well as our community.

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So, I apologize this is a little tiny, but it's worth noting that this planning started

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in 2022 with several goals, but overall really serving to guide the county's transition

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toward zero waste while evaluating the effectiveness of our existing programs, identifying opportunities

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for expansion, and also looking at opportunities that zero waste can serve as a mechanism toward

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leverage and count other county goals such as reducing costs and creating efficiency.

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Throughout this process, it was pivotal to have community input and release stakeholder

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environment drive, stakeholder engagement drive this process. From 2022 through 2025, there were

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several opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback, including through 20 listening sessions,

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3 in-person workshops, 3 online workshops, as well as 3 advisory committees, which all

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provided their time and expertise toward shaping this document.

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Throughout the process, there were over 500 different touch points with our community

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members and opportunities to shape this plan.

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Once we had everybody on board, it was really important for us to take a step back and say

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what are we actually talking about?

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Zero waste can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people.

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So here in Delco, it was decided that this is what zero waste is.

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The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse,

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And

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And recovery of products, packaging and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that can threaten the environment or human health. In adopting this definition, it was important for all of us to be pulling in the same direction and really have a unified front when we say we're striving for zero waste.

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After we kind of knew what everybody was talking about, it was important for us to identify kind of those guide rails or what are the shared values throughout this process.

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So there were 10 shared values or guiding principles which were identified in this planning

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process by our members of the public which are abbreviated here on the screen.

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And as we're striving for zero waste, it was also incredibly important that we have

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a new lens of thinking as shifting towards zero waste does challenge the norm and requires

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kind of a new way of thinking.

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The adoption of the zero waste hierarchy from the zero waste international lines served as

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the agreed-upon lens for us to really recognize that there's kind of good, better, and best opportunities

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for us to rethink all of our actions to reduce wasting.

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Once we all had our shared values and

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our lens in which we were going to be evaluating Delaware County's systems, it was important to

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recognize what we already have. So while you see on the screen is a brief infographic of our current

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waste system, as well as a map highlighting the different holding methods that our communities

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are using.

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In this document, we recognize the existing practices in waste, as well as recycling

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and specialized services.

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We have an open discussion about the challenges of our existing system.

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And we also took a step further to have a lifecycle analysis, which looks at the scientific

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background to show the true cost of current practices of incineration versus those of landfilling.

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In identifying the kind of existing practices, it was then time to lay a roadmap for the future.

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129 different recommended actions were identified, and these were further broken down into 17 key

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initiatives and four categories. Each action has an identification in terms of resource

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intensiveness, so if it's kind of something we think we can do in the short term

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mid or long, as well as identify the lead and partner organizations.

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The first

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category of actions in which we recognized were policy actions, so these are

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those that reflect a top-down approach. So recommendations for policies or

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municipal ordinances that will help codify new roles for supporting zero waste.

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Next we looked at opportunities from going bottom up in shifting the culture

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around waste in our communities. This was opportunities and actions to promote changing habits

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on a community scale to increase diversion.

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We also identified actions called curbing waste,

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which look at opportunities to improve our curbside collection, to increase services,

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improve equitable bulk pricing, and service offerings, and increase additional diversion.

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And finally, our last category of actions was building better systems infrastructure.

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And this really serves to look at systematic change and updated infrastructure that will

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further support zero waste into the future of Delaware County.

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When looking at the implementation and impact of this plan, it's recognized that most implementation

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will happen on a county staffing level with the assistance of grant funding.

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However, it's important to recognize that community implementation is also required.

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If we want to see a more sustainable Delaware County, everyone has a role to play.

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The impact of this plan, if implemented in totality, would be an 82% diversion of waste throughout

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the county.

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And as a summary, just to hit the point home, it's recognized that we don't need a handful

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of people that are doing zero waste perfectly, but we need millions of people who are doing

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it imperfectly.

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Thank you for your time.

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Thank you.

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Questions or comments from Council?

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Well, I want to start out with a huge expression of gratitude to the many people who

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paid in hours and hours and hours of their time, including the Sustainability Commission.

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There was a subcommittee of the Sustainability Commission who worked hard on this.

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There was an advisory committee from the Solid Waste Authority and a zero waste system

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sustainability.

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An advisory committee that stemmed out of the sustainability plan. So there were a lot of people focusing on this and giving a lot of input. And for those of you out there who are listening tonight, thank you. We are so grateful. Most of all, I want to express unbelievable gratitude to director Yarkovich, who has led the ship for over three years at this point. And it's been quite a journey. And we have all learned from it. I learned a lot through this process.

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I know everyone did. So thank you for all that you have done to bring this forward.

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I'm really proud of what came out of it. I'm really proud to accept it tonight.

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It's not perfect. It's not going to happen tomorrow. You know, the problem with reality is that you

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have to work within it. But this plan has really attainable aspirational goals over the long term.

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and the only way to change reality is to start somewhere and that is what this is. This is a

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thoughtful, written down, hold ourselves accountable plan to start making progress towards this goal

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and to get towards perfection and change the reality that we are constrained by right now.

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So I'm thrilled to accept it. Thank you for all the work that went in it. I hope everyone in this

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room takes a moment to go read every one of the 129 action items in this plan and start

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to take some of those actions yourself.

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So thank you.

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Thank you.

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Yeah, I mean, this is one where, like many things, tonight's presentation by Rebecca is sort

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of the tip of the iceberg.

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And as Elaine said, the amount of effort that's gone into what we're sort of seeing in summary

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reform tonight is truly extraordinary, and it really is a reflection of the contributions

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of so many people, which we really are appreciative of.

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I think if you do go through the 100 and however many points, I think what you're going

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to see is that there are some that are really, you know, we can implement pretty quickly,

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but there are others that are dependent upon substantial investment that in some respects

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the effects has been deferred and is going to be meaningful and isn't going to happen tomorrow, but when done and I'm really thinking particularly around our processing, it's going to be extraordinary what that's going to allow for municipalities to do.

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So, Delaware County candidly for a long time has been somewhat fragmented and reliant upon individual municipalities to do whatever they can do, and it's lacked leadership and this plan really represents major step forward of leadership by the county Rebecca with your leadership.

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So thank you once more with everything you've done here to ensure that, you know, in a fragmented county like Delaware County is where we have so many municipalities in a small area.

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You need leadership to really step forward and something is important, sustainability, and now we're doing so.

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So really, this is a major milestone and I can't thank you enough.

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Thank you. I get the joy of looking at this both as a council person and as an ex officio,

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non-voting board member on the Solid Waste Authority, where that trash sores, I get elections,

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I get to deal with it all, but I think it's really important what the final slide said was that,

427
00:38:52,840 --> 00:38:58,600
you know, we can't focus doing things perfectly. We have to do as much as we can, however imperfectly.

428
00:38:59,540 --> 00:39:06,640
And, you know, another way of looking at it is, don't let perfection be the enemy of good.

429
00:39:08,520 --> 00:39:12,760
Trash, as I have come to realize, and any of you who deal with it professionally,

430
00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:34,500
understand it's actually a really complicated business and it is there are things that we aspire to and identify in this plan that we recognize can't happen without state law changes.

431
00:39:34,500 --> 00:39:38,660
as they can't happen without municipal buy-in.

432
00:39:39,740 --> 00:39:42,240
There are things in the reality

433
00:39:42,240 --> 00:39:44,480
of what the Solid Waste Authority has to deal with,

434
00:39:45,560 --> 00:39:49,280
including the State Department of Environmental Protection,

435
00:39:49,620 --> 00:39:54,180
which just got its first act 101 coordinator,

436
00:39:54,180 --> 00:39:57,800
Act 101 is the Act that governs solid waste disposal.

437
00:39:58,120 --> 00:39:59,760
It's first 101.

438
00:40:01,780 --> 00:40:29,920
And so there's a lot of change going on there. And it's a new world to navigate as our solid waste authority is trying to expand the landfill that it owns and build capacity, including at the transfer stations. And one of the really great things about having a countywide municipal authority that handles transfer stations, that handles, it can set up a place to do,

439
00:40:29,920 --> 00:40:33,320
a lot of regular recycling, which now is really ad hoc.

440
00:40:34,020 --> 00:40:38,860
It's a question of, gee, does the county do it a couple times a year in conjunction with

441
00:40:38,860 --> 00:40:43,340
the other counties to some state reps, have shredding events or electronic collection events?

442
00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:51,380
I mean, there's, we don't have a dedicated electronic recycling spot in Delaware County that's

443
00:40:51,380 --> 00:40:51,960
always open.

444
00:40:51,960 --> 00:41:02,000
And so to that's something that is being proposed as part of a transfer station overhaul

445
00:41:02,420 --> 00:41:06,940
that the Solid Waste Authority wants to do, but there's a lot of things that go into

446
00:41:06,940 --> 00:41:10,860
it, including how they're going to finance that, how they're going to do that while keeping

447
00:41:10,860 --> 00:41:15,740
rates competitive and market for the municipalities so they're not driven off in other directions.

448
00:41:15,740 --> 00:41:25,180
And their whole goal is to be able to provide more services to foster recycling, reuse,

449
00:41:25,420 --> 00:41:30,500
repurposing, composting, and to be able to do it at the same cost that a municipality

450
00:41:30,500 --> 00:41:33,240
might otherwise just be able to get rid of their trash for.

451
00:41:33,420 --> 00:41:41,020
Which if you think about it, doing something collectively like that would be a great thing.

452
00:41:41,020 --> 00:41:46,060
and that's the benefit of having a collective resource that all of our municipalities deal with,

453
00:41:46,200 --> 00:41:52,020
but they have to choose to deal with it. And all of us play a role in that as residents,

454
00:41:52,020 --> 00:41:58,060
not just of Delaware County, but as residents of the communities we live in. And we are all,

455
00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:05,740
we can all ex, you know, every time I, you know, I can't find a recycling bin and I put an aluminum

456
00:42:05,740 --> 00:42:11,860
them can in the trash or you know I beat myself up or you know forget my bags and get a plastic

457
00:42:11,860 --> 00:42:18,880
bag when I know I have plenty of reusable bags but I also have learned to love by nothing

458
00:42:18,880 --> 00:42:26,480
and you know swap sites in my neighborhood and have been amazed at what you can get rid of when

459
00:42:26,480 --> 00:42:35,720
you just put it out on your curb. So my statement to all of you is this plan does not include

460
00:42:35,720 --> 00:42:44,680
that everybody wants, but some things that people want, we can't do, we certainly can't do without the state proving them.

461
00:42:45,100 --> 00:42:49,240
Some of the things people want to do, we can't do unless we find a way to pay for it.

462
00:42:49,740 --> 00:42:56,480
Paying for it may involve some other things, people don't like, like potentially sending some trash to Ray World.

463
00:42:58,780 --> 00:43:01,740
There's not perfect answers, there's only better answers.

464
00:43:01,740 --> 00:43:19,800
and I think this plan is moving us in that direction and it's a step in changing the culture by showing people what is possible, the easy stuff, what is desirable, maybe the harder stuff.

465
00:43:20,240 --> 00:43:29,520
But we're never going to get on that road if we don't see the map, and this is a map, so thank you.

466
00:43:29,520 --> 00:43:30,540
Thank you.

467
00:43:32,700 --> 00:43:34,200
Any additional questions or comments?

468
00:43:35,320 --> 00:43:39,220
I just want to thank you and the entire team and everyone who has worked on this for your work.

469
00:43:40,280 --> 00:43:41,680
Yes, thank you for it.

470
00:43:42,080 --> 00:43:42,240
Sure.

471
00:43:42,720 --> 00:43:46,400
Thank you to Council for your continued support as well as our community and members of staff.

472
00:43:47,580 --> 00:43:47,840
Thank you.

473
00:43:55,590 --> 00:43:56,870
Next item on the agenda.

474
00:43:57,090 --> 00:44:02,890
We have our register of wills, most servants, and round you own here to give us an update from the registered wills office.

475
00:44:05,150 --> 00:44:08,670
Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Taylor. Thank you, Council.

476
00:44:12,050 --> 00:44:14,230
And, Delco residents, it's great

477
00:44:14,230 --> 00:44:18,290
to see a packed house here for the riveting Register of Wheels update. I know that's

478
00:44:18,290 --> 00:44:19,330
what you're all here for.

479
00:44:22,330 --> 00:44:27,950
Now, I do want to, I know you have a lot of important business

480
00:44:27,950 --> 00:44:35,210
to get to. So I'll try to keep this moving quick apology at the top. Back to school has been

481
00:44:35,210 --> 00:44:40,770
back to germs at the Rangione household. So we're a little under the weather. I might not

482
00:44:40,770 --> 00:44:47,910
have my normal herb here. But thank you so much. Thank you for this opportunity. As you know,

483
00:44:48,170 --> 00:44:56,690
I was appointed to this office 20 months ago. I began serving in January of 2024. And I have to say,

484
00:44:56,690 --> 00:44:59,790
I've been an attorney for about 20 years.

485
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,780
And I've been involved in politics and government even longer than that, and serving as your register of wills here in Delaware County for these last 20 months has really been wonderful. It's really been one of the best experiences that I've had in my entire career. We just help people every day. That's what we do. It's not contentious. It's not political. It's just providing good government service to our residents.

486
00:45:29,780 --> 00:45:36,120
every day. And I've really enjoyed it. I was born and raised in Haverford Township,

487
00:45:36,280 --> 00:45:40,380
graduated from Haverford High School, Immigraduate of Villanova and Villanova School of Law.

488
00:45:40,960 --> 00:45:48,820
So the opportunity to kind of culminate my Delco life by serving Delco residents has really

489
00:45:48,820 --> 00:45:57,360
been fantastic. So what do we do in the Register of Will's office? We help people navigate

490
00:45:57,900 --> 00:46:09,000
life's biggest moments. All of these things that happen, the death of a loved one, or getting married, they're accompanied by tremendous government bureaucracy.

491
00:46:09,340 --> 00:46:25,620
And so whether you were having one of the best days of your life, celebrating the fact that you're going to be married soon, or you're having a very difficult emotionally taxing day with the death of a loved one, there's government bureaucracy that goes along with it.

492
00:46:25,620 --> 00:46:29,540
and we're there to help people navigate those moments.

493
00:46:29,760 --> 00:46:32,260
And it's really nice to be able to support people

494
00:46:32,260 --> 00:46:33,260
in those times.

495
00:46:33,540 --> 00:46:36,220
And so what I like to say is we're on a mission

496
00:46:36,560 --> 00:46:38,380
to make Delaware County residents

497
00:46:38,380 --> 00:46:41,060
the most prepared community in the country

498
00:46:41,400 --> 00:46:43,080
for these transitional moments.

499
00:46:43,740 --> 00:46:44,880
And that's what we try to do.

500
00:46:45,260 --> 00:46:48,100
How have we done that in the register of Will's office?

501
00:46:48,840 --> 00:46:52,080
Well, we've done it by really building

502
00:46:52,080 --> 00:46:54,660
and growing a tremendous staff.

503
00:46:54,660 --> 00:47:01,780
We brought on a new chief deputy, Jason Cuts, he's Delaware County resident, he's got an MBA from Drexel University

504
00:47:01,780 --> 00:47:07,580
So his level of skill and acumen for business systems is really something that we haven't had

505
00:47:07,580 --> 00:47:17,040
So we're improving service delivery, we're modernizing our process, we're bringing in online probate and

506
00:47:17,040 --> 00:47:23,240
and scheduling. Julie Everett is our first deputy, and I could not possibly be happier

507
00:47:23,240 --> 00:47:29,540
than to celebrate her. She's been with the county 25 years. She is the absolute epitome

508
00:47:29,540 --> 00:47:35,440
of a public servant. She comes to work every day. She's so knowledgeable and helpful and compassionate

509
00:47:35,440 --> 00:47:46,040
and we're just so fortunate to have Julie. We also have looked within the county and found

510
00:47:46,040 --> 00:47:48,560
found and promoted talent to build our staff.

511
00:47:49,080 --> 00:47:53,180
Cara Boland has been with the county for about 10 years and she's been in our office

512
00:47:53,180 --> 00:47:56,880
a little bit over a year and she's been promoted twice.

513
00:47:57,060 --> 00:47:58,940
She's now our orphans court supervisor.

514
00:48:00,600 --> 00:48:06,720
And it's really a thing that we take a lot of pride in growing and developing our staff,

515
00:48:06,940 --> 00:48:09,440
giving professional development opportunities for people.

516
00:48:09,440 --> 00:48:18,480
same thing with Nyoka, Nyoka, came to us from Trinidad and she's got a wealth of experience

517
00:48:18,480 --> 00:48:25,380
in HR and business systems and she's taken to learning the paralegal process and the orphans

518
00:48:25,380 --> 00:48:28,040
court discipline and so we're thrilled to be able to promote her.

519
00:48:28,140 --> 00:48:32,080
So I just wanted to highlight some of our staff and some of the staff development because

520
00:48:32,080 --> 00:48:36,540
professional development and growth opportunities have really been something that we've tried

521
00:48:36,540 --> 00:48:39,500
to focus on in the register of Will's office.

522
00:48:41,390 --> 00:48:48,360
We are about 20 employees and I have this slide in there because we've also done some

523
00:48:48,360 --> 00:48:49,420
innovative things.

524
00:48:49,910 --> 00:48:55,960
We created a second paralegal role to create more growth opportunity and pathways for

525
00:48:55,960 --> 00:48:57,360
success for our employees.

526
00:48:57,800 --> 00:49:04,020
We want to be able to attract and retain the best talent and we have to give them pathways

527
00:49:04,020 --> 00:49:05,640
for growth in order to do that.

528
00:49:05,640 --> 00:49:11,420
So, by creating the paralegal position and creating the communications and community outreach

529
00:49:11,420 --> 00:49:17,720
coordinator position, we've created more meaningful career paths in our office and more

530
00:49:17,720 --> 00:49:21,220
ways to serve our Delaware County residents.

531
00:49:21,760 --> 00:49:26,040
We did about 25,000 unique interactions with the public last year.

532
00:49:26,420 --> 00:49:32,980
So we have a lot of forward facing interaction with our residents, but very few people know

533
00:49:32,980 --> 00:49:33,820
what we do.

534
00:49:33,820 --> 00:49:45,760
and so to go back to that mission of making Delaware County the most prepared and knowledgeable residents in the country when it comes to these things, it's important to be out in the community.

535
00:49:46,020 --> 00:49:50,380
So we've made it our mission to be out at events partnering with other elected officials.

536
00:49:51,100 --> 00:49:58,000
We held a press conference around the real ID because there was so much confusion about what the requirements were.

537
00:49:58,780 --> 00:49:59,880
and that press conference.

538
00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:29,980
It was very well received and we were able to get a lot of good information out to the public. And we wouldn't have been able to do that if we didn't have that community outreach capacity inside of our own office. So, I don't want to get too far into this without I sort of have buried the lead here. As we seek to modernize the office and grow the staff and grow their skills,

539
00:50:29,980 --> 00:50:34,860
It's also important that we deliver service and generate revenue.

540
00:50:35,000 --> 00:50:38,680
We're one of very few revenue-generating offices in the county.

541
00:50:39,220 --> 00:50:44,480
And in 2024, we generated over $2 million on a less than $1 million budget.

542
00:50:44,780 --> 00:50:50,800
So we're very proud of our role and our capacity to help fund county operations

543
00:50:50,800 --> 00:50:54,200
and bring in revenue to the county government.

544
00:50:54,200 --> 00:51:01,920
We're also proud of the fact that in 2024, we were about 15% under budget, and we will come in

545
00:51:02,760 --> 00:51:09,160
approximately the same amount under budget here in 2025. So I want you to rest assured that while we're

546
00:51:09,160 --> 00:51:15,580
doing all of these things in the register of Will's office, we are also keeping a careful eye on

547
00:51:16,000 --> 00:51:23,180
your tax dollars and the county budget and doing our best to run efficiently and smoothly while

548
00:51:23,180 --> 00:51:29,960
improving service delivery. One thing that people might not know that we do is we collect

549
00:51:30,730 --> 00:51:36,580
the inheritance tax, which is a Pennsylvania state tax. So we are simply the collector of that

550
00:51:36,580 --> 00:51:42,900
tax at the county level. I mention that because we process about six or seven million dollars a month

551
00:51:42,900 --> 00:51:56,140
in inheritance tax, but only 0.05% of that comes back to our office as a commission for being the conduit collector of the tax.

552
00:51:56,920 --> 00:52:11,540
And it's an interesting note because one of the other things that I've really tried to bring to the office is a more connected and involved Delaware County.

553
00:52:11,540 --> 00:52:16,520
I love Delaware County, I believe in Delaware County, I'm born and raised here, I'm raising

554
00:52:16,520 --> 00:52:17,360
my family here.

555
00:52:17,580 --> 00:52:24,420
So I want us to be real meaningful partners and players in our region and our commonwealth.

556
00:52:24,900 --> 00:52:30,880
So I serve on the legislative committee for the Pennsylvania State Association of Registers

557
00:52:30,880 --> 00:52:31,280
of Wales.

558
00:52:31,820 --> 00:52:36,420
And I also serve on the executive committee for the Pennsylvania Association of County officials.

559
00:52:36,420 --> 00:52:44,640
And in those capacities, people aren't used to seeing Delaware County people participating

560
00:52:44,640 --> 00:52:47,720
in these kind of regional and intergovernmental organizations.

561
00:52:48,220 --> 00:52:50,880
So it's really been great to fly the flag there.

562
00:52:51,340 --> 00:52:58,980
And I mentioned it in the context of this inheritance tax piece because we are pushing two different

563
00:52:58,980 --> 00:53:04,120
pieces of legislation in the state, one that would actually dramatically reduce, and in some

564
00:53:04,120 --> 00:53:09,360
cases eliminate the inheritance tax and one that would increase our revenue to the county

565
00:53:10,100 --> 00:53:15,120
on the commission. So that one would actually keep the tax the same but generate revenue for

566
00:53:15,120 --> 00:53:21,200
the county. So that's a long way of just saying your register of wills is out there flying the delco

567
00:53:21,200 --> 00:53:29,680
flag and interacting, making sure that people know who we are and what we're about. So I mentioned

568
00:53:30,500 --> 00:53:56,180
All of those interactions with the public, we do about 3 or 4,000 probate appointments every year, so probate is the legal process that happens after someone passes away where we identify and appoint a qualified executor, either someone who's named in a will or someone who has the right to serve by the laws of in test to see.

569
00:53:57,060 --> 00:54:00,740
A really big thing this year was, again, the marriage licenses.

570
00:54:00,980 --> 00:54:07,800
If you can see this graph, we issued more than twice as many certified copies of marriage

571
00:54:07,800 --> 00:54:09,460
records this year than last year.

572
00:54:10,000 --> 00:54:15,480
And that was almost entirely attributable to the real ID deadline, because people didn't

573
00:54:15,480 --> 00:54:18,220
understand that they needed a certified copy of their record.

574
00:54:18,960 --> 00:54:22,620
We had just floods of people coming from the DMV.

575
00:54:23,800 --> 00:54:30,720
And so this is another area, though, where we've also expanded our community outreach tremendously.

576
00:54:31,500 --> 00:54:38,040
We thought, hey, you know, back in the day, you would have a marriage announcement published in the newspaper.

577
00:54:38,380 --> 00:54:40,160
But that's a lot less common now.

578
00:54:40,540 --> 00:54:44,940
It's more social media and those kinds of things. So we've got a great dedicated staff.

579
00:54:45,160 --> 00:54:50,320
We have this marriage wall and love cubicle.

580
00:54:50,320 --> 00:54:56,140
we really try to make it a nice experience for people to be a part of their celebration.

581
00:54:56,620 --> 00:54:59,860
Our senior marriage clerk, man.

582
00:55:00,000 --> 00:55:29,700
He has also created a marriage song playlist that is up to about 80 different songs. And it's nice. It's just a fun thing to give people a more personalized experience in the office. So it's one of the ways that we're improving the experience that residents are having at the government center. Again, call back to our real ID. We really are on this mission. We're trying to get as much information into our residents' hands as possible.

583
00:55:29,700 --> 00:55:31,620
so I wanted to include this slide.

584
00:55:34,800 --> 00:55:40,980
I'm also the clerk of the Orphans Court, another thing in the office that nobody really knows what that means.

585
00:55:41,720 --> 00:55:47,880
The Orphans Court is a subdivision of the Common Police Court. We handle trust,

586
00:55:48,900 --> 00:55:58,540
guardianships, adoptions, paperwork of that type. It's very sensitive work. Those are the only filings in our office that are not public.

587
00:55:58,540 --> 00:56:03,400
you actually need a court order in order to obtain those records, so that's

588
00:56:03,400 --> 00:56:07,660
something that we take very seriously. We've become very involved in the

589
00:56:07,660 --> 00:56:14,980
county's overall records process, so we've helped spearhead the record retention

590
00:56:14,980 --> 00:56:20,240
committee working with Councilwoman Ruther in the Public Works Department because

591
00:56:20,240 --> 00:56:25,620
we have space issues, we have a lot of old records that need to be digitized and

592
00:56:25,620 --> 00:56:38,640
managed. So our office has taken the lead on that. But just to bring it full circle, community

593
00:56:38,640 --> 00:56:45,140
outreach has really been the hallmark of the last 20 months. Do we want to provide excellent

594
00:56:45,140 --> 00:56:50,840
service every day? Absolutely. Our goal is to be a premier provider of municipal services.

595
00:56:50,840 --> 00:56:53,520
is do we want to do it coming in under budget,

596
00:56:53,720 --> 00:56:55,880
saving the county money and generating revenue?

597
00:56:56,440 --> 00:57:00,340
Absolutely, but none of it matters if we don't educate

598
00:57:00,340 --> 00:57:04,140
the public, if we don't let the public know who we are

599
00:57:04,140 --> 00:57:05,080
and what we're about.

600
00:57:05,660 --> 00:57:11,060
So we've had incredible uptick in our social media

601
00:57:11,060 --> 00:57:12,300
presence and views.

602
00:57:12,760 --> 00:57:17,360
We're working on some videos that will simplify our

603
00:57:17,360 --> 00:57:19,640
process and make them more accessible to people.

604
00:57:19,640 --> 00:57:31,800
We've participated in dozens and dozens of community events across the county, and we've also done small things in the office like give all of our people business cards and

605
00:57:32,920 --> 00:57:45,120
Uniform email signatures. Just so everybody knows, hey, this is this is who I am. I'm a probate clerk. I'm proud of what I do. And we provide the service professionally.

606
00:57:45,120 --> 00:57:55,540
So, it's from these little things to much larger strokes that have added up to a really

607
00:57:55,540 --> 00:58:02,960
successful 20 months that I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have had.

608
00:58:04,120 --> 00:58:13,040
And yeah, we're going to continue to be on that mission of making Delaware County residents

609
00:58:13,040 --> 00:58:21,020
the most prepared in the country, and getting out there. And we want something that people hear

610
00:58:21,020 --> 00:58:27,360
me talk about is I believe that the government can and should be a force for good in people's

611
00:58:27,360 --> 00:58:36,280
lives, right? That's why I've chosen to do this with my career. And so we take very seriously the idea

612
00:58:36,280 --> 00:58:43,900
of getting the word out. And we've had some success doing that. And so please take a look

613
00:58:43,900 --> 00:58:48,760
for us on your social media, take a look for us when we're out in the community at these

614
00:58:48,760 --> 00:58:57,200
events. We'd love to see you and talk to you more about how our office can help and be

615
00:58:57,200 --> 00:59:00,040
service. So thank you very much.

616
00:59:07,840 --> 00:59:10,360
Thank you for the presentation and update on all this happening

617
00:59:10,360 --> 00:59:16,380
here office. Any questions or comments from council? I just want to make two comments first. I

618
00:59:17,320 --> 00:59:24,220
really appreciate the registered wills stepping in on the document retention. In fact, I need to give

619
00:59:24,220 --> 00:59:31,340
you and Jason cuts a call. But it's one of those things that sort of involves everybody in the county

620
00:59:32,040 --> 00:59:39,160
Until recently, it didn't really have leadership, just because we're pulled in so many different

621
00:59:39,160 --> 00:59:39,640
directions.

622
00:59:40,140 --> 00:59:44,260
And it is one of those things where some of the people who are most integrally involved,

623
00:59:44,260 --> 00:59:47,500
integrally involved, like the register of wills are independent elected.

624
00:59:47,840 --> 00:59:53,980
So, the fact that it's not council leading it, you know, we have to pay for the storage

625
00:59:53,980 --> 00:59:54,580
and everything.

626
00:59:54,660 --> 00:59:57,080
And we're very interested in supporting this and making it happen.

627
00:59:57,080 --> 00:59:59,520
But but having somebody step up and volunteer.

628
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,660
We're really professional resources with some really good project management experience to help lead this effort has been invaluable. And the other thing I want to point out, because again, I'm, you know, I'm kind of, I get in the weeds and things. And I do know that one of the efforts that you've been working on that you didn't mention, because it's boring over the last 20 months, is there, you know, we, I know our, our controllers office,

629
01:00:29,660 --> 01:00:37,480
does internal business practice reviews and had done one of your office, I think, right

630
01:00:37,480 --> 01:00:41,760
before you got there, right around the time you got there, and it came up with a lot

631
01:00:41,760 --> 01:00:49,580
of recommendations about things that could help with workflow, like doing monthly transfers

632
01:00:49,580 --> 01:00:54,360
of the revenue that's generated, making sure all the recommendations are done in a timely

633
01:00:54,360 --> 01:01:02,720
basis, things that a lot of times there wasn't a staff to do or there wasn't that, you know,

634
01:01:02,780 --> 01:01:07,100
people were very focused on the legal side of things but not necessarily on the business

635
01:01:07,100 --> 01:01:12,920
side of things and I think I want to just thank our registered wills at a time when the

636
01:01:12,920 --> 01:01:19,280
county is watching every penny and wanting to see it come in on a timely basis, having

637
01:01:19,280 --> 01:01:26,620
saying that sort of responsiveness, it's a huge help and I just want to thank you for

638
01:01:26,620 --> 01:01:26,960
that work.

639
01:01:27,080 --> 01:01:31,500
I know it's something that I think, you know, our previous registers of wills would

640
01:01:31,500 --> 01:01:37,520
have done, but things worked out in such a way that you were able to bring resources to

641
01:01:37,520 --> 01:01:38,400
bear that hadn't been there.

642
01:01:38,860 --> 01:01:41,720
But it was great.

643
01:01:42,100 --> 01:01:42,420
It's great.

644
01:01:42,620 --> 01:01:49,020
And it's the direction and leadership that I'm very grateful for among our other role

645
01:01:49,020 --> 01:01:55,220
officers. So thank you. Thank you. Vincent, you said that you were under the weather and that you

646
01:01:55,220 --> 01:02:02,820
wouldn't bring your usual energy, but that wasn't the case for my year. No, and I think we all

647
01:02:02,820 --> 01:02:09,840
really appreciate the energy that you've brought to your office and making sure that it delivers the

648
01:02:10,460 --> 01:02:14,100
the best possible product we can to our residents. So thank you, Vince. Sure.

649
01:02:14,100 --> 01:02:14,760
I

650
01:02:16,970 --> 01:02:22,570
want to say thank you to you and your team for the service they can provide for the community

651
01:02:22,570 --> 01:02:29,030
and you know it's very important and and how you go over and above to make sure that you go to

652
01:02:29,030 --> 01:02:35,750
extra step to walk them through a process we need because they're great comments from residents

653
01:02:36,610 --> 01:02:41,510
as far as the register of wheels and how helpful your team has been so I just want to

654
01:02:41,510 --> 01:02:46,910
commend you and your team. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you for the work.

655
01:02:47,070 --> 01:02:53,030
Thank you for you and your team and you know you have really tried to make reduce your budget

656
01:02:54,590 --> 01:03:00,290
and make your office more efficient and more user-friendly and so thank you for those efforts because

657
01:03:00,290 --> 01:03:06,150
we do hear positive feedback from residents who have come in and interacted with the office. So it

658
01:03:06,150 --> 01:03:11,350
does show. Thank you for the work you put into that. Great. Thank you all that and we do have the

659
01:03:11,350 --> 01:03:18,590
best register of wills in the country. There you go. Thank you. Thank you everybody.

660
01:03:22,320 --> 01:03:23,620
All right with

661
01:03:23,620 --> 01:03:30,200
that we will move into our public comment. First I would like to announce an executive session that

662
01:03:30,200 --> 01:03:36,420
occurred yesterday afternoon on litigation. Real estate matters and today this afternoon on personnel

663
01:03:36,420 --> 01:03:41,600
matters. Just as a reminder, for public comment, we will start with individuals who have signed

664
01:03:41,600 --> 01:03:46,760
up for public comment. Executive Director O'Malley will call those individuals out. If you did not

665
01:03:46,760 --> 01:03:53,060
get a chance to sign up, there will be opportunity after everyone who has signed up has gone. When you

666
01:03:53,060 --> 01:03:58,040
come forward, please set forward, state your name and municipality, and there is a three minute limit

667
01:03:58,040 --> 01:04:00,620
on your time, which is on the screens in front of you.

668
01:04:02,720 --> 01:04:05,560
If Liz Piazza and Gary Ryder

669
01:04:06,900 --> 01:04:09,660
And Ms. Piazz, before you start, just one more reminder.

670
01:04:09,860 --> 01:04:18,420
If you do have public comment on the ordinance 2025-7 authorizing the establishment of a county

671
01:04:18,420 --> 01:04:23,320
demolition and rehabilitation fund, there will be opportunity during the public hearing

672
01:04:23,320 --> 01:04:23,800
for that.

673
01:04:23,980 --> 01:04:27,240
So we will not be accepting any public comments on that ordinance at this time.

674
01:04:28,300 --> 01:04:33,700
Just a point of order is, but that, oh, sorry, wrong ordinance.

675
01:04:33,700 --> 01:04:34,480
Yeah.

676
01:04:38,730 --> 01:04:43,710
Good evening, Council. Liz Piazza and Candidate for County Council, and I live

677
01:04:43,710 --> 01:04:48,950
in upper Providence. Yesterday I heard Council members blaming the Sunshine Laws and

678
01:04:48,950 --> 01:04:55,070
having to resort to one on one phone calls to discuss the real and stuffed substance issues

679
01:04:55,070 --> 01:04:59,810
with the current Human Relations Commission. What is the need to be behind the scenes?

680
01:05:00,340 --> 01:05:30,160
As an elected public official, you have the forum here, and now to be clear about the exact issues and concerns with the current ordinance, and given the potential that a poorly planned HRC can lead to thought policing, loss of faith in our judicial system, and the financial burning of training, support, and resources it would place in our already inflated budget. You not only have the ability, but the duty to be clear

681
01:05:30,160 --> 01:05:36,640
and transparent. At multiple points during this discussion, you changed to the ordinances

682
01:05:36,640 --> 01:05:45,420
which described as tweaks while also substantive and substantial. So what is it? I doubt there

683
01:05:45,420 --> 01:05:52,400
is a hold up over the weather, over weather, a sentence or two needs a period versus a comma.

684
01:05:52,400 --> 01:05:59,880
If council wants to grant 13 volunteers the ability to issue subpoenas in post-fines,

685
01:06:00,880 --> 01:06:06,320
potentially in fringe on personal freedom, you need to be clear about what criteria you

686
01:06:06,320 --> 01:06:12,160
are using in the selection process, as well as how you will ensure that these chosen few

687
01:06:12,620 --> 01:06:16,180
wouldn't be one-sided political retribution machines.

688
01:06:16,940 --> 01:06:22,640
I am against discrimination, and I stand for fair treatment of Delaware County citizens,

689
01:06:23,340 --> 01:06:29,260
passing a resolution to enforce an ordinance, yet to be clearly and properly defined, puts the

690
01:06:29,260 --> 01:06:36,180
court before the horse, and is an ill-advised proposition that will only lead to confusion and

691
01:06:36,180 --> 01:06:37,900
a waste of tax payers' dollars.

692
01:06:38,500 --> 01:06:40,000
Thank you, Council, and have a good night.

693
01:06:41,100 --> 01:06:44,300
Gary Ryder, Mary Nisa Kustinesti.

694
01:06:49,560 --> 01:06:51,600
Gary Ryder, Marble Danship.

695
01:06:53,740 --> 01:06:55,500
I don't have too much to say.

696
01:06:56,480 --> 01:06:58,680
I'm still concerned about the ongoing.

697
01:06:58,820 --> 01:07:00,500
That's my main concern here.

698
01:07:01,080 --> 01:07:03,100
We see no progress being done.

699
01:07:04,120 --> 01:07:06,840
I don't know how people didn't fall and get hurt back there.

700
01:07:07,000 --> 01:07:07,760
And then walking past.

701
01:07:08,440 --> 01:07:13,400
I don't know what you guys are doing, but I've got to do something with it.

702
01:07:15,640 --> 01:07:21,820
Other than that, the HRC, I don't know much about it, but I heard, you know, I can't

703
01:07:21,820 --> 01:07:28,000
believe you're going to point people that can hand out fines and subpoenas.

704
01:07:28,440 --> 01:07:31,360
That's totally unfair, unconstitutional.

705
01:07:31,360 --> 01:07:34,980
You know, what's next like our religion?

706
01:07:35,160 --> 01:07:37,780
You're going to take our religion away from us, too.

707
01:07:38,280 --> 01:07:44,500
You know, I mean, this country was formed on religion.

708
01:07:44,500 --> 01:07:51,200
Our forefathers came here, escaped England because of religious prosecution.

709
01:07:52,060 --> 01:07:55,020
We do the pledge of allegiance under God.

710
01:07:55,440 --> 01:08:00,180
When you go to court, you swear on the Bible.

711
01:08:02,600 --> 01:08:12,340
There's a lot of things in God we trust on our money, so think about who you're putting

712
01:08:12,340 --> 01:08:17,820
in here, I mean, people going crazy, it's nuts.

713
01:08:18,700 --> 01:08:25,020
And earlier, Ms. Shapler, you mentioned you got to stay within the realm of reality.

714
01:08:27,200 --> 01:08:35,580
I can take a, sure, people aren't going to like this, but I can take a GI Joe doll and

715
01:08:35,580 --> 01:08:36,980
put a Barbie dress on it.

716
01:08:37,380 --> 01:08:38,420
It don't make it Barbie.

717
01:08:39,400 --> 01:08:40,300
Thank you.

718
01:08:41,420 --> 01:08:44,300
Mary Lisa Kostynesky and Linda Embry.

719
01:08:59,930 --> 01:09:03,930
Good evening, members of the council and Delwa County residents.

720
01:09:04,590 --> 01:09:06,510
My name is Mary Lisa Kostynesky.

721
01:09:06,510 --> 01:09:09,390
I live at 4042, Dayton Road, and Drexel Hill.

722
01:09:10,510 --> 01:09:12,350
Delaware County is wonderfully diverse.

723
01:09:12,710 --> 01:09:15,150
As a teacher and principal at Bywood Elementary School

724
01:09:15,150 --> 01:09:17,890
for 20 years, I met many different people

725
01:09:18,270 --> 01:09:19,930
and many from all over the world.

726
01:09:20,290 --> 01:09:23,150
It was a life-changing and enriching experience

727
01:09:23,150 --> 01:09:24,850
and one that I continue to count

728
01:09:24,850 --> 01:09:26,570
among my greatest blessings,

729
01:09:27,030 --> 01:09:29,470
meeting people who seemed so different from me

730
01:09:29,470 --> 01:09:30,870
and the people I knew.

731
01:09:31,390 --> 01:09:34,250
And yet I learned they were not so very different

732
01:09:34,250 --> 01:09:41,910
from my family and my friends. A different language, different clothes, different foods,

733
01:09:42,210 --> 01:09:46,710
different complexions, and different customs did not take away the fact that they are people

734
01:09:46,710 --> 01:09:52,190
and human, just like I am. We are here to make sure that those of us who appear different

735
01:09:52,190 --> 01:09:57,870
are protected by the same safeguards that we expect for ourselves. I was surprised to learn that

736
01:09:57,870 --> 01:09:59,950
despite state and federal laws over one-

737
01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:28,860
Number 3 of workers are not protected against employment discrimination. If an employer has fewer than 20 employees and employee is not able to make a complaint of discrimination at the state or federal level, we need small local businesses to keep our community vibrant and healthy and we want our community members to know they are valued and essential members of this community so they will stay. The creation of a volunteer human relations commission will help to provide education and forced all instances of discrimination

738
01:10:28,860 --> 01:10:31,020
and prevent them from becoming litigation.

739
01:10:31,820 --> 01:10:35,180
Sometimes a claim of discrimination can be traced to a misunderstanding,

740
01:10:35,740 --> 01:10:37,840
like a restaurant patron feeling ignored,

741
01:10:38,140 --> 01:10:40,640
when the problem is due to short staffing of servers.

742
01:10:41,600 --> 01:10:44,660
Having a local commission to help resolve claims of discrimination

743
01:10:44,660 --> 01:10:48,160
helps to build understanding among community members

744
01:10:48,160 --> 01:10:52,780
with the common goal of building and maintaining a strong and thriving community.

745
01:10:53,280 --> 01:10:56,080
If we are honest, we have all felt discrimination.

746
01:10:56,080 --> 01:10:59,060
Have you noticed people treat you differently once your hair is gray?

747
01:11:00,460 --> 01:11:04,660
Would it surprise you to learn that 40% of people have dealt with age discrimination?

748
01:11:05,700 --> 01:11:10,480
I know I will have to be working for a long time, and age discrimination is a real concern.

749
01:11:11,200 --> 01:11:15,680
How about the statistic that two out of three black women have been told they need to change

750
01:11:15,680 --> 01:11:18,100
their hairstyle if they want to be hired?

751
01:11:18,880 --> 01:11:24,540
When my hair was short and dark, my boss told me I looked too harsh and suggested I go

752
01:11:24,540 --> 01:11:32,400
later, maybe some blonde highlights. Right here in Upper Darby. True story. And I think

753
01:11:32,400 --> 01:11:36,600
about people whose gender identity doesn't conform to others' expectations, people

754
01:11:36,600 --> 01:11:41,120
with a physical disability, a mental health condition, are neurodivergent, are deaf,

755
01:11:41,420 --> 01:11:48,280
blind, overweight. This is not about needing people to grow with thicker skin. This is

756
01:11:48,280 --> 01:11:54,480
about all of us wanting to make sure that no one is made to feel less than or unworthy of

757
01:11:54,480 --> 01:11:58,120
respect and protection against discrimination. Thank you.

758
01:11:59,340 --> 01:12:02,000
Linda Embry, Marsha Highley.

759
01:12:13,140 --> 01:12:14,520
My name is Linda Embry.

760
01:12:15,180 --> 01:12:21,020
I live in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, and I appreciate the opportunity to be here to make public comment.

761
01:12:21,660 --> 01:12:28,560
I'd like to speak in favor of the non-discrimination order ordinance before the council.

762
01:12:28,880 --> 01:12:30,400
And thank you for considering it.

763
01:12:30,400 --> 01:12:36,020
But all of us want to be seen for who we are.

764
01:12:36,700 --> 01:12:44,120
We all want to be treated with respect and dignity, all of us, all of us.

765
01:12:45,080 --> 01:12:47,900
My transgender daughter is no different.

766
01:12:48,760 --> 01:12:50,220
She is a woman.

767
01:12:51,460 --> 01:12:54,860
She wants to be seen as the woman she is.

768
01:12:54,860 --> 01:13:03,240
She wants to be treated with respect and dignity, just like I do, just like you do.

769
01:13:04,160 --> 01:13:05,800
It's pretty simple.

770
01:13:06,860 --> 01:13:13,940
This ordinance adds additional protected classes including gender identity and puts a system

771
01:13:13,940 --> 01:13:18,620
in place to fairly address grievances at minimal cost to the county.

772
01:13:18,620 --> 01:13:25,400
This means that when a transgender person or person of any protected class experiences

773
01:13:25,400 --> 01:13:29,080
discrimination in our county, we say no.

774
01:13:29,620 --> 01:13:37,680
We say we see you, we value you, we respect your right to be treated with dignity and

775
01:13:37,680 --> 01:13:38,140
equity.

776
01:13:38,820 --> 01:13:39,980
It's not just words.

777
01:13:40,620 --> 01:13:45,460
We have protections in place to allow your grievance to be heard and addressed.

778
01:13:45,460 --> 01:13:51,680
So, we're not just giving lip service. We've put things in place to make this happen.

779
01:13:53,040 --> 01:14:01,300
I, it's really not a lot to ask of our community. See me, treat me with respect and dignity.

780
01:14:02,600 --> 01:14:03,280
Thank you all.

781
01:14:04,680 --> 01:14:07,180
Marsha, Filey. Thanks, Harris, Poker.

782
01:14:15,030 --> 01:14:21,090
Hello, I'm Marsha Healey. I live in Swarthmore. I'm here in favor of the Human Rights or Human

783
01:14:21,090 --> 01:14:26,930
relations commission. Transgender and homosexual persons have existed since the beginning of

784
01:14:26,930 --> 01:14:33,790
humankind. Banting and suppression will not change that. As fellow human beings, members of our

785
01:14:33,790 --> 01:14:40,710
society, citizens are loved ones. They deserve the same freedoms and protection as everyone in this

786
01:14:40,710 --> 01:14:48,410
room to peacefully conduct their lives. Unfortunately, the current government has made transgender people

787
01:14:48,410 --> 01:14:53,810
their scapegoats. Unsubstantiated blame and falsehoods are being put upon them.

788
01:14:54,390 --> 01:14:59,430
Military benefits are being denied them. Healthcare is being denied to them.

789
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:14,420
It is not a safe time to be transgender. Sadly, this is why this cost-free human relations commission is very necessary. Thank you. Harris-Koker, Marge LaRue.

790
01:15:20,470 --> 01:15:35,130
Good evening, Keras-Koker-Konker Townships. I had a question from Mr. Womack on the career link open house. Did I hear you say that birth certificates would be provided on the spot? I will remind this is not

791
01:15:35,130 --> 01:15:38,530
a question to answer session, though, but we'll have to be a happily listened to your questions.

792
01:15:39,250 --> 01:15:40,250
Okay. Thank you, Mr. Womack.

793
01:15:41,970 --> 01:15:49,750
I am addressing the matter of the change from an ordinance to a resolution on tonight's agenda

794
01:15:49,750 --> 01:15:57,770
for the Human Rights Commission. I point out that that link did not went nowhere and the public

795
01:15:57,770 --> 01:16:07,530
had no opportunity to view the new proposed resolution prior to this meeting. So if you

796
01:16:07,530 --> 01:16:14,890
proceed to pass that ordinance, you will once again be in violation of the Sunshine Act.

797
01:16:15,330 --> 01:16:21,870
I hope you will take note of that and follow the proper procedure if you decide to proceed

798
01:16:21,870 --> 01:16:27,170
with that. Thank you very much. March LaRue and Clio McIntyre.

799
01:16:31,410 --> 01:16:32,670
March LaRue asked,

800
01:16:35,060 --> 01:16:40,740
well, first of all, I support the Human Relations Commission resolution,

801
01:16:40,880 --> 01:16:47,540
but that's not why I'm here. So, the reason I'm here tonight, my, Nick Ellis Alde,

802
01:16:47,780 --> 01:16:53,500
my grandson was shot and killed in a school shooting. I was high school football game on September

803
01:16:53,500 --> 01:17:02,140
On September 27, 2022, with dozens of others, scores of others, Nick has a space at the

804
01:17:02,140 --> 01:17:05,400
Memorial Garden for murder of children in upper charge hester.

805
01:17:05,760 --> 01:17:12,860
On September 6, survivors organized a cleanup of the garden to prepare it for a vigil to

806
01:17:12,860 --> 01:17:13,460
be held there.

807
01:17:14,460 --> 01:17:19,000
On September 25, the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.

808
01:17:19,920 --> 01:17:28,300
So, I'm here tonight to say that 60, that's 60 people, Delco residents mostly showed

809
01:17:28,300 --> 01:17:33,140
up and worked their tails off at that memorial garden from our children.

810
01:17:33,580 --> 01:17:41,140
They weedwacked, raped, swept, scrubbed, removed debris, painted, repaired crosses,

811
01:17:41,140 --> 01:17:51,020
is myriad other tasks. So it was a four-hour effort. It was heartwarming to witness so many

812
01:17:51,440 --> 01:17:56,880
come out in support of murdered children. So we raised awareness to gun violence,

813
01:17:57,280 --> 01:18:02,520
though not all in the garden were murdered by guns, but we raised awareness to the existence

814
01:18:02,520 --> 01:18:09,360
of the garden. Many of you may not know it's there, or why. And we raised awareness to the need

815
01:18:09,360 --> 01:18:14,580
for legislation to end this uniquely American crisis of gun violence.

816
01:18:15,940 --> 01:18:19,840
So tonight, I'm here to thank the Council for its continuing support

817
01:18:20,500 --> 01:18:23,900
for recently passing the ban on ghost guns.

818
01:18:24,740 --> 01:18:29,320
Thank you. Thank you for your continued efforts and support of my family

819
01:18:29,980 --> 01:18:34,580
and other survivors of my grandson and other murder children.

820
01:18:34,580 --> 01:18:41,460
Thank you to Joanne, who showed up, put some elbow grease into the effort.

821
01:18:43,780 --> 01:18:50,140
So, and I want to extend gratitude to my Delco friends and neighbors from Aston, Upper

822
01:18:50,140 --> 01:18:56,980
Chai, Chester Heights, Garnet Valley, Miggle Town, Glenn Olden, Landstown, Chester, Newtown

823
01:18:56,980 --> 01:19:01,100
Square, Media of Concert Township, Swathmore, Brumel.

824
01:19:01,100 --> 01:19:10,860
And if I forgot anyone who was there and I forgot to mention your township, just thank you, my family, and I thank you.

825
01:19:11,320 --> 01:19:13,760
And thank you.

826
01:19:16,700 --> 01:19:18,800
File, McIntyre, John Hages.

827
01:19:25,500 --> 01:19:27,000
Hi, McIntyre, Albert Arby.

828
01:19:28,380 --> 01:19:32,380
I keep it short tonight because you guys talk to you all a lot already.

829
01:19:32,680 --> 01:19:36,300
So just to go over some things that I think are important.

830
01:19:36,300 --> 01:19:42,700
So tonight, you guys will be voting on this resolution to establish an HRC to begin the hiring process.

831
01:19:43,040 --> 01:19:46,500
It is a momentous occasion for our county to be moving this forward.

832
01:19:46,860 --> 01:19:51,580
For those that don't know, counties can establish an HRC either by ordinance or

833
01:19:51,580 --> 01:19:54,040
resolution, both are empowered by the state law.

834
01:19:54,600 --> 01:19:57,640
So it is a process that can be either or.

835
01:19:58,040 --> 01:19:59,400
In that case though.

836
01:19:59,400 --> 01:19:59,980
So, uh...

837
01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:29,740
And in this resolution, specifically, there's a talk of making sure that these eventual provisions, protections are codified into our ordinance. And to those that had questions about, oh, well, why is there a resolution now? Because there's a reason for first readings. Sometimes you need to make changes. Sometimes you learn, you discuss, you improve. The goal is that Delaware County has the strongest and best possible ordinance that we can deliver.

838
01:20:29,740 --> 01:20:34,400
And sometimes that takes a little bit longer, but that doesn't mean we can't walk into

839
01:20:34,400 --> 01:20:35,420
gum at the same time.

840
01:20:35,800 --> 01:20:37,860
And here in Delco, we're going to do that tonight.

841
01:20:38,380 --> 01:20:42,480
We are going to pass this resolution, at least I hope you guys do, and we are fully in support

842
01:20:42,480 --> 01:20:43,600
of you guys doing this.

843
01:20:44,080 --> 01:20:50,240
And then we will be here for the follow up for the future meetings as we work through getting

844
01:20:50,240 --> 01:20:53,640
that ordinance delivered and codifying those protections.

845
01:20:54,200 --> 01:21:01,240
In our resolutions, specifically, it does actually list our protected classes, which is a distinct

846
01:21:02,540 --> 01:21:08,880
clarification. We are very appreciative of that. This is a start. This is the kick that, you know,

847
01:21:09,300 --> 01:21:13,760
they start the ball rolling when a much longer process. It's going to take a couple of months,

848
01:21:14,040 --> 01:21:18,640
got to interview people, appoint people. I really encourage people, though, and I know the ordinances

849
01:21:18,640 --> 01:21:23,140
is going to change, but I really, really encourage people. No matter what side of the

850
01:21:23,140 --> 01:21:28,300
aisle you're on, please read the ordinance. Somebody came up here and talked about religious

851
01:21:29,160 --> 01:21:35,000
concerns. There are specific exemptions in there for people that are running religious,

852
01:21:35,240 --> 01:21:40,880
mission-driven organizations. There are carve-outs that are built into this to protect people's

853
01:21:40,880 --> 01:21:46,380
first amendment rights across the board. Please read it. Do not just trust everything you see

854
01:21:46,380 --> 01:21:51,440
on social media. There's a lot of misinformation floating around here. This is already state law.

855
01:21:52,480 --> 01:21:56,660
So, frankly, if you have a problem with it, you might actually already be in violation of the law.

856
01:21:58,460 --> 01:22:05,040
So, please take the time to read it. This is not going to harm people. This is going to help all of us.

857
01:22:06,480 --> 01:22:09,700
And honestly, just to the county council, thank you for being patient with us.

858
01:22:10,140 --> 01:22:13,900
I know it has been a journey. It's going to be an even longer journey through it.

859
01:22:13,900 --> 01:22:21,200
Thank you. This is a historic moment for our county. And after tonight, hopefully, we're

860
01:22:21,200 --> 01:22:23,200
having even brighter future. Thank you.

861
01:22:23,740 --> 01:22:26,260
John Haggis, David Phillips.

862
01:22:35,820 --> 01:22:42,340
I'm Dan Haggis from Darby, Pennsylvania. I'm here to invite

863
01:22:42,340 --> 01:22:49,940
everyone to the 21st of Trolley Fest. And the out Trolley Fest is something that was

864
01:22:49,940 --> 01:23:00,160
started that many years ago, and it celebrates the 1858 arrival of the first trolley that

865
01:23:00,160 --> 01:23:08,900
came from Philadelphia into Delaware County, and it was a horse-drawn trolley.

866
01:23:09,980 --> 01:23:16,160
And we have celebrated this for the last 20 years, and we're up to doing it on October

867
01:23:18,660 --> 01:23:26,720
We have always had the Darby Library supporting us, but because of the extensive work that's going on there,

868
01:23:27,320 --> 01:23:31,020
there are very few rooms available for us to use for this.

869
01:23:31,720 --> 01:23:38,020
And so we have gone out and talked to people, and we are partnering partly with Eden Cemetery.

870
01:23:38,020 --> 01:23:46,800
they're going to do a morning walk to describe the people who helped to

871
01:23:46,800 --> 01:23:53,760
desegregate those trolleys who are buried there. And we also are hopeful in

872
01:23:53,760 --> 01:23:58,740
the afternoon to have actually play that done with local student

873
01:23:58,740 --> 01:24:07,100
actors called a streetcar named Freedom, which it tells about this process. And we

874
01:24:07,100 --> 01:24:10,780
I think that everyone can benefit from knowing about this

875
01:24:10,780 --> 01:24:11,900
history of our area.

876
01:24:13,960 --> 01:24:14,440
Thank you.

877
01:24:15,300 --> 01:24:15,740
Thank you.

878
01:24:16,120 --> 01:24:18,600
David Phillips, Douglas Lanky.

879
01:24:27,080 --> 01:24:27,560
Good evening.

880
01:24:28,020 --> 01:24:29,040
My name is David Phillips.

881
01:24:29,320 --> 01:24:30,640
I'm a resident of Prospect Park.

882
01:24:31,320 --> 01:24:34,780
I am the Secretary of the Delaware County Democratic

883
01:24:34,780 --> 01:24:36,520
Socialist of America, Subchapter.

884
01:24:36,800 --> 01:24:39,420
I wanted to come out tonight to speak in favor

885
01:24:39,420 --> 01:24:42,760
of the Crozier Eight, who are eight peaceful protesters

886
01:24:42,760 --> 01:24:45,200
arrested last week were a citizen.

887
01:24:45,200 --> 01:24:49,440
they conducted at the Crosure Chester Medical Center, which is obviously been closed.

888
01:24:50,640 --> 01:24:56,440
We demand that the DA drop the trespassing charges against the Crosure 8,

889
01:24:57,020 --> 01:24:59,340
and we also demand that the county uphold.

890
01:25:00,000 --> 01:25:29,560
Our constitutional right to freedom of speech, which is already under attack by the federal government. And we also implore you guys to put all pressure you can, all resources you can to try and reopen those hospitals. And I also implore members of the counting to contact your elected officials and ask them to again reopen our hospitals because this is, you know, critical infrastructure that we need and people are dying and will continue to die without it.

891
01:25:29,560 --> 01:25:30,960
Thank you.

892
01:25:31,020 --> 01:25:33,580
Douglas Lanky and Laura Lewis.

893
01:25:43,790 --> 01:25:46,050
Doug Leigh Falson.

894
01:25:46,730 --> 01:25:52,050
I am the chairman of the Delaware County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

895
01:25:52,770 --> 01:25:57,430
And I would like to address an actual attack on First Amendment rights in Delaware County

896
01:25:57,430 --> 01:26:04,050
and not imagined ones connected to the ordinance about the Human Rights Commission.

897
01:26:05,290 --> 01:26:12,210
As my colleague just mentioned, on September 9th, eight members of the organization put people

898
01:26:12,210 --> 01:26:16,890
first were arrested at Chester Crosor Hospital and were charged with trespassing.

899
01:26:17,430 --> 01:26:23,670
They were peacefully protesting the closure of our hospital system at the hands of private equity.

900
01:26:24,270 --> 01:26:32,470
These charges were excessive and unnecessary and unusual for the enforcement involving peaceful

901
01:26:32,470 --> 01:26:37,950
protests. If anybody has ever been to a peaceful protest, if you do get arrested, they usually

902
01:26:37,950 --> 01:26:41,250
don't charge you. They just send you home. So it's very unusual that they're being charged

903
01:26:41,250 --> 01:26:49,270
with trespassing. I just have to say, when a parasitic capitalist private equity firm came in and

904
01:26:49,270 --> 01:26:54,010
destroyed our hospitals, resulting in the deaths of our neighbors, they received no charges.

905
01:26:54,010 --> 01:27:01,110
But when our neighbors and our residents come out and demand a positive change in the

906
01:27:02,090 --> 01:27:05,810
direction of providing health care access, they are charged.

907
01:27:06,310 --> 01:27:12,050
To me, that doesn't seem very fair. So we, as stated by my colleague, we have two demands.

908
01:27:12,590 --> 01:27:17,890
First, we would like Council to pass a resolution urging the DA to drop all charges against the

909
01:27:17,890 --> 01:27:23,050
protesters. And secondly, we would like them to publicly affirm that this county supports the

910
01:27:23,050 --> 01:27:27,530
rights a peaceful protest, and we'll protect residents fighting for health care access.

911
01:27:28,090 --> 01:27:29,810
Solidarity forever, thank you.

912
01:27:30,950 --> 01:27:33,290
Laura Lewis, Jim McLaughlin.

913
01:27:43,880 --> 01:27:45,120
Laura Lewis, round of township.

914
01:27:45,880 --> 01:27:50,080
Today I'd like to speak again to the proposed County Human Relations Commission.

915
01:27:50,760 --> 01:27:58,600
While it promises to protect vulnerable groups like the LGBTQ community, it is equally potential

916
01:27:58,600 --> 01:28:04,960
tool to release everyday life sufficiently vague to randomly target individuals without warning.

917
01:28:05,900 --> 01:28:12,520
Imagine Molly's cozy corner cafe sits near the waterfront in Delco, catering to workers at the

918
01:28:12,520 --> 01:28:19,260
Wharf. Its chalkboard sign advertises fish Fridays as the weekly special, a tradition carried on

919
01:28:19,260 --> 01:28:25,860
since Molly's grandparents originally opened the restaurant. Due to a pass or buys complaint,

920
01:28:25,860 --> 01:28:29,780
the C.H.R. commission steps in ruling the phrase, Fish Friday's,

921
01:28:29,920 --> 01:28:34,700
Smacks of Religious Favouritism, Echoing Christian Lenten Practices,

922
01:28:34,920 --> 01:28:38,760
and excluding non-Christian patrons under public accommodation laws.

923
01:28:39,400 --> 01:28:45,720
The corner cafe is simultaneously accused of discriminating against patrons on non-fish diets,

924
01:28:46,280 --> 01:28:53,240
including those with genetic restrictions. Molly's fine $3,200 told to rename the promotion,

925
01:28:53,240 --> 01:28:59,200
Friday on trace for all persons and required to offer vegan alternatives, requiring many

926
01:28:59,200 --> 01:29:04,200
reprints, and the risk of allinating regulars in diminishing her meager profits.

927
01:29:05,300 --> 01:29:08,560
I know this scenario seems implausible to you.

928
01:29:09,660 --> 01:29:15,100
However, in Oregon, a restaurant was fine for running a simple meatless Monday promotion.

929
01:29:15,660 --> 01:29:21,340
After activists claimed it was exclusionary, showing how ordinary traditions can suddenly

930
01:29:21,340 --> 01:29:27,300
be treated as discrimination. That's exactly the danger with Delca's ordinance.

931
01:29:28,020 --> 01:29:32,700
Molly could never have guessed her Fish Friday chalkboard special would be labeled both religious

932
01:29:32,700 --> 01:29:40,780
favoritism and dietary bias. As with Brainhead Free, the city of Rockford and Fulton Free,

933
01:29:40,900 --> 01:29:45,900
the city of Philadelphia, rules are so vague that no one can tell what's allowed.

934
01:29:46,560 --> 01:29:50,340
people are found to live in fear of arbitrary enforcement.

935
01:29:51,320 --> 01:29:54,740
We're still, instead of a neutral judge in a real court,

936
01:29:55,220 --> 01:29:58,200
fines come from a county board of political appointees,

937
01:29:58,480 --> 01:29:59,960
not impartial court.

938
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:29,580
Acting as prosecutor, judge, and jury. The Supreme Court has struck down some more arrangements in the past because they violate basic fairness. The people punishing you should not also hold the power to profit from or politicize the punishment. Establishing a commission is different than giving it the authority to issue monetary fines. In Delco, that means the new commission has the power to regulate even family-run

939
01:30:29,580 --> 01:30:35,580
and cafes like Mollies without the constitutional safeguards that protect ordinary citizens.

940
01:30:36,100 --> 01:30:37,020
Thank you very much.

941
01:30:37,960 --> 01:30:40,360
Jim McLaughlin, Zuleen Mayfield.

942
01:30:46,480 --> 01:30:52,340
Good evening. I'm Jim McLaughlin of Springfield Township as a former chair of the Solid Waste Authority

943
01:30:52,340 --> 01:30:54,060
and a concern resident of the county.

944
01:30:54,860 --> 01:31:02,760
I'm excited to see that this Solid Waste plan is finally reaching you for approval

945
01:31:02,760 --> 01:31:06,660
after four years of work and much community input,

946
01:31:07,220 --> 01:31:09,260
I agree with Council Member Ruther

947
01:31:09,260 --> 01:31:12,820
on the importance of having even an imperfect plan.

948
01:31:13,840 --> 01:31:16,240
Zero waste plans create jobs and opportunities

949
01:31:16,240 --> 01:31:17,880
for creativity and innovation

950
01:31:17,880 --> 01:31:19,600
and waste management practices.

951
01:31:20,180 --> 01:31:22,080
Of course, the plan is for the county

952
01:31:22,080 --> 01:31:24,660
to abide by the international peer-reviewed

953
01:31:24,660 --> 01:31:26,760
Zero Waste Hierarchy, a system

954
01:31:26,760 --> 01:31:29,840
that considers trash incineration unacceptable.

955
01:31:29,840 --> 01:31:49,840
The Solid Waste Authority in following the desires of the county and its residents to stop burning our trash and polluting our environment at the incinerator in Chester, the largest industrial air polluter in the region, started in early 2023 to divert waste away from burning.

956
01:31:49,840 --> 01:32:05,620
No disrespect to the hard work of the director, but I understand that only 7% of the waste is now being diverted down from the intended 15% a couple of years ago that I distinctly recall as an immediate target.

957
01:32:05,620 --> 01:32:19,760
I understand that Brooks Stair, who is the CEO of the Solid Waste Authority, and whom I helped hire, has advocated for incineration in multiple meetings over the past year, which is very concerning to me.

958
01:32:20,540 --> 01:32:35,560
I hope that council will ensure that the Solid Waste Authority's leadership is on board with the Zero Waste Plan, and the planned transition away from incineration, a plan that I helped formulate, and that I am disappointed to hear is faltered.

959
01:32:35,560 --> 01:32:42,180
Not long ago, we laid out a plan for incineration to be phased out in a few years.

960
01:32:42,780 --> 01:32:48,920
One of the counties, once the counties, two transfer stations were to be rebuilt.

961
01:32:49,420 --> 01:32:55,600
I only learned recently that this transfer station project hasn't even started, and that's unacceptable.

962
01:32:55,980 --> 01:33:01,060
It was about to be started when I had to resign in 2020, only two years ago.

963
01:33:02,940 --> 01:33:15,160
As it's also concerning to learn that the authority recently fired their recycling coordinator putting state grants at risk, which could be funding implementation of the Zero Ways Plan.

964
01:33:15,820 --> 01:33:28,560
I'm asking that the county ensure that the Solid Ways Authority is actually supportive of this plan and that the county and authority are properly resourced so that this plan can be executed.

965
01:33:28,560 --> 01:33:34,320
Finally, while serving, we did the financial analysis, and I still believe that the authority

966
01:33:34,320 --> 01:33:41,220
sells its landfill space to other counties and states at rates below their net present

967
01:33:41,220 --> 01:33:41,860
value.

968
01:33:42,200 --> 01:33:46,200
And I hope that the county will find a way to preserve this public asset for county

969
01:33:46,200 --> 01:33:46,580
use.

970
01:33:46,900 --> 01:33:48,020
Reflector, hold it back.

971
01:33:50,560 --> 01:33:54,160
Zoolene Mayfield, Greg Stenstrom, hello

972
01:34:02,550 --> 01:34:05,190
everyone, I'm Zoolene Mayfield, the chairperson

973
01:34:05,190 --> 01:34:11,430
of Chester residents concerned for quality living. I think it's ironic that I followed Jim.

974
01:34:13,310 --> 01:34:24,250
I am in support of the Zero Waste Plan. However, we have to talk about the urgency of now.

975
01:34:26,240 --> 01:34:32,260
I'm going to give you a couple of statistics for those of us that live in Chester.

976
01:34:32,260 --> 01:34:38,200
liver and bio cancer are 73% higher than national average.

977
01:34:39,040 --> 01:34:45,500
Lairn Geo cancer is 67% higher than national average.

978
01:34:45,500 --> 01:34:47,280
Thank you, Creator.

979
01:34:47,400 --> 01:34:51,920
Cancer, 37 percent higher than the national average.

980
01:34:55,490 --> 01:34:58,550
Cancer rates in Delaware County.

981
01:35:00,000 --> 01:35:11,660
Laranjeele cancers, 89% higher than the national average. Liver and bile cancer, 77% higher than

982
01:35:11,660 --> 01:35:18,540
the national average. I want to give you one statistic from Marcus Hook.

983
01:35:28,880 --> 01:35:29,980
Laranjeele

984
01:35:29,980 --> 01:35:39,780
A couple of weeks ago we had the experience of having one of our members who died from

985
01:35:39,780 --> 01:35:41,840
a rare, rare form of cancer.

986
01:35:43,540 --> 01:35:49,280
The man was 38 years old, with a five-month-old baby.

987
01:35:51,280 --> 01:35:57,240
The same day that his son was born with the same day that he had his first cancer treatment.

988
01:35:57,240 --> 01:36:06,140
a year prior to that his mother died from cancer. February of this year, I got a notice

989
01:36:06,140 --> 01:36:15,760
that a childhood friend of mine died from prostrate cancer. Three days after he died, I got

990
01:36:15,760 --> 01:36:18,880
the notice that the neighborhood father or

991
01:36:21,060 --> 01:36:24,600
a neighborhood died from prostrate cancer.

992
01:36:24,600 --> 01:36:31,720
The coincidence is that these two men live directly across the street from each other.

993
01:36:33,360 --> 01:36:40,520
We cannot afford to continue to kill ourselves by incinerating trash at Coventry World.

994
01:36:41,580 --> 01:36:46,840
Nothing should prompt people's health, no economics.

995
01:36:48,640 --> 01:36:54,280
We have to put the money into saving ourselves and we can't wait.

996
01:36:54,280 --> 01:37:01,660
we don't have three years. We don't have two years. As Jim said, this plan was well

997
01:37:01,660 --> 01:37:08,000
along its way. What some of you on Delaware County started with the party to do the work.

998
01:37:09,100 --> 01:37:10,400
Your time is up.

999
01:37:10,520 --> 01:37:16,580
Do try it from the city of Chester. Thank you. Greg Stenstrom and Char Byron.

1000
01:37:31,950 --> 01:37:32,770
Good evening.

1001
01:37:33,490 --> 01:37:38,910
My name is Gregory Stenstrom. I just want township playing different Stenstrom versus Delaware

1002
01:37:38,910 --> 01:37:39,910
or a county at all.

1003
01:37:40,850 --> 01:37:43,010
Recently filed in the United States District Court

1004
01:37:43,010 --> 01:37:44,550
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

1005
01:37:44,550 --> 01:37:47,810
and provided by email to council and solicitor

1006
01:37:47,810 --> 01:37:48,710
this past Sunday.

1007
01:37:49,970 --> 01:37:52,370
This evening, each member of council named

1008
01:37:52,370 --> 01:37:54,450
in the lawsuit is all of you.

1009
01:37:55,130 --> 01:37:58,430
As well as solicitor Jack Larkin has been personally served

1010
01:37:58,980 --> 01:38:01,170
with the federal complaint and memorandum of law

1011
01:38:01,910 --> 01:38:06,450
challenging ordinance 2025-060HRC ordinance.

1012
01:38:07,170 --> 01:38:13,050
You are here by served in your official capacities as county officials, and in your individual

1013
01:38:13,050 --> 01:38:14,970
capacities as parties to the action.

1014
01:38:16,170 --> 01:38:19,690
Laurel Lewis, please hand the package to the civil service distribution to the individual

1015
01:38:19,690 --> 01:38:22,530
council members to complete service.

1016
01:38:23,470 --> 01:38:27,930
Laurel will complete an affidavit of service that I will submit to the court tomorrow.

1017
01:38:27,930 --> 01:38:50,510
This lawsuit to shirts that Board in 2025-06 is on unconstitutional and ultra-verus because it creates a partisan human relations commission with quasi-digital powers that unlawfully obstructs citizen rights to do process access to courts and first amendment freedoms.

1018
01:38:50,510 --> 01:38:56,790
I want the record to reflect the due of now been served under defendants in this action.

1019
01:38:57,450 --> 01:39:03,650
An amended complaint will be filed to confirm service in both your official and

1020
01:39:03,650 --> 01:39:05,070
individual capacities.

1021
01:39:05,070 --> 01:39:11,810
You have been personally sued under 42 USC, 1983, 1985, and 1986.

1022
01:39:13,190 --> 01:39:20,110
Separately, I know for the record that criminal referrals have already been filed regarding fabricated

1023
01:39:20,110 --> 01:39:28,370
billing records and dishonest public service and Delaware County's DRAG NETICASE-CV-2023-006723.

1024
01:39:29,170 --> 01:39:32,910
Judicial notice and motions documenting those referrals are on file

1025
01:39:34,120 --> 01:39:39,290
and disclosures have also been transmitted to the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI

1026
01:39:40,120 --> 01:39:47,250
at their request. To summarize, tonight's service completes formal notice of the federal lawsuit

1027
01:39:47,250 --> 01:39:53,330
regarding the EHRC, your each defendants in both your official and individual capacities,

1028
01:39:54,030 --> 01:39:57,590
and criminal referrals have been filed and disclosed to federal authorities

1029
01:39:57,590 --> 01:39:59,890
and the Dragon Eddy Act.

1030
01:40:00,000 --> 01:40:11,220
Opposition that the county has perpetuated, I'll reserve the rain remainder of my time. Thank you. Char Bairam and Napoleon King Cade.

1031
01:40:20,240 --> 01:40:36,400
Char Bairam from Havern for Township. Hello, councilmembers and Delco residents. I'm here as a representative of the Democratic Socialists of Delco, along with my colleagues who spoke earlier. But more of a fundamental

1032
01:40:36,400 --> 01:40:39,280
Currently, I'm here as a fellow citizen and as a person.

1033
01:40:39,920 --> 01:40:55,380
Just to echo my colleagues, I'm also appealing, again, on behalf of the eight Delaware County residents who are unjustly detained on trespassing charges for protesting against the private equity acquisition enclosure of the now former Tester Crosier hospital.

1034
01:40:55,380 --> 01:41:01,360
We are urging you to press the DA to drop these frivolous trespassing charges against the

1035
01:41:01,360 --> 01:41:06,100
wholly justified nonviolent protesters who were arrested for exercising their right to

1036
01:41:06,100 --> 01:41:10,520
denounce this grievous, unnecessary loss to our community's healthcare infrastructure.

1037
01:41:11,640 --> 01:41:16,600
We ask that you please use your positions as able to advocate for those who are simply speaking

1038
01:41:16,600 --> 01:41:21,580
out against the greed and corruption of a for-profit private equity firm that was gambling with

1039
01:41:21,580 --> 01:41:25,600
people's health care access that has and will continue to cost people their lives.

1040
01:41:27,100 --> 01:41:31,960
And one last thought I would like to leave for our residents here as well.

1041
01:41:32,680 --> 01:41:39,220
For anyone who is opposing the Human Relations Commission ordinance, I would just ask you

1042
01:41:39,920 --> 01:41:46,860
to ask yourselves why you feel this way, why you feel that your rights are being infringed,

1043
01:41:46,860 --> 01:41:51,990
and in what way that this is affecting your lives negatively?

1044
01:41:53,800 --> 01:41:56,400
I would just ask what it is about it

1045
01:41:56,400 --> 01:42:00,220
that bothers you or feels that it is imposing on your lives.

1046
01:42:00,920 --> 01:42:05,260
And considering everyone's individuality in this

1047
01:42:05,260 --> 01:42:08,360
and that it doesn't impact us at the end of the day,

1048
01:42:08,540 --> 01:42:09,740
but it involves all of us.

1049
01:42:10,500 --> 01:42:12,160
So just take that into consideration.

1050
01:42:12,480 --> 01:42:13,840
What it is you want to say and why

1051
01:42:13,840 --> 01:42:16,880
and have some self-reflection on this.

1052
01:42:17,280 --> 01:42:20,440
Look into it and process that on your own time,

1053
01:42:20,440 --> 01:42:22,320
but that's just something I ask of all of us,

1054
01:42:22,380 --> 01:42:23,040
including myself.

1055
01:42:23,520 --> 01:42:23,920
Thank you.

1056
01:42:25,020 --> 01:42:27,860
Napoleon, can you pay and Francis are all read?

1057
01:42:35,050 --> 01:42:36,970
Yeah, I'm surprised that my name's been called.

1058
01:42:37,190 --> 01:42:41,710
I'm a reporter for the Spirit Paper in Delaware County.

1059
01:42:44,930 --> 01:42:45,410
So...

1060
01:42:45,410 --> 01:42:47,350
I'm sorry, can you state your name in your resident?

1061
01:42:47,350 --> 01:42:53,250
the Pauline King Cade. I'm a reporter for the spirit of April and Delaware County.

1062
01:42:53,750 --> 01:42:55,750
Do you live here in Delaware County, sir?

1063
01:42:56,150 --> 01:42:58,070
I live in Delaware County. Perfect, thank you.

1064
01:42:58,390 --> 01:43:02,990
I live in Derby Burle. This human relation's

1065
01:43:02,990 --> 01:43:12,370
ordinance is needed. Too many times I have heard since I've been a resident in Derby Burle,

1066
01:43:12,370 --> 01:43:17,250
a color discrimination against my own residence,

1067
01:43:17,770 --> 01:43:21,830
against a business person, a barbershop owner

1068
01:43:21,830 --> 01:43:24,990
and Robert Burrell, who happened to be Jamaican.

1069
01:43:26,500 --> 01:43:28,550
I'm not gonna name names right now,

1070
01:43:29,350 --> 01:43:33,250
but there are members on Darby Burrell Council

1071
01:43:34,680 --> 01:43:39,630
that made a target towards this barbershop owner

1072
01:43:39,630 --> 01:43:41,810
and had him shut down.

1073
01:43:44,820 --> 01:43:50,100
He fought against the Darber Burrow manager and the Darberrow

1074
01:43:50,100 --> 01:43:57,800
class, so he opened his shop back up and he did. So his barber shop is open back up.

1075
01:43:58,200 --> 01:44:03,780
But to think about it, he shouldn't have to go through that type of rhetoric and that

1076
01:44:03,780 --> 01:44:15,320
type of drama from the county, from the borough. This is too much. Delaware County should have

1077
01:44:15,320 --> 01:44:23,300
already have a human relation ordinance in place. Why it takes so long for this to happen.

1078
01:44:24,480 --> 01:44:30,900
And Philadelphia, where I come from, originally from, we have Human Relations Commission.

1079
01:44:30,900 --> 01:44:47,600
before Delaware County, not to have one, that's the slap in the face. There's so much job discrimination, color discrimination, people being targets for no reason, trying to make an honest living.

1080
01:44:48,360 --> 01:44:53,860
And because of their color or because of their nationality, it's not fair.

1081
01:44:54,840 --> 01:44:59,960
So it has to stop. It has to stop now. We have to have.

1082
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:28,940
A human relations ordinance put in place, and everybody should be on board in this. Everybody should be on board. I mean, it doesn't make any sense. Maybe in a reporter. And I'm coming up here tonight to cover this hearing. I hope it passes. And need to be passed. So I could write a positive story. And I could say Delaware County.

1083
01:45:28,940 --> 01:45:31,500
The Delaware County is moving forward.

1084
01:45:31,780 --> 01:45:34,500
We need to move forward, okay?

1085
01:45:35,100 --> 01:45:36,140
Not go backwards.

1086
01:45:36,940 --> 01:45:38,260
Not to stay in slavery.

1087
01:45:39,760 --> 01:45:41,100
It doesn't make any sense.

1088
01:45:41,740 --> 01:45:43,120
And a nonsense has to stop.

1089
01:45:43,880 --> 01:45:47,820
And it stops with us, given this ordinance,

1090
01:45:48,460 --> 01:45:51,220
Human Relations Commission, thank you.

1091
01:45:52,240 --> 01:45:53,500
Francis Earl Reed.

1092
01:45:57,610 --> 01:45:59,730
There are other residents who would like to speak.

1093
01:45:59,730 --> 01:46:03,330
Please approach the podium and line up against the far wall.

1094
01:46:03,650 --> 01:46:04,590
Thank you.

1095
01:46:04,590 --> 01:46:08,210
Good evening, all members of Delaware County Council and Chairman Dr. Monica Taylor.

1096
01:46:09,170 --> 01:46:09,870
Excuse me.

1097
01:46:10,470 --> 01:46:11,450
Brits is already the third.

1098
01:46:11,690 --> 01:46:15,390
1403 Chester Pikes, sweet one, fall for Pennsylvania 19032.

1099
01:46:16,290 --> 01:46:22,590
To the federal state and Delaware County taxpayers, this is how the district attorney's office of Delaware County with the support and former state attorney general.

1100
01:46:23,050 --> 01:46:27,770
And Governor Josh Shapiro used your tax dollars on a false prosecutor trial against that for over the third.

1101
01:46:28,710 --> 01:46:34,610
Councilperson Lomax, this is one of the reasons why no psychiatrist will or wants to appear

1102
01:46:34,610 --> 01:46:37,490
in court to testify against step 4, I'll read the third.

1103
01:46:38,070 --> 01:46:41,710
Several council meetings ago, I advise this council to prepare for World War III.

1104
01:46:42,170 --> 01:46:46,690
World War III will be last 23 to 26 years and started three and a half years ago.

1105
01:46:47,110 --> 01:46:49,670
I will prove this true and correct in future council meetings.

1106
01:46:50,410 --> 01:46:55,130
In 1956, the president of Pacific Telephone Telegram predicted everyone will have a phone

1107
01:46:55,130 --> 01:47:01,390
By the year 2000 and live with it in 1968 the co-founder of Earth they predicted by the year 2000

1108
01:47:01,390 --> 01:47:08,050
Everybody would purchase and carry bottle of water in the late 1920s General Mitchell was court-martial forbidden for predicting

1109
01:47:08,050 --> 01:47:11,650
Detailing outlining how the Japanese Navy would destroy Pearl Harbor

1110
01:47:11,650 --> 01:47:16,790
Now it's a person maddened everybody thought these individuals were crazy. Who's laughing at them now?

1111
01:47:17,250 --> 01:47:19,990
Glademar Putin was born on October the 7th

1112
01:47:19,990 --> 01:47:24,210
In 1952, his 5 foot 7-inch is tall, his hero is Joseph Stalin.

1113
01:47:24,570 --> 01:47:28,050
Every time he meets with a president in the United States, he tries to give the impression

1114
01:47:28,050 --> 01:47:29,170
he's bigger than what he is.

1115
01:47:30,070 --> 01:47:34,110
The Chinese philosopher Zen Z wrote the Book of Warfare in 500 BC.

1116
01:47:34,410 --> 01:47:38,450
He warned, don't watch what your enemy is destroying, watch what he is preserving for

1117
01:47:38,450 --> 01:47:38,750
victory.

1118
01:47:39,430 --> 01:47:43,730
The Ukrainian flag is blue for the sky, gold for the golden fields of wheat, barley and

1119
01:47:43,730 --> 01:47:44,030
rye.

1120
01:47:44,570 --> 01:47:48,950
The Russian Army is destroying the population in the cities of Ukraine, but if not destroyed

1121
01:47:48,950 --> 01:47:52,490
has employed farms, houses, barns, and of stolen tons of farm equipment.

1122
01:47:52,930 --> 01:47:57,990
It has just been reported to Russian, the Russian Famine of 2025 is worse than

1123
01:47:57,990 --> 01:48:01,210
the crop failure of 2008, Russia is starving.

1124
01:48:02,050 --> 01:48:06,090
Councilperson Ruther, the demonstration for no Kings Day in front of the courthouse

1125
01:48:06,090 --> 01:48:07,650
doesn't apply to President Trump.

1126
01:48:08,270 --> 01:48:10,790
To be a King in a White House, you have to be over six foot three,

1127
01:48:11,430 --> 01:48:15,070
and brought it as wide as this podium, oversized feet, and hands large enough

1128
01:48:15,070 --> 01:48:16,590
the bomb-basketballs.

1129
01:48:17,010 --> 01:48:22,090
During the 2016 presidential debate, Marco Rubio confronted and laughed at President Trump

1130
01:48:22,090 --> 01:48:23,250
for having small hands.

1131
01:48:23,890 --> 01:48:28,030
President Trump has the same foreign policies to prevent war that President Roosevelt

1132
01:48:28,030 --> 01:48:31,810
tried unaffectively in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

1133
01:48:32,310 --> 01:48:36,530
When God creates kings for the White House, the United States changes the world, enlightening

1134
01:48:36,530 --> 01:48:39,210
new policies, laws, conditions, et cetera forever.

1135
01:48:39,950 --> 01:48:43,150
President Washington changed the world with the American Revolution.

1136
01:48:43,150 --> 01:48:47,790
President Lincoln used the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and slavery around the world.

1137
01:48:48,170 --> 01:48:51,330
They both use fire and brimstone and work to make these changes permanent.

1138
01:48:51,770 --> 01:48:53,950
They did not want or to be honored with peace prizes.

1139
01:48:54,470 --> 01:48:56,610
I cannot stress this point enough to this council.

1140
01:48:57,050 --> 01:49:01,350
You must be ready for situations coming to and facing the United States and Delaware County.

1141
01:49:01,550 --> 01:49:02,310
Thank you for this time.

1142
01:49:03,810 --> 01:49:04,870
Next speaker, please.

1143
01:49:14,830 --> 01:49:19,290
Joe Fanny, as I mentioned at the last county council meeting,

1144
01:49:19,290 --> 01:49:25,450
you can still accomplish giving your goals of this proposed HRC, even if you change your procedures

1145
01:49:26,080 --> 01:49:30,450
thereby assuring a fair process. This isn't about discriminating against people.

1146
01:49:30,770 --> 01:49:37,110
This is making sure my opinion that the accused have an opportunity, and I don't see that here,

1147
01:49:37,210 --> 01:49:43,050
and that's why I object to it. I'm not trying to put anybody down. It doesn't look right,

1148
01:49:43,490 --> 01:49:48,510
that up to 13 appointed volunteers picked by the county council and unelected will have legal

1149
01:49:48,510 --> 01:49:52,230
authority over any complaint. I urge you to vote it down and it's

1150
01:49:52,230 --> 01:49:57,270
entirely at this point. Reorganize and resubmit it to assure the community and

1151
01:49:57,270 --> 01:49:59,870
any accused people that the procedures are

1152
01:50:00,000 --> 01:50:06,260
There. One other thing. I've held back saying a couple things the last time, and unfortunately

1153
01:50:06,260 --> 01:50:11,680
I need to match the tone of some of my critics. Getting a little fed up with some of the

1154
01:50:11,680 --> 01:50:16,640
rest of us are also, with some us speaking down to us, at least this way it appears to me.

1155
01:50:17,840 --> 01:50:22,320
If we just read, and by the way, thanks, Kyle, I was hoping to say what you said. If we just

1156
01:50:22,320 --> 01:50:29,360
read the ordinance 92,000 times, we'll finally understand, we'll be educated, we'll learn,

1157
01:50:29,360 --> 01:50:34,560
will comply. We are not smart enough to understand. We need you to tell us what to do.

1158
01:50:35,340 --> 01:50:39,340
I don't need anybody to explain anything to me. I've read it. I know what it says.

1159
01:50:40,180 --> 01:50:45,480
I'm college educated. I own two businesses and I support two scholarships to those businesses.

1160
01:50:46,180 --> 01:50:50,780
And I'm not sitting around wearing a green shirt and watching a view. This is not about

1161
01:50:50,780 --> 01:50:56,620
objecting to this, but trying to discriminate against people. It's like plugging up all the holes.

1162
01:50:56,620 --> 01:51:01,860
this is not strong enough to protect the accused people. So I'm not saying don't do it.

1163
01:51:02,340 --> 01:51:07,940
I'm saying postpone it, have more discussions and do it the right way. Thank you.

1164
01:51:08,580 --> 01:51:09,720
Next speaker please.

1165
01:51:17,290 --> 01:51:25,050
Still Michael, I'm still homeless and I just want to say I'm still volunteering. I'm ready to go

1166
01:51:25,730 --> 01:51:31,030
whenever you approve it or if you don't. It doesn't really matter to me. I don't care. I want to thank

1167
01:51:31,030 --> 01:51:34,950
Thank you for not doing that with Donald Woodella. That's kind of where I live. So thank

1168
01:51:34,950 --> 01:51:38,570
you very much for that. And that's it. I'm still here to volunteer.

1169
01:51:41,140 --> 01:51:42,240
Next speaker, please.

1170
01:51:48,320 --> 01:51:51,760
Thomas DeLuca's free field township. I just wanted to come up

1171
01:51:51,760 --> 01:51:56,480
tonight to say thank you to Council for the time you took yesterday to explain what was

1172
01:51:56,480 --> 01:51:56,860
going on.

1173
01:52:03,360 --> 01:52:06,460
I'm told it's on. Let me know. No, no, no. I might move from the people

1174
01:52:06,460 --> 01:52:11,880
speaking behind me. Sorry. Thank you. I don't need any more time. I'll be very quick.

1175
01:52:11,880 --> 01:52:15,480
I just wanted to thank you all for, I'll wait till they start it again.

1176
01:52:15,840 --> 01:52:19,680
All right, try again.

1177
01:52:20,100 --> 01:52:23,360
Just wanted to say thank you yesterday for your time listening to me and listening to

1178
01:52:23,360 --> 01:52:24,060
me two weeks ago.

1179
01:52:24,620 --> 01:52:28,320
And just remind everyone that I came up here with a story that's real.

1180
01:52:28,460 --> 01:52:29,860
I didn't have to invent it in my head.

1181
01:52:30,640 --> 01:52:32,520
I'd go to fish Fridays all the time.

1182
01:52:32,600 --> 01:52:37,020
I'm a practicing Catholic and I think they're a great thing when restaurants offer them.

1183
01:52:37,020 --> 01:52:40,680
but that is not what this non-discrimination ordinance

1184
01:52:40,680 --> 01:52:41,720
and HRC are about.

1185
01:52:42,220 --> 01:52:44,600
It's not a thing that's going to threaten someone's business.

1186
01:52:45,180 --> 01:52:49,100
These hypothetical and real things are based on real fear

1187
01:52:49,100 --> 01:52:51,320
that are based on information people are reading

1188
01:52:51,690 --> 01:52:54,900
that's generated by AI or created by bad faith actors online.

1189
01:52:55,520 --> 01:52:57,360
And you read absolutely insane stories

1190
01:52:57,950 --> 01:52:59,280
and they seem very real.

1191
01:52:59,420 --> 01:53:01,400
So I'd encourage everyone to make sure

1192
01:53:01,400 --> 01:53:02,740
when you read about a restaurant

1193
01:53:02,740 --> 01:53:06,760
that's been persecuted in some way for a meatless Monday.

1194
01:53:07,520 --> 01:53:12,300
You go to your preferred search engine, which is hopefully not Google and search for that

1195
01:53:12,300 --> 01:53:17,180
story and find it more than one space or find it on the actual restaurant's actual active

1196
01:53:17,180 --> 01:53:17,900
Facebook page.

1197
01:53:17,900 --> 01:53:22,180
Because if you can't find those things, someone's probably lying to you just to stroke your

1198
01:53:22,180 --> 01:53:22,400
fear.

1199
01:53:23,040 --> 01:53:26,780
But the fear that I brought last two weeks ago to this meeting was real.

1200
01:53:27,160 --> 01:53:31,520
I was discriminated against just because I was dating another man at the time by a landlord

1201
01:53:31,520 --> 01:53:36,780
who said Gays don't pay and hung up the phone. After already having improved me for that apartment

1202
01:53:36,780 --> 01:53:43,800
and having taken a check for me. That is not something that I think most people in this room would

1203
01:53:43,800 --> 01:53:48,640
be okay with. I think most people in this room would all agree that that's wrong and that's exactly

1204
01:53:48,640 --> 01:53:58,480
the type of situation that the HRC exists to educate people about and also to work with parties to

1205
01:53:58,480 --> 01:54:02,760
come to a resolution. Thank you for your time. Thank you for the work you're putting into the ordinance.

1206
01:54:03,220 --> 01:54:07,020
I look forward to coming back very soon when it gets passed and thank you for passing the resolution

1207
01:54:07,020 --> 01:54:11,560
to get started in the meantime. Have a good night. Next speaker, please.

1208
01:54:19,500 --> 01:54:20,060
Michael Stroud,

1209
01:54:20,060 --> 01:54:25,220
media borough. Good evening, Delaware County Council. I come before you with a few questions and

1210
01:54:25,220 --> 01:54:29,860
concerns as it relates to the table, non-discrimination ordinance and the resolution that follows.

1211
01:54:29,860 --> 01:54:37,580
First, I'd like to bring up some questions since it couldn't be on the agenda meeting yesterday.

1212
01:54:38,860 --> 01:54:47,280
Where a substantial discussion took place about the proposed ordinance and not bringing it forward to the second reading for today.

1213
01:54:48,320 --> 01:54:55,100
What are the changes that are being discussed for this proposed ordinance that you think are necessary?

1214
01:54:55,100 --> 01:54:59,920
necessary because obviously the commission portion of it has been pulled.

1215
01:55:03,240 --> 01:55:27,720
So, what part of the ordinance enforcement mechanism itself? Are you considering changing? I don't need an answer right now, but I would like it maybe to be fleshed out a little more publicly. During the meeting we heard a very substantial back and forth on the ordinance itself, and so I think it would be good to hear that in a public meeting.

1216
01:55:28,660 --> 01:55:35,180
Finally, on the ordinance, I want to address some concerns that were brought up because I

1217
01:55:35,180 --> 01:55:40,740
did in fact read the ordinance and I understand that many have said that on its face this commission

1218
01:55:40,740 --> 01:55:47,460
isn't going to be used to target people for their speech. However, I have to ask what guardrails

1219
01:55:47,460 --> 01:55:57,700
will this council put on this commission so it won't devolve into what I just recently saw the

1220
01:55:57,700 --> 01:56:03,040
openly gay. As a gay man, he's one of the individuals that this commission was created

1221
01:56:03,040 --> 01:56:08,840
to protect. Yet, on a social media post that was later deleted, the commission claimed

1222
01:56:08,840 --> 01:56:15,200
that he was calling for violence against individuals he was calling attention to. Scott

1223
01:56:15,200 --> 01:56:21,520
Buster, Scott Brestler himself called this a defamatory remark. I want this commission

1224
01:56:21,520 --> 01:56:25,380
if it's passed to protect LGBT people, not target them.

1225
01:56:25,840 --> 01:56:30,800
We already know that this council is going to have to raise taxes for this upcoming year

1226
01:56:30,800 --> 01:56:33,660
from what we saw with the 2025 budget.

1227
01:56:34,220 --> 01:56:38,860
In order to balance its budget, this council is using $14 million from our funds balance,

1228
01:56:39,100 --> 01:56:44,980
$12.9 million left over from our funds, and $8.2 million from transfers that we know nothing about.

1229
01:56:45,480 --> 01:56:50,020
That's more than $35 million in revenue that this county is going to have to make up this here,

1230
01:56:50,020 --> 01:56:53,140
which will likely result in another substantial tax increase.

1231
01:56:53,520 --> 01:56:58,280
We're already spending money on condom vending machines for yoga and electric vehicles for

1232
01:56:58,280 --> 01:57:01,380
the health department, just to name a few line items.

1233
01:57:01,820 --> 01:57:06,580
I wonder what the potential costs will be and where the funding will come from for this commission

1234
01:57:06,580 --> 01:57:10,720
because the future financial outlook for this county doesn't look great. Thank you.

1235
01:57:17,880 --> 01:57:23,760
Seeing no additional public comments, I will look to Vice Chair Wilmak for the motions.

1236
01:57:26,460 --> 01:57:33,580
Yes, I'd like to make a motion for the approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on September 3, 2025.

1237
01:57:34,940 --> 01:57:41,760
Second motion, a second. Any questions or comments on the minutes? Hearing none, all those are favor signify by saying aye.

1238
01:57:42,180 --> 01:57:44,940
Aye. Any opposed? The I's have it.

1239
01:57:44,940 --> 01:57:54,560
All right, on 7 a move for the approval for resolution 2025, 10 county of Delaware,

1240
01:57:55,560 --> 01:57:59,580
commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing a county human relations commission.

1241
01:58:02,720 --> 01:58:07,960
Second, motion and second, no, you cannot call out.

1242
01:58:08,140 --> 01:58:09,040
Water from the public.

1243
01:58:09,040 --> 01:58:13,880
I will address procedural issues that were raised in public comment at the end of the meeting.

1244
01:58:14,080 --> 01:58:14,420
Thank you.

1245
01:58:14,420 --> 01:58:17,780
I'm sorry, we are not interrupting the meeting.

1246
01:58:17,980 --> 01:58:21,440
This is public speaking time is for thank you.

1247
01:58:21,520 --> 01:58:23,140
It was available for the public.

1248
01:58:26,430 --> 01:58:29,090
I am going to ask you to wait.

1249
01:58:29,330 --> 01:58:32,050
I will address the issues that are raised at the end of the meeting.

1250
01:58:32,130 --> 01:58:34,090
This is not public comment time.

1251
01:58:34,470 --> 01:58:35,490
We will continue.

1252
01:58:37,370 --> 01:58:38,690
It was available.

1253
01:58:39,110 --> 01:58:40,490
Please sit down.

1254
01:58:41,050 --> 01:58:41,450
Thank you.

1255
01:58:42,770 --> 01:58:44,550
Moving on to item.

1256
01:58:44,550 --> 01:58:46,710
We had a motion and a second.

1257
01:58:46,910 --> 01:58:48,630
Are there any questions or comments on the item?

1258
01:58:49,030 --> 01:58:52,170
Yeah, I would just like to, I'm not going to rehash

1259
01:58:52,170 --> 01:58:55,550
the entire conversations that were had yesterday.

1260
01:58:55,910 --> 01:58:57,570
I would encourage anybody who's interested

1261
01:58:57,570 --> 01:58:59,550
to watch the videos, which is something we do.

1262
01:58:59,750 --> 01:59:01,670
We videotape our meetings and we post them.

1263
01:59:01,790 --> 01:59:03,810
And if you were not able to watch it real time,

1264
01:59:04,010 --> 01:59:05,170
you can watch it tomorrow.

1265
01:59:05,730 --> 01:59:07,730
It was an extensive discussion.

1266
01:59:08,410 --> 01:59:13,030
And despite what people say about us hiding

1267
01:59:13,030 --> 01:59:16,510
being from the sunshine, you know, it was a public discussion.

1268
01:59:16,790 --> 01:59:20,510
We also follow the sunshine law when we have one-on-one conversations.

1269
01:59:21,190 --> 01:59:26,530
And one of the challenges of having five county council members who have different schedules

1270
01:59:26,530 --> 01:59:33,130
and are allowed to and frequently do have other jobs because of the, you know, pay.

1271
01:59:33,330 --> 01:59:35,570
This is not a full-time job here in Delaware County.

1272
01:59:35,570 --> 01:59:43,590
It is difficult to get all of us in a room and also given the amount of business that

1273
01:59:43,590 --> 01:59:54,130
we have, it's very difficult to discuss nuances of an ordinance that's as detailed as the

1274
01:59:54,130 --> 01:59:56,350
Human Relations Commission ordinances.

1275
01:59:56,350 --> 01:59:59,970
And to somebody who suggests that why don't we table it?

1276
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:28,640
And get it right, well, we tabled it, and we're going to be working on it to get it right. And the reason we are doing that is because we have a difficult task here. It's not just making sure that the procedures work and that it's set up correctly, that there's guidance to our executive director who appoints the members of this board, which is in the ordinance.

1277
02:00:28,640 --> 02:00:39,700
But it is important that we all have a shared expectation about what's within the scope of this ordinance and what isn't.

1278
02:00:40,640 --> 02:00:50,140
I think what I heard from Council in our discussion yesterday was we all see the need for this ordinance.

1279
02:00:50,140 --> 02:01:09,900
what, and I think, coming closer to it having had an opportunity to have more discussions, I think, we are getting clearer on what the role would be in a homeral county as opposed to an immunosuppality in a Philadelphia and a city.

1280
02:01:09,900 --> 02:01:27,060
I am looking forward to engaging with my fellow council people in a way I did not have the opportunity to do after numerous meetings with the state and other counties who have these ordinances.

1281
02:01:27,920 --> 02:01:33,240
I didn't have a chance to have one-on-one conversations with all of them.

1282
02:01:33,240 --> 02:01:57,820
And I also learned yesterday, partly because I was out of town for a family funeral, I didn't learn it last week, that our solicitor who's actually the third solicitor who's looked at this ordinance because we have been discussing having an ordinance like this in our one-on-one conversations for over a year.

1283
02:01:57,820 --> 02:02:08,300
And Mr. Lichtenstein was initially involved, Jack Larkin in our solicitor's office was

1284
02:02:08,300 --> 02:02:16,320
working with the drafting, Ray McGarry played a role in our interim situation and our

1285
02:02:16,320 --> 02:02:20,380
new solicitor Leopry stepped into the situation a week ago.

1286
02:02:20,380 --> 02:02:29,760
And therefore, we only found out recently that some of the changes that made substantive changes to the rights.

1287
02:02:29,760 --> 02:02:40,360
They're not big changes. One of them was deciding, gee, instead of starting age discrimination at 35, we will follow the federal guideline and go to 40.

1288
02:02:41,200 --> 02:02:43,540
But that's a substantive change in rights.

1289
02:02:43,540 --> 02:03:01,480
And recognizing that this is a highly scrutinized issue and wanting to make sure what we put forward is going to be consistent in all respects with state law and will have gotten it's end with our county charter.

1290
02:03:02,300 --> 02:03:08,000
Our solicitor advised us that when you're changing substantive rights, you should have a second.

1291
02:03:08,000 --> 02:03:11,720
and you should have, you should start the process over again,

1292
02:03:11,900 --> 02:03:14,940
and basically have a first reading

1293
02:03:14,940 --> 02:03:16,400
and then a second reading.

1294
02:03:17,080 --> 02:03:22,400
So we're going to view who are wondering why we're going out

1295
02:03:22,400 --> 02:03:23,620
at the way we're going at it.

1296
02:03:24,800 --> 02:03:27,820
It's because it's not, you know,

1297
02:03:27,920 --> 02:03:30,440
they talk about finding out how legislation is made

1298
02:03:30,440 --> 02:03:32,420
and it's like seeing the inside of the sausage factory.

1299
02:03:33,020 --> 02:03:36,100
And all you gotta do is look at the fact

1300
02:03:36,100 --> 02:03:41,080
that our entire state budget's going to be decided by a few caucus leaders who apparently

1301
02:03:41,080 --> 02:03:45,920
aren't even talking to their members because their members have no idea what's going on out in

1302
02:03:45,920 --> 02:03:51,800
Harrisburg. Let me tell you, we're sharing a lot more information with you as members of the

1303
02:03:51,800 --> 02:03:56,180
public as we work through the questions. Some of the questions being the same questions

1304
02:03:56,180 --> 02:04:03,980
of people here are asking tonight. They're good questions, but I will also say this that we will

1305
02:04:03,980 --> 02:04:09,740
work through them and our goal is to get this done. That's why this resolution is here.

1306
02:04:10,620 --> 02:04:17,000
This resolution is here to basically send a signal and to address the fact that we want

1307
02:04:17,000 --> 02:04:25,540
to go forward with this process and start the lengthy process of finding people who can

1308
02:04:25,540 --> 02:04:31,420
do what's required of them as members of this commission go through the training and should

1309
02:04:31,420 --> 02:04:36,960
have a common understanding with this council of what the scope of it ought to be, and that's

1310
02:04:36,960 --> 02:04:44,880
going to take a while. So we're starting with a resolution that will then be author, you know,

1311
02:04:44,980 --> 02:04:53,900
we'll then have to create this commission, and then there will be, but well before the effective

1312
02:04:53,900 --> 02:04:57,780
of date, its statutory authorization will be contained in the ordinance.

1313
02:05:00,000 --> 02:05:29,940
I'd like to go ahead and make some comments. Please stop calling out or we will have to go to recess and you will have to be Ms. Coker. I'm reluctant to respond to someone who's calling out, but just because I hope please stop. I'm responding to you, okay? So, you know, I, because I appreciate that it is coming from a genuine concern. What I'd suggest is look at, there's an agenda and there's an agenda packet. And if you ever hold on, I'm trying to respond you, so please stop calling. If you go into the agenda,

1314
02:05:29,940 --> 02:05:31,460
and you're having issues with the links in there,

1315
02:05:31,600 --> 02:05:32,660
please go to the agenda packet.

1316
02:05:33,620 --> 02:05:34,880
And I mean, I just tried it,

1317
02:05:35,080 --> 02:05:37,220
and I tried it earlier, and it is all in there.

1318
02:05:37,560 --> 02:05:39,520
So I understand your concerns,

1319
02:05:39,520 --> 02:05:40,780
but I'm telling you it's been there.

1320
02:05:41,960 --> 02:05:45,000
Okay, I'd like to go ahead and offer some comments.

1321
02:05:46,100 --> 02:05:49,440
I'd like to start out with the fact that I am 100%

1322
02:05:49,440 --> 02:05:52,900
behind the establishment of this Human Relations Commission.

1323
02:05:53,160 --> 02:05:56,420
I plan to vote on the, yes, on the resolution tonight,

1324
02:05:56,500 --> 02:05:58,500
and I plan to vote yes on the ordinance

1325
02:05:58,500 --> 02:06:04,800
that will be coming forth, coming shortly after the resolution is put in place.

1326
02:06:06,460 --> 02:06:12,320
I wish we lived in a world where we didn't need to establish a commission like this,

1327
02:06:13,300 --> 02:06:23,440
but we don't. To the contrary, we live in an era right now and a landscape of real

1328
02:06:24,580 --> 02:06:32,240
animosity of unkindness, of people making people, other people, certain classes of people

1329
02:06:32,240 --> 02:06:39,660
feel like they are less of really unacceptable unkind and ugly behavior that has been normalized

1330
02:06:40,420 --> 02:06:47,500
over the last couple of years. And it's been embraced. This kind of ugly discriminatory

1331
02:06:47,500 --> 02:06:53,180
us versus them, behavior has been embraced by the highest levels of government in our country right now.

1332
02:06:53,860 --> 02:06:59,840
So yes, yes, this is needed. This is needed locally. This is needed here and now.

1333
02:07:00,960 --> 02:07:07,220
And I feel very comfortable working with my colleagues to make sure that this happened to protect our residents

1334
02:07:07,220 --> 02:07:13,960
from the real discrimination that is happening right now in our country and in our county.

1335
02:07:15,120 --> 02:07:23,880
Now, I like to speak to the fact that we are passing a resolution tonight, and we are

1336
02:07:23,880 --> 02:07:30,020
holding off on the ordinance, and I don't want anyone to interpret this as any kind of

1337
02:07:30,020 --> 02:07:35,560
retraction or retrenchment from at least my desire to have this commission in place.

1338
02:07:36,520 --> 02:07:39,060
Instead, it's quite the opposite.

1339
02:07:39,060 --> 02:07:41,480
that we want, we care so deeply about this,

1340
02:07:41,620 --> 02:07:42,780
that we want to do it right,

1341
02:07:43,220 --> 02:07:45,440
and we don't want it to be subject to challenge.

1342
02:07:46,820 --> 02:07:47,640
We're abuse.

1343
02:07:49,160 --> 02:07:51,940
And to that end, this resolution

1344
02:07:52,320 --> 02:07:55,760
will get the ball rolling, put this commission in place,

1345
02:07:55,820 --> 02:07:57,900
which is going to take a fair amount of time.

1346
02:07:59,480 --> 02:08:02,580
Simultaneously, while that is being put in place,

1347
02:08:03,060 --> 02:08:05,340
we will put together an ordinance

1348
02:08:05,340 --> 02:08:07,100
that works for this county.

1349
02:08:09,440 --> 02:08:15,300
Now, I thought it was a fair comment that people are curious what are some of the issues

1350
02:08:15,300 --> 02:08:16,680
that we're grappling with.

1351
02:08:17,360 --> 02:08:20,160
And I'd like to share some of the issues that I'm grappling with.

1352
02:08:21,820 --> 02:08:26,400
None of them are insurmountable and we will have an ordinance that works for us.

1353
02:08:26,960 --> 02:08:31,640
For me, one issue that needs to be addressed is the redundancy.

1354
02:08:32,740 --> 02:08:40,600
And I feel we need to avoid duplicating rights that are already protected and that

1355
02:08:40,600 --> 02:08:44,320
residents can already see redress for at the state level.

1356
02:08:45,080 --> 02:08:51,780
And in fact, many of our residents already do that, and we learned in the last year,

1357
02:08:52,300 --> 02:08:58,540
over 75 Delaware County residents have gone to the state and gotten their claims addressed

1358
02:08:58,540 --> 02:08:59,420
by PHRC.

1359
02:08:59,420 --> 02:09:04,040
So people are doing that, and in my opinion, given the burdens that we have already,

1360
02:09:04,560 --> 02:09:09,380
I'm not sure we need to duplicate those rights, but that's something we need to discuss.

1361
02:09:11,080 --> 02:09:18,760
I also would like to make sure that we emphasize the value of mediation in this ordinance.

1362
02:09:19,120 --> 02:09:28,780
We learned that in some jurisdictions over 50 percent of claims are settled right away in a

1363
02:09:28,780 --> 02:09:36,000
mediation. And to me, there's a lot of value in that, finding things that happen, addressing

1364
02:09:36,000 --> 02:09:42,580
them right away, mediating them, and saving the money of a long drawn out hearing. I also

1365
02:09:42,580 --> 02:09:46,480
think we need to take a very careful look at the protected classes that we are including

1366
02:09:46,480 --> 02:09:50,680
and make sure that we have done that thoughtfully for the benefit of all of our residents.

1367
02:09:50,680 --> 02:09:59,740
And, of course, we need to do a financial analysis of how we can do this that is the most

1368
02:10:00,000 --> 02:10:29,900
Beneficial to our taxpayers. A lot of these issues came out since we introduced that ordinance and this is democracy. This is how it works. We put out an ordinance for a first reading. We have discussion. We've had consultations with other counties, municipalities, the PHRC themselves. We're working hard to make sure that we do this right. And I look forward to hopefully very shortly when the ordinance is in front of us. And we can pass that and have a full work

1369
02:10:34,140 --> 02:10:43,700
I'll keep my remarks fairly brief tonight on this topic because this isn't going to be the last time we speak about it, and I've already said on the record.

1370
02:10:44,140 --> 02:10:52,160
My general thoughts about the extraordinary importance of having a human relations commission in this county.

1371
02:10:53,540 --> 02:10:58,980
But, you know, I think as my colleague said, there's a reason for

1372
02:10:58,980 --> 02:11:05,140
passing resolution tonight so that we can get the ball rolling with finding

1373
02:11:05,140 --> 02:11:10,220
appropriate people who would be willing to serve on such a commission,

1374
02:11:10,460 --> 02:11:14,420
understanding kind of what's going to be, what it's going to be used for,

1375
02:11:15,500 --> 02:11:21,080
while also giving ourselves time to ensure that a commission in Delaware County

1376
02:11:21,080 --> 02:11:29,320
works the way we hope that it does, and I think what we all have really struggled with

1377
02:11:29,320 --> 02:11:34,940
is that there is no perfect comparative, even if we look at other municipalities or

1378
02:11:34,940 --> 02:11:40,700
counties that have it in this state or others, Delaware County is inherently different from

1379
02:11:40,700 --> 02:11:46,440
any other county, and that's the case for any county, and we want to ensure that the concerns

1380
02:11:46,440 --> 02:12:15,180
that folks have raised and we all, also, differing levels share around just how much burden maybe placed upon it, depending on the way in which it's going to operate, what sort of cases would come before it, what we do is it relates to cases being able to be heard locally versus at the state level, these are all things that will impact the number of cases that come before it a year.

1381
02:12:15,180 --> 02:12:22,140
and I think we're all attempting to determine answers based on an imperfect

1382
02:12:22,140 --> 02:12:31,280
data set because it doesn't exist, right? So I heard what Councilwoman Schaeffer said

1383
02:12:31,280 --> 02:12:36,660
in terms of some of her comments and concerns and I share them. You know, I think one I will

1384
02:12:36,660 --> 02:12:42,960
mention is with regards to duplication at the state level, I think another factor to be considered

1385
02:12:42,960 --> 02:12:46,820
that I'm certainly focused on is just how many cases are at the state level currently

1386
02:12:46,820 --> 02:12:50,480
and how challenged it is for them to work through the current case load.

1387
02:12:51,060 --> 02:12:54,960
So, you know, duplication makes some sense to not have here,

1388
02:12:55,020 --> 02:12:59,760
but at the same time, if a case is going to be sitting on a dock at the state level for two years,

1389
02:13:00,500 --> 02:13:02,520
what really is being accomplished.

1390
02:13:02,860 --> 02:13:04,880
So I'm certainly concerned in that regard.

1391
02:13:05,720 --> 02:13:09,560
But again, just to give you a flavor of some of the things that we're kind of working through,

1392
02:13:10,960 --> 02:13:11,960
that's sort of it.

1393
02:13:11,960 --> 02:13:22,420
So, again, please understand, for those who care about seeing in HRC locally, we share the urgency, but we also want to make sure that we do this right.

1394
02:13:23,160 --> 02:13:32,280
And what I'd also say is, any ordinance that may be passed, it's not set in stone.

1395
02:13:33,480 --> 02:13:39,720
We are going to be doing so with an eye toward a strong starting point.

1396
02:13:39,720 --> 02:13:58,780
But with an understanding that as we get more actual data and track record of how it's operating and how it's deviating from what we might want to see and whether the burden is greater or perhaps less and we can take on more.

1397
02:13:58,780 --> 02:14:14,200
We intend and future council people hopefully will make sure that we amend it accordingly to ensure we get it closer and closer to right over time.

1398
02:14:15,700 --> 02:14:19,680
So that's where I am and I think that's generally speaking where council is.

1399
02:14:19,680 --> 02:14:31,140
But I'm very excited for this resolution to pass as an important first step toward having a functioning HRC in Delaware County.

1400
02:14:31,560 --> 02:14:31,700
I

1401
02:14:36,440 --> 02:14:38,920
have much to say tonight that I don't think I need to.

1402
02:14:39,520 --> 02:14:45,620
Many people who knows me and those my history and my background that I've been fighting with civil rights.

1403
02:14:45,620 --> 02:14:51,960
Good God knows how long and I have also been a victim of discrimination in many ways.

1404
02:14:52,540 --> 02:14:58,900
So, in many times, so I do support this award, I mean, excuse me, this resolution.

1405
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:29,140
I would like to move forward to working and moving forward to making it into a ordinance as well. Also, one of my concerns was that those of you that know that I had been leading up the budget task force. I just want to make sure it is done cost effectively as well. And I, you know, wouldn't continue to move forward and continue to build on it. And like my colleagues has already said, we had some discussions. We feel like there are some things that we maybe need to tweak.

1406
02:15:29,140 --> 02:15:34,840
some things that we need to really take a deeper dive into and make sure we get it right.

1407
02:15:35,780 --> 02:15:40,840
I think that's what residents want to say. They want to see us take the time and make sure it's done right.

1408
02:15:41,800 --> 02:15:49,440
And I'm totally for that. And like I said, being in here for years, fighting against discrimination,

1409
02:15:51,200 --> 02:15:54,840
This is the second day to the day.

1410
02:15:56,200 --> 02:15:59,420
So, how will be supporting the resolution tonight?

1411
02:16:02,380 --> 02:16:04,940
And for my part, I will take much time.

1412
02:16:05,160 --> 02:16:10,660
I am happy to support the resolution of establishing the Human Relations Commission

1413
02:16:11,310 --> 02:16:14,900
while it is really just the beginning and it's really a first step.

1414
02:16:15,460 --> 02:16:21,320
It does signal a step forward in ensuring equity and fairness across Delaware County.

1415
02:16:22,320 --> 02:16:28,120
But our ultimate goal will be to establish and strengthen this work through an ordinance.

1416
02:16:28,380 --> 02:16:33,000
And so I look forward to the steps moving forward and hearing from my colleagues on

1417
02:16:33,000 --> 02:16:37,320
the changes and adjustments that they want to make to the ordinance and actually seeing

1418
02:16:37,320 --> 02:16:41,680
it move forward the new ordinance for a first reading, as they've stated today.

1419
02:16:44,120 --> 02:16:46,260
Jim, any additional questions or comments?

1420
02:16:47,320 --> 02:17:01,160
Quickly jump in, the objection as the procedure is noted, and for anyone who has not been able to access, although we've been able to confirm that many people are able to access, we'll check our IT.

1421
02:17:01,740 --> 02:17:11,080
I do know that our county clerk works incredibly hard to make things available and was here very, like after the meeting, making sure that everything was available.

1422
02:17:11,080 --> 02:17:15,660
we had confirmation at 6 o'clock that the resolution was available.

1423
02:17:15,840 --> 02:17:20,840
And there are hard copies at the back of the room if should anyone want to see something.

1424
02:17:20,860 --> 02:17:22,900
And I have a hard time accessing it online.

1425
02:17:23,560 --> 02:17:27,680
For those who do not know, there is a distinction between an ordinance and a resolution.

1426
02:17:28,060 --> 02:17:30,400
So ordinances, we need to do two readings.

1427
02:17:31,540 --> 02:17:33,040
It is legislation.

1428
02:17:33,820 --> 02:17:37,280
County Council actually doesn't need a resolution to create boards.

1429
02:17:37,280 --> 02:17:41,240
In other words, it is in our charter that they have the authority to create commissions,

1430
02:17:41,660 --> 02:17:47,920
but they have chosen to do this by resolution, and based on the facts that are before me right now,

1431
02:17:48,100 --> 02:17:50,160
it seems like everything is procedurally in order.

1432
02:17:51,120 --> 02:17:53,100
But the objection is due to the noted thank you.

1433
02:17:55,640 --> 02:17:57,440
Any additional questions or comments from Council?

1434
02:17:58,180 --> 02:18:00,340
Hearing none, all those are favourable by saying aye.

1435
02:18:00,700 --> 02:18:01,040
Aye.

1436
02:18:01,460 --> 02:18:02,040
Any opposed?

1437
02:18:03,220 --> 02:18:03,900
The ayes have it.

1438
02:18:03,900 --> 02:18:04,960
Item

1439
02:18:19,840 --> 02:18:25,760
8A, I make the motion for the second reading of the hearing and consideration of ordinance

1440
02:18:26,820 --> 02:18:34,360
2025-07, authorizing the establishment of a county demolition and rehabilitation fund.

1441
02:18:36,580 --> 02:18:42,040
Second, motion a second and we have Ms. Laura Goodrich-Carned here to present.

1442
02:18:42,040 --> 02:18:42,960
Yes,

1443
02:18:45,820 --> 02:19:12,140
so this is the second reading of ordinance number 2025 is 07, which is an ordinance of the county of Delaware, Pennsylvania pursuant to act 48 of 2024, establishing a county demolition and rehabilitation fund and imposing a fee to be collected by the Delaware County tax claim bureau from purchasers at sales under the real estate tax law and by the Delaware County Sheriff from judicial sales in mortgage foreclosure actions.

1444
02:19:12,140 --> 02:19:17,060
Defining terms and providing for separability, repealer, and effective date.

1445
02:19:17,460 --> 02:19:22,540
The full details can be found in the printout that is available in the back of the room, as well as the information in the packet.

1446
02:19:23,820 --> 02:19:28,260
And to further present and summarize the act, we have the executive.

1447
02:19:28,840 --> 02:19:29,460
Thank you.

1448
02:19:29,840 --> 02:19:31,520
Good evening, Madam Chair and members of Council.

1449
02:19:32,020 --> 02:19:40,760
Act 48 of 2024 was passed with bipartisan support in the PA legislature before being signed into law on July 8th of 2024.

1450
02:19:40,760 --> 02:19:53,440
It provides counties the ability to create a demolition rehabilitation fund through the establishment of a fee not to exceed $250 that is imposed on the purchasers, mortgaged in foreclosure and tax sales.

1451
02:19:53,720 --> 02:19:58,300
The fee would become a condition and collected at the time of conveying title to the new owner.

1452
02:19:58,840 --> 02:19:59,980
the fee is only a-

1453
02:20:00,000 --> 02:20:06,120
Thickable to any purchases made in mortgage foreclosure, upset tax sale, judicial tax sale, or repository purchases.

1454
02:20:06,440 --> 02:20:09,860
The fee is in addition to the purchase price and all other associated fees and costs.

1455
02:20:10,060 --> 02:20:15,160
It is not applicable when the purchaser is a non-profit, such as a lamb bank or a governmental entity.

1456
02:20:15,680 --> 02:20:18,200
This is not imposed on current property owners.

1457
02:20:18,440 --> 02:20:21,960
This is not imposed on purchasers of property through the open market.

1458
02:20:22,500 --> 02:20:29,120
This is only applicable when a property owner makes a tax payment or mortgage payment.

1459
02:20:29,120 --> 02:20:34,180
This is only applicable on those property sales through mortgage foreclosure.

1460
02:20:34,660 --> 02:20:37,620
Judicial sale, upset sale, or repository purchase.

1461
02:20:38,560 --> 02:20:41,220
Funding can be used by the county, the redevelopment authority, and

1462
02:20:41,220 --> 02:20:44,120
lambing for the purpose of rehabilitating blight and property in the county.

1463
02:20:44,420 --> 02:20:48,560
This is new legislation with a broad definition appearing to allow for a variety of activity.

1464
02:20:49,340 --> 02:20:56,200
In that, while demolition is specifically mentioned, we are hopeful that if instituted this fund would assist the redevelopment authority.

1465
02:20:56,200 --> 02:21:00,100
in working with our municipalities to transition vacant, unused,

1466
02:21:00,760 --> 02:21:03,580
blighted property back to prevent active views.

1467
02:21:03,900 --> 02:21:06,120
When the redevelopment authority is approached for assistance,

1468
02:21:06,280 --> 02:21:09,700
one of our biggest impediments to engage in these projects is the financial sustainability.

1469
02:21:10,600 --> 02:21:13,840
The calls for assistance are for vacant, vacant properties,

1470
02:21:14,200 --> 02:21:16,880
blighted properties, properties that are not maintained

1471
02:21:16,880 --> 02:21:20,780
and that are burdened on the neighborhood and can drag down property values.

1472
02:21:21,560 --> 02:21:24,380
There are approximately 100 parcel sales

1473
02:21:24,380 --> 02:21:29,960
between the upset, judicial, and repository sales annually, which would provide $25,000 towards

1474
02:21:29,960 --> 02:21:35,060
helping bring the property back to productive use. Unfortunately, I did not have the ability

1475
02:21:35,060 --> 02:21:40,200
to find out how many sales are made through foreclosure sales annually before approaching

1476
02:21:40,200 --> 02:21:45,940
the board this evening. And then also, currently, there is only one county in Pennsylvania that

1477
02:21:45,940 --> 02:21:52,380
enacted Act 48 that were aware of. That's Clarion County. They have had this implemented since

1478
02:21:52,380 --> 02:21:59,420
In the beginning of 2025, when speaking to a member of Clarean County Government, they really don't have an assessment on how that is working out for them.

1479
02:22:00,120 --> 02:22:07,480
Clarean County, just for edification, is a population of all of 40,000 residents, and they were getting ready to have the first sale.

1480
02:22:08,360 --> 02:22:20,600
The reason why we don't have this broadly applied throughout Pennsylvania at the moment is because it does require the county bodies to approve and implement the Act 48 ordinance in

1481
02:22:20,600 --> 02:22:26,600
And in 90 days prior to the beginning of the following calendar year.

1482
02:22:27,200 --> 02:22:34,920
So in order to be able to proceed with having this ability in 2026, we would ask for your approval this evening.

1483
02:22:35,380 --> 02:22:38,640
There are four other counties currently considering Act 48.

1484
02:22:38,640 --> 02:22:41,860
They include Jefferson, and Rose, Skookle, and Westmoreland.

1485
02:22:42,220 --> 02:22:43,100
Thank you.

1486
02:22:45,720 --> 02:22:47,300
Thank you, Director Carnot.

1487
02:22:48,370 --> 02:22:49,360
Any questions or comments?

1488
02:22:49,360 --> 02:22:53,680
And I just want to thank you for bringing this opportunity to our attention.

1489
02:22:54,200 --> 02:23:12,220
It's extraordinarily difficult for, you know, the county can only raise revenue under the local tax enabling act and under other specific rifle shots that the state allows and largely we raise money off the property tax.

1490
02:23:12,220 --> 02:23:39,520
So, well, this is a way for banks doing foreclosures and speculators to kick in a little bit to make sure we can address light in the area and hopefully strengthen our tax base so that we can, you know, generate additional dollars organically instead of by raising knowledge or it's peanuts, but it's important.

1491
02:23:39,520 --> 02:23:40,220
Thank

1492
02:23:42,870 --> 02:23:46,650
you, but we will move into our public hearing at this time.

1493
02:23:46,750 --> 02:23:52,090
Are there any comments from the public on this ordinance?

1494
02:23:52,390 --> 02:23:54,130
If you do have comments, please step forward.

1495
02:23:54,310 --> 02:23:56,930
State your name, municipalities, there's a three minute limit.

1496
02:24:00,970 --> 02:24:02,230
John, I guess it ought to be burrow.

1497
02:24:03,050 --> 02:24:08,850
And we both, Davenure Kaima, as you know, set the greenest buildings, one that's already built.

1498
02:24:09,750 --> 02:24:13,770
Because of the inviting energy materials that passed investment, the older houses are good

1499
02:24:13,770 --> 02:24:21,070
houses and I think our situation now is we are turning inward and we need to take better care

1500
02:24:21,070 --> 02:24:27,190
of what we have. I think you heard me say this before. Roosevelt's advice was do what you can

1501
02:24:27,190 --> 02:24:33,370
with what you have where you are. And I think that there are rehabilitation possibilities. One of my

1502
02:24:33,370 --> 02:24:38,270
hopes for Woodburn is that it can be a place where we can teach how to take care of older buildings,

1503
02:24:38,270 --> 02:24:46,310
how to do flat plaster, which is virtually every house built for 1939, to think outside

1504
02:24:46,310 --> 02:24:52,790
the box in terms of adaptive re-uses and what we can actually do with what we have honoring

1505
02:24:52,790 --> 02:24:55,010
the past keeping the indoor plumbing.

1506
02:24:55,850 --> 02:24:56,610
Thank you.

1507
02:25:00,000 --> 02:25:07,840
Additional questions or comments on this item? All right. I will close the public hearing and look to council for any council comments.

1508
02:25:11,290 --> 02:25:14,990
Hearing them, I looked at this guy. I'll know for a roll call, but Mr.

1509
02:25:17,220 --> 02:25:34,260
Mr. Ruther. Yes, and shaper. Yes, Mr. Madden. Yes, Mr. Wilmac. Dr. Taylor. Yes, ordinance, 2025, 07 passes, five to zero. Thank you very much, council. Thank you.

1510
02:25:34,260 --> 02:25:35,340
Item

1511
02:25:37,970 --> 02:25:45,370
9A, a move for the approval to amend contract number 8CR 9 slash 19 with child guidance

1512
02:25:45,370 --> 02:25:52,150
resource centers in court to extend the term of the contract through December 31, 2027

1513
02:25:52,150 --> 02:25:53,690
72. So this is approval.

1514
02:25:58,690 --> 02:26:00,810
Motion in a second. Any questions or comments?

1515
02:26:01,750 --> 02:26:06,270
I would just like to note for the record that I need to abstain from this vote as a board

1516
02:26:06,270 --> 02:26:13,230
member in my private capacity of Child Guidance Resource Centers in the additional questions

1517
02:26:13,230 --> 02:26:13,670
or comments.

1518
02:26:14,330 --> 02:26:14,790
There are none.

1519
02:26:15,010 --> 02:26:16,010
All those are very significant for me.

1520
02:26:16,150 --> 02:26:16,490
I say aye.

1521
02:26:17,630 --> 02:26:18,210
Any opposed?

1522
02:26:19,430 --> 02:26:20,170
The ayes have it.

1523
02:26:23,980 --> 02:26:25,400
Go to our consent agenda.

1524
02:26:26,300 --> 02:26:31,780
This one let the public know that our items are our consent agenda has been viewed and

1525
02:26:31,780 --> 02:26:36,680
discussed at length at our pre-agenda meeting on this past Tuesday.

1526
02:26:36,680 --> 02:26:42,500
any member of council has the right to remove any item from the consent agenda or they can

1527
02:26:42,500 --> 02:26:49,220
elaborate on any item they choose to do so if no one is objecting to removing the consent

1528
02:26:49,220 --> 02:26:55,040
agenda items I would like to make the motion to approve consent agenda items 10A through 10X

1529
02:26:55,040 --> 02:26:58,760
has described and written on tonight's agenda subject to solicitors approval.

1530
02:26:59,220 --> 02:27:03,420
Second motion and second any questions or comments on the consent agenda.

1531
02:27:04,640 --> 02:27:07,060
Hearing none, all is a very significant five by saying aye.

1532
02:27:07,640 --> 02:27:07,760
Aye.

1533
02:27:08,360 --> 02:27:08,740
Any opposed?

1534
02:27:09,300 --> 02:27:10,600
The I's have it.

1535
02:27:10,680 --> 02:27:10,840
Mm-hm.

1536
02:27:14,350 --> 02:27:21,790
And in 11, I'd like to move for the approval to reappoint Lisa Gaffney to a term ending June

1537
02:27:21,790 --> 02:27:30,510
1st, 2029, and Anthony Maas to a five year term ending June 1st, 2030, to Delaware County

1538
02:27:30,510 --> 02:27:33,870
test the waterfront and industrial development authority.

1539
02:27:35,650 --> 02:27:37,390
Second motion motion.

1540
02:27:37,430 --> 02:27:38,910
Second any questions or comments?

1541
02:27:39,750 --> 02:27:42,110
Hearing none all those are favor signified by saying aye.

1542
02:27:42,490 --> 02:27:42,810
Aye.

1543
02:27:43,490 --> 02:27:44,050
Any of those?

1544
02:27:44,230 --> 02:27:45,490
The aye's have it.

1545
02:27:46,010 --> 02:27:46,290
Aye.

1546
02:27:46,390 --> 02:27:47,130
I am 11 big.

1547
02:27:47,870 --> 02:27:52,630
I'd like to move for the approval to reappoint Helen, Gramell, and

1548
02:27:52,630 --> 02:27:58,590
their grain to a three year term in the September 1st, 2028, to the Delaware County Library Board.

1549
02:28:00,530 --> 02:28:05,370
Motion in a second. Any questions or comments? Hearing none, all is a favor, signify by saying aye.

1550
02:28:05,990 --> 02:28:07,150
Aye. Any opposed?

1551
02:28:08,130 --> 02:28:09,530
The ayes have it.

1552
02:28:10,230 --> 02:28:14,850
I'd like to make the motion to be cleared by the control office for the payment of current bills.

1553
02:28:16,230 --> 02:28:19,950
Second. Motion to the second, controller, Phillips.

1554
02:28:19,950 --> 02:28:32,490
I just want to report that the county council payable department process, $13,305,181 and $82 cents of payments.

1555
02:28:33,010 --> 02:28:40,030
About $7 million came from our general fund and included 60 plus payments to municipalities for

1556
02:28:40,030 --> 02:28:47,030
a really transfer tax, so that people understand many payments were passed through that money comes in and

1557
02:28:47,030 --> 02:28:52,430
he goes back out to our municipalities. So I request that sign off from you.

1558
02:28:55,170 --> 02:28:59,250
Thank you. Any questions or comments? I know those are very signified by saying I

1559
02:29:00,090 --> 02:29:02,490
any of those in the eyes have it.

1560
02:29:03,110 --> 02:29:07,330
Dr. Taylor, if I could just have one minute, so I didn't take three minutes of public comment,

1561
02:29:07,330 --> 02:29:12,170
but I just wanted to note that having listened to all the comments and read the

1562
02:29:12,170 --> 02:29:17,450
ordnance and resolution, I wanted to say that I support the action that was taken by council tonight.

1563
02:29:17,450 --> 02:29:24,490
And I want to see the HRC established in the smartest, most efficient, budget-conscious

1564
02:29:24,490 --> 02:29:28,670
manner possible, and that's going to take some time for Council to work through.

1565
02:29:29,310 --> 02:29:32,630
I appreciate all the comments and concerns and questions of people.

1566
02:29:33,330 --> 02:29:39,230
And I also just wanted to add questions regarding, I know you'll be considering oversight, the

1567
02:29:39,230 --> 02:29:43,850
organization, and staffing resources that it will take from the county, which will all go into

1568
02:29:43,850 --> 02:29:48,810
to the budget idea, but I do appreciate your action tonight and support it.

1569
02:29:53,220 --> 02:29:53,840
Director.

1570
02:29:54,540 --> 02:29:55,120
Yes.

1571
02:29:55,320 --> 02:29:59,140
I wanted to mention that I was privileged to attend a regional summit.

1572
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:29,800
Hosted by the Pennsylvania courts, dealing with those with mental health and behavioral health issues that are appearing in our courts, obviously the volume of individuals with those concerns are growing, ending up in our justice system, ending up in our prisons, and really not receiving the care that they need. It was inspiring to hear the programs and services and the ways that courts are addressing this throughout the region to borrow some ideas and glad to be joined by our President

1573
02:30:29,800 --> 02:30:34,660
the Judge, Councilwoman Ruther, District Attorney, Stolsthymer, and Representative Lee

1574
02:30:34,660 --> 02:30:39,900
and Krueger, as well as other county staff to learn some best practices and how we can

1575
02:30:39,900 --> 02:30:45,840
do better and add to the variety of programs and services, including our treatment courts,

1576
02:30:46,120 --> 02:30:50,280
to really help to divert and better serve our residents with behavioral health issues,

1577
02:30:50,600 --> 02:30:53,040
as opposed to having them dealt with the justice system.

1578
02:30:57,590 --> 02:30:59,030
Thank you, Executive Director.

1579
02:31:00,330 --> 02:31:01,010
Ms. Aubrey?

1580
02:31:02,150 --> 02:31:08,030
I already made some of the comments and noted the objection to procedure regarding the availability

1581
02:31:08,030 --> 02:31:13,990
of items but we do always, our county clerk works incredibly hard to not only make sure

1582
02:31:13,990 --> 02:31:19,270
that things are posted but also make sure that there are ample coffees in the back of the room.

1583
02:31:20,030 --> 02:31:28,010
We will look at IT and if people we have recently floated over to a new spot so we happy to help people

1584
02:31:28,010 --> 02:31:34,530
navigate the shifts if there's difficulty locating things and move forward there.

1585
02:31:34,710 --> 02:31:41,590
I also, in the public comment, there were a couple of speakers who discussed rests and

1586
02:31:41,590 --> 02:31:47,350
prosecutions, and so I will point out for those who don't know, County Council has no authority

1587
02:31:47,350 --> 02:31:52,290
over the district attorney, the district attorney's office. This will lead prosecutor here in

1588
02:31:52,290 --> 02:31:57,090
Delaware County and is an elected official who has discussion over their own actions.

1589
02:31:58,010 --> 02:32:23,950
So that all of the comments urging Council to assert power over that independent elected official aren't I just wanted to make those speakers aware that Council doesn't have that authority over the district attorney or over what charges that or any other prosecuting authority chooses to spring. Thanks.

1590
02:32:27,110 --> 02:32:32,070
Thank you. Now, I look for council comments, council member Schaefer.

1591
02:32:33,670 --> 02:32:39,030
Ruth, you know, I just wanted to note that a lot of people have commented in the past that

1592
02:32:39,030 --> 02:32:45,450
I don't pay attention and I don't look up. I've gotten that criticism before. I got

1593
02:32:45,450 --> 02:32:52,590
it at the job that I was in, and I found out subsequently many, many years later

1594
02:32:52,590 --> 02:32:59,530
that another attorney was really upset that I wasn't seemingly paying attention during

1595
02:32:59,530 --> 02:32:59,910
a meeting.

1596
02:33:00,570 --> 02:33:07,210
I was doodling and she mentioned this to our joint boss who subsequently, who said to

1597
02:33:07,210 --> 02:33:08,550
her, leave her alone.

1598
02:33:09,330 --> 02:33:14,350
And sure enough, I went into her office with a bunch of questions about the presentation

1599
02:33:14,350 --> 02:33:17,670
because it affected a project I was working on and she has under the impression I wasn't

1600
02:33:17,670 --> 02:33:18,450
listening to her at all.

1601
02:33:18,450 --> 02:33:22,370
It's a form of active listening, it's much easier for me to listen when I take notes.

1602
02:33:22,690 --> 02:33:27,990
So with that, I want to just make a couple of responses to people who came for the

1603
02:33:27,990 --> 02:33:31,730
performative part of the meeting and to make their public comment but not to hear what

1604
02:33:31,730 --> 02:33:32,610
we actually had to say.

1605
02:33:33,190 --> 02:33:41,910
So I will point out to Ms. Piazza that I just found it absolutely hysterical that she thinks

1606
02:33:41,910 --> 02:33:48,610
this Human Relations Commission is going to be used for political retribution.

1607
02:33:49,390 --> 02:33:54,630
This is coming from a Republican candidate who is an avid supporter of our current president.

1608
02:33:55,490 --> 02:34:00,610
If you just read the news, you don't need a Human Relations Commission to use government

1609
02:34:00,610 --> 02:34:05,070
for political retribution. Just putting it out there. Second, the Mr.

1610
02:34:05,070 --> 02:34:12,150
And this is Haggis who left, historic Eden Cemetery is one, it's a national treasure

1611
02:34:12,150 --> 02:34:19,130
and it's here in Delaware County and I am so glad today as I read about the National

1612
02:34:19,130 --> 02:34:26,890
Park Service being forced to whitewash its presentations on slavery at the President's

1613
02:34:26,890 --> 02:34:31,170
House, that Eden Cemetery is a private nonprofit.

1614
02:34:31,170 --> 02:34:35,470
It is not subject to the oversight of the National Park Service.

1615
02:34:36,010 --> 02:34:46,490
As a result, they can and will continue to have presentations on things like freedom riders who had to go through the dangerous process of desegregating trolleys.

1616
02:34:46,590 --> 02:34:49,570
And I'm also really interested in going to trolleyfest.

1617
02:34:50,450 --> 02:34:53,190
Ms. Lewis, who is here, thank you for sticking around.

1618
02:34:53,330 --> 02:34:55,850
And I must say you, even this cooker always do.

1619
02:34:56,210 --> 02:34:58,210
And I want you to know that I do appreciate that.

1620
02:35:00,000 --> 02:35:25,700
I had trouble figuring out how the ordinance, even the ordinance as previously drafted, applied to your hypothetical, but since I am going to be reviewing it, I will take some time and try to see if I can figure out if there's some tortured application of that human resources commission ordinance that, in draft, that would apply and I will make sure we address it.

1621
02:35:26,840 --> 02:35:34,840
To Mr. McLaughlin, who left, he was on the Solid Waste Authority board, he left, and did not—so

1622
02:35:34,840 --> 02:35:40,120
he would not know because he left two years ago that since he departed, unless he's been following

1623
02:35:40,120 --> 02:35:49,880
their meetings, which God knows most people don't, since he left, the construction costs that

1624
02:35:49,880 --> 02:35:56,900
authority found when doing its engineering had doubled from what the original estimates were.

1625
02:35:57,040 --> 02:36:04,480
That, and the costs of continuing the expansion at the landfill have increased substantially.

1626
02:36:05,100 --> 02:36:09,700
All of which means that the financial analysis that he was very proud of doing and justifiably

1627
02:36:09,700 --> 02:36:13,680
so no longer can cover the costs.

1628
02:36:14,720 --> 02:36:20,320
Second, the solid waste authority doesn't have the ability to double its fees because it

1629
02:36:20,320 --> 02:36:26,020
It has to remain cost competitive for the municipalities with alternative haulers or it will lose them.

1630
02:36:29,340 --> 02:36:44,140
If Mr. Stairs, who he held tire, is advocating that we continue to allow some trash to go to the incinerator.

1631
02:36:44,480 --> 02:36:50,180
It's because the authority which needs additional revenue needs to maximize its revenue and reduce its cost.

1632
02:36:50,180 --> 02:36:59,720
to cover construction for the transfer stations and landfill, the authority makes a lot more

1633
02:36:59,720 --> 02:37:04,600
money on trash that municipalities take directly to Ray World.

1634
02:37:05,220 --> 02:37:12,060
It is a callous financial decision, but the opposite opportunity is to lose the benefits

1635
02:37:12,060 --> 02:37:18,320
that are reconstructed transfer station, and they're probably only going to be able to do one.

1636
02:37:19,120 --> 02:37:23,820
and it's not likely to be in Chester, I don't think, but that's not my call, that's the board's call.

1637
02:37:26,100 --> 02:37:30,420
They need revenue to do it. And finally, there's something else he's not aware of.

1638
02:37:30,740 --> 02:37:38,520
That I was made aware of last year, last summer, when I went up to Earl Township. Earl Township in

1639
02:37:38,520 --> 02:37:42,640
Birx County is the host of the county's landfill that was supposed to take all of our trash.

1640
02:37:43,480 --> 02:37:57,600
That landfill is subject to a county host agreement, which is required under Act 101, and it currently prevents Delaware County from taking its own municipal waste there unless it has no other place.

1641
02:37:59,500 --> 02:38:06,160
like if Cabanta were out and Fairless Hills was out of commission, we can take our own ways there.

1642
02:38:06,260 --> 02:38:27,340
Otherwise, they have been allowing us to take some ways there, but the reason we haven't kept up with the original projections is because those projections were made when people were unaware of the host agreement, which Earl Township went to great pains after the transition plan was announced to tell the solid waste authority of your plan to enforce.

1643
02:38:27,340 --> 02:38:27,540
First,

1644
02:38:29,930 --> 02:38:37,010
finally, to Mr. Finneo, I think I already addressed that, that we were, in fact,

1645
02:38:37,190 --> 02:38:39,130
tabled the ordinance because we do want to get it right.

1646
02:38:39,870 --> 02:38:43,910
That was his request, and not an unwarranted one, and we are doing that.

1647
02:38:44,790 --> 02:38:49,490
So I just wanted to, and finally, for Mr. Strav, who asked questions, which were answered,

1648
02:38:49,490 --> 02:39:09,310
I really wish that the spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Senate Republican campaign committee had taken 20 seconds of his time up here to fill us in on what was going on with the budget, but he didn't.

1649
02:39:09,710 --> 02:39:10,290
That's a shame.

1650
02:39:12,090 --> 02:39:16,990
So we will have to wait and hear from somebody else. I guess. Thank you.

1651
02:39:20,060 --> 02:39:21,060
Council member Madden.

1652
02:39:22,380 --> 02:39:26,800
Further for time. Council member Wilma. Nothing else to say tonight.

1653
02:39:28,380 --> 02:39:31,840
Thank you. And I have nothing else. I will entertain the motion to adjourn.

1654
02:39:34,020 --> 02:39:38,180
Motion is second. All is a favor. Signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?

1655
02:39:39,020 --> 02:39:40,980
the eyes are at the gets in the back.