[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6383156,"mediaKeyId","2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce","parentId",2125159,"title","Votes at a glance: Norristown council actions, Jan. 6, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4920000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce&start=4920&end=4920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce/thumbnail_4920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6383156/Norristown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Norristown-council-actions-Jan-6-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383156-042fff17aa5150763acfa6c63e10b480/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748897&Signature=UeohQlXxKJ9qK-Nvyo~XxQQ5f3OiNKbWCqYmr9u4eb-jXKpTYNYmAg4xkncsjCaLUlo1nyJoNB8Az65faK9Nk~WOT8Ri6J3fLiXsUHF~5Dlid0uJwVTh~GhS1iTI2aEDglUjb-lDIy9i5yEum3l19RSQTPspSVggzm~7YhSK1AHDa9-hsoF~XITuvmigYELSmIHIk1u2SOvTBLv9-8D4hbApBLeKPpWOMfm0sCWKpCxiOgCB3MZynwSQsbX6i2RhWBH-ToS6XuE5v0bCHWPfu69N18HxXntJtN23aQvzNP83dA29xwdE3Gb9wx7eNDJH~g33U5J5tkiUGFA0zTTrtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norristown, PA\n","date","2025-01-15T17:13:39Z","article","The Norristown Municipal Council took a series of formal actions at its Jan. 6, 2025 meeting. Below is a concise summary of each agenda item that received a formal motion and vote.

- Resolution 2508 — Reappointments to advisory boards, committees and commissions: Passed. The council extended appointments including zoning hearing board and planning commission terms as listed in the resolution.

- Resolution 2501 — Appointment of professionals for 2025: Passed. Annual renewals of professional services (government relations, counsel lists and similar items) were approved.

- Resolution 2502 — Policy regarding allocation and expenditure of municipal council discretionary funds: Passed. The council adopted a written policy aligned with state ethics rules clarifying restrictions on allocations to organizations tied to council members or immediate family members; staff explained the policy matches State Ethics Act requirements.

- Subrecipient agreement (Chamber of Commerce / ARPA funds) — Request to encumber ARPA funds through a subrecipient agreement with the Norristown Chamber of Commerce for the Clean and Safe pilot: Tabled. After extended questions from councilors and public commenters about budget specifics, procurement, police coordination and union impacts, council voted to table the item for further detail.

- Agreement with PMT Consulting LLC — Parking management-related services (citywide parking study and pay-station placement): Passed. Council approved the consulting agreement for the parking study and related management services.

- Ordinance 2,409 — FY2025 Community Development Block Grant proposed budget: Passed (ordinance adopted). Staff will submit the FY2025 CDBG application to HUD per the approved budget.

- Five-year Consolidated Plan (2025–2029): Passed. Council approved the consolidated plan that sets CDBG priorities for the next five years.

- Resolution 2503 — Police uniform purchase: Passed. Council approved purchasing police uniforms in the amount presented ($73,816) covering current uniformed and non-uniformed officers, parking officers and allocation for new hires.

- Resolution 2506 — Purchase of 10 T2 digital pay stations and related management/data communications: Passed. The council approved the second-phase purchase of parking pay stations at $76,341.28 to replace coin meters.

- Resolution 2510 — Handicap parking changes: Passed. Council approved installation and removal of specific handicap parking signs on Noble Street and Cone Street blocks as described in the resolution.

- Resolution 2511 — Award towing contract to Morello Inc. Towing and EVB Towing: Passed. Council authorized a three-year towing services agreement with the named vendors.

- Appointment/sworn-in — Probationary Police Officer Justin Bates: Passed. Council approved the swearing-in; Officer Bates repeated the oath and was welcomed to the force.

Where the transcript records roll-call votes, the meeting minutes include the recorded “ayes” and “nays.” For the item to encumber ARPA funds through the Chamber, the council voted to table the request pending more detailed documentation; no encumbrance was made that evening.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norristown Municipal Council Reorganization and Regular Meeting - Jan. 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes and approvals taken during the Norristown Municipal Council meeting on Jan. 6, 2025, including passed resolutions, contracts and appointments; one funding subrecipient agreement was tabled.","taxTitle","Norristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",54376,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6383160,"Norristown council adopts FY2025 CDBG budget and five-year consolidated plan to keep HUD funding eligibility",2954,3293000,6247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce&start=3293&end=6247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce/thumbnail_3293000.jpg","/articles/6383160/Norristown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Norristown-council-adopts-FY2025-CDBG-budget-and-five-year-consolidated-plan-to-keep-HUD-funding-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383160-74a3830619364ec500114f90e21a5b78/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748897&Signature=ghewHZSE6Z8xdSjcKnSwrKAwPzqzOlUPDRozUwXptk9Ws-3VjrG9hussZDvs~ynIDPQLrzPUQdoFKah2I4cvu~71fztNNt0xoKan9KjQg9-xeGYKPXHpPAuvPxP-P5FbD4ErU8KXYs3GkyV7gMFmJJeuiwO7b9p0ylXfufieVGzZTGtK7NEu21PJc113GveyTpGnVacAkoeBuiM4TMVxcVWhkvVZFyLnMz4Undu9Hn-i0BnMXhqrrmkvAF-4Ak4mRdd2GnewhBpnBvbOGuuRxQALbIFd6YLjQsU1~h5m0RSC5Pnl~DTPbeQk3klalbWs8pFxVg~TdawLDjjl2i~RLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norristown Municipal Council approved the fiscal-year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposed budget and the municipality’s five-year consolidated plan for 2025–2029 at its Jan. 6 meeting.

Planning staff presented the ordinance to authorize the city’s CDBG application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and described the budget line items and the 30-day public comment process. Staff reported that public participation in hearings and the online survey had been minimal. The presentation included the proposed CDBG allocations and a total figure that staff said was $850,160 for FY2025.

During council discussion, members asked about the level of participation in public meetings; staff confirmed there had been little attendance at public hearings but that required notices, displays at municipal hall and library postings were completed. Staff emphasized an administrative timeline: the consolidated plan must be approved at this meeting to meet HUD’s submission window or the municipality could risk losing the next year’s allocation if it misses the 45-day submission requirement.

Council voted in favor of the ordinance adopting the FY2025 CDBG proposed budget and separately approved the five-year consolidated plan (2025–2029). Staff said the consolidated plan establishes the municipality’s spending priorities for housing, infrastructure and economic development and that it remains amendable through required public-notice processes if priorities change.

The council’s approvals allow staff to submit the CDBG application to HUD and continue programs identified in the budget, including housing-related projects, municipal infrastructure work and grant administration funding.","Council approved the fiscal-year 2025 Community Development Block Grant proposed budget and the 2025–2029 consolidated plan after public notices and a 30-day comment period; staff said public engagement was low and warned that missing the HUD submission timeline could forfeit next year’s allocation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6383163,"Council delays decision on $300,000 ARPA-backed \"Clean and Safe\" ambassador pilot with Chamber",1252,2004000,3256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce&start=2004&end=3256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce/thumbnail_2004000.jpg","/articles/6383163/Norristown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Council-delays-decision-on-300000-ARPA-backed-Clean-and-Safe-ambassador-pilot-with-Chamber","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383163-1a579201a8ac598d67fe7b1eb0422cdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748897&Signature=IvTY4eJU7lq6rC-MPZS4ORp5z5EnXpl6Hh7N34ACLehyQGLuKN2LWuQfmJxBxg7993fzHEwb3e-7lyZlzhl6Zu3IO6VGRv986hCyNRLeEzgOqSznbBSQxQNIxMLlpUr-~uDmrvwrR9CitsK9uLpGULiHNXKU86KiT7M5F3t3EPPlhk7Ee0GBa3E4DS4qawoyVQ3BqMUTNhw7nW8JBAnXkUj9nccns~4~4pYAFc6C6oawP0PchDRLsQo16yi4NE8VY3CK4tWD~GSSp-w5x9IVbI6l-kEAAur~0yVT36-2AXFfHco87lfe5iU8QLjew4pgwAsril8pX26dC9xYodjHXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norristown Municipal Council heard a detailed presentation on Jan. 6 about a proposed Clean and Safe ambassador program to provide street-level cleaning, hospitality outreach and a limited safety-ambassador presence in selected business corridors. The program would be run in partnership with the Norristown Chamber of Commerce and would be supported by a proposed allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Municipal staff described the concept as a two-year pilot focused on cleaning designated corridors (including Main Street, Swede Street and Marshall Street), trash pickup, landscaping, and a visible ambassador presence that would carry radios to contact police. Presenters described the model used by the company Block by Block as an example and said the municipality had earmarked money in the budget: $200,000 from the Business Development Economic Revitalization Initiative and a proposed $300,000 of unallocated ARPA funds; staff also said county ARPA funds were being sought for a pilot year.

Council members and members of the public raised multiple questions about scope, cost and contracting. Councilman William McCoy said the council should wait until a permanent police chief is in place before finalizing a program that would work “closely with the police department.” Others pressed for a detailed budget and a breakdown of personnel, overhead and equipment; Councilwoman Adira Robinson requested interim and annual reporting and emphasized the need for clear performance metrics. Several speakers urged a smaller pilot to gather data before committing significant funds. Business owners and residents who spoke during public comment generally supported exploring the program as one of several tools to improve cleanliness and business corridor perception, but wanted clearer cost and administrative details.

Council members also queried whether the program would require a municipal request for proposals (RFP). Staff said the recommended mechanism was to encumber funds to the chamber by an interagency memorandum of understanding; the chamber would then run an RFP to select the vendor who would operate the ambassador program. Several council members asked whether the pilot would duplicate existing public-works or community-cleaning efforts and whether it could create labor or union conflicts. Staff clarified that public works crews focus on street sweeping (the curb and roadway) while the ambassador cleanup would focus on sidewalks and storefront corridors; staff noted that some city programs already use comp time for cleaning work.

Given the number of outstanding questions about budget details, performance metrics, vendor selection and potential union impacts, the council voted to table the proposed subrecipient agreement with the Norristown Chamber of Commerce and to take up the item at a later meeting after staff provides more detailed cost estimates and an implementation plan.","Council members and the public questioned scope, cost and contracting paths for a proposed two-year Clean and Safe ambassador pilot. Council voted to table the subrecipient agreement with the Norristown Chamber of Commerce.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6383166,"Rebecca Smith elected council president; Rashad Bates chosen vice president and sworn in",127,833000,960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce&start=833&end=960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2125159-83e625dc115d58d44617ec44adcfd5ce/thumbnail_833000.jpg","/articles/6383166/Norristown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Rebecca-Smith-elected-council-president-Rashad-Bates-chosen-vice-president-and-sworn-in","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6383166-51fd09e2ceebb1796306e85664888a19/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748897&Signature=TYXLEbmXE5igqDIalg7H80H4A~N009Vcff63V~UC~4Vui5VGJF7UbCer6ixqIJMZEiJXkDDDZAVdM3aGapdp58bpEQ4gv~v0edgAzZMoImdrx4a0Yegh3~7naucUUJMTCLbys2UDl8-~jCd6uq7EltuC9xDNPPN1mAJRH4JDuuofwgGbjc2GF1nsmEoXVgvqs~c3X49UDzN-9BPg9IcJbwcwsBB8dTDaHR1N7Txbk1CHSk5zFgEoxOsEk8mAlmwcXdBejy4qoFYyk4MF~OcstlYeGEYqMrjYniP9b9BSLRA7aFH6WLXy2yf27oE3HwhQgIyDCNmQtlsmNV1hB18fsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Smith was elected president of the Norristown Municipal Council and Rashad Bates was elected vice president during the council’s Jan. 6, 2025 reorganization meeting; both were sworn into their roles the same evening.

The council opened nominations for vice president and received a motion nominating Rashad Bates. After a roll call vote, the council president announced, “The ayes have it,” and Bates took the oath administered by Judge Jones. Later the council nominated and elected Rebecca Smith as council president and she also repeated the oath of office in the chamber.

Smith, speaking after her oath, thanked her parents and council colleagues and said she looked forward to working with the municipal administrator and staff. “To the residents of Norristown, I want you to know that you are the heart of what we do,” Smith said, pledging to “listen, engage, and work on your behalf.”

The swearing-in included the standard pledge to uphold the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions and the Home Rule Charter of the Municipality of Norristown. The council moved from the reorganization portion of the agenda to the regular municipal meeting later that evening.

The meeting record shows the council conducted the required roll-call voting on both nominations and completed the oaths on the same night. No further formal challenges to the election outcomes were recorded in the transcript.

The new officers will serve in their leadership roles for council business throughout 2025; the council did not set a separate implementation date beyond the oaths taken on Jan. 6.","Norristown Municipal Council elected Rebecca Smith as council president and Rashad Bates as vice president during its Jan. 6, 2025 reorganization meeting; both took the oath of office.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Norristown council actions, Jan. 6, 2025

Norristown council adopts FY2025 CDBG budget and five-year consolidated plan to keep HUD funding eligibility

Council delays decision on $300,000 ARPA-backed "Clean and Safe" ambassador pilot with Chamber

Rebecca Smith elected council president; Rashad Bates chosen vice president and sworn in