[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551376,"mediaKeyId","5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5","parentId",5339489,"title","Chester council approves zoning change for smoke shops and passes five resolutions, including Vision Zero and a $3 million grant request","audioSeconds",224,"startMs",902000,"endMs",1126000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5&start=902&end=1126","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5/thumbnail_902000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551376/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Chester-council-approves-zoning-change-for-smoke-shops-and-passes-five-resolutions-including-Vision-Zero-and-a-3-million-grant-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551376-b04ac85f3be22b4c3ac57cbe56a94542/orig.mp4?Expires=1773781726&Signature=PheqKbHbxCMXdnv78YTNZOYKoGX-OnHXPEbyQzVLMIh8fuQDY52BDlKLgd8-gsmVuFuSdQQWuvh5D5qiYAR04hwLuAGJTh6EyjFij2dG7mKjoPGkeyie97jrnG99NfReUHr47YnIiDTH4I4r8T~uCBCH4d5p6aEAKtMSKW5nkyVFt22R2MpmeoPZr2C8FFz0S5P-tv9jTZsF3ED~RtTKmO7jd5Gr4rDXqfjt9Uv5FVblbWpuYhZz5DzPQ5bhAJinWTsI6jZDoRrIMytne4biaPyntj3ZIOUZ2zGBXClmxUWIbU0pnuI6kr2XChM0D6qdLE3pPMvFKbk46ha~bd6WIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chester, PA","date","2025-07-09T16:10:55Z","article","The City of Chester Council on July 9, 2025 approved Ordinance No. 3 of 2025, which amends Part 13 (planning and zoning) of the city code to permit smoke shops and tobacco stores in the Central Business District (CBD) and Medium Industrial Commercial (MIC) district by conditional use and to define related terms and conditional‑use criteria. The ordinance passed on its second and final reading.

Councilmembers also voted to adopt five resolutions that night. They approved an honorary street renaming for Reverend Doctor E. Irvin Millsaps, adopted a Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2050, authorized a multimodal transportation fund grant application not to exceed $3,000,000 and designated the mayor and city clerk to execute related documents, authorized the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) to apply for Keystone Communities Enterprise Zone designation, and approved a cooperation agreement to support a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) subapplication for the SilverCare Behavioral and Memory Rehabilitation Project.

Why it matters: The zoning change creates a new path for smoke shop and tobacco retailing in several commercial districts through conditional‑use review, potentially changing where such businesses may locate. The multimodal grant request and Vision Zero commitment signal council support for pedestrian and roadway safety projects and the East Coast Greenway improvements. The enterprise zone and RACP cooperation are economic development tools the city and CEDA will use to pursue state tax credits and grant funding.

Key votes and motions
- Ordinance No. 3 of 2025 (zoning: smoke shops/tobacco stores) — mover/second: not specified in record; recorded votes: Councilor Green: Yes; Davis: Yes; Gibson Williams: Yes; outcome: approved (second/final reading).
- Resolution to install an honorary street sign naming a portion of Central Avenue at West Sema Street “Reverend Dr. E. Irvin Millsaps Way” — outcome: approved.
- Vision Zero resolution (commit to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2050) — outcome: approved.
- Resolution authorizing application for a Commonwealth Financing Authority multimodal transportation fund grant, not to exceed $3,000,000, and designating the mayor and city clerk to execute documents — outcome: approved. Designated officials named in the resolution: Mayor Stefan Routes; City Clerk Candice Newsome (as recorded in the meeting text).
- Resolution authorizing the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) to file a Keystone Communities Enterprise Zone designation application and to administer the program on the city’s behalf — outcome: approved.
- Resolution approving a cooperation agreement with SilverCare Skilled Nursing LLC and SilverCare Real Estate LLC in connection with a proposed RACP award for the SilverCare Behavioral and Memory Rehabilitation Project and authorizing the mayor or designee to execute the agreement — outcome: approved.

Vote procedure and comment: Most items were moved, seconded, and adopted with recorded “yes” votes from Councilors Green, Davis and Gibson Williams. Little debate is shown in the transcript for the listed items; council called for any questions or comments before each vote but none or only brief remarks were recorded.

Next steps: City staff were authorized to execute grant applications and cooperation agreements where noted; the public works department was authorized to order and install the honorary street sign.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chester City Council Meeting | July 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Chester Council on July 9 approved an ordinance to permit smoke shops and tobacco stores by conditional use in parts of the city and adopted five resolutions, including a Vision Zero safety commitment and authorization to seek up to $3 million in multimodal grant funding.","taxTitle","Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania","taxId",64857,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551369,"New summer food program director reports nearly 100 registrations; city says playground site selection follows state grant rules",1596,1227000,2823000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5&start=1227&end=2823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5/thumbnail_1227000.jpg","/articles/6551369/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/New-summer-food-program-director-reports-nearly-100-registrations-city-says-playground-site-selection-follows-state-grant-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551369-279e49b83faa8ac09341419644606b3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773781726&Signature=Q~VmKSlV0ix1Jg~uAhgZxr5kK0J4GNbjS9gAsMNOKPWHjcpbJrAW06oUYlCU~NsOtp4lPPb8SRyYX5StyohJPhm~z-HI-xRNZLGgrxqBL1sLpFDHAStjEmzlogkMFXrHtU7uH3X0i-~qHfYTHX5BUJ1e35kH2RRiUsMGKGdb1OF90yhiR2QOw6kTmEYR5jDeXp6QsIPt3s0dWgUx2OxVmGQ6ik3U2yF7j~HUw7Y7G~MzLnidzKIa06EXsfzsVubaRA7CZOjCZWLVNVdiEVwpQZuDlGISWGwOmirwIk~odGZxpaE8pZ6dM8o8AHR1FK4sDPX7CqkwuUImbHtsVUrBmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan King, introduced July 9 as the city’s new summer food program director, told council that the program’s first day “went off with a really big bang” and that by the third day staff had registered “almost a 100 kids.” King said site supervisors and monitors have been consistent and cooperative with participants and invited community suggestions for new sites.

King asked residents with operational issues to call the number on the program flyer; he said he will handle staffing and site concerns and will consult his supervisor, identified in the meeting as Mark, for items that require additional approvals.

On playgrounds and site selection, Parks and Recreation staff explained the state chooses the playground sites that benefit from the grant program; Washington Park had been taken off the list “for some odd reason,” and staff are investigating why. The parks director said some East Side locations were not included because of low turnout in previous years but that staff are looking into adding sites such as “some village” (as discussed during public comment). King said he had discussed adding that site with staff and “we're gonna try to add that site to the program as soon as possible.”

Why it matters: The summer food program provides meals to children when school is out; site selection and consistent staffing determine which neighborhoods receive meals and supervision. Residents raised concerns about East Side coverage and playground equipment; staff said they are pursuing grants to replace equipment and resolve site eligibility questions.

Next steps: Staff will investigate Washington Park’s removal from the state list, continue outreach to increase turnout in under‑served areas, and attempt to add an East Side site that residents requested.","Jonathan King, newly introduced director of Chester’s summer food program, reported that nearly 100 children were registered in the first three days. Parks staff said playground sites are selected per state grant criteria, and the city is working to add an East Side site.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551373,"Retirees press for transparent water‑asset sale process; receiver says he will not sell to private company",384,3734000,4118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5&start=3734&end=4118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5339489-06673e0d6ed006086bc6f94685545aa5/thumbnail_3734000.jpg","/articles/6551373/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Retirees-press-for-transparent-waterasset-sale-process-receiver-says-he-will-not-sell-to-private-company","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551373-a5a16c1b7417b80c928ad4d2f64c0f53/orig.mp4?Expires=1773781726&Signature=holuwkdmyMcTZ4aEhJLhssZIK8gntMLxQf5Y2uD1ilIMlaT0osifGzJ3CHNf7cIgRMUt8uqjHo3zfoMveSB3m0v7Fe86Pwjg7YI2RlySAEhoJV8nv~lG2qKObsUBLz3RWm9I-bFEGz7SAVdJjuaqzx6XZXEJ0oK7myoL9XPGHMHZ7cx0ZzGfh8JBoF3-xJ0FgG0~blR8zH3wI6gk2vZJrIe-X2peRGSkj8~oANHzA-N-qki9o8j9ENVDUnw1HC8C3sTiL8LUmQXUdu0KV4aRwpUSsAbK83BAJoHwxIsYnd4VQ9deTJK1WNlJksLwnlU8kPFciF-H~pFYaMWG4R2k1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A committee representing Chester retirees told the City Council on July 9 that it filed a complaint in bankruptcy court and is seeking a broader, more open review of potential buyers for the city’s water assets.

Joseph Morris, representing the Official Committee of Retirees, said the committee filed a complaint on June 11, 2025 that raises “serious concerns” about how the receiver is conducting solicitation for the Chester Water Authority (CWA). Morris said the complaint urges that all potential bidders — public, private and municipal — be considered and that a sale process should seek maximum fair‑market value while protecting residents and retirees.

The committee said it is not advocating for any particular buyer; rather, it wants the sale process to be open to private and public bidders. Morris told council the retirees would accept a private meeting with city officials to discuss their concerns.

Receiver’s response and policy on privatization
The receiver (referred to in the meeting as “mister Vijay”) responded that he had been named in related bankruptcy litigation and confirmed his position — consistent with the prior receiver’s stance — that he will not sell the CWA to a private company. The receiver said he and his predecessor had limited solicitations to public or municipal buyers to protect residents from potential rate increases. He added that even if privatization were considered, legal constraints and regulatory approvals would apply: the Pennsylvania Supreme Court litigation and approval by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) are relevant steps before any sale could be consummated.

The receiver explained the common alternative suggested by retirees — a rate‑stabilization fund funded from sale proceeds — typically reduces the sale price and is finite; after the fund is exhausted rate increases often follow. He said the receiver’s office is focused on balancing competing creditor interests and minimizing long‑term rate impacts for residents.

Process and next steps
Morris said the retiree committee invited elected officials, their legal teams and the receiver to a meeting; council and staff agreed to make time to meet. The receiver noted a public Municipal Financial Recovery Advisory Committee (MRAC) meeting will include a deeper discussion of monetization on July 29, 2025, and the presentation was shared with council.

Why it matters: Monetizing the water system is a major potential revenue source and affects retiree benefits, operational funding and residential rates. Speakers emphasized that any sale process must balance maximizing proceeds, maintaining affordable rates and protecting retiree benefits.","Retiree committee filed a bankruptcy complaint over the receiver’s handling of potential sales of the city’s water assets and asked council for a sit‑down. The receiver told council he will not sell the Chester Water Authority to a private company and outlined legal and practical constraints on monetization.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chester council approves zoning change for smoke shops and passes five resolutions, including Vision Zero and a $3 million grant request

New summer food program director reports nearly 100 registrations; city says playground site selection follows state grant rules

Retirees press for transparent water‑asset sale process; receiver says he will not sell to private company