Chester solicitor lists eight resolutions for Wednesday council meeting; no ordinances on agenda

The city solicitor told the City of Chester deliberative meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025, that there were no ordinances up for a vote and that eight resolutions will be presented at the Wednesday council meeting for passage.

The list included authorizations to install handicap parking zones at multiple blocks (Booth Street, Crosby Street, West Eighth Street and West 20 First Street), reappointments and an appointment to the Civil Service Commission, a license agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for air-monitoring stations in city parks, an award of the Summer Food Service Program to Walnut Street Deli at up to $18.50 per unitized meal (a summer season cost estimate of $67,839.50 based on 3,667 meals was cited), issuance of a road opening permit to PECO for new natural gas service at two addresses, authorization related to PENNDOT reimbursement for the Highland Avenue Complete Streets project, and consent for the use of an economic development liquor license at 403 Avenue of the States.

Why it matters: the resolutions cover traffic accommodations, board appointments, public-health monitoring, food service procurement for a federally funded summer meal program, utilities work, and a liquor-license consent that could affect an individual commercial property. All items were described as being placed on the agenda for formal consideration at the upcoming council meeting rather than decided at the deliberative session.

Details by item

- Handicap parking zones: The solicitor said the city would authorize installation of handicap parking zones in the 1000 block of Booth Street, the 1200 block of Crosby Street, the 900 block of West Eighth Street and the 100 block of West 20 First Street. No implementation timetable or funding source was announced at the deliberative meeting.

- Civil Service Commission appointments: The solicitor said the council will be asked to reappoint Rick Dennis and Martha Newman to the Civil Service Commission with terms to expire Dec. 31, 2028, and to appoint Gail Brown to fill the unexpired term of Travis Thomas through Dec. 31, 2025.

- DEP license agreement for air monitoring: The solicitor said the city will be asked to authorize a license agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection to allow “accessibility, installation, maintenance operation, and removal of air monitoring stations and associated equipment at designated locations within the city of Chester's Park system.” No locations or contractor details were provided at the deliberative meeting.

- Summer Food Service Program award: The solicitor said Resolution 51 would authorize awarding the Summer Food Service Program to Walnut Street Deli at an amount not to exceed $18.50 per unitized meal and cited a summer season cost estimate of $67,839.50 based on 3,667 unitized meals served last summer. The solicitor also noted there may be an amendment to incorporate grant requirements; the chief of staff confirmed that amendment may be forthcoming.

- PECO road opening permit: The solicitor said Resolution 52 would authorize issuance of a road opening permit to PECO for installation of new natural gas services at 12 East Eighteenth Street and 224 West 20 Third Street. Specific construction schedules were not provided.

- PENNDOT reimbursement agreement / Highland Avenue Complete Streets: The solicitor said Resolution 53 would authorize the execution of a document described in the transcript as "R23 million 60,111" by Andrew Hayman, Public Works Director, as a requirement of PENNDOT's reimbursement agreement system for construction of the Highland Avenue Complete Streets. The transcript language on the monetary figure is unclear and the exact contract identifier or amount was not specified at the deliberative session.

- Economic development liquor license consent: The solicitor said Resolution 54 would authorize approval of submission of an application by the owner or tenant of 403 Avenue of the States to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for issuance of an economic development liquor license and provide consent for use of the license at that property. No applicant name or additional conditions were given.

The solicitor concluded by noting the list of resolutions and that the council had met briefly in executive session before the deliberative meeting and intended to meet in executive session again after adjournment. "There are no ordinances to be voted on," the solicitor said when opening the item.

Quotes in context

"The following resolutions will be presented at the Wednesday Council Meeting for passage," the city solicitor said as he read the list of items to be placed on the council agenda.

When the solicitor noted an amendment might be necessary on the summer food award, the chief of staff said, "Correct." Later, the chief of staff confirmed staff can coordinate website updates related to boards and vacancies.

Next steps: All eight resolutions were described as being placed on the Wednesday council meeting agenda for passage; the deliberative meeting did not include final votes on these items.