Chester council approves two police hires, 3% union wage increase and multiple contracts and grants

The Chester City Council on Jan. 8 unanimously approved a set of personnel appointments, union wage changes, consultant and contractor awards, and grant-related agreements intended to support public safety, street-level cleanliness and a regional sports development project.

The council approved hiring Leroy Whittaker and Angel Carreon Jr. as full‑time patrol officers for the Chester Police Department, effective Jan. 8, 2025, with a one‑year probationary period and the residency requirement set at within 50 miles of Chester City Hall. Both officers were sworn in during the meeting and offered brief remarks of thanks.

Councilors also ratified a memorandum of understanding that sets a 3% wage increase for 2025 for the city’s union employees represented by Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 19, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1400, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 107. City officials said all other contract terms remain unchanged pending ongoing negotiations.

On contracts and consulting, the council awarded the law enforcement accreditation consulting project (RFP 2024‑4) to Aspiring Consulting Group in an amount not to exceed $62,500, subject to final review by the city solicitor. Mayor Ruth characterized the accreditation effort as “very significant,” saying the consultant will help guide the police department through state accreditation steps.

The council also approved a two‑year, $76,834 contract using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the “Chester Clean Ways” program, awarding the work to Bridal Maintenance. City staff described the contract as targeted cleanup and illegal‑dumping management in designated downtown and central business districts to supplement public works capacity.

The council accepted a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) "recompete strategy development" grant and agreed to comply with its stated terms and conditions; the specific award amount was referenced in the meeting materials but was not stated aloud.

On a larger economic development item, the council approved a cooperation agreement required under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) after the state authorized a $4,000,000 RACP award for the Philadelphia Union Sportsplex Project (Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC and Union Sportsplex, LLC). The resolution notes that $1,500,000 previously allocated to the Union Square Area Improvement Project is being reallocated to this project and that as host municipality the city may be required to reimburse the Commonwealth if any reimbursed expenses are later determined ineligible.

Finally, the council authorized the city to enter a railroad certification/compliance agreement with Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to permit pavement work adjacent to Conrail tracks on Highland Avenue as part of a Highland Trail connection funded through the Pennsylvania Transportation Alternative Set Aside Program. City officials said the work covers the point where the trail crosses the railroad and is part of a broader East Coast Greenway connection through Chester.

All listed resolutions passed with affirmative votes recorded for Councilor Gibson Williams, Councilor Green, Councilor Davis and Mayor Ruth; verbal motions and seconds were recorded but mover/second pairings were not specified in the public record.

The meeting also included a brief organizational update: council committee reorganizations (the governing body reduced standing committees to five and named chairs) and an update on the 2025–2029 consolidated plan and public‑comment schedule from Chester Economic Development Authority (CETA).