Norristown council approves grants, cancels bids and advances sewer, stormwater and disaster‑recovery requests
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Summary
Council approved acceptance of a $40,000 National Fitness Campaign grant for Elmwood Park, canceled and authorized a rebid of paving/ADA bids, approved a letter of intent to Scott Contractors for a $429,930 stormwater project, approved the Act 537 module for 730 Forest Avenue (with one recorded dissent), and authorized submission of a $300,000 CDBG‑DR application.
At its meeting, the Norristown council approved several motions and resolutions covering parks, public works, stormwater, sewer planning and a federal disaster‑recovery grant application.
Parks & Recreation requested and the council approved acceptance of a $40,000 grant from the National Fitness Campaign to install a fitness court at Elmwood Park. Council members asked about total project cost (presenters said the full installation cost is approximately $135,000); the grant program provides a vendor and the council approved accepting the grant.
Public Works moved to cancel and rebid all bids for the paving and ADA ramp project after staff found new bidder information and determined submitted bids were significantly over budget. Council approved a motion to cancel and rebid the project so staff can reissue the solicitation.
The council considered Resolution 26‑03 and approved sending a letter of intent to Scott Contractors in the amount of $429,930 to complete a 2025 stormwater project. The presenter identified three work locations (Putnamwood/West Oak, Fournette Street Bridge/Dekopp, and East Washington Street), noted Scott Contractors was the low bidder and has worked in Norristown previously, and said the project exceeds the $350,000 threshold for the Responsible Contractors Ordinance (RCO), requiring RCO documentation.
On planning matters, council approved Resolution 26‑05, forwarding an Act 537 sewage‑planning module for 730 Forest Avenue (a single‑family house to be converted into four apartments) to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for review. The sewer engineering presentation explained that because the project generates additional sewer flow it required a component‑3 planning submission; the council approved the submission by roll call (William McCoy Aye; Natalie Colson Aye; Jasmine Griffin Aye; David McMahon Aye; Dustin Queenan No; Rashad Bates Aye).
Council also authorized submission of a $300,000 application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development under the CDBG‑DR (disaster recovery) program for housing and infrastructure work in identified blocks of Norristown impacted by Hurricane Ida. The council moved and approved the application authorization; staff said they would circulate the final application for council review.
Votes at a glance: - $40,000 National Fitness Campaign grant for Elmwood Park: approved (motion passed; roll‑call recorded in meeting) - Cancel and rebid paving & ADA project: approved (motion passed by roll call) - Resolution 26‑03 — letter of intent to Scott Contractors ($429,930): approved (motion passed) - Resolution 26‑05 — Act 537 planning module for 730 Forest Ave: approved (recorded roll call with one No vote by Dustin Queenan) - Resolution 26‑06 — authorize $300,000 CDBG‑DR application: approved (motion passed)
The meeting ended after the council adjourned by voice vote. No ordinances related to the ICE concerns raised in public comment were introduced during this session.
