Council approves $1.55M federal reimbursement for Norris Street trail and adopts updated eCollect cost schedule

At its Feb. 11 meeting, Chester City Council approved two resolutions relating to transportation funding and tax collection fees.

Resolution 18: The council authorized Thomas Moore, chief of staff, or Andrew Hayman, public works director, to execute all documents and agreements with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to facilitate reimbursement of $1,550,000 in federal Transportation Alternative set‑aside funding for the Norris Street Trail and Streetscape project. The clerk recorded a motion, a second and unanimous 'Yes' votes from the roll call (Williams, Green, West, Davis and the mayor as recorded); the resolution passed.

Resolution 19: Council also adopted an updated cost‑of‑collection schedule to be imposed by 'e collect plus LLC' on taxpayers whose taxes are delinquent. The motion was moved and seconded and recorded as passing unanimously. During public comment earlier, residents and landlords asked council to delay or gather more data about eCollect's fees and practices, comparing city contracts to prior county arrangements and raising concerns about added costs to taxpayers.

Council members described Resolution 18 as part of a strategy to connect sidewalks and trails (East Coast Greenway links and Highland Avenue work were referenced) and explained the Norris Street money supports streetscape and trail extension work. The clerk read both resolutions into the record and the motions passed with all recorded votes in the affirmative.

Next steps: For the Norris Street project, the mayor indicated construction is expected to start next summer after federal contracting steps are completed. For the eCollect cost schedule, council staff indicated the city's community and economic development department and finance staff will convene meetings and provide information to landlords and residents regarding fee structure and rental‑registration concerns.