Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Chester council approves parking contract and several grants, tables stormwater appointment
Loading...
Summary
Council approved a parking management award, HUD and other grants and accepted an EMS service agreement; councilors tabled a proposed appointment to the stormwater authority after debate over prior board controversies.
Chester — At the April 22 meeting the Chester City Council approved a series of resolutions that will affect city services and funding, and it postponed (tabled) a contentious appointment to the stormwater authority.
The council approved Resolution 46 to award the parking‑management and enforcement RFP to Premium Parking Service LLC for an initial two‑year term with a possible third‑year option. The clerk read the contract term dates into the record; council voted to approve the award by roll call.
On grant funding, the council approved Resolution 47 to submit the FY2026 annual action plan to HUD seeking $1,251,718 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $350,959.31 in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. The council also approved a $10,000 acceptance from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for Unified Planning Work (Resolution 49) and accepted a $51,492 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant for public safety uses (Resolution 50).
Council also discussed Resolution 53, an amended and restated service‑level agreement with VMSC Emergency Medical Services covering May 2, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2030 and described in the record as “not to exceed $2,800,000.” A council member noted the item had been discussed in deliberative session and that VMSC representatives were present; the council moved and approved the resolution.
One higher‑profile personnel item was tabled. Councilors debated whether to reappoint a former member (Susan Dennis) to the city’s stormwater authority. Concerns were raised about optics and about a recently decided court case that, according to one councilor, instructed the city to restore a five‑member board. After back-and-forth about board size, oversight and past court findings, a motion to table Resolution 51 until more candidates could be identified passed on a 3‑yes roll call.
The council approved other routine resolutions — including removal of demolition liens and authorization to dispose of out‑of‑service municipal vehicles in accordance with the Third Class City Code — and closed the business portion of the meeting.
What happens next: the VMSC agreement and adopted resolutions take effect under their written terms; the stormwater appointment will be revisited once additional candidate names are provided to council.
