Sanders addresses parking exposé

Council President Sonya Sanders took a moment from municipal council’s regularly scheduled Tuesday night work session to read a statement regarding a recent NBC10 Investigators report about her use of a Norristown “official business” parking placard to park near her day job at the Montgomery County Courthouse without receiving tickets.

“Realizing that we have some gaps in regards to what the interpretation of the placard laws and what it is going forward, I’m hoping that staff will implement procedures and regulations in place so that this incident doesn’t happen to anyone else on council going forward,” she said.

“I felt that this investigation was unethical by all means. In addition, I was unaware that I was doing anything that was problematic when there were no rules and regulations created for the parking placards. Also, I have not violated any rules and I intend to continue to serve the citizens of Norristown as I was elected to do.”

When the piece aired June 12, Sanders had already issued a response to the television station, reportedly saying she made an “error in judgment” and pledging to reimburse the municipality’s general fund with her monthly June stipend.

Update from government relations consultant

Council heard from Norristown’s Government Relations Consultant Lois Sherman Hagarty of State Street Advisors, who monitors legislation likely to affect the municipality and advises the administration on matters of community revitalization and development. She presented council with a tracking report outlining various federal and state programs, redevelopment initiatives,

tax credits, and opportunity zones Norristown could take advantage of.

Hagarty also discussed land bank programs and fielded questions from council members regarding the expedited handling of abandoned properties, electronics recycling, the future of the Norristown State Hospital grounds and eminent domain laws.

In closing remarks, Hagarty urged council members to think about the priorities for the upcoming legislative session to get ahead of any potentially impactful developments.

Consent Agenda

In a rare 4-3 vote, Council narrowly passed a resolution reaffirming the authorization to add a consent agenda to their regular agenda in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. The procedural move would group agenda items — unless otherwise requested by a member of council — for a consensus roll call vote. Sanders, along with council members Valerie ScottCooper, Olivia Brady and Rebecca Smith voted in favor of the authorization — which Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones said would shorten meetings — while Council Vice-President Derrick Perry, and council members Heather Lewis and Hakim Jones voted against it, with Councilman Jones citing concerns about transparency.

Consent agenda items passed included:

• An alcohol waiver request by the Norristown Chamber of Commerce for designated portions of Elwood Park during the municipality’s July 4th festivities.

• A consideration to authorize Keep Norristown Beautiful to submit an application to the Keep America Beautiful’s AmeriCorps VISTA program, which supports embedded community volunteers.

• A resolution to advertise the sale of a decommissioned fire truck.

Public Works

Norristown Public Works Director Thomas N. Odenigbo announced an ambitious plan to clean up five dumping areas near bridges along Water Street and Poley Park with a $14,220 contract that Council awarded to Servpro. Odenigbo said public works crews have been working closely with police and code enforcement to address the dumping issue and deal with transient homeless encampments.

Odenigbo also received approval from Council for an $81,800 contract (with a 10 percent contingency included) to be awarded to Gunite Specialists, Inc. for repairs to the Oak and Arch street bridges, which have been rated top priority for repairs by PennDOT.

Council notebook

Council voted to consider an antidiscrimination ordinance similar to those established in neighboring townships, that would include protections for sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression with protections from discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, age, disability, height, weight, education, familial status or marital status.

Council also discussed adopting new rules governing the use of municipal parks, and a new process administering parking spaces and fees at the municipal lot at East Main and Green streets, which had been illicitly sublet in the past.

An ordinance to amend parking restrictions on the 600 block of East Main Street at High Street and install a stop sign at the intersection of Sandy and Violet streets was also approved.

Announcements

• Free outdoor concerts continue this Sunday, June 24 beginning at 7 p.m. at the historic bandshell in Elmwood Park.

• Keep Norristown Beautiful has been selected as a finalist in the statewide Great American Cleanup video contest. To cast a vote, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Facebook page, click on the “Video” tab to see finalists’ videos and “Like” Norristown’s video. The video with the most “Likes” by June 27 will receive a $200 cash prize and the two runners-up will receive $100 each.

• Norristown Men of Excellence and the Norristown Area High School football program will be hosting a free youth football clinic at the state hospital fields, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Kids will receive T-shirts and lunch will be provided

• Also on Saturday, Theater Horizon, 401 DeKalb St. will be holding its Class of 2018 Summertime Festival featuring live performances by young artists beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance $20 at the door.

• The Norristown Police Department is offering vacation home checks, providing added patrols (time permitting) for residents who inform the department when they are going on summer vacation.