Chester County public meetings in 2022

Prison Board

The Prison Board will meet to review the minutes from November 17, 2022, and receive a monthly report. The agenda consists of procedural items and general discussion.

• Review of November 17, 2022 meeting minutes
• Monthly report

The Prison Board approved the minutes from the November 17, 2022 meeting. Warden Ron Phillips provided a monthly report on inmate populations, medical updates, and staffing levels. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved November 17, 2022 meeting minutes
• Adopted December 15, 2022 meeting agenda

General

The Board of Commissioners is meeting to approve the 2023 budget and set the real estate tax rate. The agenda includes several contract amendments for infrastructure and public health, as well as updates to personnel policies.

• Approval of 2023 Budget totaling $670,704,054
• Resolution 82-22 to authorize the 2023 Real Estate Tax Rate
• Contract amendment for Rehabilitation of County Bridge #167 for $618,299.93
• Contract with Innovative Emergency Management, Inc. for $718,313.36 for natural gas pipeline planning
• Grant award from PA Department of Transportation for $498,000 for Bridge #157

The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the 2023 budget and authorized the 2023 real estate tax rate. The board also approved several resolutions regarding grants and local tax assistance, along with various personnel policy changes.

• Approved 2023 Budget in the amount of $670,704,054.00 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 82-22 authorizing the 2023 Real Estate Tax Rate
• Approved Resolution 84-22 authorizing additional American Rescue Plan Grants
• Approved Resolution 83-22 concerning Caln Township’s LERTA Program
• Approved Resolution 81-22 to exonerate certain county taxes in East Brandywine Township
• Adopted changes to Probationary Period, Sick Time, and Change in Status policies
• Approved Chesco Choice Flexible Benefits Program waiting period policy change
• Approved bid awards for toner cartridges ($18,989.91) and paper products ($299,076.53)

General

The Salary Board is meeting to discuss the approval of new positions and the inactivation of existing positions. The agenda does not list specific job titles or names.

• Approval of new positions
• Approval of position inactivations

The Salary Board approved the creation of new positions and the inactivation of existing positions as listed on the meeting agenda. The board also approved the minutes from the September 21, 2022 meeting.

• Approved new positions listed on the Salary Board agenda
• Approved position inactivations listed on the Salary Board agenda
• Approved September 21, 2022 Salary Board minutes

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement for a regional household hazardous waste program. The board also passed a consent agenda including tax exonerations in Newlin Township and an industrial development project. General contracts, grants, and budget changes were approved.

• Approved intergovernmental agreement for Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Household Hazardous Waste Education, Collection, and Management Program
• Approved Resolution 77-22 to exonerate certain county taxes in Newlin Township
• Approved Resolution 78-22 for Central and Western Chester County Industrial Development Authority project for Curtis L. and Marilyn B. Nolt
• Approved Budget Change 14-22
• Approved Contracts Agenda
• Approved Grants Agenda
• Approved HR Agenda (hires, rehires, transfers, promotions, ends of employment, and retirements)
• Approved vouchers as submitted by Controller

General

The Board of Elections is meeting to certify the official computation of the November 8, 2022 General Election results. The board will also receive a report from the Voter Services Director.

• Resolution 74-22: Certifying official results of the November 8, 2022 General Election

The Board of Elections approved Resolution 74-22 to certify the official results of the November 8, 2022 General Election. A proposal for partial certification excluding races with pending recount petitions was defeated. The board also approved the minutes from the November 4, 2022 meeting.

• Approved Resolution 74-22 certifying official November 8, 2022 General Election results
• Denied motion for partial certification of election results
• Approved November 4, 2022 meeting minutes
• Adopted November 28, 2022 agenda

Prison Board

The Prison Board approved the minutes from the October 26, 2022 meeting. Warden Ron Phillips provided a monthly report on inmate populations, medical updates, and staffing levels. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved October 26, 2022 meeting minutes
• Adopted November 17, 2022 meeting agenda

Board of Elections

The Board of Elections is meeting to appoint poll workers and members of the return board for the 2022 General Election. The meeting also includes a report from the Voter Services Director.

• Resolution 72-22: Appointing poll workers for the 2022 General Election
• Resolution 73-22: Appointing and authorizing individuals to act as members of the return board

Retirement Board

The Retirement Board is meeting to receive a performance update report and an actuarial review. The meeting follows a previous session where the fund was valued at $471,371,349 as of the second quarter.

• Performance Update Report
• Actuarial Review
• Approval of September 21, 2022 meeting minutes

The Board approved the minutes from the September 21, 2022 meeting and adopted the current agenda. Members received a third quarter performance report and an actuarial review, but no changes were made to investments or actuarial assumptions.

• Approved September 21, 2022 meeting minutes
• Adopted November 2, 2022 meeting agenda

Prison Board

The Prison Board met to approve previous minutes and receive a monthly update from Warden Ron Phillips. The report detailed inmate populations, medical and mental health statistics, and staffing vacancies.

• Average daily inmate population for August 2022 was 618
• 72 open positions reported, including 60 Correctional Officer I openings
• 51 inmates placed on suicide watch in August
• 63 individuals identified as Seriously Mental Ill
• Horse-Works program scheduled to resume September 29, 2022

The Prison Board approved the minutes from the September 28, 2022 meeting. Warden Ron Phillips provided a monthly report on inmate populations, medical updates, and staffing. The PA Department of Corrections found the prison to be fully compliant during their inspection.

• Approved September 28, 2022 Prison Board minutes
• Adopted October 26, 2022 meeting agenda

Board of Elections

The Board of Elections is meeting to authorize changes to specific polling locations and ratify the full list of sites for the November 8, 2022 General Election. The meeting also includes a report from the Voter Services Director.

• Resolution 64-22: Authorizing polling location changes and ratifying the full list of polling locations for the 2022 General Election
• Polling change: East Brandywine N-1 moved to Brandywine Wallace Elementary, 435 Dilworth Rd., Downingtown
• Polling change: Kennett Township 1 moved to Bethany Presbyterian, 316 Kennett Pk., Kennett Square
• Polling change: Phoenixville N-2 moved to Phoenixville Recreation Center, 501 Franklin Ave., Phoenixville
• Polling change: Tredyffrin Middle 3 moved to St Matthews United Methodist, 600 Walker Rd., Wayne

Prison Board

The Prison Board met to approve previous minutes and receive a monthly update on prison operations. Deputy Warden George Roberts reported on inmate populations, medical and mental health statistics, and staffing levels.

• Average daily inmate population of 613 for July 2022
• 72 open positions, including 53 Correctional Officer I openings
• Report of 59 seriously mentally ill individuals and 12 inmates at Norristown State Hospital
• July 2022 COVID-19 statistics: 11 staff and 21 inmates confirmed positive
• GED, Stress, and Anger Management programs scheduled to resume or start in the fall

Retirement Board

The Retirement Board will meet to receive a performance update report and discuss Venture Chesco, securities litigation, and investment managers. The meeting follows a previous session where the board approved moving $5 million from the Brandes Core Bond Fund to the Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund and $3 million from the Vanguard S&P500 to the Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund.

• Performance update report for the Chester County Employees’ Retirement Fund
• Discussion on Venture Chesco
• Review of securities litigation
• Discussion regarding investment managers

Salary Board

The Salary Board is meeting to decide on the creation of new positions, re-classifications of existing roles, and the inactivation of various positions. Many of the proposed inactivations affect staff at the Pocopson Home.

• Proposed new positions: PT Mental Health Specialist (Nursing) and Attorney IV (District Attorney)
• 23 proposed job re-classifications, including roles in Court Administration and Public Safety Communications
• Inactivation of 38 positions, primarily affecting Pocopson Nursing Care, Food & Dietary, and Housekeeping
• Inactivation of IT Audit Officer and IT Trainer positions in the Dept of Computing Info Service

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review proposed strategies for using Opioid Settlement Funds. The meeting includes voting on numerous service contracts, grant applications, and budget adjustments for emergency services and public health.

• Resolution 62-22 to award American Rescue Plan Grants
• Contract with George Junior Republic in PA for $500,000 for residential placement services
• Contract with L3Harris Technologies, Inc. for $516,227.33 for dispatch consoles
• Budget change of $255,819 for a Lenco Bearcat tactical vehicle for Downingtown Borough
• Grant renewal from PA Department of Human Services for $25,998,832.00

Prison Board

The Prison Board will meet to review the monthly report and discuss prison operations. The agenda consists of standard procedural items and a general discussion period.

• Review of monthly prison report

Salary Board

The Salary Board is meeting to review and approve the creation of three new positions and 36 job reclassifications across various county departments. These changes are proposed to take effect on August 27, 2022.

• Proposed new positions: PT Autopsy Technician (Coroner), Public Health Nurse (Nursing), and SSS IV (Nursing)
• Job reclassifications for multiple Registered Nurses at Pocopson Nursing Care
• Job reclassifications for Telecommunicators in Public Safety Communications
• Job reclassifications for Clerical Supervisors in District Justices Admin
• Job reclassifications in Public Information, Adult Probation, and Juvenile Probation

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing and discuss an amendment to the County-Wide Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. The meeting also includes voting on numerous service contracts, grant applications, and the termination of the Chester County Redevelopment Authority.

• Public hearing and proposed resolution (55-22) for the Model Stormwater Ordinance
• Contract amendment with PrimeCare Medical, Inc for $6,557,952.70 for prison and youth center health care
• Resolution (58-22) to terminate the Chester County Redevelopment Authority
• Farmland preservation contracts for Luke A. Allen ($213,916.50) and Vincent J. & Linda G. Mastrangelo ($217,931.48)
• Bid awards for mobile data computers ($274,900.00) and guide rail replacement ($73,793.75)

Salary Board

The Salary Board is meeting to decide on job reclassifications resulting from a compensation study. The board will also consider the creation of several new positions and the inactivation of others.

• Approval of job reclassifications for various roles including Hearing Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, and Court Clerks
• Creation of 9 new positions, including 7 roles within Voter Services
• Job re-classifications for 17 positions across departments such as the Public Defender and Solicitor
• Inactivation of two part-time positions: a Court Clerk and a General Clerk

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will review numerous contracts for social services, public health, and infrastructure. Key items include funding for affordable housing construction and updates to Coroner's office fees.

• Contract for $1,900,000 for affordable rental housing construction in Caln Township
• Contract for $1,500,000 for affordable senior rental housing construction
• Resolution 48-22 to add fees for services, examinations, and reports from the County Coroner’s office
• Contract for $467,500 with Baker Tilly US, LLP for hotel tax auditing services
• Preservation contracts for farmland in Lower Oxford, East Nottingham, and West Fallowfield Townships

Retirement Board

The Retirement Board will meet to discuss a performance update report and the rebalancing of the fund. The meeting follows a previous session where the board approved investing 10% of the portfolio into real estate.

• Performance update report
• Portfolio rebalancing discussion
• Approval of March 31, 2022 meeting minutes

Salary Board

The Salary Board is meeting to decide on the approval of several new part-time positions and various job re-classifications across county departments. These changes affect staffing in public safety, the courts, and human resources.

• Creation of 5 part-time Telecommunicator positions (Levels I-IV) for Public Safety Communications
• Re-classification of 4 District Court Clerk I positions to Clerk II
• Re-classification of an Accountant II to MHIDD Prgrm Spec II - Planner
• Re-classification of a Benefits Administrator II to Benefits Administrator I in Human Resources
• Re-classification of 3 Telecommunicator positions within Public Safety Communications

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will consider a wide range of service contracts, board appointments, and budget transfers. Key items include funding for senior centers, mental health services, and a policy revision regarding employment after retirement.

• Resolution 41-22 to authorize exoneration of certain county taxes in the Borough of Phoenixville
• Contract amendment with McCormick Taylor, Inc. for $217,939.69 to replace Rudolph-Arthur Covered Bridge #26
• Budget transfer of $1,110,294 from Medical Assistance Transportation Program grant to Human Services Fund
• Contract with Resources for Human Development, Inc. for $2,800,844 for Supportive Living Services
• Proposed revisions to the Employment After Retirement Policy (40207)

County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners will consider a wide range of consent agenda items, including mental health services, land preservation easements, and social service contracts. The meeting also includes budget changes for probation and the District Attorney's office.

• Contract with Carelink Community Support Service for $4,952,805.00 for mental health services
• Contract with Posh Properties No 24 Wind Gap Family LP for $1,399,256.25 for PA CareerLink office space
• Contract amendment with Aramark Services, Inc. for $2,195,737.00 for food services at Pocopson Home
• Multiple land preservation contracts, including $640,000.00 for Camp Innabah Easement in East Vincent Township
• Grant award of $204,130.00 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the District Attorney