Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Delaware County, Pennsylvania public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
7 issues with medium priority
Darby Creek Trail washout repairs
A stretch of trail between the Swedish Cabin and Kent Park has been washing out since 2020 due to flooding and stormwater runoff. The county will seek a $500,000 state grant for drainage fixes, stream bank armoring, and a flood-resistant trail rebuild.
Medical Examiner ARPA equipment purchase
With just over $1 million in leftover ARPA funds that must be spent by year's end — and construction on the new facility stalled — the county will buy forensic gear, including a $650,000 Rapid DNA machine, that it would have needed anyway for accreditation.
Demolition fund running down faster than it refills
Council approved advancing a $110,000 demolition grant for a collapsing Darby Borough house — well over the usual $85,000 cap. But declining real estate transactions mean the Recorder of Deeds demolition fund is replenishing more slowly, with only about 14 such grants left in the roughly $1.4 million balance.
Workday implementation risk
The county's big shift from paper to electronic HR, finance, and grants systems needs help. Council will consider a Workday Success Plan contract (up to $300,000 annually for up to three years) plus supplemental consulting to keep the rollout on track.
County Road Conditions and Blight
A vacant, structurally dangerous building at 704 Pusey Avenue in Collingdale is coming down with a $75,000 county grant, including stabilization of the shared wall with the neighboring house.
Darby Borough vacant structure demolition
A $110,000 grant from the demolition fund was proposed to tear down a vacant building at 939 Forrester Avenue in Darby — removing a potential blight and safety hazard.
Stormwater management and Chester Creek Trail
DVRPC is set to allocate $9.75 million to build the next 1.3 miles of the Chester Creek Trail with no county match. Separately, a $300,000 DCNR grant will fund an ADA-accessible loop trail, parking and bathrooms at Delco Woods (former Don Guanella School).