FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL  MINUTES January 4, 2021 7:00 P.M.  Due to Governor Tom Wolf's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Disaster Declaration on March 6, 2020, a virtual/remote public Council Meeting was held via phone/zoom. Thei remote participation option forresidents was provided on the Borough's website www.fountainhllorg Remotely participating Council members were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Blatt, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trabel, Ms. Halleman and Mayor Gifford. Also remotely participating were Anthony Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Pete Lehr (Solicitor),  ChiefBachert, Jason Quarry (PW Supervisor), and guests.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked everyone to pledge allegiance to  the Flag. MINUTES  Motion to approve the December 7, 2020 Minutes  Motion x  2nd  Yes X X X X x x x  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  x  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - None.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Gifford thanked all Borough residents who had participated in the Christmas Decorating Contest. Chief] Bachert and Mayor Gifford judged many wonderful Christmas displays and prizes  will be mailed to the winners. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT  The sanitary sewer televising project will start within the next two weeks,  The second and final disbursement of the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) state grant for the Public Works building in the amount of $18,750 is scheduled to be paid via  check on 1/4/2021.    Motion to approve ai resident'si request for a temporary (90 days) Loading Zone  Motion  2nd x  Yes x X x x x x X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  X  NEW BUSINESS  Motion to approve the request ofMaria Negron, 512N. Bishopthorpe St. for al handicap space for 12 months and also waive the stated application fee of$25 - all documents  received and approved by staff.  Based on the given arguments and the nominal amount oft the stated application fee ofonly $25, Mr. Branco recommended not to waive the application fee. Mr. Rufe and Mayor Gifford agreed Ms. Halleman asked for details regarding the request. The Borough Manager explained that because ofprivacy issues Council had adopted aj procedural flow of documentation being received int the office, reviewed by thel Police Çhiefand Public Works Supervisor and finally presented to Council for approval at thel beginning of2 2020. Mr. Lehr confirmed the process.  tos supplement the application fee of$25.  Motion x  2nd x  Yes x X x X X x x  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip' Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford RESOLUTIONS  Motion to approve the below presented Resolutions 2021 1-5  Resolution 2021 -1 11 Holidays  Resolution 2021 -2 Voting Delegates NCTCC Resolution 2021 - 3 Meeting Schedule for 2021    Resolution 2021- 40 Committee. Appointments Resolution 2021-51 Fee Schedule  Motion  2nd x  Yes X X X X x x X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford ORDINANCES  x  Mr. Lehr noted that Ordinance No. 858 reflects the standing definition of a fire protection unit used for the Borough. The Fountain Hill Volunteer Fire Co. was created to fight fires in the Borough and all assets purchased and used for this purpose are considered assets oft the Borough.  ORDINANCE NO. 858  AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, CHAPTER 7, FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE PROTECTION, PART 1, FIRE DEPARTMENT, BY CONFIRMING DESIGNATION OF FOUNTAIN HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE CO., INC. AS THE OFFICIAL FIRE PROTECTION UNIT FOR THE BOROUGH, IDENTIFYING AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES, REPBALING PROVISION ON COMPOSITION OF DEPARTMENI, REPEALING DESCRIPTIONS OF FIRE CHIEF, FIRE MARSHAL, CAPTAIN, LIBUTENANT, AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATING TO OWNERSHIP OF FIRE APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY OF PARTS OF THIS ORDINANCE DEEMED TO BE INVALID; REPEALING ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.  Motion to approve Ordinance No. 858-  Motion  2nd  Yes x X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson    Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford MOTIONS - None. OLD BUSINESS Meeting.  X X x X X  x  X  Council President Blatt tabled the discussion about the draft Lateral Ordinancet to a future Council  COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT  Council President acknowledged a resident's gift oft the "Rules ofOrder" book tol be displayed in  the Borough's lobby. SOLICITOR'S REPORT - None. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan)  Mr. Trotter read the list of checks disbursed in December 2020. The disbursements were pre-  approved at the December 7, 2020 meeting.  B. Public Works  (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe)  Ms. Jordan reported that the Public Works Committee members, Council President Blatt, the Borough Manager and Mr. Quarry (Public Works Supervisor) had interviewed several candidates for the vacancies in the Public Works department and selected two candidates for hiring. Ms. Halleman sati in duringi theinterview sessions as well. Sheasked to consider full Council hiring interviews in the future. Council President Blatt acknowledged her suggestion and submitted for Upon the Public Works Committee's recommendation, Mr. Blatt asked for a motion to offer employment to the selected candidates conditional to their passing ofbackground, physical and  further consideration. drug tests.  Motion x  2nd x  Yes X x x X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman  X    Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  X  C.Police  (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson)  Regarding the purchase ofbody cameras for the police, Chief Bachert noted that grant funding is no longer available. Mayor Gifford suggested toj postpone the discussionp purchaseofbody cameras  due to its high cost.  D. House & Ordinances E. Fire  (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan) - None. (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe)  Mr. Trabel reported that the Fire Department's Santa Run was well received. The Christmas tree  sale was a huge success. F.R Recreation  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel)  Ms. Johnson asked to schedule a zoom meeting for the upcoming scheduled Recreation Committee meeting and asked toi invite the Bethlehem Area YMCA to participate as well.  G. Health & Sanitation  (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel)  Ms. Halleman read the December Sewer/Garbage collection reports.  As discussed at a previous Council Meeting, Council President Blatt asked the Borough Manager to invite the Portnoff Law Associates representative to introduce their collection practices to  Council.  H. Personnel  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) - None.  SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES  Ms. Jordan reported that library services are still limited to online service.  Chief Bachert is looking for additional Borough families to distribute collections from the Mr. Wargo, the Zoning Officer, noted that Ordinance No 637 of2020 does allow pre-sale home inspections and that he will bei following up on that ordinance and focusing on curb and sidewalk, Mr. Wargo also asked to introduce a second third-party home inspection company to Council.  recent Policel Department's' "Farm to Table" food drive.  down-spout runoff, sump pump elimination inspections among others.  Council consented.  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on Non Agenda Items    Mr. Mike Spencer at 1035. Jeter. Avenue reminded Council that Ms. Connie Skelly Potts has resigned from the Zoning Hearing Board and the vacancy needs tol be filled. He also asked to schedule a zoom meeting for January 18, 2021 for the Zoning Board members to: meet and re- organize. Mr. Branco stated that a re-organization is only required in even years after an election The Solicitor addressed Council to formally accept Ms. Potts's resignation. Ms. Halleman praised the value that Ms. Potts has contributed to the Zoning Board. Council President Blatt  though.  asked for ai motion to accept Ms. Potts's resignation.  Motion  2nd X  Yes x X X x x X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Gifford  x  x  Ms. Johnson inquired about the process to apply for the Zoning Board's membership. Mr. Mike Spencer (see above) welcomed the clarification oft the Fire Depatmenfsrelationahip with the Fountain Hill Voluntary Fire Co. However, he questioned Council disregarding and ordinance because oftime limits. Council President Blatt explained that Council fulfilled its legal  obligation to listen to the recent appeal but chose not to further act oni it. Mr. Rich Rolen questioned the legal status oft the Fountain Hill Voluntary Fire Co. Hei then reported that the Deputy Fire Chiefwas involved in a vehicle crash.  He finally inquired about future road construction projects on Ostrum Street and Broadway. The Borough Manager reported that the Borough has no immediate road construction scheduled for either street, especially considering that Broadway: is a state road and PennDot's responsibility. Mr. Branco noted that St. Luke's Hospital is reviewing funding for the reconstruction of Ostrum Mr. Jeffrey Painton at 1218 Graham Street inquired about the status of an official Borough social media site. Ms. Johnson noted that Council had approved a Social Media Policy but never set up an official social media page. Council President Blatt took: note ofit for further discussion.  Street.  EXECUTIVE SESSION (ifneeded) )-None.  ADJOURNMENT  At 8:581 PM Council President Blatt asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Johnson made the  motion, seconded by Ms. Jordan and unanimously approved.    Next Resolution 2021-21 Next ordinance 860