FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL  MINUTES August 2, 2021 7:00 P.M  The Council Meeting was held in-person at Borough Hall. Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Blatt, Mayor Gifford, and Ms. Halleman. Mr. Trabel was: initially absent but did come later. Also, in attendance were. Anthony Branco (Interim Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Pete Lehr (Solicitor), Chief Bachert, Jason Quarry (Public Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to rise for the Pledge  Works Supervisor) and guests.  to the Flag, MINUTES  Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to approve the. July 6, 2021 Council minutes.  Motion 2nd  Yes X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan X Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  X  X  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR/ PRE-SCHEDULED - None.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Gifford suggested tol hold a 9/11 20th commemoration and potentially engage the Middle School band. Council President Blatt asked her to spearhead a committee organizing such an  event.  BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT  Mr. Branco reported that the Borough is experiencing problems with multiple property owners not cutting the grass on their properties. In the past, Public Works cut the grass and the property owner was billed for the labor and machine. hours. The Borough discontinued this practice because of concerns that any Public Works employees could get hurt. Instead, Mr. Branco asked for permission tol hire an outside contractor to clean the property. The Borough would bill the property owner and -1 ifneeded - file ai municipal lien and pursue a sheriff's sale. The Solicitor recommended ifaj property is1 mortgaged to contact the: mortgage company and ask for payment    or threat oft municipal lien filing. Mayor Gifford cautioned toj pursue a sheriff's sale because of unknown hardship circumstances. Ms. Jordan recommended a stronger position to take care of problem properties because oft their overall negative impact on1 the community as a whole. Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to authorize Mr. Branco to hire an outside contractor  to clean unkept properties. Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  Motion 2nd X  Yes No X X X X X  Abstain Absent  X  X X  NEW BUSINESS  Chief Bachert requested toj purchase six (6) new vehicle laptops with sufficient memory to comply with the new County wide reporting system funded through cash reserves. Chief Bachert  estimated the cost tol be between $20,000 and $25,000. Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to approve his request. Mr. Trabel made the motion, seconded by Ms. Johnson  Motion 2nd  Yes No X X X X X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  X  X X  X  RESOLUTIONS    RESOLUTION NO. 2021-15  Al RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO. APPOINT A BOROUGH MANAGER AND BOROUGH SECRETARY. The motion was made by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Trabel to: make the  appointment.  Motion 2nd X  Yes No X X X X X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  X X  X  Mr. Rufe and Mr. Trotter had indicated beforehand that they are supportive of the decision.  ORDINANCES -none. MOTIONS  Approval for Payment Application #3 in the amount of$72,849.48 tol Pipe Services for sanitary  sewerT TV: inspections - reviewed and approved by Hanover Engineering.  Motion 2nd X  Yes No X X X X X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Gifford OLD BUSINESS - none.  X X  X  COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT  Council President Blatt recited a letter from Mr. Chad Bruckner who had done thel background check on the newly hired Borough Manager thanking him for the opportunity to provide the  service.    SOLICITOR'S REPORT  Mr. Lehr updated Council on the recent delinquent accounts (for Sewer & Garbage, Stormwater and Rental License Fees) with an aggregate balance of $65,289.07. Ofthose, three have paid in full. An additional two accounts are anticipated to bej paid in full as ai result ofs sales occurring tomorrow. Four have issued partial payment. Ofthe remaining six, four have judgments entered against them as ofJ July 29th and two others (commercial owners) have complaints filed for which  service has been accomplished. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan)  Council President Blatt presented thel bills for the month ofJuly and entertained to  ask for ai motion toj pay bills as presented.  Motion 2nd  Yes No X X X X X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Gifford B. Public Works  X  X X  X  (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe)  Ms. Johnson reported that Derek Palmer successfully completed his six-month probation period  and asked to transfer him to full time employment status.  Motion 2nd  Yes X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan x Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  X  X X  Mr. Quarry reported that the pool is closed now for the season. He recommended to discuss  necessary upgrades to the pool.    Council President Blatt asked Ms. Johnson to set up a committee to work on that and also  suggested to get access to the pool study that was done in the past. Chief Bachert reported on an arrest that was recently made.  C.Police  (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson)  D. House & Ordinances E. Fire  (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan) -1 none. (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe)  Mr. Trabel reported on the. July Fire Report. He also mentioned that the Firehouse lighting was  updated with LED light bulbs finance through a fire grant.  He reminded that the Fire Department is still looking for Volunteer Firefighters.  Ms. Halleman reported about a local fire incident. She questioned the reason for the increase in fire incidents. Fire Chief Richmond stated that Code enforcement and fire fighter training are crucial tools to deal with these incidents. He also encouraged everyone that any alarms should be Mr. Blatt thanked St Luke's] Hospital again for its contribution to thej purchase ofai new fire  reported to the Fire Department to find out the cause for the alarms.  engine.  F.R Recreation  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel)  Ms. Johnson reported that the pool season was very successful despite short staff. Attendance was low because only daily passes and: no season passes were sold. Council President Blatt asked  her to form a committee to work out the future pool season.  G.] Health & Sanitation  (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel)  Ms. Halleman reported the Sewer & Garbage collection reports for July.  H. Personnel  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) -1 none.  SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES  Ms. Jordan noted that the Bethlehem Area Library is looking for aj part-time staffmember for the Mr. Manzanares ofSt. Luke's Hospital thanked the Public Works crew for painting the curbsides  Book Mobile.  at crosswalks near the hospital.  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on. Non Agenda Items    AI resident of943 Long Street complained that vehicles are still speeding through thel Long Street alley. Chief] Bachert responded that the Police does not see any violations. Council President  Blatt added that the current street signs alert drivers to slow down.  EXECUTIVE SESSION (as needed) - NONE.  ADJOURNMENT  At 8:01 PM Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to adjourn. Ms Johnson made the motion,  seconded by Mr. Trabel and unanimously approved.  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Norman E. Blatt Jr.- President ofCouncil  By:  SUBMITTED By:  Cordula Voges, Finance Director  ATTEST: By:  Anthony Branco, Borough Manager  Next Resolution 2021-16 Next ordinance 863