FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES May 3, 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 viaj phone/zoom. The remote participation option for residents was published on the Borough' 's website www.fountainhill.org. Remotely participating Council members were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Blatt, Mr. Trabel, and Mayor Gifford. Also remotely, participating were. Anthony Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Sergeant Hochwarter, Mr. Wargo (Zoning Officer), Jason Quarry (Public Works 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 oft the. April 21, 2021 Minutes 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 Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Gifford x x PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Ann Felker - Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) Ms. Felker gave a presentation on the program offering well maintained used bicycles for qualifying adults providing affordable transportation. The program is made possible through a Community Development Block Grant with the County of] Lehigh. The Office and CAT Bicycle Cooperative on 1935 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 (cat@lvcat.org) will accept applications until September 15, 2021. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Gifford encouraged everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine; there is no longer a waiting list and no scheduling is needed. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Semi-trucks on Brighton Street Mr. Branco reported that tractor trailers are causing damage on Brighton Street and to a certain extent on Benner Ave. An engineering study delineating the road construction is needed to potentially restrict traffic. Mr. Branco asked for ai motion to initiate the engineering study. Motion X 2nd Yes x x x x X No Abstain Absent X X Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen. Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford NEW BUSINESS X Ms. Jordan announced that Mr. Branco was honored by the Pennsylvania Association ofBoroughs for managing the Borough's affairs. Council congratulated him as well. RESOLUTIONS Resolution 2121-11 CDBG FUNDING APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS TOLEHIGH COUNTY FOR2021 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the Borough of Fountain Hill does hereby authorize Anthony Branco, Borough Manager, to act as the official toj prepare and submit the 2021 Community Development Block Grant Application to the County of Lehigh for funding for the reconstruction project of Kieffer Street from Delaware Ave to. Jeter. Avenue, and portions ofJeter Avenue east ofl Kieffer Street. Motion X 2nd Yes x X x X No Abstain Absent X X Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen. Halleman X Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford X Mr. Trabel asked if gas lines will be replaced beforehand. Mr. Branco will contact the utility company as soon as the grant is awarded to find out ifany gas line work is planned. ORDINANCES - None. MOTIONS- -None. OLD BUSINESS -I None. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT Borough Hall to discuss personnel matters. Council President Blatt reminded of the May 6, 2021 Executive Session to be held at 6 PM at Mr. Trabel asked about opening Borough Hall for Council meetings. Ms Johnson stressed that all members ofCouncil will be required to wear ai mask before Borough Hall should be opened for meetings. Mr. Branco pointed out that due to social distancing requirements only 12-15 guests could be accepted in Borough Hall. Ms.Jordan mentioned that people generally had more access to the meetings than in Borough Hall meetings because ofthe ease of access. Mayor Gifford wondered: ifboth virtual and in-person meetings could bel held. Mr. Trotter still reminded that participation was limited because ofs social distancing unless zoom meetings are also provided. Council President Blatt is expecting in-person Council: meetings might bej possible within the next: month or latest by July. SOLICITOR'S REPORT -] None. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) Motion to approve the the bills presented Motion 2nd x Yes 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 x B. Public Works C.Police (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) none (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson) none (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan) none (Trabel, - Halleman, Rufe) D. House & Ordinances E. Fire Mr. Trabel read the. April firei report. homes at Dodson Street. F. Recreation On behalfof the Voluntary Fire Department Mr. Trabel asked to expand the training facilities to (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) Ms. Johnson and Mr. Branco presented the 2021 YMCA pool contract again including the revised increased management fee. Mr. Branco explained that the contract stipulates that it is the Mr. Branco also noted that only day passes will be sold this year. Het then asked for ai motion to YMCA's: responsibility to secure lifeguards. accept the revised contract. Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford Motion x 2nd Yes X x x X No Abstain Absent X % X x Ms. Johnson reported that at this point no official park/playground program is planned for. G. Health & Sanitation (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel) Council President Blatt read the April Sewer/Garbage collection reports. H. Personnel (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) Mr. Trotter: reported that Ms. Kelly Moser was hired as the zoning clerk starting May 10, 2021 for Mr. Branco reminded that Ms. Hagan will provide the last office cleaning on May 11,2021 before resigning, The Public Works department will clean in the interim until a new cleaning service 201 hrs/week at an hourly rate of$15. company is secured. SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES inj place to adhere to disinfection rules. Ms. Jordan reported that the Bethlehem Area Public Library is open now. Special procedures are PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on Non - Agenda Items Mr Spencer of1035J Jeter Avenue addressed Council as the Chairman ofthe Zoning Hearing Board and criticized that a recent application for a variance was deemed approved because a Zoning He again stressed the importance of developing rules and procedures while working with the solicitor to provide advice. Hei requested Council's approval offunds toj pay for legal fees. Council President Blatt stated that his request will be addressed again with the Finance Committee and a Council President Blatt announced that a ballot box is placed in the lobby of Borough Hall for voting by mail constituents. The ballot box is under constant surveillance and secure. Hearing Board meeting could not be held timely. response will be provided before the next meeting on May 17,2021. EXECUTIVE SESSION (ifneeded) An Executive Session will bel held on May 6, 2021 at 6 pm at Borough Hall regarding personnel matters. ADJOURNMENT At 8:12. PM Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to adjourn. Mr. Trabel made the motion, seconded by Ms. Johnson and unanimously approved. BOROUGH OF FOUNTAINHILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Norman E. Blatt Jr.- President ofCouncil By: SUBMITTED By: ATTEST: By: Cordula Voges, Finance Director Anthony Branco, Borough Manager Next Resolution 2021-12 Next ordinance 863