MINUTES BOROUGH COUNCIL August 7,2023 7P.M.  The Council Meeting was held in-person at Borough Hall. Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Blatt, Mr. McCandless, Mr. Trabel and Mayor Johnson. Also in attendance were Jason Quarry (Interim Borough Manager & Public Works Supervisor), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Keith Zehner (Zoning Officer), Ed Bachert(Police  Chief), Dave Berger (Solicitor), and guests. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked for everyone torise for the Pledge Ms. Johnson made the motion to amend the agenda to include the discussion on Moravia St. Mr.  to the Flag.  Rufe seconded it. The motion passed and the agenda was amended,  MINUTES  Approval oft the minutes ofJ July 19, 2023  Motion X  2nd an  Yes X X. x X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson  PRIVILEGEOF THE FLOOR/ PRE-SCHEDULED  Proposed" Zoning' Text Amendment t- St Luke's Hospital  Ms. Melissa Shafer, Associate Diréctor for Public Relations at St Luke's Hospital, asked Council tol look favorably.régarding the submissionofazoning' text amendment that will curei thel hospital's current zoning permit denial (RE the advertisement for the children's hospital) and the necessity to approach an ordinance deficiency as a variance. The borough's typical zoning limitation for signs appears to be overly restrictive for a multi-acre, campus-type institutional type setting with ar malwingmultideparment building with many entrances and parking lots to associate with Mr. Zehner (Zoning Officer) and Mr. Quarry (Interim Borough Manager) fully support the Council President Blatt referred the matter to the House & Ordinance Committee.  those different wings. proposed zoning text amendment.    Playground Program Closure  Council President Blatt asked the attendees to assign a spokesperson to avoid repetitive presentations regarding the Playground Program closure. On behalfofthe attendees, Ms. Anne Marie Lee of 1215 Russell Ave stated that parents were taken by surprise by the sudden closure oft the Playground Program. Parents were aware of some problems related to the playground program. However, they felt the problems were "fixable" and still guaranteed a safe environment for the children. Ms. Lee hoped that the Playground Program will return in the future. She also mentioned that a group ofparents have child clearances and would be willing tol help with the Ms. JenniferLevernier, mother of Kaylee Levernier (Playground Program:Manager), made a plea for support for her daughter. Kaylee had put her "heart and soul" into the program and loved the children. She was not made aware that volunteers required background: checks. Council President Blatt stressed that while the official Playground Program hasbeen closed for the remaining nine days of the season the general park andplayground area are still available Council President Blatt turned to Ms. Johnson, the Récreation Committee Chair. Ms. Johnson stressed the importance oft the Playground Program and itsyalue to the community. Even though the park program is not a licensed program, certain rules apply. to. it. Ms. Johnson described the events as they were shared with the Playground manager, Interim Borough Manager, Police and Committee members that led to the decision toclose the summer playground program with the focus on the children's safety. Ms. Johnson will continue.to support a playground program and the opening oft the pool in the future. Shèinvited allinterested parties to attend the upcoming Council President Blatt referrèdthe attendees tot the upcoming Recreation Meeting for a Ms. Jennifer Levernier stated thatalot of fesponsibility in regard tol hiring the playground staff  program.  during park hours.  Recreation Committee meeting on August 23d at 61 pm.  Question & Answer session: was given to her 21-yéar old daughter,  Speed Control for School Routes  Mr. Brian Ferencinof1210 Broadway inquired about Council's investigation ifs speed bumps on some schoolroutes couldbe installeda ChiefBachert stated that alleys are not a throughfare and are not designed for 2-way traffic.Speed bumps would not bej practical for alleys. Council President Blatt instead suggested toj potentially have "Watch For Children" signs at each  end oft the alley,  Speed Limits Adjacent to Playground and Park  Mr. Connor Moriarty of1125 Stanley Ave reported that vehicles frequently speed on Stanley Ave.. A traffic study would be needed to lower the speed limit. Council President Blatt suggested Ini the interim, Ms. Anne Marie Lee of12151 Russell Ave suggested to have a sign "Rolling Stop Will Cause Fine" be installed. Council President Blatt stated that the issue will be looked into.  to budget the cost for a traffic study and/or the cost for speed bumps.    NEW BUSINESS  Recreation and Conservation Grants (DCNR) -Pickleball Court The Recreation Committee will be applying for a grant to promote aj pickleball court. 20241 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Police Pension: Plan  The MMO ($415,841) is the municipality's: 2024 bill for the Police Pension Plan and must be paid by December 31,2024. The obligation must be met with genetal fund monies or any General State Aid to Municipal Pensions to which the Borough maybé entitled under Act  205,  Proposed Land Development-950-900 Broadway  On 7/3/2023 Council had approved the owners' application for the waiver to reduce the two- step land development application process to a, one-step, process. A final preliminary land development plan has been provided to Council.Fhe project.will entail demolishing the existing strip shopping plaza, an out-parcel building (former bank), merging the two lots into one, and erecting a three story twelve/(12)unit: apartment building and parking lot. At the 6/12/2023 meeting, the Planning Commission, had voted to recommend to Council to approve the preliminary land development plancontingent to 3rd, party approvals. Mr. Rufe asked Mr. Zawarski ofEountain! Hill Properties, LLC (property owner) ifa mixed use had been considered. Mr Zawarski responded that the parking requirements that come Council President Blattasked' ifthere was a motion to approve the applicant's final preliminary landdévelopment plansubject to the third-party letter (as presented to Council)  with mixed use could not have been fulfilled. including additional çonditions.  Motion 2nd  Yes X X X X X X  No X  Abstain Absent  Annamatie Jordan, Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson  X  X    Proposed Zoning Text Amendment RE Sign - StLuke's Hospital Mr.Zehner noted that St Luke's will provide the draft for an ordinance text amendment.  Moravia Street - traffic one-way during school drop off hours  School will start in two weeks. Asa a temporary solution, Moravia Street was restricted to one-way traffic during school drop-offhours (8:30-9 am and 3:30-4 pm). The temporary traffic restriction is not enforceable though. Ms. Johnson recommended permanently restricting traffic during school drop-offhours. Council President Blatt stated that an engineeringt traffic study was: needed. Council agreed and authorized Mr. Quarry to contact Hanover Engineering accordingly.  DRAFT RESOLUTIONS FOR REVIEW & FINALPASSAGE  RESOLUTION NO. 2023-17  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL POLICE PENSION PLAN  a  AR RESOLUTION OFTHE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN. HILL RELATIVETOTHE ESTABLISHMENT. AND. MAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYEESPENSION-ANNUITY, INSURANCE. AND BENEFIT: FUND OR FUNDS, TOAMEND.CERTAINPROVSIONSA OF THE PENSIONPLAN OR. PROGRAMA APPLICABLEIOTHE, POLICE. EMPLOTEESOFSAID  BOROUGH, (2023) Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless. Norman E. Blattr. MayorJohnson  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X * X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  X  RESOLUTION NO.2023-18  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL POLICE PENSION PLAN  ARESOLUTIONG OFTHE. BOROUGH OF, FOUNTAIN. HILL RELATIVE: TOTHE TABLISIMENTAND MAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYEES PENSION, ANNUITY, INSURANCE. AND. BENEFIT. FUND OR FUNDS, TO. AMEND CERTAINPROVIS/ONS OF THE. PENSION. PLANC OR. PROGRAMAPPLICABLE TO THE. POLICE. EMPLOFEES OFSAID  BOROUGH (2024)    Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor. Johnson MOTIONS  X  X  Playground Summer Program Closure  The Playground Summer Program was closed administratively"  Mr. Berger recommended a motion to officially shut down the 2023 Playground Summer program. Council President Blatt asked ift there wàs a motion. to shut down the 2023  Playground Summer program.  Motion X  2nd X  Yes X X X %  No Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson  X  Council President.Blatt voted NO based on the Police recommendation.  Waiverofthe Maintenance Bond & Release of Letter ofCredit-736  Delaware Ave  Hanover Engineering (HEA) has confirmed that the 736 Delaware Ave Land Development project has been satisfactorily completed. HEA recommended to waive the request for a 18- Month Maintenance Bond, since more than 18 months have passed since the improvements were constructed. The escrow balance for 736 Delaware Ave is zero. Therefore, HEA also recommended releasing the Letter of Credit issued by Fidelity Bank (held as security).    Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X X  No X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson  X  X  Council President Blatt abstained because Dr. Salib of7 736 Delaware Associates LLC: is his DRAFT ORDINANCES FOR REVIEW & ADVERTISEMENT: None  personal physician.  ORDINANCES FOR FINAL   OLD BUSINESS  Jeter Ave Reconstruction GDBG Grant 2022  Thel Lehigh County CommisionegApproved the award ofa an additional $99,344: fori the above project at the 7/26/2023 Board of Commissioners meeting. Hanover Engineering notified Gaver Industries, Inc.dba Barker& Barker Paving accordingly and submitted all contract  documents to the contractor.  Sioux Street Reconstruction Project  Graçe Industries will comménce thework the week of August 14, 2023. The project consists of milling, grading, and paving the roadway between the intersections of S Bergen St and S Hoffert Stnaddition, theywill replace some curbs and sidewalks between these intersections.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Johnson reminded that school will start soon and asked everyone not to speed.  COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT  Council President Blatt reported that the "Summer Soak" was a success and thanked the Fire He also thanked the volunteers working at the pool on behalf oftl the Community Coalition.  Department and the Community Coalition for their support.    SOLICITOR'S REPORT none COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan)  Motion toj pay the bills as presented  Motion  2nd X  Yes X x X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor. Johnson  X  Public Works  (Jordan, Trotter,Rufe)  Mr. Quarry reported that the paving season is in-full swing. PennDOT will start paving Broadway soon. The Borough paving projects on Dorothy &Roosevelt Ave, Sioux Street, and. Jeter Ave will  move forward.  Mr. Quarry reminded that theBorough is still looking for a Crossing Guard.  Police e  (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson)  Chief Bachert stated.hat the pedestrian crossing and speed limits on Delaware Ave will be  enforcédin the next weeks,  House & Ordinânces  (Rufe, Jordan, McCandless)  Mr. Rufe reported that the House & Ordinance Committee had a constructive meeting regarding "weeds" and wil address properties that are currently "outside" of the ordinance. He encouraged the public to attend the next committee meeting on September 6 at 5:30 pm.  ) Fire  (Trabel, Rufe, McCandless)  Mr. Trabel read last month's fire report.  Recreation  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) - None.    Ms. Johnson, Technology Chair, stressed again that Council members use the new official Borough emails. She also made the motion to be appointed as the Social Media Manager and  appoint Mr. Quarry as her backup.  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Stew McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson  X  Health & Sanitation  MeCandlesy,lohnson; Trabel)  Mr. McCandless read the Sewer/Garbage collection reports for July,  Personnel  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) - None.  Council President Blatt recently attended: thePSAB legal seminar. At the seminar, presenters recommended to update personnel policies and entertain annual personnel performance reviews.  PRIVILEGE OF THE FEOOR - Disçussion on. Non - Agenda Items  Mr. Connor Moriarty of 1125 Stanley Ave Connor asked if the playground staff would be paid until the end oft the seasen Counci.President Blatt noted that they will be paid for hours worked Ms. AnneMarie Lee inquired if the 950-960 Broadway property is listed for sale and if all the businesses will be closed. She was referred to the earlier discussed preliminary land development Council President Blatt announced the Community Coalition will holda at training session on August  only.  plan.  11th. Volunteersare invited to attend.  Mr. Rufe reported that the use of the "Books on the Hill" library is slowly increasing. Council recommended holding another Electronic Recycling event in 2023. Mr. Quarry will inquire with State Representative Jeanne McNeil's office for assistance. EXECUTIVE SESSION- - Personnel Matter & ADJOURNMENT    At 8:16 pm Council President Blatt asked to adjourn the Council meeting and asked Council tor move into an executive session to discuss personnel matters. Ms. Johnson made the motion,  seconded by Mr. Trabel and unanimously approved.  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Norman B Blatt -) President of Council  By:  ATTESTED BY:  Jason Quarry, Interim Borough Manager  SUBMITTED BY:  Cordula Voges, Finance Director  Next Ordinance-8 879 Next Resolation-2023-19  X -