BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES February 19, 2020 7:00 PM  Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Atkinson, Mayor Gifford, Mr. Trabel, and Ms. Halleman. Also, in attendance were Anthony Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Tom Wargo (Zoning Officer), Jason Council President Atkinson called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to rise for the The documents listed below were provided to Council for the February 19, 2020 Council  Quarry (Public Works Supervisor) and guests.  Pledge to thel Flag. meeting:  Agenda  Minutes of February 3, 2020 Loyl Daniels - Handicap request CMIS Zoning/UCC software Memo UCC: inspections Resolution 2020-24  MINUTES  Council President Atkinson asked for a motion to approve the Minutes of February 3, 2020.  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie. Jordan Wilbert Rufe Jamie Johnson Doug' Trotter Philip' Trabel Helen Halleman Leo Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  AISENTATIONS)-NONE PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR-NONE.    RESOLUTIONS  Mr. Branco stated that the Borough is ai municipality that has opted ini to enforce the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The Borough has two Borough Code Officials (BCOs), Mr. Branco and Mr. Wargo, and also utilizes ai third-party contractor. Mr. Branco asked foramotiont to approve  thel below Resolution: No 2020-24 opposing House Bill (HB)349.  RESOLUTIONNO.2020-24  Al RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BORUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL 349 OF 2019 REQUIRING MUNICIPALITIES ENFORCING THE PENNSYLVANIA UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE THROUGH UTILIZATION OF THIRD PARTY AGENCISTORETAINTWOTHIRDPARIY AGENCIES  TOACT ON BEHALF OF THE. MUNICIPALITY  Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Wilbert Rufe Jamie Johnson Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  X  ORDINANCES-NONE MOTIONS-NONE. OLD BUSINESS  Council President Atkinson announced that the Commonwealth of PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Borough Office Security Grant in the amount of$400k was disbursed. The project consists ofinstalling both visible defenses as ad deterrent as well as structural components such as bullet proof glass and steel security  doors. Thej project needs to be completed by 12/31/2020.  Façade Grant Program  Council President Atkinson reported that the Solicitor is reviewing the Borough of Hellertown's: and the City ofBethlehem's Façade Grant programs.    DISCUSSIONITEMS (NEW BUSINESS)  Loy Daniels 1219 Russell Ave - request Handicap space - TABLED  The decision was tabled because the Police Department has not had a chance toi inspect the site. In addition, Council decided to not include any applicant's medical information when presented to Council for privacy issues. It was recommended to update the current application process.  Zoning/UCC software request by Mr. Wargo - Finance Committee  Mr. Wargo presented the Carrigan Municipal Information System (CMIS) and recommended to purchase it. The CMIS is web-based and its core system provides access to varied information pertaining to properties in a single location including: Permits, inspections, violations, scanned documents, zoning board decisions, zoning information, property maintenance records, service requests, land use, and many more items. Additional modules are available. The initial cost to for Mr. Wargo justified the purchase based on the detection of multiple non-registered rental units (from 300rental units to over 1,100rental units) since October of2019. The increase: int thei number ofrental units requires multifold costlymanagement efforts and is offset by thei increase: ini revenue Mr. Patrick Figueroa on 820 N Clewell St. supported the purchase of the CMIS because it will help detect, track, and help acting upon both legal and illegal rental activities in the Borough. Mr. Figueroa especially referred to the tight parking situation in the Borough caused by multiple Mr. Stewart McCandless on 1011 Pawnee St welcomed the system' 'si management capabilities and Mr. Mike Spencer on 1035 Jeter Ave also supported the purchase oft the CMIS despite its cost.  the CMIS system is $19,500 plus an annual Support/Host fee of$2,400.  from occupancy licenses.  tenants in one: residence.  therefore freeing up the zoning officer's time to expand all inspection efforts.  Motion  2nd X  Yes X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Wilbert Rufe Jamie Johnson Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  X    2021 CDBG discussion - Wiley St] Reconstruction  In 2019, Lehigh County Department of Community Development (LC DCED) and the Borough signed an agreement for the reconstruction of Stanley Ave under the 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding program (based on low to moderate income housing residents) for an award of $284,050. The project consists of the full depth reconstruction of  portions oftwo Borough streets:  Stanley Ave from Bergen St east to N Hoffert St. and N.Hoffert St from Stanley Avei north to Jeter Ave.  In conjunction with the 2019 CDBG funded Stanley Ave: reconstruction project, Mr. Branco and the Public Works Committee suggest to redo Wiley St for an estimated cost of$159k (paid for by  Liquid Fuels funds).  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Wilbert Rufe Jamie Johnson Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  Mr. Branco also pointed out that two "Paper Streets" (i.e. not shown on any map), a grass alley (Bast of Lynn St) and a paved alley, intersect with Wiley St. Both alleys currently have curbing. Since road construction requires handicap ramps at curbs, Mr. Branco suggested to eliminate the curbs and pave: straight across. The straight across paving would then eliminate thei need to include  handicap ramps in the road construction and keep costs down.  Motion x  2nd X  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Wilbert Rufe Jamie Johnson Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford    For future consideration by Council, Mr. Branco also mentioned the option given by the Borough Code that the Borough vacates these alleys and turns them over to the adjacent neighbors. Finally, Mr. Branco asked for a consensus from Council to discuss with Lehigh County DCED the 2020/21 CDBG project funding eligibility. Potential projects would include: Storm Sewer (specifically the required culverts on Broadway that are not covered by PennDOT), Sanitary In addition, Mr. Atkinson mentioned to explore funding for Park improvements behind WAWA  Sewer, or Fire pump truck. Council consented. either through CDBG funding or outside ofit.  Planning Commission recommended to hirel Norris McLaughlin as solicitor.  The Planning Commission and the Borough can have the same solicitor. Mr. Branco mentioned that Norris McLaughlin has two attorneys specialized in planning and as such would not be a  conflict ofinterest.  Mayor Gifford opposed hiring Norris McLaughlin.  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Wilbert Rufe Jamie Johnson Doug Trotter Philip' Trabel Helen Halleman Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  X X  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on Non Agenda Items  Mr. Branco reported that several attorneys were suggested to the Zoning/Hearing Board as solicitors. Any applicants will be interviewed in an Executive Session at Borough Hall on. March 5,2 2020 at 5:30 pm. Mr. Branco also pointed out that until ai replacement for Attorney Ashley has Mr. Quarry, Public Works Supervisor, reported on the Borough's practice of winter road maintenance. He especially addressed previous Council discussions about "brining roads". He stressed that brining is not only costly (approx. $25k for a brining system), but also environmentally detrimental. He explained that current winter road maintenance includes pre-  been selected, Mr. Ashley will still serve as the attorney on record.  salting (with rock salt) roads with steep hills in anticipation ofv winter storms.    Mr. Quarry commented on marking handicapped parking lots with paint. He noted that handicapped parking requires a 22 ft space per Borough Code. He did not recommend to mark handicapped parking spaces because of the term limits. Any resident's violation of observing handicapped parking could be enforced by the Police ticketing instead. Mayor Gifford agreed to Mr. Mike Spencer at 1035 Spencer Ave welcomed the recent sales proceeds for the sale of1336 Russell Ave and asked for meaningful allocation ofthose sales proceeds. Ini regard to theincreased budget expenditure for Bulk Sewer Charges, Mr. Spencer suggested to prioritize Sewer  discuss with the Police Department and point them to specific complaints.  Rehabilitation areas mostly affected by influx and infiltration. EXECUTIVE SESSION: - as needed-NONE.  ADJOURNMENT  At 8:22 pm Council President Atkinson asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Jordan made the  motion, seconded by Ms. Johnson and unanimously approved.  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA  By:  Leo. Atkinson President of Council  SUBMITTED BY By:  Cordula Voges, Finance Director  ATTEST: By:  Anthony Branco, Borough Manager  Next Ordinance-857 Next Resolution 1-2020-25