FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES November 2, 2020 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. The: remote participation option for residents was provided on the Borough's website www.fountainhll.org Remotely participating Council members were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trabel, Ms. Halleman and Mayor Gifford. Also, remotely participating were. Anthony Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Chief Bachert, Jason Quarry (PW Supervisor), Tom Wargo (Zoning & Codes Officer), Derek Richmond (Voluntary Fire Co. Chief), Pete Lehr (Solicitor), and guests. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice President of Council Jordan called the meeting to order and asked everyone to pledge allegiance to the Flag. MINUTES Minutes of October 21, 2020 Motion 2nd Yes X X X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Mayor Gifford X Minutes of October 26, 2020 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 Mayor Gifford X PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR- AGENDAITEMS Mr. Rich Rolen - Deputy Chief Fountain Hill Voluntary Fire Co. On October 22nd, Mr. Rich Rolen was terminated as a member of the and Deputy Chief of the Fountain Hill Fire Co. by Fire Chief Derek Richmond. Mr. Rolen asked Council for a formal hearing to appeal his termination and asked to be re-instated as a Deputy Fire Chief. Fire Chief Mr. Lehr (Solicitor) noted that the Fountain Hill Voluntary Fire Co. is a separate organization based on its January 19, 2011 Constitution and By-Laws, and the Borough has not exercised any Officer Fritzinger valued Mr. Rolen's contribution tot the Fountain Hill Voluntary Fire Co. Mr. Alfred Albrecht, President of the Fountain Hill Voluntary Fire Co., regrets Mr. Rolen's Mr. Mike Spencer of 1035 Jeter Ave expresses that Council should apply Ordinance 348 exercise Council Member Trabel recommended that the Borough should not get involved in the Fire Co.'s Richmond upheld his decision to terminate Mr. Rolen. oversight overit.. A "formal appeal" is not offered. termination and would like to seel him re-instated as ai member. its oversight. personnel decisions. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Gifford thanked both the Police Department and the Voluntary Fire Co. for having Recommendation by Chief Bachert to hire Mr. Matthew Devers as a part-time Police Officer with the potential of employing him full-time: in the future. Mr. Devers has passed put on a fantastic Halloween event. all required background checks. Motion 2nd X Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Mayor Gifford X X BOROUGH MANAGER'SI REPORT Mr. Branco asked Council for approval to offer the old lawn mower for sale at the municipal auction. Motion 2nd x Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie. Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip' Trabel Helen Halleman Mayor Gifford NEW BUSINESS X PennDot Maintenance Agreement- - Broadway ADA Ramps Motion 2nd Yes X X X X X x No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Mayor Gifford X X Payment to Grace Industries in the amount of $24,925.27 - Wiley Street Motion X 2nd Yes X X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie, Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Mayor Gifford x Payment to Grace Industries ini the amount of$183,228.84 Payment Application No. 1-in conjunction with CDBG Grant 2019 for Stanley Ave- -N. Hoffert St 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 Mayor Gifford Discussion/Review, ofapplicants for the Council Vacancy Ofthe three applicants for the Council vacancy, Mr. Norm Blatt was nominated to be effective immediately. Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Mayor Gifford Motion X 2nd Yes X X X X X X No Abstain Absent x RESOLUTIONS. - None. ORDINANCES-None. MOTIONS- None. OLD BUSINESS three weeks. Mr. Branco reported that work on the Office Security is expected to be completed within In conjunction with the Broadway Curb & Sidewalk construction project, PennDOT is the Highway Occupancy Permits (HOPs) for access to the State right-of-way. two to reviewing COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT-None. SOLICITOR'S REPORT Mr. Lehri reminded that the election oft thei new Council President is scheduled for the next Council meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance (Trotter, Atkinson, Jordan) Presentation ofbills to be paid 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 Mayor Gifford x B. Public Works C. Police D. House & Ordinances E.E Fire F.R Recreation G.I Health & Sanitation (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) - None. (Trotter, Johnson) - None. (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan) - None. (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe) - None. (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) - None. (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel) Ms. Halleman read the October 2020 collection reports for Sewer & Garbage utilities. H. Personnel (Trotter, Atkinson, Jordan) - None. SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES Ms. Jordan reported that the Bethlehem. Area Public Library is open for limited "browsing". PRIVILEGE OF THE. FLOOR - Discussion on. Non Agenda Items Ms. Debbie Spadaccia of1004 Broadway askedi ift the Borough plans any activities for Christmas. She had provided some special treats for thel Halloween event and would like to contribute as well for Christmas. Mayor Gifford welcomed the offer. In addition, Mayor Gifford and thel Police Chief also mentioned that the annual "Toys for Tots" collection at St. Luke's Hospital is taking place. EXECUTIVE SESSION (ifneeded) - None. ADJOURNMENT At 8:20: PM Council Vice President Jordan asked for ai motion to adjourn. Mr. Trabel made the motion, seconded by Ms.. Johnson and unanimously approved. BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA By: Annmarie Jordan - Vice-president of Council SUBMITTED By: Cordula Voges, Finance Director ATTEST: By: Anthony Branco, Borough Manager Next Resolution 2020-30 Next Ordinance 858