FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES February 7,2022 7:00P.M The Council Meeting was held in-person at Borough Hall. Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Blatt, Mr. Trabel, and Mayor Johnson. Ms. Graham and Mr. Trotter were absent. Also, in attendance were. Eric Gratz (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Dave Berger (Solicitor), Jill Smith (Hanover Engineering), and guests. Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to: rise for the Pledge to thel Flag. MINUTES Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to approve the minutes ofJanuary 19, 2022 as amended. Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip' Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. BlattJr. Mayor Johnson Motion 2nd X Yes X X No Abstain Absent x x PRIVILEGE OFTHEJ FLOOR/PRE-SCHEDULED-None. MAYOR'S! REPORT Mayor. Johnson welcomed the opportunity to bej part oft the team picking up the new. Fire Truck. He also commended the Public Works department for keeping the snow removed during the recent winter weather. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Gratz reminded of the upcoming Community Pool Meeting on February 28, 2022at7 7 pm. The meeting will be held in the Laros. Auditorium at the Doctor's Pavilion of St. Luke's Hospital, 701 Ostrum Street. Mr. Gratz reported that the 2021 revenue for Permit Applications and inspections has increased over 2020: revenue. levels due to increased inspections performed and the recent hiring oft the Zoning Secretary. The Zoning Department is looking to supplement the current part-time secretary'sl hours forj periods, when she is not available for the scheduled Mr. Gratz reported that Lehigh County approved the Grass Alley (Russell & Stanley) Mr. Gratz announced that under. Act 71 (the Gaming Act), the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has developed program guidelines for Local Share Account funds in Northampton and Lehigh Counties for] projects concerning the public interest, community improvement, and economic development. The application period is open now. weekly 201 hours. Conversion Grant in the amount of $30,000. NEW BUSINESS Letter from Ms. Ellen Flynn regarding Life Safety Inspections & Fees Ms. Flynn of1242 Broadway asked forar reduction ini the Life Safety Inspection fee. Thel Life Safety Inspection is done every other year. The fee depénds on the size oft the Since al Life Safety Inspection is first and foremost performed to ensure the safety ofa building's occupants, Council denied the request and asked the Borough Manager to send a PennDOT - (No. Parking) High Occupancy Permits (HOP): related to Broadway Curb and Sidewalk Project (funded through Maltimoda/Tamyportation Fund (MTF) Grant) Ms. Smith (Hanover Engineering) explained that PennDOT allowed the Borough to do the work fort that stretch on Broadway under one permit. However, there are eight (8) driveways along the right-of-way that do require indiyidual permits to show adequate site distance with potentially additional parking restrictions. Hanover Engineering continues to work with the individual parties. Some property owners allow one-way driveways that are exempt from PennDOT permitting. Other property, owners need tol keep the driveways onto Broadway Ms. Smith remarked that PennDOT would still allow the Curb & Sidewalk improvements even: ift the Borough cannot provide some ofthe required individual driveway permits. Ms. Smith emphasized that granting oft the permits is beneficial to the: individual property owners Council President is noti in: favor of restricting parking. Council decided to defer discussion and final vote, on how to proceed to the next council meeting on. March 7. In the meantime, Hanover Engineering will survey neighbors' opinions on any parking restrictions related to building. denial letter. 2019 (from Bishopthorpe to Greene Ct) requiring parkingrestrictions, in case of a future çhange ofuse. the Broadway project. Street Projects a. Jeter Ave to Kieffer Street (CDBG 2021 funded) - Kieffer to N Clewell St b. Sioux Street Reconstruction (from S Bergen to S Hoffert) (not eligible for CDBG) Hanover Engineering isi in the process ofbidding out these road projects. In addition, Ms. Smith pointed out that because of grade changes related to the Sioux Street Reconstruction project sidewalk repair will also be needed. The. Jeter Ave Road construction project is covered by CDBG grant funds, its related sidewalk repairs will be grant funded as well. However, for the Sioux Street reconstruction project (not CDBG funded), the Borough has to decide ifit will pay for sidewalk repairs with General Fund funds orl hold property Council agreed to defer the decision to the March 7, 2022 Council Meeting. owners: responsible for that share of cost. Using Fire Marshall to conduct Life Safety/Fire Inspections VS. outside contractor The Borough Manager noted that Mr. Ray Anthony is a certified fire inspector and well qualified to perform those inspections. In his functions as Fire Marshal, hei is paid a yearly stipend in the amount of$900. The Borough of Catasaqua is paying its Fire Inspector at the law enforcement officer rate that could also be applied tol Mr. Anthony'senumenation: as well. Engaging Mr. Anthony to also conduct the Life Safety/Fire inspections would streamline the inspection process, as the Fire Marshall always finalizes the inspection. Mr. Berger recommended to vote on this matter via resolution. Therefore, Council decided to schedule voting at the next March meeting. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. 2022-12 ARESOLUTION OF THE. FOUNTAIN HILL. BOROUGH COUNCIL APPOINTING THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FOR CALENDAR YEAR2 2022 Planning Commission Sandra Thomas 4-year term 2/7/2022-1 12/31/2025 Abstain Absent Motion 2nd X Yes X X X X X No Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip' Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson X X X ORDINANCES ORDINANCE NO. 865 BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, CHAPTER 11, HOUSING, PART 4, RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTIES, $402(1)(C) BY REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT OF A RENTAL LICENSE FOR AN UNREGULATED RENTAL UNIT, PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY OF PARTS OF THIS ORDINANCE DEEMED TO BE INVALID; REPEALING ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR. AN EFFECTIVE DATE, Ordinance No. 865 removes the unregulated. rental license requirement (as was advertised). When inquired by Mr. Johnson, Mr. Gratz confirmed that family is defined int the ordinance (i.e. blood or marriage). Motion 2nd X X: Yes: X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie. Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip' Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt. Jr. MayorJohnson x X ORDINANCE NO.8 866 BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ANORDINANCE. AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, CHAPTER 15,PART3, SECTION 302 (c)(3), TO DELETE/ADD BE ITC ORDAINED by the Borough Council of the Borough ofl Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Commonwealth ofPennsylvania, that Chapter 15, Part 3, Section 302(c)(3), shall be amended CERTAIN HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES as follows: ADD: STREET Cherokee St. SIDE front LOCATION 1018 Motion x 2nd 6, X Yes X. x" X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Brica Graham Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson X X MOTIONS None. OLD BUSINESS Holiday Lighting Contest Winners COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT SOLICITOR'S REPORT -None. COMMITTEE REPORTS Council President Blatt announced the Holiday Lighting Contest winners. Council President Blatt commended the Public Works Department on their snow plowing. A. Finance (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) Motion to pay thel bills as presented motion to approve the payments. Council President Blatt read thel Payment Reports for January 2022 and asked fora Motion X 2nd Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent A S X Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor. Johnson B. Public Works C. Police X X. 7 (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) -None. (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson) Chief Bachert reported that the Crossing Guard position has not been filled yet.' Thej police He also noted that the current crossing 1S about five blocks away from the school. Going forward, this crossing will receive specific Pedestrian" signage in conjunction with the TAP Council consented that the school might be] better served with a crossing guard at Church Street instead and asked Mr Gratz to contact the school in that respect. Mayor. Johnson offered to volunteer until aj permanent solution is found. officers still cover the pedestrian crossings when available. Grant and not bei marked as a school zone. D. House & Ordinances E. Fire (Rufe, Graham, Jordan) - None. (Trabel, Graham, Rufe) Mr. Trabel reported that the new. Fire Truck isi in service and aj public celebration will be scheduléd for March or April. F. Recreation (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) Ms. Johnson referred to the upcoming public meeting (February 28) regarding the future use oft the pool. She announced that the Recreation Committee will meets afterwards. Any summer playground activities will also be discussed simultaneously including the needs toi repair the roofofthei recreation building. G. Health & Sanitation (Graham, Johnson, Trabel) Council President Blatt read the Sewer/Garbage collection reports for. January. H. Personnel (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) - None. SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES Fire Chief, David Boehrer, reiterated that the new Fire Truck is in service. Bight to ten volunteers are qualified to drive it. He again expressed his gratitude to Stl Luke's Hospital for providing The old fire truck was stripped of any equipment. The Fire Chief also asked the Borough Manager to send a' Thank You note to Salisbury Township for allowing the old: fire truck being PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR -I Discussion on Non - Agenda Items None. funds for thej purchase of the new. Fire' Truck. temporarily parked on Salisbury's premises EXECUTIVE SESSION (as needed) - None. ADJOURNMENT At 7:55 PM Council President Blatt asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Johnson made the motion, seconded by Ms. Johnson and unanimously approved. BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN. HILL LEHIGH COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA By: Norman E. Blatt-President of Council SUBMITTED: BY: Cordula Voges, Finance Director ATTEST: By: Eric Gratz, Borough Manager Next Ordinance- 867 Next Resolution -2 2022-13