FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL  MINUTES September 7, 2021 7:00 P.M  The Council Meeting was. held in-person atl Borough Hall. Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Blatt, Mayor Gifford, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trabel, Mr. Trotter and Ms. Halleman. Also, in attendance were. Eric Gratz, (Borough Manager), Anthony Branco (Interim Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Pete Lehr (Solicitor), ChiefB Bachert, Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to rise for the Pledge to the Flag and observe ai minute of silence to honor the victims of September 11,2 2001.  Dave Boehrer (Fire Chief), and guests.  MINUTES  Motion to approve oft the minutes of August 18, 2021  Motion x  2nd  Yes x x 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  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR/ PRE-SCHEDULED  Ms. Wendy Glassic at 1218 Broadway reported a decaying deer carcass on the side of Delaware Ave following a phone call to the Borough Office. Both the Borough staff and Ms. Glassic had notified the State Game Commission to dispose of the carcass. The Public Works department is Ms. Glassic also expressed safety concerns regarding a vacant studio apartment on Seneca St (block of 903 and 913) exposing sharp metal and a ladder giving open access. Council President Ms. Elaine Lamana of] Bethlehem and her daughter Lisa Lamana of 1412 Stanley Ave reported that Lisa Lamana has received al handicapped parking space in thei recent past. However, everyone who has a handicapped sticker may park there. Frequently, the handicapped parking space is occupied by other vehicles with or illegally without a handicapped sticker. Shei mentioned that the City ofBethlehem has specifically: reserved handicapped spots and wanted to knowi ifthel Borough  aware oft the issue and will monitor.  Blatt stated that Mr. Wargo, the Zoning Officer, will be notified to inspect.    could do the same. Council President Blatt asked the Solicitor to review state law to determine if  reserved parking spaces can be assigned.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Gifford reported that a compromise has been achieved regarding the Police Officers'12- Because ofCOVID restrictions impeding ceremonies to commemorate the 9/11 attacks, the Borough will not have any commemorating events. Mayor Gifford mentioned that St. Ursula's Church is holding ai mass on Sunday at 10 am to commemorate the victims of9/11.  hour shift.  BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT  Mr. Gratz referred to the Memorandum regarding the deteriorating conditions ofthe Pool and suggested a conversation with all ofCouncil discussing its future use. Council agreed that community meetings should bel held and a residents' survey should bei initiated to get input from the community. And once: more clearly defined, preliminary cost estimates should be attained. Official Trick or' Treat events were eliminated in 2020 because oft the pandemic. Council Member, Ms. Johnson suggested to designate a date (usually last Friday in October same as the City ofBethlehem) to allow for' Trick or Treating. Council President asked for a motion to  Mr. Gratz will design and initiate a survey questionnaire.  endorse' Trick or Treating for the last Friday in October.  Motion x  2nd  Yes X x X x X  No x  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip' Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  x  Mr. Gratz brought up the 2021 Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.  Because ofany COVID restrictions, Council agreed to take a wait and see approach regarding  the 2021 Christmas Tree Lighting. NEW BUSINESS - None. MOTIONS  Council President Blatt referred to the Memorandum regarding the Borough's PMRS Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO): 2022 for non-uniform employees and asked fora a motion to approve  the MMO as calculated by Ms. Voges.    Motion  2nd  Yes x 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 RESOLUTIONS-None. ORDINANCES  x  x  ORDINANCE NO. 864  AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, CHAPTER 15, PART 3, SECTION 302 (c)(3), TODELETE/ADD BE IT ORDAINED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that Chapter 15, Part 3, Section 302(c)(3), shall be amended as  CERTAIN HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES  follows: ADD: STREET Jeter Ave Russell Ave. Pawnee St.  SIDE front front front  LOCATION 1113 1123 1011  Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to approve the above ordinance.  Motion  2nd X  Yes X x 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    OLD BUSINESS-N None. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT  Council President Blatt thanked St Luke's for the 2ndi installment payment toward the purchase of Council President Blatt had received letters from the Community Action Committee ofthel Lehigh Valley asking for a $500 contribution and from Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley asking for a general contribution in the upcoming year. Mr. Blatt asked to consider these in the Residents of 943 Long Street Lehigh County housing thanked the Borough for the new Pedestrian" sign to prevent speeding. Residents continue to observe speeding drivers. Mr. Blatt explained that speed bumps can only be installed on municipal roads, if an engineering study allows them. A traffic engineering study is also needed, if speeding signs with a speed limit of <25m/h are installed. In light of the related cost the House & Ordinance Committee will review  the fire truck.  upcoming Budget 2022 discussions.  options for speed control on Long Street. SOLICITOR'S REPORT - None. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan)  Mr. Trotter read the Check Detail reports and made the Motion to approve payment ofthe August  2021 bills. Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford  Motion  2nd  Yes x x x x X x X  No  Abstain Absent  X  x  B. Public Works  (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe)  Ms. Jordan reported Christian Smith's resignation effective 9/2/2021 and made the motion to  accept his resignation.    Motion X  2nd  Yes x X 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  With budget time approaching and in light of the current competitive environment Ms. Jordan asked to review the payscale for PW employees. Mr. Trotter suggested to schedule a Finance Committee meeting to: further discuss. Mr. Trabel suggested toj potentially outsource PW projects. Council President Blatt asked Mr. Gratz to schedule a Finance Committee meeting.  C.Police  (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson)  Council President Blatt reiterated that a compromise was reached to uphold the current 121 hr shift. ChiefBachert reported that several officers had: received lifesaving awards plus awards fori issuing  the most DUI and traffic citations.  Mayor Gifford commended the Police Officers for their achievements.  D. House & Ordinances E. .Fire  (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan) - None. (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe)  Mr. Trabel read the August 2021 Fire report.  Council President Blatt also thanked the Fire Department for the basement pumpouts during the  recent flood.  F.Recreation  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel)  Ms. Johnson thanked Mr. Quarry to provide the photos taken at the pool to show its current  condition.  G.Health & Sanitation  (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel)  Ms. Halleman read the Sewer & Garbage Collection reports for thei month of August.  H. Personnel  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) - None.    SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES  Mr. Dave Boehrer reported that Derek Richmond had to resign as Fire Chiefbecause of personal  reasons. In the meantime, Mr. Dave. Boehrer: is filling in as acting fire chief. Thei new. Fire Truck is still not delivered due to delays for necessary supplies PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on Non - Agenda Items - None.  Council President Blatt pointed out that the 2nd September Council Meeting is postponed to On behalf of all Council, Council President Blatt thanked Mr. Branco again for his service over  9/22/2021.  the last 7 years and wished him well for the future. 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 Mr. Trabel and unanimously approved.  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Norman E. Blatt Jr.- President of Council  By:  SUBMITTED By:  Cordula Voges, Finance Director  ATTEST: By:  Eric Gratz, Borough Manager    Next Ordinance 865 Next Resolution- - 2021-16