Minutes BOROUGH COUNCIL December5,2022 7P.M. The Council Meeting was held in-person at Borough Hall. Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Blatt, Ms. Graham, and Mr. Trabel, Mr. Rufe and Mayor Johnson were absent. Also in attendance were Eric Gratz (Borough Manager), Chief Bachert, Jason Quarry (Public Works Supervisor), Dave Berger (Solicitor) and guests PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked for everyone.to rise for the Pledge to the Flag. MINUTES Approval of the minutes ofNovember 7, 2022 as amended. Motion 2nd X Yes No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson X X PRIVILEGE OF THEFLOOR/PRE-SCHEDULED-None. MAYORSREPORT-NaN BOROUGIMANAGHES REPORT Broadway Projects Update The sidewalk project (Broadway Curb & Sidewalk) has started. The contractor The TASA grant funded crosswalk project on Broadway/Delaware has been substantially completed. The Borough is currently still working on issues with Mr. Gratz reminded that parking on Warren Street is reduced to one-sided parking for is working very efficiently. the timer for when the flashing lights go on and off. the winter snow season. NEW BUSINESS - None. RESOLUTIONS FOR. FINAL. PASSAGE RESOLUTION NO. 2022- 30 AF RESOLUTION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH, LEHIGH COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF Council President Blatt reiterated that the municipal Real Estate Tax will notbe increased for PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING THE TAXI RATEI FOR THE YEAR2 2023. 2023. Motion 2nd X Yes No X X X X Abstains Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson X X RESOLUTION NO. 2022-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL APPROVING THE 2023 MEETING SCHEDULES. Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Traber Erica Graham, Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson Motion 2nd Yes No X X X X X X Abstain Absent X X X RESOLUTION NO. 2022-32 AR RESOLUTION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL APPROVING THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS/OBSERVEDDAYSOFF. Motion 2nd Yes No X X X X X X Abstain Absent P Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson X X X X ORDINANCES FOR FINALPASSAGE-Nom: MOTIONS Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement* between the Borough and the Fountain Hill Public Works Association" for S.years beginning 1/1/23 as presented to Council in the packets Motion 2nd X Yes No X Xs X X X X Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayordohnson X X Appoalofsçoletiyen Bargaining Agreement (CBA)between thel Borough and the Mr.Gratz noted that the CBA is reviewed by the Association's attorney and parts of the GBA's wording (not the substance though) need to be revised. The CBA will be again on the December: 21,2022 meeting agenda for final passage. Therefore, Mr. Gratz asked to table the vote, and Mr. Berger recommended to ask for a motion to table the CBA's approval. Then Council President Blatt asked for a Motion to table the CBA's Fountain HilPolice Association for 4 years beginning 1/1/23. approval. Motion 2nd X Yes No X X X X X X Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson X X Adoption of the Preliminary 2023 budget as the Final 2023 Budget- as amended for the 4.5% wage increase and non-salary benefits that were factoredin the presented Council President inquired, ifthe public commented dyringthé publiccomment period. Mr. Gratz said no public comment was received. Then Counoil President Blatt asked, documents. ifthere was a motion to finalize the 2023 Budget as amended. Motion 2nd Yes No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson OLD BUSINESS X X X Holiday Decorating Contest Ms. Johnson reported, that aloliday Decorating Contest will be held this year. The judging will be onDecember21, 2022,after the Borough Council Meeting. The event isa also announced on the Borough's Facebook site and its website. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT lighting ceremony on December 4, 2022. collective bargaining agreement. Council President Blatt thanked everyone participating in and contributing to the Christmas Tree Council President Blatt thanked the Public Works Committee and Association to work out a Council President Blatt also thanked the Police Committee and Association to constructively working on a collective bargaining agreement and thus avoiding costly arbitration. Lastly, Council President Blatt thanked Council as a whole and Committee members for their constructive work throughout 2023. SOLICITOR'S) REPORT Mr. Berger updated Council on the solicitor's collection efforts. He reported that writs of scire facias are: filed against four properties. The solicitor's office is working on getting them served. He also reported that there are three properties with judgments against them, and the solicitor's office is filing personal property levies on them with the expectation to trgger payments or discussions to resolve the delinquencies. Lastly, he reported that four properties, that the solicitor doesnot] havej judgments against, are going to sheriff'ss sales (three in Decemberand onein. January of2023), unless the sales will be continued to a later date. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) Mr. Trotter asked for a motion to pay the bills as presented. Motion 2nd Yes No X Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman B. BlattJr. Mayor Johnson Public Works X X X X (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) Mr. Quarry reminded-tiat the leafcollegtion will end on Friday, December 9. Police (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson) Chief Bachert reportèd that Sergeant Hochwarter and Officer Wood successfully completed their accident investigation training. House & Ordinances Commission's review. (Rufe, Graham, Jordan) Mr. Gratzreported that the text amendment for the lighting ordinance is still under thel Planning Fire (Trabel, Graham, Rufe) Mr. Trabel reported that three additional volunteers joined the Fire Department. He also reported that the Christmas trees are sold out. Recreation (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) (Graham, Johnson, Trabel) (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) - None. Ms. Johnson thanked everyone for attending the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. Ms. Graham read the Sewer/Garbage collection reports for November 2022. Health & Sanitation Personnel Mr. Gratz reported that Don Sabo who has been serving as the Bordugh's Emergency Management Coordinator is Salisbury Township's new. Police Chief. Bécause.of Mr. Sabo's increased time commitment as police chief, Mr. Sabo asked to be releasedas-the Borough's Emergency Management Coordinator. Since Salisbury Township recentlylost its Emergency Management Coordinator, Mr. Sabo suggested to jointly search for, an Emergency Management Coordinator who could serve both communities, unless someone loçally could fill this role. Mr. Gratz mentioned that he has the PEMA qualification to serve int that capacity, but was asking for Council's consent to rather search jointly wittsalisbuyTownahip and/or individually for the cordinatorsrephacemem: Mr. Sabo wil'serve asEmergency Management Coordinator until a replacement is found. Council President Blatt suggested to add the final decision to the. January meeting agenda. SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES are offered during the Christmas season. In absence ofMr. Rufe, Ms. Jordan encouragetieveryone to visit the library, since many programs PRIVILEGE OF THE. FLOOR Discussion onNon- - Agenda Items Mr. Ronald Goosley of 635Lechauweki, Avenue addressed Council about setting up pickleball courts in the Borough. Council Président] Blatt asked the Recreation Committee to further explore the creation of pickleball çourts. Ms. Johnsorf informed Mr. Goosley that the next Recreation Committee meeting will beheld inJanuary-"and invited him to attend. Mr. Gratz also mentioned Mr. Stephen' Gooslèy of636 Lechauweki Ave addressed Council about bush restricting the line of sight at the corner of] Lechauweki Ave and Cherry St alleyway. He asked Council to look into it. Council President asked the Police Chief to check ift the obstruction violates the vehicle code and that he willcontact St. Luke'shospital and ask for its support. also the Zoning Officer to check for a violation of an ordinance. EXECUTIVE SESSION (None) ADJOURNMENT Council President Blatt reminded that the next Council meeting will be held on December 21 at 7 pm. At7:36 pm Council President Blatt entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Johnson made the motion, seconded by Mr. Trabel and unanimously approved. BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA Norman E Blatt President of Council By: SUBMITTED: BY: ATTEST: By: Cordula Voges, Finance Director S Eric Gratz, Borough Manager e Next Ordinance-873 Next Resolution-2022-33