FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL  MINUTES March 7,2022 7P.M.  The Council Meeting was held in-person at. Borough Hall. Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Blatt, Ms. Graham, and Mayor Johnson. Also, in attendance were. Eric Gratz (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Dave Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to fisef for the. Pledge  Berger (Solicitor), and guests.  to the Flag. MINUTES  a  Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to approve the minudéorranyfi2oz  2  Motion 2nd X  Yes No X 4X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson  X  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR/PRE-SCHEDULED  Mr. Garrétt. Podhyski, Assistant Principal of Fountain Hill Elementary School, reported on the experience withthe school traffictrial that hasl beeni inj place sincel December 2021.] He summarized, that 496 children attend Fountain Hill Elementary School ofwhich 130 children are bussed in. He stressed that it is the school's policy to accompany any kindergarten and first grade student who are dropped off to the school's entrance. He is advocating to make the temporary one-way traffic on Moravia Street and Garden Street permanent during the moming/atternoon school hours and haveac crossing guard on sitet there. Hei thanked Mayor. Johnson forl having volunteered as a crossing To further secure the school traffic Mr. Podhyski requested "Speed Limit" signage around the school and "No Parking" signage - both in English and Spanish -on Church St, Greene Ct, and Garden St during thosermomingatemoon school hours. Mr. Blatti referred tot thel Borough Manager Mr. Gratz pointed out that the vehicle code defines a "school zone" and that al PennDOT approval is required for implementing a school zone speed limit. In addition, the Borough Code requires as  guard during the past month.  tor respond tol Mr. Podhyski.    traffic study for any change in school traffic patterns. He suggested to further discuss this issue at  af future meeting. MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Johnson confirmed that moving the "Crossing Guard" from Broadway to Church Street in front of Fountain Hill Blementary School helped make school traffic more secure.  BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT  Council Chambers Video Streaming & Retention  -  Mr.Gratz reported that video streaming is ready to go live. It allows residents to view at any time (without interaction though). Other participants can conference: in. Upon Mr. Gratz's recommendation Council consented to store thel live streams on its youtube channel. Mr. Berger recommended to formally express Council's decision in ai resolution. Mr. Gratz,will prepare and  present the respective resolution at the next Council Meeting.  USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program  This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities ini rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a façility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development oft thecommunity: in aj primarily: rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related Low interest direct loans, grants, or a combination of both are available. Applications for this program are accepted year-round. Funding, if approved, would be used to purchase ai new  project expenses.  - A  dump  truck.  PennDOT HOP (Highway) Occupancy Permit) Update  Mr. Gratz reported that PennDOT approved the Broadway Curb & Sidewalk project (funded  through MTF Grant 2019withoutréidents permissions.  NEW BUSINESS  Letter from Mr. John Kopyar regarding Ronca Street Parking  Mr. Gratz presented the letter from Mr. Kopyar asking to address cars parked on both sides of Ronca Street between S Bergen and Lynn Streets preventing propert traffic: flow for cars and service  vehicles alike. Mr. Gratz suggested to draft an ordinance directing the traffic.  Council consented.  Discussion on Missed Trash/Recycling Pickups    Mr. Gratz provided documentation of frequently missed garbage pickups for the month of February 2022. He also stated that contractors are facing staff shortages and high staff turnover creating problems with the quality of service. In reference to the current contract with Republic Services, the Borough has the right to deduct from the monthly payments made to Republic Services for contract violations or terminate the contract. In regard to the contract termination option Mr. Berger pointed out that only one other contractor had submitted a bid which was much higher than Republic Services' bid. Council agreed that deductions are preferred over contract termination. It was agreed that the validity of the complaints will have to be verified before any  payment déductions are taken.  Zoning Hearing Board Vacancies & Solutions The Zoning Hearing Board has two vacancies to fill.  The Borough Code allows to drop membership to three members only with'one alternaté. The other option is to seek a joint community Zoning Hearing Board with other municipalities. Mr. Gratz pointed out that a joint community Zoning Hearing Board is unrealistic because Mr. Gratz recommended to reduce thel board to only three mèmbers with one alternate. Council agreed and asked Mr. Gratz toj prepare ai respective amendment to the ordinance.  neighboring Lower Saucon and Salisbury have full boards.  Mask Policy - New CDC Guidance - Lehigh County Low Level  Mr. Gratz reported that Lehigh County follows the new CDC guidance to make mask wearing optional during times oflow level CoVDhasai-Hemgesad to adopt the same: policy.  Council consented.  Large Truck Parking Chief Bachert  Chief Bachert suggested to amend the respective ordinance regulating large truck parking. To be more effective he suggested to exclude warning and restructure the fines. Council President Blatt assigned the matterto the House & Ordinance Committee.  Chief Bachert reported that hereceived an invitation to participate in a contract with a private company "Bus Patrol" to automatically fine any offenders for illegally passing school buses with a $300 administrative fine. Since these "administrative" fines will be difficult to enforce, he  considered tonôt participate in the "Bus Patrol" program.  RESOLUTIONS  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL RESOLUTION NO. 2022-13  A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO APPOINT THE  BOROUGH FIRE MARSHAL AS THE FIRE INSPECTOR.    Council President Blatt asked foramotion to expand Mr. Ray Anthony'srole as Fire Marshall  to also include fire inspections, as Borough Code allows it.  Motion 2nd  Yes No x 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  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL RESOLUTION. NO.2 2022-14  ARESOLUTION OF THE FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL APPOINTING THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2022  Planning Commission Parmita Perna-Rios  4-year term  372022-12312025  Ms. Perna-Rios agreed to continue toserve on thep Planning Commission. Council President Blatt  asked for a motion to re-appoint her  Motion- 2nda  Yes No 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.  Et  X  ORDINANCES none MOTIONS  Approve the hiring ofa second part-time zoning clerk, not to exceed 20 hours per week.  Referred from Personnel Committee    Mr. Gratz reported that the hiring of the second part-time zoning clerk would help better cover zoning administration. The Personnel Committee approved the additional hiring. A qualified  candidate is onl hand.  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  R  X  M  Authorize the Borough Manger to submit Local Share Grant application foran new police Thel PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71) provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) to support projects in the public interest within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (former "Casino Grant"). The deadline to submit an application to the CFA is March 15, 2022. Council President Blatt asked for ai motion to authorize the Borough Manager to submit the respective  SUV  application. Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham, Norman' E. BlattJr Mayor Johnsons  P Yes No x X X X X x X  Motion 2nd  Abstain Absent  X  Authorize the Borough Manger to place the old fire engine on Municibid for sale Chief Boehrer confirmed that all equipment has been removed from the old fire engine. Council President Blatt asked foramotion to authorize the Borough Manger to advertise the old: fire engine.  Motion 2nd  Yes No x x X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe  x    Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Johnson  X X X X  x  Financial responsibility for Sioux Street Sidewalks with paving projéctarea  The sidewalk repairs within the scope of the Sioux Street Reconstruction project are not eligible for Liquid Fuel funding. The cost for the sidewalk only is estimated to be $46,875. Even though the cost is included in the General Fund Budget for 2022, the Borough could still ask for Hanover Engineering will start the bidding in April and the work: is scheduled for June. Council agreed that iti is tool latet to address homeowners. Council President Blatt asked for a motion  homeowners' responsibility.  to authorize the Borough toj pay for the sidewalk improvements.  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  Approve Payment Application #7 and #8 to Pipe Services Corporation as recommended  by the BoroughEngineer  Council President Blatt askedfora motion to approve the above.  Motion 2nd x  Yes No x x x X X X X  Abstain Absent  AnnamarieJordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel" Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Johnson OLD BUSINESS none  X    COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT  New Fire Truck Dedication Event- - 3/23 1lam SLUHN Lobby A  Council President Blatt reminded oft the above dedication event on Wednesday March 23, 2022.  SOLICITOR'S REPORT Right To Know Officer (RTK)  Mr. Berger suggested for a Borough employee to take back the RTK functionsince most request relate to Borough internal facts. Mr. Gratz offered to take on that responsibility. Mr. Gratz will prepare a respective resolution and present to Council at thènext council meeting.  COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan)  Motion toj pay thel bills as presented  Mr. Trotter read the February: payment reports and asked for ai motion to approve the payments.  Motion 2nd  Yes No, X4 X  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Erica Graham Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor. Johnson B. PublicWorks C.P Police  X  X  (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) none (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson)  ChiefBachert reported that the Police will start payring special attention to the Playground area.  D. House & Ordinances  (Rufe, Graham, Jordan)  Mr. Rufe reported that a sample ordinance regarding lighting that Mr. Lehr had prepared is still  under review. E. Fire  (Trabel, Graham, Rufe)  Mr. Trabel presented the February fire report.    F. Recreation meeting.  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel)  Ms. Johnson announced that the park and pool programs will be discussed at the next committee  G. Health & Sanitation  (Graham, Johnson, Trabel)  Ms. Graham read the February Sewer/Garbage collection report.  H. Personnel  (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) none  SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES  ChiefBachert asked tol have aj police committee meeting soon. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on Non -  a Agendal Items  Mr. Richard Kennedy of630 S Bergen Street asked ift trash collection could be the homeowner's choice only versus a borough contract. Council President Blatt responded that there was never  much interest from Council in that option. EXECUTIVE SESSION (Personnel & announced that Council will not returnafterwards Council President Blatt asked ai motion   Litigation)  At 8:09 PM Council President Blatt asked thepublic to leave for an executive session. He asloo  ADJOURNMENT  - - for  to adjourn thej public meeting at 8:09E PM. BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA  Ms. Johnson made thei motion, secondedby Ms.. Johnson and unanimously approved.  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 2022-15