BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 24, 2018 7:00 PM  Council members present were: Mr. Rapp, Ms. Jordan, Mr. Blatt, Ms. Halleman, Mr. Atkinson, and Mr. Trotter. Also, in attendance were Mayor Gifford, Anthony Branco, Executive Administrator, Chief Bachert, the Bethlehem Press, and guests. Mr. Trabel arrived at 7:06 P.M. Council President Rapp called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to rise for the Pledge Council President asked Council to review the draft Minutes ofJanuary 2, 2018R Re-Organizational  to the Flag  Meeting - DRAFT (Please submit revisions to Mr. Branco in writing)  PRESENTATIONS: none  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Discussion on Agenda Items - none  RESOLUTIONS:  Mr. Branco apologized for the late notice oft this resolution, but it was just received on 1/23/2018 and needed tol be returned immediately for the Transportation Grant the Borough had received  for the upgrades at Broadway and Delaware Avenue.  RESOLUTION NO. 2018-23  Al RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, LEHIGH COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZINGTHE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES SET ASIDE FUNDS  WHEREAS, the Borough ofl Fountain Hill has been awarded Transportation Alternatives Set Aside funds under the Pennsylvania Department ofTransportation's Transportation Alternatives NOW, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Borough Council oft the Borough of Fountain Hill does hereby approve the acceptance oft the Transportation Alternatives Set Aside funding;  Set Aside program;    BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED, that the Borough Council of the Borough of Fountain Hill does hereby authorize the Council President to sign and the Borough Secretary to attest on behalfof the Borough of Fountain Hill, Federal Aid Reimbursement Agreement No. R18050001 and any supplements between the Borough of Fountain Hill and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and have the same delivered to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Duly Adopted by Borough Council at a meeting held on the 24th day of. January, 2018.  Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Philip Trabel Leo Atkinson Hellen Halleman Annamarie Jordon Norman Blatt Doug Trotter Larry Rapp Mayor Gifford MOTIONS  X  X  X  OLD BUSINESS  Draft Quality ofLife Ordinance  Council President Rapp stated that this has been given to Council for review and Mayor Gifford asked why comments must bei in writing and not verbally. The Mayor felt that the draft was too constricting on the residents, stating that one person's trash is another person' s treasure. Maybe someone would want a couch Mr. Blatt commented that this was, just government seeking control. Council President Rapp asked for a vote to direct Mr. Branco to proceed with the  that any changes be given to Mr. Branco in writing.  ont their front porch  necessary steps to adopt the draft as an ordinançe.  Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Philip Trabel Leo Atkinson Hellen Halleman Annamarie Jordon Norman Blatt Doug' Trotter Larry Rapp    Mayor Gifford  Draft Marijuana Ordinance  Council President Rapp stated that this has been given to Council for review and Ms. Jordan stated that this was discussed in a Planning Commission meeting in Mr. Branco informed Council that the Planning Commission recommended that ac dispensary be allowed by Special Exception as two new districts in the General Commercial and Town Center districts, and a grower allowed by Special Exception in the Industrial District. After speaking with the Zoning Officer, it seems that al better option would be to allow these uses in the same areas as a Special Exception. This would need to go back to the Planning Commission as well as the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, then advertised for a public meeting at a Council meeting, advertised for a second Council President Rapp asked for a vote to direct Mr. Branco to proceed with the  that any changes be given to Mr. Branco in writing.  2017 to which Mr. Trotter agreed.  reading, and finally Council taking action. necessary steps to adopt the draft as an ordinance.  Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Philip Trabel Leo. Atkinson Hellen Halleman Annamarie Jordon Norman Blatt Doug Trotter Larry Rapp Mayor Gifford  2018 YMCA Pool Agreement -1 to be placed on the February 5, 2018 Council agenda Police Association request for lump sum payments for the uniform allowance. Mr. Branco handed out ai request from the Police Association asking the contractual agreed to uniform allowance be changed to provide a one-time lump sum payment rather than separate purchase orders through the year. This would make it easier for the Financer Officer to process the payments since items are purchased from various outlets, some taxable while other items are tax exempt. After some discussion Chief Bachert was asked for comments. The Chief stated that the investigator should receive the uniform allowance on a quarterly basis while the police officers could receive two payments during the year. Council President Rapp directed Mr. Branco toj place this on the Police Committee agenda for February 5, 2018 for discussion and a recommendation  to Council.    Borough Engineer RFP  Mr. Rapp mentioned that Mr. Branco had sent a summary oft the RFP's r received for the position of Borough Engineer. He asked Mr. Branco to give a briefs summary of  the RFP' S1 received. Mr. Branco stated the following;  There were 7 RFP's received  The price quotes, as forwarded to Council, were similar.  The RFP required 5 years' experience. One firm only has been in business Currently the Borough has nearly $1,000,000 in upcoming projects, and to have ai new firm come in and familiarize themselves with what has thus far been done would be expensive due to the number ofprojects that are being  for 3 years.  undertaken.  Mr. Rapp asked for a vote keep Hanover Engineering as the Borough Engineer.  Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Philip Trabel Leo Atkinson Hellen Halleman Annamarie Jordon Norman Blatt Doug Trotter Larry Rapp Mayor Gifford DISCUSSION ITEMS  Ms. Casey Roncoroni - interest is serving on Planning Commission  Ms. Roncoroni introduced herselfto Council and gave an introduction ofl her experiences in planning and her desire to contribute to the community. Afterwards Council voted unanimously to appoint Ms. Roncoroni to serve a 4-year term on the Request from Barbara Merkle to carry over 24 vacation days from 2017 Mr. Branco presented Council with Ms. Merkle's request to carry over 24 days of vacation from 2017 due to her absence from work due to medical issues. Mr. Blatt felt this was a bad idea and would set future precedent. Mayor Gifford stated that Ms. Merkle served the Borough well and that Council should Mr. Atkinson asked what is allowed to which Mr. Rapp stated the manual stated 5 days. Mr. Trabel stated that if5 days is allowed then we should stick to 5 days.  Planning Commission.  be merciful.    Ms. Halleman stated this would be an exception to the rule, and asked how Ms. Merkle was paid for her time out. Mr. Rapp stated that she had used the sick days she had Mr. Trotter stated that Council should allow the request, but doing SO and setting a Mr. Rapp asked could a caveat be placed on the request sO that a precedent would not Mr. Blatt stated that a caveat can be added but it would be thrown back in the Borough Ms. Jordan stated that this was a very bad decision, but agreed that a precedent should Mr. Blatt stated that this was not budgeted and that the Borough is in double digit tax increases and that we have a financial responsibility to monitor costs. Mr. Trotter stated that this is aj painful because Ms. Merkle has been her so long and due to a medical issue she was unable to use the vacation days. Mr. Blatt stated that this does not have anything to do with a loyal employee, but rather Ms. Jordan stated this has nothing to do with Ms. Merkle, but with precedents and what Mr. Blatt made ai motion not to grant the request ofMs. Merkle, seconded by Mr. Trabel.  accumulated. precedent worries him. be set. face in the future. not be set.  setting precedent.  would be sought by our contracted employees. A roll call vote was requested by Council President Rapp.  Motion  2nd X  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Philip" Trabel Leo Atkinson Hellen Halleman Annamarie Jordon Norman Blatt Doug' Trotter Larry Rapp Mayor Gifford  X  Mr. Branco advised Council that the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission was forming aL Lehigh Valley General Assembly to help prepare for future changes in the valley. Their will be three meetings; January 30, 2018,July31,2018, and October 30, 2018at Penn State Lehigh Valley 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley. Mr. Trabel and Mr. Branco asked for permission to place 58 wooden chairs in storage on MunciBid.  Mr. Atkinson volunteered to go along with Mr. Branco.  Council agreed.  COUNCIL ACTION  Mr. Rapp informed Council that the PW. Backhoe was in the shop in need of extensive repairs. The Borough has already spent $2,500 and there are another  estimated $7,500 ofwork needed.    Ms. Jordan stated that the cost ofr repairs would eat up 85% oft the maintenance Mr. Quarry when asked, stated that the backhoe was 21 years old and was a used Ms. Jordan advised Council that the cost oft the backhoe before any incentives or trade in value oft the old machine was $94,900. After Plasterer discounts and the trade in value the 5-year lease amount would be $75,000. The $15,000 trade in value would be used as the lease payment for 2018, and the remaining 4 years would come from Ms. Jordan made a motion to purchase the backhoe at the above listed figures.  budget.  machine when purchased.  Liquid Fuels.  Motion  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Philip Trabel Leo Atkinson Hellen Halleman Annamarie Jordon Norman Blatt Doug' Trotter Larry Rapp Mayor Gifford  X  X  PRIVILEGE OFTHE FLOOR - Discussion on Non - Agenda Items -none  EXECUTIVE SESSION: as required  ADJOURNMENT  Mr. Atkinson made a motion to adjourn at 7:45.  Next Ordinance - 840 Next Resolution - 2018-24