BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES  March 2, 2020 7:001 PM  Council members present were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Atkinson, Mayor Gifford, Mr. Trabel, and Ms. Halleman. Also, in attendance were Anthony Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Pete Lehr (Solicitor), Ed Bachert (Police Council President Atkinson called the meeting to order and asked for everyone to rise for the The documents listed below were provided to Council for the March 2, 2020 Council meeting:  Chief), Jason Quarry (Public Works Supervisor) and guests.  Pledge to the Flag.  Agenda  Minutes of February 19, 2020  Engineering Proposal from Remington & Vernick - RECOMMENDED Engineering Proposal from USA. Architects Loy Daniels - Handicap request tabled from 2/19/2020  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council Meeting. Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo Atkinson Mayor Gifford  Council President Atkinson asked for a motion to approve the Minutes of the February 19, 2020  Motion X  2nd X  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  PRIVILEGE OF THE: FLOOR - Agenda Items - NONE.  MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Gifford read February's Police report.    Mayor Gifford also reminded oft the 2020 Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 11 at 10 am that is organized by thel local Police Department. An advance children'ss sign-up is recommended tol have The first Borough Clean-up for 2020 will be held on May 2 at 9 am. Everyone is invited to join Mayor Gifford reminded that the Fountain Hill Bacchanalia will hold its annual Food and Wine Tasting fundraising event on March 28, 2020 in the afternoon benefiting children in the Borough  an approximate head-count of children participating.  the effort.  ofFountain Hill.  BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT  Ini its effort to protect and enhance the water quality ofLehigh County residents, the Lehigh County Conservation District notified Mr. Branco ofavailable funding. Asa qualifying project, Mr. Branco suggested to convert the Borough alley from Wiley to Ronca and Sioux into a green zone allowing storm water toj permeate into the ground. The alley is very narrow and not suitable for cars passing through, partially overgrown and partially ini need ofblacktop repair. He asked for a motion toj pursue funding for this  project. Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo Atkinson Mayor Gifford  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  X  Mr. Branco asked for permission to sell the no longer used Pressure Sealer (Formax Versa  Seal VS 1500) on Municibid, an online auction site.  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 Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  Mr. Branco informed Council that the Zoning/Hearing Board willi interview four law firms  as its solicitor in the upcoming week.    PENNVEST, an agency oft the Commonwealth ofPennsylvania, has been identified as the funding source for the Borough's sewer project. In the formal process of procuring engineering services for the wastewater project, PENNVEST recommends that the Borough solicits engineering firms to submit their qualifications to be considered for the sewer project (i.e. RFQ). Mr. Branco asked for ai motion to prepare the RFQ, haveitp proof- read by the Borough Engineer (Hanover Engineering) and submit it to PENNVEST (and DEP). Council will select an engineering firm that will determine the ultimate scope oft the  project.  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 Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  Proposal from Remington & Vernick - engineering & design build services for Office  upgrade-$ $23,500.00  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 Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  Inl light of the security upgrade for the administrative offices, Mayor Gifford asked ifi moving of Bourgh Hall and Police to a different location was still on the near horizon. Council President Atkinson stated that other projects will have precedent over an administrative move for at least the next fifteen years. It was established that an independent move of the Police Department to a  different location can be considered. NEW BUSINESS-NONE. RESOLUTIONS-NONE. ORDINANCES-NONE    MOTIONS-NONE. OLD BUSINESS  Façade Grant Program  Council President Atkinson reiterated that the idea of a Façade Program is to make Fountain Hill adesirable destination for both residents and businesses. Mayor Gifford mentioned that St. Luke's hospital is also making an effort to enhance Fountain Hill's identity by advertising its hospital location as Fountain Hill instead of Bethlehem. Mr. Lehr, the Solicitor, suggested to create a committee to oversee. a. Façade Program. Council President assigned the Recreation Committee to oversee a Façade Program and asked the Solicitor to draft an ordinance for one of the next two Council meetings. Mr. Lehr also suggested to partner with other existing grant programs to potentially be able reaching more recipients in a group effort. Mayor Gifford recommended to  contact the Community Action ofLehigh Valley.  Loy Daniels 1219 Russell Ave - request Handicap space (tabled from 2/19/2020)  Council President Atkinson reported that the Borough Manager had contacted St. Luke's Hospital toj possibly provide an added independent physician'sreview: ofhandicap parking applications. St. Luke's legal department is reviewing the request. Council President Atkinson suggested to place ar moratorium on new handicap parking applications until St. Luke's has completed its review. Mayor Gifford strongly opposed a moratorium because applicants generally are in genuine need of assistance. Ms. Jordan commented that Council historically based its decision on handicapped parking on the applicant's medical records. But since Council wanted to abandon that practice, Ms. Jordan argued that an independent medical review would be fair. Ms. Johnson emphasized that the decision ont the current Loy Daniels'sa application should not bei further delayed. She argued Mr. Stewart McCandless on 1011 Pawnee Street explained thel lengthy process of physicians' and state reviews before being identified as "disabled" and receive a Disability Parking Placard. He Ms. Johnson acknowledged that a state-issued handicap placard should speed up the decision process but still favored an independent physician's review. When asked the Solicitor confirmed that the Borough has thei right to refuse a designated parking space on al borough street. Ms. Jordan reminded Council that decisions historically also depended on the neighbors' input. Mr. Branco stated that the Borough ordinance not only requires a placard but a license plate to be granted a Mr. Stewart McCandless further explained the different types of handicap designations (.e. temporary placards, permanent placards, and license plates issued for a specific vehicle). Council unanimously agreed to have one designated parking space to one vehicle plate. Council also agreed - except Ms. Halleman abstained - to not require ai neighbor's approval any longer. Council President postponed the final decision on a second required medical review and add to next meeting's agenda and asked Mr. Lehr to prepare an edited parking ordinance including the  that only future applications should be reviewed through a different process.  questioned the necessity ofa an additional physician's review.  designated parking space.  one-on-one parking space and obsolescence ofneighbors' approval.    Council President Atkinson asked for ai motion to approve the current Loy Daniels's application.  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 Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT  Council President Atkinson reported that Mr. Ashley, the Planning Commission's solicitor,  accepted the change ofs solicitors. SOLICITOR'S: REPORT  Mr. Lehr reported that Salisbury Township did not seek mediation in the ongoing litigation with  the Borough and litigation will go forward. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance  (Trotter, Atkinson, Jordan)  Mr. Trotter: read the check detail reports for the month of] February.  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 Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X    B. Public Works  (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe)  Motion to purchase a street sweeper from the Borough of Emmaus for $10,000 including a vacuum cleaner int the back to clean storm sewers (included in budget). Mr. Trabel reminded tol have aj protocol inj place for moving parked vehicles on the dayso of  street cleaning, Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo Atkinson Mayor Gifford C.Police  Motion X  2nd  Yes X X X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  X  (Atkinson, Trotter, Johnson)- - NONE. (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan)  D. House & Ordinances  Mr. Rufe reported that the committee is reviewing the current ordinance on parking restrictions for small businesses. The committee plans to present an amendment loosening the current  restrictions to Council by the end ofthe month.  E.Fire  (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe)  Mr. Trable reported that State Representative Jeanne McNeill's office announced $12k grant for  the Fire Department. F. Recreation  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel)  Ms. Johnson reported that the local YMCA agreed toi mange the 2020 pool season again from June 6to August 9 for a management fee of $45k. Final house and pool rules will be discussed at the end ofMay. The YMCA could also accommodate extended weekend. hours until the end ofAugust at an additional cost. Mr. Rufe will inspect the concession stand and equipment to determineifthe Borough could operate it itself. Ms. Johnson asked the Borough Manager to advertise for pool Ms. Johnson proposes to advertise for Park employees to entertain a summer park program again. Ms.. Johnson recommended to schedule the: free Y on thel Fly program in] Fountain Hill. An activity van will spend between one to two hours delivering a variety of activities to local communities.  cashiers for the summer.    Motion X  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 Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  G.H Health & Sanitation  (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel)  Ms. Halleman read the February collection reports for sewer and garbage fees.  H. Personnel  (Trotter, Atkinson, Jordan) - NONE.  SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES-NONE  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR - Discussion on Non Agenda Items  Mr. Mike Spencer inquired if Council had created a social media policy. Council President asked to add the request to the next meeting agenda. He also asked to check on ai mattress discarded at 531 S. Clewell Street for proper disposal. Mr. Spencer commended Public Works on their general maintenance but mentioned several potholes in the Borough that should be patched as soon as possible to avoid further road deterioration and to keep long-term road maintenance costs down. Mr. Quarry explained the Public Work protocol and scheduling for pothole maintenance both in  the warm and cold season.  EXECUTIVE SESSION (as needed) - NONE  ADJOURNMENT  At 8:55 pm Council President Atkinson asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Jordan made the  motion, seconded by Ms. Johnson and unanimously approved.  BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA  By:  Leo. Atkinson - President of Council    SUBMITTED BY By:  Cordula Voges, Finance Director  ATTEST: By:  Anthony Branco, Borough Manager  Next Resolution 2020-25 Next Ordinance 857