BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 8, 2020 7:PM  Due to Governor Tom Wolf's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Disaster Declaration on March 6, 2020, a virtual/remote public Council Meeting was. held via phone/zoom. The: remote registration option for residents was provided on1 the Borough's website www.fountainhil.org. Thei meeting was also streamed live on Facebook at: Leo Atkinson on Fountain Hill Council. Remotely participating Council members were: Ms.. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Rufe, Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Trabel, Ms. Halleman and Mayor Gifford. Also, remotely participating were Mr. Pete Lehr (Solicitor), Anthony. Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), Jason Quarry  (Public Works Supervisor) and Ed Bachert (Police Chief) and guests.  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Council President Atkinson called the meeting to order and asked everyone toj pledge allegiance  to the Flag.  The below documents were provided to Council upfront:  Agenda  Minutes of August 3, 2020 Luz Morillo handicap space request CSC Eligibility list Quotes for tree: removal at fire. House Social Media Policy for approval  Progressive Physicians abatement of! penalty and interest request  MMO worksheets 2021 for Police and Non-Uniformed Defined Benefit & Cash Memo 8/28/2020 Finance Office- General Fund Revenue Comparison. Jan- Aug  Pension plans 2019/2020  MINUTES  Minutes of August 3, 2020  Motion X  2nd X  Yes X X X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip' Trabel Helen Halleman  X    Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR-none. MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Gifford welcomed Chief Bachert back.  Mayor Gifford suggested to move this year'sTrick or Treating toi the Police Station. Residents can bring candy to the Police Station where it will be bagged and distributed in a safe manner. Council To strengthen the community spirit Mayor Gifford also suggested to! hold a "Scare Crow" contest in the Borough. Council consented. Mayor Gifford will compose a text to publish on the website. Additionally, Mayor Gifford is encouraging to also hold a Christmas decoration contest later in The. Lay Pastor ofl Faith Lutheran Church would like tol hold an outdoor church service on the: first and third Sundays oft the months of September into October and is asking to block offtraffici in the  consented.  the year.  alley behind the church during those times.  Motion X  2nd X  Yes 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  X  BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT  Complete Phase IofBroadway Grant Complete Phase II ofB Broadway Grant  Mr. Trabel asked about the timeline for the Broadway work. Mr. Branco explained once UGI has  completed its part, the Borough would follow suit. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT    The Fire Department would like to use the area behind the Pool to sell Christmas trees provided  PPE is used.  Motion  2nd X  Yes 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 NEW BUSINESS  X  X  Request ofLuz. Morillo for a handicap parking space at the front of 1245 Russell Ave Chief Bachert reported that five (5) active parking spaces are already in place. Council President Atkinson noted that the neighbors' consensus is not required = neighbors should only be made aware ofi it. He asked the Solicitor to check on1 the wording oft the current ordinance and revise: if  necessary.  Motion  2nd X  Yes 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  X  Request from Progressive Physicians for abatement of penalty and interest for late BPT Thet tax return in question is for both thel borough' 's and school district BPT taxes due. The due date was 4/15/2020. Neither the Borough nor the School District extended their due dates. The return was filed on' 7/15/2020. and thus was 90 days late. The Borough and School District levy penalty at ai rate of 5% and interest of 1% per month. Council denied the request to abate the  filing/payment to Berkheimer Tax Innovations  penalty and interest.    Motion X  2nd  Yes 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  X  Approval oft the CSC Eligibility List  Motion X  2nd  Yes 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  X  Approval ofCsC language revisions to align with the Consortium language:  Table of Contents - Polygraph Examination remove language throughout per Chief  Bachert  Section 502 change 40% test rating to 50%, remove polygraph exam language throughout  Mr. Branco noted that a final text version would be presented to Council in due time and be  reviewed by the Labor Attorney.  Motion X  2nd X  Yes 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    CDBG Grant 2020 for Fire Truck  Mr. Branco reported that the awarded CDBG Grant 2020 will only partially cover the purchase cost oft the: new. Fire Truck. He also reported that he is in contact with an anonymous donor to pay the remaining purchase price. If the donation does not materialize, the remaining purchase price  will have to be: financed through a loan from the Fire Commission.  Borough Office Opening to thej public  Both Council and Mayor Gifford agreed that the Borough Office opening should be consistent with the Borough's decision to keep the Park closed during the pandemic. The office closure is extended through October 5, 2020 and will be re-visited at the first October Council meeting.  Office re-opening will require mask wearing as: recommended by the CDC.  Motion X  2nd  Yes 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  X  Ms. Halleman inquired about the 2021 Budget.  Budget Worksheets are distributed to the Department Heads for review.  RESOLUTIONS-None. ORDINANCES -None. MOTIONS  Request from FD to remove trees on west side ofbuilding Quote from ECHO Tree Service $2,000 Quote from Monster Tree service $2,250 Quote from Rapid Tree Service $3,500 Quote from Jacobs Tree Service $4,290  Echo Tree Service: remains the lowest bidder to remove the trees.  Council stressed the importance ofr re-planting different type of trees. Mayor Gifford mentioned Reclamation Garden Landscape, a new business in the Borough, in addition to Penn State LV  Extension to inquire about tree options.    The motion was made to award the job to the lowest bidder and plan to re-plant different type of  trees thereafter.  Motion  2nd X  Yes 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 OLD: BUSINESS  X  X  Parking Oninamce-H&0-Nomne. Verizon 5G proposal  The motion was made to table a decision until all questions are answered by Verizon.  Motion X  2nd  Yes 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  X  X  Social Media policy - tabled on August 3, 2020 Council meeting Council adopted the Social Media Policy that was provided in the Council Packets.  Motion X  2nd X  Yes X X X  No  Abstain Absent  Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Leo. Atkinson Mayor Gifford  X  X X  X    Park Signage  Council recommended to post signs every 30' ("Recreation are closed....") and have the Police  patrol and enforce the rules.  Mr. Quarry will research cost for signage. driving instead of patrolling the park. SOLICITOR'S REPORT -] None. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance  Mr. Trabel remarked that he would prefer the Police checking speeding violations and aggressive  (Trotter, Atkinson, Jordan)  Motion toj pay bills as presented to Council  Motion X  2nd X  Yes 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 C.Police  (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) - None. (Atkinson, Trotter, Johnson) -1 None.  Chief Bachert mentioned that fewer calls come in because oft the pandemic.  D. House & Ordinances  (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan)  Mr. Rufe reported that the Committee has drafted an ordinance creating a "Business Corridor" on Broadway and adjacent toi it. Thej purpose ofa "Business Corridor" 'ist toi reduce thej parkingl liability for new business owners. The H&O Committee would like to pass the draft on to the Planning Mr. Branco asked Mr. Rufe for a copy ofthe Minutes oft the H&0 Committee meeting to schedule Mr. Rufe also reported several parking options for Tombler Street from Ostrum Street to Delaware Avenue (potentially one-way), Broadway between Bergen and Hoffert Streets in addition to  Commission for review. al Planning Commission meeting.    Moravia Street also between Bergen and Hoffert Streets. He noted that especially on Broadway between Bergen and Hoffert Streets Emergency vehicles have a hard time passing through. Mayor Gifford pointed out though that residents] have frequently opposed any parkingrestrictions. on those  roads.  E. Fire  (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe)  The new: roster oft the members of the voluntary Fire Department was provided.  F.Recreation G. Health & Sanitation  (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) - None. (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel)  Ms. Halleman read the August collection reports.  H. Personnel  (Trotter, Atkinson, Jordan) - None.  SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES - None.  PRIVILEGE OF THE: FLOOR - Discussion on Non - Agenda Items  Mr. Spencer of1035. Jeter Ave welcomes the parking review. Hei raised awareness oft the LANTA Bus route on Tombler Street when reviewing any parking changes. He also mentioned that St. Luke's employees frequently take parking spaces on Tombler Street. Hes suggests to post signs that  limit parking to residents only.  Mr. Spencer is asking under what conditions the park could re-open.  EXECUTIVE SESSION: - as needed-None.  ADJOURNMENT  At 9:30PM Council President asked for ai motion to adjourn. Council 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 2020-30 Next ordinance 858