FOUNTAIN HILL BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES February 1, 2021 7:001 P.M. 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. Thei remote participation option for residents was provided on thel Borough's website www.fountainhil.org Remotely participating Council members were: Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Blatt, Mr. Rufe, and Mayor Gifford. Also remotely participating were. Anthony Branco (Borough Manager), Cordula Voges (Finance Director), ChiefE Bachert, Pete Lehr (Solicitor), and guests. Council President Blatt called the meeting to order and asked everyone toj pledge allegiance to PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE the Flag. MINUTES Motion to approve ofthe January 20, 2021 minutes Motion X 2nd Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford X X X PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Presentation of] Base Engineering - Cindy L. Witman, Director of Administrative and Building Code Services (Tom Wargo, Zoning/Codes) Mr. Rufe asked Mr. Wargo (Zoning Officer) what role Base. Engineering would play in addition to the Zoning Officer's and the currently engaged inspection agency's1 roles. Mr. Wargo explained that Keycodes (i.e. currently engaged inspection agency) has not: replaced its fire inspector causing delays. Also- - Base Engineering provides last minute, emergency inspections. Council President Blatt thanked Ms. Witman for her presentation and noted that the decision will bereferred to a committee and then presented back to Council for a final vote. Agenda Items None. MAYORSREPORT Mayor Gifford thanked Public Works for its efforts clearing the roads during the ongoing winter storm. BOROUGH MANAGER'S: REPORT Mr. Branco reported that the application for thel Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Grant for $1.5 mill. expanding the Broadway Curb and Sidewalk project is under review and its approval Mr. Branco reminded that a previous road project on Broadway-Delaware Ave was abandoned because funding under the PennDot Transportation Alternative Project (TAP) Grant did not become available. However, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) is currently Mr. Branco asked Council for permission to invite a representative of Eckert Seamans law firm for a presentation of their services to Council. Among others, the law firm specializes in labor looks promising. reviewing new: road funding projects. relations. Council consented and asked Mr. Branco to: move forward. NEW BUSINESS Motion to approve the Fire Department's request for new building signs and initiate the related Grant application Motion 2nd X Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Gifford X X X RESOLUTIONS -None. ORDINANCES - None. MOTIONS-None. OLD BUSINESS Motion to approve the retainment ofPortnoffLaw. Associates assisting in the collection of Sewer/Garbage fees as presented at. January 21, 2021 Council Meeting Motion X 2nd Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Mayor Gifford X X X COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT- -None. SOLICITOR'S REPORT Mr. Lehr announced that the Lehigh County Court Judge passed a favorable verdict in the civil lawsuit brought on by Salisbury Township regarding the Sewer Transmission Agreement. The Borough is seeking an equitable agreement to share: its costs and fees with Salisbury Township. The current agreement will end in 200 days after the verdict, ifnot amended. Council President Blatt thanked Mr. Lehr for successful presentation in this lawsuit. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Finance (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) Motion to approve payment of. January bills presented Motion 2nd X Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Philip Trabel Helen Halleman Norman E. Blatt Jr. Mayor Gifford X X X B. Public Works (Jordan, Trotter, Rufe) Ms. Jordan reported that one oft the newly hired Public Works employees started this first week Mr. Branco added that a contractor will bel hired to move out some snow from the roads to the ofFebruary. She also thanked Public Works for their snow: removal efforts. Playground. C.Police (Blatt, Trotter, Johnson) Council President Blatt inquired about the traditional Easter Egg Hunt, ChiefBachert will Mayor Gifford thanked the Police's engagement in distributing food donations to needy Fountain postpone decision in regard to the COVI-19 situation. Hill residents. D. House & Ordinances E. Fire F.Recreation (Rufe, Halleman, Jordan) -1 None. (Trabel, Halleman, Rufe) -1 None. (Johnson, Rufe, Trabel) The Recreation Committee had met with the YMCA to discuss the summer pool program. Life guards are: in shortage. The YMCA offers al Lifeguard Certification program beginning February 6, 2021. Ms. Johnson encouraged spreading the word about the certification program. G. Health & Sanitation (Halleman, Johnson, Trabel) Council President Blatt referred to the Sewer/Garbage January fee collection reports. H. Personnel (Trotter, Blatt, Jordan) - None. SPECIAL OR SELECT COMMITTEES Most library services are available online. The electrical connections are: installed on the book: mobile with the HVAC: system tol be installed next-n moving the date to open the book mobile to the public closer. PRIVILEGE OF THE. FLOOR - Discussion on. Non - Agenda Items-I None. Executive Session (ifneeded) - None. ADJOURNMENT At 7:501 PM Council President Blatt asked for a motion to adjourn. Ms. Johnson made the motion, seconded by Ms. Jordan and unanimously approved. BOROUGH OF FOUNTAINHILL LEHIGH COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA Norman E. Blatt. Jr.- President of Council By: SUBMITTED By: ATTEST: By: Cordula Voges, Finance Director Anthony Branco, Borough Manager Next Resolution 2021-6 Next ordinance 860