MINUTES BOROUGH COUNCIL August 21,2024 7P.M. The Council Meeting was held in person at Borough Hall. Council members present were Ms. Jordan, Ms. Johnson, Mr. Trotter, Mr. McCandless, Mr. Blatt, Mr. Trabel, Mayor Johnson, Amy Burkhart (Borough Manager), Jill Fessler (Finance Director), and guests. Council President McCandless called the meeting to order. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council President McCandless asked everyone to rise for the Pledgé to the Flag, EXECUTIVE SESSION-NONE MINUTES Council President McCandless asked the Council to approve the minutes as from August 5, 2024. Mr. Blatt made thei motion, seconded by Mr. Trabel; Ms. Jordan abstained sinces she wasn'tpresent at thel last meeting. The remaining mémbers unanimousiyaprove. Motion 2nd Yes f X X X X x No Abstain Absent X Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Stewart McCandless Norman E: Blatt Jr. Philip Trabel Mayor Johnson X X X PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR/ PRE-SCHEDULED - Discussion on Agenda Items NEW BUSINESS Park/Pool End of Season updates Lifeguards Borough Manager Burkhart announced that thej park will close tomorrow, with the staffreceiving praise for their excellent work. The pool willl be open fort the next two weekends, and two additional staff members may bel hired from the YMCAto help ifneeded. Council President McCandless confirmed the weekend pool schedule, while plans forLabor Day are still pending confirmation. Ms. Burkhart highlighted the positive community response to the park and pool operations, with Mr. Blatt commending the professionalism oft the staff. Attendance at the pool averaged around 150 people per day, as per Ms. Burkhart's report to Mr. Trabel. Council President McCandless reminded residents to check Facebook, contact 1 Borough Hall, and check thej posting at thej pool for updates on thel Labor Day Uniformed MMO: 2025 - Borough Manager Burkhart explained that wei need to review our MMOS for 2025. Wereceived our MMO from Mockenhaupt for $437,323, which is for the Uniformed Personnel Pensiôn Fund, Non-Uniformed MMO 2025 - Borough Manager Burkhart announced two plans through PMRS for thel Non-Uniformed MMOS. We have our defined benefit plan, in which the contribution willl be $54,499.00, and our Cash Balance Plan will be $19,548.05. We wanted to notify the Council oft thèse amounts since these will be the amounts budgeted in 2025. Also, we want to make you aware ofour Elementary School Update Review ofwaiver for backing in and out ofChurch Street. Borough Manager Burkhart discussed al Planning Commission meeting regarding Land Development for the Elementary School. The School District made changes to comply with Zoning and SALDO Ordinances. They sought relief, which was granted by the Zoning Hearing Board, However, the engineer identified some issues in the SALDO and. Zoning regulations. The Planning Commission recommended approval ofthe preliminary and final plan, along with several, waiyers. These waivers have conditions that must be met before being presented to the Council for action. The process is ongoing, with additional items on review lètters needing to be addressed before final approval can be granted. Borough Manager Burkhart explained that one oft the recommended waivers that Mr Berger wanted me tol bring to your attention was a waiver that doesn't allow people to develop driveways that would require people to back into the driveway and back out oft the driveway. They would have to turn around in the driveway itself. The Elementary School on Garden St. has a small parking lot for trash receptacles and delivery spots, which would require box truck deliveries and trash haulers to back out onto Garden Street. The new plans include a waiver allowing box trucks tol back into the parking lot andj pull out onto Church St. However, garbage trucks would still need toj pull into thej parking lot and back onto Church St. This will need tol be waived since the SALDO: requires it. Again, she explained that Mr. Berger wanted me to bring this tot the Council to see ifthey had any schedule. municipal obligations. conditions. Mr. Blatt asked ifv wel knew why their architect didn'tmake al larger pad so they could turn around. Ms. Burkhart explained that she believes it's due to the limitation ofs size and space. Mr. Blatt thought they were taking part ofthe playground away and moving thel building closer to Norway. He: feels that they could have increased the size oft thej pad. Ms. Johnson explained that the school would be al larger building, which would take up more space. Mr. Blatt didn'tlike thei idea of backing out onto Church St. Council President McCandless explained that they were backing out onto Garden Sti now since there was no place to turn around. Council President McCandless asked Chief] Bachert how large the trucks were and explained that they were the size ofU-Hauls. They agreed that it would be a 20-foot box truck. Borough President McCandless. announced they would need much room to turn these trucks around-Council President McCandless explained that they would need to limit the time of day to Monday-Friday. He explained that the driver had limited sight and there would need to be someone as Ms. Jordan asked ifthe new plan was that they, would go out to Church. The Council President McCandless: confirmed that wàs correct. Ms. Johnson recommended that thej pickup and drop-off should happen ati non-prime times. Council President McCandless agreed.-Mr. Blatt asked who will monitor our restrictions on these waivers Ms. Johnson said that the Zoning Officer would be responsible. Council President McCandless said the school district and the driver would: have to take control oft this. Chief Bachert explained that iti isn'tac crime. It isi more ofas violation, Mr. Trabel asked whére the pad would go. Council President McCandless said they.would use Spring St. and Church Stt to turn around. Mr. Blatt said we. need to enforce the No Parking signs. Council President McCandless explained that this is a continuation ofwhati is already there. Ms. Burkhart appreçiatés the feedback. She can share this with Mr. Berger and the school district and remind the Council that these are the recommendations and aspotter. thati it is upt to the Council to approve these plans. OLD BUSINESS, Street Projects Update - Lechauweki- - Brighton - Borough Manager Burkhart explained that there are three items that I would like to bring to everyone's attention under Street Updates. She announced that we: received ai request to utilize and close Hoffert Stl between Delaware and Stanley by St. Paul'sLutheran Church. St. Paul's is planning their Community Day on August 31, 2024. Ms. Burkhart explained that they would like to close the street from 9. A.M.-3P.M. for that celebration. She explained that she had contacted Public Works and the Borough Manager Burkhart announced that we currently have construction on Lechauweki St. Mr. Quarry explained that they said it should bej paved tomorrow. Police and would look for any feedback. Next week, on Monday, they hope to begin with Brighton. This will complete our Street Projects for 2024. Council President McCandless asked the Council to approve St. Paul's Lutheran Church use of Hoffert St. for their Community Day. Ms. Jordan made the motion, seconded by Mr. Trotter, and unanimously approved. Motion 2nd X Yes X X X d X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Stewart McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Philip Trabel Mayor. Johnson 2 X X Council President McCandless announced: that they are also asking for the presence of the Fire Department and the Police. Garbage and Recycling Hauler Contractor: Update Borough Manager Burkhart announced that the Garbage and Recycling Hauler Contractor is currently out to bid. It was posted On PennBid last week. The due date for thosel bids is September 18: Wel havea pre-bid meeting at Borough Hall on. August 28, 2024, at 1 P.M. She explained that questions are due by Monday, September 9, 2024. Ms. Burkhart explained that you can submit your questions online. PennBid is an online forum. We will also contact all the Garbage and Recycling Haulers in the area tos make sure they are aware of thel bid and can provide that information for us. She announced that we do have two specific requests. The first is for a 3-year contract with three 1-year renewals, which we currently have. The second is a5 5- year flat. Mr. Blatt inquired about the number of days they would pick up. Borough Manager Burkhart explained that pick-up is for one day a week. Weare alsoallowing bidders to use automated and regular equipment. Mr. Trabel asked what they mean about automated. Ms. Burkhart explained that an individual doesn' t pick up the garbage but has ai mechanical arm that picks up garbage and dumps it in the truck. Mr. Trabel inquired about the cans. Ms. Burkhart explained that they are required to provide cans that are approved by the Borough and the hauler. As part oft thel bid, they must provide the cans ift they need residents to have specific cans. Mr. Trabel asked ifthey were toj providel both garbage and recycling. Ms. Burkhart explained that ifthey require aj particular can, they must provide it. Council President McCandless stated that our recycling containers have the arm that would bei needed. Lining ofl Manholes Update - Borough Manager Burkhart explained that at the last meeting, wel had ai motion to approve the Lining ofManholes. She reported that Code Enforcement Position Update - Borough Manager Burkhart explained that we are still working on the contract. we are still receiving applications for Code Enforcement. MOTIONS Request Council approve thel hiring oft thei following individuals as Seasonal Temporary Lifeguards for the 20241 Pool Season at a rate of$18/hour contingent on the submission ofall necessary employment documentation. Christine McCann Aidan Villegas Council President McCandless asked the Council to approve the hiring of the following individuals as Seasonal Temporary Lifeguards for the 2024-Pgol Season at a rate of$18/hour contingent ont the submission of all necessary, employment documentation: Mr. Blatt inquired if ity was for the next two weeks. Council President McCandlèss agreed. Mr. Blatt made the motion, seconded by Mr. Trabel, and manimousiyapproved Motion- 2nd Yes X X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Stewart McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Philip Trabel Mayor, Johnson X X RESOLUTION: NO.2024-17 ARESOLVTIONOFTHE BOROUGH OFI FOUNTAINT HILL RELATIVETOTHE STABLISHMENTANDMAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYEES PENSION, ANNUITY, NSURANCEANDBENEFTFUNDORPUNDS. TOAMEND CERTAIN. PROVISIONS OF THE PENSIONPLANORPROGRAMAPPLICABLETOTHE: POLICE! EMPLOYEES OF SAID Borough Manager Burkhart explained that this is ai resolution that we pass annually specific to the Uniform Pension Plan because the employee contribution being 4%. Mokenhaupt: requires that we Council President McCandless asked the Council to approve. Resolution No. 2024-17. Mr. Blatt BOROUGH provide this toi indicate that is what we are approving of as the Borough. made the motion, seconded by Mr. Trabel, and unanimously approved. Motion 2nd Yes X X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie. Jordan Jamie Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug Trotter Stewart McCandless Norman E. Blatt. Jr. Philip Trabel Mayor Johnson X X X COUNCIL PRESIDENT REPORT Council President McCandless announced that last weekend, we had the Last Soak of the Season for the Borough. It was a great success and al blast, He explained that it lasted until 7:45 P.M. The Fire Department was happy to help the community. Thank you to everyone who came and supportedi it. PRIVILEGE OF THE: FLOOR - Discussion on Non- * Agenda Items Ms. Jordan inquired about the light at Delaware and Broadway, which ChiefBachert confirmed there were: no calls about. Mr. Quarry confirmed that Signal Service willl be out this week to repair the light, which is believed to be stuck. Ms. Jordan explained that thei issue caused backups back to Bergen, Mr. Bachert explained that they usually reset the light. Council President McCandless asked residents to bej patient as the light has been reported and will be repaired. Mr. Quarry, announçed that school begins on August 26th. Council President McCandless reminded: èveryone to watch for the children and expect many buses. Mr. Blatt asked about the Pickel Ball Court Grant. Borough Manager Burkhardt explained that we didn'tapply for al Pickél Ball Court Grant since we didn'tdo any recreation plans. When we spoke to DÇNR, they informed us that we: needed to do recreational planning first and then apply for a grant for the court. Ms Burkhart announced that we applied for a Pool Feasibility Study through DCNR. She explained that we pushed that off since wei needed to complete some recreational planning. Wev want to receive community input on what we want to see at the park. Ms. Johnson said that we will bel having ai meeting in September and will discuss this then. Council President McCandless asked Mr. Quarry what cleaning up the volleyball court would take. We want to remove the sand, plant grass, and remove thej poles. Iti is al bacteria hazard since itisu used as al litter box. Mr. Quarry explained that we can certainly removei it ifwe want it removed. Ms. Burkhart explained that this would be an excellent opportunity for recreation to make al list and see the priority items and what is most beneficial to the community. She explained that we. have limited resources, sO we want to spend them int the most helpful way for our community. Ms: Johnson said they could send something from the committee via social media. Ms. Johnson explained that we did this for thej pool and had ai response rate ofless than 1%. Feedback is as good as thej people that respond. Ms. Johnson explained that ifv we can get this out before the next meeting, we can discuss it at that meeting. Ms. Jordan asked ifv we could still: remove the sand sincei itis al health hazard. Ms. Johnson asked ifv we could puti it on the agenda so they can let the community know before we: make that decision. Council President McCandless said let's get some: feedback and put it on the agenda for Tuesday, September 3rd. Mr. Trabel asked about the community garden that was discussed a few years ago. Ms. Johnson said: it depends where the retention pond will bel located. Ms. Johnson announced that she would love tol have it at the pool. Council President McCandless said that this was being discussed at the Stormwater. Authority meeting. Mr. Trabel mentioned that communities create: meadows sO you wouldn'thave to mow it. Council President McCandless said that it was discussed at the Stormwater Authority meeting toi make it a nature area with paths. Ms. Johnson explained that we would need to know what the costs are before anything is done. Council President McCandless agreed. ADJOURNMENT At7:42P.M. Council President McCandless asked to adjourn the Council meeting. Mr. Trabel made the motion, seconded by Ms. Johnson, and unanimouslympproved, Motion 2nd Yes X X X X X No Abstain Absent Annamarie Jordan Jamie. Johnson Wilbert Rufe Doug' Trotter Stewart McCandless Norman E. Blatt Jr. Philip Trabel Mayor Johnson ATTESTED BY: x X BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA By: Amy Burkhart, Borough Manager Stewart McCandless - President ofCouncil SUBMITTED BY: Jill Fessler, Finance Director Next Ordinance- - 883 Next Resolution- - 2024-14