Present: ---- Councilwoman Hayden, Councilmen Atkinson, Dreisbach, Kovacs, Paulus; J Jackson Eaton III, Esquire;
-------------------- Frederick P. Hay, P.E.; Sandra A. Pudliner; Vicky Roth

It should be noted for the record that Councilwoman Hayden attended the meeting via telephone conference as a result of a disability, which does not permit her attendance in person.

Absent: ---- 0

Attendance: ---- 3

Courtesy of the Floor: None

Approval of Minutes: ------ June 1, 2010, Special Council Meeting
-------------------------------------------- June 2, 2010, Regular Council Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the June 2, 2010 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

Paulus, Kovacs: Moved and Seconded
Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye
Atkinson ---------- Abstained

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1.) The Township Manager advised Council that she has provided them with copies of various correspondences which has been sent and inquired as to whether or not they had any questions regarding same. There was a discussion with respect to the correspondence forwarded to Penn DOT requesting that the timing at the Airport Road-BJ’s-Down’s Traffic Signal and the Airport Road-Catasauqua Road Traffic Signal be studied to determine if retiming is warranted. It was noted that between 3:00 and 5:00 P.M. there appears to be a backup on Airport Road. The Township Engineer felt that the timing problem occurs more during the lunchtime hour. Councilman Atkinson commented that if you are coming north on Airport Road and turning at The Downs, he felt that there is more timing there than is necessary. The Township Engineer noted that if you are turning left at BJ’s, it is the same as a left turn into The Downs and that they are tied together.

2.) The Township Manager advised the Board that the pavilion construction in accordance with the grant received from Lehigh County has been somewhat delayed due to the shipment of the pavilion material. The footers are in place and the contractor is of the opinion that there will be no problem meeting the deadline as set forth by Lehigh County.

3.) Council should be aware that the Zoning Hearing with respect to the Township’s variance request and other issues will be held on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 7:00 P.M., at the Township’s Municipal Building. The Township Attorney and architect on the project will be in attendance at said meeting.

Councilman Kovacs provided the Township Manager with information regarding the PSATS Youth Award Contest, a program available for youth groups within the community, as well as information from the PSATS Magazine relating to pursuing a communication award for the Township’s newsletter.

Chairman Paulus brought the Board up-to-date with respect to the Municipal Building project. He indicated he met with the Township Engineer and Public Works Director and answered the questions posed by the architect at the most recent meeting and provided the architect with those answers. With respect to water testing, it was determined that same would need to be accomplished by the City of Bethlehem and the architect would be in touch with them. There was a discussion regarding a gate system and the Public Works Director felt that an automatic gate would be the best way to pursue that matter. A gate to close off the municipal parking lot was also discussed. There was a discussion initiated by the Township Engineer regarding the fact that Bethlehem has a video screen on the wall in their meeting room. The Township Engineer also noted that in Forks Township they have gone to little ones on the desk. One laptop could be used. The Township Engineer felt you could use a small screen and make individuals making presentations submit PDFs. With respect to issues regarding slurry, Chairman Paulus noted that the architect has looked into that and that it is extremely expensive. Councilwoman Hayden questioned the status of the church on Grove Road as to whether or not it is for sale. Councilman Kovacs commented that it is his understanding that the synod is taking over the church property.

2. Frederick W. Hay, P.E
Township Engineer

1.) With respect to the Municipal Building project, the Township Engineer advised that he has just received the microgravity report and noted that there are some voids. The report has been forwarded to the architect.

2.) With respect to street lighting at The Downs intersection, the Township Engineer advised that the street lighting will be put in place shortly.

3.) The Township Engineer advised that Penn DOT has approved changing the signage at Steelstone Road to Airport Center Drive.

4.) With respect to the signal light at the old Airport/Schoenersville intersection which had been damaged, said light is now operational.

5.) With respect to the Catasauqua Lake restoration, the Township Engineer advised that the change order for the lining is now down to a cost in the mid $30,000 range.

6.) With respect to the Race Street/Willowbrook Road Signal Light Project, the Township Engineer advised that the contractor has to cut down the Bethlehem water valve vault. When same has been accomplished and approved by Penn DOT, the contractor will commence the paving and that should be done within a week.

7.) The Township Engineer advised that a traffic study is being scheduled to study Irving Street, Downs Drive, and Cedar Hill Drive as a four-way stop intersection.

Councilman Atkinson questioned whether the excavation at the Catasauqua Lake is down to grade. The Township Engineer commented that it is, but that uphill it is one-half foot higher than it is supposed to be. There was discussion regarding the safety zone on the east side and which should also be on the west side.

3. J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire
Township Attorney

1.) The Township Attorney advised that a Receiver has been appointed for the Four Point Sheraton and that the delinquent billings have been paid. The current sewer bill is not due yet.

2.) The Township Attorney advised the Board that during the codification process with the Township’s codification company, they discovered a typographical error in Ordinance 500 and he advised the Board that that typographical error will be corrected.

4. Maintenance Report (Written)

5. Fire Company Report (Written)

6. Code Enforcement Officers’ Report (Written)

7. Building Inspector’s Report (Written)

Chairman Paulus acknowledged receipt of a written Maintenance Report, written Fire Company Report, written Code Enforcement Officers’ Reports and written Building Inspector’s Report and same were noted for the record.

There was discussion at this point in the meeting regarding the Reports. Councilman Atkinson noted that he has become aware that several evenings over the last few weeks, the Township car has been sitting at the fire company. Chairman Paulus indicated that the Township should determine the times and dates and then we can determine which Code Enforcement Officer is involved. Councilman Kovacs questioned whether or not the Township leaves the Township trucks idling and it was noted that the small ones are diesel and they should be left idling. There was discussion with respect to the Building Inspector doing a fine job. Councilman Kovacs noted that the correspondence sent to State Representative Brennan by the Township Manager was in his opinion well done. Chairman Paulus commented that DSW Shoe Warehouse is now going into the Airport Centers Shopping Center.

8. Treasurer’s Report (Written)

Motion: --- I move we accept the computer printouts dated June 16, 2010, for the General Fund Account, Capital Reserve Account, Escrow Account, Liquid Fuels Account, Sewer Account and Water Account subject to audit.

Paulus, Dreisbach: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ---------- Unan

Unfinished Business:

1.) Bill No. 2010-07, An Ordinance Permitting Temporary Utility Trailers and Storage Containers to Remain on Sites for Extended Periods if Used for Storage of Waste, Refuse or Recyclable Materials (Public Hearing).

Chairman Paulus opened the Public Hearing relative to Bill No. 2010-07.

There was considerable discussion with respect to this proposed legislation to include Councilman Kovacs feeling that the only exception he was aware of would be the rubber tire storage. Dean Hausman, 2080 Weaversville Rd., questioned the effect of the ordinance on temporary utility trailers such as camper trailers, cargo trailers, and wood trailers. The Township Attorney advised that before the Board at this time is a revision to an original ordinance which contained provisions regarding Mr. Hausman’s questions. Those prior provisions were acceptable to Mr. Hausman. It was further noted that there is no distinction between residential and commercial properties in the original ordinance or the amendment. The Township Manager brought to the Board’s attention an issue involving a business in Valley Plaza Shopping Center which has for many years utilized two story pods in the rear of the shopping center for storage of material during the height of their business season which is approximately three months in the summer season. The Township Manager questioned the Board as to whether or not it was the intent of the ordinance to impact the small businesses within the Township in this fashion. The Board felt as a whole increasing the number of days permitted under the ordinance from 60 to 90 days was acceptable to them. The Township Attorney noted that the changes made to the ordinance this evening are substantive in nature and that the ordinance would need to re-advertised prior to adoption

New Business: NONE

Payment of Bills:

Motion: --- I move Council authorize payment of Payroll (05/28/2010), Payroll (06/11/2010), Voucher Nos. 17112-17265 (Prepaids), Voucher Nos. 17266-17333, from the General Fund Account in the amount of $786,819.85; Voucher Nos. 67 from the Liquid Fuels Account in the amount of $5,483.33; Voucher Nos. 3574-3575 (Prepaids); Voucher Nos3576-3586 from Capital Reserve in the amount of $376,822.02; Voucher 623 from Distribution Account in the amount of $30,000.00; Voucher Nos. 3604-3622 (Prepaids); Voucher Nos. 3623-3625 from Escrow Account in the amount of $14,579.07; Voucher Nos. 3611-3615 from the Water Account in the amount of $4,991.80; Voucher Nos. 4590-4599 from the Sewer Account in the amount of $13,481.72 for a Grand Total Expenditure of $1,232,177.79.

Paulus, Kovacs: Moved and Seconded
Atkinson, Dreisbach, Hayden, Kovacs, Paulus: ------- Aye ---------- Unan.

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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