Present: ---- Councilwoman Hayden, Councilmen Atkinson, Dreisbach, Kovacs, Paulus; J. Jackson Eaton, III, Esquire; ----------------------- Frederick W. Haye, 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: ---------- 2

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Approval of Minutes: ------ March 19, 2008, Regular Meeting

Motion: --- I move we waive the reading of the Minutes of the March 19, 2008 Regular Council Meeting and accept same as presented.

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

Reports:

1. Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

1.) With respect to the possibility of recycling all seven plastics with the current garbage/recycling collector, Council should be advised that J. P. Mascaro has indicated that they cannot collect all seven plastics. Council discussed the matter and determined that in the next contract an amendment would be added with respect to requiring the collection of all seven plastics.

2.) Council should be advised that the Township has received complaints regarding garbage accumulation in the rear of the Valley Plaza Shopping Center. In that regard, the owner of the shopping center has been put on notice and has indicated that they would have their maintenance personnel take care of the matter.

3.) Per Council’s request, the Township Manager noted that she has been attempting to track down through the City of Allentown the ordinance which they adopted regarding profiling for employment purposes. The City Clerk in Allentown has been contacted by phone but no response has been received to date.

4.) With respect to Councilman Atkinson’s concerns regarding the current digital billboard amendment to the Township ordinance, the Township Manager advised that she has been in touch with Attorney Bartholomew regarding same. Attorney Bartholomew has interpreted the ordinance as it relates to the one billboard which has two signs, one digitalized and one static, to allow the static portion to be digitalized. Councilman Atkinson inquired as to whether or not the ordinance would permit, as long as one stayed within the current footprint, i.e. 14’ by 48’, the conversion of a standard billboard into four digital billboards assuming that they stayed within the footprint of the original billboard. The Township Manager noted that she did not feel that the ordinance would allow such a situation to take place. Councilman Atkinson felt that Attorney Bartholomew should attend a Council meeting to review the current ordinance with the Board and that if amendments are necessary then the Board could proceed to make such amendments. In that regard, the Township Manager indicated she would invite Attorney Bartholomew to the next Regular Council Meeting to review this matter with Council.

Councilman Atkinson brought to the Board’s attention the language in the Spring Newsletter regarding the fact that 30 people or less did not have to reserve the park. Councilman Atkinson’s concern was that if someone has reserved the facility and another individual came with a small party of 30 or less they would not be able to have their function. He felt that even if it is the intent of someone to have a function with 30 or less people, they should check with the Township to make sure there is no conflict.

Councilman Kovacs opened the discussion relative to the striping on Catasauqua Road as a result of the CVS development in the City of Bethlehem. Councilman Kovacs indicated he had been in touch with the City of Bethlehem inquiring about the striping. With respect to the history of this matter, a discussion ensued relative to the fact that originally there had been turning lanes on Catasauqua Road, both for Troxell Street and the CVS Pharmacy. Apparently, this striping situation had been done incorrectly. Subsequently, the turning lane on Troxell Street was removed and now there is only a left turning lane for the CVS. However, the latest scenario is in accordance with the Penn DOT approved plan. The Township Engineer noted that he has received a copy of the plan and that the current changes meet the approved Penn DOT plan. Councilman Atkinson brought up the fact that since Catasauqua Road is shared between the City of Bethlehem and Hanover Township half and half, how did they do this work without any involvement of the Township. The Township Engineer noted that Penn DOT approved the work and that the Catasauqua Road and Pennsylvania Avenue light is within the City of Bethlehem’s jurisdiction. The Township Attorney was requested to look into the matter. Attorney Eaton noted that he does not know if Penn DOT jurisdiction over lights supersedes municipal rights. The Township Engineer noted that they have scratched off some of the markings on Catasauqua Road and eventually it would wear off completely. The Township Engineer also noted that he didn’t feel that this is a City of Bethlehem issue but rather a Penn DOT issue.

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

The Township Engineer offered no oral report at this time.

At this point in the meeting, there was some general questioning. Councilman Dreisbach questioned the status of the Race St./Willowbrook Rd. signal light installation. The Township Engineer noted that they are currently working on the specs and then the matter would go out to bid. Once the contractor is determined, then we will come up with a traffic control plan when the work is done. Councilman Atkinson questioned whether or not the grading coming off of Willowbrook Rd. onto Race St. would be altered. The Township Engineer noted that the slope which currently exists coming from Willowbrook to Race St. would be modified for easier transition onto Race St. Councilman Atkinson also questioned whether or not the Township has any involvement with respect to the Airport taking down structures on properties they have condemned. It was noted that demolition permits are required by the Township’s Building Inspector. Councilman Atkinson also questioned the status of the shopping center project. The Township Engineer noted that the work is progressing. He indicated that the gas line has been run under Route 22 and that the culvert is in place and that once water gets into it we won’t have to worry about diversion channels. Councilman Atkinson commented that the Iron Pigs baseball game on Sunday created a huge traffic snarl. He questioned why the Township’s developer of the shopping center was required to do extensive traffic improvements and the development of the ballpark was not. It was noted that possibly that development was a political matter. Mr. Joseph Feskanin, 1680 N. Irving St., Allentown, PA 18109, questioned when the developer is going to line the detention pond. The Township Engineer noted that the sooner they do that the better. However, he indicated there is still some rock in there that needs to be removed. The Township Engineer also noted that the developer has a new site contractor who was only there one week; but, hopefully, things will start progressing more quickly.

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

1.) The Township Attorney advised that the Improvements Agreements for the development of Airport Associates, have still not been executed due to the fact that the attorney for the bank has been on vacation. He noted the attorney is expected back tomorrow and that hopefully the matter will progress at that time.

Unfinished Business: NONE

New Business:

Chairman Paulus noted that the Township Manager and he had investigated a few architects and that he felt it is time to ask those architectural firms for some information by way of request for proposals. The Township Engineer noted that the Township Manager and he would work together to prepare the necessary documentation for the acceptance of proposals.

Courtesy of the Floor: NONE

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra A. Pudliner
Township Manager

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