APPROVED  Borough of Alburtis Meeting Minutes January 10, 2024  APPROVED  The January 10, 2024, meeting of Borough Council was called to order by Council Vice-President Steve Hill at  7:00 p.m. in the Borough Hall, 260 Franklin Street, Alburtis, PA and on Zoom.  Council members in attendance: Mehmet Birtek Associates of Alburtis in attendance: Dave Knerr, Solicitor Mike Preston, Engineer  Chad. Atkins  Steve Hill  Hector Moss Ashlynn Rivera  John Aleszczyk  Stephen Nemeth, Borough Manager Kathleen Palmer, Mayor  Tony Alsleben, Police Chief Donnie Derr, Maintenance Supervisor Gart Hartman, Maintenance  Visitors in attendance: Gary DeRoner, Steve Werley, Mike Gerhart, Ian Windle,  Visitors on Zoom: Kate, Brooke, Tom, FBM, AB PUBLICCOMMENT - No comment.  MAYOR'S REPORT - Mayor Palmer mentioned that she would like residents to understand since being mayor, have always called a snow emergency when it's expected to snow 61 inches or more. Need to realize that our streets are not as wide as the large city streets. We need to think ofthe first and foremost the safest way for maintenance to clear the roads. Not everybody is going tol bel happy, but these guys bust their butts for the safety ofthe residents, we' 've got an excellent group of guys. Donnie: mentioned, people don'trealize wel have sidewalks, well houses and the reservoir to open also, we aren'tjust clearing streets. It's more to it than just the streets. We get drains opened and keep everything clean, must be able to get thei residents in and out.  POLICE REPORT- No comment.  MEETING MINUTES OFDECEMBER: 27,2023 - Mehmet Birtek made ai motion to approve the Minutes  of  December 27, 2023, Hector Moss 2nd and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins-yay  Birtek-yay  Rivera- yay  MEETING MINUTES OFJANUARY2.7024-1 Mehmet Birtek made ai motion to approve the Minutes of  January 2, 2024, Chad. Atkins 2nd and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins- yay  Birtek- yay  Rivera-yay  BILISFORPAYMENT-JANUARYI 10,2024 - Hector Moss made ai motion to pay the bills of  January 10, 2024, Chad Atkins 2"d and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins-yay Birtek-yay  Rivera-yay  TREASURER'S REPORT-John Aleszczyk questioned why the fire truck escrow doesn't get listed on the expenses. Stephen Nemeth mentioned that currently it is not listed as an expense until wej pay it, currently iti is    listed as just a transfer from one bank account to another. Stephen Nemeth mentioned that this is how our auditor has taught us to: record these in our books for many years. Stephen Nemeth mentioned that when a developer starts an escrow with us for aj project, it all doesn'tg go in our revenue, it only transfers into our revenue when we bill the developer. John Aleszczyk requested that our auditor comes to a future meeting to Hector Moss made ai motion to accept the Treasurer's Report, Mehmet Birtek 2nd and a unanimous vote  explain why the escrow transfer doesn'tget listed as an expense.  followed. Hill-yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins-yay  Birtek-y yay  Rivera- yay  MACUNGIE AMBULANCE CORPS - The Macungie Ambulance Corps monthly report was reviewed.  There were eleven calls in the Borough in December.  ENGINEER'S REPORT Chad Atkins made ai motion to accept the Engineer's Report, Mehmet Birtek 2nd  and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins-3 yay  Birtek-yay  Rivera-yay  ADMINISTRATION  Bicentennial Village Preconstruction meeting- Construction Masters LLC.  - Ian from Construction Masters Services LLC was here to answer questions and concerns that the council had. John asked Ian if they could provide a summary oft the two options. Ian mentioned that at this point right now we can only stick to one option which will be coming back int the spring. Originally were hoping to start earlier before the cold weather, but at this point we have laid offi most of our crew. Hopefully early march if the weather allows for it.. John asked will you be starting atl Lockridge Lane? Ian mentioned the thing with the curb machine, the mobile is located ont the left side. Therefore, would have us start on second street and work towards church, then come back on the other side. We are going tol leave the existing curve and sidewalk while we are doing curb work activate everything comeback and start ripping out the original. Mehmet mentioned that we are on a budget constraint for the project; is there a way we can divide it into different pieces? Ian mentioned we have a subcontractor who does the slop formation and their proposal to use was for twoi runs through, one inj March and the other when we are ready to do the other side. Prices should change unless we get out there and there is something unforeseen that wasn'tin thej plans that nobody knew about. Intersections will bel handset; machine can do curves, but hand setting does better to transition to existing curb. We will do all the sidewalk and sprains on the one side before starting the other side. Mehmet mentioned ifthat's the case and we run out of budget then how do we decide. Tricky question one side of street will have brand: new, and the other side will: not. Ifwe cannot come up with the budget we're going to have to come back and reassess the situation and come back and say maybe we only do a quarter oft the other side. Mehmet asked with our budget and contract its our plan is to finish everything within the budget as planned. Ian mentioned that is our plan, it's our plan tol build everything as to plan. Mehmet asked about parking during the project. Ian mentioned that when not working; have no problem with residents parking in front oft their driveways, and believe parking is available on Roberts and church. Mehmet asked ifyou will be providing a schedule of work? Ian mentioned that we will be constantly int touch with the residents on the work schedule. Hector mentioned that one thing mentioned at the town hall was potentially limiting parking to one side.. John asked where on 2nd street we starting? Mike mentioned the original plans call for starting at intersection to cobblestone. Ian mentioned that if  we: need to, we can discuss making field adjustments before we start the project. Designation of Committee Chairman and members-Item was tabled for the week.    APPROVED  Resolution 2024-4 A RESOLUTION REVISING AND REESTABLISHING SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR SMALL VALUE SALES OR DISPOSITIONS OF SURPLUS PERSONAL PROPERTY OWNED BYTHE BOROUGHAND BICYCLESI HELDBYTHE BOROUGHI FOR MORE THANNINETY/90)1 DAYS. Mehmet asked who came up with the $2000.00 number. Dave Knerr mentioned that was set by a statute. When we first added this back in 1998 the statute called for only $200.00 then in 2000 the statute went up to Mehmet Birtek made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-4, al Resolution establishing special procedures for small value sales or dispositions of surplus personal property owned by the borough. The motion was 2nd by  $1000.00 and since then it has gone up.  Chad. Atkins and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins- yay Birtek- yay  Rivera- yay  Request Tol Hire for Maintenance Department. - Donnie mentioned that we: must hire ai full timer. We don't know what the future is for anybody who needs tol look at the future. The only way is to get somebody that is committed is by hiring them. We need to we can'tk keep going look we: are. Joei is out and Russi is out, it's just too much. Soon or al later we are going to be retiring. Gary mentioned will be retiring within three years and SO isl Donnie, and it is not an easyj job. Kathy mentioned you have no backup is thej problem, there is no backup plan for you guys. Donnie mentioned that this is a very involving. job, this would be training now: for when we go out. Steve Hill mentioned that he believes that it would be best for thej personnel committee tol look at this Lower Macungie Fire Department 2023 Statistical Review Report- Report was handed out for review, no Steve Hill asked ift there were any additional comments for the group, it was asked ifr now the personnel committee can discuss the maintenance position. Dave Knerr mentioned that if you want to discuss hiring a contractor as a part-timer until the situation is decided all you would need to doi is amend the agenda and add Motion to amend the agenda tol hire aj part-timer until the staffing situation is determined. Hector 2nd the motion  and come up with a solution on whether to hire the position.  comment was needed or given.  the reason fori it as employee shortage. and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins- yay Birtek- yay  Rivera-. yay  Mehmet Birtek made a motion to hire Herbert Schumaker as aj part-timer for no more than 351 hours a week until the staff situation is determined. Ashlynn Rivera 2nd the motion, and a unanimous vote followed.  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins-yay Birtek-yay  Rivera- yay  Hector Moss made aj motion to amend the agenda to advertise aj meeting oft the council for January 18th at 6pm.  Motion was 2nd by Mehmet Birtek and a unanimous vote followed:  Hill- yay  Moss-yay  Aleszczyk-yay Atkins- yay Birtek- yay  Rivera- yay  An executive session for personnel was requested by Stephen Nemeth, no voting would take place after sO we AI motion to adjourn at 8:13 p.m. was made by Mehmet Birtek, 2nd by Ashlynn Rivera and ai unanimous vote  would adjourn after the executive session.  followed.    Meeting minutes were taken and submitted by:  Manager.  a  APPROVED