BOROUGH OF LEHIGHTON  PHONE 610-377-4002 FAX 610-377-6638  MUNICIPAL BUILDING, P.O. BOX 29, LEHIGHTON, PA 18235  July 1, 2024  RE: Lehighton Borough Council Meeting Minutes - June 10, 2024  CALL TOORDER- -6:30 PM Pledge of Allegiance  Roll Call  The regular meeting of Lehighton Borough Council was held in the municipal building on Monday, June 10, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PMI by President Grant Hunsicker. Council Members in attendance were: David Zimmerman, Ryan Saunders, Rebecca Worthy, and Steve Hawk. Officials in attendance were Borough Manager Dane DeWire, Solicitor James Nanovic, Fire Chief Patrick Mriss, Corporal Boyles, Representing Lehighton Police Department, Public' Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle, Light & Power Superintendent Lonny Armbruster, Borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick and Borough Secretary Jessica Ahner. Absent: Council Members Autumn Abelovsky and John Kreitz, Mayor Clark Ritter, Chief of Police Troy  Abelovsky, and Recreation Director Tom Evans.  HEARING OF PERSONS PRESENT  Ann Hutchinson of Natural Lands, Media PA addressed the board regarding the parking lot drawings and natural vegetation approved at a prior meeting. She stated that the parking lot has 26 spaces, 2 disability spaces, and a pathway that is striped. She also reported that the Borough may have the opportunity to install a rain garden. Borough Manager Dane DeWire commented that there is a verbal agreement with the adjoining landowner to do his loti in tandem with project and a map of the parking lots was included in the packets. Councilman Saunders added that LDI wishes to install rain gardens ini that area along the Boulevard, that  1    they would be at no cost to the Borough, and require noi future maintenance. He reminded everyone the project will not start until funding is approved. Worthy/Hawk motioned to Council President Grant Hunsicker introduced the new Borough Secretary, Jessica Ahner. Robbie Furman, who moved into the area 10 months ago, spoke about changing the name of SGT Stanley Hoffman Boulevard. He would like to have the road name shortened to! SGT Stanley or 'Stan'. He thanked the council for listening. President Hunsicker and members replied they Darcy Caruso addressed Council regarding the checklist for the rental inspection. She stated her sidewalks are out of code and she does not have $5000.00 to replace the sidewalks. She went on to state that there are other resident owners ini the Borough who have sidewalks out of code, and they are not in violation. DeWire stated that the Borough is not requiring the residents to replace sidewalks and that this ordinance to protect the tenant. Darcy then argued Duke Blauch complained about the rental ordinance being unfair and wanted to know about the! 50 percent of properties that are not rentals. He asked about houses falling apart next to rentals where nothing is being done. DeWire suggested if anyone sees violations in the Borough Jennifer Dages argued that the Rental Ordinance goes against the PA Constitution. She feels, as ar rental owner, she should be grandfathered. Solicitor Nanovic commented that grandfathering does not apply to any administrative ordinances; grandfathering applies to zoning ordinances. Dages asked how it is different. Nanovic explained this is code enforcement. Wommer asked what about the PA Constitution. Nanovic replied that this has been struck down in court, and if Ben Wommer asked why tenants can't use the same complaint form as residents; residents fill out the form and give it to zoning so they can present a violation letter. DeWire noted property sale inspections are not the same as the current rental inspection program. Wommer stated that there is a lot more that could go on this checklist according to our zoning officer. He went Miranda Wommer stated the rental inspection form exceeds state requirements and it will cost thousands to comply. She stated that the zoning officer said non-complying properties risk eviction, where renters will have 4 hours to vacate the property and nowhere to go. She asked ifthere are any appeals for a landlord if they do not agree with the inspector. The table responded, if the appeal is filed before the deadline date, the appeal would be given to Council George Karas spoke to Council stating he and his wife own property in the Borough which is 134 years old. He stated that there is no way he is doing all these things to his property. He spoke  approve LDI'srain gardens and all were ini favor with no objections.  do not think anyone here at this table will entertain the road name change.  about having to pay the $75.00 which is spread over 2 years.  to fill out a complaint form.  she can bring it to him, he will look at it.  on to say it's unfair hei is being held toi the same standard as is "slum lords."  tor review.  2    tot the zoning officer and now he doesn't know if he can rent his property. Karas was concerned about the arbitrary checklist and how it was not originally going to be made public.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  DeWire asked to table the approval of minutes until the July 1, 2024 Meeting and Council  agreed.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  Continued discussion on proposed Camping Ordinance.- = DeWire noted there was one change on section 41 to remove the criminal section. Hawk/Worthy motioned to approve the camping Agreement for Evacuation and Sheltering Facilities with LASD Saunders/Worthy motioned to adopt Resolution R15-2024 Agreement for Evacuation and Sheltering Facilities with LASD and Continued discussion on North Main Lane & Borough Parking Lot Improvement Project- DeWire mentioned that Anne Hutchinson from Natural Lands spoke earlier. Continued discussion of utility fees owed by Weissport Borough = DeWire stated that Weissport Borough had a $400,000.00 deficit with the Lehighton Borough for 30-years, and funding could help get some of this back. He went onto say we could get some funds back by raising their taxes. It was suggested to have DeWire schedule a meeting with' Weissport. Bids for 1&1 Abatement Project - DeWire and Borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick spoke as to why the bids should be rejected. Saunders/Hawk motioned to reject bids for the 1&1 Abatement Project and all were in favor with no objections. Saunders/Hawk motioned to rebid once new calculations are received from Remmington & Vernick Engineering and all were in favor with  ordinance and all were int favor with no objections.  all were in favor with no objections.  no objections. NEW BUSINESS  Baer Memorial Additional Pool Employees for 2024 season - Worthy/Hawk motioned to approve the additional Baer Memorial Pool Employees for the 2024 season, and all were in Discussion on newly-adopted Rental Inspection Program - This was discussed in depth during the Hearing of Persons Present. DeWire explained that the $75.00 fee covers the inspection,  favor with no objections.  whether it be 45 minutes or 2 hours.  3    Public Works Employment to hire Candidate #2 -5 Saunders/Worthy motioned to hire Nicholas Steigerwalt for the Public' Works Maintenance Operator vacancy pendinga acceptance and pre- Motion to accept Employee #161 Letter of Intent to Retire- - Saunders/Worthy motioned to accept Employee #161 letter toi intent to retire and all were ini favor with no objections. Motion to advertise for Public Works laborer/Mechanic-M Hawk/Saunders motioned to advertise the position for a Public Works Laborer or Mechanic and all were in favor with no objections. Discussion was made on what to include in the advertisement orj just change job description. DeWire was asked to develop aj job description and discuss it with Atty Nanovic. Motion to appoint Kenneth Sterling to Lehighton Fire Police - Saunders/immerman motioned to appoint Kenneth Sterling to the Lehighton Fire Police and all were in favor with no Discussion on alcohol and Pets in Borough Park -Saunders/Hawk motioned to allow Rescue Animals in the park for one event only, with proper permits and that animals are in a fenced in Motion to Appoint a new Borough delegate and alternate delegate for Carbon County COG- Worthy/Saunders motioned to appoint new Borough delegate Steve Hawk and alternate Dave Zimmerman for Carbon County COG meetings and all were in favor with no objections. Consideration of Alexander Sebelin's Request to join Lehighton. Junior Counciperson Program - Saunders/Worthy motioned to approve. Alexander Seblin's request toj join Lehighton Junior Motion to approve Todd Mason's release of the Letter of Credit - Saunders/Hawk motioned to approve the release letter of credit of $12,793.50: and all were in favor with no objections. Motion to grant final approval for the Koch Boundary Line Adjustment Minor Subdivision- Hawk/Worthy motioned to grant final approval for the Koch Boundary Line Adjustment Minor Motion to allow D&L National Heritage Corridor, Inc. to mark Lehigh Drive and the Walking trail  employment screening and all were ini favor with no objections.  objections.  area, and all were in favor with no objections.  Counciperson Program and all were in favor with no objections.  Subdivision and all were ini favor with no objections.  with D&L Trail painted Logos - Was tabled until next meeting  HEARING OF PERSONS PRESENT  A tenant came forward to speak regarding the newly adopted rental inspection program. She  claimed that the inspection program impeded on her privacy.  4    OFFICIAL'S REPORTS  President of Council - Nothing to report.  Borough Manager - DeWire read his Manger Report aloud.  Borough Engineer - Nedrick reported that she recommends the 1&1 Project bids get rejected.  Solicitor - Nothing to report.  Treasurer- Paper report provided. Approval of additional bills.  Mayor - Not Present. Nothing to report. Fire Chief - Nothing to report.  Police Chief- - Chief Troy Abelovsky not present. Paper report provided.  Light & Power Superintendent - Paper report provided.  Public' Works Superintendent - Public' Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle mentioned that the department needs tools that they do not have. Public Works Vice Superintendent Jeff Smith wanted to commend the workers for stepping up when the Borough was short-staffed.  Recreation Director - Not Present. Nothing to Report  COMMITTEE REPORTS  Finance and Administration - David Zimmerman, Chair; Ryan Saunders, Co-Chair. Nothing to Economic Development, Buildings and Codes - Autumn Abelovsky, Chair; John Kreitz, Co-Chair. Police, Fire and Safety - Ryan Saunders, Chair; Rebecca Worthy, Co-Chair. Ryan Saunders, Dave Zimmerman and Rebecca Worthy reported that they attended an emergency management course at the training center in Nesquehoning. Worthy added the course and training were great, and that they appreciate everything Emergency Responders do for us. Light & Power Committee - Rebecca Worthy, Chair; Steve Hawk, Co-Chair. Nothing to report. Sewer Committee - Steve Hawk, Chair; Autumn Abelovsky, Co-Chair. Nothing to repot. Streets, Public Works & Recreation - John Kreitz, Chair; David Zimmerman, Co-Chair. Kreitz-  Report. Not Present  Nothing to report.  Library Board - Rebecca Worthy. Nothing to report  Parks & Recreation Board - Autumn Abelovsky. Not Present. Nothing to Report.  5    Canal Commission - Ryan Saunders. Saunders reported the contractors and engineers working  on the Canal.  ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICIAL'S REPORTS with no questions or objections.  Saunders/Worthy motioned to accept the official reports as presented and all were ini favor  ACCEPTANCE OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ADDITIONAL BILLS $76,398.43 and all were in favor with no questions or objections.  aunders/Worthy motioned to accept the accounts payable plus additional bills totaling  ADIOURNMENT  Worthy/Saunders motioned for executive session at 8:29 pm and meeting resumed regular Worthy made the announcement of the anticipated sale of three parcels on Millway Street, Saunders/Worthy motioned for adjournment at 8:49 pm and all were in favor with no  meeting at 8:47 pm, both with all int favor with no objections. valued at $2500.00, $5500.00, and $2000.00, totaling $10,000.00.  objections. Submitted  Jessica Ahner, Borough Secretary  6