BOROUGH OF LEHIGHTON  PHONE 610-377-4002 FAX 610-377-6638  MUNICIPAL BUILDING, P.O. BOX 29, LEHIGHTON, PA 18235  LEH  OF CARY  July 1, 2024  RE: Lehighton Borough Council Meeting Minutes = April 1, 2024  The regular meeting of Lehighton Borough Council was held in the municipal building on Monday, April 1, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PMI by President Grant Hunsicker. Members in attendance were: John Kreitz, Autumn Abelovsky, David Zimmerman, Ryan Saunders, Rebecca Worthy, and Steve Hawk. Officials in attendance were: Mayor Clark Ritter, Borough Manager Dane DeWire, Solicitor. James Nanovic, Fire Chief Patrick Mriss, Chief of Police Troy Abelovsky, Public Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle, and Borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick. Absent: Borough Secretary, Light & Power Superintendent Lonny Armbruster,  and Recreation Director Tom Evans. CALL TOORDER- -6:30P PM Pledge of Allegiance.  HEARING OF PERSONS PRESENT  Dennis Blocker addressed the LERTA Program. Dennis does not believe that the Ford Dealership property meets the definition of the LERTA program. He is concerned that the Borough is not prepared to handle the administrative requirements of the program. He believes that there isa risk associated with bringing in new business with at tax abatement. Dennis requested that we amend the Ordinance to a portion of the Borough, in lieu of the entire Borough, prior to  adoption of the Ordinance.  1    APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Councilors Saunders/Worthy made the motions to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting  held on March 11, 2024 and all were ini favor with no questions or objections.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  Continued discussion on Lehighton Sewer Authority. Solicitor Nanovic stated that the Lehighton Sewer Authority's term has not existed for quite some time. He stated that the Authority has expressed interest in serving in some capacity moving forward; through a re-forming of the Authority or acting as an advisory committee. Councilman Steve Hawk asked Public' Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle how many connections have been made this year, and the response was three or four, with a few separations. Council and Nanovic discussed an outdated PENNVEST requirement permitting only acting authorities to apply for loans which is no longer ine effect. Abelovsky asked about 2023 Sewer Authority Stipends, and Borough Manager Dane DeWire replied that the 2024 Budget can retroactively cover the 2023 stipends. Councilors Hawk/Worthy motioned to retroactively approve all sewer connections back to 2000 and all were in favor with no objections. Councilors Abelovsky/Saunders motioned to pay unpaid 2023 Sewer Authority stipends with 2024 budget funds and all were ini favor with no objections. Continued discussion on Park Cameras Proposals. DeWire recommended the tabling of the award of the Park Cameras Project contract until the next meeting after he has had more time to review the bids received for the work. Abelovsky asked how long we had to spend that grant money, and DeWire responded that the Borough has until 2025 with those funds. Continued discussion on structure located between Jokers Café and Borough Parking Lot. DeWire stated that he has gotten in contact with the owner of the property who is aware that the structure is dilapidated and straddling his and the Borough's property. DeWire asked Nanovic if the Borough and adjacent owner can file for a joint demolition permit to remove the structure. Abelovsky commented that it is partially blocking access to the Borough's right-of- way up to First Street. Councilman Hawk asked the Borough Engineer, Vanessa Nedrick, ifi iti is worth surveying the property, and she stated that the former Borough Manager may have had this surveyed in the past. She is going to confirm this and share any information she finds. Continued discussion on 135-139 North First Street Demolition. DeWire relayed that the Borough has been waiting for the contractor's bond to be secured due to the varying bids. He also stated that the demolition permits have been filed and the contractor has begun to mobilize equipment with the hopes to begin demolition as soon as Wednesday, April 3. Continued discussion on 2024 Health Inspection Services. DeWire recounted that Council tabled the appointment of BIA as the Borough Health Inspector at the previous meeting. DeWire stated that the Borough'st three options are to re-appoint BIA at the existing rate, re-appoint BIA at $25 to $50 more per inspection, or appoint a new health inspector. Hawk recommended  2    staying with BIA and adjusting the fee schedule. Councilman Saunders recommend that we look elsewhere for services. Councilman Kreitz agreed with Hawk and recommended amending the fee schedule. Councilors Kreitz/Hawk motioned to re-appoint BIA as Borough Health Inspector and adjust the fee schedule and Councilman Saunders was the sole vote in opposition.  NEW BUSINESS  Consideration of the purchase of (6) $50.00 gift cards for Administrative Professional's Day. Councilors Abelovsky/Kreitz motioned to purchase (6) $50.00 gift cards for Administrative Consideration of LASD;S request to hold Commencement Motorcade on. June 10, 2024. Councilors ADelovsky/Saunders motioned to allow LASD to hold Commencement Motorcade on Motion to approve $250.00 yearly donation to UVO. Councilwoman Worthy asked if this is something we donate every year, to which DeWire replied yes. Councilors Worthy/Hawk motioned to approve $250.00 yearly donation to UVO and all were in favor with no objections. Approval of 2024 Baer Memorial Pool Employees. Councilors Abelovsky/Worthy motioned to approve 2024 Baer Memorial Pool Employees and all were in favor with no objections. Motion to approve Resolution R10-2024 Destruction Lost. Councilors Saunders/Kreitz motioned to approve Resolution R10-2024 Destruction Lost and all were ini favor with no objections. Discussion on General Code providing Zoning and SALDO codification services. DeWire relayed to Council that General Code quoted the Borough $10,950.00 to codify all existing Zoning and SALDO ordinances and are willing to spread payment out over two budget seasons to lessen the burden. DeWire reminded Council that we restored the codification budget to $5000.00in February before the 2024 budget was passed, sO we would only need an additional $1000.00 in the budget line item next year to payf for the services in full. DeWire elaborated that the project ise expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete. Councilors Saunders/Worthy motioned to codify all existing Zoning and SALDO ordinances for half the cost this year and the remaining Motion to adopt Ordinance 2024-672 LERTA Designation. Kreitz requested more information and Abelovsky asked if we were prepared to receive applications. DeWire agreed to have an application process in place before the May Council Meeting. Councilors aunders/.mmerman motioned to adopt Ordinance 2024-672, designating the Borough as a LERTA District, beginning Discussion on Lehighton - Palmerton equipment rental agreement. Resolution R11-2024. DeWire explained that the Borough of Palmerton is willing to rent their street sweeper and an employee to operate the machine to sweep Lehighton roads at a rate of $160/hour up to 8  Professional's Day and all were in favor with no objections.  June 10, 2024 and all were ini favor with no objections.  cost next year and all were ini favor with no objections.  May 6, 2024 and Councilman Kreitz was the sole vote in opposition.  3    hours and at 1.5x the rate thereafter. Council and Public Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle discussed how long it takes to sweep the Borough streets. Abelovsky and Saunders asked DeWire how much money is set aside for street sweeping. DeWire stated that we have over $100,000 set aside for road maintenance and repair and that he assumed $12,000 of this would be used for street sweeping services in 2024. He then went on to say that over two years, the Borough would still have spent less money than the supposed estimate to repair the sweeper we have. Saunders stated that this is a service that needs to be done and we currently don't have the equipment to complete it. Councilors Saunders/Hawk motioned to adopt Resolution R11-2024, authorizing the equipment rental agreement with Palmerton Borough and President Discussion on vacant Borough Secretary and Utility Billing Clerk positions. DeWire stated that the Borough has received numerous applications for both positions and requested that Council come up with one or two dates in April to sit down together, review applications, and perform interviews. President Hunsicker appointed Saunders and Hawk to form an administrative vacancies hiring committee to sit with himself and DeWire to review applicants.  Hunsicker was the sole vote in opposition.  OFFICIAL'S REPORTS  President of Council - Nothing to report. Borough Manager- - Paper report provided.  DeWire revisited an invoice for the cleanup of the Nace Property which was tabled in October. He mentioned that the estimate has remained the same and recommended that Council move forward with authorizing the cleanup. Solicitor Nanovic reiterated that any bill incurred would be placed as a lien on the property. DeWire continued by stating that we need to move forward with this property cleanup sO that we can focus on the next property management issue at 216- 218 North Street. Councilors Abelovsky/Saunders motioned to amend the Agenda to address property management concerns at the Nace Property and 216-218 North Street and all were in favor with no objections. Councilors Abelovsky/Saunders motioned to authorize DeWire to spend up to $5000 to clean up the Nace Property and authorize the solicitor to begin the process to clean up 216-218 North Street. All were in favor with no objections. Borough Engineer = Vanessa Nedrick reported that Remmington Vernick has completed the Borough's Chapter 94 Report and is on track to have 1&1 Bid Documents completed on time for Solicitor - Nanovic reported that he prepared a petition and a draft ordinance for. Joe Bennett as discussed at the last meeting. Although Joe has expressed that his neighbor is in agreement,  aN May meeting recommendation.  the neighbor has not signed the petition. The petition may be amended. Treasurer - Paper report provided. Approval of additional bills.  4    Mayor- - Mayor Clark Ritter reported that snow removal went well after the most recent snowstorm. He also mentioned that the roto-call misnamed some streets on the emergency route. Abelovsky asked if the Snow Emergency Committee has met, and Saunders/Kreitz Police Chief - Paper report provided. Chief Troy Abelovsky reported that he has one item for  reported that they have not met yet.  executive session. Fire Chief - Nothing to report.  Light & Power Superintendent - Paper report provided.  Public Works Superintendent - Paper report provided. Superintendent Kris Kunkle asked Council if we could advertise internally for the upcoming Public Works vacancies. DeWire stated  that Council had motioned to do SO at the March Meeting. Recreation Director - Not Present. Nothing to Report  COMMITTEE REPORTS  Finance and Administration - David Zimmerman, Chair; Ryan Saunders, Co-Chair. Zimmerman reported that he and Saunders attended an emergency management webinar with the Borough Economic Development, Buildings and Codes- - Autumn Abelovsky, Chair; John Kreitz, Co-Chair. Abelovsky reported that she had spoken to the Code Officer, Tyler Galloway regarding the Residential Rental Inspection Program, and that we have an ordinance in place but we are not ready to move forward. DeWire agreed and said that an updated fee schedule is required to Abelovsky also reported that she and DeWire attended al Lehighton Area Merchants Association meeting. Tina Henninger, from LAMA, was present and discussed the possibility of an incoming- business welcome package, which would outline typical hurdles plaguing new businesses. Tina also plans to create a list of open/rental spaces to hopefully fill within three years. Abelovsky went on to report that she believes incoming businesses believe our zoning process isdifficult to navigate and too strict, leading to hesitance to start a business ini the Borough. Saunders agrees and states that some businesses have abandoned their plans after starting the process. He wants to change zoning requirements tol be more conducive to our Borough, as Hawk and Saunders discussed the possibility of changing some of the language in our zoning ordinance. DeWire asked Henninger to have LAMA put together a list of hurdles which we can  Manager since the last meeting.  move forward.  opposed to a cookie-cutter zoning ordinance.  try to address in the near future with the zoning officer.  5    Police, Fire and Safety - Ryan Saunders, Chair; Rebecca Worthy, Co-Chair. Nothing to report. Light & Power Committee - Rebecca Worthy, Chair; Steve Hawk, Co-Chair. Worthy reported that our newest Power & Light employee began working the morning of the April Meeting. Sewer Committee = Steve Hawk, Chair; Autumn Abelovsky, Co-Chair. Nothing to report. Streets, Public Works & Recreation- - John Kreitz, Chair; David Zimmerman, Co-Chair. Nothing to  report.  Library Board - Rebecca Worthy. Nothing to report.  Parks & Recreation Board - Autumn Abelovsky. Nothing to report.  Canal Commission - Ryan Saunders. Saunders reported that the Canal in Weissport is an active work zone and is closed from Weissport to. Jim Thorpe. He urged trail-goers to stay off the trail int this area. He went on to say that the Commission hopes to have a better idea on timeline at  the next Council Meeting. ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICIAL'S REPORTS  Councilors Kreitz/Saunders made the motions to accept the official's reports as presented and  all were in favor with no questions or objections. ACCEPTANCE OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ADDITIONAL BILLS  Kreitz discussed three of the bills with Hunsicker and DeWire. Councilors Saunders/Kreitz made the motion to accept the accounts payable plus additional bills totaling $406,008.68 and all  werei in favor with no questions or objections.  ADJOURNMENT  Motion to go into Executive Session for Personnel. Councilors Worthy/Saunders made the motions to goi into Executive Session at 7:52 pm and all were in favor with no questions or Motion was made to go back into Regular Session at 8:42 pm and all were in favor with no Councilors Kreitz//immerman made the motion to adjourn the Meeting at 8:43 pm and all were  objections.  questions or objections.  ini favor with no questions or objections.  MEETING ADJOURNED  Dane DeWire, Lehighton Borough Manager  6