BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINOTES 5/8/23 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:001 PM with the following in attendance: Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary ROLL CALL: PRESENT Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler-via phone Ronald Kratz-via phone Zachari Halkias Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT Mayor Schoch Lisa Young Greg Winokur Justin Gross Daniel Stevens VISITORS Austin Berger, Jeremy Henry Jim Logue T/N, Ron Hausman Dave Schnaars, Eric King Robert Herzog, Steven Waldon Ryan Mayberry, Becky Lienhard Susan ?, Kevin Borman Joe Chirico, Hunter Henritzy Robert Reph, Samuel Ray Kris Burek, Frank Hoffman Jason Nicholas, Krystal Borman Zoe Moyer EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Bartholomew announced that all public sessions of Borough Council are electronically recorded and such recordings are maintained as part of the meeting record until the minutes are transcribed and MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the following: Council Meeting - April 10, 2023; Committee Meetings A April 17, 2023 & April 24, 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (Agenda and Non-Agenda items) You will have three minutes to address Council from the podium. The three minutes applies to your time at the podium. Ifyou exit the podium, Kris Burek - 1235 Fourth Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Kris stated that on April 19h, 2023, at 1:00 PM, her life improved when the drug dealer, who lived next door to her, David Rockel, was taken into custody. Kris stated there was a large amount of drugs and guns. Kris is thanking all the law enforcement agencies that were involved. Kris personally thanked Chief Winokur and the Slatington Steven Waldon - 2230 High Point Lane. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Steve requested an update on the grants for the roads in northern Slatington. Manager Stevens stated there have not been any grant announcements yet. Manager Stevens informed Steve that he had a meeting with Senator Coleman's representative and reviewed the grants in detail. The borough is waiting to hear from the state concerning the grants. Steve asked about the laterals. Manager Stevens is still waiting to hear from several contractors. President Bartholomew asked Steve ifhe lived in approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased. Vote, All in Favor. you have yielded the floor, and any time youl have remaining. Police Department for theiri involvement and previous Police Chief Dave Rachman. 1 the borough. Steve stated he does not. President Bartholomew asked him to stop trying to have Frank Hoffman - 302 First Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Frank is concerned Jason Nicholas- Assistant Fire Chief. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jason stated the fire department has a commitment from Fireman's Relief as well as the incorporation toj proceed with the air pack purchase. All they need is a commitment from borough council. PUBLIC. ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Executive session was held on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 7:21 PM personnel issues were discussed Executive session was held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 6:421 PM personnel issues were discussed the borough commit to borrowing $10,000,000.00. about the fire department issues. President Bartholomew announced the following: APPROVALOF ACCOUNISPAYABLE/TRANSEER Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following aR Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLLCALL AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN REPORTS The reports of various committees, officials and officers were provided to Council and are on file in Borough Hall and are available for public inspection. MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS Mayor. Jeralyn Schoch Mayor Schoch expressed her sincere gratitude to the Slatington Police Department on the work they have done over the last month. Mayor Schoch stressed the narcotics arrest of 8 pounds of crystal meth that is now off the streets of Slatington. Mayor Schoch stated another person had been apprehended for Megan's Law. One person was arrested for exploitation of children. The police department has been posting information on Facebook. Chief Winokur Chief Winokur stated that not only was there 8 Ibs. crystal meth amphetamine, there were 14 firearms which were owned illegally, as well as a large amount of cash. The second arrest, Brian Sauerwine, was listed as a violent sexual predator, who failed to register his Megan' 's Law as required by the state. Chief Winokur stated they are utilizing social media and due to the posting, they apprehended him in less that 24 hours. Chief Winokur stated that the arrests were made without incident. Chief Winokur added that they have engaged with over 24,000 people with social media, which is up over 10,305% from previous month. Also, they have raised their followers to 150 people, which is up 390%, were able to reach, with help of these posts, over 38,000 people. Chief Winokur feels the social media is a valuable tool to the 2 police and they will continue to utilize it. Chief Winokur provided totals for April 2022 to April 2023; April 22 - 259 incidents; April 2023 -3 301; Criminal arrests 2022-4 4, 2023 - 4; traffic citations 2022 - 11,2023-22; parking tickets 2022-2 28;2023-65 STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Jeffrey Hausman 1. MS4 annual update. (Must be read out loud at meeting) Annual Report and Comments The Borough submitted its annual municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) report for the 2021-2022 reporting year to PAJ DEP on Sept. 30, 2022. The report is available through the Borough office.. All questions and comments from the public regarding stormwater should be directed to the Borough office or in the form ofa public meeting comment Public Education and Involvement The Borough has developed a stormwater wordsearch and maze for children available at the Borough office or on thel Borough's Stormwater Management and Protection webpage. The Borough also provides additional stormwater information and a stormwater survey on the Borough website. We encourage the public including residents, Borough staff, and businesses top participate. The goal oft this survey is to raise stormwater awareness, involve the public int the Link to Survey: www.latington.or/siomwatcemamsemement-prolectonlict stormwater program, and gather feedback from participants. Discharge Reporting and Pollution Prevention An illicit discharge is defined as .any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater." This can include household cleaners, lawn products, trash, and organic debris. We ask the public to report any instances where these materials are observed entering the stormwater system. As warmer weather approaches, please do not dispose ofyard debris in the The Borough has an illicit discharge reporting form on the Stormwater Management and Protection page oft the Borough's website. Ify you witness an illicit discharge, please submit a reporting form or call the Borough office phone number (610.767.2131). street as it could inadvertently clog our stormwater inlets. Structural BMPs The Borough will be soliciting inspection and maintenance records of newly installed, privately- owned stormwater management facilities within the Borough annually for the first 5 years after installation and once every 3 years thereafter. Inspection records will also be solicited after 10- year storm events as outlined int the Borough's Stormwater Management Ordinance. Previously installed stormwater management facilities will be held to the standards oft the ordinance enacted during the time ofinstallation. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Discussion on issues with children at fire house, in vehicles, and on calls (executive 2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to purchase 3 Galaxy A8's tablets for police department using COVID19 LFRF not to exceed $900.00. session discussion concerning legal) 3 (estimated cost about $250.00 per tablet). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN 3. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to purchase 36 30-minute air pack bottles for $1,176.00 each, total cost not to exceed $42,336.00 using COVID19 LFRF. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Jeffrey Hausman 4. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to utilize VGG Consulting, LLC for police and fire department grant writing on a trial basis. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLLCALL AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN 5. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to ratify changes made to Civil Service Rules and Regulations. President Bartholomew declared the 6. Discussion and possible action on adding neighboring municipalities on fire department dispatches. Councilor Steckel would like this placed on the next committee agenda. motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. . Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve request from Tiffany Rehrig-Schaeffer permission to hold the annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 28, 2023, rain date October 29, 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4 2. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve request from Lindsay Taylor, NRLA, requesting use of Victory Park and pavilion on Fridays from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM fori its Bulldog Blast Summer Recreation Program. Dates: June, 23, June, 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, August 4, 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize Slatington Public Library to apply for a grant through Wind Creek. Grant will be written and submitted by Mike Wentz in the name of Slatington Borough (for the new elevator at the library). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Favor. D. mancelraming/onng Councilor Ronald Kratz Councilor Reed made a motion to amend the agenda, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, for Resolution R-04-23 a resolution adopting Northern Lehigh Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan Intermunicipal Cooperative Implementation Agreement. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Alli in] Favor. 1. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to adopt Resolution R-04-23 a resolution adopting Northern Lehigh Multi-Municipa Comprehensive Plan Intermunicipal Cooperative Implementation Agreement. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLLCALL AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve payment application No. 3 from Brave Industrial Paint for $89,209.00 for digester lid removal project. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLLCALL AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor. Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 5 2. Update on AutoCon panel upgrades. Councilor Reed met with the subcontractor for the contractor that was awarded the contract. There is still a discussion on how we can incorporate some oft this work int the Robert's panel. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Councilor Halkias wanted to remind everyone that the primary election is on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, and encouraged anybody who is able to vote, either by mail or inj person. NEW BUSINESS: None COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) Thomas Bartholomew COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed to executive session at 7:39 PM. At9:05 PM: President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel, real estate, and legal matters B1. Discussion on issues with children at fire house, in vehicles, and on calls (executive session were discussed in executive session. discussion concerning legal) Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to have our solicitor draft a resolution for the Borough policy regarding children at the firehouse. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Reed, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 9:071 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6