BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 10/9/23 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLLCALL: PRESENT Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler-via phone Jeffrey Hausman Ronald Kratz Zachari Halkias Kevin Steckel Slatington. ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT Greg Winokur Justin Gross Daniel Stevens VISITORS Jim Logue, Ron Hausman Kris Burek, Ryan Mayberry Dave Schnaars, Eric King Krystall Borman, Kevin Borman Ashley King, Hunter Henritzy Robert Herzog, Kasey Taylor David Altrichter Mayor Schoch Lisa Young President Bartholomew thanked Councilor Halkias for the cupcakes inl honor oft the 159th anniversary of 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 Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the following with corrections: Lisa Young pointed out on Page 8 of Council Meeting September 11, 2023 - should be to instead of and; Committee Meetings - September 18, 2023 &S September 25, 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased. in] Favor. SPECIALPRESENTATION: David Schnaars is chair oft the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority. David Schnaars introduced Kasey Taylor who has been selected as their new executive director. Their current director Lindsay Taylor will be retiring at the end of this year. Kasey graduated from York College and has a degree ini recreation, is familiar with the area, and was the NLRA intern in 2021. Kasey will start the first of November and 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, Ron Hausman - Slatington Fire Chief. Signed in and was recognized to speak. There was a fire call at the George Dillard Manor. There was very good cooperation from 3 counties: Lehigh, Carbon, and Northampton. Chief Hausman thanked the police department, Assist. Fire Marshal Austin Berger, and the fire marshal in Washington Township for a great investigation. Ron also thanked St John's UCC work with Lindsay Taylor for 2 months sO that she gets fully acclimated. you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining. 1 Church for providing an evacuation site for the residents. Ron gave his thoughts and prayers to Sherry Dave Altrichter -) Dave is the designated speaker for Slatington Hose Company No. 1. Dave stated that Hose Company No. 1 has been serving this community since 1885. In 1910 the Hose Company placed a fireman's drinking fountain in the center of town; however, there is no water at it this year. The Hose Company has never asked the Borough for any money for the up keep of the fire statue and the bell. Dave is requesting the Borough restore water to the fireman's statue. Councilor Hausman stated that the road crew has looked at the system. However, the whole system would have to be shut down to be worked on, which would affect the Highrise and surrounding businesses and residences. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Graber, and her family, who was an EMA director for Washington Township. APPROVALOF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following aRoll Call, voting asi 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 None ChiefWinokur Chief Winokur provided totals for September 2022 to September 2023; July- 2022 343 incidents; September 2023 -3 305; reports filed - 2022-2 212, 2023 -202; Criminal arrests 2022 - 10, 2023-7; traffic citations 2022 - 20, 2023 - 20; parking tickets 2022-24, 2023 - 22. Chief Winokur stated that over the past couple of weeks the police have participated in events. They attended the Homecoming Parade, together with the fire department and first responders. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway CouncilorJeffrey Hausman 1. Update on South Street CDBG project. Councilor Hausman informed the Council that the ADA ramps are completed and they will be coming back October 16th to do the paving. Justin Gross stated that all the concrete work is completed and the road work will begin on Monday, October 2. Update on Oakhurst Drive and Chestnut Alley paving projects. Councilor Hausman stated that he drove up to Oakhurst Drive and they did al beautiful job with the 7 areas that they cut out and 16Hh, 4 2023. 2 repaved. Manager Stevens stated that the contractor is not sure when Chestnut Alley will be Councilor Hausman asked Manager Stevens what the schedule was for the upper end of Chestnut Alley. Manager Stevens stated that we had a couple of men out sick last week, and completed. they plan to work on it tomorrow. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to rescind motion of September 11, 2023, meeting concerning purchase of body armor with COVID19 LFRF. 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 2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to use COVID19 LFRF for the grant match for Bulletproof Vest Partnership in the amount of $1,873.50. 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 3. Update and possible motion concerning changes to MID ATLANTIC order for air pack cylinders and Lehigh County CDBG grant for air packs and cylinder. Manager Stevens stated hei is still waiting for the paper work from Lehigh County. No action required at this time. 4. Discussion and possible motion to authorize possible change/amendment to current Collective Bargaining agreement with Slatington Police Association (executive session discussion) Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made ai motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve request from Pat Rabenold tol hold "In Memory of] Buzzy Car Cruise" on June 9, 2024. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Alli inl Favor. 2. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve request from Northern Lehigh Food Bank for gas for van in the amount of $50 to $60 per month. Request is not for a cash donation. It is for permission to fill the van at the Borough pump. (estimated to be filled once per month). If approved, request is not currently budgeted and should be added to next year's budget. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: 3 ROLLCALL AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias NAYS ABSTAIN 3. Councilor Halkias made aj motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from Slatington Lions Club to conduct their Christmas Tree Sales fund raiser from 11/17/23 to 12/30/23 at Slatington Trailhead. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed followinga 4. Councilor Halkias made ai motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from The Chamber for their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 1st, 2023, at Veterans Memorial Park. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Voice Vote, All in] Favor. Vote, All in Favor. D. mancelrmming/onng Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to award the copier lease to Stratix Systems Ricoh copier for $4,158.24 yearly, to include the maintenance, networking and training. 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 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Borough of Slatington Police Pension Plan for 2023 MMO payment of $47,307.04 to be paid by General Fund. 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 3. Councilor Kratz made ai motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Resolution R-12- 23, a resolution authorizing the destruction of listed public records. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4 4. Discussion and possible motion to authorize advertisement of smoke shop/vap shop ordinance. Attorney Young informed the Council that they currently started research of other municipalities and the treatment that they have used and any cases that have gone to court. As well as consideration for that statistics of the middle and high school students and how increasingly they become addicted due to the nicotine and chemicals contained in the e-cigarettes. They are not legally able to sell to minors, but there has been a high incidence oft this happening. There is information from the CDC and the surgeon general regarding the addictive nature and damage, particularly lung damage to young individuals, resulting from the advertisement marketing and promotion oft the products that are sold in these establishments. We would be looking to move the smoke shop and vape shop updated definition to be permitted in only the industrial zone and a spacing of 1,500 feet from any school, church, library, public parks, medical or health care building, child care facilities and residential district. Also, draft a minimum of 1,500 feet from any other smoke or vape shop as a requirement. This ordinance would only apply to new smoke/vape shops, not the ones already established. The council discussed adding cannabis shops and possibly other nuisance business to the ordinance. This item was referred back to committee. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Lehigh County Household Hazardous Waste Event, Saturday, Nov. 18th, 2023; Coca Cola Park, 2. Shredding Event hosted by Rep. Zach Mako and the Borough of Slatington, Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 10 AM to Noon at thel Borough Maintenance Building (informational only) 3. Slatington Borough Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, October 215, 2023, from 9:00 AM from 8 AMto3 3PM. (informational only) to11:00. AM (informational only) F.V Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Comprehensive controls upgrade - Martz status update. Councilor Reed stated that it is moving along nicely. Manager Stevens added that there are a few hold ups with the supply chain. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONALITEMS: None NEW: BUSINESS: None COUNCIL PRESIDENT'SI 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 Eric King - 336 1st Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Eric questioned why 2 work orders had to be done, and why the work is not done on Chestnut Alley. Manager Stevens informed Eric the EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed to executive session at 7:43 PM. At 9:00 PM President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel, real estate, and legal matters work will be done tomorrow and that we. had several employees out sick last week. were discussed in executive session. 5 B.4 Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize President Bartholomew, Manager Stevens, Solicitor Young, to convey the position of council in response to the letter of October 5th, 2023, to the President of the Slatington Police Association and proceed with the authorized agreement. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6