BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 1/9/23  The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, January 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 Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  ABSENT  OTHERS PRESENT Mayor Schoch Lisa Young Justin Gross Daniel Stevens  VISITORS Jim Logue T/N; Ryan Mayberry Aaron Schoch, Robert Reph Kevin Borman, Jason Nicholas Robert Hughes, Dave Schnaars Bruce Rubright, Kris Burek  Thomas Bartholomew Joseph Wechsler Sgt. Dorward  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 Reed, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting December 12, 2022; Committee Meetings - December 19, 2022 & December 27, 2022 - both canceled. President Bartholomew declared the motion 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 Burek stated that she had recently attended a seminar that was conducted by the district attorney's office. They have several task forces - drug task force, auto theft task force, and also an elder abuse task force. Kris was informed that every police department has one police officer assigned to handle elder abuse. Kris asked the mayor if the borough has one, and ifs sO, who isi it? The mayor stated the borough does not. The mayor explained that at this time the borough is currently looking for a new police chief and the department is shorthanded. The mayor stated that if there was an elderly abuse complaint the borough would call the county task force. Mayor Schoch stated that once the police force is up to speed, this issue will be addressed. Kris asked Councilor Kratz about the water'sewer/garbage bills that have been shut off. However, Kris has noted that garbage is still picked up and what can be done about. Manager Stevens stated that the address could be sent to the garbage company dispatcher to not pick up the garbage. Kris stated that Manager Stevens had made a statement to the press that in 2011 council voted to supply water until further notice tot the pool. Kris believes that according to the PA Borough Code any donation whether it be monetary or resource has to be voted on in every fiscal year. Kris has not seen a vote since then. Kris asked Manager Stevens to look at Section 13.12 and Section 13.02 Part 7,8,9. Ms. Burek stated that she believes the PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS  approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased.  passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor.  youl have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining.  money the borough gave to the pool was illegal Manager Stevens will research.  1    APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTSI PAYABLE/TRANSIER  Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the' Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following  al Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  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 wanted to praise the men and women in our police department. They have stepped up since we don'thave a police chief at this time and are covering shifts and doing a great job.  Sgt. Dorward  Sgt. Dorward stated that every year in November and December the police department does a "no shave" and the officers donate: money to grow a beard. This year they raised a few hundred dollars. On' Tuesday morning they will donate the money to a person in the community that can use it. Sgt. Dorward stated that the last 3 years they have been doing this together with the Walnutport Police Department.  STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway  Councilor Jeffrey Hausman  1. Discussion and possible motion for lease agreement between Slatington Borough and St. John's Lutheran Church for use of parking lot (executive session discussion) Discussion lead by  Councilor Reed. B. Public Safety  Councilor Kevin Steckel  1. Training Seminar - New Detective and New Criminal Investigator, Feb, 13, 14, 15, 16, &1 17, 2023. Approximately $500.00. Sgt. Dorward stated Officer Christopher Pforter will be sent. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman to send Officer Pforter to the Training Seminar - New Detective and New Criminal Investigator cost not to exceed $750.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as  follows: ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  NAYS  ABSTAIN  2    1.  C. Fuman/Community Services  Councilor Zachari Halkias  1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve appointment of Joyce Thompson to fulfill the remainder of Annabel Fogle's 3-year term (January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025) to the Slatington Public Library Board of Directors. President Bartholomew  declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in) Favor.  D. mancePhamming/oning  Councilor Ronald Kratz  1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to re-appoint Jaime Sillett to the Zoning Hearing Board for a 3-year term, expiring on December 31, 2025. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Alli in Favor. 2. The council reviewed e-mail from PMAA - bidding thresholds increase for 2023 (informational 3. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to approve Exemption Report from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Sarah Elwert closed efforts exhausted $5.50; Tammy Schmitt = closed efforts exhausted - $5.50; Geraldine McHenry - closed efforts exhausted - $5.50; Corey Held - closed efforts exhausted - 4 @ $5.50 - $22.00; Total - $38.50. President Bartholomew declared  only)  the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Alli in Favor.  E. Sewer/Solid Waste  Councilor Joseph Wechsler  Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve Resolution R- 01-23, a resolution of Slatington Borough establishing the fee structure for sewage enforcement work and sewage permits within Slatington Borough. President Bartholomew declared the motion  passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLO CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  NAYS  ABSTAIN  2. Councilor Reed made ai motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to accept bids for the digester lid removal project. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Manager Stevens provided updated information on bidding and possible action concerning de a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to award the digester lid removal project to Brave Industrial Paint LLC for $194,799.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed  All in Favor. digester  lid  removal  project.  Councilor  Reed  ma  following a Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  3    Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  F. Water/Special Sewer Committee  Councilor Bryon Reed  1. Water Test Statement- Water was tested and found safe for human consumption  2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve renewal agreement with Rave Mobile Safety for a renewal of 5-year option at a total contract value of $9,832.50 (1,966.50 per year). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a  Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  NAYS  ABSTAIN  3. Discussion and possible motion to sell industrial lights at water plant to high bidder on 4. Justin Gross informed the council that there was only 1 bid on the Autocon panel upgrades. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Steckel, to accept the bid for the AutoCon panel upgrades. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to award the bid for the Autocon panel upgrades to LRM Inc. in the amount of $100,072.44 contingent upon review by Lehigh Engineering and Borough Solicitor Lisa Young. President Bartholomew declared the  MuniciBid. There were no bids.  Vote, All inl Favor.  motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman  NAYS  ABSTAIN  5. Councilor Reed informed the council that right before Christmas there was a water leak on Kuehner Avenue which has been fixed. There is currently one along Route 873 which services only 1 house and the sewer plant. This is a PennDot road and repairs will be done on Wednesday. Manager Stevens is working on getting all the needed approvals from PennDOT.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONALITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None  COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S) REPORT: None  Thomas Bartholomew  4    COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed to executive session at 7:36 PM. At 8:14 PM: President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and contractual matters were  Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.)  discussed in executive session.  A.1  Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, for the Borough Manager to execute the license agreement with St. John's Lutheran Church with the revisions discussed, which would be the consideration and the hours of the parking lot. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, 5 in Favor; 1  Against.  ADJOURNMENT  Being no further business, Councilor Kratz, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in  Favor.  President Bartholomew declared thei meeting adjourned at 8:17 PM.  Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary  5