BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON  The Finance Planning/Zoning, Public Safety and Human/Community Services Committee Workshop Meetings were held on May 15, 2023, in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 6:30 PM with the following in  Slatington, PA 18080. attendance: PRESENT Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz-via phone Kevin Steckel Zachari Halkias  ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT  VISITORS Robert Herzog, Kris Burek Jeffrey Hausman Frank Hoffman Austin Berger, Kevin Borman Krystall Borman, Samuel Ray Zoe Moyer, Josh Packer Robert Reph  Mayor Schoch Greg Winokur Daniel Stevens  PUBLIC COMMENT: None A. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING  Ronald Kratz - Chairman; Members: Kevin Steckel, Zachari Halkias 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics:  a. Review letter from Township of Whitehall regarding Lehigh Tax Collection Committee delegates. Manager Stevens stated that we have to appoint a delegate for the Tax Collection Committee and possibly 2 alternates. Daniel Stevens agreed to be the delegate and Ronald Kratz volunteered to be an alternate. President Bartholomew  would like this placed on the next regular council agenda.  There were no questions from the committee members; the Finance Committee Meeting was  adjourned. B. PUBLICSABETY  Kevin Steckel - Chairman; Members: Ronald Kratz, Zachari Halkias 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics:  a. Discussion and possible action on adding neighboring municipalities on fire department dispatches. Austin Berger stated there has been some difficulty getting a large number of members to come out during the daytime hours. Austin has been in touch with the Walnutport Fire Department and they are willing to be added on from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on things like actual fire calls and rescue calls. However, they do not want to be added on to initial dispatches for automatic alarms, i.e., EMS calls, police assist calls, etc. Justin is in the process of adding them on to the call types that they agreed to, but it b. Discussion for replacement of tasers for police department. Chief Winokur is starting to work with BGG Consulting to see what grants are available for the tasers. Chief Winokur should have more information in the next few weeks. Chief Winokur informed the committee that they will have to replace the batteries for the current 3 body cams for a total of $90.00 for an extended battery, which would give them the full 12-hour shift. There have been accidents at Chestnut  isas slow process with Lehigh County.  1    Street and Diamond Street and Chestnut Street and Center Street. Chief Winokur stated that these intersections are. 2-way stops, not 4-way stops. Chief Winokur, and the police, would like the committee to investigate the possibility of making these intersections 4-way stops. Manager Stevens stated that this must be done by ordinance. President Bartholomew asked Chief Winokur of there are other changes he would like sO they can be done in one ordinance. Discuss formation of a Slatington Fire Department Advisory Committee. President Bartholomew wrote up an outline for a committee. President Bartholomew feels there should be more communication between the council and the fire department. President RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SLATINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT REFORMS 1. Council shall create a 3-member oversight committee to include the mayor as president and 2additional appointments who are not active members of the council or the fire department. 2. All disciplinary actions taken by the fire department will remain in effect for 60 days and shall be reviewed by the committee for fairness in application and justification. The committee shall then make recommendations to the council in executive session through 3. All financial accounts and statement thereof held solely by the Slatington Fire Department 4. Committee is charged with reviewing fire ordinances and make recommendations to council 5. Standard Operating Procedures of the Slatington Fire Department shall be provided to the committee for recommendations. Any future changes to the procedures shall be provided to 6. Any past disciplinary actions or separations shall be provided to the committee for review of the fairness in application and cause and committee shall have the authority to recommend to council nullification of any disciplinary actions or terminations should they find lack of 7. Committee will verify that all active and incoming members of the Slatington Fire  Bartholomew read the recommendations:  Committee would be for the initial period of1 year.  written letter as the whether to uphold discipline or override it. shall bej provided to the committee on a quarterly basis. fori improvements and updates as committee deems necessary.  the committee.  cause or unfairness of application.  Department will have undergone the required background checks.  President Bartholomew added that this would be a smaller group of people who would more frequently meet with the leadership of the fire department and discuss equipment issues, needs, and concerns. Fire Chief Berger stated the idea of the financing would be against the fire department incorporation bylaws. They would not be able to provide them the financial information. According to their bylaws, the financial information is given to Manager Stevens yearly. Austin added that to give financial information quarterly would not be possible. Austin added that the fire department has been buying their own equipment since 1985 and they have not had any major discrepancies. Austin stated the SOP and SOG are currently set by the fire chiefand council does not have any real input determining their SOP and SOG. Councilor Steckel would like this placed on the next committee agenda. Frank Hoffman, 302 First St., was recognized to speak. Frank was a member of the Slatington Fire Department for better than 25 years and assistant chief for 10 years. Mr. Hoffman provided the committee with copies of the 1986 bylaws and the original letters of incorporation. Mr. Hoffman asked Manager  2    Stevens if he has ever sent out a letter saying the borough is rescinding the incorporation. Manager Stevens was not aware of this ever-taking place.  There were no questions from the committee members; the Public Safety Committee meeting was  adjourned.  CIUMANCOMMUNITY SERVICES  Zachari Halkias- - Chairman; Members: Kevin Steckel, Ronald Kratz 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics:  a. Discuss possible tax benefits for property upgrades. Councilor Halkias suggested offering a tax benefit for property upgrades as an incentive to property owners to invest in their property and to improve the overall condition oft the borough. As an example, an owner adds a garage, which would result in an immediate tax increase. Councilor Halkias proposal is to offer an incentive to levy against that disincentive to upgrade properties. Councilor Halkias would like to apply this incentive to garages and driveways to help minimize the parking in the borough. President Bartholomew stated that the borough does not have the authority to do this, only the county assessment office, and it must be approved by all 3 taxing authorities. Manager Stevens stated that the historic district has income tax incentives, for restoration projects. Other  possibilities include al LERTA tax abatement program.  There were no questions from the committee members; the Human/Community Services  Committee meeting was adjourned. D. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None E. COURTESY TO THE FLOOR:  Jeffrey Hausman 46 So. Walnut Street. Was recognized to speak. Jeffrey asked if the committee had asked the fire chiefift they are buying 14 air packs, are they buying the type that will meet the cylinders council okayed. Fire Chief Berger stated that the new packs would not be compatible with the cylinders. However, WITH the 36 cylinders they are receiving from council, newer cylinders and packs they are buying they will be able to fully stock the trucks. The fire department will have an accommodation of them until such ai time, either the borough of the incorporation, can Frank Hoffman - Recognized to speak. He addressed Fire Chief Berger for spending money without looking at any grants. Fire Chief] Berger stated that he would rather make yearly payments from the incorporation finances, that they fund raise for themselves, and have a department that is Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to adjourn. Being no further business, President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 7:09 PM.  afford to purchase the other half, which may be about 7 years.  fully able to provide better services.  Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 3