BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 9/11/23  The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 7:00 PM, to be held in  the Council Room, 125S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/ecretary  The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance:  ROLL CALL: PRESENT Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler-via phone Jeffrey Hausman Ronald Kratz Zachari Halkias Kevin Steckel  ABSENT  OTHERS PRESENT Mayor Schoch Lisa Young Justin Gross Greg Winokur (arrived at 7:13) Daniel Stevens  VISITORS Jim Logue, Ron Hausman Kris Burek, Ryan Mayberry Dave Schnaars, Steve Walden Krystall Borman, Kevin Borman Rebecca Edwards, Robert Reph Zoe Moyer, Hank Henritzey Joshua Packer, Denise Martinez Ted Martinez  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 Hausman, to approve minutes with the following corrections: Page 8 of Council Meeting - August 14, 2023. Kevin Steckel should be marked as a Nay; Committee Meetings - August 21, 2023 & August 29. 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Alli in Favor.  approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased.  SPECIAL PRESENTATION: None  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, Steve Walden - 2230 High Point Lane. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Steve had heard that the Borough had received $6,000,000.00 in grants for roads. Manager Stevens stated this is not true at this Denise Martinez - 2693 Lehigh Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Denise attended the meeting on behalf of Caring Hearts. Denise is aware her proposed events are on the agenda tonight, and is hoping a vote will be taken for the trees in the park in order to get volunteers. Denise added that PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Executive session on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, 6:00 PM, discussed matters of personnel Executive session on Monday, August 21, 2023, ,7:31 PM, discussed matters of personnel  you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining.  time. We are still waiting to hear on 3 major grants.  project Warm and Cozy will start December 2nd at Victory Park.    Executive session on Monday, August 28, 2023, 7:22 PM, discussed matters of personnel President Bartholomew asked Fire Chief Ron Hausman for an update. Fire Chief Hausman stated that the firefighters are doing a lot of training. Chief Hausman had his first meeting with the volunteer firefighters. ChiefHausman feels itis al benefit working with the younger generation. He added that this department started in 1885 as Slatington Hose Company #1, and has continued to do a great job for 138 years. Ron stated that there have not been any volunteer firefighters lost over the situation. Ron stated that Justin Frable did resign as captain, but will still answer fire calls as a firefighter. Ron has been in communication with Austin Berger, and has submitted a list of his line officers for 2023. However, Ron's term ends on December 31st, 2023, and he will not run for fire chief. Ron is a firm believer in public relations. Ron stated that Austin Berger is now his assistant fire marshal to Dean Heffelfinger, who is the fire marshal for the Borough. Austin has been helping Ron with reporting. The department has been working with mutual aid and Ron has met with the following fire chiefs in open discussions: Walnutport, Palmerton, Lehigh Township, Emerald, and Slatedale. Currently, they have 16 people in Fire Fighter 1 certification class. Ron stated that volunteers are becoming hard to find. The department has a 30-year-old pumper, a 27-year-old rescue truck, and there is equipment that needs to be replaced. Ron stated the department is doing very well. Ron stated that the borough needs to continue helping the  department financially.  APPROVALOF. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSEER  Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a  Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL  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 kids at their lemonade stand.  Mayor Jeralyn Schoch  Thanked the police and fire department for all their interaction with the community, and working with the  ChiefWinokur  Chief Winokur provided totals for August 2022 to August 2023; 2022 - 297 incidents; 2023 - 367; reports filed - 2022-215, 2023 - 227; Criminal arrests 2022- 12, 2023 - 9; traffic citations 2022-38,  2023-3 30; parking tickets 2022-40,2023-28.  STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway 2  Councilor Jeffrey Hausman    1. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve payment for App. #3 for $5,083.40 to LB Construction Enterprises, Inc. for 2021 CDBG (E. Franklin Street and ADA improvements) (final payment for project) contingent upon approval from Lehigh County. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting  as follows: ROLLO CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  2. 2023 Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Application - Project ID 2023-05-39- 202211147916 (informational only). Councilor Hausman stated that the Borough has been denied. Manager Stevens stated that he spoke with State Senator Coleman's office and they are reviewing the H0 grants and prioritizing them. Manager Stevens stated that the H20 grant is the  most important grant due to is size.  B. Public Safety  Councilor. Kevin Steckel  1. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to accept Part-time Police Officer Christopher D'Andrea's resignation effective immediately. President Bartholomew  declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, 6. Ayes, 1Nay  2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to ratify purchase of body armor with concealment carrier at a cost of $2,042.00 for Slatington Police Department using COVID19 LFRF funds. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a  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 approve Resolution R-11-23, a resolution requesting a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant of $90,750.33 for equipment upgrade/roadway cameras. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed  following al Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz  NAYS  ABSTAIN  3    Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  4. Update and possible motion concerning changes to MID ATLANTIC order for air pack cylinders and Lehigh County CDBG grant for air packs and cylinders. Manager Stevens stated 5. Discussion and possible motion concerning parameters for use of new police vehicle (executive discussion concerning personnel). Councilor Steckel would like this tabled until later. 6. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by councilor Kratz to authorize Police Chief Greg Winokur to make an offer for full-time employment to a qualified consortium candidate. Must follow all civil service requirements. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed  that no action is needed at this time.  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  C. Human/Community Services  Councilor Zachari Halkias  1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve request from Lindsay Taylor, NLRA, for their 7th Annual Candy Cane Hunt on Saturday, December gth from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Victory Park. President Bartholomew declared the motion 2. Councilor Halkias made a motion duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve request from Lindsay Taylor, NLRA, to place aj portable signboard at the corner of Grove St. and PA Rte 873, within the boundaries of Victory Park year-round. President Bartholomew declared the motion 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve appointment of Beverly Benfer to the Slatington Public Library Board of Directors for the remainder of David Hauser's three-year term. President Bartholomew declared the motion 4. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from Northern Lehigh School District to conduct the Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed 5. Review letter from the Slatington Veterans Memorial Committee disbanding the committee. (informational only) Manager Stevens stated that Historic Society agreed to maintain the flags  passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor  passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor  passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor  following a Voice Vote, All in Favor  and install any remaining bricks.  4    6a. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from Caring Hearts Inc to conduct project Warm and Cozy, Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, from 12:00 to 4:30 PM - runs through mid-January. Must leave tables open for Candy Cane Hunt to present prizes. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All 6b. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, approving Caring Hearts request to conduct Trees in the Park from December 2nd to January 15H,2024, requesting use of Borough electric. NLRA must be consulted on the extension cords. President Bartholomew  inl Favor  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  D. mancelPhamming/onng  Councilor Ronald Kratz  1. Councilor Kratz made a motion duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to appoint Rebecca Edwards for the vacant position on the Zoning Hearing Board. This term will expire on December 31, 2025. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote,  All in Favor E. Sewer/Solid Waste  Councilor. Joseph Wechsler  1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve quote from Envirep of $8,484.42 for the sludge transfer pumps. 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  2. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve quote from Envirep of $3,432.54 for impellers and wear plates on the recirculation pumps. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel  NAYS  ABSTAIN  5    Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  3.  3. Notice that Casella Waste Systems, Inc. has acquired select operations from GFL (informational 4. Councilor Weschler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: September 11, 2023, Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Lisa Young- $924.00; Tad Miller- - $125.00; Brown & Brown = bond renewal $250.00; Neffs National Bank -1 14.95; total $1,313.95. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll  only)  Call, voting as follows:  ROLLCALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  5. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to pay Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period of June 12, 2023, to September 11, 2023 - travel time - 23.3 miles @ 65.5 cents = $15.07; Total mileage reimbursement $15.07; June 12, 2023 through September 11, 2023 - 7.25 hrs. @ $30.00 = $217.50. 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  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 ai motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve quote from LB Water for Sensus Read gun for $644.22. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed  following a Roll Call, voting as follows:  ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  6    3. Comprehensive controls upgrade- - Martz Status update. Councilor Reed stated that the majority of the materials have been delivered. The panel build testing will begin in mid-October. Estimated completion date, depending upon the final materials, is late November to early 4. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Weschler, to approve payment application #4 to Billitier Electric, Inc. for $6,935.15 for emergency generator at wells #5 and #6 (final payment on project). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll  December.  Call, voting as follows:  ROLL CALL  AYES Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS: None  Councilor Halkias wanted to acknowledge remembrance of9/11 and to thank all our first responders.  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 7:57 PM. At 9:35 PM President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel, real estate, and legal matters  were discussed in executive session.  Councilor Hausman left the meeting during executive session.  B.5  Councilor Steckel made a motion duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to permit the use of the unmarked 2023 Ford Explorer for official police business, excluding commuting use. Motion fails 4  to3. ROLLCALL  AYES Joseph Wechsler Bryon Reed Zachari Halkias  NAYS Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Thomas Bartholomew  ABSTAIN  7    Jeralyn Schoch  Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to permit the use of the unmarked 2023 Ford Explorer for official police business providing that Chief Winokur pays gas, tolls, and can take it home a maximum of3 days a week. 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 Zachari Halkias  NAYS  ABSTAIN  ADJOURNMENT  Being no further business, Councilor Halkias, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in  Favor.  President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.  Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary  8