BOROUGH OF LEHIGHTON  PHONE 610-377-4002 FAX 610-377-6638  MUNICIPAL BUILDING, P.O. BOX 29, LEHIGHTON, PA 18235  LEH  OF CARY  July 1, 2024  RE: Lehighton Borough Council Meeting Minutes - May 6, 2024  The regular meeting of Lehighton Borough Council was held in the municipal building on Monday, May 6, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by President Grant Hunsicker. Members in attendance were: John Kreitz, Autumn Abelovsky, Ryan Saunders, Rebecca Worthy, and Steve Hawk. Officials in attendance were: Mayor Clark Ritter, Borough Manager Dane DeWire, Solicitor. James Nanovic, Chief of Police Troy Abelovsky, Light & Power Superintendent Lonny Armbruster, Public Works Superintendent Kris Kunkle, and Borough Engineer Vanessa Nedrick. Absent: Councilman David Zimmerman, Borough Secretary, Fire  Chief Patrick Mriss, and Recreation Director Tom Evans.  CALL TOORDER- -6:30P PM Pledge of Allegiance.  HEARING OF PERSONS PRESENT  Bob Schaninger, a retired CDL operator/instructor offered his services to train Borough employees to sit for their commercial driver's license. Schaninger stated that he currently offers these services to the. Jim Thorpe Borough. He relayed that if the Borough were to receive an application for a good worker, but they do not have a CDL, he is willing to train them on the road. Schaninger does not have equipment but assured Borough Council that a municipal insurance policy would cover his training. He went on to say that he does not provide knowledge-Dased training, only skill training. Borough Manager Dane DeWire asked if his services hold the same weight as a formal training course when applying for a license, and Schaninger assured that they do. Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky asked Schaninger if he will offer his services to new hires and existing employees, to which Schaninger said yes.  1    Kathy Henderson from Carbon County Chamber of Commerce requested to hold a cornhole tournament at Baer Memorial Park on the same date that the Recreation Director is hosting Christmas in. July on. July 25th. She stated that she has already spoken to the Recreation Director and he is okay with tandem events. She also requested permission to host Brightpath Brewing to serve alcohol at the event. Councilors Saunders/Worthy motioned to approve the Chamber's event and permit alcohol to be served at the event. The motion passed 4-2 with Tim Snyder from TNT Auto Repair, LLC requested a road closure between 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm on. June 14, 2024 to host his annual Friday Night Car Cruise on Iron Street between 7th Street and King Alley as done in years past. Councilors Worthy/Hawk motioned to approve the road Ricky Hasney, al local artist presented a mural hei intends to paint on the wall at the corner of Coal and First Street. Hasney went on to say that the mural will contain nothing controversial and that it would be age appropriate. The mural will present scenes of nature and will include Jerry McAward, owner of the Lehighton Outdoor Center, informed Council of two scheduled events being held at his building in next few weeks. He stated that the annual Saint Luke's Hospice Ride is scheduled for. June 1 and the Eastern Pennsylvania Down syndrome Center's Revolution of Inclusion Ride is scheduled for the Saturday before Fathers' Day. Jerry added that hei is offering parking for the events to alleviate the parking issues caused in years past. Tim Snyder came forward again to request that the corners at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Second Street to alleviate a dangerous parking situation when Griff's is busy. Ricky Hasney came forward again to report that he commonly sees vehicles taking a right turn out of Rite Aid, going the wrong direction down the one-way street. He went on to report that many of these vehicles will then turn onto Seargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard traveling the  Councilors Abelovsky and Kreitz in opposition.  closure and all were ini favor with no objections.  Lehighton in the main area of the mural.  wrong direction as well. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 10, 2024.  Council tabled the approval of the April 1, 2024 Meeting Minutes until the next meeting on  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  Continued discussion on Park Cameras. Borough Manager Dane DeWire reported that the Borough received four bids for Park Surveillance Services and three of them came in under budget. He went on to describe that he looked at each proposal as a cost-per-lens scenario. The  2    low-bidders, Keystone Technology and Hi-Tech Security both came ini in at $2,850 per lens, SO he looked deeper at the proposals. DeWire went on to report that Hi-Tech's proposal includes a single, 20" display, but Keystone'sincludes dual, 50" displays. DeWire recommended to award the contract to Keystone Technology. Councilpersons Abelovsky and Saunders discussed project specifics and applicability with DeWire. Councilors Saunders/Worthy motioned to award Keystone Technology the Park Cameras Project Contract for $91,500 and all were ini favor with Continued discussion on Vacant Borough Positions. DeWire stated that Patricia Wentz filled the vacant Utility Cleark position on May 1 and that he had personnel matter to discuss for executive session regarding the vacant Secretary position. DeWire went on to report that a dozen or sO applications were received for the vacant Public Works positions for which the deadline was Friday, May 10. Council President Grant Hunsicker appointed Councilors John Kreitz, Autumn Abelovsky, and Dave Zimmerman to al hiring committee for the Public Works positions. Council agreed to hold a Special Meeting on Monday, May 20 to fill the vacancies. Continued discussion on Lehighton Riverfront Property Survey. DeWire stated that he wishes to put together a request for proposals for a survey of the 23-acre property behind Dunbar's owned by the County. He went on to state that he located an agreement between the Borough and County Commissioners from 2018 as well as an agreement between the Borough and the Wildlands Conservancy. DeWire stated that the project would include a survey, a deed study, and a request for an easement from Norfolk Southern to access the parcel underneath their train trestle. Councilors Abelovsky/Hawk motioned to advertise a request for proposals and all Continued discussion on CDBG Project Funds. DeWire stated that three years of CDBG funding was set aside for the demolition project on First Street, totaling $267,262.00. The low bidder, Northeast Industrial Services was awarded the contract at $186,435.00, and they had the rear section of the building taken down within days of project kickoff. A change order in the amount of $63,580.00 was approved by the County to rebuild the walls of the neighboring property. Before the change order was accepted, there was $80,000.00 left in the budget, along with an additional $14,000.00 remaining from the Senior Center Roof Replacement. Even with the change order, DeWire stated that the Borough remained $32,000.00 in the green and did not foresee the project going over budget. Councilman Saunders asked about project timeline, and DeWire responded that the building will be taken down within a month. DeWire went on to ask Council's opinion on possible projects for 2025 CDBG funding. He suggested using the money to make our billing office ADA-compliant. Councilwoman Abelovsky suggested using the money to begin reconstructing the Seargent Stanley Hoffman Boulevard. DeWire agreed to ask for an extension on the CDBG pre-application until Council can decide on a project. If an extension could not be granted, DeWire stated that he would apply for a project at his discretion to  no objections  werei in favor with no objections.  secure the funding.  3    NEW BUSINESS  Consideration on request by Natural Lands to provide Parking Lot Plans and native plants. DeWire reported that he attended. a Carbon County Conservation Committee meeting where he was approached by Natural Lands regarding green space in our upcoming CDBG Parking Lot Reconstruction project. DeWire iterated that Ann Hutchinson of Natural Lands offered to provide architectural plans and $8,000.00 of natural vegetation for the project if Council agreed. Council unanimously provided support and DeWire stated that he would provide Approval of additional 2024 Baer Memorial Pool Employees. Councilors Worthy/Saunders motioned to approve the additional employees and all were in favor with no objections. Discussion on 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation team. DeWire stated that he has begun conversations with AFSCME and the State Bureau of Labor and would like to designate a negotiation team to begin discussions for the 2025 Contract. Councilman Ryan Saunders recommended Councilman John Kreitz to sit on the negotiations team with the Discussion on proposed Camping Ordinance. Solicitor Jim Nanovic stated that the Supreme Court was reviewing cases regarding camping ordinances and the legality of criminalization, but no determination was made, and no determination would likely be made soon. Nanovic recommended removing criminal sanctions from the ordinance and replacing them with civil penalties. Councilwomen Autumn Abelovsky questioned Nanovic regarding a clause which references the need for available homeless shelters, and Nanovic replied that a shelter is not required to bei in the Borough; it simply needs to be accessible. Councilors Abelovsky/saunders motioned to advertise the proposed camping ordinance with civil penalties in lieu of criminal Motion to approve payment application #4 for Livengood Excavators, INC in the amount of $19,902.24 for the Waterfront Pedestrian Project. Councilors Saunders/Hawk motioned to approve the payment application, and all were ini favor with no objections. Motion to approve Resolution R12-2024 Police Destruction List. Councilors Saunders/Worthy motioned to approve Resolution R12-2024, and all were in favor with no objections. Motion to approve Resolution R13-2024 amending the Fee Schedule to include LERTA Application and Residential Rental Inspection Fees. Councilors Abelovsky/Saunders motioned to approve Resolution R13-2024, and all were in favor with no objections. Motion to approve Resolution R14-2024 License Agreement with the Flock Group. Solicitor Nanovic reminded Council that this agreement will allow Mahoning Township to install a camera on one of our utility poles. Councilors Hawk/Saunders motioned to approve Resolution  Natural Lands a letter of support on Borough letterhead.  Borough Manager and Solicitor and there were no objections.  penalties and all were in favor with no objections.  R14-2024, and all were in favor with no objections.  4    Motion to approve Resolution R15-2024 Agreement for Evacuation and Sheltering Facilities with LASD. DeWire stated that the School District has requested to use the Borough's Recreation Center during emergency situations to shelter students from the elementary school. Councilwomen Abelovsky asked about the capacity of the Rec Center for fear it was not large enough for that number of students. Council tabled the resolution and requested DeWire to get more information on the building capacity and the school district's plan. Councilwoman Rebecca Worthy volunteered to sit in on any meetings with the school district. Consideration on a request from Lehighton Elementary Center for Downtown Lehighton Field Trips with Police Presentation and Police Escort to the Grove on May 10, 2024 and May 17, 2024. Chief Abelovsky stated that he will have limited staff and will not easily be able to accommodate the request without bringing in another officer on overtime. Council asked Consideration on request to close Borough Hall July 5, December 24, December 26, and December 31, 2024. DeWire stated that these additional closure dates would be taken from employees' PTO and would not pose any additional cost to the Borough. Councilors Saunders/Worthy motioned to approve the Borough Office closures, and all were in favor with  DeWire to reach out to the School District to offer alternatives.  no objections.  OFFICIAL'S REPORTS  President of Council - Nothing to report. Borough Manager - Paper report provided.  Councilman Saunders questioned DeWire's manager report regarding the presentation that the Recreation Director, Tom Evans, was expected to give that evening. DeWire stated that Evans was expected to provide a brief presentation on the Baer Memorial Pool and Summer Camp Programs offered by the Borough, but nothing was provided and Evans was absent. Councilman Saunders went on to ask for an update on the Nace Property Cleanup. DeWire reported that a professional cleanup was scheduled for April 24, 2024 and a letter was served to. Joann and Woody Nace that week. DeWire reported that multiple dumpsters of rubbish were removed from the property the day of the cleanup, and a Notice of Violation was sent Borough Engineer - Vanessa Nedrick reported that Remmington Vernick is working through permitting and that the 1&1 Abatement Project Bid Opening was pushed to May 28, 2024. She went on to report that she will provide CCMA a remediation report per their request. Lastly, Nedrick recommended Council to provide RJ Walker conditional approval for their land development project. Councilors Hawk/Worthy motioned to provide conditional approval,  thereafter addressing the remaining rubbish in the yard.  5    pending Conservation District approval and a lighting concern, and all were in favor with no Solicitor-S Solicitor Nanovic reported that he has one item for executive session. Treasurer - Paper report provided. Approval of additional bills.  objections.  Mayor - Nothing to report. executive session. Fire Chief -A Absent.  Police Chief - Paper report provided. Chief Troy Abelovsky reported that he has one item for  Light & Power Superintendent - Paper report provided. Superintendent Lonny Armbruster reported that his two new linemen were adjusting to their new roles and he hopes that they Public Works Superintendent - Paper report provided. Superintendent Kris Kunkle stated that Jerry McAward called him to ask permission to clean vegetation debris from underneath the Mahoning Creek arches. McAward, who was present, said that he and his volunteers are willing tos slowly clean the passages at no cost to the Borough to address safety concerns regarding people on the river. Council unanimously provided permission for McAward to clean the debris.  make a career out ofi it.  Recreation Director- - Absent. COMMITTEE REPORTS  Finance and Administration - David Zimmerman, Chair; Ryan Saunders, Co-Chair. Nothing to Economic Development, Buildings and Codes - Autumn Abelovsky, Chair; John Kreitz, Co-Chair. Abelovsky asked DeWire to report to Council on the Shuttle Service from his manager report. DeWire explained that he had attended a meeting with neighboring municipalities. The possibility of "sharing thel load" ofi falli foliage foot traffic was discussed. DeWire went on to discuss how the feasibility of a shuttle service to-and-from Jim Thorpe was considered by numerous Lehighton Nonprofit organizations. He mentioned that this was also brought up at the municipality leader meeting, receiving positive feedback. DeWire explained that the Borough can enter into an agreement with LANTA for $500 per bus per day. The thought was to open parking lots in the morning and begin shuttle service at 12:00 noon to attract foot traffic inl Lehighton in the mornings and evenings. Councilman Kreitz questioned whether the Borough should be paying for these services, even if they break-even. Council discussed this being a bill that should be shared between municipalities or put on the Lehighton Downtown initiative.  report.  6    DeWire concluded the discussion, stating that no agreement will be signed without Council Abelovsky also reported that she attended the Trailside Events ribbon cutting ceremony with Councilwoman Worthy. She went on to report that Ateira's on First moved locations to the former Blended Bakery building. Abelovsky went on to mention that she will compile the Merchants Association (LAMA) concerns and minutes regarding our zoning ordinance and distribute them to Council. Lastly, she capped her report with a statement that Borough Council and Borough employees may often attend LAMA and other events not sanctioned by the Borough; however, attendance is done as a courtesy to the associations. Police, Fire and Safety - Ryan Saunders, Chair; Rebecca Worthy, Co-Chair. Nothing to report. Light & Power Committee - Rebecca Worthy, Chair; Steve Hawk, Co-Chair. Nothing to report. Sewer Committee - Steve Hawk, Chair; Autumn Abelovsky, Co-Chair. Councilman Hawk reported that we received a violation letter from the Central Carbon Municipal Authority (CCMA) regarding overages in our sanitary flows for the month of April. He went on to say that we are well on our way to solving the flow issues and he stated that we will continue to  approval and the contract has not even been drafted yet.  maintain communication with CCMA.  Streets, Public Works & Recreation - John Kreitz, Chair; David Zimmerman, Co-Chair. Nothing to Library Board - Rebecca Worthy. Councilwoman Worthy reported that the Library is gearing up  report.  for their annual basket raffle.  Parks & Recreation Board - Autumn Abelovsky  Abelovsky reported that she has had conversations with community members regarding the possibility of striping the second basketball court at Baer Memorial for pickleball. Our Recreation Director Tom Evans has expressed concerns ini the past about double-striping the other court for both basketball and pickleball due to creating confusion with too many white lines which is apparent on the first court. Abelovsky recommended that we stripe the second court for pickleball with blue paint which can be donated by Parks and Rec. Further, she suggested that the first court pickleball lines be re-striped with blue paint. Hawk suggested that Evans should attend the next meeting sO we can get his opinion. Worthy asked DeWire if he Saunders reported that LDI hosted Wine on the River on Saturday, May 4 with no issues and thanked Chief Abelovsky for the police presence. Abelovsky added that police presence like this can be paid for and put out as overtime work for the Department. She stated that this is an option for the School District for their events discussed earlier on the Agenda. DeWire agreed  could speak with Evans regarding his opinion.  to present this option to the School District.  7    Canal Commission - Ryan Saunders.  Saunders reported that the Canal in' Weissport requires more work, planning, and financing to complete the project and reopen the trail. He went on to state that there is an issue with the  water line which must be addressed. ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICIAL'S REPORTS  Councilors Saunders/Worthy made the motions to accept the official's reports as presented and  all were in favor with no questions or objections. ACCEPTANCE OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ADDITIONAL BILLS  Councilors aunders/Abelovsky made the motion to accept the accounts payable plus additional bills totaling $11,886.87 and all were in favor with no questions or objections.  ADIOURNMENT  Motion to go into Executive Session for Personnel. Councilors Worthy/Saunders made the motions to go into Executive Session at 8:16 pm and all were in favor with no questions or Motion was made to go back into Regular Session at 9:02 pm and all were in favor with no Councilors Abelovsky/Worthy made the motion to accept. John Kreitz's letter of intent to be re- appointed to the Lehighton Planning Commission and all were in favor with no questions or Councilors Worthy/Saunders made the motion to offer Candidate #2 the position of Borough Secretary and hire pending acceptance and pre-employment screening. All were in favor with Councilors Kreitz//immerman made the motion to adjourn the Meeting at 9:04 pm and all were  objections.  questions or objections.  objections.  no questions or objections.  ini favor with no questions or objections.  MEETING ADJOURNED  Dane DeWire, Lehighton Borough Manager  8