BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 8/9/21 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, August 9, 2021, at 7:00 PM, in the Council Chamber, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Bryon Reed: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Reed at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Bryon Reed Mayor Niedermeyer Jeffrey Hausman, Crystal Hausman Jason Ruff Dave Rachman Becky Lienhard, Susan Smith Joseph Wechsler Ed Healy Bekki Bauman, Felicia Moore David Schnaars Justin Gross Robert Herzog, Kevin Boylan Thomas Bartholomew Daniel Stevens Robert Stettner, Zachari Halkias Ronald Kratz Thomas Mizgalski. Austin Berger Kevin Steckel EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Reed 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 approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting of July 12, 2021; Committee Meetings July 19, 2021, & July 26, 2021; Special Meeting July 19, 2021. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 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, you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining. Bekki Bauman - 314 Kern Street Signed in and was recognized to speak. Bekki talked about the problem property on her street, and how now everybody has rats. There is open garbage all over at this property which is at the end of Kern Street, which she feels might have something to do with the rats. Tony Lopsonzski will be notified Felicia Moore - 1202 Main Street Signed in and was recognized to speak. Felicia spoke last September to the council concerning the drainage and curbing issues on her street and Long Alley. Felicia asked if PennDOT and Washington Township were involved with the issue. President Reed stated that PennDOT would be involved on the Main Street issue. Lehigh Engineering is looking at solutions for the alley. President Reed stated that CDBG funds do not qualify for this project. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None 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. 1 APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer Mayor Niedermeyer stated they had the Anthony Scarselletti Ribbon Cutting ceremony and 100th Anniversary at Victory Park on July 24, 2021. There was a great turn out and some vendors even ran out of food. Mayor Niedermeyer suggested purchasing a zero-turn lawn mower for the highway crew with the COVID 19 money. Chief Rachman Chief Rachman informed the council the County Police Association is putting on a county wide ceremony for all officers on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at DeSales University. Our nominee is Sgt. Alercia. President Reed asked Chief Rachman the status of the new police vehicle. Chief Rachman stated that he has been unable to obtain definite information from the upfitter. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor David Schnaars 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, granting the request from Andreas Hassold to hold a block party on Saturday, 8/28, from 2 PM to 9 PM between Pine Tree Drive and Candilak Lane. Councilor Schnaars amended his motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to say the council is approving a block party on Pine Tree Drive between Maple Spring Drive and Deer Run Lane, and Candilak Lane is to be blocked off at Pine Tree Dr. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 2. Councilor Schnaars provided an update on Church Street CDBG and Main and Church traffic light. Councilor Schnaars stated they are proposing changing the controller box at Main Street and Dowell Street for $6,134.53. This is on a project that is already $50,000.00 over budget. Councilor Schnaars recommendation is to table this until more information is obtained. Justin Gross stated they have to open the box to see what work is required. Justin Gross stated they 2 have sent the notice or award packet to setup a pre-construction meeting and is waiting for a reply for the Church Street project. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. The council reviewed potential projects for COVID 19 money. Manager Stevens has called pavers concerning the trail and Chestnut Street with no response. Manager Stevens has also called the contractor who is doing the CDBG project concerning the paving. Manager STevens has not received any bid, or responses, for any paving. The potential project list is: 100 steps, sign for the fire department, chestnut street sewer trench, paving on the trail behind the maintenance building, police car, stump grinding, and security system at the amphitheater. 2 Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to ratify the hiring of Christopher Pforter as a full-time police officer effective Monday, August 9, 2021. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve stump grinding at Victory Park for $140.00 per tree, approximately 24 stumps total, using the COVID 19 money to pay for it. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Councilor Ruff acknowledged the Borough crew for the work they did at Victory Park for the celebration. Robert Herzog received recognition for his extensive work on cutting and trimming the trees. D. mancelPlamming/oming Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Ordinance No. 704, revising the 2008 codified Ordinances with respect to subsection 34-14B(14) (relating to powers and duties of the borough manager), adding new subsection 34-14B(15), and renumbering prior subsection 34-14B(15) as 34- 14.B(16). President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN 3 Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 2. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-05-21 for manager's purchasing approval power. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 3. County of Lehigh, Office of Procurement, letter dated 7/20/21 contract award for lease or purchase of District Court 31-3-01 (MDJ Creighton) (informational only) 4. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve changes and advertise Ordinance 553, to change Clause 1-17, Item B, to more than $1,500.00. Councilor Bartholomew amended his motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to authorize the solicitor to prepare an ordinance amending codified ordinances or to allow for the maximum penalty allowed for property maintenance code violations. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Solicitor Healy has suggested to the council to recodify Slatington' S ordinances. 5. Daniel, Linda, and Liz, attended a Zoom tutorial on posting items to Slatington website in preparation for new state requirements. (informational only) E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler Councilor Wechsler informed the council that they had Finished the crack sealing in preparation for the road work at the sewer plant. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Ronald Kratz 4 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the purchase of reservoir #4 spare radio for $2,450.00 plus shipping from Essex. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 2. Performed needed emergency repairs to water plant backhoe, estimated cost $9,000.00 to $10,000.00 (informational only) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: President Reed stated there is a resident whose mother is turning 100-years old. Rep Mako's office is doing a proclamation for her on August 28th. President Reed asked Mayor Niedermeyer if he can also do one. Mayor Niedermeyer agreed to complete one. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None Councilor Schnaars inquired about the line painting. Manager Stevens informed him that we have the paint, it is just a matter of scheduling it. We are currently tied up with MS4 and AMS skin patching COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Bryon Reed COURTESY OF THE FLOOR = (Agenda Items Only = You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) Kevin Boylan - 224 Railroad Street Recognized to speak. Kevin reminded the council that school is opening in a couple weeks. Kevin stated there is a yield sign sitting in Sal's parking lot. Kevin asked if the sign could be moved to Centre and Main Sts. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Reed declared the meeting adjourned at 7:57 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 5