BOROUGH OF SLATINGION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11/11/19 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, November 11, 2019 at 7:00 pm., in Council Chambers, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Daniel Stevens: President of Council Recording Secretary: Bryon Reed, President Pro Tem The meeting was called to order by President Stevens at 7:00 pm following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Chief Rachman Mayor Niedermeyer Crystal Hausman Jason Ruff Ed Healy Jeffrey Hausman Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Robert Herzog Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Joseph Wechsler Kristie Wilk David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn off their cell phones, iPhone, and electronic devises off, or on vibrate. Ifyou must take a call, please exit the council chambers SO as not to disrupt the meeting. President Stevens 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the following minutes with the following corrections: Council Meeting October 14H, 2019, President Stevens noted: page 2 under Mayor's remarks should read "was" not "will"; page 4 under Human Committee Services remove the word "with"; page 6 - replace the word "by" Sikora with "that". Meetings October 21st, 2019 and Councilor Schnaars noted on the October 28th, 2019 Committee meetings: page 1 C - add after calls out "with no transport"; Ed Healy said a Jason Breidinger': S name was spelled incorrectly. President Stevens declared the motion passed with 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. If you exit the podium, you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining. Kristie Wilk = 3433 Smith Hill Road, Washington Township. Representative from NOVA. Signed in and was recognized to speak. They have had a 94% rate for their responses for the month. They are looking for 2 full-time paramedics. Their auxiliary is having their holiday shop on December 1st, 2019, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Their subscription drive will be going out in about 2 weeks. Kevin Steckel - 18 Main Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Kevin wanted to introduce himselfi to the council. He won the election for the borough council. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None 1 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. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer On October 22, 2019, the mayor attended a workforce board meeting for the Lehigh County Congress of Governments. It is important that everyone get on the census, sO we can get more money from the state. On October 24, he attended the bonfire at the middle school. November 1st, he went to the Spiritual Investigation at the library. The mayor informed the council that on December 6th they will be hanging gloves and scarves on the fences at the Trail Head. Also, the tree lighting ceremony will be held on December 6th. There will be vendors, refreshments, performers, and more. Mayor Niedermeyer informed the council there will be a police officer test on Saturday, December 28th, > 2019, and agility will be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2020. Councilor Ruff informed the council that he had spoken with Tony Lopsonzski and Chief Rachman that there is a much higher priority being placed on citing landlords using the nuisance tenant ordinance. He said they are proactive about going after landlords for nuisance tenants. Chief Rachman STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R- 08-19, A resolution of the Council of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, authorizing the submission of Multimodal Grant Application to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. This resolution will be for Shadow Oaks Lane. Councilor Ruff wanted to make sure that the list for grants is kept updated. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. B. Public Safety Councilor David Schnaars 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve quote from Keystone Technology, LLC, to purchase 2 computers at $700.00 each - $1,400.00 total. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew 2 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to authorize advertisement and posting for upcoming civil service testing for the position of entry level police officer by Lehigh County Chiefs Assn. Testing Consortium. President Stevens declared the motion passed with following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve quote from AACE Security for $1,210.00. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Ruff informed the council that Kristie Wilk from NOVA is requesting that the borough increase their donation to NOVA for 2020. Kristie Wilk reiterated her reasons for the increase, which she had spoken about at previous council and committee meetings. The council also reviewed what the borough already donates. The council agreed that this would be a budget discussion. 2. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded Councilor Wechsler, to release $5,000.00 in donation to the Slatington Public Library. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew 3. There will be a USDA representative at the borough office on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 9:00 am to discuss the Spotted Lanternfly with borough officials. 4. Councilor Ruff said this is just a reminder that LVPC will be coming into the borough office to meet with borough staff on December 2nd, > 2019, at 2:00 pm to discuss the benefits of the plan, challenges with multi-municipal planning. He has also requested they attend a regular council meeting after the new year. 5. Electronic Recycling Event Saturday, November 16th, 2019, 9 am-12pm. Informational only 3 6. Councilor Ruff also stated about the tree lighting event on December 6th, > 2019, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Slatington Memorial Park held by the Chamber of Commerce. D. Finance Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize President Stevens to approve Exemption request from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Janyne N. Holtzman - paid prior - $5.50. President Stevens declared the motion passed with following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to authorize Attorney Healy to amend the landlord inspection/tenant Ordinance 674 to eliminate the requirement for property inspections prior to sale. President Stevens declared the motion passed with following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens provided information for the PMHIC Amendment. Attorney Healy offered his opinion and suggested approval of the amendment. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Weschler, to authorize the amendments to the agreement for PMHIC. President Stevens declared the motion passed with following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve quote from L&MD Service LLC for replacement engine for the sewer plant truck for $5,828.52. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew 2. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve October 14, 2019, Meeting Sewer authority bills: The Times News - $293.75; Ed Healy $289.00; Tad Miller - $125.00; Brown & Brown - $250.00; Petty Cash - $59.53; total $1,017.28. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew 4 3. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period from June 10, 2019 to October 14, 2019, Time - $231.25, Travel $64.38; total $295.63. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew 4. Review Slatington Borough Authority Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report for year ended January 31, 2019 and 2018. Attorney clarified the report. No action required. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to re-invest the water CD at a total of $300,000. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew 3. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve estimate from Barry J. Hoffman CO., Inc. for $1,295.00 to install relays and wiring to turn off Autocon and Roberts Control panels. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz Joseph Wechsler Dave Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 5 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: Councilor Schnaars inquired as to the budget process and when will we see the proposed budget. President Stevens stated it will be the same as last year, and there will probably be a special meeting sometime in December. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Daniel Stevens COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) None EXECUTIVE SESSION President Stevens recessed to executive session at 8:15 pm. At 9:25 PM, President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel, real estate, union negotiations, and legal were discussed in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adjourn the meeting. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 9:26 pm. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 6