BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 6/10/24 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: David Schnaars: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Lisa Young William Eade, Ashley King Zachari Halkias Jeralyn Schoch Kevin Borman, Krystall Borman Ryan Mayberry Justin Gross Ron Hausman, David Lienhard Ronald Kratz Greg Winokur Becky Lienhard, Crystal Fink Kevin Steckel Daniel Stevens Mariah Wunderler, Kim Wunderier Aaron Schoch Walter & Noreen Niedermeyer Jeffrey Delong, Robert Stettner" Katja Bender, Edgard Lopez William Muffley, Eric King EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Schnaars 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 MEETING - Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve the following minutes with corrections: Council Meeting May 13, 2024 Attorney Young pointed out on page 2 under Chief Reph should be hours, not house; Committee Meetings - May 20, 2024, and May 28, 2024. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENIATION: Mayor Schoch gave her condolences to the family of Walter Niedermeyer. Mayor Schoch presented them with a proclamation honoring Walter Niedermeyer. President Schnaars announced that the plant at Walter's seat will be planted in Walter's memory in front of Borough Hall. 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. William Eade 435 Second Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. William stated that the parking conditions on the 400 block at South 2nd Street, have become difficult to endure. William said that on most giving nights there is not one spot in the block. Some residences are utilizing 3 or more parking spots, while others struggle just to find one parking spot. William added that some vehicles from East South Street Park on South Second Street, reducing any available parking spots. William has 2 vehicles - 1 personal and 1 van for work. He parks his car in front of his property, sO that if he has a visitor, there is a spot for them. William just 1 wanted to make the Council aware that another area in the town is struggling with the parking issue. Edgard Lopez - 1223 4th Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Edgard's neighbor is constructing a house and during construction they hit a spring. That spring has been flowing since they poured the basement. This is destroying the bottom ofh his driveway. Edgard does not understand how this construction can continue. Manager Stevens stated that the problem is being addressed by Duane Dellecker. Manager Stevens added that Mr. Dellecker verified that the owner has a valid building permit. He has been notified that he will not get sewer or water hookup until the problem is resolved; due to the unsafe condition it creates for installation, William T. Muffley - 333 Kern Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. William's stated that his driveway is also being destroyed by the construction of this home. Jeffrey Delong - 1286 Main Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jeffrey has resided in Slatington for approximately 30+ years and has seen the demise ofLong Alley. Jeffrey had an idea about soil stabilization. He would like to see a speed limit sign posted on Long Alley. President Schnaars suggested Jeffrey attend a committee meeting to voice his ideas to fix the problems on Long Alley. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS: None APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLETRANSFER Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Counçilor Kratz, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 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 Mayor Jeralyn Schoch Mayor Schoch commented on the recent events on Franklin Street, and on keeping the public informed. Chief Greg Winokur Chief Winokur provided totals for May 2023 to May 2024: incidents: 2023 - 355, 2024 - 376; reports filed 2023 - 253, 2024 272; criminal arrests 2023 - 9, 2024 5; traffic citations - 2023 = 41, 2024 - 54; parking tickets 2023 - 2, 2024 - 1. Notable incidents for the last month: we had several callouts to assist PSP in other jurisdictions, including a suicidal subject, worked with PSP on the homicide, had a disturbance arrest, mental health calls, public intoxication arrests, assisted Walnutport with an intoxicated male, PFA arrests, several cardiac arrests with some expirations, disturbançe with hostility towards the 2 police and domestic arrest. Chief Winokur read a letter from the chief of police from Lehigh Township expressing thanks to the Slatington Police Department for the help they provided Friday on Steven Lane in Lehigh Township. Chief Winokur informed the Council that he had applied for a Rotary Club grant for an upgrade of some equipment for the officers and received that grant from the Rotary Club for $1,400.00. President Schnaars asked Chief Winokur for an update on the hiring of the full-time police officer. Chief Winokur stated that it will be discussed in executive session. Fire Chief Robert Reph Fire Chief Reph stated that for the month of May they responded to 20 incidents. Total emergency calls for last month they had 54.6 manhours and 275 manhours for training. Seven of their members passed their Fire Two Pro-Board Certification. The fire department assisted St. Luke's with their annual bike ride on the D&L Trail, and also assisted the police department with Buzzy's Car Cruise. Chief Reph asked ifit would be possible to barricade the left-hand turn at the intersection. Manager Stevens stated that this is a state highway. Chief Winokur said that PennDOT will monitor that intersection. Councilor Kratz asked about the background checks. Chief Reph stated they are completed. Chief Reph has 2 quotes for the fire alarms. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve expenditure of up to $1000.00 to hire a designer for the police station. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 2. Update on CDBG for air packs and cylinders. Manager Stevens received approval from Lehigh County and awarded contract for 6 packs, 6 face masks, and 13 cylinders - $72,554.00 ($32 over grant amount). The number of cylinders was reduced to have the total amount spent match the grant amount. 3. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Counçilor Schoch, to approve request from Fire Company to have Cardinal Hollow Winery set up at fire company Community Day on June 22, 2024. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor, 4. Discussion concerning proposed changes in enforcement for fire alarm. Information not available currently. President Schnaars would like this placed on the next regular council agenda. B. Highway Councilor Aaron Schoch 1. Discussion and possible motion to appoint Aaron Schoch as Highway Chairman. The Council agreed to appoint Aaron Schoch as Chairman of the Highway Committee. 2. The Walnut Street Bridge will be closed effective Monday, June 10th, 2024, until further notice. (informational only) 3 3. Update on CDBG projects. Justin Gross informed the Council that the North Street CDBG was sent to Lehigh County and they are reviewing the bid documents. Fifth Street is also with Lehigh County and their other organizations for the environmental review. Lehigh Engineering had to revise the scope of work for the 2024 CDBGS due to the new requirement that milling cannot be done anymore. Estimates and plans for Hill Street and Cherry Street were submitted last week and were accepted. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool was unable to shock existing water SO pool had to be dumped. Borough refilled Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool. (Informational only) D. mancelPamming/oning Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to declare an open seat on Slatington Borough Council due to the passing of Councilman Walter Niedermeyer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. a. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to amend the agenda consider moving President Pro Tem to vice president of Council. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to appoint Zach Halkias as Vice President of Council. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to authorize Solicitor Young to prepare a draft ordinance on bamboo. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. The Council agreed that there will be a special meeting on June 24 at 5:00 PM with Environmental Planning and Design at the Borough Hall. 4. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to accept roofing quote from A. J. Kerekes of $18,790.00 and to be paid for with COVID19 LFRF. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Aaron Schoch 4 1. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to ratify the request from Slatington Borough Authority to have the borough of Slatington advance $1,500.00 to cover 3 NPDES/PA DEP CBOD5 violation fines - $500.00 per violation. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 2. Councilor Schoch made a motion duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: March 11, 2024, Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Tad Miller - $125.00; Lisa Young - $10,878.00; HRMM&L Attorneys at Law - March 2024 bill - $3,037.50; MRMM&L April 2024 bill $6,375.00 (total HRMM&L $9,412.50); Regular total - $20,415.50 (to be transferred); Commonwealth ofPA Clean Water fund - $1,500.00; Commonwealth ofPA - Clean Water Fund - $1,000.00; total $2,500.00; (previously transferred) grand total - $22,915.50. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 3. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to pay Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period from March 11, 2024 to June 2024 - 13.3 miles @ $.67 cents = $8.91; June 10, 2024; 23 miles @ $.67 cents = $15.41; Total mileage reimbursement $24.32; March 11, 2024 through June 10, 2024 14 hrs @,$30.00 = $420.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 4. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to accept the Walnutport capacity request review from Cowan Associates, Inc. for the Slatington Borough Authority. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Costars quote from Martz Technologies, Inc. for filter bed effluent Valve Control Upgrade at a cost of 5 $31,908.51 (both filters) President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: Budget preparations President Schnaars would like each committee to review what they would like to do for next year budget. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None David Schnaars 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 Schnaars recessed to executive session at 8:00 PM. At 9:38 PM President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Matters of real estate, legal, and personnel were discussed in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Steckel, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 9:39 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 0