BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 9/10/2018 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 7:00 P.M., 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 P.M. following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Russell Hallman Mayor Niedermeyer Jeffrey Hausman Ron Hausman Jason Ruff Chief Rachman Robert Stettner Ed Ziegler Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Jason Nicholas Kris Porter Joseph Wechsler Attorney Healy 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 Ruff to accept the following minutes: Council Minutes, August 13, 2018, Committee Meetings August 20, 2018, and August 27, 2018. President Stevens 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. Ed Ziegler Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ed stated the flags on Main Street are in poor condition. Ed had been at the sewer plant after a rain storm and noticed water was coming from the Borough's property down to Washington Township. When the signs were placed for the Rotary club there is a big rock there preventing the water flow. He suggested the Borough remove the rock. The light behind the Citizens Bank behind Harding Funeral Home has been out. Ed attends other borough/township meetings and stated the secretary/treasurer is always in attendance for the meetings recording the minutes. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRSENTATIONS President Stevens informed the council that one citizen had made an inquiry at a meeting as to why we don't sell the Vigilant building. President Stevens stated the Borough was paid $34,473.96 in 2017 for rent from the building. The Borough's S expenses were $18,818.06, our revenue was $15,655.90 over our expenses. In addition, the Vigilant fire company invested $10,445.00 into improvements in the building. 1 - The hall is available to be used for community events at no charge. It was recently used to evacuate senior citizens. President Stevens commended the Vigilant for their fine work. 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/TRANSIER 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. President Stevens made one point on fund balance summary that had been voted on last month, this was as of 7/31/18. Since then the borough has purchased the $200,000.00 in CD's for the sewer. The rate for the CD's is approximately 2.35% which is increase from .25% in the money market. The $100,000.00 water CD should settle sometime this week at 2.45% rate for 13 months. There is nothing left in the money: market for water, it is all in CDs. MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer Mayor Niedermeyer had attended a COG meeting. He also mentioned the importance of destroying the spotted lantern fly when they are seen. Police Chief David Rachman Chief Rachman informed the council they are testing on October 13th, their application period is open until September 28th. He has started to obtain quotes for next year's budget, specially replacing one of the cruisers. He has received one quote, but has reached out to Whitmoyer and Millham to obtain quotes. He stated Jason Nicholas is taking care of obtaining quotes for the Ad's that need replacement for the fire and police departments SLATINGTON REVITALIZATION PARTNERSHIP Councilor Ruff informed the council they had met last week and is looking at creating a new plan beginning January 1st, 2019. He will keep the council informed on the new plan. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Acting Chairman Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Councilor Reed updated the council on the Main and Church Streets traffic signal installation - ARLE. Councilor Reed provided a list ofinspection cost proposals. Larry Turoscy stated ARRO will submit a bid for the inspection. Larry said there will be a pre-bid meeting to go over everything with the contractors. 2. Councilor Reed informed the council the CDBG for 4th Street is completed and the check has been cut. Larry Turoscy has watched the drainage on 4th Street during the past rain storms and feels that it is okay. He did suggest that it continue to be watched. Councilor Schnaars asked Larry if he had every checked the storm drain in front of Sell's house on Walnut Street. Mr. Sell said he is getting water in his basement again. B. Public Safety Councilor David Schnaars 2 1. Councilor Schnaars said the Vigilant will be purchasing a flag for Memorial Park. 2. Councilor Schnaars asked Jason Nicholas about the ADs. Jason is obtaining quotes for the ADs. The fire department portion of it will be covered under assistance fire department grant, which they have applied for and received the funding. They will also be obtaining thermal imaging cameras, which they use inside for the fire team, and a gas monitoring meter which is used to detect gasses. Jason will be getting three separate quotes for both the police and fire departments. 3. Councilor Schnaars updated the information concerning the fire truck. Hopefully, the truck should be back by the end of the month. C.J Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Northern Lehigh Recreation press release for a public meeting, Thursday, September 20th, 2 2018, at 6:30 pm at the Northern Lehigh School District Administrative building, 1201 Shadow Oaks, Slatington. They are encouraging all elected officials and councilors to attend. Informational only. 2. Councilor Ruff has been in contact with Mike Kukitz concerning the dead tree replacements and they are moving forward. Councilor Ruff and Mike Kukitz are discussing long-term plans revitalizing Main Street which may not require replacing the trees at this time. Informational only 3. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve NLRA Eagle Scout project of Jionnyx Constanza at Victory Park. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4. Councilor Ruff presented council with an e-mail dated 8/30/18 from Virginia Haas, Lehigh County Org., Blight Project Team meeting on Tuesday, September 18th, at 9:30 am at the government center informational only. Councilor Ruff is on the task force and he will be attending. 5. Councilor Ruff: made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars to approve the request from the Venture Group to hold the Gathering at Trout Run Covered Bridge, Saturday, October 6th, > 2018. Letter dated September 6, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 6. Councilor Ruff provided information for the Local Share Account - Northampton & Lehigh Counties Program Guidelines/June 2018. Mayor Niedermeyer and Councilor Ruff attended this meeting. Councilor Ruff informed the council the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act has been expanded and created this local share account. It is now available to any municipality in Northampton and Lehigh County. Previously, these gaming funds were not always available to all municipalities. It now includes Slatington. Councilor Ruff and Mike Kukitz have discussed a dog park to revitalize Westend Park. Councilor Ruff had spoken with a resident near the Westend Park, and she expressed her concerns on safety and liability issues to the park. Children are climbing on the batting cage fence, the roof, and the swing set is considered a safety 3 hazard. Councilor Ruff stated this grant application time is open till November. He asked council if Mike Kukitz could write the grant for this local share account. However, the Borough would need to put money into it for this project, but is not sure how much at this time. This grant is looking for park and recreation projects that would get completed fairly quickly. Councilor Ruff asked council if they would be willing to put any monies into this project if Mike were to spent the time writing the grant. Councilor Ruff will contact the Local Share Account to find out how much money can be applied. This to be placed on the committee agenda. 7. Councilor Ruff informed the council that the school district is interested in building a disc golf course. Councilor Ruff asked the council if the borough is not willing to put any money toward repairing the Victory Park Disc 9-hole disc golf course. This is to be placed on the committee agenda. D. Finance Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Stratix Systems copier lease $177.69/month; maintenance agreement at $164.25/month current lease expires November 3, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler has received some bids for the digester project. There will be a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 11, 2018, with ARRO to discuss an agreement. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Reed informed the council there have been problems with the Roberts and Autocon panel at the water filtration plant. He has acquired some prices for the Roberts panel. Both panels may have to be replaced. Councilor Reed and Councilor Wechsler continue to obtain further information and quotes. 3. Councilor Reed said the roofer completed the rubber roof at the Vigilant garage, replaced the bad shingles on the refreshment stand in the playground, a rubber roof at the water plant, and repairs to the main roof at the Borough Hall. Councilor Reed asked the roofer to look at the roof at the fire company, because there is a leak. He is also obtaining prices for Vigilant roof. 4 Councilor Reed mentioned the DCD small water sewer grant we applied for will be reviewed on September 18th, > 2018. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None 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.) Ed Ziegler was told to discuss agenda items only. Mr. Ziegler brought up non-agenda items despite being reminded multiple times that this was for agenda items only. EXECUTIVE SESSION President Stevens recessed to executive session at 7:54 pm. At 8:32 p.m., President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and legal matters 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 8:33 pm. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 5