BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 8/8/22 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, August 8, 2022, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Thomas Bartholomew Mayor Schoch Jim Logle (TN), Cheryl McCormick, Bryon Reed Lisa Young John McCormick, Ron Hausman, Joseph Wechsler-via phone Deron Dorward Aaron Schoch, Dave Schnaars, Ronald Kratz Justin Gross Robert Herzog, Shawn H., Kevin Steckel Daniel Stevens Jessica Mack, Celeste Williams, Jeffrey Hausman Drew Snowberger (TV13), Zachari Halkias Andreas Hassold, Michael Zemlansky, Frank Hoffman EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Bartholomew 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. An executive session was held on July 18, 2022, at 7:20 PM, matters of personnel were discussed. MIINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING = Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting July 11, 2022; Committee Meetings - July 18, 2022, & July 25, 2022. President Bartholomew 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. Michael Zemlansky 828 Municipal Drive, Walnutport. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Michael owns property at 415-417 W. Washington Street in Slatington. Michael has contacted the borough manager concerning a water bill that was sent when the water was shut off. Michael paid the 1st quarter when the water line broke. A bill for the 2nd quarter had also been sent showing 0" gallons used. That building has been vacated for 2 years. Manager Stevens had called him to let him know the water had been shut off due to a major break in his building. However, Manager Stevens is stating that Michael must notify the borough to have his water shut off permanently. Michael doesn't understand why he would have to notify the borough if the water was already shut off. President Bartholomew requested Michael attend the Water-Sewer-ighway committee meeting SO the committee can gather all the facts. Franklin Hoffman = 302 First Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Franklin brought to the council's attention that paychecks are still being signed by previous council members. Franklin would like to know why we are behind on our audit. Manager Stevens informed Franklin that those are automatic signatures (not actual signatures or stamp) with ADP and he is in the process of getting it changed. Andreas Hassold = 1067 Pine Tree Drive. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Andreas is here to support the block party on Pine Tree Drive. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS President Bartholomew requested Mayor Schoch step front to administer the Oath of Office for Full- Time Police Officer Anthony Ballerini and Part-Time Police Officer Amanda Segarra. Officer Ballerini and Officer Segarra took the Oath ofOffice. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 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 None STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Jeffrey Hausman 1. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve purchase of a Generac Portable Generator for the new stop light and other uses for $1,149.00 using COVID19 LFRF. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 2. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve payment of $8,198.37 to Stafursky Paving Co., Inc. for road patches on Arbor Lane and Welshtown Road 2 using COVID19 LFRF. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 3. Attorney Young has received updated information concerning the CDBG from Lehigh County and will be incorporating that into the bid documents. The Slate Heritage Trail project will be moving forward in the next week or2 in addition to the bathroom project. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to purchase 1 Point Blank Bellator Level IIIA shield for $2,632.39 and Black Hawk Dynamic Entry Monoshock battering ram for $330.36 and Jersey Tactical Claw 24" for $347.06 (total payment $3,309.81) for police department using COVID19 LFRF. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve resignation of Police Officer Sean Stark, with regrets, effective July 19, 2022. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve payment to Blue Ridge Service & Tire for repairs to police and code enforcement vehicles using COVID19 LFRF ($4,555.37 for vehicle #605; code car $628.05; and 2009 Crown Victoria $1,190.04). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 3 4. Two insurance claims submitted for minor damage to rescue truck and fire company building. $1,475.51 less $1,000.00 deductible for building; $2,795.50 less $1,000.00 deductible for rescue truck. No further action required. 5. Remaining flooring and carpeting at police station is scheduled for installation on August 24th & 25th. (informational only) 6. Local officials for NOVA's annual roundtable luncheon on Thursday, September 15, 2022, from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, at 2375 Levans Road in Coplay (informational only) C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve request from Andreas Hassold to hold a block party on Pine Tree Dr on Saturday, September 17, 2022. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Review request from Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association requesting assistance to sponsor an LSA grant. Manager Stevens stated there has been discussion at committee meetings about submitting an LSA grant. A possible alternative would be to have Washington Township apply for an LSA grant. Only 1 grant will generally be considered. Jessica Mack from the Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association informed the council that the pool has received a grant for $250,000.00 and the estimate for repairs is between $290,000.00 to $300,000.00. Recently, they spent $20,000.00 on electrical work which is not included in the other repairs. Manager Stevens will follow up with Washington Township. 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve D&L Half Marathon on Sunday, November 6, 2022 contingent upon receipt of a COI. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Borough will receive $1,000.00 Chamber Foundation grant towards "Welcome to Slatington" sign. Reception at Northampton Country Club on August 31, 2022, from 5 - 7 PM (informational only) The council agreed to have Manager Stevens attend. D. FimancePlamming/oning Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz wished to clarify the topic of parking on whether he wanted to place a restriction on parking. This is not the case. What he wanted to do is request Attorney Young look in to the opportunity that we could have targeted restrictions in parking, meaning targeting a street or block. 2. Additional $712.67 ARPA LFRF received from unclaimed funds (informational only) 3. Discussion and possible action on hiring assistant code enforcement officer. President Bartholomew stated this will be addressed after executive session 4. Manager Stevens submitted reimbursement request for ARLE grant for $270,628.24 (informational only) 5. Replacement of roof at borough hall has been completed. (informational only) E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 4 1. Manager Stevens provided an update on lightning strike and insurance claim. Manager Stevens stated that everything has been filed with the insurance company, and they have all the information they need. 2. Digester lid removal specs. Manager Stevens has called ARRO and learned the gentleman that we worked with has just retired. However, Manager Stevens will be getting the name of another person who works on sewer treatment plants. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve quote from Allied Control Services, Inc. for pressure switch/gauge proposal at a cost of $5,680.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 3. Motion to approve employee release document. Councilor Reed stated this will be addressed after executive session. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Thomas Bartholomew 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 Kevin thanked Mayor Schoch for all the up-dates on the pool. He also thanked Code Enforcement Officer Tony Lopsonzski for taking care of the weeds and garbage at 220 Railroad Street EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed to executive session at 7:31 PM. At 9:05 PM President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of legal and personnel were discussed in executive session. F.3 Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by councilor Wechsler, to approve the employee release document. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed 5 Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Hausman, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew, declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6