BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON The Finance Planning/Zoning, Public Safety and Human/Community Services Committee Workshop Meetings were held on February 19, 2024, in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 6:30 PM with the following in attendance: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Greg Winokur Robert Reph, Zoe Moyer Ryan Mayberry Jeralyn Schoch Kevin Borman, Steven Ehritz Ronald Kratz Lisa Young Krystall Borman, Dylan McDevitt Zachari Halkias Daniel Stevens Ron Hausman, Jeff Hausman PUBLIC COMMENT: Dylan McDevitt - 350 Main Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Committee agreed to allow Dylan to speak for 5 minutes. Dylan wanted to publicly apologize for a social media post he published over the past week. This violated the Borough's social media policy. Dylan is defending his honor after claiming he was being verbally attacked, slandered, and having his fire department membership stripped from him. As ofl March of 2019, Dylan had put in his application to the Slatington Fire Department. After having a recommendation from Chief David Nelson and the Whitehall Bureau of Fire, Jason Nicholas, as well as the other chief officers and members, they had voted to bring him on the fire department. Between 2019 and this date, Dylan has responded to a total of 568 incidents for the Borough of Slatington, has attended roughly 150 hrs. training, not including various classes, and has a total of 650 volunteer man hours with the Borough of Slatington Volunteer Fire Department. Dylan has obtained several certifications, and has mentored new members. Dylan submitted his resignation after not receiving his position of captain. Dylan provided documentation that he does not have a criminal record. Despite this, Dylan would like to come back to the fire department. Zoe Moyer - 426 W. South Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Zoe defended Dylan McDevitt for all the good work he has done for the fire department. Jeffrey Hausman - 46 So. Walnut Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jeffrey clarified that it was not the incident from 4-years ago concerning Dylan, but was the multiple social media incidents that keep occurring, which prevented him from being a line officer Steve Ehritz 4187 Wood Drive, Walnutport. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Steve feels that due to the Borough Council executive session, Dylan was forced to resign. President Schnaars clarified that the council failed to confirm his appointment as captain and that was done publicly. Dylan's name was not mentioned in the public motion to appoint the fire company line officers. The committee agreed to change the agenda format. (committee order) B. PUBLICSAFETY 1 I Ronald Kratz - Chairman; Members: Ryan Mayberry, Zachari Halkias a. Committee Member discussion on listed topics. b. Update on fire company morale and reçent discissions regarding membership. Fire Chief Reph informed the committee that they have lost two members: one due to resignation and one removal due to lack of commitment. Chief Reph stated that they have received their new air packs and have put them into serviçe, Their 3 main trucks are fully stocked with air packs Police Chief Winokur informed the committee that he and Mayor Schoch attended the Honoring Our Super Hero's at St. John's UCC on Sunday. Chief Winokur stated that the Lehigh County Chiefs Association will be giving the next consortium test for police officers on March 23rd, 2024, at 8:00 AM. This is being advertised on the Chiefs of Police website. The department is in the process ofhiring Mr. Bernhardt as a part time police officer and is waiting for his test results. As long as this information comes back with no issues, he will be onboard by the end of the month. Chief Winokur stated that the department receives a lot of Right-To-Knows requests. He is requesting that the department charge for these. Chief Winokur has reached out to other police departments to see what they are charging. Attorney Young stated that we would need to amend the fee schedule by resolution. Attorney Young, Chief Winokur and Manager Stevens will coordinate this. There were no questions from the committee members; the Public Safety Committee meeting was adjourned. C. HUMAN/COMMUNITY SERVICES Zachari Halkias - Chairman; Members: Ryan Mayberry, Ronald Kratz 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics: a. The committee reviewed the request from the NLRA for use of space/site and approval to serve alcohol at Wednesday UnWine'd, Victory Park Concert series, Day in the Park and Shakespeare in the Park in 2024. The committee agreed to place this on the next regular agenda. b, The committee reviewed the request application for the use of facilities from Caring Hearts for their 2nd Annual Rock the Park & Food Truck Festival on September 14, 2024, 12 Noon to 9:00 PM; rain date September 15th. COI required. The committee agreed to place this on the next regular agenda. The committee reviewed the request from Caring Hearts for their gth Annual Project Warm & Cozy, Saturday December 7h, rain date December gth and 2nd Annual Community Christmas Tree's at Victory Park = runs through mid-January - COI required. The committee agreed to place this on the next regular agenda. C. The committee reviewed the request from Springside Sportsmen Club Inc. to hold Annual Kid's Fishing Contest on May 4, 2024, back-up date of Sunday May 5, 2024. The committee agreed to place this on the next regular agenda. d. Presentation - Pocono Wildlife Rehab Center. Did not attend. There were no questions from the committee members; the Human/Community Services Committee meeting was adjourned. A. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING 2 Ryan Mayberry- Chairman; Members: Ronald Kratz, Zachari Halkias Committee Member discussion on listed topics: a. The committee discussed the feasibility of potential financial director and alternative of hiring part time position. A report was reviewed with financial information, job descriptions, and çost estimates for part-time and full-time office staff. Borough Manager provided job postings for finance director from various municipalities. Councilor Kratz stated that this employee could also possibly be used in the police department. The committee agreed to place this on the next committee agenda. President Schnaars suggested going to a temp agency for someone with Account Mate experience. This will be placed on the next regular meeting agenda. b. Discussion on feasibility of hiring additional borough personnel There were no questions from the committee members; the Finance Committee Meeting was adjourned. D. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None E. COURTESY TO THE FLOOR: None Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to adjourn. Being no further business, President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 3