BOROUGH OF SLATINGION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 2/12/18 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, February 12, 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 Jared Kern Mayor Niedermeyer Carol Gildner Mel Gildner Jason Ruff Chief Rachman Ed Ziegler Robert Herzog, Jr. Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Robert Stettner Tina Brogan Russell Hallman Attorney Healy Jeffrey Hausman Jason Nicholas David Schnaars Alice Wanamaker Kris Burek Joseph Wechsler Mike Kukitz President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn off their cell phones, iphones, 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. President Stevens clarified an error in the Times News made stating that the realty transfer tax was going to 45%, but President Stevens made it clear that it is still at 1%. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to accept the following minutes, with exception to the SWH Minutes, Section Highway, Part 2. - strike Dowell Street; Reorganization Meeting Minutes - remove Joseph under Election ofVice-President: Reorganizational Meeting January 2, 2018; Council Meeting - January 8, 2018; Committee Meetings - January 15, 2018 & January 22, 2018; Special Budget Meeting January 22, 2018; Special Budget Meeting- January 29, 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. Kris Burek- Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Burek distributed documents what she considers very dangerous intersection at Long Alley and Fairmont Alley. There have been several near miss accidents coming off ofMain Street onto Fairmont Alley and coming onto Long Alley. She pointed out that Fairmont Alley is not wide enough for a 2-way street and is being used currently as a one-way street without any one-way signs posted. She is requesting that it be marked as a one- 1 way street coming offLong Alley going on to Main Street and that Zellner Alley be one way toward Long Alley. This is will be discussed at a Highway Committee meeting. Mel Gildner - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Mr. Gildner has found some discrepancies between the Council and Judith Danko's entitlement for payment for unused vacation days. President Stevens informed Mr. Gildner that legal and personnel issued are not discussed publicly. Mike Kukitz - NLRA - Mike has secured some funding for improvements at the Trailhead which he is hoping will start in March. He is working the Slatington Women's Club who has helped maintain the flowerbeds. Welcome to Slatington signage has been obtained. They are also working with the D&L to become the first official D&L Trail town. Ed Ziegler - After the snow storm up at the post officer there is a crosswalk for the handicap where the snow had been pushed up and never cleaned away. He found many places had not shoveled their walk after the snow storm, which should be done within 24 hours after a storm. He said that there were many properties that are for sale and asked who would be responsible for the shoveling. President Stevens told him that it is the responsibility of the property owner. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRSENTATIONS 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/TRANSEER Councilor Hallman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars 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 Mayor Niedermeyer requested on behalf ofthe PA One Call system is requesting a proclamation to designate the month of April as Pennsylvania 811 safe digging month. He has completed the proclamation and submitted it. RCN has agreed to a nation-wide upgrade of their distribution as a result the Borough of Slatington is now: a member of a very exclusive and a very limited number of municipalities that residents have access to 1 gigabyte internet speed. Police Chief David Rachman Chief Rachman has a new format for the monthly police reports to the council, but there will be a copy of the old format on hand. President Stevens suggested that this be reviewed at the committee meeting. SLATINGTON REVITALIZATION PARTNERSHIP Alice Wanamaker with the Slatington Revitalization Partnership. The Chamber has been hosting the greatemorhemlehighcom for a little over a year. Currently, there are links to their website, but the goal is to make it a community calendar. What she is looking for through the Slatington Revitalization Partnership is that all non-profit and even borough events are listed on that website. Any events that occur should be forwarded to her to place on the event calendar. The Partnership is looking forward to larger events in the spring and summer. Trail opening date is April 7th, 2018. They are hoping that on April 7th they receive their official designation ofTrail Town. They are. hoping to do the landscaping and have the welcome center opened. They would also like to have Diggidy Dog trailer moved from the 2 front of the trail head to the side, sO that people driving by to be able to see the beautiful building. On April 21st, they will be partnering with the Chamber, Slatington Revitalization Partnership, Slatington Recreation Authority, and Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority will be coming together for the borough wide clean up. It will start at 9:00 AM and meeting up at Charlotte Fay's and will go out to the different parts and clean up. On April 28th is the Chambers 25th anniversary Spirit Award. They will be recognizing Boyer's Hardware for 150 years of serving the Slatington community. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Jared Kern 1. Larry Turoscy will update the council on the Walnut Street Bridge - Main and Walnut Streets intersection improvements. (e-mail dated 1/30/2018) Larry was informed that the bridge design for the county is not as far off as they had thought. The limited work on the north side is not going all the way out to Main Street, it is at the end ofthe bridge, which is approximately 100 feet back from the intersection. He has talked to the county and asked what is the possibility of them going with the county to get bridge re-aligned slightly to line up with the north side approach which is off set by about 30 feet, from center line to center line. The county suggested, that ift the borough were interested they would attend the February meeting and present that project to be added to the PennDOT program projects of Lehigh County. Then the county would be able to do a bridge project and the re-alignment oft the bridge and the intersection over all as a PennDOT project. This way there would be money from PennDOT and county going into that bridge. Larry drew a rough design ofthe layout and stated that it would be a drastic move on the bridge on the north end to the east, and it would have to go through the structure to line up. This design would allow left turn lanes and a through right lane in all directions. Larry feels there is plenty of space to widen that intersection. Councilor Ruff asked if there is a possibility to obtain the same lamp posts that are on the Morgan Bridge for the Walnut Street bridge. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to authorize Larry Turoscy to proceed with the intersection plan. 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 Wechsler, to appoint Det. Timothy Wagner to serve on the Police Pension Committee. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Invitation from Zach Mako to attend a fireman/EMS roundtable on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at the Diamond Fire Company Social Hall in Walnutport. The doors will open at 6:30 PM and the program is slated to run from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Informational only Councilor Schnaars informed the council that police car 606, which is a 2014, is due for some major repairs. C.J uman/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve request from Northern Lehigh Education Foundation for "Running of the Dawgs 5K run/walk" on March 14, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3 2. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve coin toss for Slatington Veteran's Memorial Committee on May 12, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. 2018 PSAB Annual Conference & Exhibition, Hershey Lodge, June 10-13-, 2018 - informational only. Brochure is located in the office. 4. Councilor Ruff had received a letter from the American Legion Post 16: requesting permission the use ofl Main Street, from Second Street to the Union Cemetery for their annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will take place on Monday, May 28th. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman, to approve the American Legion Post 16 request for the use oftheir Memorial Day Parade pending PennDOT's approval. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 5. Councilor Ruff discussed the D&L Trail $1500.00 grant for the bike racks. He is seeking action from the council SO the bike racks can be ordered before the. April 7th open trail event. The bike racks would be placed a various location in Slatington. He informed the council that at this time iti is hard to assess as to how much the borough could spend, but it could be up to $1000.00. The D&L Trail would like just a commitment that somebody is going to be able to match this grant. The Venture Group is looking at matching it also. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman, to approve up to $1000.00 for bike racks to match the D&L grant to be ordered and chosen by the Human Committee Services, and also provide the borough crew to install the bike racks prior to April 7th. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Russell Hallman Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Councilor Ruff back in November or early December he volunteered to be the council's representative to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's committee that was setup for the Northern Lehigh area to revise the multi -municipal plan. It was completed back in 2002, 2003. It should be revised every 10 years., but it has been almost 15 years. Everyone on the committee is going back to their council just to make sure that they are participating in re-doing, because it will have an impact on the budget. As a group they have agreed to use the per-capita and it is based on 6 communities, but Walnutport and North Whitehall Township are not included. This should be planned for next years budget. D. Finance Councilor Russell Hallman 1. Councilor Hallman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adopt Resolution R-09-18 a resolution establishing and adopting the budget) for 2018j for the Borough ofSlatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: 4 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Russell Hallman Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars 2. Councilor Hallman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adopt Resolution R-08- 18 ai resolution ofthe Borough ofSlatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, establishing the fee for garbage and refuse removal. The fee for garbage and refuse collection disposal shall be $55.00 per dwelling unit, per quarter. President Stevens informed the council the change in the garbage fee is effective immediately. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Russell Hallman Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars 3. Councilor Hallman informed the council that the leases for Steckel & Stopp and Florists Insurance Company are under review, and hopefully, will be signed by the next meeting. 4. Councilor Hallman stated that Key Bank has implemented a reduction of the cost for the accounts. The bank is also suggesting the borough go paperless which would be a reduction of $500.00 per year. The bank also talked about the water and sewer accounts. The small amount ofinterest that the borough is getting paid for those 2 accounts, is minimal. The bank suggested that the borough take the interest away and use that towards more of a reduction in the cost. Don'ti make them an interest-bearing account, then that would go towards the fees the bank is charging now. Councilor Reed suggested the borough look into other banking facilities. This will be reviewed after the February statements are in. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Authority Bills none 2. Councilor Wechsler will update council on the sewer projects. Councilor Wechsler stated that the MS4 project is approximately 50% complete. The televising project, which was done for televising the sanitary sewer cross connections, this project is completed. The digester upgrade design specs are on schedule. The water quality, part 2, permit application was sent to DEP last week and thanks to Councilor Reed, he got the 5 months of billing straightened out with the DRBC. They are also working on a docket now for the renewal project that is due March 31st. 3. Councilor Wechsler up dated the council concerning the heater fire at the pump station. Hopefully, the insurance will be able to cover it. An insurance claim has been filed. 5 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 adopt Resolution R- 10-18 a resolution approving the application ofa PA, Small Water and Sewer Program grant from the Commonwealth. Financing Authorityfor the borough ofSlatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the amount of$498,956.98. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Russell Hallman David Schnaars Joseph Wechsler 3. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman, to make the borough's match for the PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant. 20%. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Russell Hallman David Schnaars Joseph Wechsler Councilor Reed informed the council that Steve Martinez had problems with the backwash ponds on Saturday. He had an electrician there to repair some of the wires underground and conduit that had shorted out. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS: President Stevens informed the council the website has been updated. President Stevens stated that the police life insurance information had not been straightened out. He has taken care of the all the neçessary paperwork to resolve this issue. The spring newsletter is almost completed. COUNCIL PRESIDENTS 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.) EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Stevens recessed to executive session at 8:23 pm for personnel issues. At 9:56 p.m., President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel were discussed in executive session. 6 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to authorize Council President Stevens to hire part-time utility clerk at $15.00-$15.50 per hour. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Russell Hallman David Schnaars Joseph Wechsler 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman to authorize president of council to impose discipline on employees where necessary and with the advice of legal council. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman, to adjourn the meeting. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 9:58PM. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 7