BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINOTES 5/13/24 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Walter Niedermeyer: Viçe President ofCouncil Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by Vice President Niedermeyer at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars-via phone Lisa Young Ron Hausman Walter Niedermeyer Jeralyn Schoch Kevin Borman Zachari Halkias Justin Gross Krystall Borman Ryan Mayberry Greg Winokur Eugene Mayberry Ronald Kratz-via phone Daniel Stevens Pinebrook Family Answers Kevin Steckel Robert Reph Aaron Schoch EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: Vice President Niedermeyer 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 Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to approve the minutes with the following corrections: Attorney Young pointed out on the Council Minutes of 4/8/24, page 4 A.3 correction in spelling for Lori, should be Laurie and April 15th, > under B.1.d. should be it after the word about; Council Meeting - April 8, 2024; Committee Meetings - April 15, 2024, and April 22, 2024. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Candace from Pinebrook Family Answers. Candace presented a program in Lehigh County called the Police Mental Health Liaison Program; they refer to it as the community intervention specialist program. The program started in 2017 with the Allentown Police Department and in 2019 it started to serve the Lehigh County jurisdictions. The main goal of the program is to assist individuals and families who have had frequent contact with law enforcement. When law enforcement comes into contact with these individuals, there can be a mental health component, as well as other social service-related issues. This could include housing, food, etc. The program allows police officer to contact them for assistance. The program is funded through Lehigh County. Councilor Kratz asked how flexible her schedule is with already having 3 departments. Candace stated that her schedule is flexible. Councilor Kratz asked how long does she work with a department. Candace stated it depends on how many calls she would receive. Mayor Schoch asked Candace what she would expect from their jurisdiction and department. Candace stated that each jurisdiction is different and some do allow a "ride-along" to get to know the officers. Councilor Kratz asked Chief Winokur if the other police officers would be open to this. Chief Winokur stated that they are and said this service is invaluable. 1 1 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. None PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS: Executive session was held on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 6:30 PM, discussed matters of legal and real estate APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer, Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch 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 stated that our thoughts and condolences go out to Justin for the loss of his father. In addition, condolences to Kyle Adams Weiss', > whose brother passed away last week. ChiefGreg Winokur Chief Winokur provided totals for April 2023 to April 2024: incidents: 2023 - 301, 2024 - 315; reports filed 2023 - 198, 2024 - 232; criminal arrests 2023 - 4, 2024 - 6; traffic citations 2023 - 22, 2024 - 20; parking tickets 2023 - 65, 2024 - 47, with a total of 315 calls. Notable incidents this last month: a couple of overdoses, one being fatal; several arrests made for different items, including assault; and in April the department had an investigation for a brush fire, which resulted in the victim being burned; the police were called out of the Borough on seven occasions - five to Assist PSP and two to assist Lehigh Township. Chief Winokur informed the Council that the Borough has joined the Lehigh County Chiefs Association and the Lehigh Valley Network in their Blue Envelope Project. This project is able to be picked up at local police stations, and assists drivers with Autism. Chief Winokur would like to find a place in the Borough's building to accommodate Candace and Pinebrook Family Answers for a more rapid response. Fire Chief] Robert Reph Fire Chief Reph stated the fire department responded to 19 calls for the month of April; April of 2023 they responded to 22; 90 calls year to date. Total man hours for April on fire calls are 66.7 manhours and approximately 500 manhours training. Some of the calls were: 2 automatic fire alarms, 1 pump detail, 3 dwelling fires, CO alarm, 2 traffic control calls, 3 EMS calls, 2 police department to assist calls, 2 stove calls, 1 fire standby, 1 brush fire, and 1 brush fire with exposure. Chief Reph stated that there was an automatic alarm at the Borough and no monitoring company was notified. The alarm was from one of our workers cutting something and creating smoke. 2 STANDING COMMITTEES B. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Discussion and possible action concerning creating an ordinance to prevent squatters from exercising any rights in the Borough of Slatington. Councilor Kratz suggested authorizing Attorney Young to look in to seeing if an ordinance could be done on a borough level that is not superseded by the state. Attorney Young stated there is currently a state law that addresses this. However, some of the difficulties in communities that have an act, is the enforcement. There are different statuses of individuals that may be unwanted in a structure and it ranges from trespassers to holdovers, which are individuals that may have rented. Attorney Young stated she could investigate it, but enforcement could be difficult due to underlying issues. Chief Winokur added that in squatter situations, the police cannot act, as it is a civil matter. They refer it to the court and the court make the determination. Once the court issues an order, then the sheriff can force that eviction. Attorney Young stated that an ordinance could be more restrictive, but it is in conjunction with state law, provide for additional restrictions and it does allow for, at least the immediate intervention of the local police. Manager Stevens conducted a pole as to whether Attorney Young should be authorized to do the research for this issue. It was decided that Council will not proceed forward on this issue 2. Discussion concerning code enforcement for fire alarms. Fire Chief Reph asked what the code enforcement officer looks for, i.e., smoke detectors, CO, safety, etc. Manager Stevens clarified his inspections are just for rentals, not residential or commercial buildings. Duane Dellecker does the commercial buildings. Chief Reph feels the Borough should be receiving the fire alarm inspection reports from the high rises. Councilor Mayberry would like this placed on the next committee meeting agenda. 3. Update on CDBG grant for air packs and cylinders. Manager Stevens received approval from Laurie Moyer on the wording, he had Attorney Young review it, and then he sent it back to Laurie. She was fine with the request for quotes. Manager Stevens then sent out a request for quotes to 4 different CoStars vendors. The requests are due May 23, 2024. A. Highway Councilor Walter Niedermeyer 1. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to reaffirm Resolution No. R-16-20, a resolution approving the contribution agreement with the PennDOT for the State Rte 873 and 4016 intersection realignment projects. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to approve temporary construction easement with PennDOT. Total amount being paid to Borough - $4,400.00. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch 3. Counçilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve Traffic Planning and Design (TPD) as inspectors for TASA grant project (100 steps). Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3 C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve reimbursement to Robert Stettner for Sal's Pizza - $104.90, Giant - $80.93 = total $185.83 for volunteers at trail cleanup. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch D. imancPamingZonng Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to approve map for Northern Lehigh Comp Plan Zoning initiative. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seçonded by Councilor Schoch to approve purchase of equipment to add digital capability to Council Chambers at maximum cost of $2,000.00 to be paid for with COVID19 LFRF funds. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch 3. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to approve hiring Transcend Finance to do financial work for the Borough. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to approve Exemption Report from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Roy Hawk - Deceased - 6 @ $5.50 = $33.00; Katrina Snyder - Deceased - 4 @ $5.50 = $22.00; Brenda Krupa - Deceased - 2 @ $5.50 - $11.00; Cory Lewers - $5.50; grand total $71.50. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Lachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch 4 5. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to rescind the previous motion of March 11, 2024, concerning overtime and hours for full time office employees. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 6. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to approve overtime for office employees up to 10 hours a week on an as needed basis. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Aaron Schoch F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None 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: Vice President Niedermeyer recessed to executive session at 8:02 PM. At 8:57 PM Vice President Niedermeyer reçonvened the meeting. Matters of personnel were discussed in executive session. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to amend the agenda to take action on hiring a casual seasonal employee. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Counçilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by President Schnaars, to hire Mark Jones as a casual seasonal employee at a rate of $20.00/hour. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, amend the agenda to take action on creating another full-time officer position. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to create another full-time position for the police department. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch 5 ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Vice President Niedermeyer declared the meeting adjourned at 9:03 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6