BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11/8/21 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 7:00 PM, in the Council Chamber, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Bryon Reed: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by Vice President Ruff at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Bryon Reed (via phone) Mayor Niedermeyer Jeffrey Hausman, Zachari Halkias Jason Ruff Dave Rachman Jeralyn Schoch, Robert Herzog Joseph Wechsler (via phone) Ed Healy Aaron Schoch, Shannon Boyer David Schnaars Dave Lear Drew Snowberger, Abel Boyer Thomas Bartholomew Daniel Stevens Austin Berger, Jason Nicholas Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Reed 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 MEETINGS - Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting October 11, 2021; Committee Meetings October 18, 2021, & October 25, 2021. Vice President Ruff 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. None PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Presentation by A. F. Boyer Hardware to Slatington Police Association- - Abel Boyer on behalf of A. F. Boyer. Abel informed the council of an event on August 28, 2021, Gen 5 Sales Event, where they celebrate the ownership passing over to Abel from his parents. A raffle was held and they raised $650.00 which they presented to the Slatington Police Association. Presentation by Magisterial District Judge Thomas C. Creighton from "The Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania = Magisterial District Judge Thomas Creighton was there on behalf of the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania to recognize Mayor Walter Niedermeyer for all his outstanding service and dedication to the community. 1 Vice President Ruff reminded everyone of the Electronic Recycling Event on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 12:00, at the Borough Maintenance Building. This event is for borough residents only. 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 Kratz, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer Mayor Niedermeyer informed the council that on December 3rd, 2020, there will be the annual tree lighting ceremony. Mayor Niedermeyer asked Manager Stevens how much money was left with the COVID 19 monies. Manager Stevens stated there is approximately $190,000.00 remaining. Mayor Niedermeyer stated that the water department needs a new truck and we need a new police car. Mayor Niedermeyer feels it is important to start replacing things now, instead ofhaving to raise taxes. Chief] Rachman Chief Rachman stated the Crown Victoria is 13 years old and has 120,000 miles on it. It will be going for service and inspection, but not sure what the bill will be. Chief Rachman stated the department has 2 active part-time officers; two of the four part-time officers are out at this time. Chief Rachman is actively seeking more people. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor David Schnaars 1. St. John's Church requesting loading zone. possible motion to authorize solicitor to advertise proposed Ordinance 707. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adopt Ordinance 708 with the following changes dropping Section 175-18.b, entire section, and altering the hours under Section 2, 175-18.h on single space north side of Kuntz Street closest to southwest corner Kuntz Street and Chestnut Alley southwest corner to 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM for restricted hours of loading, and eliminate Sunday parking. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Kevin Steckel Jason Ruff 2 Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adopt Resolution R-7-21 a resolution approving the application of Multimodal Grant from the PA Department of Transportation for the Borough of Slatington. Multimodal grant application has been submitted. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 3. Change order for 2021 Church Street traffic signal improvements quote from Main and Church traffic light (Lehigh Engineering). Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to accept Wyoming Electric & Signal, Inc. quote for the above ground cable and underground cable conduits which total - $2,012.00. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, that we accept the change order from Wyoming Electric and Signal, Inc. concerning the stormwater drains moving them to a new type M-frame tops at the price $15,164.68 minus the cost of parts and labor from the contractor, which they bid, but are no longer doing and that net price will come out of our COVID19 LFRF. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 3 The council discussed the water line break incident that occurred. Manager Stevens informed the council he is gathering information on the cost. The boil adversary was lifted today. Manager Stevens and Steve Martinez has been in contact with and are working with DEP. It was estimated that 37,000 gallons of water was lost. 4. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize payment to Bruce George Paving at $89,842.50 to pay off the remainder of the repairs on Church Street contingent on approval from engineers and Lehigh County. ($91,895.00 grant) Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 5. Councilor Schnaars asked Manager Stevens when will they being seeing the budget. Manager Stevens will be starting to work on the budget tomorrow. Manager Stevens stated there should be special budget meeting on Monday, November 29th that will give enough time to approve the final budget at the council meeting on December 13th, 2021. President Reed informed the council that the little dump truck has been advertised on Municibid today, and the voting date for the truck can be held on November 29th. (Informational only) B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve resignation of Police Officer Jason Rosenberg effective October 22, 2021, with regrets. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff Manager Stevens informed the council that the security system is installed at Victory Park for the amphitheater D. FinancePlamming/Zoming Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Treasury has extended the deadline for submission of the first Project and Expenditure Reports for COVID19 LFRF (Informational only) 2. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize solicitor to draft revision to the tenant registration ordinance. Vice President Ruff declared the motion failed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler 4 David Schnaars Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to send the tenant registration ordinance revisions back to committee for clarification and understanding. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote: 6 ayes; 1 nay. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to authorize holding a joint shredding event with State Representative Zach Mako for October 1st, 2022 at a cost to the borough of $300.00 (One-half of total cost of $600.00). Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve (2) 2020 draft reports from auditor on Sewage Treatment Costs 1 for Washington Township and 1 for borough of Walnutport. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Ronald Kratz 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 Bryon Reed 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 Ruff recessed to executive session at 7:55 PM. At 9:06 PM Vice President Ruff reconvened the meeting. Matters of legal, personnel and real estate matters were discussed in executive session. RECONVENED AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Council Kratz, to pay Manager Stevens an additional $530.00 towards paid time off for the year 2021, personal and 5 vacation days. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. Vice President Ruff declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Vice President Ruff declared the meeting adjourned at 9:09 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6