BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 4/9/18 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, April 9, 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 Mayor Niedermeyer Tom Bartholomew Ed Ziegler Jason Ruff Chief Rachman Cindy Miller Robert Stettner Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Robert Herzog, Jr. Mel Gildner Russell Hallman Attorney Healy David Schnaars Joseph Wechsler President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn offt 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to accept the following minutes, with a correction, per Councilor Reed, to Council Minutes, March 12, 2018, page 3-' "He feels this would cover $5,000,000" should be $500,000": Committee Meetings March 19, 2018, and March 26, 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. Cindy Miller 4797 North Cypress Road, Walnutport - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Cindy introduced herself as a candidate for the 183rd District. She is a conservative Republican. She is running to improve the quality of life for the district. Her local government background consists of 15 years on the planning commission in Lehigh Township, 7 years on the board of directors. She has worked on the budget to make sure they maintained their tax base for the last 6 years. Cindy is also aware oft the local issues, i.e., MS4, transportation. Cindy thanked the council for their time. Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ed informed the council that borough has a big problem with grease. Ed had attended a meeting concerning the closing of the bridge. 1 Mel Gildner - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Mel expressed his concerns over the garbage company and how they throw the recyclables and trash into one truck without separating it. Mr. Gildner asked President Stevens if there were any violations at the Trailhead Building. President Stevens stated that there were no violations. Mr. Gildner claimed he had documents proving there were violations. President Stevens stated that Mr. Gildner should not make accusations without having all the facts. President Stevens then produced a copy oft the occupancy permit for the Trailhead building, which was issued by Lehigh Valley Inspection Service in 2012. In addition, he produced a letter dated March 21, 2018, from CodeMaster's lawyers rescinding the notice of violation. President Stevens stated that the Trailhead buildings are an asset to the community. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRSENTATIONS Councilor Schnaars informed the council that the DEMA host grant came through for the fire company and they have received their replacement hoses. 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/TRANSFER Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman, 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 Niederrmeyer informed the council that on Tuesday, April 3rd, he had attended a COGG meeting at America on Wheels. He thanked the borough crew for patching the hole at the bottom of Maple Spring. Police Chief David Rachman Chief Rachman had posted on FaceBook that he is still accepting applications for part-time police officers. Regarding the parking, which is on the agenda, Chief Rachman has asked anybody that has a suggestion for areas of concern to stop by his office. He had received a letter from a woman from Center and Chestnut on a blindside issue as an example. Chiefl Rachman has been responding to complaints about abandoned vehicles with expired inspections and registrations. The registrations can only be verified by the police. Ift the vehicles information has been expired, he is tagging them for 96 hours, after that it will be towed according to the ordinance. Over the last 3 weeks, 6 vehicles have been towéd or taken offt the street, and numerous parking tickets have been issued. The biggest problem area is the south end. SLATINGTON REVITALIZATION PARTNERSHIP STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to adopt Resolution R-14-18, a resolution of the borough Council of the Borough of Slatington authorizing the president of council to submit the application for traffic signal approval (ARLE) to the Pennsylvania Department o(Transportation and to sign this application on behalfof 2 the Borough of Slatington. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve Resolution R-15-18 revised, a resolution authorizing submission offederal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 community development block grant subgrant application to the County of Lehigh - East Church Street. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve Resolution R-16-18, a resolution authorizing submission of federal fiscal year (FFY) 2018 community development block grant subgrant application to the County of Lehigh - 4th Street. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor Councilor Reed said the small dump is in the process of being repaired with a new clutch. Larry Turoscy said there will be a meeting with the county and PennDOT concerning the intersection at the bridge. He is asking the council if they could send, in advance, a report of what is needed. B. Public Safety Councilor David Schnaars 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the Incident Report form, which would be completed within 24 hours oft the incident and filed with the office. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to advertise to amend Ordinance 175-17, Section C, to place "no parking signs" on various streets on the recommendations of Chief Rachman and to be prepared by the solicitor. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor Councilor Hallman stated there had been a pine tree on the Danny, which had been taken down, but there is a large section of it that is left that is leaning and is very dangerous. Council will ask Tony Lopsonzski to look at the situation. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hallman, to approve Rails to Trails Conservancy Bike Ride event along D&Trail request on June 11, 2018 per Robert Brown, Event Manager. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to allow Robert Stettner to purchase 2 dog waste stations: 1 for Victory Park and one for the Trailhead not to exceed $400. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: 3 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Russell Hallman Joseph Wechsler Jason Ruff Councilor Ruff informed the council that at the last committee meeting they were reviewing the resolution intergovernmental with the Northern Lehigh County multi-municipal comprehensive plan. He has learned that the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has changed some ofthe wording. Jason wants to review the changes before bring it to council. This is will be placed on the next committee meeting. D. Finance Councilor Russelll Hallman 1. Councilor Hallman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the Steckel and Stopp lease agreement. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Hallman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to authorize the president of council to enter into a 1-year lease with Turning Point for Suite 230 at a cost of $575.00 per month. President Stevens informed the council that Turning Point will be moving in on Monday, April 16, and pay for 1/2 a month of April. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. Councilor Hallman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve the URDC agreement. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to authorize President Stevens, in consultation with Ed Healy, to spend up to $1,000 to acquire files from Steckel & Stopp concerning borough business. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Russell Hallman Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize March 20, 2018, Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Steckel & Stopp November - $190.50; Steckel & Stopp - December - $412.37; PA DEP 2018 NPDES license fee-to be paid upon receipt of their invoice - $1,250.00; Tad Miller -March minutes - $125.00; Quill - 4 ink - $46.48; Ed Healy - Legal expenses - $148.75; Assistant treasurer's time and travel expenses from November 21, 2017 through March 20, 2018) - $494.65; total: $2,667.75 President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Russell Hallman Joseph Wechsler Jason Ruff F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. 2017 CCR Report informational only 3. Councilor Reed stated that the main roof on the filtration plant was completed. the only thing left is over at the rubber roof. Councilor Reed said he and Steve Martinez drove around the plant and found that there are a great deal of trees that blew over in the last wind storm. He asked council if there would be a possibility of locating someone who would need the wood and remove the trees that are detrimental to the plant. This will be discussed at a workshop. Larry Turoscy updated the DRBC Audit. The audit requires a 72 rating, the water plant received an 89. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: 1. Interviewed candidates for borough council and appointment of candidates. Ed Zeigler has been a long-time resident in the borough. Ed maintains an interest in the borough. He worked at Alpo for 28 years and became vice president of manufacturing at Alpo. Thomas Bartholomew retired to this community 2016. Thomas's prime business is real estate. He sees a great opportunity in the borough can offer, biking, etc. He would like to improve the appearance ofthe town and change the image of the borough. 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.) None 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Stevens recessed to executive session at 8:19 pm for personnel issues. At 9:03 p.m., President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and legal matters were discussed in executive session. 1. Utility Clerk - Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to authorize the interview committee to hire a qualified person, salary not to exceed the current salary, part-time to start. The Committee members being: President Stevens, Vice President Ruff, Councilor Hallman, and Councilor Schnaars. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. President Stevens asked both candidates if they were both 18 years of age, both registered to vote, and both resided in the borough for 1 year. Both candidates responded that they met each requirement. Solicitor Healy asked each councilor their vote for the vacancy: Thomas Bartholomew Ed Ziegler Councilor Hallman Councilor Wechsler Councilor Schnaars President Stevens Vice President Ruff Councilor Reed President Stevens informed Thomas that he must complete an affidavit of residency that must be signed and notarized and then needs to be sworn in by the mayor or magistrate. 3. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to approve Resolution R-17-18, a resolution filling the vacancy ofthe borough council, stating now therefore it be resolved by the Borough Council ofSlatington that Thomas S. Bartholomew is appointed in lawful assembly ofsaid borough to the existing vacancy, the appointment to be valid until the expiration ofthe term ofthe next municipal election. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Russell Hallman Joseph Wechsler Jason Ruff 4. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to move Councilor Hallman to the Highway Committee and Councilor Bartholomew to the Finance Committee. Councilor Hallman is the chairman for highway and Councilor Bartholomew. is the chairman for finance President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, 5 in favor, 1 abstention- Russell Hallman 6 ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adjourn the meeting. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 7