BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 9/13/21 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, September 13, 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 President Reed at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Bryon Reed Mayor Niedermeyer Jeffrey Hausman, Crystal Hausman Jason Ruff Dave Rachman Jeralyn Schoch, Amanda Maehrer Joseph Wechsler Ed Healy Aaron Schoch, Austin Berger David Schnaars Justin Gross Robert Stettner, Zachari Halkias Thomas Bartholomew Daniel Stevens Paul Steckel 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 Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting August 9, 2021; Committee Meetings - August 16, 2021 & August 23, 2021. President Reed 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. Jeralyn Schoch = 301 E. Church St. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jeralyn Schoch had reached out to the landlord from next door. He informed Jeralyn that he was given verbal occupancy permits, with the stipulation the apartments would be cleaned up in 30 days and up to code in May. President Reed stated there is no such thing as a verbal occupancy permit. Manager Stevens informed Jeralyn that the property did pass both code and zoning inspections, and Tony stated that he had issued certificates of occupancy, Amanda Maehrer - 112 E. Church St. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Amanda Maehrer has lived in Slatington all her life. Amanda stated that building and zoning is a huge issue in the borough and that the quality of life on Church Street and Dowell Street has dropped. Amanda cited there is garbage, multiple police calls, drug issues, etc. Paul Steckel - Scout House Rd., Washington Township Signed in and was recognized to speak. Paul Steckel is asking on behalf St. Johns UCC when they might expect to have their unloading zone restored. This loading zone had been taken away when work was being done for the park and the borough turned it into parking. They would like to have 2 spaces used for their unloading zone. Councilor Schnaars requested a letter from the church for the Highway Committee requesting the unloading zone. President 1 Reed inquired if the church could just take 1 spot, because the parking benefits the entire area and the unloading zone is only used on occasion. Zachari Halkias - 235 Fifth St. Zachari Halkias inquired as to when the Halloween Parade is set for. The council stated it will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2021 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS President Reed read a letter from letter from Lindsay Taylor from the NLRA thanking the borough council for their support in helping to make the recent dedication of the Angelo. Scarselletti Amphitheater and Northern Lehigh Food Truck Festival a great success. 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 Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Reed 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 None Chief Rachman Chief Rachman, Det. Wagner, and Officer D'Andrea attended the 911 ceremony on Saturday that was sponsored by the Slatington Legion. He stated that it was very nicely done. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor David Schnaars 1. Justin Gross provided an update on Church Street CDBG and Main and Church traffic light (Lehigh Engineering). Justin stated they are waiting on an official start date on the traffic signal and then they will hold a pre-construction meeting. 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve selling the old zero-turn mower on Municibid. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to confirm purchase of new zero-turn mower from Whitehall Turf Equipment for $8,779.40 and purchase of Toro push mower from Whitehall Turf for $499.00 to be paid for with COVID19 LFRF. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: 2 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 4. Councilor Schnaars requested the discussion of budget preparation to be tabled to unfinished business. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Councilor Steckel reviewed the potential projects for COVID19 LFRF. Manager Stevens informed him that all the stumps have been removed, we have received the 2 mowers, and there are items on the agenda for tonight that will be voted on for these funds. Mayor Niedermeyer would like to see security cameras up at the amphitheater and a police car on the list. Manager Stevens informed him that they are on the list. Austin Berger provided a report on the voluntary evacuation of 7th Village during the hurricane. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. The council reviewed the letter from The Giant Company regarding The Healing the Planet grant application - Victory Park Playground Renovation Project. Manager Stevens stated that only 9 grants were awarded out of 230 applications, and the borough did not receive one. 2. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the purchase of 2 directional signs for the Covered Bridge. Councilor Ruff amended his motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to approve the purchase of2 directional signs for the Covered Bridge, not to exceed $300.00. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from Tiffany Rehrig-Shaeffer e-mail dated 8/13/21, for permission to hold the annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 30, 2021 Councilor Ruff amended his motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from Tiffany Rehrig-Shaeffer e-mail dated 8/13/21, for permission to hold the annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 30, 2021, rain date of Sunday October 31, 2021. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve quote from Bruce George Paving & Excavating, Inc. for removal and replacement of Slate Heritage Trail damaged from floods for $6,350.00 to be paid for with COVID19 LFRF. President Reed 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 3 Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 5. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve application for use of facilities for Northern Lehigh School District for the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 15, 2021. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 6. Slatington Lioness Club will hold a trail cleanup on Saturday, September 18, 2021. (informational only) D. FimancePlamming/oming Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to instruct Manager Stevens to appropriate $10,000.00 in the preliminary 2022 budget required for re-codification of the ordinances. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize the solicitor to make changes and advertise noise ordinance Chapter 122 (relating to noise). President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize Manager Stevens to budget in the preliminary 2022 budget for hiring a part-time assistant code enforcement officer 19 hrs/wk at $15.00/hr. Potential hours to be Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-06-21, with attached Exhibit A, authorizing destruction of certain listed documents. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve quote from Bruce George Paving & Excavating, Inc. for Chestnut Street sewer trench repairs for $14,367.25 to be paid for with COVID19 LFRF. President Reed 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. Mark Harman ARRO Consulting, Inc., regarding the follow-up to PaDEP MS4 audit (informational only) 3. Councilor Wechsler read the update on the Slatington Borough Stormwater (MS4). 4. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve (2) 2019 draft reports from auditor on Sewage Treatment Costs - 1 for Washington Township and 1 for the 4 Borough of Walnutport. President Reed 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. The sewer plant had a DEP inspection and no violations were found. (informational only) 6. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: June 14, 2021, Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Ed Healy - $932.80; Tad Miller - $125.00; Brown & Brown of the Lehigh Valley David Frederick's Bond Renewal - $$250.00; petty cash - $53.88; total $1,361.68. Councilor Wechsler amended his motion duly, seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to transfer funds to the Authority of $861.68. President Reed 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 7. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to pay Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period of. June 14, 2021 through September 13, 2021 12.5 hrs. @ $25.00/hr. = $312.50; travel time 111 miles @ $.56 = $62.16. President Reed 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 F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve quote from Emergency Systems Service Company for generator maintenance for $1,707.46. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed 5 Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Councilor Schnaars has been concerned about not receiving the preliminary budget until November. He feels this does not give the council time to go through things. Councilor Schnaars would like to get the preliminary budget in October. One item he mentioned was adding another employee to the borough crew. 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: President Reed recessed the meeting to executive session at 8:15 PM. At 8:35 PM President Reed reconvened the meeting. Matters of real estate were discussed in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to adjourn the meeting. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Reed declared the meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6