BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, April 10, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: David Schnaars: President of Council Recording Secretary: Bryon Reed, President Pro Tem The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 7:00 P.M. with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Mayor Niedermeyer Ron Sheffler Carol Gildner Joseph Wechsler Larry Turoscy Scott Soder Karen Schmoyer Bryon Reed Tom Dinkelacker Clarence Schmoyer Jeffrey Hausman Jon Rinker Chief] Rachman Susan Chandler Tina Brogan Michael Brogan Elizabeth Miller Robert Stettner Alice Wanamaker Mel Gildner Robert Herzog, Jr. Jason Ruff Judith Danko, Manager Evan Hess Ed Ziegler Kevin Clause & Brit-Ch 13 President Schnaars 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 at this time. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS = Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Gildner, to accept the following minutes: Special Council Meeting, March 2, 2017; Council Meeting, March 13, 2017; Special Council Meeting/Workshop, March 28, 2017. President Schnaars noted corrections needed for March 13, 2017 meeting minutes. Corrections: Page 3 - The Borough office will be closed on Tuesday, 3/14/17, due to snow blizzard; and page 5, section 2. - This will be going out for bid President Schnaars 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. Carol Gildner - 528 Pine Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. In 2014 Borough Manager Deppe stated that the police pension is in stress level 2. Ms. Gildner said that at the end of 2016 the pension was approx. $1.6m and last month (March) it is at approx. $1.7m. She is asked if we are out of the stress level. Borough Manager Danko will be working with the auditors at the end of April. At this time, she will obtain answers for the police pension fund and other issues. President Schnaars stated that we need answers from the auditors for the police pension fund. Scott Soder - Rapid Response. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Mr. Soder had submitted an invoice on 10/28/16 for work done in reference to a cooking grease spill clean-up at the China Inn restaurant on Main St. 1 Ex-president Jones signed a work authorization that the Borough would pay the bill of $9,202.80. To date, the bill has not been paid. Borough Manager Danko requested the invoice be sent to her and she will investigate. Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Mr. Ziegler said there is now a ribbon on a light pole that needs repair on Main Street and hopefully, PPL will fix. Jason Ruff- 662 Main Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Mr. Ruffis speaking on behalf of the Main Street Merchants Group. On Wednesday, April Sth, > 2017 the Trail Town sub-committee hosted Brian Green from the D&L Trail, with a few Walnutport Canal committee members, they have created a partnership with him with the goal of creating events and bringing trail users off the trail and into our communities. On Friday, April 7th, they partnershiped with the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber ofCommerce and hosted their biggest "First Friday" to date. They have decided to increase the number of events. Jason thanked the council and police for their support in these events. Their next "First Friday" event will be May 5th and their Cruise into Summer" event is scheduled for Friday, June Sth They continue to ask for the foot patrol and if any member of council or resident knows of business owners, managers or employees who wish to get involved to let them know. Alice Wanamaker - Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Signed in and was recognized to speak. The LVCC, Main Street Merchants, and the NLRA, will be hosting a clean-up day on April 22, from 9 AM to 12 noon. Bags, gloves, etc. will be supplied for volunteers. Pizza will be supplied by Steckel & Stopp and there will be hot dogs at Charlotte Faye's for the volunteers afterwards. REPORTS The reports of various committees, officials and officers are on file in Borough Hall and are available for public inspection. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Brogan made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS President Schnaars commended the fire department, police and Officer Dorward for a great job at the fire on So. Walnut Street on Friday, April 7th, Mayor, Council and Manager reiterated the same. Mayor Niedermeyer attended Meals on Wheels at the Assumption Church in Allentown. If a person is interested inj joining Meals on Wheels, please contact Mrs. Bechtel. The Mayor and Borough Manager Danko attended the COG meeting where latex paint recycling was discussed. PA First Responders are not obtaining as many volunteers. The Mayor attended the Northern Lehigh Valley Chamber at Susie's on Friday, April 7th, where Attorney T. Dinkelacker spoke about the rules and regulations in reference to medical marijuana. Chief Rachman informed the Council oft the law suit (Arndt) from last year, that the Borough had won the case. Chief Rachman apologized to Jason Ruff for the mix up on Friday for not having an officer show up. Chief Rachman stated that the walking program (police) will start after school lets out. Councilor Rinker asked Chief Rachman ift there has been an increase in car break-ins. Chief Rachman said that cars are being left unlock and easier to "break in". Due to this, yes, there has been more break ins. 2 Councilor Brogan stated the speed solar signs are having a great impact. At this time, the Council interviewed the candidates individually for the council vacancy seat. 1. Clarence Schmoyer 2. Jess Ottman 3. Ed Ziegler 4. Jason Ruff EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Schnaars recessed to executive session at 7:45 PM to discuss candidates. At 7:53 PM, President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Councilor Wechsler nominated Jason Ruff, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker. Councilor Gildner nominated Jessie Ottman, not seconded. President Schnaars declared the nomination for Jason Ruff passed following a Voice Vote: 5 ayes, 1 nay-Mel Gildner Mayor Niedermeyer swore in Jason Ruff. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway 1. Extension of time to award the bid for the 2016 CDBG Project rescheduled for approval at the May gth, 2017 Council Meeting, e-mail dated 4/7/17. Per Larry Turoscy; the information from the bid packages were incomplete and are needed to be rectified and then returned to the County for approval. B. Public Safety Councilor Jon Rinker 1. Letter dated 4/4/17 from Mr. Stettner informing Council of renovations that the Fire Co. will be doing to the Vigilant Fire Company building this spring. Councilor Rinker thanked the Vigilant for their fine work. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Michael Brogan 1. A motion was made by Councilor Brogan, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to accept Russell Hallman's resignation as Animal Control Officer and the Police Pension Committee. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Discuss e-mail dated 4/4/17 in reference to Northern Lehigh High School fundraiser and application procedures. Council has agreed to authorize Borough Manager Danko to approve events at the Borough facilities, but Council will still need to approve events that are held on the streets. 3. Annual Community Yard Sale will take place on the weekend of May 20th, 2017, advertisement will be placed in the Times News and a courtesy Robo Call will take place. 3 Councilor Gildner said there is an area of land across the street from the stain glass store that is in terrible condition. The store owner had, at one time, offered to make it look better with flowers. Councilor Rinker was concerned about the trees that are currently there and were planted in memory of Russ's mother, he wants to make sure that they are not damaged with any of the new ideas and possible changes. Councilor Reed will bring the plans at the next workshop meeting for review. This issue is to be tabled to the Committee agenda, 4/25/17 Councilor Gildner brought up yard sale permits again. Councilor Rinker feels the price for a yard sale of$10.00 is too high. This to be tabled to the Committee agenda, 4/25/17 D. Finance Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1 A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker to adopt Resolution R-09-17- Authorizatizing submission ofFederal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2017 community development block grant subgrant application to the County of Lehigh. (Fourth Street) President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, adopt Resolution R-10-17 - Authorizatizing submission of Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2017 community development block grant subgrant application to the County Lehigh. (West Washington Street) President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. Slatington Fire Company requested their Main Entrance Man Door to be replaced along with the Installation of new "A" roof over new door, estimated cost $2,739.44. Councilor Wechsler requested this to be tabled till the auditor's report and finances of the borough are reviewed. This will be on a future Committee agenda. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Mel Gildner 1. Authority Bills - none at this time 2. A motion was made by Councilor Gildner, duly seconded by Councilor Brogan to authorize execution of the, "PA Small Water and Sewer Program grant agreement in the amount of $395,185.00 in reference to Sewer upgrade of conversion to aerobic digester. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor Councilor Gildner thanked ARRO Consulting, Borough Manager Danko, Duane Szczesny, the Council and anyone else that was involved in obtaining the sewer grant. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement- Water was tested and found to be safe for human consumption. 2. In April, the Borough of Slatington will begin its annual spring hydrant-flushing program. 3. South St. water line project plans are completed. There is an issue as to where to put the line due to the unknown ownership of certain areas at the Catholic church property. 4 Attorney Anewalt will be working with Larry Turoscy to find out if an easement is required. 4. Councilor Gildner would like to start to review and investigate obtaining information in reference to water rates and billing changes, etc. Borough Manager Danko will table to Committee agenda for 4/25/17. 5. Larry Turoscy has requested the Borough adopt specs for Trench Restoration, Water and Sanitary Sewer specifieationslatandards: Borough Manager Danko will obtain information from Larry T. and will place this information on a future Committee agenda. G. Special Committee Reports UNFINISHED BUSINESS - 1. Rentschler property 216 Center Street Public Improvements Inspection Release of Securities-Letter from. Lehigh Engineering dated 1/11/17, awaiting Lehigh Engineering follow up per. Attorney Dinkelacker' s e-mail correspondence dated 1/26/17. Borough Manager Judith Danko is waiting for more information. Borough Manager Danko requested a conference call or meeting with Larry Turoscy and Attorney Dinkelacker. Informational items: President Schnaars appointed Councilor Brogan to the Highway Committee and Jason Ruffto the Human/Community Services. NEW BUSINESS - EXECUTIVE SESSION - none COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (for agenda items only) Being no further business, President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 8:34 PM. Judith A. Danko, Borough Secretary-Treasurer 5