BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 8/14/17 The Regular Meeting Minutes ofCouncil was held on Monday, August 14, 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., following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Michael Brogan Tom Dinkelacker Carol Gildner Crystal Hausman Joseph Wechsler Chief Rachman Tina Brogan Susan Chandler Bryon Reed Tom Creighton Jeffrey Hausman Mel Gildner Darin Handwerk Harry Ahner Jon Rinker Jay Eisenhard Lance Sher Jason Ruff Alice Wanamaker Robert Stettner Judith Danko, Manager Daniel Stevens Mike Kukitz Jason Nicholas Ed Ziegler 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 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to accept the following minutes: Council Meeting, July 10, 2017; Workshop, July 25, 2017. 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. Dan Stevens - 560 Main Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Dan had attended the June council meeting and spoke concerning the employees that have left the borough and that he feels it was due to a hostile environment in the office. He asked the council why his comments had not been put in the minutes. He stated he felt that we violated the Sunshine Act section 706. Councilor Gildner commented that when Dan was on council, not all public comments were documented in the minutes. Manager Danko stated that we are trying to condense the minutes to action items and less of general discussion, which she believed was not a violation of the sunshine act. She said it was not intentional and will place the information in this edition of the minutes. Tom Creighton 6917 Whitetail Court, New Tripoli - Signed in and was recognized to speak. He thanked the council for all their service for Slatington. He is currently the Lehigh County Commissioner and they are currently working on the budget. The budget will be presented in September and, hopefully, there will be money from the executive for the recreation department. Also, he wanted to let the fire companies know that 1 Gary Day, state representative, will be having a training session with PPL on electric wires which will be held on September 7th, 2017, at Neff's fire company. Mike Kukitz NLRA - Signed in and was recognized to speak. The NLRA will provide an annual report including progress, accomplishments, challenges and audited financial statements. The plan for the Community Center Capital Campaign is complete, but will not be launched until a complete Feasibility Study and obtain current bid estimates to finish the construction. Mike was pleased to inform the council how well all the summer programs went. Report on NLRA information provided by Mike Kukitz via e-mail dated 7/24/17 in reference to Trail Town Case for support ofVisitor Center. Jason Nicholas - 6435 Mt. View Drive Signed in and was recognized to speak. Bike night is to be held on September 30th, but there is bridge work being done at Crackersport Bridge and traffic maybe heavy due to detours to Rt 873 at that time. He and Chief Rachman will be working together to organize a plan. The used engine that was purchased from George Clay fire department is currently at Buzzy's for painting to the department colors. Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. He reported 2 PPL lights are out - one near Steckel & Stopp's office and the one at N. Second Street. Chief Rachman requested the number on the poles and he would give them to John Bolton to call PPL. He congratulated the people for getting the fireman's statue refurbished. Ed questioned why there isn't more arrest news in the Times News from Slatington. Chief Rachman said he submits his media sheets for arrests, but does not have control over what the Times News prints. 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 PAYABLETRANSFER Councilor Ruff 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 Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Joseph Wechsler Melvin Gilder Bryon Reed Jon Rinker Jason Ruff MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer July 11th at 8:00 AM attended the Main Street Merchant meeting with Manager Danko July 19th attended, with Manager Danko, Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce picnic at the Walnutport Canal July 27th - attended, with Manager Danko, the Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce mixer at Domini's Pizza at Rt. 309, Orefield August 1st at 8:00 AM attended, with Manager Danko, Main Street Merchant meeting August 1st at 2:00 PM attended the D&L Trail meeting at the Slatington Trailhead with Manager Danko August 5th at 4:00 PM attended the placing oft the fireman's statue on its base 2 Police Chief David Rachman Chief Rachman informed the council there has been a rash of bicycle thefts. He emphasized the importance of locking up your valuables. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Manager Danko provided the manager's report to Council. Councilor Gildner asked Manager Danko what is happening with the late tenant registration forms. Manger Danko informed him she has Roxanne working on legal letters at this time. President Schnaars requested to have Alice Wanamaker from the Merchants group speak at this time. He also requested that we place the Business Merchants group on our agenda on an earlier slot. Alice thanked Manager Danko and the road crew for fixing the lights on the trees. The crew is starting to work on the 500 block with the lights. They will be putting lights up starting at the 100 block all the way up to the 600 block. Manager Danko thanked Eugene Chandler and Bob Herzog for a fine job on the lights and John Bolton as the leader. Alice is working with Mike Kukitz and said they are looking forward to having Slatington as one of the first designated trail towns. The next First Friday will be September Ist and will be A Back To School theme. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Michael Brogan 1. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Ringer, to approve invoice from Bruce George paving & Co. dated 7/26/17 in reference to E. Church St. CDBG Improvements project in the amount of $83,143.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. B. Public Safety Councilor Jon Rinker 1. Review Animal Ordinance information from Roxanne. A motion was Rinker, duly seconded by Councilor Gildner, to authorize Attorney Dinkelacker make the proper changes to Ordinance 60, Code and Zoning or to create new ordinances, to allow people to own potbelly pigs but to possibly have the animal registered. This to be reviewed at a workshop meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, 5 ayes, 1 nay Councilor Reed 2. Letter from EMC Insurance Co. dated 8/2/17 was provided to Council informing the Borough that, "they continue to gather price parts to determine initial repair costs for the 2004 Spartan Fire Truck." C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. A motion was made by Councilor Ruff, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve draft resolution #2017-12 (A Resolution of the Borough Council ofthe Borough of Slatington Designating the Borough. Manager as the Public Information Officer and establishing guidelines for the dissemination oft public information to the news media) President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: 3 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Melvin Gildner Jon Rinker Jason Ruff 2. A motion was made by Councilor Ruff, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, to approve request per Letter dated 8/2/17 from Jonathan DeFrain regarding the Northern Lehigh High School Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 6, 2017, requesting closing of streets provided in application. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. A motion was made by Councilor Ruff, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve request per Application dated 8/8/17 from Robert Reph regarding the Fire Co. Bike Night Fund Raiser on Saturday, September 30, 2017, along with requests in letter dated 7/9/17 & letter dated 9/1/17. Chief Rachman and Chief Nicholas are to work together in reference to roads being closed. President Schnaars declared the motion passed contingent upon PennDot approving the road closure -following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. D. Finance Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Authorize Manager Danko to Approve Exemption requests from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler to exempt John Bielanski in the amount of $5.50 from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc for delinquent Per Capita Tax, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve exemption requests. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler to exempt Lucille Shook in the amount of $5.50 from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc for delinquent Per Capita Tax, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve exemption requests. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler to exempt Karen Buss in the amount of $5.50 from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc for delinquent Per Capita Tax, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve exemption requests. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler to exempt Constance Hepner in the amount of$11.00 from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc for delinquent Per Capita Tax, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve exemption requests. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler to exempt Robert Ramsey in the amount of$ $21.00 from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc for delinquent Per Capita Tax, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve exemption requests. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4 2. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve Tax Collector Reta Stein to attend the 2017 OA State Tax Collectors convention and members' dues in the total amount of$582.98. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve ABC heating and cooling work to be completed and paid for by the Vigilante Fire Co. (no borough funds, no rent reductions). President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4. A motion was made by Councilor Reed, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve Alan Kunsman to replace rear rubber roof for the Vigilant Fire building at a cost of $5,400.00. It was mentioned by Councilor Reed there would be an extra cost for replacement oft the door after Manager Danko requested a price. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote; 5 ayes, 1 nay Councilor Gildner 5. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, to award Pipe Services Corp. for the bide for Storm Sewer Cleaning in the amount of $8,697.50. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 6. Discuss E-mail dated 8/03/17 from Attorney Dinkelacker in reference to South Street Water line. At this time, they are waiting for the bishop to return to sign the document. A motion was by Councilor Reed, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to waive sewer tapping fees should the church want to connect along with their 3 other requests on the e-mail. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Mel Gildner 1. A motion was made by Councilor Gildner, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to pay the August 1st meeting Slatington Borough Authority bills of: Steckel & Stopp - $2,733.70; DEP Operator Fee - $150.00; Joan Cheesbrough minutes - $187.50; Ink cartridges - $75.98; Times News $56.60; CRY LLP - $6,000.00; total $9,203.78. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. 2016 Annual Municipal Waste Load Management Report was accepted by PA DEP and the Borough is in conformance with the Chapter 94 report, letter dated 8/2/17, informational only. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption. 2. A motion was made by Councilor Reed, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff to approve new water meter and labor costs: new meter cost: Whatever the Cost of meter is at the time (approximately $145.00 currently) plus cost of labor $100.00 for installation. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, 5 ayes, 1 nay Councilor Gildner 5 3. Councilor Gildner asked when new meters would be installed. This will be placed on a future workshop agenda possibly next year. 4. Councilor Reed stated that the filtration plant is averaging 385,000 gallons a day, which is normal. 10. MAIN STREET MERCHANTS GROUP: 1. Alice Wanamaker gave her presentation at the beginning of meeting. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP - Communication ofs significant deficiencies and material weaknesses years 2012 through current- information was provided to Council for review. Manager Danko stated that at this time, we have all the monies due to all the pension except for the lost earnings. In about 2 weeks that should be rectified for non- uniform pension plans. All the accounts are up-to-date to (August) in reference to reconciliations, except the general fund, which is being worked on currently. Once this is completed work will be done on the transfers (due to accounts and due from) Councilor Wechsler commended Manager Danko for her hard work in rectifying all of these issues, other Council members agreed that a good job was being done in the Borough office. 12. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Manager Danko 1. Shannon Callouri's Activity Report-Zoning and Code Enforcement was provided to Council for review, informational only. 2. Letter dated 7/19/17 from County ofLehigh informing the Borough that they were not selected for the 2017 CDBG grant funding in reference to the West Washington Street reconstruction project. 13. COUNCIL PRESIDENTS REPORT: David R. Schnaars 1. August 2017 calendar was provided to everyone to show the dates of the Council meeting and workshop meeting dates. August Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at 6:30 PM. 14. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) 15. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None 16. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Wechsler made the motion to adjourn the meeting, President Schnaar declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM. 6 hdika. Dask Judith A. Danko, Borough Manager/ Borough Secretary-Treasurer 7