BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 12/10/2018 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, December 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm., 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 pm following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Russell Hallman Chief Rachman Ron Hausman Ed Ziegler Jason Ruff Attorney Healy Larry Turoscy Jeff Hausman Robert Stettner Bryon Reed Mayor Niedermeyer Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn off their cell phones, iPhone, 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 Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff to accept the following minutes: Council Minutes, November 12, 2018, Committee Meetings - November 19, 2018, and November 26, 2018; Special Budget 2019 meeting - November 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. Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ed informed the council he had been cited for having 2 vehicles on his property, but he said he only had 1. Ed said the code enforcement officer did not have the correct property lines and was given 30 days to remove it. He also said there are 3 properties there, but one belonging to the Slatington Redevelopment Corporation and this is where the vehicle was parked and the other 2 belonging to Zeek Inc. Ed had issues with the flags not being at half-mast in certain locations. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENI, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRSENTATIONS Councilor Schnaars informed the council that the tree lighting ceremony went very well on Friday night, December 7, 2018. He said they was a very large attendance. Councilor Schnaars was unable to attend the Northern Lehigh Recreation candy cane hunt on Saturday night, but he understood there was a huge crowd. This is the 3rd year this has been done, and it seems to be growing each year. President Stevens commended Gene Chandler on the job he did on the Christmas tree and gazebo decorations. 1 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 Wechsler, 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 Police Chief David Rachman Chief Rachman informed the council they had run a "coffee with cops" event at the Main Street Diner on 12/1/18 from 10:00 am to 12 noon, which was very nice. He thanked Councilor Ruff for hosting it. On Saturday, 12/8/18, the police had participated in the Warm & Cozy event at the Trailhead. Sgt. Alercia was the representative and he provided, along with owner of Mama's Pizza on Main Street, several hundred of dollars of coats, gloves and scarves at their own expense. SLATINGTON REVITALIZATION PARTNERSHIP - None STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Acting Chairman Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Councilor Reed informed the council of the five-dollar registration fee request letter from the County of Lehigh Office Commissioners, dated 11/7/18. This fee would be to help fund the roads. Marc Grammes is also requesting further information on the liquid fuels budget. President Stevens will send Marc a copy of the 2019 liquid fuels budget. Councilor Ruff informed the council that many of the residents are against this fee, but many elsewhere in the Lehigh County are for the fee. This fee could help us with projects. The council's concern is how the money would be divided and whether the Borough of Slatington obtain any ofit. Larry Turoscy stated the borough needs someone from the county commissioner to help push hard for projects the borough would like to do from the $5.00 fee. Councilor Schnaars suggested a letter be composed by the committee to obtain more information on how the allocation would be made. This will be further discussed at the next Water/Sewer/Highway committee meeting on December 17, 2018. 2. Larry Turoscy mentioned the curbing that Ed Healy wanted to add to our street cut, SO we would have proper curbing specifications. Larry said PennDOTs curbing specs have been used on Main Street and said their curbing is solid, they already have the specs for it and for any type of curb we would use. This would only have to be adopted and not have any special specs made. This could be discussed at the next Water/Sewer/Highway committee meeting and possibly make a presentation at the January or February regular council meeting. B. Public Safety Councilor David Schnaars None C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 2 1. Thank you letter from the Slatington Public Library for the Borough's donation of $5,000.00 -= informational only 2. Councilor Ruff asked what the plans were for the December committee meetings. This will be discussed as new business. D. Finance Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-26-18, a resolution establishing the budget for 2019 for the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. President Stevens informed the council that Mike Kukitz had a $40,000 grant for Victory Park and the Borough had a $20,000 match. Mike informed President Stevens that he had received an extra $10,000 for the Borough with no match. This grant must be run through a municipality SO $30,000 had to be added to revenue and $30,000 to expenses. This does not change the final balance between revenue and expenses. Only half of the grant will be put in for 2019. Councilor Schnaars asked about the door openers at the fire house. He didn't see that in the budget. He feels it will be necessary to look closer into the fire house repairs. The council discussed and reviewed all the prior changes to the 2019 budget. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed 2. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-27-18, a resolution of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, establishing the fee for the garbage and refuse removal. This will reduce the garbage fees from the current $55.00 down to $50.00 a quarter per dwelling unit. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 3. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-28-18, a resolution of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing payments into the police pension fund by members for the year 2019. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3 4. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-29-18, a resolution of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, setting the salary for the chief of police for 2019 at $82,137.60. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 5. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve Resolution R-30-18, a resolution to appoint Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits auditor for FY 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 6. President Stevens informed the council that motion R-31-18 will be voted on after executive session. 7. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R-32-18 = establishing Borough fees and charges. President Stevens informed the council Duane Dellecker will review the Zoning fees and will review with the committee. Councilor Ruffinformed the council that CodeMaster was still listed in the fee schedule. Councilor Bartholomew withdrew his motion. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to accept Resolution R-32-18 - establishing Borough fees and charges, excluding CodeMaster Zoning and Code Enforcement Services. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 8. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Resolution R-33-18, a resolution appointing the Northeast Revenue Service to serve as the delinquent tax collector for the Borough of Slatington real estate tax 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4 9. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Ordinance 694, Ordinance of the Borough of Slatington, Commonwealth ofPennsylvania fixing the tax rate for real estate tax for the fiscal year 2019, fixing the per capita tax at $5.00, and reenacting the 1% wage tax, the Borough of Slatington local service tax at $52.00, 1% realty transfer tax under the local enabling act, and setting the fire fund tax rate. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 10. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve 2018 donations NOVA (Ambulance) - $9,300; Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool - $1,000. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 11. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the agreement with BCIU tax services 2019-2020. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 12. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion to approve and advertise 2019 meeting schedule. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler Councilor Wechsler stated the contractor said they hope to be bringing in equipment and start in February for the project. There is another timeline coming and he will keep the council informed as to where, when, and how the project will end up. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the request from Springside sportsmen Club Inc. to refurbish the Springside fish pond. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 5 Larry Turoscy asked the council when do we want to let the Shadow Oaks Lane project. The borough still has to check with the state on the logistics on the grant. Larry feels the specs and the documents can be ready by the end of February. Councilor Schnaars suggested that Larry start getting things ready as early as possible. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: President Stevens informed the council there was a committee meeting scheduled for December 26, 2018, by unanimous agreement the committee meeting will be cancelled. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to authorize Chief Rachman to order the Ford Interceptor for $34,800.00, which would involve 3-year payments of $12,517.00 each, which represents a 3.9% interest rate, for delivery no earlier than January 2019 SO everything may be charged to the 2019 budget. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew Councilor Ruff stated he had attended the Lehigh County Government meeting and representatives from the counties, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and from PennDOT were there. They are all requesting that we get any of our transportation and infrastructure on the long-range plan. Councilor Ruff said the application should be completed for the Main and Walnut Street project, as well as any other project we may think we might want to look at completing in the next 4 years. This will be discussed at the next committee meeting to see who will be completing and sending in the application. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S 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.) Bruce Kern - 308 Church Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Behind his house is a big hole and he is concerned someone will drive in it. Councilor Reed said there is a need for a new curb and he will address the situation. Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. At one time, the borough had received money to put new fronts on some buildings years ago and also put 24 parking spots. Unfortunately, the house went up for sheriff's sale. Ed is suggesting to the council that the borough should buy that property, tear it down and put additional parking spots there. 6 EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Stevens recessed to executive session at 8:34 pm. At 9:27 pm, President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel matters were discussed in executive session. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve Resolution R- 31-18, a resolution providing for the wages of certain employees of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County Commonwealth of] Pennsylvania. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew ADJOURNMENT Being no furthér business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adjourn the meeting. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 9:28 pm. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 7