BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON The Finance Planning/Zoning, Public Safety and Human/Community Services Committee Workshop Meetings were held on June 25, 2018 in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. The meeting was called to order by President Stevens at 6:30 PM with the following in attendance: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Joe Wechsler Ed Ziegler Jason Ruff Robert Stettner Thomas Bartholomew Carter Atkins - Wells Fargo David Schnaars PUBLIC COMMENT: Robert Stettner - 43 So. Walnut Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Robert attended the meeting on behalf of the Northern Lehigh Future Focus, regarding the Welcome to Slatington sign across from the Trailhead. NLFF had helped secure funds years ago to obtaining a welcome sign and flower boxes installed at the Trailhead, with the intention of illuminating it at night. Robert has already secured 3/4's of the funding from the Slatington Rotary and Slatington Lions Club. It is a $2,000 project all. Unfortunately, PPL no longer provides some oft the work for free. NLFF must purchase a pole which would be on county property. Robert is requesting council's permission for the pole and help from the borough crew to assist in constructing a meter base out of wood, and installation for PPL to place a meter. Councilor Schnaars requested this to be placed on the regular council agenda for approval. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING Thomas Bartholomew = Chairman; Members: David Schnaars, Jason Ruff 1. Carter Atkins from Wells Fargo gave a presentation. Carter informed the committee of accounts that have been dormant. He is requesting instructions from the council as to our intent going forward. There are 2 different money market funds water and sewer. Councilor Schnaars informed Carter that some of the money in the sewer fund will be needed. The committee asked Carter for the different interest rates for CD's and money markets at this time. Councilor Schnaars suggested the Water, Sewer and Finance chairmen meet to come up with a plan. 2. Councilor Bartholomew discussed the possibility of a new owner/new tenant inspection process, i.e. cost, time limitation, etc. Councilor Bartholomew presented items for changes. Councilor Bartholomew gave an example of a change that is being done now. Chief Rachman will be giving Tony Lopsonzski a list of the names and address, weekly, of every rental that the police are called to. Tony will check the list to see who isn't registered with the borough and if that unit is legally inspected and authorized to have tenants. Councilor Ruff feels the current system really penalizes the landlords. He feels the system should work for the tenants and the landlords. Councilor Bartholomew suggested to reduce the initial inspection fee to $35.00, but subsequent fees for change of tenants, or re-inspections, will only be $15.00 up to 12 months. Councilor Schnaars stated the reason for the re-inspection fee was SO the landlord could select better tenants. The purpose of the inspections is to make sure the apartment/house is in livable condition. Councilor Ruff was informed of an inspection program that would initially do all the landlords, then rotate over a course of3 years. At this time, some properties have not been inspected 1 due to the current system for the tenants who have been renting for years. The committee all agreed the current price of $60.00 for an inspection is too high., but Councilor Ruff feels that landlords would be willing to get the repairs done with a high cost for the inspection. It was suggested to do a "hybrid" system that would combine both an inspection from a moving permit and require inspections every 3 years. Some landlords pay the inspection fee, but do not make an appointment. Councilor Bartholomew proposed a 90-day time limit be placed on the inspection once it has been paid. He feels that after 90-days, the code enforcement officer could cite the landlord. However, this would not work if the property is empty. The committee agreed to look at creating a new ordinance. Councilor Bartholomew researched other towns and boroughs to find out what their inspection fees are. Tony Lopsonzski will attend the next committee meeting. The cost of the inspection fee will be placed on the next regular council meeting. There were no questions from the committee members; the Finance Committee Meeting was adjourned. PUBLIC SAFETY David Schnaars-Chairman; Members: Thomas Bartholomew, Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Schnaars presented a quote from ECCO Communications, LLC, to repair the south side siren. The board had been hit by lighting and damaged. ECCO recommends replacing the board at a cost of $600 more. Either way, it will cost approximately $1,900 or $2,500 with the replacement. The committee will obtain more information to see ifthis siren is really needed. 2. Councilor Schnaars presented a quote from Walnut Door Company for replacement for the door opener at the fire station. Presently, the opener is working. Councilor Schnaars recommended this be placed for next year's budget. President Stevens informed the committee that one of the police vehicles is at Buzzy's due to a person throwing a cement block threw the window. The chief's vehicle has to go to Lehighton for service. There were no questions from the committee members; the Public Safety Committee Meeting was adjourned. HUMAN/COMMUNITY SERVICES Jason Ruff - Chairman; Members: David Schnaars, Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Ruff had received a call from Rob, a realtor, who is trying to sell 670 Main Street, the Homeslate bar. The liquor license is being sold. There is some confusion on the zoning issues. Councilor Ruff is questioning if our zoning officer is making the right judgment or not. Councilor Schnaars said what is covered by state laws, and not by the borough, are. all done by interpretation. President Stevens received information from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. At a previous council meeting it was passed to do a comprehensive plan. The motion was that it was contingent on paying it over 2 years. President Stevens had asked Councilor Ruff to obtain it in writing for the payment over 2 years, which he did not receive. He did obtain a verbal confirmation. President Stevens read the letter from the commission stating it will work with the borough and partners in the updated Northern Lehigh multi-municipal comprehension plan. This includes payment of any agreed upon project costs. We typically define a payment 2 schedule based successful completion of phases of the project and the needs of each community. They recognize the payment schedule varies by community as well. This does not confirm payments can be done over 2 years. Councilor Ruff suggested the letter be signed. President Stevens is requesting a specific letter from them. The other members agreed that we need a more specific letter. There were no questions from the committee members; the Human Community Services Committee Meeting was adjourned. PUBLIC COMMENT: None NFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by, Councilor Ruff to adjourn. Being no further business, President Stevens made a motion to adjourn at 8:21 P.M. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 3