BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2018 at 7:00PM The Special Meeting was held on Monday, January 21, 2019 in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA. The meeting was called to order by President Stevens at 7:45 PM with the following in attendance: 2. ROLL CALL PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS President Stevens Walter Niedermeyer Jeffrey Hausman Lisa Fischer Jason Ruff Ed Zielger, Gwyneth Jones Bryon Reed Ronald Kratz & wife Joseph Wechsler Kristine Porter-Times News David Schnaars Jason Nicholas Thomas Bartholomew President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn off their cell phones, iPhone, and electronic devises off, or on vibrate. If you 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. 3. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Councilor Schnaars 4. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 5. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ed still has an issue with the light at the bank. Ed said the house at 29 Fourth Street has junk all over the place and the code enforcement officer should look into it. He said the storm drains are covered over with stones and the water can't drain correctly. Ed has been keeping track of the number of moving permits and has seen people moving in and out. 6. INTERVIEW CANDIDATES FOR VACANCY ON BOROUGH COUNCIL President Stevens asked all the candidates ifthey were all 18 years of age, registered to vote, and resided in the borough for 1 year. All candidates responded that they met each requirement. The following candidates: Lisa Fisher - Lisa is an Army veteran. She has been doing side projects for the borough for ai number of years and has helped with the Halloween Parade, parks and recreation, the community center, and has been teaching swimming lessons. She would like to be on council to get more involved. Gwyneth Jones - Gwyn had been on the council previously. She is on the board of directors at NOVA, ladies auxiliary at the fire company in Emerald, and very involved with 1 the community center. She would like to be back on council to finalize Russell Hallman's term. Ronald Kratz - Ron moved to Slatington in 2003. He was on the zoning board, but had to resign due to excessive traveling, which has been reduced considerably. Ron's background is in international business. He has a bachelors in communications studies from Bloomsburg University, received a diploma in European studies from the University of Antwerp in Belgium, and a MBA from the University of Stirling in Scotland. Edwin Ziegler - Ed has lived in the community most ofh his life. He has done a great deal of private things in the community. He worked at Alpo and was in charge ofthe engineering department and negotiated contracts with the Teamsters union. Each candidate was asked various questions by the council for their aims and goals for the Borough of Slatington. President Stevens recessed at 8:49 pm. At 9:09 pm, President Stevens reconvened the meeting. President Stevens stated it must be a majority vote of all of council (4 votes), not the majority of those present to appoint a person. The mayor would vote if there was a tie. President Stevens asked Mayor Niedermeyer to call each name and have the council vote. The voting is as follows: Councilor Schnaars voted for Ron Kratz; Councilor Ruff voted for Lisa Fisher; Councilor Reed voted for Gwyneth Jones; President Stevens voted for Ron Kratz; Councilor Wechsler voted for Ron Kratz; Councilor Bartholomew voted for Ron Kratz. Mayor Niedermeyer declared Ron Kratz the new councilor. 7. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to accept Resolution R-02-19 for filling vacancy on the borough council whereas, a vacancy exists on the Council of the Borough of Slatington, and; whereas, Section 901 ofthe Borough Code (Act of February 1, 1966, as amended) addresses the manner in which such a vacancy shall be filled. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Council of the Borough of Slatington that Ronald W. Kratz is appointed in lawful assembly of said Borough Council to the existing vacancy, said appointment to be valid until the reorganizational meeting of January, 2020. ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Bryon Reed Thomas Bartholomew Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars 2 8. OTHER BUSINESS: None 9. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - Agenda Items Only (2 minutes) 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 11. ADJOURNMENT Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adjourn the meeting. Being no further business, President Stevens declared the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 3