BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 3-28-22 The Special Meeting of Council was held on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 5:35 PM, at the Borough Hall, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080 Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 5:35 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Thomas Bartholomew Mayor Schoch Becky Bradley Bryon Reed Daniel Stevens Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler (via phone) Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 3. PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG 4. NOTIFICATION: President Bartholomew 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. 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 6. PUBLIC COMMENT - (For Agenda/Non-Agenda Items) please use Podium (3 minutes) None 7. Becky Bradley provided an extensive presentation on the draft (LVPC) Northern Lehigh Multi- Municipal Comprehensive Plan and fielded questions from the Council. The LVPC was hired as a consultant to Heidelberg Township, Lowhill Township, Lynn Township, Slatington Borough, Washington Township, and Weisenberg Township to update the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan. The communities have been working together for at least 3 years and now have come to a point where there is a first draft plan. Each community had 3 members to work on the plan. Northern Lehigh has different types of landscapes, agricultural, natural, and history. Northern Lehigh is 38% of the total land area ofLehigh County. Becky stated that there are more recreational assets in these 6 communities than in any other part ofthe Lehigh Valley. Becky added that if the area continues to grow at the same trajectory as it has over the last 20 years, the population would go from 26,000- 27,000 people today, to approximately 40,000 people. There is a great concern about agricultural loss. LVPC had gathered information from all communities about their concerns, i.e., protecting farms, recreation property, history, police, ambulance, etc. Becky informed the Council that Northwestern Lehigh School District population is declining rapidly and the school is trying to figure out what they will be doing with one of their elementary schools. Becky discussed the 6 goals the Steering Committee has come up with: Protect farmlands and promote local farming business; Balance preservation and development to maintain and enhance the quality of life; Support and enhance recreational opportunities, natural, scenic, cultural and historic assets; Preserve, enhance and leverage the historical and cultural heritage oft the Northern Lehigh Region; Mitigate the impacts of increasing traffic on roads, bridges and other infrastructure while preparing for the next 1 generation of transportation, and Balance needs to ensure a competitive, healthy, creative, inclusive and livable community. Becky stressed getting the Borough's S higher priorities on the list now. 8. OTHER BUSINESS 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 10. COURTESY OF THE FLOOR Agenda Items Only (2 minutes) 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION 12. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 6:35 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 2