BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 9/11/17 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, September 11, 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 Walt Niedermeyer Thomas Anewalt Crystal Hausman Tina Brogan Joseph Wechsler Chief Rachman Robert Herzog, Jr. Carol Gildner Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Jared Kern Anthony Fenstamker Mel Gildner Robert Stettner Jeff Hausman Jon Rinker Mark Rissmiller Jacob Haas Michael Brogan Daniel Stevens Lance Sherer Jason Ruff Alice Wanamaker Kris Burek Judith Danko, Manager Dwight Miller Peter Bartholomew Martha Lieberman Heidi Unterberg Michael Kern 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 Rinker, to accept the following minutes: Council Meeting, August 14, 2017; Workshop, August 22, 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. Mark Rissmiller - 102 Fourth Street- signed in and was recognized to speak. He spoke about parking issues in front of his house - parking in front of a fire hydrant, illegal handicap parking, and parking in yellow line. Chief Rachman is aware ofthese issues and will be addressing them with John Bolton. Jacob Haas inaudible; Michael Kern 412 Chestnut St; Anthony Fenstermaker - 104 Chestnut St; all 3 boys signed in and were recognized to speak. All3 3 expressed their concerns about the bullying and violence in the Walnut Street playground. They stated that they reported this to the police. Martha Lieberman - 333 Wood Street, Emmaus signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Lieberman is a representative for Project Lifesaver of the Lehigh Valley. She spoke about Project Lifesaver a public safety program designed to protect and locate missing person due to wondering. 1 Heidi Unterberg signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Unterberg also spoke about Project Lifesaver of the Lehigh Valley and works with special children in the area. Peter Bartholomew - 722 Main Street signed in and was recognized to speak. Peter spoke about also having problems with bullying in the Walnut Street playground and has reported it to the police. Dwight Miller - 256 So. Walnut Street - signed in and was recognized to speak. He spoke about reporting to the police the bullying that happens in the Walnut Street playground and feels he is shrugged off by the police. Chief Rachman informed him it is difficult to catch these bullies after the fact. He would need concrete information, ID, etc. Kris Burek = 1235 Fourth Street = signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Burek requested up dates in reference to the following items: Tenant registration process letters and collection of fees-what is the status of them-if the borough is not following through with this the borough is losing money, why aren't the Sewer Authority minutes on the website, did the borough work on a recycling ordinance, how will the Borough be able to continue paying the SEIU pension for the next 4 years per the contract, what is the status of the grease traps-ordinance?, she suggested the borough work on raising just the minimum for the sewer bill, and suggested the Borough office alternate their hours 1 or 2 days a month, i.e.; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and 10:00 am - 6:30 pm. Ms. Burek thanked Manager Danko for the fine job she is doing. Manager Danko spoke about how we are currently working on legal letters in reference to the, "Tenant registrations, she will look into the sewer authority minutes and see if we can accomplish placing them on the Borough website, we are also looking into sample grease trap ordinances thru the health inspector and code enforcement employees, and that the office finances have and will be the priority for some time due to the importance level and that eventually we hope to move forward on other items she spoke of. Ed Ziegler - signed in and was recognized to speak. Ed thanked Chief Rachman for submitting his reports to the newspaper. He also pointed out that some street lights on South Street were not lite and some come on anytime. He reported two antique lights on the bridge are out. Lance Sherer - 204 So. Walnut Street - signed in and was recognized to speak. Lance spoke about a problem with parking in front of his house and his pot belly pig. 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 Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Brogan to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer None Police Chief David Rachman None 2 BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Manager Danko provided the manager' S report to Council. Manager Danko had attended the re- dedication oft the fireman's statue and reported that the committee had given the Borough Public Works crew accolades and a beautiful plaque for their fine work and she reiterated the same. MAIN STREET MERCHANTS GROUP Alice Wanamaker was present to provide a report on September First Friday, Main Street Merchants Group. Alice is requesting permission to have a small bonfire in a firepit at the Trailhead on the First Friday for October to have smores. Fire ChiefNicholas stated that if Council wished he could review this and work with Alice and be present that evening to monitor the fire. Alice informed the council the Chamber had given out two grants - one for Robert Stettner for pole banners in the amount of $2,000 and one for Mike Kukitz to install signs on the Trailhead at a cost of $2,000. The Main Street Merchants group has developed the Trail Town group which is now partnering with the D&L. This group is looking into signage on the trail to assist people to locate business, library, etc. Alice provided the council a paper showing where the signs would be posted and notated that Mike K. has been working with Shannon Calluori. Council gave their approval for the signs as long as they are located on borough properties. Alice also spoke about residents in the borough can decorate their houses with scarecrows because they will be having a contest. She informed everyone that the tree lighting event will be on December 1st, 2017 starting at 7:00 pm. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Michael Brogan 1. A motion was made by Councilor Brogan, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve on moving forward to apply for grant in reference to the 100 steps (2017 Transportation Set Aside Program). President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Larry Turoscy suggested creating a swale which would redirect the water from the adjacent property owner's property away from John Freed Way. Another suggestion was to install an elbow or a 4" pipe down to the alley way at a cost of approximately $800.00. A motion was made by Councilor Rinker, duly seconded by Councilor Gildner, to authorize Manager Danko to approve the project exceeding no more than $500.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Larry Turoscy informed the Council of a different PennDOT grant that could possibly be used for the 100 steps to resolve the drainage problem. Larry will obtain more information for the Council. B. Public Safety Councilor Jon Rinker 1. Manager Danko followed through with Alan Kunsman's revised estimate for altering attic access door at the Vigilant Fire Company for an additional cost of $250.00, the roof and the door project are completed. 3 2. Mr. Rentschler is requesting that the Borough purchase another, "Caution flashing speed sign" to be utilized on Walnut St. at his place ofbusiness only, the borough would be responsible to install it, move it and maintain it. Mr. Rentschler has SO kindly offered to reimburse the borough for the cost of the sign itself. (approximate cost $2,500.00). A motion was made by Councilor Rinker, duly seconded by Councilor Gildner, to approve Mr. Rentschler's request. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. C.J Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Discussion took place in reference to a Memo dated 8/21/17 from Robert Stettner requesting the Borough purchase six baby changing tables for the installation at the Trailhead, Covered Bridge and Victory Park bathrooms at an approximate cost of$140.00 each. Council agreed not to have this done at this time, but stated that it will be placed on the 2018 budget discussions. D. Finance Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, to authorize Manager Danko to advertise public hearing for Ordinance No. 687 & 688...to take place on November 13th, ,2017 at 7PM. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, to authorize Manager Danko to Advertise Proposed Ordinance No. 687 an ordinance amending Chapter 60 of the code ofthe Borough ofSlatington, titled "Animals, 1 to allow the keeping or harboring ofpotbelly pigs and to establish a permit system for owners or keepers to register potbelly pigs in the Borough... 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 Rinker, to authorize Manager Danko to Advertise Proposed Ordinance No. 688 amending chapter 195, "zoning, " to amend the definition of "household pets " found at section 195-8 to include potbelly pigs President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Brogan to approve Borough of Slatington Police Pension Plan 2017 MMO in the amount of$148,077.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 5. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, to approve Borough of Slatington Police Pension Plan 2018 MMO in the amount of$163,902.20. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 6. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Brogan, to authorize Manager Danko to hire a part-time employee (office help) not to exceed 19 hrs. a week-no benefits not to exceed hourly rate of$14.00 an hour. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: 4 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Melvin Gilder Michael Brogan Jon Rinker Jason Ruff 7. Council to review Zoning Hearing information in reference to 353 Chestnut St. and provide input. Hearing to take place on 10/12/17 at 7PM at Borough Hall. No action will take place from Council at this time. 8. Council to review Zoning Hearing information in reference to 426 W. Franklin St. and provide input. Hearing to take place on 10/12/17 at 7PM at Borough Hall. No action from Council at this time. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Mel Gildner 1. A motion was made by Councilor Gildner, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to pay the August 15, 2017 Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Steckel & Stopp - $502.80; Joan Cheesbrough minutes - $125.00; Times News - $169.35; Petty Cash Fund - $94.09; batteries - $15.69; total $906.93. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 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 Brogan, duly seconded by Councilor Rinker, to authorize Manager Danko to advertisement for bids for South St. water line project. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilman Reed asked Manager Danko to look into the chart of accounts with the monthly invoices that are provided in ai report to Council.. it appears the print of explanation looks as if it should be under a different account. Danko believes it is just due to the space of the explanation and it is most likely due to that the invoice is for several accounts, although she will look into this and report back. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Manager Danko provided year ending 2015 audit reports (that were found in the office) in reference to the Borough, and Sewer that should have been distributed to Council in prior years. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Manager Danko Household Hazardous Waste collection event for Lehigh county Residents on October 28, 2017, information only. 5 COUNCIL PRESIDENTS REPORT: David R. Schnaars 1. The workshop meeting in October 10/24/17 shall be utilized for a budget workshop. 2. E-mail dated 8/19/17 from Stefan Myers (former employee) thanking the Borough for rectifying the principal financial pensions status. 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 Brogan made the motion to adjourn the meeting, President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM. - fleke a. .Gh Judith A. Danko, Borough Manager/ Borough Secretary-Treasurer 6