BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 8/12/24 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: David Schnaars: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Greg Winokur Lisa Young Ron Hausman, Kevin Borman Zachari Halkias Jeralyn Schoch Jamie Horn, Paula Lawson Ryan Mayberry Justin Gross Bill Jones, Andy Hassold Ronald Kratz Robert Reph Kristie Wentling, Jason Breidinger Kevin Steckel-arrived 7:29 Daniel Stevens Aaron Schoch William Schippers EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Schnaars announced that all public sessions of Borough Council are electronically reçorded 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 reçordings shall be erased. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting July 8, 2024; Committee Meetings July 15, 2024, and July 22, 2024. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor, SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to appoint Councilor Mayberry as President Pro Tem. 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. Kristie Wentling & Jason Breidinger- Northern Valley EMS. Signed in and were recognized to speak. Jason stated that NOVA will have a round table on September 26th, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and requested anyone from the Council to attend. Jason presented the Council a memento in memory of Walter Niedermeyer, who was tireless supporter of NOVA, EMS, fire, etc. Kristie stated that they were at 444 calls for the borough through July, 51 calls were handled that meet with mutual aid - NOVA is at a 90% response rate and is looking for staffing. They have added a full-time EMT and a paramedic. They are also hiring a full-time night shift paramedic and EMT. NOVA has received a grant for a power stair chair. They must raise $20,000.00 more to purchase IT. The new truck will be delivered in January. DEA is now requiring everyone to obtain their DEA license since the trucks carry narcotics. The ambulance can not be unmanned due to this requirement, and must be parked at their main station when it is not staffed. 1 Paula Lawson = 59th 2nd Street & Jamie Horn - 55 2nd Street - Signed in and were recognized to speak. Jamie stated that on August 7th 2023, there were heavy rains, flooding on Church Street and it came into the yards on 2nd Street, She contacted the Slatington Ordinance Officer and Borough Manager about the water diversion issues on Church Street, between Chestnut Alley and 2nd Street. She provided pictures and videos as requested and was told the issue would be addressed. August gth of 2025, again the same issue occurred. Again, she provided the information requested to the borough. This is becoming a financial burden on the homeowners it is affecting, and she feels this is the Borough's responsibility. She stressed that it would be advantageous to start issuing fines. Jamie would like to know if anything will be done in the future. Manager Stevens stated that Tony has sent the property owner multiple letters, and has now started issuing citations. Andy Hassold - 1067 Pine Tree Drive. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Questioned what was happening on the Maple Springs Acres water line. Justin Gross stated that the work will be going out to bid this week. Manager Stevens added that Justin suggested waiting until the work has settled before paving the entire road. Andy would like to know the number of grants applying for, what grants are being actively pursued, their amounts, and what is that status. Jason stated that we got 3 CDBG's this year for 2025, totaling about $100,000.00 each. The Borough is are currently waiting for the next round of Multimodal grants. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS: None 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/TRANSPER Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz William Schippers MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS Mayor Jeralyn Schoch Mayor Schoch provided totals for July 2023 to July 2024: incidents: 2023 -346, 2024 - 306; reports filed 2023 - 263, 2024 - 213; criminal arrests 2023 - 17, 2024 - 4; traffic citations 2023 = 18, 2024 - 25; parking tickets 2023 32, 2024 - 33 for Chief Winokur. Mayor Schoch shared an email from one of the officers conçerning the 330 block of E. Church Street. The officer has spoken with multiple people concerning the safety of the children who play out in front ofthe row home. There is a concern that there will be a severe car accident due to not being able to see on coming traffic coming around the curve. The officer feels some action should be taken. He has suggested placing signs to have the drivers stay closer to the right side of the road, placing speed bumps, more lighting, or mirrors. Mayor Schoch stated that National Night out was postponed last week due to weather, but will be on Friday, August 16h, at the high school. The safety issue will be discussed at the next committee meeting. ChiefGreg Winokur None 2 Fire Chief Robert Reph Fire Chief Reph stated the department responded to 16 fire calls for the month of July. Have 153 calls to date for the year. One member has completed his EMT certification and they currently have 7 members enrolled to start their EMT class. They did community outreach on July 6, and 7t, by attending a lemonade and hotdog stand with the fire truck. The department assisted Lehigh Township on July 12th at Laura's Junk Car Races. On July 25th, 2024, the NLYAA had their yearly Cool Down up at the school. Payment for truck $17,000.00 was taken out of fire budget last month. It will be reimbursed by COVID 19-money and will not count against the yearly budget. Councilor Kratz asked how many active members does the department have. Chief Reph stated about 35, including fire police. The goal is to have 12 certified as EMTs. The department is obtaining the QRS certification to run with the ambulance. Chief Reph stated that the SOG's have been changed to allow more personnel be able to assist in the borough with mutual aid. The department had responded to an EMS call on July 28th, at 425 Kuntz Street. He stated that the fire panel was beeping. Chief Reph called the company that monitor's the alarms and he was told that they have not received any signal. He then called emergency maintenance and advised them that they need to have some one come out, they must be on fire watch, or they are going to have to empty the building. When the department responded to a fire alarm on August 4", the alarm panel was beeping. Chief Reph saw signs stating that the fire alarm is working, but if you hear beeping, to call 911, Chief Reph and the maintenance personnel did a test and it took 60 seconds for the alarm to be addressed. Chief Reph would like the company to get a sensitivity test completed on all the smoke detectors in the building. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to approve the quote from Walnutport Door for door installation for $6,295.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to approve advertising the fire alarm system ordinance with said changes. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. B. Highway Councilor Aaron Schoch 1. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to advertise the ordinance changes concerning a 9 feet maximum height restriction for vehicles on W. Center Avenue. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3 2. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to accept the bids for the North Street CDBG project. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seçonded by Councilor Kratz, to award the bid to Bracalente Construction, Inc. in the amount of $100,722.40 for the North Street CDBG project contingent on Lehigh County approval. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers 3. Update on 5th Street CDBG. Justin Gross informed the Council that Lehigh County did the Environmental Clearance last week. However, it is unlikely that it can be constructed this year. The Environmental Clearance allows us to pursue the bidding process, but because part of the sidewalk and the storm water installation is on a PennDOT road that leaves a 30-day review sO there is no way to get those permits. We are. ready to go as soon as we obtain the permits. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve request from Andreas Hassold to hold their 4th annual block party on Pine Tree Drive on Saturday, 9/7/24 from noon to 10:00 PM. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2 Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve change of date from June 7t, 2025, to May 319, 2025, in request from St. Luke's for their 14th Annual Bike Ride. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve request from St. John's UCC to hold their annual Peach Festival on August 24, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Slatington Memorial Park. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to plaçe a bench at Victory Park, (placement to be determined) as a memorial for Walter Niedermeyer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. D. FinancePammingZoming Councilor Ryan Mayberry 4 1. Discussion concerning Keystone Community Program Designations. Councilor Mayberry had a discussion with a person in charge of the Lehigh County Office for the State Department of Community and Economic Development. The program is changing the name to Main Street Matters. Councilor Mayberry will be conducting a walk on Main Street. Councilor Mayberry has spoken with the manager in Easton about the program. Counçilor Mayberry is hoping to get the Citizen Committee on Economic Development Beautification started next month. 2. Proposed bamboo ordinance will be advertised for future acceptance. This was already voted on at the last meeting. 3. Discussion and possible action concerning proposed easements fori Masonic Lodge Community Center. Justin Gross stated that Lehigh Engineering will meet with the lodge sometime this week. This will be placed on the next regular council agenda. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor William Schippers 1. Discussion and possible action concerning Walnutport capacity request review. President Schnaars stated that will be handled by the Sewer Authority in September. 2. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve change in Cowan Associates spending limit for Task A ($5,000.00 inçrease). President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Update and possible action concerning Maple Spring waterline replacement project (small water and sewer grant). Justin Gross informed the Council that it will be going out to bid next week and will be advertised starting Friday. 3. Update on DEP Lead and Copper Inventory. Manager Stevens stated that it is a long process which we are. just getting set up. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS; None NEW BUSINESS: None COUNCIL PRESIDENTS REPORT: None David Schnaars COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) None 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Schnaars recessed to executive session at 8:14 PM. At 9:11 PM President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and real estate were discussed in executive session. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz to amend the agenda regarding purchases of real estate from Lehigh County Tax Repository. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kartz, to authorize the purchase of 3 properties from Lehigh County Tax Repository in the amount not to exceed $3,000.00 total. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Aaron Schoch Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers Councilor Mayberry Made a motion, duly seconded by Counçilor Kratz, to amend the agenda to accept the retirement letter from Manager Stevens of August 12, 2024. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to accept retirement letter from Borough Manager Daniel Stevens, with regrets, from August 12, 2024, effective September 7, 2024. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Steckel made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 9:17 PM. Minutes transcribed and prepared by Borough Manager/Secretary Daniel Stevens (Retired 9/7/24) Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 6