BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES The Special Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Thursday, December 21, 2017, at 6:30 PM. in Council Chambers, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: David Schnaars, President The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 6:30 P.M. with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS VISITORS David Schnaars Thomas Anewalt Jason Nicholas Joseph Wechsler Mayor Niedermeyer Russ Hallman Bryon Reed Dan Stevens Melvin Gildner Jeffrey Hausman Jon Rinker Carol Gildner Michael Brogan Jason Ruff Judith Danko, Manager 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 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. Jason Nicholas - Slatington Fire Chief- - signed in and was recognized to speak. Jason wanted to thank the council for the small increase in the fire tax. He feels that this increase is needed for certain items on just the building alone, such as the furnace. A. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING Joseph Wechsler- Chairman; Members: Jon Rinker, Jason Ruff Committee Member discussion on listed topics: 1. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Brogan, to adopt Resolution # R-13-17. A Resolution adopting and establishing the budgetfor 2018 for the Borough ofSlatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth ofPemnsylvania. President Schnaars declared the motion passed, following a Roll Call, Voting as Follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Joe Wechsler None None Bryon Reed Jon Rinker Melvin Gildner Jason Ruff Michael Brogan 2. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to adopt proposed Ordinance 691 An ordinance levying taxes for the fiscal year 2018 for the Borough of Slatington, including the rates for real estate tax at 4.80 mills, the 1 local service tax at $52.00, the wage tax at 1%, the per capita tax at $5.00 and realty transfer tax at 1%. Councilor Rinker questioned if the tax amounts were the same as last year and Councilor Schnaars replied yes. President Schnaars declared the motion passed, following a Roll Call, Voting as Follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Joe Wechsler None None Bryon Reed Jon Rinker Melvin Gildner Jason Ruff Michael Brogan 3. A motion was made by Councilor Wechsler, duly seconded by Councilor Brogan, to adopt proposed Ordinance 692 An ordinance levying the fire fund tax at 50 mills for the fiscal year 2018 for the Borough of Slatington. Councilor Rinker asked how much this tax is going up. President Schnaars stated .05 mills. Councilor Rinker stated that 1200 feet of hose was given to Parryville fire company, due to a grant that the Fire Co. acquired for new hose. Councilor Rinker also stated that 1600 feet of hose fell off of the truck damaging the hose. The truck was down at Scribbles & Drips due to a driver that was negligent which caused the truck to have to be re-lettered. Jason said the truck repairs are being paid for by the association, not the borough. Councilor Rinker said asking for an increase in taxes while giving away hose is not acceptable. Jason asked what does Councilor Rinker feel the hose was worth. He also stated that the hoses were never tested. Councilor Rinker also questioned Jason as to why one fire fighter who drives the truck and had multiple accidents, why he is still driving the trucks. Councilor Wechsler wanted to know why when the equipment was damaged, no notification is sent to anyone on council or Manager Danko. Jason stated he did not notify Manager Danko because it was being taken care of by the association. A debate took place over who should be notified - the council chairperson of this committee, the manager. President Schnaars stated everyone should report to Manager Danko. Councilor Rinker wanted this information recorded in the minutes in case anything was to happen. President Schnaars declared the motion passed, following a Roll Call, Voting as. Follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Joe Wechsler Bryon Reed Jon Rinker Melvin Gildner Jason Ruff Michael Brogan OTHER BUSINESS - None COURTESY OF THE FLOOR (for agenda items only) - None EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Schnaars recessed to executive session at 6:45 PM to discuss legal and personnel matters. At 7:10 PM, President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. 1. Letter from Dimmich, Dinkelacker & Anewalt, dated 12/18/17. 2 Manager Danko was directed by Council to not come to work on 1/02/17 due to her contract expiring, the new Council will make the decision to enter into a new contract or not or pay the severance due. Councilor Gildner stated the Managers office should stay locked until after re-organization. President Schnaars thanked all of council for their support the past year. He also thanked Manager Danko for all that she has accomplished this past year. President Schnaars commended Shannon Callouri from CodeMaster for her work on zoning and violation issues. He wished everyone a Happy Holiday. At 7:13 PM, Councilor Rinker made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Gildner, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned. - B Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 3