BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON The Finance Planning/Zoning, Public Safety and Human/Community Services Committee Workshop Meetings were held on January 28, 2019 in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. The meeting was called to order by President Stevens at 6:30 PM with the following in attendance: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Joseph Wechsler Jason Ruff Jason Nicholas David Schnaars Mike Kukitz Thomas Bartholomew Bruce Kern PUBLIC COMMENT : None The committee meeting agenda was not followed in order due to visitors needing to speak early. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING Thomas Bartholomew - Chairman; Members: David Schnaars, Jason Ruff 1. Committee Member Discussion: a. Councilor Schnaars asked if any of the proposed fee schedule for 2019 for Zoning conflicts with anything that has already been passed. President Stevens suggested it be postponed until next month's committee meeting in order to obtain more information from Duane Dellecker. b. The committee discussed the quote request from Steven Ring, LCTI, for remodeling the bathroom at the magistrate office for a maximum of $5,335.90. This will be placed on the next regular council agenda for approval. There were no questions from the committee members; the Finance Committee Meeting was adjourned. PUBLIC SAFETY David Schnaars-Chairman; Members: Thomas Bartholomew, Jason Ruff 1. Committee Member Discussion a. The committee discussed the request from Vigilant Fire Company to collaborate on a project in the front yard oft the fire company to install a memorial bench for Arthur (Ted) Kistler. They are requesting the borough to dig a hole and put stone in for the pad. Councilor Ruff said that is all that is needed at the Trailhead to install the bike rack and would it be possible to have it done at the same time. This will be placed on the next regular council agenda for approval. b. Fire Line Officers for the year 2019. Informational only C. Fire ChiefNicholas spoke first. Fire Chief Nicholas provided the committee with a request for 2 used SUVS. He is asking the fire department be permitted, at their 1 expense, to purchase 2 used vehicles for himself and the second one to be used by the deputy chief. These vehicles would be used for any department related incidents they respond to. The chief and deputy chief use their own vehicles for fire department related uses. Jason stated that if anything happens, i.e., car crash, wear and tear on vehicle, it is his personal auto insurance that is affected, and the borough does not pay anything towards the up keep. He would also like to have use the vehicle when there is training at other towns. The vehicles would be lettered for quick recognition and maintained by the fire department. Jason is asking that these vehicles be added to the borough insurance. He spoke with Brown & Brown and their estimation for the insurance coverage would be between $800.00-$850.00 each, depending on what vehicle they select. The fire department can not get private insurance because the fire department is with the municipality. The fire company plans to have the vehicles paid off by April next year, because they can use the state grant that they would take the loan out for these vehicles. Councilor Schnaars stated a written policy would be necessary for the usage of the vehicles that both parties, the borough and the fire department, would agree to. Councilor Schnaars and ChiefNicholas will get together to create the policy Councilor Schnaars suggested this issue to be placed on the next council meeting agenda. President Stevens pointed out that the fire company is creating another expenditure that could possibly be used to pay current needs and expenses. The committee discussed the sale of 1991 pumper. Councilor Schnaars suggested this issue to be placed on the next council meeting agenda. The borough receives a copy of the fire department's 990 showing each year what the fire department puts into running the department. They had received a FEMA grant and purchased equipment. It was a matching grant and the fire company paid $3,009.00. Jason informed the committee that Ron Hausman and Shawn Rios will be their representatives for the Safety Committee. d. The committee discussed the vacancy on police pension fund. A citizen, but not on the council or the police force is needed. Nancy Wilinsky was discussed as a possibility; however, research indicated that it must be a resident. There were no questions from the committee members; the Public Safety Committee Meeting was adjourned. HUMAN/COMMUNITY SERVICES Jason Ruff- - Chairman; Members: David Schnaars, Thomas Bartholomew 1. Committee Member Discussion Councilor Ruff's topics were discussed second. a. The committee discussed Running of the Dawgs event on April 13, 2019. This will be placed on the next regular council agenda. b. The committee reviewed the list from Mike Kukitz for 2019 events. This will be placed on the next regular council agenda. C. Mike Kukitz presented an update for the NLRA. The past events have drawn large crowds and have been very successful. Their programs have increased which include 2-year-olds to the elderly. Improvements have been made at Victory Park and the Trail Head at no charge to the borough. Mike informed the committee they were awarded the 2018 Multi-Municipal Planning Excellence Award. He has received funding from the Iron Pigs and the Phillies for some of the youth programs. They have received government grants for $273,000 to help get some of the projects done. 2 There is another grant pending for $1,000,000 for the PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital program to help fund the community center. Mike stated the reason the 3 boroughs, Slatington, Walnutport, and Washington Township, came together to create the NRLA is to keep families here and bring in new families with quality and safe programs and better parks. Mike has obtained approximately $70,000 dollars, through a matching grant, to build the amphitheater. He has received various bids for the amphitheater. He stated to do this amphitheater correctly it must be an ADA accessible park. Mike provided a diagram from Lehigh Engineering for the path. Mike asked the committee if the borough has the ability to create the path. and/or the excavation of the amphitheater itself and when we could schedule the work to get done and coordinate with assistance from Washington Township. President Stevens stated that this project would have to be done in phases due to cost. Mike Kukitz will contact Washington Township to get a commitment from them to help with this project. Construction of the path will be placed on the regular council agenda. Mike asked the committee ifthe borough is willing to able to re-create the 9 holes for the disc golf course. The course is in terrible shape. Councilor Ruff stated that if the parks and recreation can not obtain enough grant money to create a nice course, then it should be removed. Councilor Ruff also suggested the disc golf course be removed temporarily until Victory Park work is completed and then address the issue of the course. Councilor Ruff has suggested that he and Councilor Bartholomew talk with Robert Stettner to make a recommendation to committee for the disc golf course. Mike provided slides of short-term items that had been sent to the council in June of 2018. The committee reviewed the items which have and have not been completed. When events are taking place, Mike does all the prep work, i.e., setting up the trash, PA system, and running the event, etc., and when the event is over, he cleans it up by himself. He is looking for more shared resources and support. Mike has many new event started this year. President Stevens suggested that Mike ask specific groups, i.e., Boys Scouts, to help volunteer just for specific events. Mike did ask if the committee if he could have borough help with the Gathering this year. President Stevens informed him the borough crew does clean up, setup, and maintenance of the area prior to the event. Mike Kukitz mentioned there is has been an interest in creating a dog park. More input would be needed to go forward. Mike also stated the Westend park building is falling apart and the batting cages are rusted. d. Councilor Ruff wants to put the reappointment of Nathan Stubbs to Parks and Recreation Commission on the next regular council agenda for approval. Councilor Ruff asked the committee ifthere was a 1-year residency requirement for this position. President Stevens believes it is not necessary; this is only for elected officials. However, he will confirm. e. Letter from Senator P. Browne announcing they will be accepting applications for their recreation and conservation grant programs from January 22, 2019 to April 10, 2019. f. Lehigh County Five Year Consolidate Plan and 2019 Annual Action Plan. The County will host 2 meetings: Monday, February 4 at 6:00 pm or Tuesday, February 5 at 8:30 am. They will be held Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh 3 Street, Allentown, PA. President Stevens will verify that Lehigh Engineering is covering this mandatory meeting. Informational only There were no questions from the committee members; the Human/Community Services Committee Meeting was adjourned. PUBLIC COMMENT: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by, Councilor Ruff to adjourn. Being no further business, President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 4