BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COMMITTEE WORKSHOP MEETING MAY 23, 2017 at 6:30 PM The Water, Sewer/Solid Waste, and Highway Committee Workshop Meetings were held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA. The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 6:30 PM with the following in attendance: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS VISITORS President Schnaars Larry Turoscy Carol Gildner Joe Wechsler Tom Dinkelacker Dan Stevens Bryon Reed Russ Hallman Melvin Gildner Jon Rinker Mike Brogan Jason Ruff Manager Danko PUBLIC COMMENT: A. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING Joseph Wechsler- Chairman; Members: Jon Rinker, Jason Ruff Committee Member discussion on listed topics: 1. Discuss the review and investigation oft billing methods for all rental units for water and sewer and review Ordinance #455 an ordinance establishing procedures for connection to the Borough water and sewerj facilities, providing. for the administration and operation ofthe sewer and water) facilities, creating authority for the establishment offees and the collection thereof, and providing. for penalties) for violation ofthe said ordinance, provided to Council for review and discussion. Council Gildner wanted to make it clear that apartments would not be made to install individual meters. He stated that is misinformation and it is not true. Councilor Gildner's suggestion for apartment billing would be to charge the landlords the base price for each apartment unit. Example: 4 units at $200.00 minimum for 32,000 gallons and then the cost over that amount. Borough Manager Danko explained to the committee the current billing done quarterly: $93.00/8,000 gallons; then depending on the pipe sizes the cost varies example 1 inch piping is$108.00/ 8,000 gallons. Over the 8,000 gallons usage, the cost of water is $6.88/1,000 gallons. Discussion arose in reference to the different pricing for the pipe size and whether this should be addressed. The general feeling is that no matter what the size ofthe pipe, billing is done by amount of water usage. The garbage billing was also discussed for apartments. Garbage may not be stopped, due to the borough having a contracted price. Attorney Dinkelacker said that our billing is equitable and legal. Manager Danko questioned the Welshtown hook up, located in Washington Township. They are only billed for water at a bulk invoice, but given a discount and a $14.40 reduction quarterly on each bill. They are not billed the $93.00 base rate, it is billed at a $74.40 rate. Councilor Reed informed her that it is a two-tier agreement with LCA. Councilor Reed read section 5(a), 5(b) and 6(a) of the Water Service 1 Agreement between Borough of Slating and Lehigh County Authority agreed to on April 20th, 1993. Dan Stevens was recognized to speak: He said that Palmerton bills the same as Slatington. The last time there was a water rate increase, was in 2009. With the current rate, the outstanding bond has been paid down dramatically. Dan feels if the billing is changed that approximately 50% oft the people would end up with a higher rate. He feels that an increase for the landlord would be passed down to the tenants. Councilor Schnaars stated that our water fund is currently in good shape. However, we have 2 major projects that the water fund must cover - 1) a need to replace the water meters in town; Shadow Oaks Lane has a main water leak and is in need of repair. At this time, the water reservoir is in good shape. Some preventative maintenance maybe required in the future. Renee Kester - Landlord - 216 Main Street - was recognized to speak. Ms. Kester suggested letters be sent to the landlords and keep them informed. In regards to installation and cost of meters, Councilor Reed clarified that the cost of the meter and meter installation is borne by the owner, which is located in the Borough Code book, Chapter 180, Water & Sewer. President Schnaars said a committee should be formed to develop a new billing system, with the understanding the cost of legal fees involved. Council directed Lizi to calculate the cost by charging each unit the base charge and bringing the issue back to Council at the next workshop meeting on June 27, 2017. 2. Councilor Gildner brought up yard sale permits again at the previous meeting. Councilor Rinker feels the price for a yard sale of $10.00 is too high. This item was tabled to the Committee agenda today for discussion. Manager Danko shall report on this agenda item. Manager Danko reviewed the Borough Code in reference to the yard sale permit. The code notates several points which Council would possibly like to change. Manager Danko explained that if Council wants to change certain language and items in the code they would have to amend the code. Fori instance: A permit is required upon payment ofthe application set forth; therefore, a fee must be charged. The code does not state a fee amount, although if council wanted to change the fee they would have to adopt an amendment to the fee schedule. The Ordinance states that no more than 2 yard sales are permitted per year, if council wanted to change this they would have to amend the ordinance. After a lengthy discussion Council decided to keep the yard sale permit as is. Council also discussed the possibility of having another community yard sale sometime in September. This item will be discussed at a future workshop meeting. 3. E-mail dated 4/27/17 Manager Danko to discuss Physicians panel in reference to Workers Compensation Insurançe. Manager Danko contacted the Borough's workers compensation insurance company due to recent incidents that had taken place within the Borough. It had been many: years since there had been a physician' s panel, SO 2 Manager Danko requested a panel from the insurance company, then reviewed the panel and added some items to the panel the insurance company provided. This panel will be put into place immediately. It will be hung at all the areas of work and will help reduce our cost in reference to Workers Compensation. No action required; informational only. 4. Discuss Draft Resolution-A Resolution ofthe Council ofthe Borough ofSlatington, Lehigh County, PA establishing an international property maintenance code Board of Appeals and appointing certain individuals to serve as board members to hear appeals and make decisions in regards to code official determinations Manager Danko informed Council that it is necessary to establish an Appeals Board for the International Property Maintenance code. The draft resolution was done and it needs to be an Ordinance. The ordinance will also provide for the establishment of the board. Appointments are made by resolution for the members thereafter. Attorney Dinkelacker will change this resolution to an ordinance to establish the Appeals board. This item will be on the July agenda. 5. Rentschler Land Development update dated 5/8/17 from Attorney Dinkelacker. Larry Turoscy stated that the LVPC said Fred Rentschler could put in a different substance other than grass provided it will be a better solution than grass. At this time, there are several violations of the improvements agreement. Currently there is not an escrow or security, but the security may not be necessary Attorney Dinkelacker said. The majority ofthe work is completed, although the paving needs to be done. An escrow is need because the Borough has bills that Fred Rentschler must reimburse the Borough due to them making the payments. Since the escrow was never established, technically there is al breach of agreement. Council can give an extension to October 2018 if payment for bills from Fred Rentschler is done and a $5,000 escrow account is setup. Larry Turoscy feels that S&G could do the work by October 2018. Fred Rentschler did the improvements that were made in public right away, drainage installed and backfilled and covered. The agreement state that he was to give notice before he backfills sO an inspection could be done. There was no notice given, sO a resolution must be completed to accept the improvements, site unseen, on the recommendation ofLarry Turoscy. Attorney Dinkelacker and Larry Turoscy will forward their bills to Manager Danko and Attorney Dinkelacker and Larry Turoscy will create a meeting with Mr. Rentschler to finalize paperwork. B. PUBLIC SAFETY Jon Rinker-Chairman; Members: Joseph Wechsler, Jason Ruff Committee Member discussion on listed topics: 1. Manager Danko to report on go fund me status in reference to the Police Bike Patrol. There is a total of$1,000 in donations on the GoFundMe page, and a $500 check and several donations were made separately from the GoFundMe page, from local businesses. C. HUMAN RESOURCES/COMMUNITY SERVICES Jason Ruff - Chairman; Members: Joseph Wechsler, Jon Rinker Committee Member discussion on listed topics: 3 1. Discuss the area of land across the street from the stain glass store on Main St. The store owner had, at one time, offered to make it look better with flowers. Councilor Reed & Councilor Brogan will bring the plans for workshop meeting for review. This issue was tabled to the Committee agenda today for discussion. Councilors Reed and Brogan do not have completed plans at this time. Councilor Brogan didn't get a chance to talk with his boss for pavers. Council will allow Lawrence to plant flowers at this time and Manager Danko will have the PW provide topsoil if needed. Councilor Ruff and Manager Danko will work together on this project until a more solid plan is put into place. 2. E-mail dated 5/16/17 from Mike Kukitz providing information in reference to requesting to paint a mural on the outside of the bathroom building at Victory Park. Council agrees to have the bathroom building at Victory Park painted with a mural. The bathrooms are usually locked all the time, although at this time Manager Danko has been working with Mike Kukitz to keep them open. John Bolton agreed with this and will maintain them. Council notated that the police should lock them up at night and weekends and the PW can open them during the week. Mike Kukitz is doing an inventory of all the buildings, and will provide council with all the items that need restoration. Mike Kukitz has been trying to obtain a grant and looking for a matching grant to have a mural painted on building. 3. Discuss Proposed communication policy provided to Council for review. Councilor Schnaars said that there is no communication policy at this time. He obtained a sample ordinance from PSAB and revised it to work for the borough. It clarifies who can speak officially on behalf of the Borough. Borough Manager would be the public information officer, it also allows the Manager to designate other people to speak on Council's behalf. There are certain issues the president of council and the mayor may speak. Ifthere is an emergency situation then the mayor would speak on behalf of the borough, he is the only one that can create a proclamation. It is not to be considered an infringement of speech, if others want to speak to the press in reference to their personal opinion they may do SO, although ifanyi information is to be given on behalf of the borough this would be the procedure. Council directed Attorney Dinkelacker to review the policy. This would help the public to contact specific Borough persons in charge for official business. D. SEWER/SOLID WASTE Mel Gildner Chairman; Members: Bryon Reed, Michael Brogan, Jr. Committee Member Discussion: 1. Discuss Sewer Operators status. No issues 2. Manager Danko hired a sub-contractor to work at the sewer plant when an employee was out for an injury. The employee is back to work and the sub-contractor is still there and Manager Danko suggested to let the sub-contractor go, but bring them back when one of the sewer employees is on vacation or as needed. While the sewer sub- contractor is there the sewer department personnel has been taking care ofall oft the 4 maintenance, i.e. grass cutting, weed whacking, etc. Manager Danko is waiting to hear from the EPA and DEP's response, which has not been received yet. 3. Seasonal help for the Borough crew was hired in previous years with cutting the grass, etc. Councilor Brogan suggested to hire seasonal help this summer if needed. Manager Danko was given authorization to hire a seasonal employee at the same rate from last year if needed. E. WATERSPECIAL SEWER COMMITTEE Bryon Reed - Chairman; Members: Mel Gildner, Michael Brogan, Jr. Committee Member Discussion: 1. South St. water line update - plans are already to go. Larry Turoscy looked at the deeds and found that the property area in question may belong to the church. Attorney Dinkelacker will create a written easement document to avoid any problems down the road. Larry Turoscy and Manager Danko will get in touch with the church to inform them that the Borough will be putting in a new water line. F. HIGHWAY Michael Brogan - Chairman; Members: Mel Gildner, Bryon Reed Committee Member Discussion: 1. Letter dated 5/9/17 from Malcolm Gieske (Identity Group) requesting to remove 2- hour parking at four of the parking spaces along 4 North Walnut St. Council agreed to removing the 2-hour parking on a trial basis. 2. Victory Park Sidewalk project update. All oft the areas that were not correct, were taken out and replaced. The project is completely corrected and only thing left is finalizing the billing and the grant closeout paperwork. 3. Arle, grant-stop light at Main & E. Church St. update. Larry Turoscy invited PennDot, Manager Danko and Roxanne from Attorney Dinkelacker' office to come to a meeting at his office, Manager Danko asked PennDot ifthey would take care of the easements for us, which they agreed to do. This will save the Borough between $14,000 and $15,000. PennDot to forward paperwork to Roxanne. Manager Danko asked Larry Turoscy about 2 other grants one being - Greenlight Go- it has something to do with the timing and the LED lights - apparently the Borough was awarded but nothing has been done to date. Larry Turoscy said the Borough is not in the first wave of grants, Larry Turoscy will keep the Council posted when he is notified. G. PRESIDENTS REPORT H. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: 1. E-mail dated 5/11/17-Lehigh County Government Center will be holding two (2) public meetings at the Lehigh Valley Commission on Monday, June 5th, 2017, at 6:00 PM at 961 Marcon Boulevard, Suite 310 Allentown, PA, and Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at 4:30 PM at the Whitehall Municipal Building at 3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA. AFH will examine potential areas of discrimination or barriers that might limit housing choices for families and individuals. 5 Larry Turoscy questioned when Lehigh County will be voting on the CGB project for Fourth Street and West Washington. Manager Danko said she was unsure of the exact date although it should be happening shortly. Councilor Gildner asked Manager Danko where we stand with the auditors. Manager Danko said the auditors had sent a request for the pension Gasby reports for the police pension. When Melissa, from the auditor's office returns from vacation in the next week or SO, she will review the final audit report and get in touch with Manager Danko. COURTESY TO THE FLOOR - None Being no further business, President Schnaars declared the meeting was adjourned at 9:31 PM. hudit 1A Dan Judith A. Danko Borough Secretary 6