BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 1/8/24 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 7:00 PM, 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 Lisa Young Becky Lienhard, David Lienhard Walter Niedermeyer Jeralyn Schoch Robert Reph, Ron Hausman Ryan Mayberry Greg Winokur Steve Waldon, Robert Herzog Ronald Kratz Justin Gross Kevin Steckel-via phone Daniel Stevens Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: 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. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Niedermeyer, to approve the following: Council Meetings - Special Meeting - December 4th, 2023; Council Meeting - December 11, 2023; Special Meeting - December 18, 2023: Committee Meetings: December 18, 2023, & Water/Sever/ighway meeting was cancelled December 26, 2023. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: 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, Steven Waldon - 2230 High Point Lane. Signed in and was: recognized to speak. Steve welcomed all the new council members. Steve spoke about the roads in Maple Spring Acres. Steve is requesting the council investigate a tax increase to help repair the roads. Steve suggested hiring a professional grant writer. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, 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 1 David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 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. MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS Mayor Jeralyn Schoch Mayor Schoch welcomed the new council members and wished them a good year. ChiefGreg Winokur Chief Winokur welcomed the new council members. Chief Winokur provided totals for December 2022 to December 2023: incidents: 2022 - 249, 2023 - 305; reports filed 2022 = 162, 2023 = 209; criminal arrests 2022 - 2, 2023 - 3; traffic citations - 2022 - 45, 2023 - 39; parking tickets 2022 - 45, 2023 - 45 STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Walter" Niedermeyer 1. Discussion and possible motion concerning CDBG submissions for 2024. Councilor Niedermeyer suggested Willow Street and two other streets that need work. Manager Stevens stated that the last 2 years the Borough has received 2 CDBGs, as opposed to previously receiving just one. Three possible streets are applied for every year. However, there are only certain areas at the Borough that qualify. Two ofthe Borough's 4 block groups qualify for CDBG funding. President Schnaars would like this placed on the next committee agenda. 2. Update on this year's CDBG projects (North St and 5th St). Manager Stevens stated we are still waiting for paperwork from Lehigh County. Laurie Moyer stated that the paperwork is still at the county's legal department. B. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, granting permission for obtaining specifications for a future fire truck. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. The council discussed the fire company's request for the Borough to contribute COVID19 LFRF toward payment on truck. Fire Chief Reph stated that any monies given would be used for either the truck or building repairs. President Schnaars would like this placed on the next committee agenda. 3. Councilor Kratz stated that he met with Robert Reph and set the first 3 objectives for Ist Quarter of 2024. The 3 objectives are: 1. it is essential to get the background checks that are mandated by the state in place; 2. to coordinate the rules oft the fire department with those oft the Borough; 3. have rules applied properly and equitably. Fire Chief Reph has already received background 2 checks for most members. Fire Chief Reph is currently working on the child abuse background checks. 4. Councilor Kratz had an initial meeting with police chief and had a state of union discussion. Police Chief Winokur stated that he is moving the department to more community-oriented policing. The department is keeping the community up-to-date on issues. Chief Winokur cited current incidents where there was only 1 officer on duty and the officer became sick. Chief Winokur stated that there is still a need for more police officers. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to approve the request from St. Luke 13th Annual Hospice Charity Bike Ride for Saturday, June 1st, 2024, rain date June 2nd from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, Alli in Favor. 2. Thank you note from the Slatington Public Library for the $5,000.00 donation. (informational only) 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Niedermeyer, to approve allowing the Greater N.L. Chamber of Commerce Board to hold their monthly board meetings in the Borough Chambers (Borough is a member of Chamber, they have held the last few meetings here) President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry to approve return of grant funds and interest to State of PA for Victory Park restrooms grant. Discussed by previous council. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias D. PimancePammingyZomimg Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Discussion on possible special meeting on January 15th, 2024, concerning Northern Lehigh Comp Plan Zoning with EPD. President Schnaars agreed to conduct the meeting at 5:00 PM with the committee meeting directly after the special meeting 2. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Niedermeyer, to adopt Resolution R-03-24, a resolution authorizing the appointment of Statewide Tax Recovery as the exclusive tax collector for the collection of delinquent per capita tax. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 3 Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 3. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to adopt Addendum to Collection Agreement with Statewide Tax Recovery (Statewide has merged with Berkheimer, Inc.). President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 4. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to approve Exemption Report from Statewide Tax Reçovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Carson Russell - Non-resident - $5.50; Douglas Messinger - Deceased -3 @ $5.50 - $16.50; Melissa Schwertzer Deceased - 4 @ $5.50 - $22.00; Larry Arndt = Deceased - 3 @ $5.50 - $16.50; Beverly Hannibal - 3 @ $5.50 - $16.50; Brian Perry Deceased - $5.50; Alec Benner - $5.50; Scott Wenner Deceased - $5.50; Douglas Rindge Deceased - $5.50; Betty Blose - Deceased - $5.50; Lucille Bobal - Deceased - $5.50; Richard Boyer Deceased - 4 @ $5.50 = $22.00; Robert Leinesch - $5.50; Tammy Schmitt - $5.50; total of $143.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 5. 2024 state bid requirements have increased to the following: a. Purchases and contracts below $12,600.00 require no formal bidding or written/telephonic quotations b. Purchases and contracts between $12,600.00 and $23,200.00 require three written/telephonic quotations C. Purchases and contracts over $23,200.00 require formal bidding (informational only) 6. Discussion and possible motion to reopen 2024 budget. The Council agreed not to reopen the budget. 7. Discussion and possible motion concerning borough manager's bonus. This to be discussed in executive session. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Jeffrey Hausman 4 1. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to retain Cowen Associates for additional consulting work for new sewer permit at an estimate of $34,000.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Walter Niedermeyer Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 2. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to appoint Clarence Schmoyer to the Slatington Borough Authority. Term to expire 1/1/2028. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Comprehensive controis upgrade - Martz status update. Manager Stevens will have an online meeting on Wednesday morning for an update. The anticipated start date is January 15th, 2024. 3. Borough will be receiving COVID19 Small Water and Sewer grant for Maple Spring Drive water line in the amount of$235,957.00. (informational only) UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: None COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S 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 EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Schnaars recessed to executive session at 7:55 PM. At 8:30 PM President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and legal were discussed in executive session. D.7 The Council agreed that since they were not paying any other employee's bonuses, there would not be a borough manager's bonus. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Hausman made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 8:32 PM. 5 Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6