BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 9/12/22 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, September 12, 2022, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Thomas Bartholomew: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Bartholomew at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Thomas Bartholomew ChiefLong Mayor Schoch Steve Walden, Gary Weiss Bryon Reed Lisa Young Frank Freda, Robert Herzog Joseph Wechsler-via phone Justin Gross Dave Schnaars, Ron Hausman Ronald Kratz Daniel Stevens Kevin Boylan, Ryan Mayberry Kevin Steckel Rob Mayberry, Becky Lienhard Jeffrey Hausman David Lienhard, Rita Grim Zachari Halkias Bill Grim, April Bolton Barry L., Louise Healey Kate Randall, Ashley King Eric King, Robert Reph Karen & Ronald Bird Jeremy Henry, Wendy Handwerk Norm Handwerk, Austin Berger Robert Stettner, Andreas Hassold Gerry Healey EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Bartholomew, 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. MIINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting August 8, 2022; Committee Meetings August 15, 2022, & August 22, 2022; Special Council Meeting - August 22, 2022. President Bartholomew 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. Steve Walden 2230 High Point Lane (non-resident). Signed in and was recognized to speak. Steve discussed the Maple Spring Acres roads. This area has been plagued for years with stormwater issues, and is deteriorating with poorly paved roads. Steve understands that the stormwater issue must be repaired prior to paving, but nothing has been done for either problem. Steve added that there are severe lumps and potholes. Maple Spring Acres is the entrance for the school and busses find it difficult to maneuver around the potholes. Steven pointed out other hazards at Maple Spring and Oakhurst Drive. Steve asked the council how much borough revenue is earmarked for stormwater and road maintenance every year. Steve also asked where has any of that money been spent over the last 10 years. Councilor Reed stated that every year approximately $100,000.00 in CDBG funds are used for the roads. Councilor 1 Reed went through a list of roads that have been rebuilt and cited locations. Councilor Reed said that unfortunately Maple Spring Acres roads do not qualify as a low-moderate income area which applies to some ofthe grants that the borough obtains. Gerry Healey Shadow Oaks & Pine Tree. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Gerry expressed his thoughts on the condition oft the roads. He agrees with Steve Walden. President Bartholomew stated that total tax income from property tax is $945,000 per year and just to operate the police department costs over $1,000,000.00 per year. Manager Stevens added that the borough has tried to obtain several multimodal grants for the stormwater issue in the area. The council and the residents discussed options for obtaining funding for road issues. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Jeffrey Hausman Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 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 MayorJeralyn Schoch None STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Jeffrey Hausman 1. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to sell old stoplights on Municibid. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to advertise Stormwater Ordinance 710 required by DEP (written by ARRO for MS4 permit holders) contingent to the corrections made by Attorney Young. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. UGI Utilities, Inc proposed regulator station at Chestnut and Diamond Streets. This has been discussed previously with no final outcome. Previously, the amount of money was an issue and protection (executive session discussion). 2 4. CDBG and Slate Heritage Trail projects will be advertised for bidding next February 2023. Borough Manager obtained extension on CDBG from Lehigh County. Will not jeopardize next year's CDBG. 5. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to sell zero-turn mower listed on Municibid to John Groff for $1,850.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Amendment to the Borough of Slatington defined contribution retirement plan. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to sell 2010 Crown Victoria police interceptor listed on Municibid to the highest bidder for $2,950.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Carpeting installation completed at police station. Flooring installation should be in late September or early October (informational only) C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1 Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to hire Bachman's Small Backhoe Service for $2,100.00 for various projects to be paid with COVID19 LFRF. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 2 Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve request from Pat Rabenold to have In Memory of Buzzy Car Cruise in June 11, 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Homecoming Parade on October 14, 2022. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3 4. Borough Manager applied for extension on Victory Park bathroom grant. Should be bid together with CDBG and Slate Heritage Trail grants in February 2023. D. FimancePlammingZoming Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Resolution R- 03-22, with attached Exhibit A, authorizing destruction of certain listed documents. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to approve Exemption Report from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Dennis Heffelfinger - Deceased - $5.50; Dawn Herman Deceased - $5.50; Kelly Sue Mason - Deceased - $11.00 (2 X $5.50); Michelle May - Deceased $11.00 (2 X $5.50); Arville Peters - Deceased - $5.50; Earl Evert - Deceased - $5.50; Manuela Reitz Deceased - $22.00 (4 X $5.50); Millie Evert - Deceased - $5.50; Sandra Wiscocky - Deceased - $5.50; Kim Houser Deceased - $5.50; William Barrett Deceased - $5.50; Gary Miller Deceased - $5.50; total $93.50. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Notice: Public hearings - Northern Lehigh Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan, October 10, 2022. (informational only) 4. Review changes to PA fireworks law (informational only) E. Sewer/Solid Waste CouncilorJoseph Wechsler Informational item passed on from the Sewer Authority: President Bartholomew stated that the Sewer Authority is over budget by the amount of $3,500.00 due to an increase in the permit fee from $1250.00 to $3750.00 and due to 7 violations. 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve proposal from Emergency Systems Service Company for the yearly maintenance agreement renewal for the generators for $6,074.99. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 2. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to hire Gilmore & Associates, Inc. (Thomas Duffy), to act as engineers for digester lid removal project. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel 4 Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 3 Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to hire Pumping Solutions Incorporated for the trickling filter repair work at WWTP for $7,487.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 4. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: Tad Miller - $125.00, Brown & Brown of the Lehigh Valley - $250.00; total $375.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 5. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded Councilor Kratz, to authorize payment of Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Reports for the period of June 13, 2022 through September 12, 2022; Time - 12.50 hrs. @ $30.00 = $375.00.travel - 111 miles @ 58.5 cents = $64.94, correction on mileage cost $.69.38 2022 (62.5 cents per mile). President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 6. Report from Travelers Property Casualty Company of America settlement of lightning strike damage at sewer plant $15,301.88. (informational only) F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to apply for LSA Grant for storm sewer restoration. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to hire Bill Weissman to prepare technical specifications for SCADA System at water filtration plant. Cost not to exceed $3,000.00. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None 5 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Manager Stevens reminded the council of the shredding event being cohosted with Rep Zak Mako will be on Saturday, October 1st, 2022, at 10:00 AM at the Maintenance Building. The Electronic Recycling will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022. NEW BUSINESS: None COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Thomas Bartholomew, COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) Kevin Boylan wanted to apologize for his actions earlier in the meeting concerning the police. Kevin understands that the council is doing what they can for the roads. EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew, recessed to executive session at 8:07 PM. At 9:36 PM President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel, legal, and real estate were discussed in executive session. A3 Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to negotiate an easement with UGI in the prescribed price range as authorized by council. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew, declared the meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 6