BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON The Finance Planning/Zoning, Public Safety and Human/Community Services Committee Workshop Meetings were held on September 16, 2024, in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. The meeting was called to order by President Schnaars at 6:30 PM with the following in attendance: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars Greg Winokur Ryan Mayberry Jeralyn Schoch Ronald Kratz Robert Reph Zachari Halkias PUBLIC COMMENT: None A. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING Ryan Mayberry- Chairman; Members: Ronald Kratz, Zachari Halkias 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics: a. Discussion and possible action concerning proposed easements for Masonic Lodge Community Center. President Schnaars stated that the council has referred this to Lehigh Engineering and they are preparing the easement. This will be plaçed on the regular council agenda. b. Tony Lopsonzski discussed pros and cons of revising existing rental inspection procedure. Tony stated that it his job to put the onus on him for issues, and not the council. Tony informed the committee that inspections are going well and that there are 896 apartments that need to be inspected. Tony added that between himself and the police, they are finding more apartments. He also stated that it takes him approximately 25-40 minutes to complete one inspection without complications. Between the inspection and the paperwork, it takes about 3 hours for one inspection. Unfortunately, Tony does not have the time to do all 896 inspections. If Tony finds an apartment that has not been inspected, he can have the tenants evicted, fine them for illegal occupancy. The cost of an inspection is $45.00, which has a 60-day life cycle. Ifthe inspection is not started within that time, the owner must pay another $45.00. Tony stated that he needs an assistant. Tony added that the problem is, the owners do not respond to letters requesting inspections. Tony stated that he spends most ofhis time in the office doing paperwork. C. Discussion concerning Keystone Community Program Designations. Counçilor Mayberry stated there is no up date at this time. d. Information from Lehigh County concerning new grant program for demolition of blighted properties. The committee reviewed the packet and feels that this would be a good program. e, Discussion of stormwater improvements from Masons. The cost would be 109,000.00. The borough's only responsibility for the improvements is just to place a grate over a pipe SO no one can crawl in to it. f. Visioning. None currently. There were no questions from the committee members; the Finance Committee Meeting was adjourned. 1 I B. PUBLIC SAFETY Ronald Kratz - Chairman; Members: Ryan Mayberry, Zachari Halkias 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics a. Update on police grant. Chief Winokur stated that back in 2023 he applied for a couple of different grants to offset costs for police officer bodycams and tasers. He received notification on the 11th that the PCCD grant was denied. Chief Winokur has received quotes from Axon for bodycams and tasers. Chief Winokur also reached out to Digital Allied. He has a quote from Digital Allied from last year for 6 of their body worn cameras and 5-year plan for the cost of $54,078.00. Axon is the only company that has the tasers and the cost for 8 tasers would be $36,399.80. The approximate total cost for the tasers and the body cam is $90,477.00. The Axon cameras and tasers is a few dollars more, however, it comes with a lot more - training, software, warranties, at the 2 1/2 -year mark, you will receive new equipment. The cost with Axon for 8 bodycams and 8 taser is approximately $100,000.00. Chief Winokur received information concerning another grant for bodycams from PCCD which closes on October 12th for application. Councilor Kratz would like this placed on the next regular council agenda. b. Visioning - Councilor Kratz has information ready for the budget meetings. Fire Chief Reph stated that they have been doing a lot of public relations. Councilor Kratzr requested Chief Reph obtain public statements from the other fire chiefs on how better the place has been. Chief Reph asked ifit would be possible to place on the next regular council agenda to look at an ordinance to be able to bill for incidents. There were no questions from the committee members; the Public Safety Committee meeting was adjourned. C. HUMAN/COMMUNITY SERVICES Zachari Halkias - Chairman; Members: Ryan Mayberry, Ronald Kratz 1. Committee Member discussion on listed topics: a. Visioning-none Councilor Halkias mentioned the light on the Welcome Sign to Slatington on the south end is casting a shadow from the origination emblems. He would like to have the lights repositioned. There were no questions from the committee members; the Human/Community Services Committee meeting was adjourned. EXECUTIVE SESSION: None D. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: President Schnaars received a letter for the use ofthe Trail Head. This will be placed on the next regular council agenda. E. COURTESY TO THE FLOOR: None 2 Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to adjourn. Being no further business, President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM. David Schnaars President, Borough Council 3