BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON The Finance Planning/Zoning, Public Safety and Human/Community Services Committee Workshop Meetings were held on May 29, 2018 in Council Room, 125 South Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. The meeting was called to order by Councilor Stevens at 6:30 PM with the following in attendance: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Joe Wechsler Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Mike Kukitz Kristie Wilk Thomas Bartholomew David Schnaars PUBLIC COMMENT: Kristie Wilk - NOVA - Kristie updated the committee: they had over 216 calls for the first quarter. Their accountant filed an extension and should have their financial report shortly and will deliver a copy to the Borough. They have divided their operations functions-Ann will now be the provider services manager and will focus on community outreach, quality patient care and Bruce is now regions manager and will be taking care oft the trucks and the equipment. They have received all their new trucks and need one more license and then they will have all 51 trucks back in service. One June 12",t they are conducting a bio-rehabilitation training with in all the fire companies within their coverage area, They are offering low-cost CPR classes to community groups. They are currently looking for a full-time EMT. They are looking to get new furniture for their room in the fire station. She took the total billing and stated the cost per call is really low at this time at $350.00 which is down $100.00 from where it was last year. She is hoping Medicare will go on to Harrisburg on June 6th to help support the increase in Medicaid. Ift this goes through it will be a significant increase. Medicare does not pay for treatment only; it must be treatment and transport. FINANCE/PLANNINGIZONING Thomas Bartholomew - Chairman; Members: David Schnaars, Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Bartholomew opened a discussion on modifying the new owner tenant inspection process. He has worked closely with Tony Lopsonzski. He said the biggest problem Tony is having, is playing phone tag with the landlord, which is time consuming. Councilor Bartholomew stated there is no incentive for the landlord to call and set up the inspection, because it is open ended. He is suggesting that once the landlord pays for the inspection, the in to put a 60- or 90-day time limit for the inspection. Councilor Ruff! had mentioned it had been suggested units be inspection once on a regular 2- or 3-year basis. Councilor Reed agrees by doing this type of inspection, tenants that move in or out without a moving permit would be caught. President Stevens feels the cost of $60.00 for the inspection should be lowered. Councilor Bartholomew has checked in other towns as to their cost for inspections. The only problem with doing inspections every 2-, 3-, or 5-years, is the property could be trashed over that period of time. Councilor Wechsler questioned why a house that has been inspected by the bank, the borough would also require an inspection. This is to be placed on the next committee meeting for further discussion. 2. The committee discussed the Blue Ridge franchise agreement expiring December 12, 2018, requesting an extension for another 15-year term. The committee will find out how much the increase will be and also check on RCN pricing. 1 3. President Stevens explained the reason for a quote for a new computer from Keystone Technology for Linda. The 3rd computer in the main office has limited accessibility. He suggested that we replace the computer that is being used by Liz, replace the 3rd computer and keep that one be a backup. There is no need to change out the computer in the Zoning office at this time. The committee will also request a quote from Keystone Technology for an external hard drive for the Zoning computer. To be placed on next regular council agenda. 4. President Stevens had a meeting with Beyer-Barber that conducted an audit on the police pension plan. They recommended this resolution be updated from 2014. The previous resolution had listed the president of council, vice president of council, and secretary as chief administrative officers, but the state only wants one chief administrative officer. This new resolution refers to the office, not a specific person. This is to be placed on the next regular council agenda. Councilor Ruff asked Councilor Bartholomew where the borough was with the, bookkeepers, auditors and transferring money. At this time, there haven't been any recommendations from the Gurniak & Gurniak. The borough is waiting for the final audit report. 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. Councilor Schnaars informed the committee Chief Rachman is having problems keeping and hiring part-time police officers because oft the low pay rate of$17.51 per hour, in addition to the high call volume in town. Chief Rachman had sent an e-mail May 29, 2018, showing comparative part-time police officer' S salary in other towns. He also informed the committee there are fewer applicants in the police force and the part-time police are required to complete the same police education as the full-time, but for no benefits and lower salary. Chief Rachman is requesting the part-time police officers' pay be raised to $19.00 per hour. This is to be placed for a motion on the next regular council agenda. Chief Rachman is also requesting the committee to discuss initiating the process to establish a one-year civil service (full time) officer eligibility list. This list will nullify a long delay in the eventual hiring process. This is to be placed for a motion on the next regular council agenda. 2. Councilor Schnaars informed the committee that one of the servers in the police department keeps failing. The committee reviewed the quote for the server from Keystone Technology for $3,788.22, plus the cost of CODY. President Stevens had filed an insurance claim but is waiting to hear if it will be covered. The generator failed when there was a power outage and this has damaged the police computer system. The total cost for this repair is approximately $6,000.00. This request from Keystone Technology had been approved on an emergency basis by Councilor Schnaars. President Stevens informed the committee the borough has received a check from the insurance company for approximately $23,000.00 for storm damage claim. 2 Councilor Schnaars received notice from UGI the gas bills will be going down, For commercial and industrial it is projected to decrease 2.4%, 3.5%, and 4.0% respectively by June 1st. By December 1st they may go down as much as 5.0%. 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. Councilor Ruff received an e-mail from Mike Kukitz from NLRA. Mike informed the committee he has received the grant, approximately $35,000 and another $35,000 set aside, for the amphitheater. Mike has just submitted for another grant to redo the bathrooms. Per Mike's e-mail, he is requesting long/short term projects, safety issues, and aesthetic issues at Victory Park. His proposals are: 1) relocating the Victory Park sign and adding a small mulch bed/landscape around the base of the sign. 2) the Disc Golf course is in need of major attention. Mike has secured an additional 9 baskets and are at the public works building. There are 3 options: expand the course to 18 holes; fix the current 9 holes or remove the course. 3) the horseshoe dirt pits, 2 tables, grills and miscellaneous wood are in terrible condition and recommends removal and plant grass; 4) keep the restrooms open for the public Councilor Ruff would like to have all the safety issues addressed first. Then possibly hire someone to make a plan, and then take it little by little. Mike offered to work on the plan. Councilor Schnaars suggested a list be created for the road crew to start maintaining Victory Park. In order for Mike to have work done, he is to have a work order completed for safety issues and give to Councilor Ruff for signature. Councilor Ruff will bring it to the council's attention if necessary. President Stevens sent out RFP for grass cutting to lawn services for the areas here in the borough. Landscaping and repairs are needed at Memorial Park. President Stevens is getting quotes on landscaping repairs to Memorial Park. This has been approved up to $2,000.00. 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 made a motion to adjourn at 8:18 P.M. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 3