BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 12/12/22 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, December 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 ofCouncil 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 Officer Dorward Ron Hausman, Ryan Mayberry Bryon Reed Mayor Schoch Dave Schnaars, Aaron Schoch Joseph Wechsler-via phone Lisa Young Abel Boyer, Deb Boyer Ronald Kratz Justin Gross Kevin Steckel Daniel Stevens Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 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. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting November 14, 2022; Committee Meetings - November 21, 2022 canceled, & November 28, 2022; Special Budget Meeting November 28, 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. If you exit the podium, you have yielded the floor, and any time you have remaining. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENI, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Mr. Abel Boyer attended the meeting on behalf of A. F. Boyer Hardware. Mr. Boyer stated that the hardware store conducts a Glock Event every year which was held on October 28th. Glock is a firearms manufacturer and they were on site to help with a big sale. They do a Back the Blue Event during which they sell raffle tickets. A. F. Boyer donates 100% ofthe proceeds from the raffle to the Slatington Police Association. This year they gave away 1 free Glock, firearms training certificate, Boyer t-shirt, pistol case, Glock backpack, ammo can set, Glock eye and ear protection, and much more. This was their best year ever. They raised $2,095.00 which Mr. Boyer presented to the Slatington Police Association on behalf of Boyer's. Officer Borst accepted the check on behalf of the Slatington Police Association, APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSIER Councilor Reed 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: 1 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed Joseph Wechsler 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 None Sgt. Dorward Sgt. Dorward wanted to remind residents at this time of year to be more vigilant due to crime increasing. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Jeffrey Hausman 1. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Resolution R- 07-22, resolution approving the application of COVID-19 ARPA H20 PA grant for the amount of $5,113,184.79 which will be utilized for redoing storm water, water lines and repaving trenches affiliated by that work. 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 Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve professional services agreement with ARRO Consulting for $6,000.00 (MS4). 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 3. Discussion and possible motion to approve purchase of emergency generator for maintenance building from BEI at a cost of $10,400.00 (not including exclusions). Paid for with COVID19 LFRF. Councilor Hausman was informed that we may be over the threshold and have to go out for quotes due to the other work related to this. This could involve putting in a propane tank, or just running an actual gas line from the gas service up to where the generator is located. Attorney Young stated that the borough has to consider the entire project even if different contractors work on certain portions, the state considers the project as a whole and what that cost is. Once we get at or over $11,800.00 and below $21,900.00 you get into where you need to obtain at least, if possible, 3 written quotes or phone quotes. Manager Stevens stated that he has received a quote for a gas line installation from Kromer for $2,800.00. President Bartholomew requested this be tabled. 4. Justin Gross provided an update of the Lehigh Engineering study on paving costs for the 15 roads. Justin stated that the total cost would be $6,150,121.61 to fix all the roads in northern Slatington. Justin stated that we are applying for the H20 grant in the amount of$ $5,113,184.79, SO there would essentially be $1,000,000.00 over in outstanding paving costs that the borough could apply for. Manager Stevens stated that the match would be $1,704,000.00 on the H20 Grant. Manager Stevens stated that if we get the Multimodal, we can take that amount out of the grant. Justin added that we can potentially take out the Maple Springs water line portion of it, because they are also applying for that separately in the Small Water and Sewer Grant. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Discussion and possible motion to ratify revised 4-year agreement with Slatington Police Association covering the period of January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2026. (review agreement in executive session) C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to hold 2 electronics recycling events in 2023 on April 1 and October 21, 2023, from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Thank you from Slatington Public Library for the borough' S $5,000.00 contribution. D. mancelPlamming/oming Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve and advertise 2023 meeting schedule. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R- 11-22, establishing the budget for 2023 for the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Manager Stevens noted to the council some changes: General Revenue amount for tenants in the municipal building increased $300.00; the amount for the Recycling Act 101 is $2,000.00, and the final for General has a $2,627.00 surplus; final on Fire $16,122.00 deficit; Water - $140,622.00 surplus; Sewer - $122,863.00 surplus; Garbage - $66,700.00 deficit; Liquid Fuels balance $166,657.00. 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 3 Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Zachari Halkias 3. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve Resolution R- 10-22, a resolution fixing the tax rate for the real estate for the fiscal year 2023, fixing the per capita tax at $5.00, and reenacting the 1% wage tax, the Borough ofs Slatington local service tax at $52.00; 1% realty transfer tax. 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 Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Weschler, to approve Resolution R- 12-22, a resolution of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, establishing payments into the police pension fund by members for the year 2023. 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 5. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Weschler, to approve Resolution R- 13-22, a resolution to appoint Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits auditor for FY 2022. 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 6. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Weschler, to approve Resolution R- 14-22, a resolution establishing Borough fees and charges for Borough services or for the use of Borough facilities for fiscal year 2023. President Bartholomew, declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Thomas Bartholomew Bryon Reed 4 Joseph Wechsler Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Jeffrey Hausman Zachari Halkias 7. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Resolution R-15- 22, a resolution appointing Elite Revenue Solutions to serve as the delinquent tax collector for the Borough of Slatington real estate tax 2022. 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 8. Motion to approve Resolution R-16-22, a resolution providing for the wages of certain employees of the Borough of Slatington (to be reviewed in executive session) 9. Councilor Hausman made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to appoint Russell Hallman as a new member to the Zoning Hearing Board. 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 E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Manager Stevens provided a schedule for the update on bidding for digester lid removal project. Manager Stevens said it has been advertised and the pre-bid is December 20th and attendance is not mandatory. The bid opening is January 6th and the project is on PennBid. 2. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Resolution R- 17-22 providing for the appointment of sewage enforcement officers for the Borough of Slatington. 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 5 Zachari Halkias 3. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: October 10, 2022, Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Lisa A. Young = $1,155.00; Tad Miller - $125.00; Times News - $63.55; petty cash - $56.39; total $1,399.94. 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 pay Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period of September 12, 2022 through December 12, 2022 - Travel - 111 miles @ 62.5 cents = $69.38; 111 @ 62.5 cents = $69.38; total $138.76; September 12, 2022 through December 12, 2022 Time - 13.75 hrs. @ $30.00 = $412.50. 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 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 approve Resolution R- 08-22 resolution approving application of COVID-19 ARPA Small Water and Sewer Program grant in the amount of $277,599.62 for Maple Spiring Drive. Manager Stevens stated that the match if$41,639.94. 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 3. Discussion and possible motion to take part in the PA Homeowners Assistance Fund. No action at this time. 6 4. Justin Gross provided an update on the bidding for AutoCon panel upgrades. It is on PennBid and the pre-bid meeting is next week and the bid opening is on December 28th. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: The council agreed to cancel the following meetings: Finance/Public Safety/Human Community Services on December 19th and the WaterSewer/ighway on December 27h. 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.) EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Bartholomew recessed to executive session at 7:40 PM. At 8:50 PM President Bartholomew reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and contract negotiations were discussed in executive session. B 1. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Hausman, to ratify the revised 4- year agreement with Slatington Police Association covering the period of January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2026. 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 D8. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve Resolution R-16- 22, a resolution providing for the wages of certain employees of the Borough of Slatington. 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 Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to amend the agenda to address unused personal and vacation days for Duane Szczesny and Colleen Bresnak for the year 2022, and 7 amend the agenda to address borough manager's comp time, unused personal, and vacation days for 2022, and increase compensation for 2023. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to pay out all accumulated unused personal and vacation days for 2022 for Duane Szczesny and Colleen Bresnak. 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 Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to pay out all accumulated unused comp time, personal and vacation days for 2022 for the borough manager and amend the manager's MOU for a wage increase for 2023. 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 ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Hausman, made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adjourn the meeting. President Bartholomew declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Bartholomew declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 8