BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11/11/24 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: David Schnaars: President of Council Recording Secretary: Elizabeth Miller 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 Jeralyn Schoch Jacob Percival, Ron Hausman Zach Halkias Lisa Young Matt Panczer, Josh Orway Ryan Mayberry Justin Gross Patty Ingles TN, Bill Braga Ronald Kratz Greg Winokur Michael Beck, David McGeary Kevin Steckel Stephen Carr Amanda Henry, Rose Little Arron Schoch Kevin Borman, Ashley King William Schippers Eric King, Hunter Henritzey Robert Herzog, Brendan Little 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. In honor of Veterans Day, President Schnaars wished to give thanks to all those who have served in our military in various capacities. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING - Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve the following minutes being corrected: Special Meeting, October 21, 2024, page 2 - should be bids not quotes; Council Meeting - October 14, 2024; Committee Meetings - October 21, 2024, and October 28, 2024; Special Meeting October 21, 2024 President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Acela Architects & Engineers Representatives: Jeremie Schadler, Michael Waldron, Daniel Witczak. Daniel provided an overview. Acela Architects & Engineers has celebrated 10 years as a company and most its civil engineers have been working for 25-30 years in the Lehigh County. At the start of its business, it worked in the private sector. It then got involved with the Veteran Affairs and started working all over the country. Acela Architects & Engineers has everything inhouse - it has its own architecture team, mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineers, and structural engineers. In 2016 it started working with Coplay Borough. Daniel Witczak broke down the different types of work they have completed for various boroughs. Acela Architects & Engineers company does have the capabilities to work with sewer plants. Michael Waldron spoke about the construction of the Mount Pocono sewage treatment plant. Jeremie Schadler introduced himself and he is the director of Civil Engineering and has lived in the Lehigh Valley. Jeremie spoke specifically about roadways. He stated that they analyze the whole road area for preventative maintence and future budgeting and planning. 1 Keystone Consulting Engineering - Representatives: Steve Gitch, Eric Snyder, Daren Martoci. Eric introduced himself and stated that there are 3 offices locally. Keystone Consulting Engineering do mostly municipalities. It has 39 municipalities that it works with. Its office has survey engineers and inspection staff. It also provides Zoning Code services. Eric Snyder informed the council that it takes out bonds. They look to find grants to help the municipalities. Core & Main Water Works Supply - Representatives: Joshua Ordway, Mathew Panczer, Michael Beck. Joshua Ordway is the Senior Meter Manager. Joshua provided different types of water meters and the technology that goes with it. He stressed that it is important to have the meters up-to-date for municipality revenue. The meters in the borough are approximately 30 years old. Multiple meters could be read electronically by just sitting in a truck or an antenna. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - (For Agenda/Non-Agenda Items) please use Podium (three minutes per person/five minutes per group) You will have three (3) minutes to address Council from the podium. The three (3) 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 ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS: Brendan Little - 231 2nd Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Brendan apologized to the Council for derogatory meme that was seenl on Twitter. He stated that this meme does not reflect his true beliefs or values. Brendan wished to make it clear that he holds the most respect to every individual, regardless of race or religion. His commitment to helping or saving anyone in need without any bias is unwavering. Brendan does understand the seriousness of this matter and feels that termination is a bit too harsh. He would appreciate a second chance. 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. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSFER Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, 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 David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS Mayor Jeralyn Schoch Mayor Schoch wished to thank the local fire companies, and hundreds of fire men and women who, over the past several weeks, have shown their dedication for these brush fires. She thanked them for all their hard work for volunteering their time. Mayor Schoch also thanked the surrounding communities and members for pulling together and taking care ofthose volunteers. Chief Greg Winokur 2 Chief Winokur provided totals for October 2023 to October 2024: incidents: 2023 - 336, 2024 - N/A; reports filed 2023 - 229, 2024 - 260; criminal arrests 2023 - 12, 2024 - 8; traffic citations 2023 - 27, 2024 - 16; parking tickets 2023 - 28, 2024 - 53. Chief Winokur stated that they did receive a letter from the state saying they have been awarded 2 grants; 1 for $27,911.00 to go towards the taser and body cam project- this will only cover the hardware; 1 for $49,905.00 for the intersection traffic camera project. Chief Winokur forwarded a letter from the state to President Schnaars requesting 2 signing names to make sure that grant can be received. Chief Winokur stated that the barrier at the intersection of Main and Walnut Streets has been removed and marked with lines to indicate no lane or travel. Chief Winokur stated that they had gone through the process to hire a full-time officer. At the completion of that process, unfortunately the officer declined our offer and took a position at another police department. The list is expired and will have to wait until the next consortium test early next year. He stated that there is a very good part-time officer and he recommends to look at ways to keep him. One way would be to increase his salary from his current salary to that of a first-year full-time employee. Chief Winokur thanked everyone for his support over the last year and half. President Schnaars thanked Greg for his service. Fire Chief Robert Reph Fire Chief Reph wished to thank all his volunteers' families, and communities for stepping up this last month with the fires we have had recently. Fire Chief Reph stated the department responded to 36 fire calls for the month of October, this was an increase of 48.28% increase from last year. Total call year-to- date 214. Due to lack of rain the burn ban will remain in effect. Lehigh County Fire Chiefs Association is trying to get the Lehigh County Commissioners to approve a county wide burn ban. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Review information concerning the replacement of the fire department's 30-year engine and 30- year-old rescue truck combining them in to one truck. Fire Chief Reph informed the Council that he has information on 2 trucks. One is at $1.1 million and the other is at $1.2 million. The $1.2 million truck fits most of the needs of the department. He added that these prices are only good for 60 days. Truck delivery would be in 3-years, at which time the first payment would be due. If this is approved now Chief Reph can contact State Rep Zach Mako's office for assistance in obtaining funds. Chief Reph suggested putting up the rescue truck up for sale as soon as possible. Councilor Kratz, made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to approve the $1.2 million fire truck. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Kevin Steckel Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz William Schippers Aaron Schoch 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to adopt Resolution R-09- 24, a resolution Lehigh Valley 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to approve quote for Axon Enterprise, Inc. for Slatington Police using COVID funds $73,210.76. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: 3 ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers 4. Update from Attorney Young to create an ordinance to authorize the fire company to bill for incidents. Attorney Young stated work has started on that and likely be for the December or January meeting for proposed adoption. So, at this time to list the authorization to advertise on our December council agenda. 5. Update on grants. Chief Winokur addressed this earlier. B. Highway Councilor Aaron Schoch 1. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to purchase Miracle Ford quote for the 2025 Ford F350 4x4 reg cab for a maximum of $65,000.00 for the water department and the public works departments. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers 2. Update and possible action concerning CDBG projects. Justin Gross informed the council they have received comments from PennDOT for the Sth Street for the stormwater improvements, sidewalks, and ADA improvements. They are in the process of revising those, then they will resubmit that. They have received an extension for North Street to December 20th, 2024. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to approve request from Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association to hold a fund raiser to use the trail head for the Great Slatington Duck Race on June 7, 2025, from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve request from Slatington Lions Club to hold their fundraiser starting on Friday, 11/15/24 to 12/28/24. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to amend the agenda to discuss and possibly approve request from St. John's United Church of Christ to hold a Free Thanksgiving Day Drive-Thru Dinner on Thursday, November 28, 2024, to have Kuntz Street closed and no parking. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4 4. Councilor Halkias made a motion duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approved request from St. John's United Church of Christ to hold a Free Thanksgiving Day Drive- Thru Dinner on Thursday, November 28, 2024, to have Kuntz Street closed and no parking President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. D. mancelPhammingyZoming Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Resolution R- 08-24, a resolution of the Governing Board of the Borough of Slatington authorizing, empowering and directing the proper" officers of the governing boards to appoint a liaison between it and Berkheimer; the duly appointed collector of local taxes for the district, for the express purpose of sharing confidential tax information with the district for office purposes. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to approve to renew lease for State Representative Zach Mako's office at the current rate. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers 3. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to approve invoice from Transcend Finance, LLC for $14,690.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers 4. Grace Industries will be moving out of the Borough office due to work being completed. (informational only) 5. Lehigh Engineering resigned, effective till January 1t, 2025, as the Borough's engineering group. (informational only) 6. Steve reviewed the proposed budget with the Council. Water Fund = the new truck is budgeted to purchase outright or financed. The truck for the highway will be financed and paid out from Liquid Fuels. No recommending any increase in water rates currently. President Schnaars suggested amending the budget due to hiring a replacement for a retiree. Sewer Fund = no sewer rate increase is proposed. The current excess is $8,631.00. There are some capital items -rebuild a pump. There are 5 or 6 fire hydrants at the sewer plant that need to be replaced; have budgeted to replace 3 of them in 2025 and 2 or 3 in 2026. Another project is the backup water holding tanks. 5 Garbage Fund -It had been suggested to start increase in small increments. Steve recommends to obtain quotes in the middle of 2025 from trash haulers for 2026. He anticipates a big increase for 2026. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to increase the garbage rate by $10.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, 61 in Favor, Councilor Halkias - 1 Nay Liquid Fuels Fund - Steve stated that he filed the 2022 liquid fuels report for the stated which was approved for approximately $120,000.00. Will be sending in report for 2023 will result in the release of2024 funds ofapproximately $120,000.00. Fire Fund - At this time we do not know what the cost is for the radio upgrades. Steve sated that he added $15,000.00 to the budget. Steve suggested to do a one-tenth of a mil increase from .625 to.725. General Fund - It was suggested to Steve about hiring a part-time secretary in the police department to help with secretarial work and help keep the police out on the road. The Council agreed and Steve has budgeted for this position. Steve suggested making a small increase (1 mil) in taxes than to make a big one after many years. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry to advertise the 2025 Proposed Budget. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor William Schippers 1. President Schnaars stated that the Sewer Authority met this evening and their attorney will calculate the cost in the capacity. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to affirm the decision concerning request for increased capacity for Walnutport. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, confirming capacity for 4U Homes, LLC. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. Councilor Schippers informed the Council that he has received a quote from Henry's Generator Service. It is less expensive and covers a lot more. He does not have the quote on further servicing. This is for the repair. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve quote from Henry's Generator Service for generators for $10,444.21. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers 4. Update on advertising for municipal waste hauling contract for the Borough's trash and recycling contract (current contract expires January 16, 2025). Attorney Young informed the Council that she has received a 1-year extension from our current trash hauler that is provided for in the contract. Therefore, the borough will not be seeing a 40% to 50% increase. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 6 2. Councilor Steckel made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve and issue payment for Maple Spring Water Line project - $379,487.17. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Lachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel Aaron Schoch William Schippers 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.) EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Schnaars recessed to executive session at 9:25 PM. At 10:12 PM President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel were discussed in executive session. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, raise the pay rate the part-time Police Officer Bernhard to $32.00 per hour from his current pay starting in the month of December. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to make Officer W. Borst acting police chief for a period of 6 months, starting November 18th, 2024, with the opportunity to have Office Winokur provide consulting services and at the end of six months, both the borough and Officer Borst would reevaluate moving to a full-time police chief position. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Mayberry made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 10:25 PM. Roy Hambrecht Borough Manager 7