BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 5/14/18 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, May 14, 2018 at 7:00 P.M., in Council Chambers, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Daniel Stevens: President of Council Recording Secretary: Bryon Reed, President Pro Tem The meeting was called to order by President Stevens at 7:00 P.M. following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Daniel Stevens Russell Hallman Mayor Niedermeyer Larry Davis Kaleigh Hillegass Jason Ruff Chief Rachman Samantha Hein Beverly Zellner Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Rose Kocher John Kuhns Joseph Wechsler Attorney Healy Ed Zeigler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn off their cell phones, iphones, and electronic devises off, or on vibrate. Ifyou must take a call, please exit the council chambers sO as not to disrupt the meeting. President Stevens announced that all public sessions of Borough Council are electronically recorded and such recordings are maintained as part ofthe meeting record until the minutes are transcribed and approved by the Board, at which time the recordings shall be erased. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS - Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to accept the following minutes, with a correction to the Water/Sewer/Highway minutes per Councilor Reed. On page 2, Section B, the woman who called from DCEB name is Marge Ryan, not Megan Ryan. Council Minutes, April 9, 2018, Committee Meetings - April 16, 2018, and April 23, 2018. Councilor Reed President Stevens 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. Kaleigh Hillegass - 441 Second Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Kaleigh is at the meeting on behalf of herself and 10 houses that reside on Second Street. She provided the house numbers 445, 441, 438, 439, 432, 435, 433, 427, 424, 422. She and the other residents are concerned about the speeding on Second Street. Most of the speeding occurs around 2:45 PM to about 5:00 PM when the traffic backs up on Main Street, and Second Street being used as a bypass. They are not obeying the 25 MPH speed limit. She has spoken with the police requesting that they show a little bit of presence. Kaleigh is requesting council to consider installing a 3-way stop sign or speed bumps throughout Second Street. Councilor Schnaars suggested Kaleigh get in touch with our state legislatures to get them to authorize our police to use radar. Chief Rachman informed Kaleigh that even with radar, the police would not be able to catch speeders. Chief Rachman said that they would try keep a closer watch on the area. Beverly Zellner - 432 Second Street - Beverly stated that she is bothered by many property owners that are not taking care of their property. It brings the value of your house down, when a neighbor's property is in such poor condition. She said she has complained in the past and was told that the borough would check on it, but never did. President Stevens informed her that we do have a new ordinance enforcement officer and to talk with Tony Lopsonzski. These issues are written complain driven, and she needs to file a complaint. Rose Kocher - 434 Second Street - Signed in ànd was recognized to speak. Rose informed the council the parking on Second Street is awful. Her husband is on disability and she has obtained a handicap sign. She asked council if there was a possibility of painting parking lines on the street. Chief Rachman said that the lines are suggestions, but they can't be enforced. However, the lines for handicap parking can be painted. Larry Davis - 439 Second Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Larry informed the council of the garbage collection issues that he is having. He called the garbage company to let them know they would be having a mattress out. They told him that is okay, but it wasn't picked up for about a month. Larry stated the garbage men pick through the trash, or recycle, and take what they want. The council will check the contract with the garbage company. This will be placed on the next Sewer/Water/ighway committee meeting agenda. John Kuhns 433 Second Street - Signed in and was recognized to speak. John also complained about the garbage service. He had 2 cans sitting out for 3 weeks. He has seen the trash and the recycling thrown into one garbage truck. He is asking why he should separate his trash and recycling ifthey throw it away. John also reiterated the speeding problems on Second Street. Councilor Ruff questioned ift the garbage company has problems picking up the trash in the alleys. Samantha Heim - 4180 Mountain Road - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Samantha was concerned about speeding on her road. President Stevens informed her that she is located in Washington Township and the state police cover that area. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENI, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRSENTATIONS President Stevens informed the council of a notification from the Lehigh County Agricultural Center, PennState Extension, they will be spraying for gypsy moth between late April and early June within the boundaries of Slatington. The spray can cause eye irritation. If the material gets on the skin, soap and water are sufficient to remove it. 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/TRANSIER Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer 2 Police Chief David Rachman Chief Rachman had spoken with President Stevens, Councilor Schnaars and Councilor Wechsler about the shortage of police in the borough. They have been shorthanded for the last 3 years. The chiefi is having an issue obtaining qualified part-time police. The part-time police are leaving the borough due to the low pay but have obtained positions in other areas part-time because ofhigher pay. The borough part-time rate lags behind most every police force in the county. He is requesting that the borough consider raising the salary to commensurate with most oft the other departments. Chief Rachman cited salaries from surrounding communities. He is asking for a minimum of $19.00/hour and that it be placed on the Public Safety Agenda. SLATINGTON REVITALIZATION PARTNERSHIP STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Obtaining pricing for cleaning up the parks. Council discussed concerns about the care ofthe parks. 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize public works (highway) committee to authorize up to $2,000.00 for landscaping improvements at Memorial Park. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew Councilor Reed mentioned a statement from the person who is maintaining the vehicles, that the garage is closed. The garage is not closed. Larry Turoscy informed the council the pre-bid conference for the CDBG project 2018 on Fourth Street was held today. There were 3 local bidders - S&G, Livengood, and Dirt Works Larryi is still waiting for a date for the Main and Walnut Street at the bridge meeting. Larry also looked at the South Street water pavement and stated the blacktop is low volume and is not the greatest, but passable. The work also went down to the playground, because they had extra blacktop. Rentschler's has put in his parking lot and Larry is making sure they are doing what the county requires. S&G is doing the work. B. Public Safety Councilor David Schnaars 3 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adopt amendments to Ordinance No. 693,An ordinance ofthe Borough ofSlatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvanid, amending Chapter 175, Section 175-17, ofthe Borough Codified Ordinances pertaining to places where on-street parking is prohibited at all times. Chief Rachman gave a brief description ofthe changes - 300 block of Park Avenue no parking along the west side ofthe street from E. Franklin to the end of the street going northbound due to narrow road; E. Franklin Street to Park Avenue to Fairview - no parking on the north side oft the street; sightline issues at Chestnut and Diamond would be on the south side oft the street, east from Diamond Street first few spots about 50 ft.; Chestnut and Center going 75 ft northbound of the west side. These corners should be painted yellow. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 2. Councilor Schnaars informed the council the PPL bill is for the siren on South Street. Fire Chief Nicholas told him this siren has not worked for years. Councilor Schnaars has been checking around to see ift that is part of our emergency management system, and if it plays any significant part of our emergency management system. Fire Chief Nicholas is obtaining an estimate on what it might cost to repair this. If it costs too much it is recommended that the repair not be done. There is another emergency notification that is used, SWIFT 911. Councilor Ruff questioned why the 2018 electric bill was twice as high than the 2017 bill, since the siren is not working. 3. Councilor Schnaars discussed the letter from EMC concerning the $1,000.00 deductable, which NOVA gave to the borough, for repairs to the garage doors. NOVA was responsible for the damage to the doors. The rest of the bill must go through the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act. 4. Chief Rachman informed the council the Durango was supposed to be sold on Municibid but was not. The 2002 Crown Victoria is being used as a parts car. He suggested the Durango be sold and the Victoria be sold for scrap. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize Attorney Healy and Councilor Schnaars to prepare a resolution for selling an item worth under $1,000.00. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor C. Fuman/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff Chief Rachman said on June 2nd Boyer's Hardware will be having their 150th anniversary event. There will also be a run on the D&L Trail, plus it is National Trails day. Fire Chiefl Nicholas needs extra fire police for these events. There will be fire police from 10 AM to 3 PM but will remain only if necessary. 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to approve letter from Jagger Bolton concerning Eagle Scout Project at the Springside fish hatchery. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4 2. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve application for use of facilities for St. Luke's Hospice bike ride to benefit St. Luke's Hospice on June 2, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 3. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve Northern Lehigh Class of 2020 Duck Race fund raiser per Tayler Urban on May 20th, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adopt Resolution R- 18-18, Resolution of Northwest Lehigh County Comprehensive Planning Group authorizing an application to the Penmsylvania Municipal Assistance Program. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 5. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize President Stevens to sign the Intermunicipal Planning Agreement contingent upon LVPC agreeing to payment over 2 years. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew D. Finance Councilor Russell Hallman 1, Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve Rentschler paving request on property owned by the borough at 360 N. Walnut Street. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Bartholomew, made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to authorize President Stevens to approve Exemption request from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Heather Chandler paid elsewhere - $5.50; Alicia Creyer non-resident - $5.50; Lee Pierce Klinger deceased - $5.50; Andrea Bosario paid prior - $5.50. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor E. Sewer/Solid Waste CouncilorJoseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to transfer $280.83 to the Authority to pay its bills through April 17, 2018. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler 5 Thomas Bartholomew 2. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve the Assistant Treasurer": s Time and Travel Report for the period of March 21, 2018 through April 17, 2018 in the amount of $87.50. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew 3. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to authorize ARRO to proceed with advertising bids for sewer plant. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 4. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve Thomas Bartholomew to the Sewer Authority to complete an existing 5-year term (4 years remaining). President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Daniel Stevens Bryon Reed David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption Councilor Reed informed the council that ARRO will be attending the next committee meeting to give an update on all the present projects that we have going on. Councilor Reed stated DEP had come to the water treatment plant last week and were there for 3 days conducting a plant evaluation. Waiting for report from DEP. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: Councilor Schnaars received an e-mail from Virginia Haas concerning blighted properties. The county is working on a program to reduce blighted properties. Councilor Schnaars informed the council that the county has received notification and been conditionally awarded $100,000. 6 Councilor Schnaars will work on the details as to what is required. He will submit the information to the council at that time. President Stevens asked the council ifthe borough will be hiring a part-time person for the road crew. The concern with hiring a part-time person is whether the person will not be doing what he/she is hired for - primarily grass cutting, weeding, etc. President Stevens will obtain quotes for grass cutting. COUNCIL PRESIDENTS REPORT: None Daniel Stevens COURTESY OF THE FLOOR = (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) None EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Stevens recessed to executive session at 8:43 pm. At 9:48 p.m., President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel and legal matters were discussed in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Ruff made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to adjourn the meeting. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 9:49 PM. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 7