BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 10/11/21 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, October 11, 2021, at 7:00 PM, in the Council Chamber, 125 S. Walnut Street, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Bryon Reed: President of Council Recording Secretary: Daniel Stevens, Borough Manager/Secretary The meeting was called to order by President Reed at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS Bryon Reed Kevin Steckel Mayor Niedermeyer Jeffrey Hausman, Zachari Halkias Jason Ruff Dave Rachman Daniel Stevens Jeralyn Schoch, Robert Stettner Joseph Wechsler Ed Healy Aaron Schoch, John McCormick David Schnaars Justin Gross Cheryl McCormick, Ron Scheffler Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: President Reed 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 MEETINGS Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to approve the following minutes: Council Meeting September 13 2021; Committee Meetings September 20, 2021, & September 27, 2021. President Reed 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. Ron Scheffler 1335 Oakhurst Dr. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ron Scheffler provided a phone recording of Bryon Reed from 9 years ago. Ron informed the council that he had his laterals repaired recently by Lowry Clean Services. Mr. Scheffler claimed that Bryon Reed had stated on the tape that it was due to roots, but there were no roots. Ron mentioned he had called Borough Manager Stevens on July 30th informing him there is a tree leaning on Maple Spring Drive. Ron has also contacted the school district because he is concerned about the tree and a school bus. At this time, the tree is still there (the tree is on private property). Ron had complained 12 years ago about the sewer drains at the intersection of Oakhurst and Shadow Oaks. Ron claimed his complaint has never been addressed. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Councilor Ruff announced the next electronic recycling is set for Saturday, November 13th, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the borough garage for borough residents. 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. 1 I APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLETRANSFER Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve payment of the bills and transfers as presented by the Treasurer. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz MAYORS/POLICE CHIEF'S REMARKS Mayor Walter H. Niedermeyer Mayor Niedermeyer attended a NOVA meeting and provided a financial report. Chief Rachman None STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Councilor David Schnaars 1. The council received a response from PennDOT concerning the request to lower the speed limit on Route 873 (informational only). PennDot reviewed the request, but is denying it due to 85% of the motorists driving at/or below the speed limit during normal road conditions during daylight hours. In addition, no crashes on the downgrade were attributed to speed. 2. St. John's Church request for loading zone on Kuntz Street. Councilor Schnaars stated the decision of the committee is to take 1 parking space at the end of the road for a loading zone only between certain times. Justin Gross stated that no parking space can be designated for a religious organization with a CDBG grant, but a loading zone is alright with established hours. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to authorize the solicitor to create an ordinance amendment to create that loading zone on Kuntz Street next to St. John's UCC Church to designate the loading zone will operate from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and authorizing advertisement. Councilor Schnaars amended his motion to add to have Borough Manager Stevens write a letter informing St. John's Church of the council's decision. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve So. Walnut Street bridge replacement - existing utility verification. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. Manager Stevens provided some figures for discussion of budget preparation. For new road crew employee - 1st year at $81,000.00 and by the 4 year $97,600.00, new assistant code enforcement officer - $17,000.00, and the proposed codified work at $10,000.00. If the borough were to incur all these proposed expenses and the ones that have already been incurred, the increase would be $303,357.00. This works out to a 35.6% tax 2 increase. Manager Stevens pointed out the reason there is such a big jump in the road crew salary is they don't get paid their full amount for the first 3 years, 1st year is 85%, 2nd year 90%, 3rd year 95%, plus they have to contribute 10% of the health insurance for the first 3 years. Manager Stevens stated the cost of oil and gas will have a major impact on fuel and heating costs. Councilor Ruff has suggested to hire part-time road crew employees every summer. Councilor Schnaars would like this placed on the next committee agenda. 5. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to discuss and possibly take action on the Main and Church Streets traffic light and the Church Street CDBG to be added to the agenda. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Justin Gross provided the following information. They opened the box and it didn't not have a type D connector. Justin contacted Wyoming and the cheapest way is to replace the Green Machine Timer Controller Unit. at a cost of $6,134.56. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, that council approve the purchase of the Green Machine Timer Controller Unit for $6,134.56. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz Justin Gross informed the council about the Church St CDBG. The curbing is done, % the sidewalk was done today and they are planning to rip up the road. The roadway excavation will be done between Wednesday through Thursday. Manager Stevens added that Chestnut Street is totally done, and the Trailhead is done except for sealing the ends. 6. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to discuss and possibly take action on the PA Multimodal Grant (which is due on November 5th, 2021) to be added to the agenda. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 7. Manager Stevens stated that there is a round of Multimodals that are open till November 5th, 2021. Councilor Schnaars made a motion to authorize borough manager to submit a multimodal grant for stormwater in north Slatington in conjunction with Lehigh Engineering. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. B. Public Safety Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. The council reviewed an e-mail dated 10/1/21 from Fire Chief Jason Nicholas stating that the Northern Lehigh Bon Fire will be held on Thursday, October 14th, at 7 PM. (Informational only) C. Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve request from Lindsay Taylor to use Victory Park for its 5th Annual Candy Cane Hunt on Saturday, December 11th, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3 2. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve request from Kylie Adams to hold the Slatington Tree Lighting ceremony on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve estimate from Nicholson Security, LLC, for a total of $3,625.84, (deposit of $1,812.92) for security cameras at Victory Park. Work to be paid for with COVID19 LFRF. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 4. Thank you note from the Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Board for prompt removal of garbage. (informational only) D. FinancePlammingZoning Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve draft audit and documents for 2019 from CRY. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize Borough Manager Stevens to approve Exemption Report from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: Michael George - Closed efforts exhausted - $5.50. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to pay bill for ABC Refrigeration for $698.00 - charged to Vigilant Fire Company for new compressor in A/C unit. Parts covered under warranty. Vigilant originally purchased unit, however, the building is owned by Slatington Borough. Vigilant has been paying for yearly maintenance on all A/C units in the building. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 4. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adopt Ordinance 705, ordinance of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, PA, revising Chapter 122 (relating to noise). President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed 4 Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 5. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adopt Ordinance 706, ordinance of the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, PA, revising Chapters 1 (relating to general provisions) and 141 (relating to property maintenance, revision of fines on violations) President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 6. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve forwarding of state aid amount and to authorize the additional balance of $32,572.63 from the General Fund for the Police Pensions Plan's Year 2021 MMO amount to be submitted in full. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor Joseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve maintenance renewal agreement from Emergency Systems Service Company for $4,158.81 for yearly service on emergency generators. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 2. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve reimbursing residents $500.00 for replacement of check valve, or gate valve, with proof from a plumber of installation. Applies only to problem area around Oakhurst and Shadow Oaks. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed 5 Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 3. Electronics Recycling Day, Saturday, November 13th, 2021 from 9AM to 12 PM at the Slatington Borough Garage (informational only) F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve using COVID19 LFRF to purchase and install emergency generator and related infrastructure for Blue Valley and to advertise. Due to the cost job this will need to be bid. (Bid threshold is $21,300.00) Example quote attached from BEI. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: Councilor Bartholomew asked about the old light standards that are being removed at Church and Main Streets. He inquired about possibly selling them. COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S REPORT: None Bryon Reed COURTESY OF THE FLOOR - (Agenda Items Only - You will have two (2) minutes to address Council from the podium on Agenda Items Only.) Mayor Niedermeyer mentioned the bonfire on Thursday night, and the Gathering at mile marker 92 with vendors on Saturday, October 16th, from 12:00 to 6:00 PM. EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Reed recessed to executive session at 7:55 PM. At 8:47 PM President Reed reconvened the meeting. Matters of real estate and personnel were discussed in executive session. RECONVENED AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to discuss and possibly take action on a real estate matter which was discussed in executive session to agenda. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 6 Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to have our solicitor draft an agreement of sale to purchase the property parcels with pin numbers 556211532179 and 556211448708 from the current owner of record in such form as determined by the solicitor and then authorize the council president and secretary to execute on that agreement of sale. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to vote to discuss and possibly taken action on borough manager's personal and vacation time to agenda. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Ruff, to purchase Daniel Stevens remaining 11 % vacation days and personal days for a price of $2,000.00 for 2021, this does not include sick time and comp time. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Roll call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew Ronald Kratz ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Ruff made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. President Reed declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Reed declared the meeting adjourned at 8:51 PM. Daniel L. Stevens Borough Secretary 7