BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11/12/2018 The Regular Meeting Minutes of Council was held on Monday, November 12, 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 Ed Ziegler Jessica Donnell Jason Ruff Chief Rachman Attorney Healy Rachel Greenawalt Robert Stettner Bryon Reed Larry Turoscy Crystal Hausman Jason Nicholas Joseph Wechsler Drew Snowberger TV 13 David Schnaars Thomas Bartholomew, President Stevens requested that, as a courtesy, everyone turn offt their cell phones, iPhone, and electronic devises off, or on vibrate. If you 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 of the 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 MCETINGS - Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler to accept the following minutes: Council Minutes, October 8, 2018, Committee Meetings October 15, 2018, and October 22, 2018. Councilor Ruff wanted to make note that on the October 22, 2018, minutes under the Human Community Services it states committee members discussion, he doesn't want anyone to think there had been a discussion that was not recorded. They did discuss Robert Stettners issues because he had signed in at the public comment section. President Stevens declared the motion passed with corrections 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. Ed Ziegler - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ed reiterates that people are not getting moving permits. Ed feels the flags on Main Street are a disgrace. He has asked State Representative Mako if he would obtain flags and State Representative Mako agreed to get them. Ed informed the council of a PPL pole that is leaning badly. He said the lights at Hardings Funeral Home and the bank go off at 11:00 PM. Ed has seen garbage being put out too early for pick up. Jessica O'Donnell & Rachel Greenawalt - Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jessica and Rachel are representatives for the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce. Jessica informed the council of the tree lighting event in Slatington for Friday, December 7th, 2018, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. They are involving the businesses to decorate to make this a community event. Rachel gave the schedule of events: Mrs. Claus Story Time at the library; vendors selling Christmas related goods in the park from 1 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM; carolers will be on Main Street; tree lighting is at 7:00 PM; pictures with Santa and hot chocolate; the after party will be at the Shack. Jessica invited the council at 7:00 PM at the tree lighting ceremony. Robert Stettner 44 So. Walnut Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Robert is requesting the fence repair be done by the Borough and then the playground association would reimburse half the cost. This will be approved by a motion. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PRSENTATIONS Councilor Schnaars informed the council the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission gave the borough an award for muliple-municipality creation of the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority. They recognized Slatington, Washington Township and Walnutport, as well as the school district for partnering. The borough has also received a proclamation from Senators Boscola, Brown, Scavello and Representative Mako. It was presented to the borough for planning for the future ofLehigh and Northampton Counties. Councilor Ruff informed the council on behalf of the Northern Lehigh Recreation, on Wednesday night, November 14, 2018, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, is the final meeting of the community center public comment. He has invited anyone interested. It will be held at the Northern Lehigh School administration building (elementary school). Councilor Schnaars added that they will have plans and projected costs, etc. 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 Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, 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 Mayor Niedermeyer stated that on October 12th, 2018, was the ribbon cutting at the Main Street bridge and on October 20th, 2018, Mayor Niedermeyer represented the borough at the paper shredding event at the maintenance building. Also, on November Sth, > the Mayor spoke with Cub Scout Pack 66 on the duties of the mayor. November 11th, he participated in the Veteran' s Day ceremony at Memorial Park. Police Chief David Rachman SLATINGTON REVITALIZATION PARTNERSHIP - None STANDING COMMITTEES A. Highway Acting Chairman Councilor Bryon Reed 1. (addendum) Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Weschler, for Resolution R-25-18, a resolution approving the application of multimodal grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the Borough of Slatington, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the grant of $550,000.00. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2 1. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve a letter to apply for $550,000.00 and the Borough's share (20%) at $110,000.00 for the Walnut/Main Streets Projects Multimodal grant. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Reed made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to request for an extension for the ARLE grant for Main and Church Streets traffic signal installation. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor B. Public Safety Councilor David Schnaars 1. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Reed, to adopt Resolution R- 24-18, a resolution for the Lehigh Valley 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, approving the Slatington donation to the library of $5,000.00. 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 Schnaars read a letter dated 10/29/18 from Robert Stettner donation of $300.00 for Main Street flags in memory of Vigilant Fire Company Life Member Richard Sosoka. Informational only C.J Human/Community Services Councilor Jason Ruff 1. Councilor Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the Borough to pay 50% to repair fence per Robert Stettner - total $985.00. 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 Ruff made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve request from David Altrichter for the storage of Daniel Jones furniture at Spring Side Fire Company building, 3 with the condition that he names Slatington Borough as an additional insured. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor D. Finance Councilor Thomas Bartholomew 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve a request, letter dated October 16, 2018, from Anthony Lopsonzski to attend PCCA-PA. Construction Codes Academy on November 12 to November 16, 2018. The cost would be split between Catasauqua Borough and Slatington Borough for approximately $550.00. 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 Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to approve the renewal of State Representative Zach Mako rental lease with the contingency the rent be increased $675.00/month for 2 years, with all other terms of the lease remain the same. 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 Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve payment to Dr. W. Finnegan for $2,960.00 for professional services for Sal Taibi. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to with draw the motion until after executive session. 4. Councilor Bartholomew, made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to authorize President Stevens to approve Exemption request from Statewide Tax Recovery Inc. for Delinquent Per Capita Tax for: William J. Barett - Deceased- $22.00 (4x$5.50). President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 1. (addendum) Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to purchase 2 filing cabinets for the office at a cost not to exceed $1,100.00. 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 4 Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew, E. Sewer/Solid Waste CouncilorJoseph Wechsler 1. Councilor Wechsler made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to authorize ARRO to issue a notice to proceed to the general contractor and electrical contractor once all the required documents have been approved by the solicitor for the digester project. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor 2. Councilor Wechsler, John Bolton, and Eugene Chandler will be taking part in a webinar for "Stormwater Decision Making", November 15, 2018 from 10:00AM to 2:00 pm. This is a requirement for the MS4. Informational only. Councilor Reed informed the council he had received an e-mail from Ed Overberger from ARRO, that they have not been paid for the last several requests for the digester. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Bryon Reed 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption UNFINISHED BUSINESS: President Stevens informed the council that on November 26th, 2018, which is a committee meeting, he would like to call a special meeting for the budget that night at 7:00. His intention is to adopt the preliminary budget at that meeting, the final budget could be approved at the regular council meeting on December 10th, 2018. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: President Stevens received a call from Fred Rentschler requesting cutting some trees. Fred Rentschler would pay for this work. Councilor Schnaars made a motion, duly seconded by Wechsler, to have the WSH Committee make a decision on the Rentschler request for cutting trees. There is not a cost to the borough. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor COUNCIL PRESIDENT'S 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.) EXECUTIVE SESSION - President Stevens recessed to executive session at 8:09 PM. At 8:26 PM., President Stevens reconvened the meeting. Matters of legal matters were discussed in executive session. 5 1. Councilor Bartholomew made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to pay Dr. W. Finnegan for $2,960.00 for professional services for Sal Taibi. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN Bryon Reed Daniel Stevens David Schnaars Jason Ruff Joseph Wechsler Thomas Bartholomew ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Schnaars made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Wechsler, to adjourn the meeting. President Stevens declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Stevens declared the meeting adjourned at 8:27 PM. Colleen Bresnak Assistant Borough Secretary 6