BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 3/10/25 The Regular Meeting ofthe Slatington Borough Council (Council) was held on Monday, March 10, 2025, 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: Roy Hambrecht 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 Roy Hambrecht Drew Snowberger TV13 Zach Halkias William Borst Ron Hausman Ryan Mayberry Michael Waldron Robert Herzog Aaron Schoch Lisa Young Kris Burek Kevin Steckel Jeralyn Schoch Abel Boyer William Schippers Ronald Kratz 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 Council, at which time the recordings shall be erased. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING = Counçilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to approve the following minutes with corrections. Attorney Young noted: The Committee meeting of2/17/25 ) A.I.b - "Account Mate was supposed to be updated back in August of 2025" Changed "2025" to "2024". "Account Mate was supposed to be updated back in August of 2024 for $8,500.00, however, although the $8,500 was paid to Account Mate, the software upgrade still has not happen. >) Changed "happen" to "happened". o B.1.d - "Interim Chief Borst suggested move the desks and other items out of that area and get full use of the classroom back; they can transform that into a squad room, Change "move the desks"to "moving the desks", "Manager Hambrecht stated they have hired an assistant sewer operator starting on Monday, February 24, 2025," Change assisted" to "assistant"; The Council Meeting - February 10, 2025; Committee Meetings February 17, 2025 and February 24, 2025. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Abel Boyer, representing A. F. Boyer Hardware (AFBH), stated it has a "Glock" Event each year at AFBH. The event is called a "Back the Blue Raffle". This is where AFBH donates many items, including a free Glock to the winner. Other organizations attended: D. A. Targets, NRA, Slatington 1 Masonic Lodge, and WZZO Cat Country. The event was held October 26th, 2024. Abel Boyer presented a check in the amount of $1,905.00 to the Slatington Police Association (SPA) via the Slatington Police Department (SPD), Chief Borst representing the SPD. 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. Kris Burek - 1235 Fourth Street. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Burek questioned the past minutes as follows: May 13, 2024; why was Transend Finance hired; September gth, 2024; allow solicitor Young to investigate past overtime and expenditure of overtime; and October 219, 2024; Steve Carr provided information about the Borough finances. Who is he? What is being done about the $83,000.00 budget deficit? How much was spent on these accounting issues? Councilor Mayberry informed Ms. Burek that these issues would be addressed tonight under his Finance Committee section oft the agenda. Solicitor Young stated that Steve Carr is from Transend Finance (TF). Solicitor Young stated the September overtime investigation is still ongoing and would need to wait until some of the financial work was completed by TF, which is still ongoing. Details cannot be discussed, other than the fact that there was a substantial amount of overtime that was allocated that must be justified. Ms. Burek inquired as to how much has been spent on overtime to date? Manager Hambrecht stated that the overtime discussion will take place later in the meeting. President Schnaars stated the contract with TF will end once its work is complete. President Schnaars also indicated that TF provided a fee schedule for the TF staff associated with the Borough work. Those staff are paid in accordance with that schedule. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS: None 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 Halkias, 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 Aaron Schoch Kevin Steckel Ronald Kratz William Schippers MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS Mayor Jeralyn Schoch None Acting Police Chief Borst 2 Officer Borst provided totals for February 2024 to February 2025: Incidents 2025 - 255, decrease of 22.3%, Reports filed 2025 - 176, decrease of 14.9%; Criminal arrests 2025 - 5, decrease of 37.1/2%; Traffic citations - 2025 - 12, decrease of 69.2%; Parking tickets 2025 = 36, increase of 56%. Interim Chief Borst informed the Council that the LSA grants funded order from Axon (Tasers and Body Cams) was received. The order contained eight (8) Axon body worn cameras, eight (8) tasers. This will allow the Slatington Police Department (SPD) to issue tasers to each officer. Training will be done through Axon. Interim Chief Borst informed the Council that on Saturday, March 8, 2025, that the Civil Service Examination will be administered to eligible candidates at the Northern Lehigh High School (NLHS). Chief Borst thanked the NLHS for allowing the SPD to administer the test there. There have been eight (8) applications received from eligible candidates for the testing process, There was a total of five (5) people that passed and will go on to the next phase of recruitment. Interim Chief Borst stated that since there is work being done at the Lehigh Gap Bridge, the traffic in town has increased. Interim Chief Borst contacted PennDOT regarding the timing of the streetlight on Main St to alleviate the congestion. PennDOT was agreeable to the timing change. Interim Chief Borst has revisited the Police Chaplain Program, which is no cost to the Borough. He stated the background checks have been completed. Fire Chief Robert Reph None STANDING COMMITTEES A. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve William Borst as full-time police chief, removing interim status. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. The Council discussed selling the old Crown Vic. Chief Borst stated the vehicle is still fitted for police use, but all is disconnected. The Council agreed to keep the Crown Vic for SPD use. 3. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Counçilor Schippers, resolution to adopt a fee schedule pursuant to an ordinance providing for the billing and collection of goods and services provided by Fire Services. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Aaron Schoch Kevin Steckel Ronald Kratz 3 William Schippers B. Highway Councilor Aaron Schoch 1. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to post job(s) for replacement of Highway staff leaving this summer. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Schoch made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to hire a seasonal employee according to the union contract. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Manager Hambrecht informed the Council they have started a week and a half ago for the transitions of the LED lights. Should be completed in about one week or SO. 2. Manager Hambrecht had a discussion with PPL the LED light hoods will come later and PPL would like specifically which lights will be considered. Councilor Halkias's committee will submit the list of lights. D. FimancPamming/oning Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize Manager Hambrecht to obtain a Clear Gov subscription. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Aaron Schoch Kevin Steckel Ronald Kratz William Schippers 2. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize Manager Hambrecht to proceed with advertisements for positions at least six (6) months in advance of current staff separation. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to authorize advertising of the amended Snow Removal Ordinançe. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Aaron Schoch Kevin Steckel Ronald Kratz William Schippers 4 4. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to approve P-Card Policy for cardholder signatures. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 5. Review of current budget. Manager Hambrecht provided an overview of the budget. There was a little over $6 million budgeted and from January and February have spent $1.1 million dollars, which is 19% of the budget. Manager Hambrecht broke it down by line items. Manager Hambrecht pointed out an expenditure of $379,000.00 and two others are from 2024 that were not processed timely; however, these can possibly be reassigned back on the 2024 expenditure. Manager Hambrecht stated there were no budget numbers in the accounting system since 2020, SO there was no way of determining the spent against the budget numbers. We now are able track Borough spending. Manager Hambrecht provided detailed information regarding the liquid fuels account and stated the Borough will be receiving approximately $360,000.00, or three (3) years' worth of funding. This is a result of getting caught up with past years (2022 and 2023) and completing last year's (2024) filing. Manager Hambrecht provided details regarding actual spend for the hired contractor (Transcend Finance (TF)). He also indicated that the projected total for their services, when complete, is expected to cost the Borough approximately $244,000.00. Manager Hambrecht provided additional details as to the work that is required of TF. Because no journal entries were made for 2 % years, for a total of2,605 entries that were missed, TF is needed to get this information into the Borough's accounting system. Since these were not completed, the yearly audits were not completed, significantly limiting the Borough's ability to apply for and win grant opportunities. Finally, Manager Hambrecht provided information on an employee who had been approved for overtime to get "caught up" with the past journal entries. However, since the journal entries needed to be completed by TF, it is safe to say that the overtime was not used for its intended purpose. Manager Hambrecht mentioned that the overtime for this one individual kept increasing year after year, until this staff almost doubled her regular annual salary with overtime in 2023. Kris Burek asked if there would be any legal recourse for misappropriation of money. Solicitor Young stated depending upon the full results of the investigation, civil and criminal charges are a possibility. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor William Schippers 1. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to purchase a refurbished drive for the sewer plant in the amount of $35,796.00. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Aaron Schoch Kevin Steckel Ronald Kratz 5 William Schippers F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. This issue was discussed and agreed to under Section D.2. Start recruiting process for Steve Martinez's replacement late summer/early fall. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Manager Hambrecht stated the Electronic Recycling event will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. President Schnaars added you can recycle either 1 TV or 1 computer monitor for free if it is under 40 inches. Mayor Schoch informed the Council the Slatington Parks and Recreation Committee do a Clean Up Day every year. The day is Saturday, April 19th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to Noon. They are looking for volunteers and if anyone is interested, they meet at the Slatington Fire Company. The areas that are cleaned are the Trailhead, Memorial Park, Heritage Trail, Trout Creek, and Victory Park. 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.) Kris Burek - 1235 Fourth Street. Thanked Manager Hambrecht for his work in getting things back on track, EXECUTIVE SESSION: President Schnaars recessed to executive session at 8:27 PM. At 9:25 PM President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Pending litigation was discussed in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Mayberry made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 9:26 PM. Roy Hambrecht Borough Manager 6