BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 12/9/24 The Regular Meeting of Council was held on Monday, December 9, 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: 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 Jeralyn Schoch Lisa Young Krystal Borman, Kevin Borman Zach Halkias Aaron Schoch Justin Gross Joshua Henry, Annie Tomarho Ryan Mayberry Acting Police Chief Anthony Lenhart, Amanda Henry Ronald Kratz William Borst Crystal Hausman, Ron Hausman Kevin Steckel Roy Hambrecht Hunter Henritzy, Jeffrey Hausman William Schippers Stephen Carr 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. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve the following minutes being corrected: Council Meeting 11/11/24 page 6 for increase in garbage rate-voice vote was 6 ayes, not yeahs, I nay - not all in favor; Council Meeting - November 11, 2024; Committee Meetings - November 18, 2024-canceled, and November 25, 2024. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Judge Creighton administered the swearing in to Full Time Police Officer Matthew Hutchins 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: Jeffrey Hausman - 2060 Welshtown Road. Signed in and was recognized to speak. Jeffrey stated that he was a former volunteer firefighter for the Borough of Slatington. Jeffrey added that he had been terminated in January due to poor conduct. Jeffrey has reapplied 3 times, but feels that the vote to not reinstate him, has been biased. He stated that there was another fire fighter who did the same thing, but nothing was done to that person. 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 APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TRANSIPER 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 Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers MAYORS/POLICE REMARKS Mayor Jeralyn Schoch None Acting Police Chief Borst Chief Borst provided totals for November2024: incidents: 2024 - 292; reports filed - 209; criminal arrests - 7; traffic citations = 6; parking tickets 40. Chief Borst informed the Council that they did withdraw from the consortium for the Lehigh County Chief of Police testing that is done, due to competition from other communities. The police department will resume their own testing. Councilor Kratz asked how many officers does the Borough have now. Chief Borst stated there are 6 full time officers; however, there is 1 officer out due to an injury, and 1 part time officer. Chief Borst feels the department is still understaffed. Another officer will be going out on medical leave. Chief Borst added that the department will be assisted by the Walnutport Police Department when necessary. Fire Chief Robert Reph Chief Reph provided totals for November 39 fire calls; total calls for the year 253. Chief Reph stated that there is a total of fire police to 6. Chief Reph informed that Council the grant was resubmitted for the radios. They have their review board meeting to select officers for 2025. Chief Reph thanked Kevin and Krystal Borman for all their outstanding dedication, service, and hard work, and wished them the best in their future endeavors. The Council discussed the selection for the Borough engineers. Manager Hambrecht provided pricing from Acela Architects & Engineers. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to select Acela Architects & Engineers as the new Borough engineers, effective January 1st, 2025. 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 William Schippers Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to appoint Roy Hambrecht to the positions of: Borough Manager, Borough Treasurer, and Borough Secretary, in 2 accordance with the Offer of Employment and Job Descriptions related to the above positions and dated October 215t, 2024, and agreed upon by both Roy Hambrecht and the Borough of Slatington, effective January 1s, 2025. Before entering upon his duties, he shall give a bond to the Borough in accordance with the Slatington Borough Code. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Mayberry, made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to appoint Karen Leach to the positions of: Assistant Borough Treasurer, and Assistant Borough Secretary, in accordance with the Offer of Employment and Job Descriptions related to the above position. Before entering upon her duties, she shall give a bond to the Borough in accordance with the Slatington Borough Code. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. STANDING COMMITTEES A. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz 1. Update on grants for police body cameras. Chief Borst informed the Council that they were approved for the grant. There were 2 grants - 1 for $49,905.00 and 1 for $27,011.00. This will be for 8 body worn cameras and 8 tasers. The $27,011.00 grant only covers the hardware. 2. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to compensate former Chief Greg Winokur $1,000.00 for his services already rendered. 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 William Schippers 3. Draft Ordinance/Authorize advertising for January meeting: Fire Company Billing/Collection. Attorney Young informed the Council that she has a working draft. Attorney Young would like to review some points with Chief Reph and work out a resolution that would be adopted with the ordinance setting forth to breakdown costs. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to authorize advertising prior to the January meeting, regarding fire company's billings and collections, contingent upon approval. The Council agreed to place this on the next regular Council agenda. B. Highway Councilor Aaron Schoch 1. Update and possible action concerning CDBG projects. Justin Gross informed the Council that they are still working on the revision for 5th Street. North Street construction was completed November 19h. Justin stated that a motion will be needed first for approving the change order, and that was requested by the Borough. The second motion is for the conditional on Lehigh County's approval to issue payment and approve the final application for the North Street project, conditional upon final approval by Lehigh County. 3 Counçilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to approve the change order for $19,054.00. 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 William Schippers Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to bill UGI for a negotiated amount concerning the adjustment to the North Street CDBG project. 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 William Schippers Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to conditionally approve final payment pending Lehigh County approval to Bracalente Construction Inc. for $1 19,776.40. 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 William Schippers 2. Discuss and possible motion to appoint new borough engineers. Discussed at beginning of meeting. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Lachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Community Yard Sales 2025: Friday, May 16th, > Saturday, May 17th, Sunday, May 18th, and Friday, September 12th Saturday, September 13h, Sunday, September 14th. A yard sale permit will not be required. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. D. FimancPamming/oning Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to adopt 2025 budget. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN 4 David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers 2. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seçonded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Ordinance 719, an ordinance fixing the tax rate for real-estate tax for the fiscal year 2025, fixing the per capita tax al $5.00, and reenacting the 1% wage tax, the Borough ofSlatington local service fax at $52.00, 1% realty fransfer tax under the local enabling act, and setting the fire fund tax rate. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Kevin Steckel William Schippers Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz 3. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, Resolution R = 11-24 a resolution of the Borough Council of the Borough Slatington, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, granting an easement t0 the Slatingion Masonic Community Center Foundation regarding 526 W. Franklin Street in the Borough, to provide parking and relating improvements. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4 Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve and advertise 2025 meeting schedule. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 5 Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve Resolution R- 10-24, a resolution ofthe Governing Board oft the Borough of Slatington authorizing empowering and directing the proper officers ofthe Governing Boards 10 appoint a liaison between it and State Wide Tax Recovery, the duly appointed collector oftaxes for the districtfor 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. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor William Schippers 1. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to extend the trash collection contract that will go from January 17h, 2025, through January 18th, 2026, at a 3.5% increase pursuant to Section 11 term of the bid document which states forth that the consumer price index increases for 1 year period. A copy of the US Bureau of Labor and Statics Report for October 2023 - October 2024 attached. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following al Roll Call, voting as follows: ROLL CALL AYES NAYS ABSTAIN David Schnaars Zachari Halkias Ryan Mayberry Ronald Kratz Kevin Steckel William Schippers 5 2. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to transfer funds to pay the following Authority bills: September 1, 2024, through December 4, 2024. Meeting Sewer Authority bills: Tad Miller - $250.00; Lisa Young - $9,093.00; Hamburg, Rubin, Mullen, Maxwell & Lupin Services through August, 2024 - $2,850.00; Hamburg, Rubin, Mullen, Maxwell & Lupine, Services through September 30, 2024, - $2,235.00; Hamburg, Rubin, Mullen, Maxwell & Lupine - Services through October, 2024 - $3,337.50; Hamburg, Rubin, Mullen, Maxwell & Lupine - Service through November 30, 2024 - $825.00; Brown & Brown - $250.00; Times News - $240.10; David Frederick replenishment of petty cash - $53.94; total: $18,734.44. 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 William Schippers 3. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to pay Assistant Treasurer's Time and Travel Report for the period of September 9, 2024, through December 9, 2024; travel time October 14, 2024, to December 9, 2024 - 69 miles @ .67 cents = $46.23; Total hours from September 9, 2024, through December 9, 2024 - 15.25 hrs. @ $30.00 = $457.50.; total $503.73. 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 William Schippers 4. Councilor Schippers made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to affirm sale of additional 20,000 gpd capacity to Walnutport Authority, pending receipt of check for $288,600.00 from Walnutport Borough. 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 William Schippers F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption 2. Discuss and possible motion to update water meters. Councilor Steckel would like to have Manager Hambrecht seek a proposal for the next Water-Sever-Highway Committee meeting. Manager Hambrecht informed the Council that the water department has pumped out about 6 142,000,000 gallons and we are billing for is half of that. The equates to approximately $693,000.00 in lost revenue. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: President Schnaars informed the Council that there is an opening on the Slatington Borough Authority. Crystal Fink has agreed to an additional term. Counçilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to amend the agenda to consider appointing Crystal Fink. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to appoint Crystal Fink to the Slatington Borough Authority Board effective January 1, 2025 for a 5-year term ending December 31, 2029. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None NEW BUSINESS: Manager Hambrecht requested the Council to consider the use of purchase cards for all departments with a spending cap. President Schnaars requested that Manager Hambrecht provide a proposal for the Finance Committee. 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 8:09 PM. At 8:47 PM President Schnaars reconvened the meeting. Matters of personnel were discussed in executive session. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Mayberry, to amend the agenda to allow for a discussion regarding the new officers for the Slatington Fire Department. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Councilor Kratz made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to approve the officers submitted by Fire Chief Robert Reph so he can disclose, at his convenience, to the rest of the fire department and public. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Halkias, to adjourn the meeting. President Schnaars declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. President Schnaars declared the meeting adjourned at 8:49 PM. Roy Hambrecht Borough Manager 7