BOROUGH OF SLATINGTON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 5/12/25 The Regular Meeting of the Slatington Borough Council (Council) was held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM, to be held in the Council Room, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080. Presiding: Zachari Halkias: Vice President of Council Recording Secretary: Roy Hambrecht The meeting was called to order by Vice President Halkias at 7:00 PM with the following in attendance: ROLL CALL: PRESENT ABSENT OTHERS PRESENT VISITORS David Schnaars-via phone Roy Hambrecht Drew Snowberger TV13 Zach Halkias William Borst Ron Hausman, Nancy Treskot Ryan Mayberry Abigail Bartels Bob Treskot, Susan Smith Aaron Schoch Lisa Young Kris Burek, Robert Herzog Kevin Steckel Jeralyn Schoch Jeffrey Hausman William Schippers Ronald Kratz EXECUTIVE SESSION: None NOTIFICATION: Vice President Halkias 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 Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve the following minutes: a. Ordinance 721 Hearing - April 14, 2025; b. Council Meeting - April 14, 2025; C. April 21, 2025 Committee Meeting; and d. April 28, 2025 Committee Meeting. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Mayor Schoch administered the oath to Pollice Officer Amanda Segarra and Police Officer Kevin Torres. Ms. Kris Burek presented an introduction of the Slatington Senior Center ("the Center"). Kris was appointed to the Advisory Counsel of the Lehigh County Department of Aging and Adult Services.. Ms. Burek indiçated that Slatington Borough has a senior center, and she is working on obtaining interest in the center, i.e. creating activities, increasing attendance, etc, The Center is not only a social gathering; it also offers hot and cold meals for $2.50 to a senior. Ms. Burek thanked Manager Hambrecht for placing a link to the senior center on the Slatington Borough website. Ms. Burek stated there was a drastic budget cut to Protective Services. This service protects seniors from abuse, mental, physical, and financial. Due to the cuts, this could result in additional Police calls, putting an additional burden on the Police. Ms. Burek stated the seniors would receive 10 $5.00 vouchers from June to November to purchase Pennsylvania grown produce. Ms. Burek indicated that the Center is located at the George Dillard 1 Manor, open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Lunch is served approximately 11:15 AM. Ms. Burek added that Lehigh County will pay for senior's transportation to a senior center with LANTA, as long as they are registered with LANTA. Ms. Burek is requesting the Borough donate to the Center. Ms. Burek pointed out that most of the donations the Borough makes produce income. Donations would be used for excursions and supplies for crafts. If a person wishes to volunteer, they must get in touch with the Lehigh County Department of Aging. Ms. Burek participated on a panel with Governor Shapiro's 10-Year Plan for seniors. The Governor has representatives in all the counties and the representatives talk to seniors about their conçerns. The primary concern amongst seniors is that they wish to stay in their home. However, one of the hurdles to that is the work that needs to be done to maintain the properties, i.e.., leaky pipes, lawn cutting, snow shoveling, etc., especially since seniors generally do not want strangers in their house. Ms. Burek has suggested getting in touch with the Governor's office if someone is interested in providing these services. 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. Nancy Treskot - Representative of the Ventur Group (VG), located at 856 Lincoln Avenue Walnutport, PA signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Treskot informed the Council that VG had a big event on Saturday and the Mason came out in full force and helped to mulch the Trailhead and Veterans Park. There is still some work to be done. VG has noticed that the volunteering has dropped off considerably. Ms. Treskot opined that the reduced volunteerism could be due to an aging volunteer population. Ms. Treskot stated that the VG is looking for a tree surgeon to cut the trees to a manageable height on the trial, the parking lot, and around the front. The VG is planning to purchase five (5) Blue Spruce Christmas trees, and they will place permanently on the slope that is directly behind the trail parking lot. This is being done for the community Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The VG is in the process of writing grants to obtain funding. Ms. Treskot has completed paperwork for a wedding on May 23rd at the Covered Bridge, and the cheerleaders will be doing a car wash on May 318t at the Trailhead. Ms. Treskot is looking for approval from the Council for these two (2) events. Sine the Borough has not acted on the ordinance of sleeping or staying on Borough property, sO the only thing they can do is place the "No Loitering" signs up. Ms. Treskot stated the flags had already been replaced. Kris Burek - 1235 Fourth Street, Signed in and was recognized to speak. Ms. Burek questioned Solicitor Young if litigation against the previous Borough Manager, and his handling of accounts, has started. Solicitor Young is not at liberty to discuss details, but stated the matter has been referred to the District Attorney's office and is currently under investigation. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENIS, COMMUNICATIONS: Executive session on Monday, April 12, 2025, 7:41 PM, discussed matters of personnel. REPORTS The reports of various committees, officials and offiçers were provided to Council and are on file in Borough Hall and are available for public inspection. APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLETRANSIER Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, 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: 2 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 Mayor Schoch thanked Council for approving the two (2) new police officers to be hired full time. This brings the Police Department up to par regarding staffing. Police Chief Borst Chief Borst thanked the Council for its support for the new police officers. Officer Borst provided updates for April 2024, compared to April 2025: Incidents 2025 - 330, increase of 4.7%, Reports filed 2025 - 236, increase of 1.7%; Criminal arrests 2025 - 8, increase of 33.3%; Traffic citations - 2025 - 34, increase of 70.0%; Parking tickets 2025 - 37, decrease of21.2%. The staffing for the Police Department is as follows: One (1) police chief; Two (2) police sergeants (one is currently on leave); Seven (7) full-time patrol officers; and One (1) part-time patrol officer. Chief Borst added the Slatington Police Department (PD) will be able to take part in grants for pedestrian safety, traffic safety, DUI roving patrols, all aspects of traffic safety. The PD just purchased a new patrol bicycle; that makes two (2). Officer Ballerini will be attending International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) training in June. Once he completes the training they will be certified. These bicycles will be utilized for parades and other events. Councilor Kratz asked Chief Borst how he sees grants being incorporated to get more cars, etc. Chief Borst stated he has been working with Slatington's contracted grant writer and had great success, Councilor Kratz stated the morale in the PD is fantastic and it is due to Chief Borst. Fire Chief Robert Reph Fire Chief Reph informed the Council that the ladder truck is back in service. The quoted price, which we received the insurance check for, was $14,825.32. The actual completed price was $14,329.29. Chief Reph informed the Council that the fire alarm had gone off at the Borough offiçe. He was called by the PD to come and deactivate it, but it could not be found. Chief Reph took that loop off the panel sO it could be reset. The problem being it did not notify anybody. Councilor Kratz has spoken with the previous fire chiefs to get their opinion on morale in the fire department. Things have improved but feels some work is still needed. Councilor Kratz suggested having some type of recognition for the fire fighters for their years of service. Chief Reph will put together the required criteria and will need approval from Public Safety. Once approved, Chief Reph will move forward. Chief Reph requested two (2) plaques be made; 1 for the fire house, 1 for the Borough Office. 3 STANDING COMMITTEES A. Public Safety Councilor Ronald Kratz None B. Highway Councilor Aaron Schoch 1. CDBG project Updates (2025). Solicitor Young stated that she is still awaiting a response from the County regarding missing documentation that the County must produce. The goal is to receive the documents from the county, get the County to approve them, and the bid award at the June meeting. Ifthe documents are not received this week, we might have to move that out. 2. CDBG project Updates (2026). Acela will be reaching out to the County to get the paperwork started for the roads that were discussed. A discussion with the County Grant Administrator was scheduled to resolve the issue surrounding East Washington Street not being approved for the 2026 CDBG submission. That meeting was scheduled for lpm on May 23, 2025. 3. Streetsweeper (Northampton, PA). Manager Hambrecht stated the Borough was looking at purchasing a streetsweeper from the Pittsburg area, It was advised to walk away from that purchase. Our current 1993 sweeper is under repair but will be looking at grants to obtain a new sweeper. C. Human/Community Services Councilor Zachari Halkias 1. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schnaars, to approve request from Andreas Hassold to hold their Sth annual block party at Maple Springs Acres on Pine Tree Drive on Saturday, August gth, 2025, from noon to 10:00 PM, contingent upon sufficient paperwork and waivers. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Kratz, to approve request from Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool Association for the use of the area on the corner of Main Street and Grove Street on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 3:00 - 7:00 PM to conduct a fundraiser featuring Vince's Famous Cheesesteaks, contingent upon sufficient paperwork and waivers. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 3. Councilor Halkias made a motion, duly seconded by Council Kratz, to approve the Fire Department request for their Community Day on June 28h, 2025. There is a request from a vendor to serve alçohol on Borough property. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 4. In the April 21 Committee meeting, Councilor Halkias suggested having a website created to have a list of local people that would provide snow plowing, shoveling, grass cutting, and other services with a seasonal registration fee to offset the website cost. Councilor Kratz stated this may be impinging on some of the businesses and may not be the Borough's roll. Councilor Halkias is proposing a list of people who would be willing to help the elderly with plowing, mowing, etc. President Schnaars is concerned there could be liabilities and to check with Solicitor Young. Vice President Halkias asked Solicitor Young what the liabilities would be. Solicitor Young stated it would be wise to start at the Governor's Office and speak to someone there that is involved with the PA Department of Aging (PDA) and align the Borough with the Governor's 10-year strategic plan called Aging Our Way, PA". 4 5. Discuss speed bumps for the 300 block ofE. Church Street. Councilor Schoch stated E. Church is a detour route, and it is very narrow at one point. People do walk along the road and there are no sidewalks. People are raçing up and down the road, even with road signs to encourage drivers to slow down. It was suggested that electronic speed signs be placed along the road. In addition, the Committee discussed which type of speed bump could be placed. The Committee agreed to place an electronic speed sign at this location. Councilor Schoch stated the electronic speed sign has been placed and it is making a differençe. Manager Hambrecht added that the Borough is purchasing 2 others - one to replace where one was taken from, and the other one will go on Rte. 873 driving south coming up the hill before Rentschler's Chevrolet. D. FimancerammingyZoning Councilor Ryan Mayberry 1. Discussion about grant bifureation/matching funds, Manager Hambrecht informed the Council that Açela has provided an estimate on the cost would be for the remodeling of Roosevelt Park, which includes the children's play area, new equipment, relined basketball courts, repaving, and fencing. The price is $562,000.00. The maximum amount for Greenways Grant's is $250,000.00. Manager Hambrecht added if the Borough goes ahead and does a little more than a 100% match, Greenway may be more likely to award a grant to Slatington than if the Borough were to match the required $15%. The other option would be to bifurcate the project and concentrated on the children's playground section first, then concentrate on the basketball courts and repaving at a later date. Manager Hambrecht will obtain further information if the grant could be budgeted over a 2- year period. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schoch, to pass a Resolution for the Greenways Grant to remodel Roosevelt Park. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 2. President Schnaars requested Manager Hambrecht to pursue updating the Code book. Ordinance Codification (General Code). Manager Hambrecht informed the Council that he has contacted General Code, which does code codification. General Code already has Borough ordinances up to 2008. The goal is to sign a contract and send in any outstanding ordinances to get up to date. The cost is $19,500.00. Manager Hambrecht will place this on the next Committee agenda. 3. Rental Inspection Program. In the April 21 Committee meeting, there was an indication that there is a tenant list available. Make this list available. Manager Hambrecht is currently doing a 3-part training to get a rental inspection program up and running. 4. 100 Steps a. 'Did the Historical Society get back to Mayor Schoch? Mayor Schoch spoke with Robert Stettner and was given the name of James Higgins who is on the Lehigh County Historical Society. Mayor Schoch emailed Mr. Higgins to schedule a phone call. Will have more information after the call. Councilor Mayberry would like this placed on the next Committee agenda. 5. Update to P-Card Policy (attachment). Manager Hambrecht provided a breakdown on the spending. Manager Hambrecht is proposing to open this up to the general staff, not just the supervisors to make purchases, with the approval of the supervisor. Councilor Mayberry made a motion, duly seconded by Councilor Shippers, to approve the update to the purchase card policy. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. 6. Budget Review. Manager Hambrecht stated we are one-third of the way through the budget year. At this point, we should be at 33% spend, but right the Borough is at 27% of spend. Right now, we are on target and there is not any problem areas. The fire department account looks high due to a 2024 $13,000.00 bill that was paid in 2025. Another issue for the Fire Department was the insurance check (approximately $14,000.00) for the fire truck was deposited last year, but needed to be paid this year. The plan is to look at accounts that over the spending and accounts under 5 spending, then come to council with a reallocation of funds that need to be cover those expenses. This will give a road map for budgeting for next year. E. Sewer/Solid Waste Councilor William Schippers 1. Update on a Kennel Animal Control (Attachment). Councilor Schippers informed the Council he does have an agreement that he can present to Waggin Tails Doggy to do our animal control. It was suggested to do the contract for one (1) year with clarification of cost. Councilor Shippers will be in contact with them this week. This will be tabled. F. Water/Special Sewer Committee Councilor Kevin Steckel 1. Water Test Statement - Water was tested and found safe for human consumption UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: None 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.) None EXECUTIVE SESSION: Vice President Halkias recessed to executive session at 9:38 PM. At 9:41 PM Vice President Halkias reconvened the meeting. Pending litigation was discussed in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Councilor Kratz made the motion, duly seconded by Councilor Schippers, to adjourn the meeting. Vice President Halkias declared the motion passed following a Voice Vote, All in Favor. Vice President Halkias declared the meeting adjourned at 9:42 PM. Roy Hambrecht Borough Manager 6