| Borough Office | 610-863-4119 |
| Manager | 610-863-1822 |
| Police | 610-759-8517 |
| Sewer | 610-863-5422 |
| Street | 610-863-9605 |
| Park | 610-863-9249 |
| Animal | 484-894-3401 |
| Zoning & Code | 610-863-1821 |
| Tax Collector | 610-863-9487 |
Pen Argyl Borough Council held their Meeting for March on Monday, March 14, 2022
at 7:00 P. M. at Lookout Fire Hall Building.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Council President Joseph LeDonne opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call:
Council Members present and responding to roll call: Joseph LeDonne, Tammy Kemp, Charles Kandl Jr., John Apgar, Scott Brumbaugh, Stephanie Cooper, and Josephine Hildabrant. Councilwoman Janell Connolly was absent.
Also present were Mayor Steven Male, Borough Solicitor Peter Layman, Borough Manager Robin Zmoda and Borough Secretary Juli Lemak.
Agenda Changes:
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp made a motion to approve the revised agenda, seconded by Councilman Scott Brumbaugh. Unanimous by roll call.
Visitors:
Ethan Habrial, 100 A Street, expressed his frustration with the permitting requirement for his solar panel permit application and handed an envelope containing documents for the zoning officer to Council President LeDonne. Solicitor Layman reminded him of the appeal process through the Council of Governments.
Tom Carlo, 301 S. Robinson Avenue, asked if the Borough sent correspondence to state legislatures regarding sludge application in Plainfield Township. Manager Zmoda advised him of a proposed resolution for tonight’s meeting which requests state legislature to have more restrictive regulations on the biosolids spread on farmlands.
Carl Palmeri, representative of the non-profit group, Slate Belt Regional Skate Park Association (SBRSPA), informed Council members that they will present a proposal to the Park Board to donate a multi-use facility center for a skateboard park with obstacles, which may also be utilized with bicycles and walkers, etc.
Public Works Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Public Works Director Steven Bender's February report to review.
All Council Members received a copy of the Park Board’s Agenda from March 9, 2022 and February 9, 2022 meeting minutes.
Councilwoman Stephanie Cooper advised all Council Members that the Park Board’s recommendation to fill the at-large vacancy is Steven A. Goffredo and also recommend Paige Edelman and Holly Larsen for the student vacancy.
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp made a motion to appoint Steven A. Goffredo to the at-large position on the Park Board, seconded by Councilwoman Josephine Hildabrant. Unanimous by roll call.
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp made a motion to appoint Holly Larsen and Paige Edelman as co-representatives for the student vacancy to the Park Board, and for the Park Board to determine at their next meeting who is the delegate and the alternate, seconded by Josephine Hildabrant. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Joseph LeDonne, Tammy Kemp, Scott Brumbaugh, Charles Kandl Jr., Josephine Hildabrant and John Apgar. Councilwoman Stephanie Cooper voted no. There being six (6) yes votes and one (1) no vote, the motion passed.
Councilman John Apgar made a motion to approve Concept #5 preliminary plan for E. Babbitt Avenue, as provided by Ron Madison of Collier’s Engineering for $41,262.00, seconded by Councilwoman Josephine Hildabrant. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Joseph LeDonne, Tammy Kemp, Scott Brumbaugh, Charles Kandl Jr., Josephine Hildabrant and John Apgar. Councilwoman Stephanie Cooper voted no. There being six (6) yes votes and one (1) no vote, the motion passed.
All Council Members received Pool Pals meeting minutes from February 7, 2022.
Zoning Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Zoning/Codes Office's February report.
All Council Members received the Zoning Board’s meeting minutes from
February 10, 2022 and the legal notice for the meeting on March 24, 2022.
All Council Members received a copy of a notification of completeness from the Northampton County Conservation District for the Pen Argyl High School for a new running track.
Manager Zmoda reported the Zoning Committee is creating a stand-alone ordinance for the registration of vacant properties and vacant store fronts. Also, the committee is reviewing the zoning code to potentially change the IL districts uses and the parking requirements for redevelopment from 2.5 to 2 parking spaces.
Police Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of the Slate Belt Regional Police Commission’s meeting minutes from January 20, 2022 and February 1, 2022, January calls for service and the
February 17, 2022 agenda.
Fire Chief's Report:
Fire Chief Parsons was present and reported the fire company responded to 5 calls for the month of February, spent 207 hours on calls and 196 hours on drills.
Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. made a motion to accept and approve Resolution NO. 2022- 3, as presented for the Borough as the update to the Borough’s emergency operations plan, seconded by Councilwoman Tammy Kemp. Unanimous by roll call.
Solicitor Layman presented a memo explaining exemptions to the advertising and/or public auction requirements for personal property and limitations for transferring real property.
Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. made a motion to turn the Ford Grumman fire truck’s title over to the fire company to sell, with the condition all proceeds will be transferred to the new truck fund, seconded by Councilman Scott Brumbaugh. Unanimous by roll call.
Minutes:
Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. made a motion to approve the Minutes for the Council Meeting of February 14, 2022, seconded by Councilman John Apgar. Unanimous by roll call.
Correspondence:
Nothing to report.
Mayor's Report:
Mayor Male informed all Council Members that the Slate Belt Council of Governments (SBCOG) asked for requests for future purchases, to be considered for grant applications.
Planning Commission:
All Council Members received the Plan Slate Belt Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee’s agenda from March 2, 2022 and the February 2, 2022 meeting minutes.
All Council Members received the Planning Commission meeting minutes from
February 17, 2022.
All Council Members received a copy of correspondence from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to Lower Mount Bethel Township for their proposed zoning ordinance and zoning map of 2022.
All Council Members also received a copy of correspondence from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission to Upper Mount Bethel Township, reviewing the application for the River Point Logistics subdivision and roadway infrastructure.
Solicitor:
Nothing for open session.
Sanitation, Solid Waste & Recycling:
All Council Members were given a copy of the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s February report.
All Council Members received a request from Ron Joella, 25 Pen Argyl Street, to forgive all penalties incurred from his February 2021 bill for his property located at 101 W. Main Street. No action was taken on this matter.
All Council Members received correspondence from Cheryl Guerro, 7 George Street, thanking the sewer department employees for their assistance with her sewer problems.
All Council Members received a request from the Plainfield Township’s Board of Supervisors for the Borough to pass a resolution that requests state legislature have more restrictive regulations on biosolids spread on farmlands.
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp made a motion for Manager Zmoda to draft a resolution that requests state legislature have more restrictive regulations on biosolids spread on farmlands, to be sent to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Senator Mario Scavello and Representative Ann Flood, seconded by Councilman Scott Brumbaugh. Unanimous by roll call.
Finance, Tax Exoneration & Insurance:
Councilman John Apgar made a motion to accept the January treasurer report as prepared and submitted by Borough Manager/Treasurer Zmoda, seconded by Councilwoman Josephine Hildabrant. Unanimous by roll call.
All Council Members received a copy of the Northampton Tax Collection Committee’s agenda from their February 24, 2022 meeting.
Property & Utilities:
All Council Members received a meeting memo provided by Christine Mildner of Barry Isett & Associates, regarding the Borough’s partnership with Green & White Youth Association.
Councilman John Apgar made a motion to approve the scope of services for stormwater BMP and MS4 projects totaling $9,000.00, as provided by Barry Isett & Associates, seconded by Councilman Charles Kandal Jr. Unanimous by roll call.
Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. made a motion to approve the purchase of twenty (20) snowflake holiday lights for $8,860.00, using money donated from Slate Belt Rising, seconded by Councilman John Apgar. Unanimous by roll call.
Councilman John Apgar made a motion for the public works department to demolish the salt shed located at 298 S. Main Street, seconded by Charles Kandl Jr. Unanimous by roll call.
Community Outreach:
Borough Secretary Juli Lemak provided all Council members with the February feral cat report.
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp announced the Founders Day celebration will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp informed all Council Members the title of this year’s essay for Pen Argyl High school is “How does local government impact your life?”
All Council Members received the Slate Belt Rising Steering Committee Meeting minutes from January 13, 2022 and agenda from February 10, 2022.
Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. made a motion to hold the Borough’s free yard sale event on
June 10th through June 12th and September 16th through September 18th, seconded by Councilwoman Josephine Hildabrant. Unanimous by roll call.
Borough Manager's Report:
All Council Members were given a copy of Borough Manager Zmoda’s February report.
All Council Members received the Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee meeting minutes and agenda from February 18, 2022.
All Council Members received a copy of the Borough of Bath’s economic relief package from the Borough of Bath. No motion was taken on this matter.
Payment of Bills:
The following bills were presented for payment: General Fund, $215,029.48; Sewer Fund, $37,518.02; State Fund $12,610.98 and Reserve Money Market Fund, $16,234.85. Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. made a motion to pay the bills as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Josephine Hildabrant. Unanimous by roll call.
Executive Session:
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation, seconded by Councilwoman Stephanie Cooper. Council Members voting in favor of the motion were: Joseph LeDonne, Tammy Kemp, Scott Brumbaugh, Stephanie Cooper, Josephine Hildabrant and John Apgar. Councilman Charles Kandl Jr. voted no. There being six (6) yes votes and one (1) no vote, the motion passed.
Council went into Executive Session at 8:47 P.M. and reconvened at 09:01 P.M.
Adjournment
Councilwoman Tammy Kemp made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman John Apgar. Unanimous by voice vote. Council meeting adjourned at 9:02 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Juli Lemak
Borough Secretary
Workshop - Tuesday, March 29, 2022 - 7:00 P. M.
Regular Council Meeting - Monday, April 11, 2022 - 7:00 P. M.
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