Before the monthly Catasauqua Borough Council workshop meeting March 29, a special meeting was held regarding public safety.

Councilman Brian McKittrick, public safety committee chair, motioned to add a name to the Civil Service list, bringing the number to three. The motion carried unanimously.

McKittrick motioned to appoint Brandon Gianopulos to the Catasauqua Police Department. The motion passed.

Council President Vincent Smith then called the monthly workshop to order.

A resident advocated for the opening of Catasauqua Municipal Pool. She said her family moved to Catasauqua because of the pool. She noted it is a quality-of-life issue and expressed disappointment the pool will be closed during 2021.

Smith explained the closure is due to the reduced capacity of patrons order, which increases the costs of running the pool. Opening the pool is not financially sustainable until the state allows full capacity.

Borough Manager Steven Travers noted the pool renovation may exceed $1,000,000. Other competing priorities, such as street repairs and other capital equipment, are squeezing the effort to renovate the pool.

Travers reported tax revenues are below projections due to the pandemic. The borough applied for a planning grant, according to Travers, to develop a sustainable plan to secure grant funding from the state.

Travers also noted only about 10 percent of the residents use the pool.

Smith said he sees no way the pool can be opened this year. Planned renovations, which have not been started, would take about six months.

Councilman Paul Cmil suggested holding a public recreation committee meeting at the pool so the committee can explain the problems at the pool. Smith endorsed the suggestion.

The next recreation committee meeting is 6 p.m. April 19, tentatively at the community pool, 501 American St.

McKittrick asked about the possibility of selling the pool to a swim club. Travers said it is possible, but a private sale would have challenges. Solicitor Thomas Dinkelacker questioned if it would be legal to try to privatize public land.

In other business, a resident reported the increased traffic and speeding on Pine Street from Front Street to Third Street needs resolution. Smith said the public safety committee will work with the mayor and police chief to address the situation.

Mayor Barbara Schlegel said a community yard sale to benefit the police K-9 unit will be held in May. Vendor participant information is forthcoming.

Dinkelacker said council must act on the county’s requests for easements along the D&L Trail. The county desires a uniform 10-foot-wide trail. The request will be on next week’s meeting agenda.

Engineer Vanessa Nedrick reported the Race Street project drawings have been submitted.

Councilman Cameron Smith announced the borough’s personnel policy handbook was completed and will be on the agenda for next week.

McKittrick reported the plan for the parking situation on Strawberry and Second streets is to remove the Second Street loading zone by the former Catty Market and eliminate parking on both sides of Strawberry Street between Front Street and the borough municipal complex, 90 Bridge St.

Cmil reported the public utilities committee discussed working with the borough engineer to better coordinate operations. Nedrick said she is working on estimates for improvements in the public utilities operations. After the estimates are completed, the committee can develop recommendations.

Travers reported a building construction officer appointment will occur at next week’s council meeting.

Councilman Gene Schlegel reported summer concerts are being planned.

Attorney Jeffrey Dimmick announced his retirement at the meeting.

“All of you have been so nice to me, so I wanted to say thank you,” the former borough solicitor said.

Dinkelacker said he thoroughly enjoyed working with Dimmick, calling him a “lawyer’s lawyer.”

“I want to get on the record how much I appreciate Jeff,” Dinkelacker added.

The next borough council meeting is 7 p.m. April 5. It is a hybrid meeting. Visit catasauqua.org for the access codes to the virtual aspect of the meeting.