Borough Council Meetings

January 17, 2022 8 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on January 17, 2022 in temporary Council Chambers, located at 139 N. 4th Street, Emmaus, PA 18049 and via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Labenberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Brent Labenberg, President Present Chris DeFrain, Vice President Present Roy Anders Present Chad Balliet Present via Zoom Shana Baumgartner Present John W. Hart Present Teri Sorg-McManamon Present LeeAnn Gilbert, Mayor Present Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present Sara Jarrett-Eaton, Asst. Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I A. Ashley Lorah and Hayden Rinde, Emmaus Main Street Partners and Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce – Ms. Rinde introduced herself and stated that she has been with the Chamber of Commerce since September 2021. She stated that Restaurant Week will be held from February 27th through March 5th. She also stated that the Partner’s will be hosting the 2nd Annual Dessert & Wine Pairing, the Food Truck Festival, and Rocktober Fest. She thanked Borough Council and Mayor Gilbert for attending ribbon cuttings and welcoming new businesses to the Borough. She thanked Mrs. Sorg- McManamon for sitting on the East Penn Chamber’s Board as well as the Emmaus Main Street Partner’s Board. Ms. Lorah explained that the 2nd round of Veteran’s Banners are about to begin and thanked the Public Works Department for hanging the banners. She stated that Roundtable Thursday will be held on Thursday, January 20th. She thanked Council for its ongoing support. COMMUNITY MINUTE – None. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the January 3, 2022 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. January 17, 2022 9 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION ON BIDS Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to approve the bid by Sargent Enterprises for asbestos removal for Borough Hall and Central Station in the amount of $164,624. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS a. Emmaus Arts Commission – Request to change date for SnowBlast 2022 to March 5, 2022. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to staff. b. Karri Schreppel, Emmaus Arts Commission – Request for Reappointment to the Arts Commission for a term expiring 2/7/2025. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS – None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Gilbert thanked Chief Schantz for his years of service to the Borough and stated that he will be retiring at the end of the month. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work and effort with snow removal. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. January 17, 2022 10 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to appoint Todd Ackerman to the Southwest Comprehensive Planning Committee and Mike Gibson as an alternate to the Southwest Comprehensive Planning Committee. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet stated that a lot of effort is put into the Southwest Comprehensive Planning Committee and thanked all of the members of the Committee. Mr. Pepe explained that the meetings are held once a month and that Mr. Ackerman will replace Mr. Stringfellow on the Committee. He wished Mr. Stringfellow success in his new position. Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to grant the Fields at Indian Creek Letter of Credit Reduction contingent upon review by the Borough’s Engineer. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe stated that the Letter of Credit will not be finalized and released until the crosswalk is complete at Cedar Crest Blvd. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that there is nothing for official action and the next Committee meeting is February 1, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mr. Hart reported that the search process for the Chief of Police has been completed. He stated that it was a rewarding experience to interview individuals from the outside. He stated that the Borough received 98 applications, 76 from out of the state and 22 from Pennsylvania. He stated that he reviewed every application and staff narrowed the search to 11 candidates. He stated that staff interviewed the candidates, and it was narrowed down to 4 candidates. He explained that one candidate declined, and the Public Safety Committee interviewed 3 candidates. He stated that it was a unanimous decision to recommend Deputy Chief of Police, Jason Apgar, for the position. He stated that Mr. Apgar is very qualified for the position and reviewed his qualifications. Mr. Labenberg stated that he was extremely impressed with Mr. Apgar’s qualifications. Mr. Pepe stated that Mr. Apgar stood out from the beginning, and he is extremely excited to work with him. He stated that he believes Mr. Apgar will take the Police Department to the next level. January 17, 2022 11 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to hire Deputy Chief of Police, Jason Apgar, as the Borough of Emmaus Chief of Police. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mayor Gilbert asked if the motion should include the start date for Mr. Apgar. Mr. Hart stated that he will amend his motion and Mrs. Sorg-McManamon stated that she will amend her second. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to hire Deputy Chief of Police, Jason Apgar, as the Borough of Emmaus Chief of Police with a start date of February 7, 2022. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hart reported that the next Committee meeting is January 27, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to approve the Consent Order and Agreement between the Borough of Emmaus and the Department of Environmental Protection. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Hart to appoint the following individuals to the 2022 Employee and Volunteer Safety Committee: Administration: Shane Pepe, term infinite; (alternate – Sara Jarrett-Eaton) Codes / Zoning: Rob Hammond, term infinite; (alternate – Bryan Bilheimer) Police: Joe Longenbach, term expires 12/31/22; (alternate – Bryan Hamscher) Fire: Chris Lubenetski, term expires 12/31/22; (alternate – John Price) Ambulance: JT Pleegor, term expires 12/31/22; (alternate – Matthew West) Public Works: Brent Reed, term expires 12/31/23; (alternate – Troy Bower) Clerical: Teresa Pohlmann, term expires 12/31/23; (alternate – Sally Hosfeld) There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Anders to enter into the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Borough of Emmaus Public Works Department and the Teamster’s Local #773. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. January 17, 2022 12 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2022-4 authorizing payment of the January 17, 2022 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 159,918.41 Payroll #1 $ 208,272.45 Payroll Taxes $ 71.584.84 Total $ 439,775.70 Done this 17th day of January 2022. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt Resolution 2022-4. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue & Expense Items for the first half of January 2022. Mr. DeFrain reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Sorg-McManmon reported that there is nothing for official action and the next Committee meeting will be held on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe stated that Mr. Dychala will also be retiring prior to the next Council meeting. He stated that the contributions Mr. Dychala have made as the Public Works Director are greatly appreciated and he has been a valuable asset to the community. He stated that Mr. Dychala and Chief Schantz will be greatly missed. He thanked Mr. Dychala and Chief Schantz for advancing both departments to the next level. January 17, 2022 13 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to enter into an Easement Agreement for parcels located on S. 5th Street contingent upon the Borough’s Solicitor’s final review and approval. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain asked for a status on the bonds and approvals. Mr. Pepe responded that he has a bond rating meeting later this week. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg stated that Mr. Dychala and Chief Schantz will be missed. He stated that he is excited for the new Public Works Director and the new Chief of Police to start their positions. Progress. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hart to adjourn the January 17, 2022 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant January 19, 2022