Borough Council Meetings

April 4, 2022 41 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on April 4, 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 Absent Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present Sara Jarrett-Eaton, Asst. Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I A. Peter Metz – 34 W. Greenleaf Street – asked for a status of his previous appeal to Council requesting a water dam for Community Park. Mr. Pepe responded that the Public Works Department has referred the item to the Borough Engineer. Mr. Metz also questioned if the state has been contacted concerning his previous appeal for paving on Chestnut Street, from 4th Street to 6th Street. Mr. Labenberg responded that the state has scheduled the road to be repaved in 2025, and the state has not been contacted. Mr. Metz suggested repairing the potholes at the intersections, in particular where the ditch is near the 6th & Chestnut Street intersection. Mr. Labenberg stated that the Borough has set up a road fund in the Budget for street repairs. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders stated that the Emmaus High School softball season has begun. Mr. Labenberg stated that all spring sports have begun, and the boys’ baseball and the girls’ softball teams are ranked very high. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Mr. Barrett presented a check to the Borough in the amount of $8,500 from the Emmaus 5k to install flashing pedestrian crossing signs. He thanked the Borough for its continuous support of the race and stated that last year was the 15th annual race and this year will be the 16th annual. He stated that the race has raised over $150,000. He explained that since the race began, $45,000 has been donated to the Halloween Parade. He stated that they have also donated to the Summer Concert Series, the Emmaus Flag Association, and other Emmaus organizations. He thanked Chris Schmidt from the Keystone Running Store. He April 4, 2022 42 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL stated that Chris has been a supporter of the race since its inception and has donated over $15,000 in prizes. He thanked the staff of Wesley Works Real Estate and Entertainment for supporting the race from behind the scenes. He also thanked First Commonwealth Credit Union and BB&T (Truist Bank) for supporting the race. He thanked Kathy Mintzer and Borough staff for making race day possible. Mr. Labenberg thanked Mr. Barrett on behalf of Borough Council and Borough staff for his generous donation and always supporting the Borough. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adopt the March 21, 2022 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS – None. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I Ordinance No. 1225 – An Ordinance Amending Part 1, Street Excavations, Chapter 21 §111 of the Codified Ordinances, Amending Sections Related to Resurfacing Requirements of Street Openings (1st Reading 3/21/22) (2nd Reading 4/4/22). Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Ordinance No. 1225 - An Ordinance Amending Part 1, Street Excavations, Chapter 21 §111 of the Codified Ordinances, Amending Sections Related to Resurfacing Requirements of Street Openings on its 2nd Reading. Roll call vote: Mr. Balliet, aye; Mr. Hart, aye; Mr. DeFrain, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mrs. Sorg- McManamon, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Ordinance No. 1226 – An Ordinance Amending Part 4, Chapter 15 §403 and Chapter 15 §601 of the Codified Ordinances, Establishing Parking Restrictions on the Public Street and Parking Lot Adjacent to the Emmaus Police Department (1st Reading 3/21/22) (2nd Reading 4/4/22). Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adopt Ordinance No. 1226 - An Ordinance Amending Part 4, Chapter 15 §403 and Chapter 15 §601 of the Codified Ordinances, Establishing Parking Restrictions on the Public Street and Parking Lot Adjacent to the Emmaus Police Department on its 2nd Reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Sorg-McManamon, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. DeFrain, aye; Mr. Hart, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. April 4, 2022 43 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL NEW BUSINESS Ordinance No. 1227 – An Ordinance Amending the Provisions of Chapter 5, Part 6 of the Borough’s Codified Ordinances, the Provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code § 5-602 Amendments (1st Reading 4/4/22). Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt Ordinance No. 1227 - An Ordinance Amending the Provisions of Chapter 5, Part 6 of the Borough’s Codified Ordinances, the Provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code § 5-602 Amendments on its 1st Reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Sorg- McManamon, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. DeFrain, aye; Mr. Hart, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe explained that the Ordinance was needed to codify inconsistences between the Borough’s Ordinance and the International Property Maintenance Code. Mr. Labenberg stated that the 2nd Reading of Ordinance No. 1227 will occur at the May 2, 2022 Council meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Balliet reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee April 4, 2022 44 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Ms. Baumgartner reported that there is nothing for official action and the next Committee meeting is April 5, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to purchase a flashing pedestrian crossing signal on Harrison Street near Lincoln Elementary School. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hart explained that that the need for a flashing pedestrian crossing signal was brought to the Borough’s attention due to a change in the pickup location at Lincoln Elementary School. He stated that there are safety concerns with the location and there have been several near accidents. Ms. Baumgartner asked if there was any communication with the Elementary School. Mr. Hart responded affirmatively and stated that the school was not receptive to changing the location back to the front of the school for pick-up, nor were they interested in paying anything towards the light. Mr. Labenberg stated that he hopes that the flashing signal will help with safety in the area. Mr. Hart entertained questions about the Committee notes and reported that the next Committee meeting is April 28, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. DeFrain grant the Fields at Indian Creek, LLC request for Credit Reduction for Phases IV and V. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2022-17 authorizing payment of the April 4, 2022 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 320,297.16 Payroll #6 $ 170,755.62 Payroll Taxes $ 56,055.58 Total $ 547,108.36 Done this 4th day of April 2022. April 4, 2022 45 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt Resolution 2022-17. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for March 2022 and reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and the next Committee meeting is Monday, April 11, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that staff has hired Madison Buchanon as a part-time EMT with the Emmaus Ambulance Corps. He also reported that Matt Kessler has resigned as a Firefighter. Mr. Pepe thanked him for his many years of service to the Borough. Mr. Pepe provided an update on the construction process and stated that bi-weekly construction meetings are continuing. He stated that asbestos removal has begun at Central Station. He also stated that dumpsters are filling up at Town Hall as Skepton Construction has begun their demolition. He explained that the project is about one month behind but moving along. He also explained that the contractors are working around material delays and the construction management team is doing a good job of staying on top of things. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg recessed the meeting at 7:31 p.m. for an Executive Session to discuss contract updates and personnel issues with no action anticipated. Mr. Labenberg reconvened the meeting at 8:02 with no action necessary. Progress. ADJOURNMENT April 4, 2022 46 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adjourn the April 4, 2022 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant April 6, 2022