Borough Council Meetings

September 19, 2022 97 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on September 19, 2022 in temporary Council Chambers, located at 420 S. 10th 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 Shana Baumgartner Present John W. Hart Absent Teri Sorg-McManamon Present LeeAnn Gilbert, Mayor Present Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present via Zoom Sara Jarrett-Eaton, Asst. Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I A. Thomas Ruhe, 504 S 6th Street – read a letter voicing concerns about street parking at St. Ann’s Catholic School. He stated that parking on Fairview Street is completely blocked between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. due to bus and teacher parking. He added that there is inadequate width for cars to get through on Fairview Street. He also stated that this occurred previously, and the situation was resolved. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Pepe clarified with Mr. Ruhe that the previous solution worked. He recommended having a meeting with St. Ann’s and the Police Department. Mayor Gilbert responded that she will speak with Chief Apgar and will have an officer address the matter. Mr. Ruhe also voiced concern about people driving through the stop sign at S. 6th and Fairview Street. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mrs. Sorg-McManamon thanked the community for attending the Emmaus Heritage Festival and Farewell to Summer events held on Saturday, September 17th. She stated that the Triangle was very crowded, and the businesses were very happy. She thanked the organizers for their hard work. Mayor Gilbert reminded Council that a ribbon cutting will be held at Capo & Company located at 1375 Chestnut Street on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. September 19, 2022 98 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adopt the September 6, 2022 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. Christian Didra, 26 Elm Street – Planning Commission Volunteer Application. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the Health, Sanitation and Codes Committee. b. Handmade Mystics – Festival of Witches Community Event Request. Mrs. Sorg- McManamon stated that this is a resubmission of a previous request. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee. c. Rosalie Sell – Resignation from the Recreation and Entertainment Commission. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT 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 read Proclamation 2022-549 proclaiming October 2022 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and urged all citizens in our community to prevent breast cancer deaths through increased education and regular screenings. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee September 19, 2022 99 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mr. Anders reported that there are no items for official action tonight and stated that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is September 28, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that there are no items for official action tonight and stated that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mr. DeFrain reported that the next Committee meeting is September 29, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Balliet to approve Bethesda Church Lehigh Valley’s request to hold the Today is the Day event at Triangle Park on October 22, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the understanding that it is a one time event. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is October 6, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Balliet to approve and fund the 2023 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Emmaus Police Pension Plan in the amount of $521,616.55 and the Emmaus Employees’ Pension Plan in the amount of $244,264.87. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. September 19, 2022 100 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Resolution 2022-35 authorizing payment of the September 19, 2022, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 506,644.03 Payroll #18 $ 172,686.39 Payroll Taxes $ 55,141.70 Total $ 734,472.12 Done this 19th day of September 2022. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Resolution 2022- 35. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for the 1st half of September 2022 and the Committee meeting notes. He reported that the next Committee meeting is October 6, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Motion by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve the Knauss Homestead Harvest Festival to be held on October 22, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with alcohol sales permitted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon, seconded by Mr. Balliet to approve the Knauss Homestead’s request to expand the split rail fence behind the barn at the Homestead. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mrs. Sorg-McManamon entertained questions about Committee notes and reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, October 10, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II A. Cailtin Ganley, Comcast – stated that communication was sent to the Borough in regard to a network expansion into the Borough. She asked if the Borough received the communication. Mr. Pepe stated that he has received the communication and will reach out in the next few weeks. September 19, 2022 101 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL B. Gene Clock, Knauss Homestead – stated that he forwarded a drawing requesting to place a patio at the Homestead. Mr. Pepe and Mr. Labenberg responded that they did not receive the drawing. Mr. Clock stated that he will forward the drawing to them. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that April Lubenetski has been promoted to Master Firefighter. Mr. Pepe stated that Ms. Lubenetski was demoted to Firefighter II because there was a problem with receiving the proper training paperwork from Bucks County. He stated that she is a very talented firefighter and an asset to the Borough. Mr. Pepe reported that he received all of the budget requests from the Department Managers, and he has started meeting with the Committees. He stated that the focus of the 2023 budget will be 5-year and strategic planning. He stated that the preliminary budget will be submitted to Council during the second week of October. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Progress. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adjourn the September 19, 2022 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant September 21, 2022