Borough Council Meetings

November 7, 2022 115 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on November 7, 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 Absent Roy Anders Present Chad Balliet Present 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 - None. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders reminded everyone that tomorrow is Election Day and encouraged everyone to vote. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt the October 17, 2022 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. Faith Presbyterian Christmas Eve Service Request – Mr. Labenberg referred the item to staff. b. Emmaus Arts Commission – SnowBlast Winter Festival Request to be held at Triangle Park on February 4, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. November 7, 2022 116 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to grant the Emmaus Arts Commission’s request to sell alcohol at Triangle Park during the SnowBlast Winter Festival to be held on February 4, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. c. Thomas Gauntner, EMT – Resignation Letter effective November 15, 2022. Mr. Pepe stated that Mr. Gauntner was an extremely reliable EMT and one of the original members of the Employee Safety Committee. d. Draft Audit Report – Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the Budget & Finance Committee. 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 reported that her list of activities for the 3rd quarter are available in the iPads. She also reported that the Emmaus Police Department handed out 170 bags of candy and 160 hot dogs on Trick or Treat night. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that there is nothing for official action tonight. He reminded everyone that leaf collection has begun and thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work collecting the leaves. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom.  November 7, 2022 117 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Resolution 2022-39 – 300 Furnace Street Sewage Facilities Planning Module. Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt Resolution 2022-39. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2022-40 – A Resolution Conditionally Approving the Revised Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for Carolyn and Franklin Tranguch Regarding 680 Ridge Street, Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Solicitor Ulrich explained that the Resolution was previously approved, but there was a need for a wording change in order for the developer to secure financing for the project. Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt Resolution 2022-40. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reminded everyone that the Borough needs Zoning Hearing Board members. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that there is nothing for official action tonight. She stated that the Borough’s calendar incorrectly reflects the next Committee meeting as November 9th, but the actual meeting date of November 8th has been canceled due to a budget workshop. She stated that the next Committee meeting is December 6, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mr. Hart reported that there is nothing for official action tonight, but at the next Council meeting, the Humane Society contract and the purchase of software for the Fire Department will need official action. He reported that the Quarterly reports for the emergency services departments are available in the iPads. Mr. Hart reported that the next Committee meeting is December 29, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. November 7, 2022 118 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. e. General Administration Committee Resolution 2022-42 – A Resolution Authorizing the Application for a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Accounting Fund (Faming Funds) Northampton & Lehigh County. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt Resolution 2022-42. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2022-43 – A Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Approving the Application of a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the ARPA PA Small Water and Sewer Grant Program. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt Resolution 2022-43. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe explained that this application will be for the Borough’s sewer I & I program, and it is a 30% matching grant. Resolution 2022-44 – A Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Approving the Application of a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the H2O PA Grant Program. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Resolution 2022-44. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe explained that this application will be for the rehabilitation of the Borough’s water tanks and it is a 50% matching grant. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is November 17, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2022-41 – A Resolution Implementing Act 57 of 2022 Which Provides for Property Tax Penalty Waiver Provisions. Solicitor Ulrich explained that Act 57 of 2022 was signed into law on July 11, 2022 and took effect on October 11, 2022. He stated that the Act directs the tax collector to waive November 7, 2022 119 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL additional charges for real estate taxes in certain situations. He stated that the Resolution needed to be adopted within 90 days of the effective date of the Act, or no later than January 9, 2023. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt Resolution 2022-41. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2022-45 authorizing payment of the November 7, 2022, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 319,797.15 Payroll #21 & #22 $ 341,589.31 Payroll Taxes $ 111,875.94 Total $ 773,262.40 Done this 7th day of November 2022. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Resolution 2022-45. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hart entertained questions about the Significant Revenue & Expense Report for October 2022. He also noted that the top bill on the Bill List is the 2022 Ford Interceptor Police vehicle in the amount of $47,440.60. He reminded everyone that this item was discussed at Budget Workshop and it was voted on to move forward with the item. Mr. Hart reported that the next Committee meeting is November 17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and that the next Committee meeting is Monday, November 14, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II - None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that Kevin Farnish has been promoted to Firefighter 2. He also reported that Brenton McLaughlin has completed his 1-year probationary status for Part-Time Firefighter. Progress. November 7, 2022 120 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg recessed the meeting at 7:25 p.m. for an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and union negotiations with no action anticipated. Mr. Labenberg reconvened the meeting at 8:33 p.m. with no action necessary. Progress. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to adjourn the November 7, 2022 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant November 9, 2022