Borough Council Meetings

November 21, 2022 121 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on November 21, 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 via Zoom 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 Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reminded everyone that the ribbon cutting for Morty’s Steaks will take place on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 10:45 a.m. She also reminded everyone that Small Business Saturday will also take place this Saturday, and Old Fashioned Christmas will take place on December 3, 2022 beginning at noon, with the tree lighting ceremony taking place at 6:00 p.m. Mrs. Sorg-McManamon wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt the November 7, 2022 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. Comcast Network Expansion Letter – Referred to the General Administration Committee. November 21, 2022 122 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL b. Bryan Bilheimer, Code Official – Letter of Resignation effective December 9, 2022. Mr. Labenberg wished Mr. Bilheimer the best of luck and stated that he will be missed. 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 No-Shave November has begun and that there are 12 officers participating. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that the Committee met on November 16, 2022. He explained that Mr. Carl submitted a memorandum regarding the use of the compost site by commercial haulers. He stated that Mr. Carl is proposing charging $50.00 per load with monthly billing for contractors. He also stated that Mr. Carl is proposing the implementation of this in 2023. Mr. Anders stated that this conforms with industry standards. Mr. Labenberg thanked Mr. Carl for his hard work on the policy and thinks that it will help with the issues that are occurring with contractors using the compost site. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt the Commercial Hauler Compost Site Policy. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Progress.  November 21, 2022 123 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to grant the Emmaus Commerce Center’s request for a reduction of financial security in the amount of $457,494.47. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. Hart to grant the Cedar Crest Chestnut Development L.P.’s (Wawa) request for a reduction of financial security in the amount of $51,485.74. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Balliet, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to grant the Towns at South Mountain’s request for a reduction of financial security in the amount of $110,862.97. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2022-46: PennDot Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement. Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mr. Anders to adopt Resolution 2022-46. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet stated that one of the codes officials has resigned and encouraged anyone that is interested in the position to apply by mailing in a resume. He also stated that the Zoning Hearing Board needs 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 next Committee meeting is December 6, 2022 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mr. Hart reported that the Committee has not met since the last Council meeting, but there are two items that require official action. Mr. Hart explained that the purchase of new software for the Fire and Ambulance Departments was reviewed by the Committee and believes that the software will meet the needs of the Borough. He also explained that the current software will no longer be supported as of January 1, 2023.  November 21, 2022 124 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to approve the purchase of First Due software for the Fire and Ambulance Departments in the amount of $15,990. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to enter into agreement with the Lehigh Valley Humane Society for the period of January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025 in the amount of $900.00 for 2023. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hart reported that the next Committee meeting is December 29, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is December 1, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Hart reported that the 2021 audit was received by the Borough. He stated that the Budget and Finance Committee was able to review the audit and that Mr. DeFrain also supplied comments on the draft audit that was received. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to approve the 2021 Audit Review contingent upon subsequent portions of the narrative reflecting the PFAS/PFOS lawsuit and the bond and construction financing. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2022-47 authorizing payment of the November 21, 2022, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 552,960.90 Payroll #23 $ 186,138.81 Payroll Taxes $ 61,903.14 Total $ 801,002.85 Done this 21st day of November 2022. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to adopt Resolution 2022-47. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hart reported that the next Committee meeting is December 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. November 21, 2022 125 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL 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, December 12, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II - None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that a temporary website has been developed by Mrs. Jarrett-Eaton and he thanked her for how much she has accomplished in a very short period of time. He asked that council review the website and submit comments. He stated that he hopes to have the website live shortly. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Mr. Labenberg recessed the meeting at 7:19 p.m. for an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and union negotiations with no action anticipated. Mr. Labenberg reconvened the meeting at 7:58 p.m. with no action necessary. Progress. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adjourn the November 21, 2022 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant November 23, 2022