Borough Council Meetings

September 5, 2023 98 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on September 5, 2023 in Borough Council Chambers, located at 28 S. 4th Street, Emmaus, PA 18049 and via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Labenberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Brent Labenberg, President Present Chris DeFrain, Vice President Present – arrived at 6:04 p.m. 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 Absent PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I A. Gene Clock, Knauss Homestead – invited everyone to attend the Knauss Homestead’s Harvest Festival to be held on Saturday, September 16th from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Knauss Homestead, located at 152 E. Main Street, Rear. Mr. Clock stated that there will be approximately 40 vendors, live music, and horse and carriage rides, at the event. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reminded everyone that the Emmaus Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, September 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Emmaus Historical Society, 218 Main Street. She explained that the Heritage Alliance members include the Emmaus Historical Society, Shelter House Society, Knauss Homestead Preservation Society, the Friends of the 1803 House, the Emmaus Public Library, Emmaus Moravian Church, and the Emmaus Main Street Partners. She invited everyone to attend the event. Mr. Balliet stated that the Borough of Emmaus Dumpster Day will also be held on Saturday, September 16th at the Fire Training Grounds from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mr. Labenberg offered his condolences for the passing of former Emmaus Police Sergeant Dean Weber. He stated that he retired in 1993 and served as a Police Officer for 28 years. September 5, 2023 99 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Emmaus Police Chief Apgar introduced Sergeant Polster and the Borough’s new K9 officer, Leo. He explained that the previous K9 officer, Ronnie, retired on August 17th. Chief Apgar thanked the Emmaus Lions Club for monetarily supporting the K9 officer for the past 30 years. Henry Hile of the Emmaus Lions Club presented a check to the Emmaus Police Department in the amount of $16,250.00 to pay for training and support of the new K9 officer. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the August 21, 2023 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes, 1 abstention (Anders). Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. East Penn Press Vending Box Request – Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the General Administration Committee. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I Ordinance No. 1246 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus Amending Chapter 15 §601 and §602.2 of the Codified Ordinances, Amending Several Sections of the Borough of Emmaus Parking Regulations (1st Reading 8/21/23) (2nd Reading 9/5/23). Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to adopt Ordinance No. 1246 - An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus Amending Chapter 15 §601 and §602.2 of the Codified Ordinances, Amending Several Sections of the Borough of Emmaus Parking Regulations 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. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance No. 1248 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Amending Chapter 15§602.3.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, Adding September 5, 2023 100 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Residential Disabled Parking Sign and Assigning Permitted Parking Space on Public Street Located in Front of the Address at 414 Keystone Avenue Within the Borough of Emmaus (1st Reading 9/5/23). Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adopt Ordinance No. 1248 - An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Amending Chapter 15§602.3.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, Adding Residential Disabled Parking Sign and Assigning Permitted Parking Space on Public Street Located in Front of the Address at 414 Keystone Avenue Within the Borough of Emmaus 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. Labenberg stated that the 2nd Reading of Ordinances No. 1246 and 1248 will take place at the October 2, 2023 Council meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Balliet to add the removal of a Recreation and Entertainment Commission Member to the agenda. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. MAYOR’S REPORT Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that there is nothing for official action tonight. He thanked Mr. Balliet for reading his report during the last Council meeting. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Balliet reminded everyone that Dumpster Day will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Fire Training Grounds beginning at 8:00 a.m. He reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. September 5, 2023 101 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that there were many strong candidates that were interviewed for the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities position. She stated that it was a unanimous decision from the Parks and Recreation Committee to hire Johnathan White at a salary of $73,500 and 3-weeks’ vacation. Mr. Balliet asked when Mr. White will start his position. Mr. Pepe responded that he would start on September 11, 2023. Mr. Pepe stated that Mr. White had a very impressive resume, and his entire education and work history has been focused on parks and facilities. Ms. Baumgartner thanked Council for supporting the addition of the position and welcomed Mr. White. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hart to hire Johnathan White as the Borough of Emmaus Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities at a salary of $73,500 and 3-weeks’ vacation. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Anders to remove Bernadette Patterson from the Emmaus Recreation and Entertainment Commission. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the September meeting date is listed incorrectly on the agenda and that the Committee met today. She reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mr. Hart reported that Emmaus Fire Department was awarded a Grant from the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner in the amount of $100,000 to be used to fix the fire tower. Mr. Labenberg asked if we were expecting the grant. Mr. Pepe explained that Chief Price applied for the grant, but the amount awarded was not expected. He also explained that the money will be used to fix the tower. He stated that once the Fire Department moves back into the station, the sale of the trailer will fund the rest of the repair. Mr. DeFrain explained that the Borough received the maximum grant amount. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to accept the 2023 Training Center Capital Grant in the amount of $100,000. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hart entertained questions about the Committee meeting notes and reported that the next Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. September 5, 2023 102 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting scheduled for September 7, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. has been canceled and the next meeting will be held on September 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2023-24 authorizing payment of the September 5, 2023 bill list as follows: Bill List $ 439,843.32 Payroll #17 $ 192,340.71 Payroll Taxes $ 60,174.61 Total $ 692,358.64 Done this 5th day of September 2023. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt Resolution 2023-24. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the year-to-date Budget Performance and the Significant Revenue & Expense Items for August 2023. Mr. DeFrain stated that the September 7, 2023 meeting will be canceled and the next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Labenberg stated that the Real Estate Transfer tax is performing well. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reported that there is nothing for official action tonight. She entertained questions about the Committee notes and reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on Monday, September 25, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. September 5, 2023 103 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that there is one item for official action tonight. He explained that he has been working with the Public Works Department and the Teamsters on the process for the Public Works Department employees obtaining their CDL’s. He stated that the Teamsters and the Public Works Department have agreed to amend Article 13 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Mr. Pepe reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement and explained to Council that they must vote on it. Motion by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Borough of Emmaus and Teamster Local 773 to amend Article 13 in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe welcomed Council to the newly renovated Borough Hall and explained that Borough Hall will be closed on Wednesday, September 6th and will reopen on Thursday, September 7th. He stated that the Public Works Department and staff have worked very hard during the move. He stated that there is still work to finish, but everyone is working hard to accomplish this. Mr. Pepe explained that the elevator needs a new control panel and is not working. He thanked Attorney Stover for donating the clock in council chambers. Mr. Pepe stated that the anticipated move date for the Fire Department is in two weeks and a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for October. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg commented that Council Chambers is much brighter and cooler. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to adjourn the September 5, 2023 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant September 7, 2023