Borough Council Meetings

September 18, 2023 104 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on September 18, 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 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 Mrs. Sorg-McManamon thanked everyone for attending the Farewell to Summer event, the Harvest Festival, and the Heritage Festival on Saturday, September 16th. She stated that the downtown area was very busy. Mr. Labenberg asked if anyone had any idea if the Harvest Festival was well attended. Mr. Pepe responded that the Harvest Festival was well attended with 40 vendors. Mr. Labenberg stated that the Knauss Homestead property looks very nice, and a lot of work has been done on it. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the September 5, 2023 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. September 18, 2023 105 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS a. Rachel Peters – Emmaus Arts Commission Volunteer Application. Mr. Labenberg referred the item to the Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee. b. Knauss Homestead – Community Event Request - Harvest Vet Fest. Mrs. Sorg- McManamon explained that this is a new charity event for veterans in need. She explained that she had additional questions and would speak to Mr. Clock prior to the next Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee meeting. Motion by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve the Harvest Vet Fest to be held at the Knauss Homestead on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from Noon until 5:00 p.m., contingent upon review by the Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I Ordinance No. 1247 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus Amending Chapter 15 §602.3.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, Adding Residential Disabled Parking Sign and Assigning Permitted Parking Space on a Public Street Located in Front of the Address at 629 Walnut Street Within the Borough of Emmaus (1st Reading 8/21/23) (2nd Reading 9/18/23). Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Ordinance No. 1247 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus Amending Chapter 15 §602.3.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, Adding Residential Disabled Parking Sign and Assigning Permitted Parking Space on a Public Street Located in Front of the Address at 629 Walnut Street Within the Borough of Emmaus on its 2nd Reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Sorg- McManamon, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye; Mr. Hart, aye; Mr. DeFrain, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS – None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. September 18, 2023 106 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Gilbert read Proclamation 2023-569 proclaiming October 2023 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 Mr. Anders reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and stated that he may need to cancel the next Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 20, 2023 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. He reported that Dumpster Day was very successful with approximately 300 vehicles participating. Mr. Balliet thanked Borough staff and Whitetail Disposal for their hard work at the event. He reported that Household Hazardous Waste Day will take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Emmaus Community Park. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 4:45 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and 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 the next Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. September 18, 2023 107 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the first item for official action is the Agreement between the Borough of Emmaus and 7035 LLC for the purchase of the parking lot located at 311 Main Street, Emmaus, PA. Solicitor Ulrich explained that there was a minor error in the Agreement and that it has been changed. He stated that the purchase price is $476,000.00 of which $76,000.00 will be used to buy out the lease. He explained that there is a second Agreement for the termination of the lease. Mr. Pepe clarified that the purchase price for the lot is $400,000.00 and the buyout of the lease is $76,000.00 and a vote will be needed for both items. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to approve the Agreement between the Borough of Emmaus and 7035 LLC for the purchase of the parking lot located at 311 Main Street, Emmaus, PA in the amount of $400,000.00. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. Balliet to terminate the Lease Agreement between the Borough of Emmaus and 7035 LLC for the parking lot located at 311 Main Street, Emmaus, PA in the amount of $76,000.00. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on September 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt the Borough of Emmaus Pension Plan Investment Policy. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe explained that it is mandatory by law to adopt the Pension Plan Investment Policy because the Borough has changed investment firms. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Balliet to approve and fund the 2024 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Emmaus Police Pension Plan in the amount of $654,593.02 and the Emmaus Employees’ Pension Plan in the amount of $284,806.79. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2023-25 authorizing payment of the September 18, 2023 bill list as follows: Bill List $ 214,053.12 Payroll #18 $ 182,682.97 Payroll Taxes $ 56,970.28 Total $ 453,706.37 September 18, 2023 108 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Done this 18th day of September 2023. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Hart to adopt Resolution 2023-25. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue & Expense Items for the 1st half of September and stated that the next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 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. She 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. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that the Fire Department Administration team will be moving out of 420 S. 10th Street on Monday, September 25th and the rest of the department will move a few weeks later. Mr. Balliet commented that the Borough employee picnic was held on Friday, September 15th and it was very well attended, and the food was great. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg reported that an Executive Session is needed for a Personnel matter involving crossing guards with no action anticipated. Mr. Labenberg recessed the meeting at 6:17 p.m. Mr. Labenberg reconvened the meeting at 6:44 p.m. with no action needed. September 18, 2023 109 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hart to adjourn the September 18, 2023 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant September 20, 2023