Borough Council Meetings

October 2, 2023 110 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on October 2, 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 6:06 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 – via Zoom Sara Jarrett-Eaton, Asst. Borough Manager Absent Mr. Labenberg apologized for starting the meeting late due to technology issues. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I – None. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mayor Gilbert reminded everyone that Community Heroes Day will take place at the Emmaus Public Library on Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mr. DeFrain reminded everyone that the Emmaus Halloween Parade will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 with a rain date of Sunday, October 22, 2023. He explained that new for this year, businesses are allowed to participate in the parade with the condition that the floats must be Halloween themed, the participants must be dressed in costumes, and no advertising is being handed out at the parade. Mr. Anders reminded everyone that the Emmaus 5K race will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 beginning prior to the parade. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Balliet, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt the September 18, 2023 Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. October 2, 2023 111 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. Gerald Fehnel, DPW Group Leader, Fleet Maintenance – Letter of Resignation effective March 26, 2024, with his last physical working day as October 18, 2023. b. Troy Leonard, Part Time Police Officer – Letter of Resignation effective September 25, 2023. c. Hayden Rinde, Emmaus Main Street Partners – Parking Fee Waiver Request for the Borough’s kiosk parking lot on December 2, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. during Old Fashioned Christmas. Mr. DeFrain stated that he is not in favor of the request and does not want to set a precedent. Mr. Anders, Mr. Hart, and Mr. Balliet agreed with Mr. DeFrain. Mr. Labenberg suggested that Council make a motion immediately instead of sending the item to a committee. Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to deny the Emmaus Main Street Partner’s parking fee waiver request for the Borough’s kiosk parking lot on December 2, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. during Old Fashioned Christmas. There were 6 ayes, 1 opposed (Baumgartner). Motion carried. d. Natasha Swartley, Emmaus Ambulance Corps EMT – Letter of Resignation effective September 30, 2023. e. Rebekah Waterman, Part -Time Emmaus Ambulance Corps EMT – Letter of Resignation. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Solicitor Ulrich explained that he has had a conversation with the East Penn School District and has checked on the progress of the crossing guard contract. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance No. 1249 – 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 a Public Street Located Adjacent to 611 Walnut Street and Removing Residential Disabled Parking Sign on a October 2, 2023 112 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Public Street Located Adjacent to 613 Walnut Street Within the Borough of Emmaus (1st Reading 10/2/23). Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Balliet to adopt Ordinance No. 1249 - 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 a Public Street Located Adjacent to 611 Walnut Street and Removing Residential Disabled Parking Sign on a Public Street Located Adjacent to 613 Walnut Street 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. Hart, aye; Mr. DeFrain, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Ordinance No. 1250 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Amending Chapter 15 §602.3 of the Emmaus Borough Code, Adding Residential Disabled Parking Sign and Assigning Permitted Parking Space on a Public Street Located Adjacent to 555 Broad Street Within the Borough of Emmaus (1st Reading 10/2/23). Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon to adopt Ordinance No. 1250 - An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Amending Chapter 15 §602.3 of the Emmaus Borough Code, Adding Residential Disabled Parking Sign and Assigning Permitted Parking Space on a Public Street Located Adjacent to 555 Broad Street 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. Hart, aye; Mr. DeFrain, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Gilbert read Proclamation 2023-570 proclaiming October 8th-14th, 2023 as Fire Prevention Week with the theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU,” and urged all residents of Emmaus to check their kitchen for fire hazards and use safe cooking practices during Fire Prevention Week 2023 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of the Borough’s fire and emergency services. Mayor Gilbert read Proclamation 2023-571 and proclaimed Friday, October 27, 2023 as “Trick or Treat Night” in the Borough with all trick or treat activities to be conducted between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. She requested that households indicated their willingness to welcome children by keeping their porch or exterior lights on and that youngsters only call on homes so lighted. October 2, 2023 113 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that there is nothing for official action tonight and stated that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, October 18, 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 explained that the last extension for the current refuse contract will expire in 2024, and there has been a substantial increase in fees. Mr. Anders stated 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, October 25, 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 there are 263 side streets (alleys) in the Borough that require stop signs. He explained that the Emmaus Police Department is reviewing the most dangerous locations first. Mr. Hart reported that the next Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee October 2, 2023 114 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mr. Labenberg reported that the Committee is continuing to work on rates for the rental of the Community Room. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2023-26 authorizing payment of the October 2, 2023 bill list as follows: Bill List $ 1,037,890.00 Payroll #19 $ 194,939.84 Payroll Taxes $ 62,353.82 Total $ 1,295,183.66 Done this 2nd day of October 2023. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Balliet to adopt Resolution 2023-26. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue & Expense Items for September and stated that the next Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reported that the Committee interviewed Rachel Peters as a volunteer for the Emmaus Arts Commission. Mrs. Sorg-McManamon stated that Ms. Peters is an artist and a graphic designer. Motion by Mrs. Sorg-McManamon, seconded by Mr. Hart to appoint Rachel Peters to the Emmaus Arts Commission to a term expiring 10/16/2025. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mrs. Sorg-McManamon reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, October 23, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. October 2, 2023 115 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Labenberg reported that the Borough hired Crystal Jones as a Para-Transit Driver. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Labenberg thanked Jessica Wessner for helping at tonight’s meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Hart, seconded by Ms. Baumbgartner to adjourn the October 2, 2023 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Paula Weiant Borough Manager Administrative Assistant October 5, 2023