Borough Council Meetings

January 15, 2024 7 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on January 15, 2024, in Council Chambers and via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Council President Chad Balliet, called the Council meeting to order at 6:00PM Roy Anders Present Chad Balliet, Council President Present Shana Baumgartner, Council Vice President Present Nathan Brown Present Chris Hoenscheid Present Brent Labenberg Present Kate Watt 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 reported that EYA Spring baseball and softball registrations were open and invited interested parties to register. Mayor Gilbert invited Council to the January 24, 2024 ribbon cutting ceremony for Le Femme Boutique, 328 Main Street, where she will be in attendance. The event begins at 4:00PM and the ribbon cutting will be at 4:30PM. Mr. Pepe reported that President Biden visited the Borough on January 19, 2024. He added that it was a very exciting time for the Borough. Mr. Pepe extended his gratitude to the Borough’s emergency services teams. Mr. Pepe stated there was a large amount of logistics and departmental effort that went into the visit. He further detailed the short amount of notice the Borough received and that Chief Apgar and Deputy Chief Hamscher dropped everything and coordinated with the Federal Government, State Police, surrounding municipalities, Fire Police, the Borough’s Fire, Ambulance, and Public Works Departments, and Borough staff. Mr. Pepe said that he thinks they did an excellent job and could not thank them enough. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES January 15, 2024 8 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt the January 2, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS 8.a. Joanna Vanamon Resignation 8.b. Assistant Ambulance Chief Letter of Appreciation for Exemplary Efforts by Sgt. Alburger and Officer Thompson 8.c. Emmaus 4 Mile Event Request – Mr. Balliet referred the item to staff. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Solicitor Ulrich reported that the School District has provided the Borough with a proposed fixed expense figure for the crossing guard agreement and that it will be reviewed by the Public Safety Committee. He stated that the LGUDA paperwork submitted for the parking lot loan has been approved and is now in the 14-day challenge period. Solicitor Ulrich thanked Shane, the office staff, and Sara Jarrett–Eaton for the help they provided. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I 11.a. Ordinance 1254: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending the municipal code of Ordinances of the Borough of Emmaus to create a new Chapter 28 Entitled Official Map, establishing, and adopting an Official Map of the whole Borough of Emmaus Pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; severability; repealer; effective date. (1st Reading 11.20.2023) (2nd Reading 1.15.2024) Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Ordinance 1254: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending the municipal code of Ordinances of the Borough of Emmaus to create a new Chapter 28 Entitled Official Map, establishing, and adopting an Official Map of the whole Borough of Emmaus Pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; severability; repealer; effective date. on its 2nd Reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS – None. January 15, 2024 9 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Gilbert reported that a large amount of time and planning went into the President’s visit. She added that she is proud of everyone that assisted the event as it went on without incident. Mayor Gilbert stated that it was an amazing event to see and history for the Borough of Emmaus. Mayor Gilbert congratulated the Emmaus High School Girls’ Field Hockey team on winning their 38th District Title and their 15th State Championship. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders expressed his gratitude to the Public Works Department on the snow removal around the Borough. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, February 12, 2024 at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown listed several items to be discussed throughout the year by the Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee. He stated the Zoning Ordinance, Zoning Map, and SALDO are a priority for the Committee and Council should remain future-focused when reviewing the documents. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 4:45PM. January 15, 2024 10 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mrs. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for the first half of January 2024. Resolution 2024 - 3 authorizing payment of the January 15, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 260,820.38 Payroll #1 $ 211,139.37 Payroll Taxes $ 68.532.42 Total $ 540,492.17 Done this 15th day of January 2024. Mr. Anders questioned an invoice for Household Hazardous Waste Day. Mr. Pepe explained the invoice is in line with previous years, however, they did not send the invoice until recently, which will impact our budget. Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt Resolution 2024 - 3. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 11:00AM. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee January 15, 2024 11 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 5:00PM, in person and via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that Mariellen Kehler was hired as a part-time EMT and David Hickey was hired as a part-time Paramedic. Mr. Pepe explained the Employee and Volunteer Safety Committee and asked for Council’s approval of the 2024 Committee Members and meeting dates. Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the 2024 Employee and Volunteer Safety Committee. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Progress. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Baumgartner seconded by Mr. Anders to adjourn the January 15, 2024 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:21PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant January 19, 2024