Borough Council Meetings

February 5, 2024 12 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on February 5, 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 Chairman of the Library Board, Anne Zayaitz, introduced Lisa Underwood as the new Library Director. Ms. Underwood gave a brief history of herself and her career. She reported on many current and future events occurring at the Emmaus Public Library. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders reported that on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00PM, East Penn Neighbors Helping Neighbors is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Emmaus Moravian Church. Mr. Anders reported that on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 Emmaus Kiwanis Club will have a meet and greet at Alburtis Tavern. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Hayden Rhinde and Sarah Yost introduced themselves as the liaisons for the Emmaus Main Street Partners. Ms. Rhinde stated that the Emmaus Main Street Partners is part of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, which is a network of 30 Chambers and Councils across five counties providing a platform for members to promote their businesses. She explained the mission of the Emmaus Main Street Partners is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley. Ms. Rhinde added that the Emmaus Main Street Partners provides support to businesses through marketing, promotions, and community engagement. She explained that the Chamber has a volunteer Board, which includes many key community leaders, and because of the Board, they are able to do what they do in the community. Ms. Rhinde invited the Council members to attend the Community Events held by Main Street Partners. Ms. Yost listed some community events sponsored by the Chamber, including the Soup Crawl that is taking place on Saturday, February 10, 2024. She gave a brief description of the event and explained the motivation behind it. Ms. Yost spoke of several other Chamber initiatives held to support local area businesses. She thanked the Borough of Emmaus for their continued support and invited questions from the Council. February 5, 2024 13 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL READING OF MINUTES Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt the January 15, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. Richard Farmer Resignation from Emmaus Arts Commission b. Karl Hertwig Request for Reappointment to the Joint Environmental Advisory Council Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mrs. Watt to reappoint Karl Hertwig to the Joint Environmental Advisory Council for a 3-Year term to expire March 7, 2027. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. c. Lindsey Kleinberg Request for Reappointment to the Emmaus Arts Commission Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Brown to reappoint Lindsey Kleinberg to the Emmaus Arts Commission for a 3-Year term to expire February 7, 2027. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. d. Sarah Plaza Request for Reappointment to the Emmaus Arts Commission Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Watt to reappoint Sarah Plaza to the Emmaus Arts Commission for a 3-Year term to expire February 1, 2027. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. e. Part-Time Auxiliary Police Officer Neil Valois Resignation f. Snowblast Event Request Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to allow alcohol sales at the March 9, 2024 Snowblast event. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. g. Walter Lewis II Request for Appointment to Historical Commission – Referred item to the CRD Committee. h. Keith Pierce Resignation from Ambulance Corps. i. Justin Fulmer Resignation from Recreation & Entertainment Commission – Mr. Balliet thanked Mr. Fulmer for his time as a volunteer. j. Alison Hudak Request for Appointment to Historical Commission – Referred item to the CRD Committee k. EMSP Restaurant Week Banner Fee Waiver Request Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to waive the banner fee for the EMSP Restaurant Week event. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. l. Strawberry Festival Event Request Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Brown to allow alcohol sales at the June 8, 2024 Strawberry Festival event. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Solicitor Ulrich reported that the parking lot loan was closing tomorrow and thanked Mr. Pepe, Mrs. Jarrett-Eaton, and Borough staff for helping the process run smoothly. Mr. Pepe expressed his thanks to Solicitor Ulrich for the knowledge and guidance he provided throughout the purchasing process as the bank was unaccustomed to Municipal loan procedures. February 5, 2024 14 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS a. Ordinance 1259: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF EMMAUS, LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15 §602.2.A OF THE EMMAUS BOROUGH CODE, REMOVING A RESIDENTIAL DISABLED PARKING SIGN ON THE PUBLIC STREET LOCATED IN FRONT OF 819 CHESTNUT STREET WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF EMMAUS. (1st Reading 2.5.2024) Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt Ordinance No. 1259 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 15 §602.2.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, removing a residential disabled parking sign on the public street located in front of 819 Chestnut Street within the Borough of Emmaus on its 1st Reading. Roll call vote: Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Anders, aye, Mrs. Watt, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. b. Ordinance 1260: AN ORDINANCE APPROVING APPOINTMENT OF SOLICITOR, INTEREST ASSESSMENT, ATTORNEY FEES AND COLLECTION FEES ADDED TO THE AMOUNT COLLECTED AS PART OF UNPAID REAL ESTATE TAXES AND MUNICIPAL CLAIMS FOR DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS (1st Reading 2.5.2024) Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Ordinance No. 1260 – An Ordinance approving appointment of Solicitor, interest assessment, attorney fees, and collection fees added to the amount collected as part of unpaid Real Estate Taxes and Municipal Claims for delinquent accounts on its 1st Reading. Roll call vote: Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Anders, aye, Mrs. Watt, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet deferred to Mr. Pepe on the necessity of Ordinance 1260. Mr. Pepe stated that the Borough was informed at the end of 2023 that the firm handling the collection of the Borough’s delinquent taxes and municipal claims, was no longer going to facilitate those collections. He explained that as of January 1 the tax collector is unable to collect any delinquent tax. Mr. Pepe reported that after a lengthy search and high recommendations, the Borough chose Portnoff Law to collect on its delinquent accounts. The second reading for Ordinance 1260 will be at the March 4, 2024 Council meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Mayor Gilbert reported that the first Citizen’s Police Academy begins February 6, 2024, and will run every Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:00PM for 8 weeks. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS February 5, 2024 15 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL a. Public Works Committee 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 reported the Committee will be working on the Zoning Ordinance and SALDO and plan to have something for Council by June. He also stated the Committee will be reviewing the refuse and recycling contract. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the Recreation and Entertainment Commission needs members. He added volunteers are needed for Summer Concerts. Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 4:45PM. Mr. Balliet reported that Johnathan White passed his park equipment inspector certification. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg stated that the Committee interviewed Mr. Bruce Luff and recommended his appointment to the Library Board to Council. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to appointment Bruce Luff to the Library Board for a 3-Year term to expire January 1, 2027. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee February 5, 2024 16 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for January 2024. Resolution 2024 - 4 authorizing payment of the February 5, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 366,945.35 Payroll #1 $ 206,840.53 Payroll Taxes $ 65,644.71 Total $ 639,430.59 Done this 5th day of February 2024. Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt Resolution 2024 - 4. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2024 -5: A Resolution Directing Lehigh County Tax Bureau Not to Collect Delinquent Real Estate Taxes on Behalf of the Borough of Emmaus. Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Resolution 2024 – 5. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:00AM. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee 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 Brent Reed passed his building plans examiner certification a few weeks ago and passed his building inspector exam last weekend. Mr. Pepe reported hiring William Garges as a part-time Fire Fighter 2 w/ EMT, Corrine Koziel, Brooke VanKeuren, and Aaron Werntz as part-time EMTs, John Dychala as a part-time Auxiliary Police Officer, and Joseph Stern as a part-time Fire Fighter. Mr. Pepe reported that part-time EMT Sara Pierce’s employment was terminated. Mr. Pepe stated that Guy Washburn has received his final Pesticide Certification and is eligible to advance to Class 4 per the Union Contract. February 5, 2024 17 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to promote Mr. Washburn to Class 4. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Progress. Council entered into executive session at 6:45PM to discuss a personnel matter with no official action expected and reconvened at 7:25PM. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid seconded by Mr. Brown to adjourn the February 5, 2024 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant February 14, 2024