Borough Council Meetings

February 20, 2024 19 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on February 20, 2024, in Council Chambers and via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Council President Chad Balliet called the Council meeting to order at 6:04PM. 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 Absent PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I Sandra Cleaver, 741 Harrison Street, stated she has lived in the home 43 years and has had several incidents of sewage backups. Ms. Cleaver reported receiving more than $10k, twice, from the Borough and a check valve was installed by the Borough to try to mitigate the issue. Ms. Cleaver expressed her feeling that the check valve is only a “band-aid” and that there is something wrong with the system. Carlee Dietterick, 325 Cherokee Street, reported a neighborhood concern about the 2-way stop at the intersection of Cherokee and Liberty Streets. Ms. Dietterick stated the area is unsafe due to a curve in the road. Ms. Dietterick submitted a petition with 9 homes requesting additional traffic control. Mr. Hoenscheid shared the concern, adding that there is no line of sight, and a lot of young children in the area. Mayor Gilbert and Mr. Pepe discussed the process to request an additional stop sign. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders reported that Friday, April 26, 2024, is the Shave for the Brave event at Emmaus High School. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt the February 5, 2024 and February 15, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS – None. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. February 20, 2024 20 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL SOLICITOR’S REPORT Mr. Ulrich reported that the School Crossing Guard Agreement was discussed in the Public Safety Committee meeting. He stated the Borough will be reaching out to the School District to try and finalize the terms. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS – None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders stated that the Committee met for the first time on February 12, 2024. He added that the Borough has begun the hiring process for Public Works Department employees. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, March 11, 2024, at 4:45PM via Zoom and in-person. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown stated the Committee agreed that the building design standards ordinance should be moved to the Community Relations, Planning, and Development Committee. He spoke about the Committee’s plan for the SALDO and Zoning Ordinance, explaining discussion will be on “hot topics” rather than a complete rewrite. Mr. Brown added that the Fire Inspector job description discussion would be transferred to the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the Committee met with a representative from EYA in regard to a building they want to erect at Williams Street Park. He stated the Committee was making progress on the Laura Street playground. He explained that the Committee met with some residents of the area and a February 20, 2024 21 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL representative from Boyce Recreation to come up with some plans. Mr. Hoenscheid added that project could be completed or mostly complete by the Summer. Mr. Hoenscheid explained the various names used in reference to the area behind Central Station and requested a vote for Council approval of an official name change to Lions Park. He stated that Council would mostly need to adopt an ordinance at a later date, but the Borough needs to move forward and create signage for the grant project. Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Anders to make the official name Lions Park. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Resolution 2024 – 7: A Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending the schedule of fees for fire services. Mr. Pepe stated that the PFRS releases a new fee schedule each year, however, it is never released in January therefore the Resolution isn’t adopted until February or March. He explained that these are the fees used for billing insurance companies. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 7. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Ms. Baumgartner reported that the Assistant EMS Chief has met and surpassed, the goals set forth by the Committee therefore the Committee has recommended the promotion of Adam Priest to Ambulance Chief with a pay rate consistent to the budgeted amount. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to promote Adam Priest to Ambulance Chief with a pay rate consistent to the budgeted amount. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the School Crossing Guard Agreement is still under discussion. Mr. Labenberg questioned the one-time amount outlined in the Agreement. Mr. Ulrich explained that this is one of the concerns of the Borough. He stated that Mr. Pepe and the superintendent of East Penn schools will sit down and try to finalize the terms of the Agreement. Mr. Brown expressed his concern of the term donation being used in the Agreement. Mr. Pepe explained that there are a lot of legal items that need to be worked through and the Borough is trying to avoid the idea of a joint employer situation. Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee February 20, 2024 22 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mr. Labenberg stated that the Committee will be reviewing property valuations and a fleet policy at the next Committee meeting. Mr. Pepe added that both items are by recommendation of the Borough’s insurance company. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for January 2024. Resolution 2024 - 6 authorizing payment of the February 20, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 733,383.37 Payroll #1 $ 184,060.85 Payroll Taxes $ 57,164.59 Total $ 974,608.81 Done this 20th day of February 2024. Mr. Labenberg questioned the amount paid for trash receptables. Mr. Pepe explained that the receptables are for the parks, adding that the cost of 1 receptable is roughly $1000.00. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt Resolution 2024 - 6. 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 the Committee had its first meeting February 13th. She stated that the Committee interviewed several volunteer applicants. Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Brown to appoint Taylor Rojek and Hattie Freye to the Arts Commission for a 3-year term to expire February 7, 2027. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Brown to appoint Pat Merkowsky and Alison Hudak to the Historical Commission. Mr. Pepe questioned the appointment of Alison Hudak, explaining that she is an alternate. He requested Mrs. Watt to amend her motion to reflect Ms. Hudak as an alternate. February 20, 2024 23 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mrs. Watt amended her motion to state Alison Hudak as an alternate to the Historical Commission. Mr. Brown seconded the amended motion. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 2, 2024, at 5:00PM, in person and via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe stated Taylor Vandegrift has successfully completed his probationary requirements and the Public Works Director, Lawrence Carl, sent a memorandum recommending to promote him fully to the Class 4 Certification as he has met all the requirements for a Class 4 Mechanic. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to retain Taylor Vandegrift as a Class 4 Mechanic in the Public Works Department. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe reported that Tyler Llewelyn started his probationary period at the same time as Mr. Vandegrift, however, he has not received his CDL which is a requirement for an employee to be retained. He stated that Mr. Llewelyn is able to complete his CDL within four days of his probationary period ending. Mr. Pepe stated the Union Contract does not include anything regarding extending a probationary period. He stated that he reached out to the Union about the situation and agreed to extending his probationary period to fulfill the CDL requirement. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to amend the agenda to include Taylor Llewelyn’s probationary period extension discussion. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to extend Taylor Llewelyn’s probationary period to March 15, 2024. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe reported that an individual that was offered a Public Works position has rescinded his acceptance. Mr. Pepe reported that the Borough is in the process of hiring a clerical position in the Police Department. He stated the Borough received roughly 750 applications and 23 applicants will be interviewed. Mr. Pepe stated that the final interview will be on February 28, 2024. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Balliet reminded Council that he will not be in attendance at the March 4, 2024 Council meeting and that Ms. Baumgartner will be running the meeting. Progress. ADJOURNMENT February 20, 2024 24 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Brown seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adjourn the February 20, 2024 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:53PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant February 29, 2024