Borough Council Meetings

March 4, 2024 25 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on March 4, 2024, in Council Chambers and via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Council Vice President Shana Baumgartner called the Council meeting to order at 6:00PM. Roy Anders Present Chad Balliet, Council President Absent 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 Sandra Cleaver, 741 Harrison Street, stated that she attended a Council meeting last month to express her concerns about the check valve installed by the Borough to try to mitigate sewage backups in her home. Ms. Cleaver wanted to personally thank Lawrence Carl, Tim (Reitz), and Troy (Bower) for their help in the repair of her home’s plumbing. Mr. Pepe informed Ms. Cleaver that an inspection report will be sent to her, as there are some issues on her end that caused problems. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders announced that Snowblast Winter Arts Festival would be held Saturday, March 9, 2024, rain, or shine. Mr. Labenberg reminded everyone that Daylight Savings would begin Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00AM. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Mayor Gilbert swore in new Ambulance Chief, Adam Priest. Ms. Baumgartner called a recess at 6:04PM for photos and the Council meeting reconvened at 6:10PM. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt the February 20, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. March 4, 2024 26 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS 8.a. Halloween Parade Event Request – Referred to staff. 8.b. Farewell to Summer Event Request – Referred to staff. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mrs. Watt to allow alcohol to be sold at the Farewell to Summer event. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. 8.c. Old Fashioned Christmas Event Request – Referred to staff. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to allow alcohol to be sold at the Old- Fashioned Christmas event. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. 8.d. Memorial Day Parade Event Request – Referred to staff. 8.e. David Biles Volunteer Application for Historical Commission – Referred to the Community Relations, Planning, and Development Committee. 8.f. Lucy McLeod Volunteer Application for Vacancy Board – Referred to the General Administration Committee. 8.g. Kristina Seedorff Volunteer Application for Historical Commission – Referred to the Community Relations, Planning, and Development Committee. 8.h. Brittany O'Connor Volunteer Application for Joint Environmental Advisory Council – Referred to the Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee. 8.i. Funk 5 Miler Event Request – Referred to staff. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Brown to allow alcohol to be sold at the Funk 5 Miler event. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I 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 2.5.24) (2nd Reading 3.4.24) Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt 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. on its 2nd Reading. Roll call vote: Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mrs. Watt, aye. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. March 4, 2024 27 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL 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 2.5.24) (2nd Reading 3.4.24) Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Anders to adopt 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 on its 2nd Reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Mr. Hoenscheid, aye. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. 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 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 recently met with the Borough’s Engineer, Solicitor, Codes Officials, and Planning Commission Chairman to discuss hot topic items that needed to be addressed in the Zoning and SALDO Ordinances. 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 next Committee meeting is Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee March 4, 2024 28 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg stated that the Committee would be finishing the property valuations and a fleet policy at the next Committee meeting. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Labenberg entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for February 2024. Resolution 2024 - 8 authorizing payment of the March 4, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 169,784.02 Payroll #1 $ 198,303.71 Payroll Taxes $ 61,627.81 Total $ 429,715.54 Done this 4th day of March 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 8. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to have Mr. Pepe submit an RFP for banking services. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to authorize Englebert Financial to conduct an Actuarial RFP process for the Uniformed and Non-uniformed employee pensions. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to authorize the Borough to submit three equal installments of pension minimum municipal obligation (MMO) payments in May, August, and October. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 11:00AM. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee March 4, 2024 29 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mrs. Watt reported that the Committee is looking forward to interviewing more Historical Commission volunteer applicants at the next meeting. Mrs. Watt stated that the Committee is looking into a strategic management plan to build on Vision 2030. She further stated that the Committee will be taking a deeper dive into design guidelines. Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 5:00PM, via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Ms. Baumgartner recessed the meeting for an executive session to discuss a legal matter with possible action to be taken at 6:28PM. The Council meeting was reconvened at 6:47PM. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to authorize the Borough Manager to enter into settlement negotiations with 3M regarding PFAS damages in accordance with the prior discussed settlement terms. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe stated that the hiring process for the Public Works position has begun and that interviews would begin the week of March 11, 2024. He also stated the interview process for the police clerk is complete. Mr. Pepe reported that the Public Safety Committee made a recommendation for the position and that the individual stated that, if offered the position, she would accept. He explained that the background process for this individual has begun, and that the expectation is for the process to be completed and the recommendation to hire would be ready for a Council vote at the March 18, 2024 Council meeting. Mr. Pepe reported that the search for Paramedics is ongoing. Mr. Pepe stated that the hiring process for seasonal summer positions has begun. He added that there is a need for lifeguard applicants and that there have been a number of applicants for the various other positions available. Mr. Pepe reported that the compost attendant has resigned and that there is a need to hire his replacement. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Brown seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adjourn the March 4, 2024 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 4 ayes and 2 nays. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:51PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant March 11, 2024