Borough Council Meetings

April 1, 2024 35 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on April 1, 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 Absent Chris Hoenscheid Present Brent Labenberg Present Kate Watt Present LeeAnn Gilbert, Mayor Present Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present via Zoom PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I – None. Lauren Vargas, 318 Main Street, explained the procedure to file a civic ethics claim against the Borough for conflict of interest. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Labenberg stated that it was April Fools’ Day. Mr. Balliet congratulated Mayor Gilbert for receiving the Most Entertaining Mayor of the year award at the Chamber of Commerce Mayors’ event. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS a. Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong Mr. Armstrong gave an update on Lehigh County. He stated the budget is balanced without a tax increase. He further stated that Lehigh County gained National recognition for its Pardon Project. Mr. Armstrong explained that Lehigh County is the first to have a full-time lawyer in the Public Defender’s office helping individuals with lesser infractions with housing and jobs, who otherwise could not afford a lawyer. Lehigh County Executive Armstrong reported that Lehigh County is one of the first counties in the area with a visual 911 system. He explained that, with the permission of the caller, the 911 dispatcher can gain access to their phone to “see what they are seeing” to better assist in their emergency. Mr. Armstrong reported on the transportation Committee. Mr. Anders requested an update on the EMS radios. Mr. Armstrong replied that a tally of radios needed will be conducted next. He added that his office has been in contact with the office Susan Wilde about funding assistance for the radios. Mr. Balliet asked about the rail study that was conducted and the approval for an expansion to the Lehigh Valley. Mr. Armstrong responded that the expansion process is in the very early stages. He added that it will take a very long time and a lot of money before a track is laid in the Lehigh Valley. Mr. Armstrong introduced Adrianna Calderon as the new Lehigh County Public Information Officer. April 1, 2024 36 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL b. Christopher Gulotta, Executive Director for Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County Mr. Gulotta introduced himself as the Executive Director for the Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County, an office that had been dormant for many years and reestablished May 2023. Mr. Gulotta explained that the initiative of the Authority is to form municipal partnerships in order to create a master plan to assist with blighted properties within their municipality. c. Kiwanis Club Check Presentation for Bridge Repair Emmaus Kiwanis Club President, Jen Anders presented a donation of $2,000.00 from the Kiwanis Club and the Kiwanis Foundation to be used for reconstruction of the Kiwanis bridge. Mrs. Anders reported that the Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Fire Company #1. Mr. Balliet called a recess of the Council meeting at 6:28PM to allow for check presentation photos. The meeting reconvened at 6:30PM. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt the March 18, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS a. Historical Society HVAC Permit Fee Waiver Request Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve the Historical Society’s fee waiver request for the Borough’s HVAC permit fee of $1,117.30 with the understanding that any third-party inspection fees the Borough incurs will be at the expense of the Historical Society. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS a. ORDINANCE NO. 1261: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 15 §406 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES, AMENDING BOROUGH OF EMMAUS PARKING REGULATIONS IN FRONT OF 28 S. 4TH STREET Solicitor Ulrich stated that there are many options for amending the parking regulations in front of 28 S. 4th Street. He added that this is just a discussion and not a first reading of Ordinance 1261. Mr. April 1, 2024 37 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Labenberg stated he thinks that parking regulations should be added on the south side of Jubilee Street to mirror the north side. He further stated that he thinks that the time on the signs should be changed from 5:00PM to 4:00PM since Borough Hall’s hours are until 4:00PM. Ms. Baumgartner stated that she thinks that the same number of signs should be on both sides of the street in front of 28 S. 4th Street. Mr. Hoenscheid stated that he thinks that 15-minute parking may be too strict and that perhaps 30 or 60 minutes might be more appropriate. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the disabled parking in front of 28 S 4th Street is limited to 15-minutes and she feels that should be addressed as well. Mr. Labenberg questioned the number of parking tickets that have been issued in the area. Mr. Pepe responded that there had been 3 parking tickets issued the prior week. He also commented on Ms. Baumgartner’s observation of 15- minute disabled parking in front of 28 S 4th Street, by stating additional disabled parking was available at the rear of the Borough parking lot. Mr. Balliet suggested painting lines to maximize parking availability. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to direct the Borough Manager to amend Ordinance 1261 to reflect 15-minute parking regulations on both the North and South sides of Jubilee Street in front of 28 S 4th Street. Mr. Labenberg withdrew his motion, Mr. Anders withdrew his second to amend Ordinance 1261 to reflect 15-minute parking regulations on both the North and South sides of Jubilee Street in front of 28 S 4th Street. The Public Safety Committee will meet and discuss making a final recommendation. b. ORDINANCE NO. 1262: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF EMMAUS, LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 15 §602.3.A OF THE EMMAUS BOROUGH CODE, AMENDING THE RESIDENTIAL DISABLED PARKING SIGN AND CONTINUING TO ASSIGN A PERMITTED PARKING SPACE ON A PUBLIC STREET LOCATED IN FRONT OF 611 WALNUT STREET WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF EMMAUS Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Ordinance 1262 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 15 §602.3.A. of the Emmaus Borough Code, amending the residential disabled parking sign and continuing to assign a permitted parking spot on the public street located in front of 611 Walnut Street within the Borough of Emmaus on its first reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Hoenscheid, aye. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe clarified that this Ordinance is simply to amend the permit number at the current location. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee April 1, 2024 38 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to hire Paul Veazey as a full-time Public Works Department employee contingent upon a background check and successful completion of the probationary period. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to hire Joshua Cox as a full-time Public Works Department employee contingent upon a background check and successful completion of the probationary period. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Anders stated that the next Committee meeting is Monday, April 8, 2024, at 4:45PM via Zoom and in-person. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Anders to appoint Brittney O’Connor to the Joint Environmental Advisory Council to a 3-Year term expiring on March 7, 2027. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Ms. Baumgartner reported that the Committee continues to review the “hot topics” for the Zoning and SALDO Ordinances. She added that the Task Force will meet again on April 22,2024. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the Committee will be working on the Refuse and Recycling bid specifications. Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to approve the Emmaus Run Inn event request for the Trail Running Film Fest to be held at Triangle Park on May 16, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00PM and to allow alcohol at the event, contingent upon police coverage and supplying a Certificate of Insurance. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to move forward with discussion on removing bicycles in the parks from the prohibited list. There were 5 ayes and 1 abstention (Balliet). Motion carried. Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 4:45PM. He added that the meeting may have to change or be cancelled due to his absence. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 9:00AM in-person and via Zoom. Progress. April 1, 2024 39 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL e. General Administration Committee Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to appoint Lucy McLeod to the Vacancy Board for a 1-Year term expiring January 1, 2025. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg thanked Mrs. Watt for her research to establish comparable Ambulance subscription fees. Mr. Anders expressed his excitement about offering an Ambulance subscription to Borough residents. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to approve setting Ambulance subscription fees for RFP. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 9:00AM via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for March 2024. Resolution 2024 - 10 authorizing payment of the April 1, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 351,835.79 Payroll #1 $ 194,779.21 Payroll Taxes $ 61,294.20 Total $ 607,909.20 Done this 1st day of April 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 10. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:00AM via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 5:00PM, via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II April 1, 2024 40 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Lauren Vargas, 318 Main Street, questioned whether Borough Council had a legal obligation to serve the Borough’s residents and its businesses. Solicitor Ulrich responded affirmatively. Ms. Vargas commented on the March 19, 2024 Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee meeting notes. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Resolution 2024 - 11: APPROVING THE APPLICATION TO LEHIGH COUNTY AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve Resolution 2024 – 11: Approving the application to Lehigh County and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Block Grant Funds. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Anders seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adjourn the April 1, 2024 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant April 8, 2024