Borough Council Meetings

May 20, 2024 53 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on May 20, 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. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Balliet reported that John Schmoyer, a long-time member of the Knauss Homestead and a descendent of the Knauss family, was surrounded by his loved ones when he recently passed. Mr. Anders reminded everyone of the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 27, 2024, beginning at 9:30AM at the Emmaus High School parking lot. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS John Hart, Emmaus Community Foundation (ECF) chairman, introduced himself and the other board members of the ECF organization. Mr. Hart gave a brief overview of the ECF, detailing the purpose for establishing the organization and its goals. Chris DeFrain, ECF Treasurer, explained that the potential projects, and their associated costs, represented on the Emmaus Community Foundation website were derived from the recent parks study that was done. Evan Walters, Borough of Emmaus resident and business owner, invited Council to an event on May 31, 2024 at the “old Wells Fargo building”, located at 335 Main Street, to learn more about the Emmaus Community Foundation. Mr. Anders thanked the ECF Board Members for their commitment to the community. President Balliet recessed the Council meeting 6:16PM for photos and reconvened the meeting at 6:18PM. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt the May 6, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS May 20, 2024 54 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL a. Christian Gill Letter of Intent to Enter the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) Effective June 30, 2024 b. Officer Timothy Kline Recipient of the 2024 Spirit of Courage Award Letter of Notification c. Juxtahub Permit Fee Waiver Request for Renovation at 375 S 10th Street Mr. Pepe suggested adding the provision that Juxtahub is responsible for any external costs. Mr. Labenberg asked for clarification on what is deemed an external cost. Mr. Pepe stated that an example of an external cost would be the inspection fees for a newly installed elevator. Mrs. Watt questioned the scope of the project. She stated that the building is 30,000 sq. ft. and would encompass a large amount of the Code Officers’ time. Ms. Baumgartner asked if the fee waiver request was for phase 1 of the project or for the entire project. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded Ms. Baumgartner to waive the permit fee for the renovation of 375 S 10th Street. Mr. Pepe suggested amending the motion to include the provision that external fees shall be paid by Juxtahub. Motion amended by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to include the provision for all nonfee-related external costs. Ms. Baumgartner asked if the motion should be amended to include this provision to be solely for phase 1 of the project. Motion amended by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to waive the permit fees for phase 1 of the Juxtahub project, with the provision that any external costs to the Borough shall be passed onto Juxtahub. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT 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 Mayor Gilbert read Proclamation 2024 – 593: Memorial Day Progress. May 20, 2024 55 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders stated that the next Committee meeting is Monday, June 10, 2024, at 4:45PM via Zoom and in-person. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 4:45PM in person and via Zoom. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve the Memorial Triangle redesign project. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to authorize the Borough Manager to draft an Ordinance to officially change the name of Memorial Triangle to the Veterans Memorial Triangle Park. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion to Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Anders to authorize the Borough Manager to apply for grants to assist with funding the Veterans Memorial Triangle Park redesign project. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 4:45PM via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the police department had received reaccreditation. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the police department has been successful in utilizing the HUB models. Ms. Baumgartner congratulated Laurie Berry for graduating from paramedic school. Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 9:00AM in person and via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee May 20, 2024 56 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to hire Cristen McTamney as the Assistant Borough Manager with a pro-rated salary of $92,000 and 2 weeks of vacation in 2024. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, June 5, 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 May 2024. Mr. Labenberg questioned the purchase of a tire for the street sweeper. Resolution 2024 - 15 authorizing payment of the May 20, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 594,358.83 Payroll #1 $ 196,602.59 Payroll Taxes $ 62,546.85 Total $ 853,508.27 Done this 20th day of May 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 15. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 11:00AM via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 5:00PM in person and via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that we are still looking for lifeguards for the swimming pool. He stated that the cracks in the bottom of the pool are no longer leaking. Mr. Pepe reported that leaks have been found May 20, 2024 57 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL in the plumbing jets. He stated that the Public Works Department will work on replacing those lines in the next week to ensure that the pool opens for Memorial Day. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Labenberg seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adjourn the May 20, 2024 Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant May 14, 2024