Borough Council Meetings

October 7, 2024 91 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on October 7, 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 Cristen McTamney, Assistant Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I Eric Loch, Emmaus Rotary Club President, stated that the Rotary Club is proposing to hold a community wide event at Community Park on Saturday, May 31, 2025. He explained that the event would be a fundraiser for a food program that feeds hungry children in the East Penn School District. Mr. Loch described the event as a joint endeavor with other service clubs that are a part of their food coalition. He stated that the event would include different vendors, food, beer, and wine. Mr. Loch stated that the event would be a way to showcase local businesses. Cindy Hornaman, Event Co-chair, introduced herself and explained that the reason for the date change was due to her traveling abroad. She stated that the proposed event would be a great way to bring the community together. Mr. Brown stated that during the Community Relations, Planning, and Development Committee meeting, it was recommended that all fees associated with the event be waived. Mr. Labenberg inquired about the fees for which Mr. Brown was referring and whether or not waiving said fees would set a precedence. Mr. Pepe reported that, during their meeting, the Parks and Recreation Committee had a discussion about the potential for the event to be well attended. He stated that the Committee discussed the potential for this event to become an annual, community wide event. Mr. Labenberg inquired about live music at the event. Mr. Loch stated that a live concert is being considered for the event. Mr. Labenberg questioned if the concert would take place in the Performing Arts Pavilion. Mr. Loch responded affirmatively. Ms. Hornaman clarified that the event details are still being worked out and that the event planning will take place upon approval from Borough Council. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to allow the Rotary Club to utilize Community Park for their May event, including the sale of alcohol, contingent upon arranging Police presence, approvals, and insurance. Motion amended by Mr. Labenberg, seconded Mr. Anders as follows: to allow the Rotary Club to hold an event on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Emmaus Community Park and the sale of alcohol contingent upon further details of the event to be approved by Council. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. October 7, 2024 92 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMUNITY MINUTE - None SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - None READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt the September 16, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS Mr. Pepe stated that the Borough received 4 bids, two of which were no bids (Waste Management and Republic Service). He further stated that J.P. Mascaro and Whitetail Disposal, the Borough’s current hauler, submitted bid proposals for the Refuse and Recycling Collection. Mr. Pepe reported that the bid specifications detailed two options bid proposers were required to address. He explained that the options were for manual service, the Borough’s current service, and a hybrid service that combined automated collection with manual collection. Mr. Pepe stated that Whitetail Disposal’s bid for a 3-year contract, with the option of 3 one-year extensions, for manual service was $1.2 million less than J.P. Mascaro’s bid of the same. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Brown to award Whitetail Disposal the refuse and recycling collection contract for manual service for 3-years with the option of 3 one-year extensions contingent upon holding bids and final review by the Solicitor. There were 6 ayes and 1 nay (Balliet). Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Arts Commission Volunteer Application from Jonas Arguello – Delgado – Referred to CRD Committee. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. 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 Proclamation 2024 - 606: Trick or Treat, Friday, October 25, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00PM. Mayor Gilbert reported that applications for the Citizens Police Academy are available at the Police Department. October 7, 2024 93 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders stated that leaf collection begins on Monday, October 21, 2024 and ends on Friday, December 6, 2024. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, October 14, 2024, at 4:45PM is cancelled. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the Laura Street Park celebration was held last week on Monday, September 30, 2024. He thanked the Assistant Borough Manager, Ms. McTamney and Parks and Facilities Director, Mr. White for their help planning the celebration. Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Anders to adopt Resolution 2024 – 26: A Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, consenting to the distribution of funds from the West End Cubs Playground Association endowment fund for the benefit of the Emmaus Youth Association. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 4:45PM via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 9:00AM in person and via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 – 23: A Resolution to apply for PENNVEST funds for the Borough of Emmaus Waterworks PFAS Treatment project. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. October 7, 2024 94 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 – 24: A declaration of official intent to reimburse water funds used to construct improvements to its public drinking water system with funds received from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 9:00AM is cancelled. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee There was considerable discussion regarding the condition of the Emmaus Community Swimming Pool and the need to address the issues at the pool with regards to significant leaking. In speaking with the Borough’s pool consultant, engineering would be required, with the pool empty, to determine the significance of repairs. It was estimated that repairs to fix the cracks in the pool would cost approximately $150,000, however, it is not known until the engineer study is completed. Ms. Baumgartner issued concerns regarding the engineering consultant, as they were not timely when they conducted the pool study, and there was a lot of work that we had to do. Mr. Pepe advised Council that it would be necessary to do the study this Fall if we would have any chance of addressing repairs before we open next Spring, or it would be necessary to delay opening. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to approve Aquatic Facility Design to conduct pool repair engineering in the amount of $18,400 and repair costs up to $150,000. There was 1 aye (Labenberg) and 6 nays. Motion denied. Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to approve Aquatic Facility Design to conduct pool repair engineering in the amount of $18,400 contingent upon completion in 2024. There were 5 ayes and 2 nays (Labenberg and Brown). Motion carried. Mr. Pepe informed Council that we have an opportunity to purchase numerous fire department radios for the new radio project. L3 Harris, Lehigh County’s chosen contractor, is having a significant sale that would save the Borough thousands of dollars if we were to take advantage of it immediately. Mr. Pepe advised Council that we currently have $83,393.43 in radio savings that we can use immediately to make the purchase. Several Council members issued disappointment and concern that Lehigh County has not openly communicated an accurate timeline or loan cost for municipalities and emergency departments, therefore, there are a lot of unanswered questions. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to approve the purchase of L3 Harris Radios for the Fire Department with a total cost not to exceed the savings balance of $83,393.43. There were 4 ayes (Watt, Labenberg, Hoenscheid, Anders) and 3 nays (Baumgartner, Balliet, and Brown). Motion carried. Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for September 2024. Resolution 2024 – 25: authorizing payment of the October 7, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 839,070.27 Payroll #19 & 20 $ 398,050.53 October 7, 2024 95 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Payroll Taxes $ 130,902.92 Total $ 1,368,023.72 Done this 7th day of October 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 25. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 11:00AM via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 5:00PM in person and via Zoom. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe explained that we have bid out the trailer on three occasions, once on Municibid and twice in the newspaper. We have not received any qualifying bids, therefore, we have the right to conduct a direct sale without further advertising. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Brown to authorize a direct sale of the Clayton Mobile Home trailer. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Labenberg seconded by Mr. Anders to adjourn the October 7, 2024, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:39PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant October 16, 2024