Borough Council Meetings

October 21, 2024 96 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on October 21, 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 Absent Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present Cristen McTamney, Assistant Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I Cliff and Debra Brownbridge, 927 Walnut Street, stated that there has been an increase in students parking on Walnut Street and the impact it is having on their lives. Mr. Brownbridge reported that there are between 18 and 23 nonresident cars parked on Walnut Street between 9th and 10th Street which has caused issues with exiting their driveway, deliveries, street cleaning, leaf collection, etc. Mr. Brownbridge stated that every block on Walnut Street has 1-hour parking except for the section between 9th and 10th Street. He added that he believes this was an oversight by the Borough. Mr. Pepe stated that the Committee worked diligently on the Ordinance and that this section of Walnut Street was most likely an oversight. Ms. Baumgartner stated that the issue will be on the agenda for the next Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 9:00AM. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Pepe reported that this year’s Halloween Parade was chaired by Mr. DeFrain. He stated that the Halloween Committee did an excellent job; the parade flowed smoothly, the floats were done well and that it was the largest crowd he had seen. He further stated that the abundance of spectators posed some safety concerns with individuals too far into the street that will need to be addressed. Mr. Pepe thanked the Committee, the volunteers, and Borough staff for helping with the Parade. Ms. Baumgartner stated that she appreciated that the streets were being cleaned immediately following the parade. Mr. Pepe stated that due to traffic concerns, the street cleaner made it about halfway through the parade route before it had to stop. Mr. Balliet reported that Friday, October 25, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00PM is Trick or Treat. He stated that hot dogs, candy, and Mission BBQ would be available at the police station. Mr. Labenberg inquired about the cost. Mr. Balliet clarified that the items were being offered free of charge. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - None October 21, 2024 97 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL READING OF MINUTES Ms. Baumgartner asked that under the Budget and Finance Committee on page 4 of the October 7, 2024, Council Meeting Minutes, it is clarified that the study performed was an engineering study. Mr. Pepe stated that the Minutes will be amended to reflect the designation. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt the October 7, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS Mr. Pepe reported that the Fire Department received a grant for $100,000. He stated that the fire repairs project required an additional $100,000. Mr. Pepe reported that the Lehigh County Emergency Department granted $100,000 to fully fund the fire tower repairs project. He stated that Jahnke & Sons Construction Inc, dba WHP Trainingtowers, was the sole bidder for the project. Mr. Pepe further stated that their proposal offered several options. Motion by Mr. Labenberg seconded by Mr. Brown to award Jahnke & Sons Construction Inc. dba WHP Trainingtowers the bid for the Fire Tower Repairs Project for the base bid with option 1.1 in the amount of $172,501. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Bethesda LV Event Request for Saturday, October 26, 2024, 12:00PM at Triangle Park Mr. Balliet stated that the short notice of the event does not allow enough time to send the request to the Parks and Recreation Committee for consideration. Mr. Hoenscheid stated that he reviewed the request for some pop-up tents with music at Triangle Park. He further stated that no alcohol would be at the event and recommended approving the event. Motion by Mr. Labenberg seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to approve the Bethesda LV October 26, 2024 event to be held at Triangle Park from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, contingent upon receipt of the Organization’s insurance. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I Ordinance 1271: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 15 §602.3.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, adding residential disabled parking sign and assigning permitted parking space on a public street located in front of 221 Ridge Street with the Borough of Emmaus. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Baumgartner to adopt Ordinance 1271: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 15 §602.3.A of the Emmaus Borough Code, adding residential disabled parking sign and assigning October 21, 2024 98 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL permitted parking space on a public street located in front of 221 Ridge Street with the Borough of Emmaus on its second reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS – None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT – None. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, November 18, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to approve the lease agreement with Emmaus Youth Association for the training facility to be erected at South Fourth Street fields. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 4:45PM via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 9:00AM in person and via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the Planning Commission had approved the LERTA application. He stated that representatives from Westrum Development were in attendance for a presentation. October 21, 2024 99 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Attorney Ulrich reported that the application does comply with the statutory requirements within the Ordinance. Michael Maier of Westrum Development and Erik Hetzle of EH Creative Services presented a brief overview and Power Point presentation of the redevelopment project for the property located at 300 Furnace Street, Emmaus. The presentation summarized the benefits the redevelopment would provide the Borough, including the fiscal impact of the LERTA from their property. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to approve the Westrum Development LERTA application for the tax abatement for the redevelopment of 300 Furnace Street for 5 years. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Balliet stated that the 3rd quarter budget report was available for Council to review. Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for October 2024. Resolution 2024 – 27: authorizing payment of the October 21, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 1,178,731.88 Payroll #21 $ 204,536.90 Payroll Taxes $ 67,743.35 Total $ 1,451,012.13 Done this 21st day of October 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 27. 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 Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Brown to appoint Joans Arguello – Delgado to the Arts Commission for a 3-year term to expire on February 7, 2027. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 5:00PM in person and via Zoom. October 21, 2024 100 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr.Pepe reported that Kevin Farnish has completed the requirements to become a Firefighter Specialist and will begin receiving that pay grade. Mr. Pepe stated that an Ordinance changing disabled parking in the downtown will be on the November 4, 2024, Council Meeting agenda. Mr. Pepe stated that he has submitted the preliminary budget draft and accompanying materials. Mr. Pepe reported that all budget attachments were available for review prior to the initial budget workshop on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 4:00PM. He thanked Mrs. Watt for supplying dinner for the first workshop. Mr. Pepe explained that, due to outside requests and presentations by all the department heads, the workshop would be long. He stated that any questions should be directed to him. Mr. Pepe clarified that the compost hours, until November 30, 2024, are Mondays and Fridays, 7:00AM to 2:30PM, Wednesdays, 7:30AM to dusk, and Saturdays, 8:00AM to 4:00PM. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adjourn the October 21, 2024, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:03PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant October 22, 2024