Borough Council Meetings

November 4, 2024 101 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on November 4, 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 via Zoom Michael Horvath, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present Cristen McTamney, Assistant Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I Elliot Billman, owner of Skrip Paving and Excavating, stated that he was approached by the owners of Anytime Fitness, 1031 Chestnut Street, to repair their parking lot. He further stated that the owner expressed interest in extending the existing rear parking lot to accommodate additional parking. Mr. Billman explained that the area the owner requested to be paved is in the Borough’s right-of-way on Green Street. He reported that he spoke with Codes Officer Brent Reed who advised him that Borough Council would have to approve the encroachment. Attorney Ulrich asked Mr. Billman to submit a proposal in writing for the Solicitor to review. Mr. Pepe stated that when the road was built there was a discussion about the possibility of pavers between the different parking lots. He further stated that there are a number of things that the legal counsel and Borough Council would need to review and discuss prior to deciding. Ms. Baumgartner inquired about the number of parking spaces that would be added. Mr. Billman responded that there would be an increase of between 8 and 10 spaces. Jay Bradley, East Penn area reporter for Lehigh Valley Public Media and LehighValleyNews.com, stated that he will be leaving Lehigh Valley Public Media on November 13, 2024, to pursue unique opportunities to travel. He further stated his appreciation for the openness and availability of the community and the government. Mr. Bradley thanked Mr. Pepe for his replies to both emails and phone calls. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Hoenscheid reminded everyone to get out and vote on November 5, 2024. Mr. Labenberg stated that Knauss Homestead had their Harvest Festival the previous weekend. He further stated that the event was well attended. Mr. Anders reported that the Emmaus High School’s Field Hockey team recently won and that they are continuing to strive for another state title. November 4, 2024 102 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mayor Gilbert thanked everyone that participated in Trick or Treating. She reported that they ran out of hot dogs by 7:30PM and that Mission BBQ handed out 450 cups of macaroni and cheese. Mayor Gilbert stated that the event was very successful. Mr. Balliet stated his thanks to all veterans. He further stated that Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, which marked that end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Mr. Balliet stated that the day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all veterans. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - None READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the October 21, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS Council debated whether to award a bid for natural gas for 12 months or 24 months, as the rate varied by the term. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to award Snyder Bros. the Natural Gas contract for a term of 24-months at a fixed rate of $5.084/ DTH. There were 4 ayes and 3 nays (Labenberg, Brown, Balliet). Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS – None. 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 Mayor Gilbert read Proclamation 2024-607: Veterans Memorial Triangle Park. Mayor Gilbert reported that No Shave November and Double Down December started this month. She stated that each Police Officer donates $50.00 to participate. Mayor Gilbert explained that all raised funds will be used to provide a better holiday for those less fortunate through the Emmaus High School Angel Network. Progress. November 4, 2024 103 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL 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 Mr. Hoenscheid reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 4:45PM via Zoom. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mrs. Watt to hire Matthew James Hutchens as a full time Police Officer contingent upon successful completion of a 1-year probationary period. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. 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 next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for October 2024. Resolution 2024 – 28: authorizing payment of the October 21, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 246,866.17 Payroll #22 $ 189,988.14 Payroll Taxes $ 61,800.64 Total $ 498,654.95 November 4, 2024 104 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Done this 4th day of November 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt Resolution 2024 - 28. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to amend the e-Service’s contract to include Ambulance Subscriptions. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 11:00AM. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 5:00PM. Progress. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT – None. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Balliet called for a recess at 6:41PM for an Executive Session with no official action expected. Mr. Balliet reconvened the meeting at 7:58PM. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Anders to adjourn the November 4, 2024, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:59PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant November 14, 2024