Borough Council Meetings

November 18, 2024 105 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on November 18, 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 Absent 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 Michael Horvath, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present Cristen McTamney, Assistant Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I Mike Gibson, 230 Ridge Street, expressed his gratitude for everyone’s patience during the completion of the Zoning and SALDO ordinances. Chris DeFrain, 181 Harrison Street, thanked the volunteers, administration, Police Department, Fire Department, EMS, and especially the Public Works Department for their help with the Halloween Parade. He stated that 3 dozen businesses gave donations for the Parade. Mr. DeFrain further stated that this was the first-year food trucks were permitted. He reported that there was a large turnout for the event. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mayor Gilbert stated that a new business will be going in at 378 Main Street. She further stated that the business, Board to Death Games, would be having their ribbon cutting on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at noon and invited all to attend. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Keith Miller, Deputy Director of Emergency Services, gave a speech in recognition of retired Director of Emergency Services, John Price, and his 8 years of service to the Borough of Emmaus. Mr. Balliet called a recess at 6:10PM for photos and reconvened the meeting at 6:13PM Mayor Gilbert swore in Police Officer Matthew James Hutchins. Mr. Balliet called a recess at 6:15PM for photos and reconvened the meeting at 6:19PM. READING OF MINUTES November 18, 2024 106 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the November 4, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS Council debated whether to award a bid for electricity for 12 months or 24 months, as the rate varied by the term. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to award WGL Electricity the electricity supplier contract for a term of 12 months at a fixed rate of $0.08132. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to extend the lawn care contract with Allyear, Inc. for 2025 at the same contractual pricing as 2024. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Emmaus Farmers’ Market banner and street closure request. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to approve alcohol at the Emmaus Farmers Market events contingent upon certificate of insurance. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Faith Presbyterian Church request to hold a Christmas Eve worship at Triangle Park. – Referred to staff. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 1272: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus amending Chapter 15 of the Consolidated Code of Ordinances, extending residential permit parking areas to additional streets throughout the Borough of Emmaus. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Ordinance 1272: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus amending Chapter 15 of the Consolidated Code of Ordinances, extending residential permit parking areas to additional streets throughout the Borough of Emmaus on its first reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Ordinance 1273: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 15 Part 5: Parking Kiosk Zones and Part 6: off-street unmetered parking of the November 18, 2024 107 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Emmaus Borough Code to establish amended regulations relating to disabled parking, timed parking, and eliminating the kiosk located at 311 Main Street. Mr. Pepe explained the different facets of the Ordinance introduced by the Public Safety Committee, as it would remove the kiosk from the Main Street Parking lot, relocate two disabled parking spaces, and establish a three-hour parking limit at the lot. Moreover, it would allow for long-term permit parking in the lot as well. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adopt Ordinance 1273: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 15 Part 5: Parking Kiosk Zones and Part 6: off-street unmetered parking of the Emmaus Borough Code to establish amended regulations relating to disabled parking, timed parking, and eliminating the kiosk located at 311 Main Street on its first reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Labenberg, nay; Mr. Hoenscheid, aye; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 5 ayes and 1 nay (Labenberg). Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT – None. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, Monday, December 9, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown asked Attorney Ulrich if there had been anymore correspondence received from Anytime Fitness about extending their parking in the rear of their building. Attorney Ulrich stated that he had not received any correspondence from Anytime Fitness. 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. November 18, 2024 108 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL d. Public Safety Committee Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to approve the proposed ambulance subscription benefits. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to approve the purchase of a new Braun Ambulance. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 9:00AM in person and via Zoom. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to appoint Christine Snyder to the Non- uniform Employee Pension Board. There were 6 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 entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for October 2024. Resolution 2024 – 29: authorizing payment of the November 18, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 818,233.24 Payroll #23 $ 212,430.27 Payroll Taxes $ 73,295.45 Total $ 1,103,958.96 Done this 18th day of November 2024. Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to adopt Resolution 2024 - 29. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 4, 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. November 18, 2024 109 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that Harry Huhn has earned the level of Master Firefighter. Mr. Pepe stated that Public Works Department employee, Christopher Jost, has met the requirements to be promoted to Class 4. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to promote Christopher Jost to Class 4. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Hoenscheid, seconded by Mr. Brown to adjourn the November 18, 2024, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:09PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant November 27, 2024