Borough Council Meetings

December 2, 2024 110 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on December 2, 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 PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I – None. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders stated that he and Ms. Baumgartner attended the opening of the new business at 378 Main Street, Board to Death Games, and welcomed them to the Borough. Mayor Gilbert reported that Saturday, December 7, 2024, is the Old-Fashioned Christmas. She stated that the tree lighting at Triangle Park will take place between 6:00PM and 6:30PM. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt the November 18, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes 1 abstention (Anders). Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS Jason Kleckner letter of intent to retire. - Mr. Balliet reported that Mr. Kleckner has worked for the Borough in several capacities, for 36 years. William Kennedy request for a cost-of-living adjustment. – Referred to the Budget and Finance Committee. Greg Leaming Arts Commission volunteer application. – Referred to the Community Relations and Development Committee. Christopher Hoenscheid letter of resignation from Borough Council. – Mr. Hoenscheid stated that he will remain on Council until the end of the year. December 2, 2024 111 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. Progress. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 1274: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus amending Chapter 26, Sections 105 and 106 of the Consolidated Code of Ordinances, dealing with the water rate schedule and the billing and collection procedures for the Borough of Emmaus, Pennsylvania Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Ordinance 1274: An Ordinance of the Borough of Emmaus amending Chapter 26, Sections 105 and 106 of the Consolidated Code of Ordinances, dealing with the water rate schedule and the billing and collection procedures for the Borough of Emmaus, Pennsylvania on its first 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. Ordinance 1275: An Ordinance amending Chapter 18, Sewer and Sewerage disposal rates of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough or Emmaus, Pennsylvania for the fiscal year 2025. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Ordinance 1275: An Ordinance amending Chapter 18, Sewer and Sewerage disposal rates of the Code of Ordinances of the Borough or Emmaus, Pennsylvania for the fiscal year 2025 on its first 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. Ordinance 1276: An Ordinance levying taxes for the fiscal year 2025 for the Borough of Emmaus the rate of 10.4455 mills pursuant to Section 1310 of the Borough Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a revenue neutral levy based on the 2013 Lehigh County Tax Reassessment, split between the General Fund Tax of 8.1204 mills, a Fire Fund Tax of 1.8461 mills, a Special Roads Fund Tax of 0.32 mills, and a Street Light Fund Tax of 0.159 mills. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Ordinance 1276: An Ordinance levying taxes for the fiscal year 2025 for the Borough of Emmaus the rate of 10.4455 mills pursuant to Section 1310 of the Borough Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a revenue neutral levy based on the 2013 Lehigh County Tax Reassessment, split between the General Fund Tax of 8.1204 mills, a Fire Fund Tax of 1.8461 mills, a Special Roads Fund Tax of 0.32 mills, and a Street Light Fund Tax of 0.159 mills on its first reading. Roll call vote: Mrs. Watt, aye; Mr. Anders, aye; Mr. Labenberg, aye; Mr. Hoenscheid, nay; Mr. Brown, aye; Ms. Baumgartner, aye; Mr. Balliet, aye. There were 6 ayes and 1 nay (Hoenscheid). Motion carried. Mr. Hoenscheid stated that he will not be voting for the tax ordinance because he does not feel comfortable with the services and positions that were being eliminated. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. December 2, 2024 112 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA, subject to Rule 9 – None. MAYOR’S REPORT – None. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, Monday, December 9, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown requested that the Solicitor explain Resolution 2024 – 34. Solicitor Ulrich stated that the plan the Iobst Family submitted was approved at the November 14, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting. He further stated that the plan is more of a reallocation between three relatives’ properties than an adjustment to the lot. Resolution 2024 – 34: A resolution approving the revised preliminary/ final lot line adjustment plan with respect to the major subdivision proposed by Theodore W. and Beth A. Iobst, David S. Iobst, and Winfield O. Iobst for the property located at 413, 435, and 437 S 5th Street, Emmaus PA Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded Mr. Labenberg to adopt Resolution 2024 – 34. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Brown stated that the Committee plans to present a draft of the Zoning Ordinance for Council review no later than February 2025. 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 Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 4:45PM. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 9:00AM in person and via Zoom. Progress. December 2, 2024 113 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the General Administration Committee had interviewed four (4) very qualified individuals for the Fire Administrative Assistant position. He stated that the Committee’s recommendation is to hire Brianna Falco. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to hire Brianna Falco for the full-time Emergency Services Fire Specialist Administrative Assistant position. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday December 4, 2024, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for November 2024. Resolution 2024 – 30: authorizing payment of the December 2, 2024 Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 119,335.85 Payroll #24 $ 200,856.99 Payroll Taxes $ 64,905.92 Total $ 385,098.76 Done this 2nd day of December 2024. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2024 - 30. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to advertise the proposed 2025 budget. There 6 ayes and 1 nay (Baumgartner). Motion carried. Mr. Anders thanked Mr. Pepe for all of his hard work with the budget, as it is countless hours and effort to research and prepare. He also thanked all of our department managers and administrative staff that worked hard on the budget with Mr. Pepe. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 11:00AM via Zoom. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 5:00PM via Zoom. Progress. December 2, 2024 114 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that Joshua Pierce was hired as an EMT for the Ambulance Department. He stated that Mr. Pierce is also a volunteer Fire Fighter in the Fire Department. Mr. Pepe stated his appreciation for the professionalism of the Council during the budget process. He further stated that the way they handled making tough decisions throughout the budget process shows that care and want to make our Community a better place. He stated that this was perhaps the most difficult budget he has experienced in his career, and our entire management team appreciates that hard work and seriousness that Council took with every decision. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Balliet asked that the Solicitor to explain the process to fill the vacancy Mr. Hoenscheid’s resignation will create. Solicitor Ulrich stated that Council would interview and vote on the candidates that submit applications. He further stated that under the statute Council has 30 days after the vacancy to fill the vacancy from the date of Mr. Hoenscheid’s official last day. Mr. Pepe stated that historically an advertisement was published in the East Penn Press. He further stated that it is Council’s decision whether or not the vacancy is advertised and whether or not they do interviews. Mr. Pepe reported that an advertisement to fill the vacancy will be published soon to avoid going beyond the 30-day deadline, but more importantly, hopefully filling the position at the first meeting in January. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Hoenscheid to adjourn the December 2, 2024, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:34PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant December 12, 2024