Borough Council Meetings

January 6, 2025 1 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on January 6, 2025, in Council Chambers and via Zoom. CALL TO ORDER Council President Chad Balliet called the Council meeting to order at 5:01PM. Roy Anders Present Chad Balliet, Council President Present Shana Baumgartner, Council Vice President Present Nathan Brown Present Brent Labenberg Present Kate Watt Present LeeAnn Gilbert, Mayor Present Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present (Arrived at 5:12PM) Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present VACANT COUNCIL SEAT INTERVIEWS Borough Council interviewed individuals who applied for the vacant Council position. The term will be through the end of 2025. The following individuals gave a synopsis of themselves and their reasons for applying for the vacant seat on Council: Neil Valois, 606 Broad Street Sarah Dagnall, 627 Furnace Street Spencer Steele, 843 Lawrence Drive David Hickey, 140 Cold Stream Court Chris DeFrain, 181 Harrison Street APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL MEMBER AND OATH OF OFFICE Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to appoint Chris DeFrain to Borough Council for a term to expire January 1, 2026. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet called for a recess at 6:30PM and reconvened the meeting at 6:36PM. Mayor Gilbert conducted the swearing in of new council member Chris DeFrain. Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to amend the order of the agenda by moving the Special Presentations section to be prior to the Personal Appeals, Part I section. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Phillips Armstrong reported that he is in his final year as Lehigh County Executive and discussed some of the accomplishments at the County. Mr. Armstrong stated that he will be meeting with the Fire Department to discuss funding for the fire training facility. He spoke briefly about the initiatives and progression of Lehigh County during his time in office. Mr. Armstrong reported that Lehigh County, through its Countywide Radio System Replacement project, is the only County purchasing the federal mandated radios for all affected departments within its coverage area. He stated that doing so will put the January 6, 2025 2 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL new radio system into commission as quickly as possible and allow the departments a longer period of time to payback the County. Mr. Labenberg stated that the length of the payback period exceeded the life expectancy of the equipment. Mr. Armstrong reported that the County is still working on the final details. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I Cindy Hornaman, Emmaus Rotary Club, introduced fellow members Nelly Kabiru and Rick Zayaitz. She stated that Eric Loch, Emmaus Rotary Club President, was out of town. Ms. Hornaman gave an update on the progress for their Summer Festival event planned on May 31, 2025, from 10:00 to 8:00PM at the Emmaus Community Park. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mayor Gilbert reported that January 9, 2025, at 5:30PM there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for Café 23 at 318 Main Street. Mr. Anders stated that, due to the weather, refuse and recycling collection will be pushed back 1 day. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt the December 16, 2024, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS Vince Tranguch request for reappointment to the Civil Service Commission. Debra Kirkpatrick Recreation and Entertainment Commission volunteer application. – Referred to Parks and Recreation Committee. Tyler Roberts Arts Commission volunteer application. – Referred to the Community Relations, Planning, and Development Committee. Hanover Engineering Kris Thompson request for reappointment to the Community Garden Commission. Chief Jason Apgar letter of resignation and entering the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to appoint Vince Tranguch to the Civil Service Commission for a 6-year term to expire January 1, 2031 and appoint Kris Thompson to the Community Garden Commission for a 3-year term to expire January 1, 2028. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. January 6, 2025 3 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART I – None. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2025 – 1: BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by Emmaus Borough Council to appoint the following officials to their designated positions for a term expiring on January 5, 2026. Acting Director of Emergency Services Keith Miller Ambulance Corps Chief Adam Priest Animal Control Officer April Schiel Borough Manager/ Secretary Shane Pepe Borough Solicitor Gross, McGinley, LLP Certified Public Accountant Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits LLP Civil Service Commission Solicitor Davison & McCarthy Codes Director Eric Fuhrmann Codes Officer Brent Reed Deputy Police Chief Bryan Hamscher Director of Finance/ Treasurer Christine Snyder Earned Income and Local Services Tax Office H.A. Berkheimer Emergency Management Coordinator Keith Miller Engineer (Primary) Ott Consulting Engineer (Utilities and Alternate) Hanover Engineering Associates, Inc. Fire Inspector Ryan Crawford Health Officer Garry Ritter Pension Consultant - Police/Non-Uniform Conrad Siegel Per Capita Tax Office H.A. Berkheimer Police Chief Jason Apgar Public Works Director Lawrence Carl Sewage Enforcement Officers Jacob A. Schray Luke E. Eggert Christopher A. Taylor Paul Gallagher Saba Special Labor Counsel Campbell, Durrant, Beatty, Palumbo & Miller, P.C. Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor Ronald Corkery, Esq. Motion by Mr. Brown seconded by Mr. Labenberg to approve Resolution 2025 – 1 to appoint the officials to their designated positions for a term expiring on January 5, 2026. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS, PART II – None. January 6, 2025 4 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, January 13, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown inquired on the status of the Zoning Ordinance. Attorney Ulrich responded that the Ordinance will be available for the first reading at the January 20, 2025, Council Meeting. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Brown to adopt the Park and Recreation Facilities Use and Rentals Policy. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next meeting Thursday, January 16,2025, at 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Department Name Term Began Term Expires Administration Shane Pepe 3.6.2012 Infinite Christine Snyder (alternate) Codes/ Zoning Brent Reed 1.1.2024 Infinite Eric Fuhrmann (alternate) Police Joseph Longenbach 1.1.2025 12.31.2026 Vince Murante (alternate) Fire Tom Carl 1.1.2025 12.31.2026 Chris Lubenetski (alternate) Ambulance Laurie Barry 1.1.2025 12.31.2026 Cara Biery (alternate) Public Works Jeffrey Kratz 1.1.2024 12.31.2025 Tyler Llewellyn (alternate) Clerical Teresa Pohlmann 1.1.2024 12.31.2025 Sherry Palinkas (alternate) January 6, 2025 5 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Labenberg seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to appoint the members of the 2025 Employee Safety Committee. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday January 15, 2025, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee g. Resolution 2025 – 2, authorizing payment of the January 6, 2025, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 432,832.51 Payroll #26 $ 210,975.94 Payroll Taxes $ 73,557.75 Total $ 717,366.20 Done this 6th day of January 2025. Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2025 -2. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for December 2024. Mr. Balliet stated that a member of Council donated their salary to the library and expressed his gratitude. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is January 15, 2025, at 11:00AM. Progress. h. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is January 7, 2025, at 11:00AM. Progress. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Anders to retain Charles Wesch as a full-time Public Works employee. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe reported that Michael Deprill has been hired as a part-time firefighter. Mr. Pepe stated that Aaron Werntz’s employment has been terminated. Mr. Pepe reported that Jermaine Hussett has been appointed as a Group Leader in the Public Works Department and will oversee the parks. He stated that Jason Kleckner was in charge of parks until January 6, 2025 6 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL his retirement on Friday, January 3, 2025. Mr. Pepe further stated that Mr. Kleckner had been employed with the Borough for 36 years. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS Mr. Balliet stated that he will be stepping down as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and will take over as chair for the Parks and Recreation Committee. He further stated that effective immediately, Mr. DeFrain will be the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and will serve on the Community Relations, Planning, and Development Committee and the Public Works Committee as well. Progress. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adjourn the January 6, 2025, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant January 15, 2025