Borough Council Meetings

January 20, 2025 7 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on January 20, 2025, 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 Absent Nathan Brown 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, due to the weather, refuse, and recycling collection will be pushed back 1 day. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS – None. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adopt the January 6, 2025, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS Emmaus Arts Commission Event Request - 2025 FilmFest – Referred to staff. Part-Time EMT Braden Damitz Resignation Neil Valois Volunteer Application - Recreation & Entertainment Commission Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Anders to appoint Neil Valois to the Recreation and Entertainment Commission to a 3-year term to expire May 1, 2027. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Jennifer Felegy Resignation from Library Board Debra Kirkpatrick Volunteer Application – Recreation & Entertainment Commission January 20, 2025 8 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to appoint Debra Kirkpatrick to the Recreation & Entertainment Commission to a 3-year term to expire May 1, 2026. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. BOROUGH ENGINEER’S REPORT – None. SOLICITOR’S REPORT – None. 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 reported that, at the monthly meeting of the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania State Mayor’s Association, there was overwhelming support of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. She stated that Mayors across the state were asked to show their support by proclaiming January 27, 2025 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mayor Gilbert read Proclamation 2025 – 610: International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mayor Gilbert reported that the Citizen Police Academy starts on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 and will be every Tuesday for 8 weeks from 6:00 to 8:30PM. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders presented a compost site reconfiguration plan as proposed by the Public Works Director, Lawrence Carl. Mr. Anders stated that Mr. Carl discussed moving the multipurpose field from behind Cintas and placing it next to the current multipurpose field on Klines Lane. He further stated that the excavated dirt from the Lions Playground project will be used as fill for the new field arrangement on Klines Lane. The reconfiguration plan also includes relocating the community garden and adding parking in the area. Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to approve the compost site plan. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, February 10, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Mr. Brown entertained questions about the SALDO and Zoning Ordinances. Mr. Pepe and Attorney Ulrich stated that the Ordinances have been rewritten since the last time they were brought January 20, 2025 9 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL before Council. Mr. Pepe explained that a “task force” consisting of engineers, Planning Commission members, landlords, a former Council member, business owners, and community members, was created to gather insight from different perspectives to ensure the Ordinances were clearly and accurately written. Mr. Labenberg asked questions about several aspects of the Ordinances. Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Anders to authorize the Borough Manager and Solicitor to advertise for the 30-day review period for the SALDO and Zoning Ordinances. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Mr. Pepe informed Council that the Borough is required by law to have an active Civil Service hiring list. He stated that currently, there are no names on the list which means a new list needs to be established. Motion by Mrs. Watt, seconded by Mr. Anders to authorize the Civil Service Commission to start the police hiring process. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to accept the donation of a motor vehicle from Motors Plus. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, February 12, 2025, at 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday February 5, 2025, at 9:00AM. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2025 – 3, authorizing payment of the January 20, 2025, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 443,182.68 Payroll #1 $ 226,895.52 Payroll Taxes $ 82,006.63 Total $ 752,084.83 January 20, 2025 10 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Done this 20th day of January 2025. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2025 -3. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Balliet entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for the first half of January 2025. Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is February 5, 2025, at 11:00AM. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is February 4, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. BOARDS and COMMISSIONS Mr. Pepe reported that Allison Floray has been hired as the new Library Director for the Emmaus Public Library. He stated that Ms. Floray’s previous position was with the Parkland Library. Mr. Pepe stated that Christine Wieder has been hired as the Adult Services Librarian. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II Megan Brehm, 944 N 7th Street Circle, questioned the availability of the SALDO and Zoning Ordinances for public review. Mr. Pepe stated that once Council votes to move forward with the Ordinances, you would be able to view them on the Borough website. Ms. Brehm asked how the Community will be notified of these Ordinances and where they can be viewed. She suggested that the Borough send out a “blast” text to the residents to increase community engagement. Ms. Brehm questioned public access to the LCA cost share for Klines Island. Mr. Pepe responded that LCA has not made that information publicly known yet. She asked if the information was available through a Right to Know request. Attorney Ulrich gave her recommendations for requesting the information. Ms. Brehm stated she appreciated that Council had a 3-year plan and offered to help in any capacity to acquire community input. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to retain Benjamin Harrison as a full- time Public Works employee. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Pepe reported that the Public Works Department did an excellent job plowing, especially because for many of the Public Works employees, yesterday’s snowstorm was the first time they had ever plowed. He stated that last winter was mild and did not require use of plows. Mr. Pepe explained that some streets were missed and that over time the Public Works employees will become more accustomed to plowing the streets. Progress. January 20, 2025 11 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. Progress. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adjourn the January 20, 2025, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 6 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant January 21, 2025