Borough Council Meetings

February 3, 2025 12 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on February 3, 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 Present Nathan Brown Present Brent Labenberg Present Kate Watt Present Lee Ann Gilbert, Mayor Present Jason Ulrich, Solicitor Present Shane Pepe, Borough Manager Present PERSONAL APPEALS, PART I – None. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders stated that East Penn Neighbors Helping is having a spaghetti dinner fund raiser on Saturday, February 8, 2025, 5:00 to 7:00PM at the Moravian Church, 146 Main Street, Emmaus. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Hayden Rinde and Emily Brosky, Emmaus Main Street Partners (EMSP), gave a brief description of their recent events, projects, and grant initiatives for the benefit of the Borough of Emmaus. They reported that they are working on projects for this year and thanked the Mayor, Mr. Pepe., and Borough Council for their continued support. Ms. Brosky stated that EMSP is working with the Historic Society and that their event “Lucky Bucks Bingo” will be held Sunday, March 16, 2025. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adopt the January 20, 2025, Council Minutes as drafted. There were 6 ayes. 1 abstention (Baumgartner) Motion carried. DECISION ON BIDS – None. COMMUNICATIONS Farewell to Summer Event Request – referred to staff Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Watt to permit the sale of alcohol at the Farewell to Summer event on Saturday, September 20, 2025. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Old Fashioned Christmas Event Request – referred to staff Motion by Mr. Anders, seconded by Mr. Brown to permit the sale of alcohol at the Old- Fashioned Christmas event on Saturday, December 6, 2025. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. February 3, 2025 13 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Brett Hamscher Resignation from the Auxiliary Police Manuel Feris Volunteer Application for Joint Environmental Advisory Council – referred to Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Carl Cramer Request for Reappointment to the Library Board – Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. Brown to appoint Carl Cramer to the Emmaus Public Library Board to fill a vacancy for remainder of the term to expire on January 1, 2026. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Knauss Homestead Peach Festival Event Request – referred to staff Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Watt to permit the sale of alcohol at the Peach Festival event on Saturday, July 26, 2025. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. 2025 Halloween Parade Event Request – referred to staff Barry Schantzenbach Letter – Request was denied by Solicitor Ulrich. Emmaus Kiwanis Club Annual Egg Hunt event request – referred to staff Event will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2025, 11:00AM to 2:30PM, Egg Hunt will take place at 1:00PM. 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 the Citizen Police Academy starts on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. She stated that planning has begun for this year’s National Night Out, which will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 6:00 to 8:30PM. Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders referred to Mr. Pepe for an explanation of the recently awarded grant funding for PFAS mitigation. Mr. Pepe stated that the Borough was awarded $11,800,000.00 from PennVest. He February 3, 2025 14 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL further stated that $9,800,000.00 of the awarded funding is a grant and that the remaining $2,000,000.00 will be financed at a rate less than 2%. Mr. Pepe reported that the Borough was awarded much more than the expected 50%. He explained that there is a lot of work to be done for the project. Mr. Pepe informed Council that there will be a significant amount of documents, and several votes required in the very near future to receive the grant funding. He reported that tomorrow, February 4, 2025, at noon the sealed bids for the PFAS Treatment System project will be opened. Mr. Pepe stated that the 25 companies that attended the mandatory pre bid meeting will be permitted to submit a bid. He reported that there will be large amount of documentation that will need to be reviewed to ensure that everything meets the PennVest criteria for approval. Attorney Ulrich reported that the timeline for PennVest is aggressive and that, in order to comply, paperwork will need to be completed and submitted by the end of the week. Mr. Brown stated that at a Council Meeting in December, many people expressed concerns about Mr. Pepe and the rate of his pay. He further stated his gratitude for the hard work Mr. Pepe put forth to apply and successfully be awarded this grant funding. Mr. Brown gave recognition to Mr. Pepe for advocating for the citizens of the community and that things like this are why Mr. Pepe is very valuable and worth every dollar he is paid. Mr. DeFrain questioned whether the Borough would have the ability not to accept grant funding should an agreement not be reached in regard to a certain aspect of funds acceptance. Attorney Ulrich responded affirmatively. Mr. Balliet offered his appreciation to Mr. Pepe for the work he does for the Borough and the amount of hours he puts in. Mr. Anders stated his gratitude to the Public Works’ employees for their work in resolving a water main break and resuming water service to the residents. He further stated his thanks to the Public Works’ employees for keeping the residents safe by preparing the roads for an impending storm. 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 stated the Public Hearing for the Zoning Ordinance will take place at the March 3, 2025, Council meeting. He further stated that the Ordinance could be adopted at the meeting barring any need for significant changes. Mr. Brown reported that concerns about the 5-year moratorium for street opening have been brought to our attention by a developer. The developer, Matthew Spangenberg, questioned the impact of the UGI work on development and providing an avenue to allow streets to be opened within five years of paving. Mr. Brown stated that the topic will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Brown reported that an individual has applied for a permit to have tricycle ice cream cart which will be discussed at the next Committee meeting. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, February 18, 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. February 3, 2025 15 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner asked the Solicitor if there was anything the Borough could do to protect the residents regarding the executive orders pertaining to mass deportation with the focus on due process. Attorney Ulrich stated that he has guidance on the matter that he will submit to the Borough Manager. Ms. Baumgartner 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 via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Resolution 2025 – 4, authorizing payment of the February 3, 2025, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 167,855.77 Payroll #2 $ 200,227.05 Payroll Taxes $ 64,219.01 Total $ 432,301.83 Done this 3rd day of February 2025. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to adopt Resolution 2025 - 4. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for the first half of January 2025. Mr. DeFrain 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 February 3, 2025 16 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Mr. Balliet reported that the Zoning Hearing Board end of the year report states that 12 hearings were held in 2024. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II Megan Brehm, 944 N 7th Street Circle, congratulated Council on being awarded the grant funding. Ms. Brehm questioned the ability to use any money received from the fire foam ligation for PFAS mitigation on the other wells within the Borough. Mr. Pepe responded that this is the source of contention with the PennVest contract offer. He continued that the Borough has protested the provision and are working with high authorities at the Commonwealth in hopes of resolving the matter. Mr. Pepe stated that as of now, the contract states that the Borough is required to pay back any funds potentially awarded in litigation. He further stated that the Borough’s legal counsel and the Borough Manager will continue to negotiate this to the furthest event possible. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe reported that Lucas Haas and Kayla Laudenslager were hired as part-time EMTs. Mr. Pepe stated that the EMS roster is being cleaned up as numerous individuals on the roster have not worked in quite some time. He explained that this consolidation process will bring forth resignations and terminations. Mr. Pepe stated that the resignations and terminations are not due to job performance but rather the individuals cannot work because they have moved or have other job obligations. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. Progress. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ms. Baumgartner, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to adjourn the February 3, 2025, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:49PM. Shane M. Pepe Transcribed by: Jessica Wessner Borough Manager Administrative Assistant February 14, 2025