Borough Council Meetings

April 7, 2025 37 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL The Emmaus Borough Council met in Regular Session on April 7, 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 Chris DeFrain 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 Allison Floray, Library Director, extended her gratitude to the Borough for the support, the programs, and the roof project. Bruce Carl, 136 N 4th Street, stated his concerns about parking issues near his residence. Mr. Carl further stated that due to his ailing health, he has applied for a disabled parking space to be placed in the street in front of his home. COMMUNITY MINUTE Mr. Anders reminded everyone that April 26, 2025, is Earth Day and encouraged everyone to participate in the Earth Day clean-up. Mayor Gilbert stated that Prescription Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the Police Station. Mayor Gilbert reported that she will be attending the ribbon cutting for the new business “Life Maid Easy”, 344 Main Street, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 10:00AM. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Alan Sylvestre, Recreation and Entertainment Commission Chairman, gave a brief description of upcoming events taking place in the Borough this summer. He stated that there is a Shakespeare Festival event free of charge on June 3, 2025 at Community Park. Mr. Sylvestre explained that all Tunes in the Triangle bands this year are Emmaus-based musicians. READING OF MINUTES Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner, to adopt the March 17, 2025, Council Meeting Minutes as drafted. There were 7ayes. Motion carried. April 7, 2025 38 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISION ON BIDS Council discussed several intersections that could potentially be included in the 2025 CDBG ADA project. Motion by Mr. Labenberg seconded by Mr. Brown to award the bid for the 2025 CDBG ADA Project to Zgura’s Concrete Services Inc.. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Lucy McLeod request for reappointment to the Vacancy Board Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to appointment Lucy McLeod to the Vacancy Board for a 1-year term to expire January 1, 2026 contingent upon a successful background check. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Emmaus Veterans’ Committee Memorial Day parade request – Referred to staff. Emmaus Veterans’ Committee event request for Veterans Memorial Triangle dedication – Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to approve the Veterans Memorial Triangle dedication event. Mr. Brown amended his motion, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to approve the Veterans Memorial Triangle dedication event with the addition of closing portions of North, N. 3rd, and N. 4th Streets for the event. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. EPIMC, East Penn Instrumental Musicians Club, request closure of Pine Street for a high school band competition – Referred to the Mayor. Brittney O’Connor volunteer application for the Planning Commission – Referred to Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Bruce Carl, 136 N 4th Street, request for disabled parking permit – Referred to the Public Safety Committee 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 her activities for the 1st quarter of 2025. April 7, 2025 39 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Public Works Committee Mr. Anders stated that the Committee met earlier in the evening. Mr. Anders reported that the next Committee meeting is Monday, May 12, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. b. Health, Sanitation, and Codes Committee Motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. DeFrain to approve the Emmaus Commerce Center request for security reduction. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. Brown noted that we would normally see the engineer’s breakdown for a security reduction request. Mr. Pepe apologized and confirmed that engineer sent a recommendation for the reduction. Mr. Brown reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. c. Parks and Recreation Committee Mr. Balliet reported that the next Committee meeting is Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 4:45PM. Progress. d. Public Safety Committee Ms. Baumgartner reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 9:00AM. Progress. e. General Administration Committee Mr. Labenberg reported that the next Committee meeting is Wednesday April 16, 2025, at 9:00 AM via Zoom. Progress. f. Budget & Finance Committee Mr. DeFrain entertained questions about the Significant Revenue and Expense Items for March 2025. April 7, 2025 40 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Resolution 2025 – 10: Declaration of official intent to reimburse General funds used to construct improvements to its well number 1 for PFAS treatment with funds received from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority ME#80270 Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to adopt Resolution 2025 – 10. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mr. Labenberg to approve the Cash Handling Policy. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2025 – 11: Authorizing the securing of funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (“PENNVEST”) in the maximum principal amount of $2,048,745.00 and the acceptance of a principal forgiveness loan from the Authority in the maximum principal amount of $9,731,255.00 for the purpose of providing funds to finance the cost of construction, repair, rehabilitation, remediation, extension, acquisition, improvement, and expansion of water treatment facility for well number 1 related to PFAS treatment and contamination located in Emmaus Borough, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania of the funding recipient, to pay costs and expenses of securing such funding; authorizing the execution and delivery of a general revenue note and other supporting documents; approving the form, terms and conditions of the funding documents and providing for the authentication and delivery thereof; and authorizing the disposition of the funding proceeds received or to be received from PENNVEST. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Ms. Baumgartner to adopt Resolution 2025 – 11. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mrs. Watt to approve the acquisition of EMS radios through Lehigh County funding for 5 years at 0% interest, contingent that Lehigh County uses our amended number of radios needed and pricing is the same or better than recent quotes received by the Borough. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 2025 – 12, authorizing payment of the April 7, 2025, Bill List as follows: Bill List $ 524,151.83 Payroll #6 & #7 $ 390,887.73 Payroll Taxes $ 124,380.20 Total $ 1,039,419.76 Done this 7th day of April, 2025. Motion by Mr. DeFrain, seconded by Mrs. Watt to adopt Resolution 2025 - 12. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. Mr. DeFrain reported that the next Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11:00AM has been cancelled. Progress. g. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee Mrs. Watt reported that the next Committee meeting is Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 4:45PM. April 7, 2025 41 EMMAUS BOROUGH COUNCIL Progress. BOARDS and COMMISSIONS Civil Service Commission March 6, 2025 meeting minutes are available for review. PERSONAL APPEALS, PART II – None. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Mr. Pepe stated that Natalie Curran, Ava DePietro, Evan Shook, Adrianna Theer, Gabriella Ramos, Gianna Lutes, and Brody McHugh were hired as concession stand employees for the summer season. Mr. Pepe announced that Giovanni Sicurello was hired as a part-time firefighter. Mr. Anders inquired about the fire tower project. Mr. Pepe responded that the fire tower repairs are nearing completion and should be finished by the end of the month. Progress. PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS – None. Progress. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Mr. Labenberg, seconded by Mr. Brown to adjourn the April 7, 2025, Emmaus Borough Council Meeting. There were 7 ayes. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:41PM. Shane M. Pepe Borough Manager April 16, 2025