[0:03] I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[0:09] for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:14] justice for all.

[0:19] » At this time, we'll have public appeals part one. If you have a personal appeal,

[0:24] please sign in. State your name, where you're from, and you have five minutes

[0:28] for your appeal.

[0:34] All right. Do we have any online guests?

[0:41] » Yes. >> Give me just a second.

[0:44] » All right. Uh

[0:48] » Western unmuted. I don't know. >> All right. You're unmuted. If you have a

[0:54] virtual appeal, please state your name and where you're from and what your

[0:58] appeal is. Anybody? All right. Hearing none, we'll move on

[1:03] to community minute. Does anyone have a community minute to bring forward? Oh,

[1:07] for the record, uh, Councilman Balot and President Deframe will be on Zoom.

[1:15] Does anybody have a community minute to bring forward? Councilman Anders. Well,

[1:19] since this is hot off the press or or text, uh just a reminder for the

[1:24] residents that the refues and recycling will be collected Friday instead of

[1:28] Thursday this week due to the holiday. Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:31] » Oh, thank you. Uh anyone else? I attended the first uh Cyclacross

[1:37] event. Well attended. Um I ran one of the races and uh very well attended and

[1:44] it seems to be growing every year. So, hope that can keep going.

[1:48] All right, moving to new business. We have the certification of civil service

[1:52] results for the chief of police. Uh would somebody like to make a motion to

[1:57] certified the civil service exam results for chief of police Joseph Sokalowski

[2:02] and to award him a civil service protection as recommended by the Civil

[2:06] Service Commission? Councilman Brown. Is there a second? Councilman Anders. Any

[2:11] discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Those oppose.

[2:17] There are six eyes. At this time, I'd like to invite the

[2:22] Madame Mayor and our new chief, Joseph, to come up to be sworn in.

[2:47] That's good.

[3:07] » Swear or >> soare.

[3:11] Constitution.

[3:57] sexual orientation. National

[4:11] » resation.

[4:43] I just want to acknowledge since it's not on the camera that all the officers

[4:46] that are here and uh retired officers and previous officers and I I appreciate

[4:51] seeing all the faces here. Thank you for showing up and this is a big moment for

[4:55] our police department. Uh we'll have a brief recess

[5:01] 607 for uh some photos

[5:08] 11. Say it again.

[5:11] » Uh we're reconvening at 611. We have the August 17, 2026 public

[5:18] hearing minutes. Does anybody like to make a motion to approve those minutes?

[5:23] Councilman Brown. Seconded by Councilwoman Bman.

[5:27] Any corrections or additions. All those in favor say I.

[5:32] » I. >> I.

[5:34] Those opposed. I'm not sure if I'm hearing them online.

[5:37] » No, it's because I got to ask them to unmute every time.

[5:39] » All right. Uh Chris and Chad, if you can unmute yourselves. We're not hearing you

[5:46] win your vote. Join the voice vote. >> Go ahead. Go ahead and ask for the vote

[5:49] again. >> All right. All those in favor say I.

[5:52] » I. >> I.

[5:53] » I. >> All right. There we go. Those opposed,

[5:56] there are six eyes. Hey, Nate. Where where's your microphone?

[6:01] » Hi. >> All right. Uh,

[6:06] that was the public hearing minutes and now we have the August 17th, 2026

[6:10] council meeting minutes. Would somebody like to make a motion to approve that?

[6:14] Councilwoman Brem. Second. Councilman Brown. Any corrections or additions?

[6:20] » Hold it down. >> All those in favor say I.

[6:22] » I. >> I.

[6:24] » Those opposed. There are six eyes. >> Seven.

[6:29] » Seven eyes. >> Seven eyes. Did I say six before, too?

[6:32] » Yeah. >> Yes.

[6:33] » Yeah. You said six. >> I stand corrected.

[6:36] » You're out of practice. >> We have no decisions on bids

[6:40] communications. We received a Canal Homestead event request for a salsa

[6:45] dance. Um I believe because it's a new event and

[6:51] they have alcohol, we just need to approve the alcohol with insurance.

[6:55] » Uh and in the event as well. >> And the event. Okay. So, is there a

[6:58] motion to approve uh the salsa dance at the Homestead Canals or Canals Homestead

[7:06] uh with the approval of alcohol sales with proof of insurance? Councilwoman

[7:11] Bman, seconded by Councilwoman Brem.

[7:17] Any discussion? Sounds exciting. It sounds like they're

[7:21] doing it on the barn patio, I'm guessing.

[7:24] » Yeah, >> in that area,

[7:25] » definitely. >> All right. All those in favor say I.

[7:29] » I. Those opposed. >> There are six eyes.

[7:32] » Seven eyes. >> Seven.

[7:33] » Seven eyes. >> I like the even numbers.

[7:39] » All right. We received a communication from Pathways to Change, which is a

[7:44] business downtown concerning uh this the smoke shop downtown.

[7:50] Uh it's a three-page letter with some photos. Some legitimate concerns. I'm

[7:55] going to refer to the zoning officers. >> No,

[7:59] » that needs to go to public safety. >> Go to public safety.

[8:02] » I was going to refer to there too because there's zoning issues and the

[8:05] public safety. >> I would go with public safety first.

[8:08] » They'll and they'll refer to >> the zoning officers are researching

[8:11] which we'll go to we'll go to his committee as well,

[8:14] » but maybe both. >> Okay. Because there were I mean I

[8:17] thought there were more issues regarding zoning with signs and beyond.

[8:21] » Yeah. If you read the underllayment of the concern, it's

[8:24] » all right. >> That's that's an aftermath.

[8:26] » Well, we'll send it to both committees uh with the expectation that they'll get

[8:29] back to them >> with a um an answer.

[8:34] Does anybody else have a communication to bring forward?

[8:39] All right. Hearing none, Burough Engineers report.

[8:52] No report. >> No report.

[8:56] Sorry, I wanted a break for a drink there. Solicitor's report.

[9:00] » You kept looking at me like I was the >> Maybe I'm still delirious from my run. I

[9:03] don't know. >> Have a PE of the solicitor report. No

[9:06] report progress. >> Thank you. Unfinished business part one.

[9:09] We have ordinance 1288 which will address in the committee reports.

[9:13] There's no unfinished business part two. Uh, anybody have anything to bring

[9:17] forward on items not on the agenda? All right, hearing none, madame mayor's

[9:23] report. Thank >> you. Um, the one I Well, I have two

[9:26] items, but u tomorrow the department is hosting a virtual workshop on cyber

[9:31] crime prevention. The event is from 1 to 4 in the community room. It's a webinar

[9:35] designed to provide practical tips on recognizing online threats and financial

[9:40] scams, safeguarding personal information, and knowing what to do if

[9:43] you or a loved one becomes a victim of uh the crime. Also on your iPad, you

[9:49] have proclamation 2026 649 in honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11th,

[9:54] 2001 and designate September 11th, 2026 as Patriot Day and National Day of

[9:59] Service and Remembrance. Um, I'll read this one for a change. I normally don't

[10:05] read them anymore, but >> All right.

[10:06] » Whereas on September 11th, 2001, the United States was a target of a brutal

[10:11] act of terrorism that took the lives of 2,977

[10:15] innocent individuals at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 in

[10:19] Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the lives fighting the global war on terrorism

[10:25] following the attacks. And whereas a quarter century later, we continue to

[10:29] mourn the victims, offer our deepest condolences to the families who lost

[10:33] loved ones, and reaffirm our solemn promise to never forget their memory.

[10:38] And whereas today marks the 25th anniversary of this faithful mourning, a

[10:42] milestone that not only underscores a quarter century of grief for the

[10:46] families left behind, but also the 25 years of enduring national resilience,

[10:50] unity, and strength. And whereas we continue to honor the courage of the

[10:54] first responders, firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical

[10:58] technicians, and military personnel who rush into danger to save others, many

[11:02] making the ultimate sacrifice. And whereas the thousands of service

[11:05] members, intelligence professionals, and citizens who stepped forward in the

[11:10] weeks and years following the attacks to defend freedom and secure our nation

[11:14] deserve our never-ending gratitude. And whereas out of the ash and ruin of that

[11:18] day, the American people united in a profound spirit of service, compassion,

[11:22] community, demonstrating that our shared values are stronger than any act of

[11:27] terror. And whereas the passage of 25 years has not dimmed our memory or

[11:32] lessened our resolve to teach future generations about tragedy, heroism, and

[11:38] the unity that defends this patriotic moment in our history. Now therefore, I,

[11:44] Leanne Gilbert, mayor of the burough of eassle county, Pennsylvania, do hereby

[11:47] proclaim September 11th, 2026 as patriot day and national day of service and

[11:51] remembrance in EMass, Pennsylvania. I call upon our citizens to observe the

[11:55] 25th anniversary with moments of silence, the fly flying of flags at half

[11:59] staff and by participating in acts of community service and charity to honor

[12:03] the lives lost and the spirit of unity that binds us together. Done this 8th

[12:08] day of September, 2026 in the burrow of Mass Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

[12:12] progress. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. It's hard to

[12:15] believe it's 25 years already and uh I remember it specifically and uh it's the

[12:20] biggest thing I remember is just coming home from work and hugging my kids

[12:24] » and at the time they were 5, four and three. So, yeah, very dramatic time in

[12:29] our lives when that happened. So, thank you.

[12:33] » Yeah, thanks for reading that. >> Um public works committee chairman

[12:37] Baliot. >> Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Uh, I

[12:41] don't have anything for official action tonight. Uh, our next meeting is

[12:47] September 14th at 4:45. And with that, I'll report progress.

[12:51] » Thank you. I just want to point out, uh, two of the rows adjacent to where I

[12:56] live, uh, East Green Leaf and East Burger were completed, and the neighbors

[13:02] are extremely happy. They did a great job. I also was able to check Sixth

[13:06] Street. I know it's been a while since they did that one. That was the first

[13:09] one. That looks fantastic. I'm not quite sure what other other roads they did,

[13:13] but Roy, I I think I know what you want to say. I'll let you jump in.

[13:17] » Oh, no. I um Yeah, I just wanted to maybe if Shane could give us a just a

[13:22] quick update on the POS uh building where we're at.

[13:26] » I thought you were going to say Lions playground.

[13:28] » No, that's for that'll be in >> I I actually Well, I was going to wait

[13:33] until the end, but um Oh, sorry, Shane. >> Yeah, I that's okay. Uh

[13:40] so

[13:43] well number one we'll be online in seven days.

[13:47] » Woohoo. We got to have a ribbon cutting. >> Um not in seven days. Uh

[13:55] um we will we will because we we definitely have to thank uh um those who

[14:02] helped get that funding possible. um uh and everything that was involved with

[14:08] that entire project. Um that doesn't mean well two is up and running, but

[14:12] well one will be up and running. Um and we'll be running the tests and

[14:15] everything else to check all the formulas and the chemicals and um

[14:20] there's a lot to it. So we need to make sure that it's it's running right before

[14:24] we send it through the system. Um but to be able to say that in seven days well

[14:29] one will be activated uh is

[14:34] a relief I think is the best thing I can say at this point

[14:37] » and and long anticipated. >> Yeah that's good news. Uh the uh all the

[14:43] finishings and things like that aren't aren't completed in the building yet but

[14:47] at least we are at a point of well one being turned on.

[14:50] » Fantastic. And I I noticed that they were kind of cleaning up the outside

[14:53] there and and doing a lot of work recently. And the building does look

[14:57] good when you drive by it and doors are all on now. And you know, uh, thank you,

[15:02] Shane. I just I apologize for stealing your thunder.

[15:05] » I can erase. >> All right. Public works committee. Uh,

[15:10] chair. >> No, I'm sorry. Health, Sanitation, and

[15:13] Coast Committee, Chairman Brown. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh,

[15:16] one thing for official action that's ordinance 1288, an ordinance of the

[15:21] burrow of emmus, Lehigh County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, vacating a

[15:24] portion of Perky Street and providing for severability and an effective date.

[15:30] Uh, Mr. Solicitor, have all the advertising and the uh, correct

[15:35] notifications been put out? >> Yes, sir, they have.

[15:38] » All right. Thank you, Mr. Solicitor. So then I'd like to if there's no other

[15:41] questions or anything I'd like to form a motion to go ahead and vacate.

[15:45] [clears throat] Motion by Councilman Brown. Is there a second?

[15:50] » Some second. >> Councilman Defrain.

[15:56] » Any discussion? Well, we had two hearings on it, so I

[15:59] think we had a lot of discussion already. So, this is a roll call vote.

[16:03] Councilman Defrain. I,

[16:07] » Councilman Baliot, >> I,

[16:11] » Councilwoman Brimm, >> I,

[16:12] » Councilman Brown, >> I,

[16:14] » Councilwoman Bookman, >> I,

[16:18] » Councilman Anders, >> I,

[16:19] » Councilman Leenberg, I, seven eyes. >> Say seven.

[16:24] » Seven. >> Stuck the landing there, Bren.

[16:28] Our next meeting is uh Tuesday, September

[16:32] 15th at 4:45 p.m. That meeting may be postponed

[16:37] uh due to a schedule conflict. So just I will get that confirmation out to

[16:43] everyone once it is uh confirmed with the the scheduling progress.

[16:48] » Thank you. Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman

[16:52] Anders. >> Yes. Thank you, sir. There is nothing

[16:55] for official action, although uh just a couple updates. Um I sent council um

[17:01] some photos of Lion's Playground, which is moving along uh very well. We are

[17:06] looking towards October for a completion andor ribbon cutting. Um date to be

[17:12] determined. Correct. >> You didn't send any photos of the

[17:14] install of the playground though. >> I did. It was just on the one.

[17:17] » Okay. >> It was on the first photo, but uh the

[17:21] they are moving along. Um, I stopped by there yesterday. Uh, the ball field and

[17:25] everything looks good and and equipment is going in as Mr. Pepe was just uh was

[17:31] alluding to. Um, can't wait to see the uh the rest of the equipment because

[17:36] there's some special things there that'll that'll really I think get the

[17:40] the neighborhood's attention. And it's a park that we've been uh working on for

[17:44] nearly 3 years and um a lot of planning grants were completed and again our

[17:52] public works is the one doing pretty much 99% of the work. Yeah. Um so kudos

[17:58] to them for fitting this in and going to bring it across the finishing line soon.

[18:04] Hopefully when we do that you all can come out for a ribbon cutting and uh

[18:08] we'll see that uh start to come to fruition. Uh the other one if if no one

[18:14] knew is uh or read it in the notes is we are looking to have a uh over at furnace

[18:20] stands some work done that um much needed work there. we uh put up

[18:25] some we'll be updating the bathrooms in there and then also um the pavilion's

[18:31] going to be built that we had planned for and budgeted for. Um and again,

[18:34] public works is doing that for us. Um our public works does a lot of things as

[18:40] we just heard, pave roads and everything else, but they're also our playground

[18:44] installers and pavers and just fabulous work there. Um, our next meeting is

[18:51] scheduled for September 17th at 4:45 and without a report progress. Thank you.

[18:57] Public safety Oh, did you want to say something?

[18:59] » Ribbon cutting in November. >> All right.

[19:03] » How dare you push it? >> Have a mural and everything else to do.

[19:07] » Public safety committee. Uh, Chairwoman Boopin.

[19:12] » Um, we had our last meeting. We have no was last meeting the microphone please.

[19:20] » Our last meeting um was on when was our last meeting

[19:29] in August but we had um already had the council meeting so I have nothing for um

[19:35] official action. Our next meeting is tomorrow September 9th at 9:00 am

[19:40] progress. >> Thank you. Uh general administration

[19:44] committee is myself. We have a few items here. We have the hiring of a police

[19:50] officer. The general administration committee interviewed Eric Vidal

[19:56] and is recommending him to to hire him.

[20:03] So, I guess I need somebody to make a motion to hire him.

[20:06] » Yeah. And if you could if you could >> name the conditions that we had

[20:10] recommended, if you if you could please. If you'd like, I can read what the

[20:14] formulation of the motion is for everybody. And then

[20:16] » No, I I looked in the there's nothing listed under the the tab. So I

[20:21] » Yeah, there there's notes in the action area, but go ahead.

[20:24] » I Mr. Mr. President, I believe the motion would be as follows. to hire Eric

[20:28] Vidal as an Ammasboro police officer contingent upon successful completion of

[20:32] a physical eye examination, psychological examination, successful

[20:36] completion of the MPEC Act 120 certification and a one-year

[20:41] probationary period is the formulation of the motion.

[20:43] » I would make that motion. >> All right. Motion by Councilman Anders.

[20:46] Is there a second? Councilman Brown. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I.

[20:53] I. >> Those opposed? There are seven eyes.

[21:01] Uh the general administration committee interviewed candidates for the full-time

[21:09] water sewer billing clerk. Uh we originally well I shouldn't say we Shane

[21:13] had originally 850 applicants which was weeded down to

[21:19] maybe what 20 25ish which was narrowed down to 10 for interviews actual

[21:25] interviews. We did we did 21 20 interviews.

[21:28] » 20 interviews and then uh the general administration interviewed three and

[21:34] then it was uh uh recommended by the by the committee to hire Lisa Wernern as

[21:42] the full-time water and sewer billing clerk. So, and that's a recommendation

[21:46] of general administration committee. Would somebody like to make a motion to

[21:50] approve that? >> Yeah. And before you do

[21:52] » contingent upon something? >> Yeah. Background is complete. Um, so it

[21:56] would simply be contingent upon successful completion of our

[21:58] probationary period. >> Okay. [snorts] So would somebody like to

[22:02] make that motion? Councilman Brown. Seconded by

[22:07] » Councilwoman Brem. Any discussion? All those in favor say I.

[22:11] » I. >> I. I.

[22:14] » Those opposed. There are seven eyes. Lastly, we have a request for uh a fee

[22:22] in lie of parking for 569-571

[22:27] Chestnut Street. The request request for the fee and loo is actually

[22:35] $1,500. And would somebody like to make a motion

[22:40] to approve that? Councilman Brown, is there a second?

[22:47] » Second. Councilwoman Bman. Um, discussion.

[22:54] I know why you're signing because you would like to see that as a yearly fee

[22:57] versus a once and done. And I I know that will be addressed in your

[23:01] committee. So, >> correct. It's on our list of things.

[23:03] » Yep. >> That's on the zoning ordinance update

[23:05] list. >> That's correct.

[23:06] » And so, whoever gets in now, they're lucky. So,

[23:10] » Exactly. >> All right. All those in favor say I.

[23:13] » I. I. >> I.

[23:15] » Those opposed. There are seven eyes's. Uh we had two sets of meeting notes with

[23:22] uh our next meeting being September 16th at 9 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. I report

[23:27] progress. Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Defrain.

[23:31] » Thank you. So we have an item for official action here. Resolution 2026-26

[23:38] resolv authorized payment of the September 8, 2026 bill list as follows.

[23:44] Bill list 1,967,2453.

[23:50] Payrolls number 17 and number 18, $437,49847.

[23:58] Payroll taxes $141,269.91

[24:02] for a total of $2,546,13.91

[24:09] done the 8th of September 2026. And I'll put that in the form of a motion. Motion

[24:14] by President Defrain. Is there a second? Councilman Brown. Any questions on the

[24:19] bill list? All those in favor say I. >> I.

[24:23] » I. >> Those opposed. There are seven eyes.

[24:27] » You can see the significant revenue and expenses for August and also the budget

[24:31] performance report through August. Uh and also two sets of uh meeting notes.

[24:37] Our next meeting is Wednesday, September 16th at 11:00 a.m. Progress.

[24:44] » Thank you. Community Relations, Planning and Development Committee, Chairwoman

[24:49] Brim. >> Uh, thank you. Nothing for action this

[24:52] evening. Our meeting notes are attached. Our next meeting is September 16th at

[24:56] 4:45 p.m. Progress. >> Thank you. You have uh three sets of uh

[25:03] either meeting minutes or notes from uh some of our organizations. We have

[25:09] personal appeals part two. There's no one here, but do we have anyone online

[25:13] to unmute?

[25:20] All right. If there's anyone online and you want to make a public appeal, just

[25:23] state your name and your address and what your appeal is.

[25:30] All right, hearing none, we'll move on to the burl manager report.

[25:35] » I have uh I have one item for you to vote on. Um Charles Wes has uh per the

[25:42] union contract, he has um completed the requirements to advance to a class 4 DPW

[25:49] uh employee. So therefore, I would recommend council votes to approve that

[25:54] per the requirements of the contract. >> All right. Is there a motion to approve

[25:58] that? Councilwoman Brown, seconded by Councilman Brown.

[26:06] Any discussion? >> All those in favor say I.

[26:09] » I. >> I.

[26:11] » I. >> Those opposed?

[26:14] There are seven eyes. Um, so [clears throat] my favorite time

[26:20] of the year has arrived. Uh, budget requests were

[26:25] due. Uh, yes, I made the department manager submit them by Labor Day at 9:00

[26:31] a.m. Uh, they were all done in time. Uh, we started our budget meetings with the

[26:37] departments today. I think I met with three different department managers

[26:40] today. Um, you will be given access to cleargov

[26:47] to uh if you want to get online and start to review, uh, I will give that to

[26:51] you later this week. Those of you that have never used clear gov, uh I can give

[26:56] you a crash course as to how to open it up and and look at things. Uh if you

[27:01] choose not to look at clear gov, I will be submitting your preliminary budget to

[27:06] you uh with um uh the budget message on October 12th

[27:14] um [clears throat and cough] by uh 11:59 since it's not a council night. Um

[27:21] otherwise uh if you have any questions please feel free to ask or I will report

[27:26] progress. Councilman Anders. >> Yes. Um for council if you're not aware

[27:30] that uh today is a special day besides us being here for council. Uh Mr. Pepe,

[27:36] it is his birthday. So I would request if you all would like to uh give him a

[27:40] quick sing along happy birthday here. >> I think we're good. Don't do that.

[27:43] » I think I think he deserves it. Um >> we'll let you sing it.

[27:47] » Uh no no no. It would just have to be Mr. Brown over there.

[27:51] » I would like you want to enjoy what they did to me on my birthday. Just walk

[27:54] downstairs. >> Oh, I saw the sign outside as I entered

[27:57] the building. It >> was very cruel. I turned 46 today.

[28:00] » Thank you, Mr. Pepe. Good luck. That's enough.

[28:02] » I still remembered you as a teenager. >> That was good enough. [laughter]

[28:06] » Well, we do wish you the best. We do wish you the best, sir. And uh I'd be

[28:10] remiss if I did not bring it up. >> Thanks, Roy.

[28:15] » Anything? >> No. to report progress.

[28:18] » All right. I have nothing on the president's business. I was going to

[28:20] wish him a birthday then. Happy birthday then, but Roy, you took that, you know,

[28:24] like two minutes before. Uh, we do not have an executive session this evening.

[28:29] » No executive session. >> All right. Ask for a motion to adjourn.

[28:35] Councilman Brown, second by Councilwoman Bman. All those in favor say I. I.

[28:41] » I. >> Those opposed. Seven eyes. Meeting

[28:44] adjourned. 6:35.

[28:48] Okay.

Council Meeting 09/08/2026

Transcript