Minutes of the Council of the City of Easton, Pa.  July 10,2024  Easton, Pa. Wednesday July 10, 2024 6:00p.m.  City Council met in the stated session at the above date and time, in Council Chambers, located on the Third Floor of City Hall, 123 S. Third Street, to consider any business that may lawfully The invocation was given by Mr. Brown in Mayor Panto'sabsence, followed by the Pledge of  be brought before the body.  Allegiance.  ROLLCALL  Present: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana*, Mayor  Panto** (7) Absent: (0)  *Arrived at 6:05 **Arrived at 7:00pm (funeral)  Also Participating ini the meeting were. Karen Roscioli, City. Clerk; Luis Campos, City Administrator; Joel Scheer, City Solicitor; Mark Lysynecky, Finance Director. At the beginning of the meeting there were 13+ people in the audience.  APPROVALOF AGENDA  Ar motion to approve the agenda was made by Dr. Ruggles and seconded by Mr. Pintabone  by the following vote: Nays: None (0)  Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mr. Brown (5)  ACTION ON THE MINUTES  Ar motion was made by Mr. Pintabone and seconded by Dr. Ruggles to approve the June 26, 2024, meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by the following vote. Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger (5)  Nays: None (0)    PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL:  Mr. Campos and Mr. Lysynecky gave a presentation to Council City Finances - Fiscal Discipline (slides from presentation attached). During the presentation Dr. Ruggles, Mr. Pintabone and Mrs. Rose had many questions. After the presentation there was a lengthy discussion.  PUBLIC COMMENT - Agenda Items Only  There was no public comment at this time.  CONSENT AGENDA  No items on the Consent Agenda.  REPORTS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL  Easton Fire Department Report for June 2024  REPORTS OF COMMITTEES  Mr. Brown, Chairperson oft the Finance Committee: No Report  Mr. Pintabone, Chairperson of Economic Development: Thel RDA acquired al home on Cooper St. on South Side. Thep plan passed, two singlet family home and re-sold toi income qualified families. The construction contracts havel been signed and we should break ground ati the end of this month. This past Monday Mr. Pintabone, Mr. Campos, Mayor Panto, RDA: and DCED, met with Secretary Siger to discuss business location opportunities in the city. Mr. Pintabone stated, are preparingr resource  development platform to allow other departments to submit requests.  We received a $500.00 grant LVI Delaware canal park furniture. We applied for $7500. 00grant on behalf of GP1 for garden works foundation. We closed four grants relatedi to' Wood Ave andi the pedestrian bridge Mr. Pintabone stated he, along with thel Mayor, Mr. Campos andl Mr. Scheer, looked at opening the Home Rule Charter. Wel have to decidei if we are going to doi ita and create ar resolution. Mr. Pintabone would liket to start having that discussion at the next committee meeting. Once we decide if we are going to make changes and what we are goingt to do we can either form a committee orv we can take it right to the! ballot. Mr. Pintabone asked other council members to start thinking about opening the charter. Mr. Pintabone stated his plani toi incentivize developers for affordable housing workforce housing. He stated he received some research from Bethlehem and what they are doing. Mr. Pintabone would like to  worth over $500,0001 total in close outs.  bring somei ideast forward tot the committee meeting next month.    Regarding police calls, Mr. Pintabone stated we got al lot of calls abouti fireworks ont the 4th of] July. He asked Mr. Campos for a report on! how many calls were received byt the police department for fireworks Mr. Campos stated he asked PDI how many calls they received, they stated six calls and no citations. Mr. Pintabone asked what constitutes a call. Mr. Campos did not know. Mr. Pintabone would tike Mr. Campos and Mr. Scheer along withi the Mayor to put an ordinance together where investors and builders cannot approach people to sell their homes while it's on fire. Thel homeowners are! beingi inundated on site! by  and what were ther results of those calls.  these people.  There was ab brief discussion regarding State laws andi fireworks. Council Chambers. There are nine requests oni the agenda.  Mrs. Rose, Chairperson of Planning and Code: Next zoning hearing meetingi is July 15 at 6pm in Dr. Ruggles, Chairperson of Public Safety: Met with the police andi fire chief this week about their reporting system. It'sa System where people who have special needs or situations at their business or residence. They can come in and register on1 the site. As an example, how many children or pets etc. Ifa call comes ini from their address, when the fire department is dispatched all the special situations come up. Thet fire fighters know all thei information. Chief Hennings will come to the next committee meeting and will have a demonstration at the next council meeting. Just finished 2nd day of training on Lidar system. Four officers participated and today they dida a scan processing the data. The scan they processed looks like a photograph. Did a crime scene scenario in the training room with shell casings and fake weapons. You can identify everything. Had a discussion about fireworks on the 4th of July. People talking about the activity. His grandson is doing summer worki in Public' Works and stated they spend all day! Monday cleaning upt the debris Mayor Panto stated wel have had trouble since the state legalized fireworks. The fire on11thand Mayor Panto spoke about the law andi fireworks. There was al brief discussion on thet topic of Mrs. Sultana, Chairperson of Administration: Mrs. Sultana had al brief update on1 the meeting tomorrow. They will discuss the landlord training program and RDA1 to create nonprofit. Mayor Panto will meet with staff and review and the badi from Heritage Day. Mayor Panto spoke Two bike lanes will bei implemented. One up College Ave replacing parking lane and the other up The cityj just added 38 metered spaces downtown. Switching parking software from park mobile the  Mr. Edinger, Chairperson of Public Works:  from thet fireworks.  Lehigh St was probably caused byf fireworks, we are stilli investigating.  fireworks amongst the council members.  Report of the Mayor: briefly about Heritage Day  Smith Ave.  IPS. Mayor explained how the new IPS app will work with meters.    Mr. campos stated this will not happen all at once, but gradually. Mrs. Rose asked with the prior app when the new app will take place.  Department of Community and Economic Development, working on: state assistance. Touredi the Deputy secretary of Community Affairs and Development, Rick Vilello, will be here next week. Will tour the Shiloh Commons, Phillips Street Project and different site of affordable housing. Mr. Pintabone interjected to correct the Mayor statingi its Work Force Housing no affordable  city.  housing.  Mayor Panto spoke briefly about thet topic of Work Force Housing.  Working with the small business association and Redevelopment Authority for1 the home program tol help people make a down payment and lower interest to buy al house. Mayor Panto also stated the administration is looking at putting together a package for Work Force Housing. They are looking at land banking and would like to change the ordinance. There was additional discussion on Mayor Panto and his wife attended a soft opening at the new restaurant on Ferry Street, Albanese. Mayor further stated when they begin work at one Centre Square, they will use the same Art Deco Route 611, penning letter to Governor Shapiro, Senator Boscola and Representative Freemen.  Work Force Housing with the Mayor and council members.  tiles as it looks now.  Regarding the right of way. Dr. Ruggles agreed, stating its very unsafe. The fees for non-resident pavilions and park rentals will be raised.  Blue: zones are currently Allentown and Bethlehem. Being funded by Lehigh Valley Health Network. Heathy eating, exercise, etc. We are looking tol have Blue Zone staff use ar room in City Hall. Mr. Campos told the council that Val Davis was holding art classes at Shiloh Church. The  Report of the CityA Administrator: No Report artwork will be framed and brought to City Hall. Report ofthe City Solicitor: No Report  CORRESPONDENCE UNFINISHED BUSINESS  No correspondence  Bill No. 19 (Ord. No. 5868 - Ordinance approving update to Parking Garage Fee Approved on ai motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mr. Edinger the following vote:    Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana  Mayor Panto (7)  Nays: (0)  NEW BUSINESS  The next item on the agenda is a Resolution Approving a New Client Agreement between the City  ofEaston and. IPS Group.  The following Resolution was introduced by Dr. Ruggles  Before the resolution was voted on, Mayor Panto asked Mr. Fares, IT manager, to explain the agreement council was about to vote on. There was a lengthy discussion involving Dr. Ruggles, Mr. Campos, Mayor Panto and Mrs. Rose expressing concerns about the terms of the agreement. Mr. Edinger stated he believes the Resolution should be tabled for a future meeting and more The above resolution was tabled on motion by Dr. Ruggles seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr.  information will be available.  following vote: Brown (7) Nays: (0)  ###  The next item on the agenda is a Resolution approving a temporary 15-minute parking meter  (No. S3-105) located at the entrance oft the Alpha Building. The following Resolution was introduced by Mayor Panto  Reso # 120-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mrs. Rose seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the Yeas: Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr.  following vote: Edinger (7) Nays: (0)  ###  The next item on the agenda is a Resolution supporting Easton Main Street Initiatives  application for GAMSA.    The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone  Reso # 121-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mrs. Rose the Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor  following vote: Panto (7) Nays: (0)  ###  The next item on the agenda is a Resolution approving two appointments to the Board of Health.  The following Resolution was introduced by Mayor Panto  Reso # 122-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mrs. Sultana seconded by Mr. Pintabone the Yeas: Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr.  following vote: Pintabone (7) Nays: (0)  ###  The next item on the agenda is a Resolution Approving Salary and Wage for City of Easton  Intern II  The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone  Reso # 123-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mrs. Rose seconded by Mr. Pintabone the Yeas: Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs.  following vote: Rose (7) Nays: (0)  ###    The next item on the agenda is a Resolution Approving Job Description for Intern II  The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone  Reso # 124-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mr. Brown the Yeas: Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr.  following vote: Ruggles (7) Nays: (0)  PUBLIC COMMENT - On any matter  There was no public comment.  ADJOURNMENT  With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:58pm on ai motion of Mr. Pintabone Yeas: Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr.  seconded by Mr. Edinger by the following vote:  Pintabone (7) Nays: (0)    Easton Fire Department Start Date: 06/01/2024- End Date: 06/30/2024 This Report was generated on 7/06/2024 09:20a am  EASTON FIREL #I INCIDENTS 1 5 1 1 25 2 7 12 1 8 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 3 10 3 2 1 1 1 1 5 1 4 1 10 1 1 1 27 9 2 7 3 1 1 3 20 9 2 203  Easton, PA  Incident Type 111-B Building fire 113-Cooking fire, confined to container 131-Passenger vehicle fire 142-Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire 311- Medical assist, assist EMS crew 320-E Emergency medicals servicei incident, other 321 EMS call, excluding vehicle accident withi injury 322- -Motor vehicle accident withi injuries 323- Motor vehicle/pedestrian: accident (MVI Ped) 324-Motor vehicle accident with noi injuries. 352-Extrication: of victim(s) from vehicle 353- Removal of victim(s) from stalled elevator 365-Watercraft rescue 411- Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill 412- Gas leak (naturalg gas or LPG) 424- Carbon monoxide incident 440- Electrical wiring/equipment problem, other 444- Power line down 444P- Phone Line Down 445- Arcing, shorted electrical equipment 451-6 Biological hazard, confirmed or suspected 463- Vehicle accident, general cleanup 522 Water or steam leak 542 Animal rescue 550-Public service assistance, other 551-Assist police or other governmental: agency 553-Publics service 561- -Unauthorized burning 611-0 Dispatched & canceled enr route 622- No incident found on arrival at dispatch address 631 Authorized controlled burning 651- Smoke scare, odor of smoke 671-HazMat release investigation w/no HazMat 700-False alarm ori false call, other 730- System malfunction, other 733-Smoke detector activation due tor malfunction 735-Alarm system sounded due to malfunction 736- CO detector activation duet to malfunction 740- Unintentional transmission of alarm, other 741- Sprinkler activation, not fire unintentional 743- Smoke detector activation, noi fire unintentional 744 Detector activation, not fire unintentional 745 Alarm system activation, not fire unintentional 813 Wind: storm, tornado/hurricane: assessment  TOTALI INCIDENTS:    Easton, PA  Fiscal Discipline - Staying the Course (2007-2023)    Presenters  Luis Campos, City Administrator Icampos@easton-pa.gov  Mark Lysynecky, Finance Director mlysynecky@easton-po.gov    Who We Are (or Where in the World is...)  Larry Holmes Heavyweight Champ  Winter Village  July8,1776    Presentation Timeline 2007-2025  ARPABubble  2011 Savings Policy Introduced  2025 Five Year Financial Plan  2021 ARPA a  2014139Fund Balance  2020 $5.5M Rev Short Fall Projected  2021 Sale of 185 S.Third  2006 Fund Balance=0.4%  2008 Home Rule Charter  2012 Tax  2020 Restructuring OfCity Debt "Scoopa and Toss"  "Commuter" 2018 Acquisition of  185 S.1 ThirdStreet $6.5M  2022 Sale of the Pine Street garage  2022Fund Balance=16%  Patience, collaboration, execution    Diversity of Revenue  2024 General Fund Budget - Sources of Revenue (SM)  BudgetCat Taxes Chagest for Service Interest &F Rents rterpovenmertal Miscelaneous Fines  5%  51%    Fiscal Actions 2008 - Home Rule Charter 2011 1- Savings Policy  General Fund balance 10% min, 15% target Healthcare Fund balance $3.5M target Insurance Fund balance $1.5M target 2012 - Commuter Earned Income Tax  Adopted under Act 205 to assist with funding outstanding pension liabilities    Historical Trends  MMO PENSION HISTORY ($M)  ORE  $9.0 $B.0 $7.0 $6.0 $5.0 $4.0 $3.5 2. $3.0 52.5 $2.3 $2.0 $1.7 $L7 $1.7 SLA 51.5 $1.5 $LS SL3 $11513 11 $1.0 sos as a5 $0.0 a3  $5.3  $1.9 $20  $03 as $0.3 $03 $04 $04 $04 $05  2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022    Historical Trends  GeneralFund Revenues(SM)  $40.0 $35.0 $300 525.0 520.0. $150 510.0 55.0  8 10 11213  15 38 V9S55 Taxes Chagesfersve inter-Govt Cther 10 '11 '12 '13 '14 15 '16 17 '18 '19 20 21 22  Balance $1.86 $1.89 $2.43 $2.54 $2.58 $2.92 $4.36 $4.54 $5.29 $5.58 $5.62 $5.21 $5.83 $6.01 $6.53 %oflev 7.3% 7.4% 8.9% 9.0% 9.2% 9.5% 13.2% 13.9% 15.3% 16.2% 16.0% 14.8% 19.3% 17.3% 18.0%    COVID Impact Projections  Acct#  Description  2020 Council Bud  FY2020- Fcst vs Bud ($) Fcst vs Bud (%)  COVID  101-0300-30110 CY- Real Estate Taxes $ 9,034,249 $ 8,769,564 $ (264,685) 101-1000-31010 Real Estate Transfer Tax $ 500,000 $ 302,369 $ (197,631) 101-1000-31035 Non-Res EIT (Pension Only $ 2,280.256 $ 1,768,831 S (511,426)  -2.93% 49.55% 67.16% -68.03% -39.53% -15.48% -22.43% 46.08% -62.07% -59.63% -16.61% -3.76% -3.37% -20.33% -15.14%  101-0300-31060 Admissions Tax 101-0300-31065 Mech/Amusement Devices $ 101-0300-31080 Business Privilege Tax 101-1000-31020 Eamed Income Tax 101-1000-35509 Casino Revenue 101-2021-33112 Police Parking Fines 101-2021-36321 Parking Meters 101-2021-36322 Parking Meters-Ccards  $ 485,000 $ 244,671 S (240,329) 80.000 S 26,271 $ (53,729) $ 695,000 $ 222,158 $ (472,842) $ 6,965,098 $ 5,886,567 $ (1.078,531) $ 1,150,000 $ 620,121 $ (529,879) $ 910,000 S 345,148 $ (564,852) $ 889,095 $ 358,898 $ (530,196) $ 458,743 S 382,544 $ (76,200)  101-5053-36430 Solid Waste Collections $ 3,325,000 $ 3,200,000 $ (125,000) 101-5059-36410 Sewer Charges/Metered Sal $ 5,569,538 S 5,381,938 $ (187,600) 101-5068-35806 Easton Parking Authority $ 1,198,693 $ 954,961 S (243,732)  Subtotal  33,540,673 $ 28,464,041 $ (5,076,632)    2020 Debt Restructure  SCAL CURRENTOS REFUNDEDA TOTAL AND TOTALO CASHFLOV 2020 $ 3,410,539 $ 814,490 $ (2.596,049) 2021 5.257.091 $ 4.041.319 $ (1.215.772) 2022 5.181.182 4,041.351 $ (1.139,831) 2023 5.141.337 4,434.066 2024 5.141,717 4.431.723 2025 5.142.499 4.436.548 2026 5.143.356 4,433.363 2027 5.144. 2028 5.143.928 4,433.987 2029 5.144,176 4.435.243 2030 5.144,263 4,436.180 2031 3.692.4 454 4.428.128 2032 116.261 4,428.724 2033 112.425 4,430.887 2034 113.389 4,428,618 2035 114,128 4,426.932 2036 114.643 4,430.603 2037 114.934 3.732.357 2038 2039 2040  VEAR  PARKINO os  MENT (707.271) (709,994) (711,797) (709,941) (708,933) (708,083) 735.674 4,312.463 4,318,462 4,315.229 4,312.805 4,315,961 3,617,424 3,729,158 3,728.222 3.732.220  10YrCash  CurrAvg/r NewAvg/r  (705.950) Flows Savings Period DS(SM) DS(SM) (709,994) $(10,623,615) 2020-2030 $5.20 $4.00  4,432.370  3.729.158 3.728.222 3.732.220  $59,372,487 $ 85,866,488 26,494,001    ARPA  Easton received $20.7M in Federal funding $10M allocated directly offset loss of revenues  Remaining $10.7M spent throughout the community through various programs  THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON    Economic Development  Int the last 17 Years the COE has created $1 Billion in economic growth and  activity leveraging $100M+ in public sector investment $460 Million in Private Investment since 2021:  Which will create an additional $3.25 Million in Taxes (RE, EIT, & BPT) Projects completed, under construction, and approved are expected to add more than 1,200 new residents to the City and approximately 670  jobs    The Marquis  Built n thelates 19605 the Ciyonginal Parking Garagewasat aE : asasal r S0oenE ase  Canterpeveloemant n 275 resdensal units ands 0000 SF atcommercal. etabspace angy WIERS marethan 00maring spaces Toral PgsStS epechadrabe $80M Constructionoft the project startedin: 2023  ersiruct  BERNARDON    The Confluence  A projeot ouared an Tha tarmen Davainmsitea atthecomer Peran Deomet sett to begin construction ont thep projecti in Q4:2024 Thgernsct illnciodes apergsmatev278 nidena nits  0p SFdretalll LErOMPN Total ornest PREESENO  os S ands Lami Hainess Gn    The Watermark  Sarvog - e canuns 1A5 fart me so orwrsusangls nianin vns thiypepat aansy en carstruco toniformeu To Mh duBanl maneerdens thatw will take advantage oft the OHpbautfusatont and mdlune. 55 padkingspanas Tatsrgactrory 3 ARCARROEBBRSSNA Phaselof construction beganin 022022 3as    1 Great Square Hotel  Perhaps the highest profile property) int the Southeast Quadrant of Centre Square, this deteriorating buildingi is proposedto! be redevelopedi for a new 7-story, 41 key hotel and conference facility. Thep property willa alsol host two restaurants. The City has beent trying toa attract ana additional full-servicel hotel int the downtowni tos support growing demand. This property IS Total project cost isp projectedt to be approximately. $25 million and thei investment is expectedt to create 30F FTEJ jobs. Current Assessment: - $200,000 and constructioniss set tob begini in midt to  well-suitedt toi this use.  111  AITITIE  late 2024.    Moving Forward  Transition out of the "ARPA bubble"  4 Zero dependency on revenue replacement  Reporting & Planning Monthly results reporting Annual budget 2-year budget Capital Improvement Plan  Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP)  Grant funding from the Commonwealth to help create multi-year financial  management plans: Manage to 2037 5Year Financial Projections    Questions?