1July 24,2 2024  Minutes of the Council of the City of Easton, Pa.  July 24, - 2024  Easton, Pa. Wednesday July 24, 2024 6:00p.m.  City Council met in the stated session at the above date and time, in Council Chambers, located on1 the Third Floor ofCity Hall, 123 S. Third Street, to consider any business that may lawfully The invocation was given by Mayor Panto, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  be brought before the body.  ROLLCALL  Present: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor  Panto (7) Absent: (0)  Also Participating in the meeting were. Karen Roscioli, City Clerk; Luis Campos, City Administrator; Joel Scheer, City Solicitor; ChiefScalzo, David Hopkins, Chief Hennings and  members of the fire department  At the beginning oft the meeting there were 22+ in attendance  APPROVAL OF AGENDA  AI motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Pintabone Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr.  by the following vote:  Brown Nays: None (0)  ACTION ON THE MINUTES  Amotion was made by Dr. Ruggles and seconded by Mr. Edinger to approve the. July 10, 2024, Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr.  meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by the following vote.  Edinger Nays: None (0)    2July 24, 2024  PROMOTION IN FIRE DEPARTMENT  Mayor Panto thanked all the firefighters who came to the meeting this evening for their support Mayor Panto then administered the Oath of Office to Lieutenant Leicht. Mayor Panto stated that Joseph joined one of the finest professional fire departments in the city and country. Mayor Panto then thanked the family members in attendance stating they give up their son or husband to ChiefHennings then gave Council a brief background on Joseph Leicht'sl history with thel Easton Fire Department. ChiefHennings stated that the Lieutenant joined the department in 2016 after serving as a volunteer firefighter with the Nancy Run Volunteer fire department in Bethlehem. Joseph also served in the Marine Corp achieving the rank ofs sergeant which provided him with a leadership background. Joseph attended the Allentown Fire Academy 2016. Hei is a certified EMT, firefighter 1 and 2, fire officer 1, fire instructor 1, fire inspect 1 and 2. Joseph is currently assigned to the 2nd platoon, he was the initial commander at Lehigh St. fire on July 5, his 2nd  ofJoseph Leicht.  protect our residents to keep them safe.  night as Lieutenant.  Mr. Leight sworn in earlier, he was able to help at the Lehigh Street fire.  MAYORS SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM PRESENTATION  Mayor Panto introduced Grace Cooke. Grace states she is entering 12th grade, is home schooled She enjoyed touring the city but did not like the wastewater plant. Ifs she could change anything, she would add more solar panels to the parking garages. This would save energy. Lauren Laubach is 17 years old, lives in Palmer and is a senior at EAHS. Lauren joined the Mayor Youth camp because she is interested in local government. She had an amazing experience, learned the history of Easton and how it operates. If she could change one thing it would be to bring back the "Comfort Stations". This will allow a more comfortable and  and takes classes at Northampton Community College.  convenient experience in Easton.  Iliana Castillo is 16 years old and will be a junior at EAHS. She came to the camp through the Fe program and plans to become an immigration lawyer. Iliana states she learned how Easton has changed throughout the years, and it looks much better. Like others, she didn't like the wastewater plant. Iliana would change the ordinance about fireworks. Her ordinance would only Ali Carisch is16 years old lives in Switzerland. He joined through his aunt. He liked learning about the city but didn't like the wastewater plant. He would add more alternate modes of transportation, like buses, bikes, bike sharing, etc. and add more times the bus is used.  allow fireworks on the specific holidays from 6pm to 11pm.    3July24,2024  Mayor Panto asked him how often the buses come in Switzerland. Ali replied every 3 minutes. DJC Clark liked the youth camp but hated the wastewater plant. He was honored to be in summer camp. DJ would not build buildings or factories in animal habitats and wide-open spaces. This Sofia Fernandez is a junior at EAHS and came through the Fej program. She appreciates the opportunity to learn about the city. She has a problem with the school system which is separate from the city. One oft the problems shel has with the school system is vaping. She would like to stop that at the root. Require all persons under 40 years old to bei it'd. She said 19 states passed  takes away from the heart of mother nature.  smoke free zones. Would also like to pass something like that in Easton.  PUBLIC COMMENT- - Agenda Items Only  Paul Anthony 1967 Mark Twain Circle Bethlehem Pa. Is an electrician by trade. He and other trade people were in attendance. He said PLA is a great place to train and he supports that.  Mayor said he is appreciative ofl his efforts.  CONSENT AGENDA  Before the motion and vote were taken, Dr. Ruggles advised oft two mistakes in the minutes to be  corrected.  Mayor Panto spoke about the Hooper House briefly. domain resolution we passed. Mr. Clark replied, "No"  Drl Ruggles asked Mr. Clark ifl having a COA for Hooper House has any impact on the eminent The following items were approved on motion by Dr. Ruggles and seconded by Mr. Pintabone Resolution 126-2024 - Certificate of Appropriateness. for 208 Spring Garden Street Resolution 127-2024 - Certificate of Appropriateness, for. 327-31 Snyder Street Resolution 128-2924 Certificate ofAppropriateness, for 501-03 Northampton Street Resolution 129-2024 - Certificate of Appropriateness, for 43N. 5th Street Resolution 130-2024- - Certificate ofA Appropriateness for Billy's 's Diner 1238. 3rd Street Resolution 131-2024 - Certificate of Appropridteness for 123S. 3rd Street Resolution 132-2024 - Resolution Approving ppammemereppolminens to various ABC's Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs.  by the following vote:  Sultana (7) Nays: (0)    4July24,2024  REPORTS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL  n/a  REPORTS OF COMMITTEES  Mr. Brown, Chairperson of thel Finance Committee: has two items on agenda, Resolution with City of Easton with Keystone Collections Group and Resolution with Mr. Pintabone, Chairperson of Economic Development: this past Monday Mr. Pintabone invited Deputy Secretary Vilello to Easton. They, along with Mayor Panto, Economic Development members, Mr. Brown and Mr. Campos met and focused on Community Development. The meeting was about affordable housing, Workforce Tonight Bill No. 20 will be introduced. At Shiloh, there will be seven units that will be workforce housing. At the last meeting Mrs. Rose asked what the criteria would be in selecting. The initial screening Shiloh will do with Pal home loan bank to verify they are first time home buyer, applicant graduated from a certified home buying counseling course. They have to confirm the applicant is a current resident of Easton, obtain a pre- approval letter from the bank or mortgage lender. They must ensure the applicants income falls within the HUD income limits and understand and agree to the affordability Mr. Antony, we have the PLA letter C. Mr. Pintabone worked on and made updates with Mr. Campos, Mr. Scheer, Mr. Clark and the building and trades attorneys and came to this agreement fair for everyone. We will be the first city in the Lehigh Valley. Mrs. Rose, Chairperson of Planning and Code: Mrs. Rose attended the recent zoning meeting, many people in attendance. Variance approved for general merchandise for food  Keystone Collections for delinquent taxes.  housing.  terms of the program.  1213-15 Butler St. Planning meeting wed august 7. Community Connect system.  Dr. Ruggles, Chairperson of Public safety: introduced fire chiefto explain the new ChiefHennings used aj power-point presentation and explained how the system works and what a resident must do to assign up for the program. ChiefHennings and Ian Insley  simulated a live example ofhow the system works. Dr. Ruggles asked Chief Scalzo to give an update on fireworks.  Chief Scalzo stated there are many complaints about fireworks in the entire state. He  advised what the police can do.    5July2 24,2024  House bill 1257 regulates what can be used, distances etc. change in 2022 increased the Ifthey get a call, try to get to the area. Not allowed to go on private property. Ifthey catch someone, they give a summary citation with fines. Greater fines ifthey shoot off display fireworks. There are many challenges to try to enforce. This is aj problem all over the state. The city can put out an ordinance as long as it doesn'tconflict with the House  allowable possession. Rules of where to shoot fireworks.  Bill.  There was an additional discussion on the matter.  Mrs. Sultana, Chairperson of Administration: The board of Home Easton met on July 11th. The board is considering creating a landlord Ambassador, the annual training program. The program will be ai resource to Property Owners. This will help builda Report of the Mayor: The electric van arrived which will be used with LIDAR. We are Continue having problems at Bushkill Creek. People come from out oft town with food, coolers, grills and leave their trash behind. Forks township and Palmer are having the same problem. Along the mouth oft the Bushkill at Getters Island is becoming a problem. Two weeks ago, ittook 81 hours to clean up over 2 dump trucks full of garbage. Police Mayor Panto had a brief discussion on passenger rail and commuters to NYC. Mayor Panto spoke about his Youth Camp and how much it means to him. Nesquehoning Park was built on African American burial ground. Saturday at noon we will have a motorcycle cavalcade coming in (Buffalo Soldiers) from Allentown. Report of the City Solicitor: jokingly, Mr. Scheer stated, if you want to pass legislation and can't get the state to do anything, figure out who got in the legislation in our budget fori rodeo preemption. There is now legislation that was in our budget that prohibits municipalities from preventing this one particular Rodeo circuit from conducting rodeos in their municipality. Ifyou figure out how they did that you could radar snuck int the Report of the City Administrator: 1- sent out to council the timeline for the approval process for the Marquis. 2- what the city is doing toj prepare for the growth the city is Mayor Panto asked Assistant City Solicitor Jeremy Clark to update council on 4th Street Garage. Mr. Clark stated as per the contract with the general contractor, there isa mandatory mediation process. Wel have a mediator selected; we are picking a date for our first mediation to try to resolve all the outstanding issues without litigation.  relationship between the tenant landlord and the city of Easton.  looking for a grant for the evidence building.  officers are on duty.  budget whatever else, you want.  experiencing. We will postpone that meeting for now.    6July24,2024  CORRESPONDENCE  n/a  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  NEW BUSINESS  The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving agreement for Winter Traffic Services  with. PennDOT  The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger  133-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mr. Pintabone the Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr.  following vote: Brown (7) Nays: (0)  ###  The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving Proposal from Alfero Co. to complete  the N. 4th Street Garage  The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger  134-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mr. Pintabone the Yeas: Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mayor  following vote: Panto (7) Nays: (0)  ###  The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving negotiation and execution of Project Stabilization Agreements with the Greater Lehigh Valley Building and Construction Trades  Council    7July 24,2024  The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone  135-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mr. Edinger 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. Authorizing DCED to apply. for the State Department of Economic Development 's Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Grant  Program  The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone  136-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mrs. Rose 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 agreement between the City of Easton  and Keystone Collection Groupf for collecting Per Capita Taxes The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Brown  137-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Dr. Ruggles seconded by Mr. Pintabone the Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr.  following vote: Brown (7) Nays: (0)  ###    8July 24, 2024  The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving agreement between the City of Easton  and Keystone Collection Group. for collection of local services tax The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Brown  138-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Brown 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) ###  Bill No. 20 - An Ordinance approving change to Section 475-28, Connection Charges: Owner to  Pay was introduced by Mr. Edinger and ordered processed for adoption.  PUBLIC COMMENT- On any matter  Caswell Cook, 880 Cattell Street: Mr. Cook's daughter Grace was involved in the Mayor's Summer Youth Camp. Mr. Cook suggested getting an education flyer or program on fireworks. He also stated that Corporations are buying up residential buildings and renting them at higher prices than the area can afford. Can we control or limit the amount ofr residential property that is  Education would be great in the form ofa flyer to put into the utility bill.  owned or operated by a business. Mayor said rent control is needed.  Mr. Brown stated the city recreation department ran a six-week program for track and field. At the end of the program, they ended up with a track and field meet at Easton's new high school track. It was very successful. They started at 60 youth and ended on average with 45 students at Mr. Pintabone mentioned it's Mr. Brown's birthday today. Mr. Pintabone stated today is Dr.  three practices a week.  Ruggles and his wife's wedding anniversary.  ADJOURNMENT  With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02pm on a motion of] Dr. Ruggles 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)    e O S        -  a a        @    o  Cawley Ct  CawleyCt  Cawley Ct CawleyCt  N6thst  N6thst  N6thst  -  84    aG.  CawleyCt  CawleyC  X -  2E  z    Cawley Ct  awleyCt  Cawleyo  N6thst  N6thst    x  2E  N  2E  I  a    E  0 > >  -  a O  5  S I A  O / 2  5  S  3  DW  S Z O  C  - S I Y    S -  H S -