1  September11,2024  Minutes of the Council of the City of Easton, Pa.  September 11,2024  Easton, Pa. Wednesday September11,2024 6:00p.m.  The 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 The invocation was given by Mayor Panto, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  lawfully 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; Jeremy Clark; Assistant City Solicitor, Mark Lysynecky; Director of Finance, David Hopkins; Director of Public Works. At the beginning oft the meeting there were 26+ in the audience.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA  An motion to approve the agenda was made by Dr. Ruggles and seconded by Mr. Brown 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  A motion was made by Dr. Ruggles and seconded by Mr. Pintabone to approve the August 28, Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr.  2024, meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by the following vote.  Edinger Nays: None (0)    2  September11,2024  PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL:  (a) Proclamation from Governor'sottice, honoring Hispanic Heritage Month (attached); a. Olga Negron, Executive Director oft the Governor's Latino Commission-Spanisn b. Luis Campos, Vice Chair of Governor's Latino Commision-English Version  Version  (b) Active Transportation Plan: Presented by Traffic Planning & Design  PUBLIC COMMENT - Agenda Items Only  Scott Slingerland,1935 W Broad St, Bethlehem: served on committee for active transportation plan. Isi in support oft the Active Transportation Plan. Biking is fun and practical. Urging council to support the Plan. Hoping this will urge drivers to drive with care and slow down for cyclists. AJ Suero, Chair ofLehigh Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the Latino Amy Bo1008 Ferry St.: Ferry St example of the Active Transportation Plan. Likes the plan especially the traffic calming part of the plan. Would like pedestrian level lighting on. Ferry Art Ravitz, 144 church St; asked council toj publish a list oft the Latino businesses and restaurants  Wants everyone to appreciate the trails in Easton. community in LV, especially Easton.  Street. in Easton.  CONSENT AGENDA  n/a  REPORTS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL  n/a  REPORTS OF COMMITTEES  Mr. Brown, Chairperson of Finance Committee: Has two bills on the agenda tonight Bill 21  and Bill 22    3  September11,2024  Mr. Pintabone, Chairperson of Economic Development: Is working with Lehigh University small business development center to develop business education programming in the City of Easton. Are: in final discussion for office space to city designated staff toj provide direct support This week, a grant management portal rolled out to allow grant writing from DCED to all city departments and will be rolled out to non-profit partners also. The RDA began internal work on 824 Ferry St will include 4 1k square foot two bed units ofaffordable rental housing. Also included is one ADA accessible unit. DCED applied for two local share assessment grants to The. Active Transportation Plan was funded from $35,000 grant from PDC and Pa Dep ofHealth. Mr. Pintabone took a walking tour ofthe Marquis. They will begin renting in April. Attended a training course on how to engage the South Side and how tol bring projects there. The school district denied the previous request to open Cottingham stadium one day a week to West Ward residents. They will consider putting a walking trail ini the back of] Paxinosa school. Has been meeting with Valley Health Partners who are coming to South Side and Star Wellness. On October 14, he is bringing their buses to Easton. They will be in the west ward and south side; exact locations will be available at a later date. They are bringing medical and dental buses. Whether you have insurance or not. Some of the providers are Obgyn's, dental, vision, financial  to local businesses.  support SE quadrant downtown totaling $181,000.  services. Will launch ini the west ward October 14? DCED applied for micro grant and loan program.  Mrs. Rose, Chairperson of Planning and Code: Attended the Easton Planning Commission meeting. Two items were reviewed. The land development request for a planetarium at the Nurture Nature Center on Northampton Street was approved. And the warehouse project on 13th and Wood Ave. The request was tabled to see the outcome oft the Wilson Boro decision. The warehouse will be located primarily in Wilson Boro with as small percentage oft the property located in Easton. Wilson approved the project at their meeting Monday. The warehouse will affect the City of Easton. Thanked all the residents and council who attended the meeting.  Last night presented a proposal toi mail newsletters to residents. Dr. Ruggles, Chairperson of] Public Safety: No report Nature gave update on the Climate Action Plan.  Mr. Edinger, Chairperson of] Public Works: Met lats night Kate Simmons from Nurture Mrs. Sultana, Chairperson of Administration gave an update for Home Easton. They hired a landlord ambassador who will provide an annual training program to manage properties in the Report of the Mayor: Reminded everyone of the October 1 6pm budget presentation. Thanked the Council members who showed up at Scott Ransom Press Box ceremony. He also thanked the Mayor Panto advised everyone Mayor will not be here for the September 25 meeting.  City of Easton.  recreation department and Mr. Hopkins for a great job.    4  September 11, 2024  Was aj planning commission last and are concerned about it a warehouse where we don'tknow Mayor Panto continued to speak about the warehouse project and the impact it may have on the Mr. Scheer, City Solicitor: executive session prior to this meeting. Covered, personnel real Mr. Campos, City Administrator: delivered budget to the Mayor. Mayor and team will then At the next committee meeting there will be a workshop to go over the budget mechanics and Regarding the current budget, approaching budget for fire overtime, expect a budget amendment at the next council meeting. The charter requires for the City Administrator and Fnance  the final use. City of] Easton. estate and litigation.  work on the budget and present it to Council.  structure.  Director to inform council when they see an issue.  CORRESPONDENCE  n/a  UNFINISHED BUSINESS  Bill No. 21 (ORD. 5870) - Amending the 2024 City of Easton Revolving Capital Fund Budget Approved on a motion by Mr. Brown seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Before the vote was taken, Dr. Ruggles stated again, he would like an accounting of our Fund balance. He stated, we are voting to take money out oft the Fund balance, but he does not know  how much is there, how much we' ve taken out ofit over time. Mr. Lysynecky stated he believed we did that in the past.  Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs.  Sultana (7) Nays: (0)  Bill No. 22 (ORD. 5871) -4 Amending the 2024 City of Easton General Fund Budget Approved on a motion by Mr. Brown seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr.  Brown (7) Nays: (0)    5  September11,2024  NEW BUSINESS  (a) Bill No. 23 - An Ordinance Amending chapter 560, Vehicles and Traffic was introduced by The next item on the agenda, is a Resolution Designating September 15-October 15 as Hispanic  Mayor Salvatore J. Panto, Jr and ordered processed for adoption.  Heritage Month  The following Resolution was introduced by Mayor Salvatore J.J Panto, Jr  160-2024  The above Resolution was approved on motion by Dr. Ruggles seconded by Mr. Pintabone Before the vote was taken, Mr. Pintabone wanted to share an experience. he had with a resident. Mr. Pintabone posted a message on social media about the Resolution for Hispanic Heritage Month when a resident posted ai message that she is tired ofall Hispanics in Easton. She further stated we don'thave white restaurants any longer. This upset Mr. Pintabone and other residents who then stood up to that person defending the Hispanics, blacks and whites in Easton. Yeas: Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr.  by the following vote:  Edinger (7) Nays: (0)  Mr. Campos then reminded Council, there is a Hispanic Event in the West Ward later this week.  PUBLIC COMMENT = On any matter  Mr. Ravitz 144 Church. If planning comm doesn'tapprove, is the project not approved? Ifthe subdivision and land development are met there is no reason to deny.  Mr. Scheer states the commission has criterial to look at.  The commission immediately saw an issue especially after the LV: Planning Commission in their letter. He further stated the obvious missing item about the traffic is we didn't see what PenDOT Amy Boccadoro: thanked Mr. Pintabone and Mr. Brett for their efforts in the warehouse project. At the planning commission was very concerning, Wilson made to traffic which pushes traffic to 13th street ext. There was no allowance for anyone to speak. They were. hushed and dismissed. (Wilson meeting). Appreciate councils support on the project and their concerns.  did. There was a brief discussion.    6  September 11,2024  Andrea Rincon, business owner downtown: thanked officials and Mr. Campos for inviting here Mel Rogers, tractor trailer problem up tol Lincoln St., they take upi the entire corner. Had 3 chairs  tonight.  and 3 coolers to hold the spots.  ADJOURNMENT  With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm on motion of] Dr. Ruggles and Yeas: Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr.  Mr. Pintabone Pintabone (7) Nays: (0)    V0A2ONWBALE OE PENPHVABLA  PIRDOLADIATION  37 E  ERE MMI MMM MW WW  SFE  MW MI  WHEREAS, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and honor the significant contributions: and achievements of our Hispanic and American Latino communities in medicine, law, business, technology, civic engagement, government, and culture; and WHEREAS, American Latinos are the largest ethnic minority groupi in the country, counting 65 million, and thet fastest growing minority community in the WHEREAS, American Latinos have served with distinction in military conflicts since the Revolutionary War and continue to defend our country today as members of the Armed Forces. Thesel brave men and women bring us honor and we are WHEREAS, Hispanics and American Latinos' dedication to community is an integral part of Pennsylvania. They have made tremendous contributions to our WHEREAS, no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to, you have a placei in Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth is proud tol honor the history and contributions of Hispanics and American Latinos in THEREFORE, 1, Josh Shapiro, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,  Commonwealth, counting 1.1 million; and  grateful for their service and sacrifice; and  diverse society by sharing their culture and talents; and  our state and throughout the nation.  dol hereby proclaim September 15 - October 15,2024, tol be  HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH  inr recognition of Hispanics and American Latinos past and present in our Commonwcatklemcunse all Pennsylvanians to celebrate thisi important  observance.  GIVEN under my hand and the Seal of the Governor, at the City of Harrisburg, this tenth day of September two thousand twenty-four, the year of the Commonwealth the two hundred forty-ninth. &u Governor) Josh Shapiro    V0ONWBALE OE PEDPHLVABLA  PIDOLADIATZON  BITHE  EN E NUE  MMMM MIIN  MMMM MMI  POR CUANTO, ELI MESI DEI LAI HERENCIA HISPANA es una oportunidad para celebrar las ricas tradiciones culturales yl honrar las contribucionesy! los logros significativos de nuestras comunidades hispanas yl latinoamericanas en medicina, derecho, negocios, tecnologia, compromiso civico, gobiernoys cultura;y POR CUANTO, los latinoamericanos son el grupo minoritario étnico mas grande del los Estados Unidos, con 65 millones,! lac comunidad minoritaria que crece mas ràpido POR CUANTO, los latinoamericanos han servido con distincion en los conflictos militares desde La Guerra de lal Revoluciony: continuan a defender nuestro pais hoy en dia como miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas. Estos hombres y mujeres valientes nos traen honor y estamos agradecidos por su servicioys sacrificio;y POR CUANTO, lac dedicacion del los hispanos yl latinoamericanos. al la comunidad es una partei integral de Pennsylvania. Han hecho enormes contribuciones a nuestra sociedad diversa al compartir su culturay y talento;y POR CUANTO, noi importa como se vea, de donde venga, a quién ame, nia a quién ler rece, usted tiene unl lugar en! Pennsylvania y se enorgullece del honrar lal historiay yl las contribuciones del los ipamoayathoameranon en nuestro estadoy y ent toda lai nacion. POR1 TANTO,yo, Josh Shapiro, Gobernador de Pennsylvania, proclamo por la EL MES DE LA HERENCIA HISPANA  en Pennsylvania, con1 1.1 millones;y  presente el1 15 de septiembrel hasta el1 15 de octubre, 2024, como  en reconocimiento: al los! hispanosy! latinoamericanos pasados) y presentes en nuestro estado. Animo at todos los residentes del Pennsylvania a celebrar estai importante  observancia.  DADO por mi mano ys el Sello del Gobernador en la Ciudad del Harrisburg, hoy el décimo dia de septiembre del ano dos mil veinticuatro, el ario del Estado el ducentésimo cuadragésimo noveno. &u Governor) Josh Shapiro