1 Minutes of the Council of the City of Easton, Pa. March 26, 2025 Easton, Pa. Wednesday March 26, 2025 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 be brought before the body. The invocation was given by Mayor Panto, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL 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; Jeremy Clark, Assistant Solicitor; Dave Hopkins, Director of Public Works; John Kingsley, Director of Economic Development At the beginning of the meeting there were 24+ people in attendance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown Nays: None (0) ACTION ON THE MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Pintabone and seconded by Mrs. Rose to approve the March 12, 2025 meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by the following vote. Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger Nays: None (0) PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL: 2 Hologram ZOO Lehigh Valley is expected to open by July 2025. Mrs. Patel presented videos showing what al hologram ZOO is. All animals will be made out oflaser light. The animals look, act and sound real. This will be a walk among the animals to see them in their environment. Modular unit of three sections, a tunnel 62 feet long, two animal enclosures and a sky roofyou would go under. For the show you would go through the unit five times. You would wear your glasses. They are allowing three groups of up to 12 people in each group to go through each show. The content of the show will change quarterly. Three shows per quarter plus a special seasonal show. Each show will last 30 minutes. The cost of admission is $24.00/person, free admission for ages 3 and under. PUBLIC COMMENT - Agenda Items Only There was no public comment at this time. CONSENT AGENDA The following items were approved on motion by Dr. Ruggles and seconded by Mrs. Sultana by the following vote: Resolution approving a Certificate ofAppropriateness at 252 Spring Garden Street Resolution approving a Certificate ofAppropriateness at 212S. 5th Street Resolution approving a Certificate ofAppropriateness at 207-25 Church Street Resolution approving a Certificate of Appropriateness at 28 N. 3rd Street Resolution approving a Certificate ofA Appropriateness at 338. Spring Garden Street Resolution approving a Certificate ofAppropriateness at 428-30 Northampton Street Resolution approving a Certificate ofAppropriateness at 33 N. Sth Street Yeas: Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone (7) Nays: (0) REPORTS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL n/a REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 3 Mr. Brown, Chairperson of Finance: Unfinished business Bill 51 and under New business, Bill # 52 Mr. Pintabone, Chairperson of Economic Development: preparing to submit a grant application for 500k Pa DCNR to assist with property acquisition for the Hugh Moore Park project. Working with United Way and D&L National Heritage corridor to fund $12,000 for new amenities for Scott Park. Working with EMSI to coordinate workshops and tours for a visiting delegation of Wyoming based Main Street professors on April 4 who are visiting the city on their way to a National conference in Philadelphia the following week. Members of our Economic Development Committee attended the NC Council of governments meeting, the Lafayette Easton Area impact Committee meeting the Lehigh Valley 250 year planning session. They also met with the American Force to discuss USDA grant for tree planting, the West Ward Community initiative steering Committee meeting and participated in the Safe Streets For All focus group sessions. A couple weeks ago they met at Pioneer playground where there was some trouble. Since then they haven't had any problems. He spoke with Mel Rogers of South Side Civic who told him the kids are playing and not having any issues, no police activity. Mr. Pintabone states he received many calls regarding the marijuana decriminalization bill he brought two weeks ago, it will be back on the agenda May 21st (later corrected the date to May28). Mrs. Rose, Chairperson of Planning and Codes: Planning Commission being held next week, Wednesday April 2nd at 6:30pm. The Warehouse proposal is on the agenda. Mrs. Rose reached out to Mr. Tillman to ask ifhe connected with the developer. Mrs. Rose asked the Mayor and Mr. Campos ift they had an update. Mayor Panto stated the developer has agreed to everything the city has requested which may not be enough to stop the project. She stated we do expect the developer to be at the meeting. Mayor Panto further stated the developer hasn't received their HOP but will be there. Mrs. Rose encouraged everyone interested to attend the meeting on April 2 6:30pm in Council Chambers. Dr. Ruggles, Chairperson of Public Safety: Dr. Ruggles recounted to council ofhis experience last Saturday seeing smoke coming out oft the Lafayette Hotel. Having a professional fire department right there saved that building. The fire grew quickly, with in minutes flames coming out ofthe window. He complimented police officers prior to the Fire department getting there, and the Fire Department for getting there quickly. Congratulations on both departments. Mayor also thanked Greater Shiloh Church to create a place for the residents to stay for the evening. Also St. Lukes replaced everyone's meds. Mr. Edinger, Chairperson of Public Works: has five resolutions tonight 4 Mrs. Sultana, Chairperson of Administration: also thanked the fire department for doing an incredible job. Received a report from Mr. Campos the fire department took possession of the tiller truck. The next HOME Easton meeting is the 28th. Report of the Mayor: the Marquis will be occupied in May. First floor commercial spaces are rented. The downtown business environment is very good. Yesterday he attended Jim Toias event for high school kids. Mentioned Mark Lysynecky mother passed away. The mayor thanked his directors for their reports assisting with his State ofthe City. He also thanked Easton Band for being there. Report of the City Solicitor: no report Report of the City Administrator: Has the 2023 Draft Audit when Mr. Lysynecky returns, they will review, make adjustments and present to Council. Will submit the audit by the next Council meeting. Mayor Panto asked if he heard back from the USDA Forester Grant? Mr. Campos replied yes and released some but not all of the funds. No guarantee on anything. The tiller truck was delivered today, it's up on College Hill, they will have training coming up. Any council members who are interested, Mr. Campos can take them there. Mr. Campos discussed the fleet list. Mayor Panto then spoke about the Hotel Lafayette building and the fire. Mr. Campos also spoke about the fire. Regarding the Hotel Lafayette fire, Mr. Campos states he has been on conference calls with Red Cross who has been leading this effort of those displaced by the fire. Commended police department, fire department, codes department out there as well. Also wanted to acknowledge Deputy Fire Chief Chad Gruver. The school district came into play the first night, more than 20 individuals stayed at Paxinosa then Sunday morning Mr. Campos spoke with Pastor Davis who immediately contacted his team by the Red Cross with moving forward. Mayor interjected to thank Wilson Boro fire department for assisting with the fire. Mr. Pintabone asked after the Ferry St. fire we talked about putting something together for displaced people after a disaster. Mr. Pintabone stated the reason Pastor Phil was in on this early in the morning is because they woke Mr. Pintabone up at 10pm the night before, asking where can they go. Mr. Pintabone stated he had to make calls to get help. Mr. Pintabone further stated we need to have a direct contact for these types of emergencies. Mr. Campos responded that typically Red Cross comes in, we have an emergency coordinator, usually fire chief, in this case it was the Deputy Fire Chief. Mr. Campos further stated, the sequence of events would have lead to Shiloh Church or one ofthe other agencies. The Red Cross and our non-profits have taken the lead. There was a lengthy discussion CORRESPONDENCE UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5 Bill No. 50 (Ord. 5895)- A Ordinance Approving a five-year lease between the City of Easton and 28Fortune LLCd/bla Hologram Zoo Lehigh Vallely was approved on a motion by Mr. Pintabone, seconded by Mrs. Rose by the following vote: Discussion: Dr. Ruggles stated several months we passed a resolution, the solicitors would initial all contracts stated they have reviewed them. Mr. Clark stated there is no required to initial only review and Mr. Scheer reviewed and approved. Dr. Ruggles stated number 4 page 3 wondering option 3 is a subset of option 2 as he reads it. why are two options checked. Mr. Kingsley stated we can remove number 2 because number 3 is the one that counts. Also, number 6 (a) do not have listed there the older of the escrow. Mr. Clark stated this is a standard contract. If there is an agent you put the name there. Yeas: Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose (7) Nays: (0) Bill No. 51 (Ord. 5896)- An Ordinance detailing funds proposed by the 2025 Budget was approved on a motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Yeas Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, (7) Nays (0) NEW BUSINESS The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution Approving two appointments to the Civil Service Board The following Resolution was introduced by Mayor Panto 45-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mrs. Rose by the following vote: Discussion: Mayor Panto advised that Mr. Mauro is the former City Engineer and Mr. Hess is the former City Clerk. Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana (7) Nays (0) 6 The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution Approving a Developer. Agreement with Larry Holmes DriveAssociates. The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 46-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger 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) "t 4+ 1+ + 4 H H 4 +itt 1 The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving an Agreement with the YMCA for management services for the 2025 pool season The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 47-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mrs. Sultana by the following vote: Discussion: Mrs. Rose stated, last year when we were looking to get a better idea at each pool, how: many passholder and pay daily attendance. Have a better demographic. Can you request that from the Y. Mayor stated we can do that without having it in the contract. Yeas: Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger (7) Nays (0) ### H 44 The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution Approving a Grant Agreement with the D&L National Heritage Corridor The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 48-2025 7 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mr. Brown by the following vote: Discussion: Dr. Ruggles states it has a start date of 1/1/25, we are in March. Are we approving a backdated contract. Mr. Hopkins states that's how they do it, back date it. Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto (7) Nays (0) The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving an Agreement with JNS Excavating and Paving for installation of new sanitary sewer on Phillips Street The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 49-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mrs. Rose by the following vote: Discussion: Mayor mentioned this is an empty lot to build affordable housing. Yeas: Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, (7) Nays (0) The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving an Agreement with Gannett Fleming The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 50-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Discussion: Dr. Ruggles recalled we had a presentation on the basin at Cheston school. This project states they will survey and design. He remembers seeing a drawing ofthis. Mr. Hopkins stated the Cheston School parking lot BMP is now complete. In our pollution reduction plan we had a list oft roughly 20 to 25 potential locations and the green space that was created by moving this, they built the school in the place on the old green space then demoed, that green space is now the focus of another BMP. It's a separate BMP. 8 Yeas: Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose (7) Nays (0) The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Authorizing Easton DCED to apply for a Greenways Trails and Railways Program for the Hackett Park Bike Park The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone 51-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mrs. Rose by the following vote: Discussion: Dr. Ruggles asked if our match on this is it coming from the revenue offthe billboard? Mr. Hopkins no, the two sources one is from the Trek Foundation, awarded us $188,000 for the bike park, we also received a contribution from a private donor through the Lehigh Valley Community Fund for $90,000 Yeas: Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles (7) Nays (0) Bill No. 52 - An Ordinance Amending the 2025 Budget to re-appropriate funds to replace access and security systems in City Hall was introduced by Mr. Brown and ordered processed for adoption. PUBLIC COMMENT - On any matter Dave Brotzman, Philadelphia Rd., Mr. Brotzman brought to councils attending, the D&L trail from Hope Rd to Delaware River needs a lot of work. Also, the trees need trimming. Lastly, there used to be courtesy signs on the trail advising people to alert someone you coming up behind the. John Pitts, Bethlehem, Pa. Post Commander for Bethlehem Buffalo Soldiers. States he has been getting calls from Nesquehoning St individuals and stated we need to know when that project (Nesquehoning Memorial Park )is going to get started. When are they doing groundbreaking, heard from David, was going to be doing bids. Needs to know exactly what type oftimeline we have. If the city is going to do the program. Are you going to get the honor guard 9 or are the Buffalo Soldiers going to do it as they did last year. Ift the city is doing the program they want to know what you are doing. He wants to know exactly what role Buffalo Soldiers are going to play, this is not a Buffalo Soldier project, this is a Nesquehoning Street project. Mayor Panto stated it's planned for this year. We are still putting together the funding for it. The groundbreaking and dedication were already held last year. Mr. Pitts asked when there will be another committee meeting, states we haven't had one in a while. Mr. Brown stated we haven't had a meeting because we are in the funding portion. Two weeks ago, the director came to council along with Mr. Brown to report on the funding. There was further discussion on the Nesquehoning St. Park. Mel Rogers, 710 W. Berwick St., Mrs. Rogers brought an issue to council which was discussed in length. Ronald Johnson, Washington St., came to advocate for the City of Easton to adopt a Welcoming Ordinance. There was a lengthy discussion on a Welcoming Ordinance. Dominic Trabosci, South Fifth St., stated the Ordinance Mr. Johnson mentioned would not go against the federal government. We can't do everything to make this the beacon oflight for immigrants, the powers above us often prevent that from happening. Mr. Trabosci had a handout for council members. Amelia Conway, same sentiment that Ronald and Dom spoke about earlier. Lenore Beers, 32 N. Delaware Drive., came to council earlier. Brought to the attention of council consider adding parking restrictions in her neighborhood. 19 homes north of Bushkill. 24 spots to park their chars. Five people from downtown park by her residents for free. She spoke to Dave and they have a few options discussing, possibly what College Hill has done. Difficulty parking. Mayor Panto stated council will looking into some kind of parking program for the residents in that area. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40PM on a motion of Mrs. Sultana and Mr. Pintabone Yeas: Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger (7) Nays (0)