1 Minutes of the Council of the City of Easton, Pa. April 23, 2025 Easton, Pa. Wednesday April 23, 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; Joel Scheer, City Solicitor; Mark Lysynecky, Director ofFinance; Dave Hopkins, Director of] Public Works. At the beginning of the meeting there were 14+in attendance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion to approve the agenda was made by Mr. Pintabone and seconded by Mr. Brown 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 Mr. Brown to approve the April 9, 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 (7) Nays: (0) 2 PUBLIC COMMENT - Agenda Items Only There was no public comment at this time. CONSENT AGENDA The following items were approved on motion by Mr. Pintabone and seconded by Mrs. Sultana by the following vote: Resolution 62-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 123S. 3rd St Resolution 63-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 327 Spring Garden St Resolution 64-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 125. Spring Garden St. Resolution 65-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 28 N. 3rd St Resolution 66-2025 Approving a Certificate ofAppropriateness for 1 S. 3rdSt Resolution 67-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 42S. 3rdSt Resolution 68-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 237 FerrySt Resolution 69-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 100-116 Northampton St Resolution 70-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 210 Bushkill St Resolution 71-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for 129 Spring Garden St Resolution 72-2025 Approving a Certificate of Appropriateness for. 300 Larry Holmes Dr Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mayor Panto, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana (7) Nays: (0) REPORTS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL REPORTS OF COMMITTEES Ken Brown, Chairperson of Finance: At last nights Committee Meeting, Mr. Lysynecky presented first quarter financials Frank Pintabone, Chairperson of Economic Development: Easton DCED completed work on the CDBG draft budget for 2025, finalizing the plans in partnership with Lehigh Valley Chamber for the Second Annual Commercial Properties open house and familiarization tour to be held June 13th. Easton DCED also participated in Main Street's quarterly and outreach event. Interviewed candidates for summer internships focusing on business recruitment strategy and vacancy analysis, worked with Northampton County to plan and coordinate a meeting with local and federal legislators on federal funding concerns to be held in May. Worked with New Arts Center on technical review with codes and planning. Met with LVEDC to update current projects in the city, met with staff members from Senator McCormack and Representative McKenzie's office to discuss city priority projects and federal funding needs. 3 Two grants were closed out. One from EDCDI for the Centennial Park renovation for $200,000. And another GTRP for Vanderveer Park restoration for $100,000. There will be a dual grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for HousePlanted and Crepes at Casa in the Public Market this Friday the 25th at 5pm. Nature's Way Market 50th Anniversary, Saturday April 26th. There will be events and activities at the shop all day. Spring into Easton Saturday April 26, 12 to 4pm, Easton shopping and dining crawl. Tickets are available online. Ace Arts Tour, April 26 and 27, open galleries and shops with guest artists in the downtown area. Events are free. Stop at the Sigal Museum for a map with listings of galleries. Opening day ofl Easton Farmers Market, May 3, 9am to lpm. The 42nd Annual Historic Easton Tour is Saturday May 3, 10am to 4pm. Mesa Cinco de mayo celebration, is May 3 and 4th. Dueling Rivers Whiskey and Music Jam is Sunday May 4th Mr. Pintabone and Tony Fabrizzio an Easton resident, who goes by the name of the meat whisperer, will be hosting a Memorial Day barbeque at Scott Park. Free food for all first responders and vets May 24. Crystal Rose, Chairperson of Planning and Code: Recently joined the Safe Streets for All steering committee for the city. This was the second meeting where they received a safety analysis report from the consultants. There is a survey that is out, and the city has been publicizing which will close on May 315t. Mrs. Rose encouraged everyone to take the survey. This helps make roads safer and can pinpoint roads, intersections, and walkways that need improvement. There will be a popup at the Farmers Market ifi interested. Dr. Ruggles, Chairperson of Public Safety: No Report Jim Edinger, Chairperson of Public Works: No Report Taiba Sultana, Chairperson of Administration: Home Easton had items pending on the agenda until next meeting. Bills No. 55 and 56 being introduced tonight Report of the Mayor: Mayor Panto acknowledged some Lafayette students in attendance tonight. Last night at the committee meeting we had a presentation by Lafayette College students on the survey they did and got 1700 responses. The city used the survey to recruit new business for people in the radius want to see. Top ofthe list is a grocery store which we have been working on. Received a book from Mr. Chidsey's (former Mayor) great grandson. Mayor Panto spoke briefly about the book. Also at last night's committee meeting, budget update which looks good. Mr. Hopkins is present to give an update on the intersection of Third and Ferry Sts. which should be open by this weekend. Mayor Panto spoke briefly about the infrastructure update. Safe Streets for All grant Mrs. Rose spoke of will bring something to Council in the next couple months. We are looking to bring in the consultant for the waterfront design meeting in late May 4 or June to review their recommendations for the Lehigh and Delaware Waterfront. On May gth the city and county will meet to discuss federal problems and issues. The Hugh Moore Park Bridge project is scheduled for 2026 which will close the bridge crossing the Lehigh. No one will have access to Hugh Moore Park. The Easton DCED has been working with the federal government to try to release restrictions on the Fowler Center across the street from the post office. The Fowler Center has a deed restriction saying it had to be used for educational purposes for 30 years. We are currently at 20 years. Public works now has a sustainability director who is looking at LED streetlights and lighting in city hall that will save us money and get a return on investments. There will be a pool presentation sometime in June. The consultant will come in and give us an update. May 14 is the Officer of the Year luncheon. Council members who plan to attend should see Mr. Campos. June 6is the fire academy graduation. Heritage Day is being moved to Saturday. Mayor Panto spoke briefly about the previous Heritage Day committee. At the end of Mayor Panto's S report, Mrs. Sultana stated the Easter egg hunts were very successful. Report of City Solicitor: No Report Report of the City Administrator: regarding the stamp program. The Mayor received notice from DC the city received a $75,000 award towards the stamp program which is good with the budget the city planned. Regarding last night's Committee meeting, the administration decided to move forward with public financial management (PFM) as their consultant. Mr. Campos spoke briefly on the process of choosing this firm. Mr. Campos stated he sent an email out to council regarding the newsletter. He stated if anyone has any comments to get them back as soon as possible. Mr. Campos had a call with LVPC and the Mayor. They are requesting a details analysis on why changes were made to the proposed zoning ordinance. The Planning and Codes Department is working on this line by line. There is a sublease up for approval tonight for the neighborhood center to First commonwealth Federal Credit Union to have some office hours there and for financial education. Mr. Campos wanted to make sure council knew there are two sites on the city's webpage that discuss current projects. Some have to do with Parks which is very important. He asked Council to take a look at them and provide any feedback which would be great. CORRESPONDENCE n/a UNFINISHED BUSINESS Bill No. 53 (FAILED) An Ordinance adding one 15-minute parking space for drop offipick up at A-Z Convenience Store, 393 W. Berwick St. was DENIED on a motion by Mr. Pintabone seconded by Mrs. Sultana by the following vote: 5 Discussion: There was between council members regarding this resolution. Yeas:, > Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto (2) Nays: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger (5) ####### # Bill No. 54 (Ord. 5898)-An Ordinance Amending the 2025 ARPA Budget to include two additional accounts not originally included was approved/denied on a motion by Mr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger (7) Nays: None (0) NEW BUSINESS The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Authorizing Easton DCED to apply for PA Small Sewer and Water Grant The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Pintabone 58-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Dr. Ruggles seconded by Mr. Brown by the following vote: Yeas: Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone(7) Nays: None (0) t #T The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution. Approving. An Agreement with WK2 Engineers for design services along Knox Avenue and Cattell Street The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 59-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: 6 Yeas: Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose (7) Nays: None (0) The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution Approving a 6-month extension to the existing Developer Agreement with ANR VI, Inc. doe development at 40S. 6lh Street. The following Resolution was introduced by Mr. Edinger 60-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mr. Edinger seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Yeas: Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles (7) Nays: None (0) 1 # ti #f T 7 1 The next item on the Agenda is a Resolution Approving asub-lease between the Easton Area Neighborhood Center and First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union. The following Resolution was introduced by Mayor Panto 61-2025 The above Resolution was approved on motion by Mayor Panto seconded by Mr. Pintabone by the following vote: Yeas: Mayor Panto, Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana (7) Nays: None (0) Bill No. 55 - An Ordinance Approving a Permit Parking Program for residents living on Bushkill. Drive between N. 3rd Street and N. Delaware Drive and residents living on N. Delaware Drive in the vicinity of Bushkill Drive was introduced by Mr. Edinger and ordered processed for adoption. 7 Bill No. 56 - An Ordinance Approving an Encroachment. Agreement with 27 South Third Street Associates for the installation of handrails was introduced by Mr. Edinger and ordered processed for adoption. PUBLIC COMMENT - On any matter Artie Ravitz, Easton, Pa.: Presented Council with an idea for Valet Parking to reduce the parking problem in Easton (attached) Todd Nemura: Director of Blue Zones Project Cartina, College Hill: supports a Welcome City Ordinance John Pitts, Bethlehem, Pa.: checking on the Nesquehoning Memorial Park project Ronald Johnson 1537 Northampton St.: spoke in support of Welcome City Ordinance ADJOURNMENT With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04PM on the motion of Mr. Pintabone and Mr. Edinger. Yeas: Mr. Brown, Mr. Edinger, Mr. Pintabone, Mrs. Rose, Dr. Ruggles, Mrs. Sultana, Mayor Panto (7) Nays: None (0)