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Emmaus Borough Council approves parking changes, a 0% loan for radios, releases developer funds and authorizes payments
Summary
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Emmaus Borough Council approved several routine and substantive measures including disabled-parking ordinances, a 0% five-year loan for county radios, release of escrowed developer funds and the August bill list; council also approved a planning resolution for a PFAS treatment facility.
Emmaus Borough Council on Aug. 18 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and administrative items, including two disabled-parking measures, a zero-percent five-year loan for county radios, release of developer escrow funds for the Emmaus Commerce Center area and the borough's bill list for Aug. 18.
The actions were taken during the council's regular meeting at which several items required roll-call votes and others passed by voice. Council approved second readings for Ordinance 12-80 (disabled parking signage adjustments) and Ordinance 12-81 (a principal debt at 0% interest for five years for county radios). Council also approved, on first reading, Ordinance 12-82 (changes to reserved/public disabled parking spaces at 572 Jubilee Street and 902 Evergreen Street), setting a second reading for the council's second meeting in September.
Other approved items included Resolution 20-25-23, a plan revision needed for state review of the Waterworks PFAS treatment facility; a motion to release remaining escrowed public-improvement funds tied to the Emmaus Commerce Center (Broad and Tenth Street/American Millworks area); the Emmaus Rotary Summer Festival date for June 6 next year; and the bill list and payroll authorizations for Aug. 18, 2025.
Council voting details recorded in the minutes show six affirmative votes on roll-call items where indicated. The bill list presented as Resolution 20-25-24 named the bill list total of $1,191,050.67, payrolls (numbers 15 and 16) and payroll taxes of $135,953.54, with the packet text listing a combined total of $1,755,959 for the Aug. 18, 2025 payments.
The vote on Resolution 20-25-23, the planning revision for the PFAS treatment facility, followed a brief explanation from borough staff that the resolution is required by the municipality's subdivision and land-development rules to allow a planning module submission to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Several items were procedural or routine and had little or no debate. The meeting also included public comment and committee reports not requiring council action.
Votes at a glance - Minutes, July 21 meeting: Approved (motion by Brent Leibenberg; voice vote). - Emmaus Rotary Summer Festival (date firmed for June 6 next year): Approved (motion; voice vote, 6 ayes recorded). - Ordinance 12-80 (second reading; disabled parking signage adjustments): Approved (roll-call, 6 ayes). - Ordinance 12-81 (second reading; 0% interest principal debt for five years related to county radios): Approved (roll-call, 6 ayes). - Ordinance 12-82 (first reading; remove reserved disabled parking at 572 Jubilee St.; change reserved to public disabled parking at 902 Evergreen St.): First reading approved; second reading scheduled for second meeting in September (voice/roll-call as recorded, 6 ayes on first reading). - Resolution 20-25-23 (plan revision to permit submission of the planning module for Waterworks PFAS treatment facility): Approved (motion; voice vote). - Release of escrowed public-improvement funds for Emmaus Commerce Center (Broad & Tenth/American Millworks area): Approved (motion; voice vote, 6 ayes recorded). The packet noted some funds (approximately $30,000) remain for final professional services or outstanding items. - Resolution 20-25-24 (authorize payment of Aug. 18 bill list and payroll): Approved (motion; voice vote, 6 ayes recorded). Packet line items: bill list $1,191,050.67; payrolls numbers 15 and 16; payroll taxes $135,953.54; packet-listed total $1,755,959 dated 08/18/2025.
What the votes do and next steps - Ordinances passed on second reading are effective per borough rules following adoption; the council set a second reading for Ordinance 12-82 in September. The resolution for the PFAS planning revision allows the borough to submit a planning module to DEP as part of the Waterworks PFAS treatment facility permitting process. - The release of escrowed improvement funds follows recommendations from the borough engineer and solicitor and represents acceptance of required public improvements for the referenced development area; remaining escrowed amounts were identified for final professional-inspection or legal wrap-up.
No formal dissent or recorded amendments accompanied the items noted in the minutes.
Ending: Council adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
