Board Meeting: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Larry Delhagen, Scott Cope, Kate Hart Zayaitz, Brian Duvall, Tom Capehart, Jeff McElhaney, Francee Fuller, Kristen Campbell, Bryce Ruggieri, Christina Price, Robert Glisson, Marian Magee, and Michele McGrath

Welcome – Jeff McElhaney November Minutes Approval (Emailed) - Motion made by Bryce Ruggieri. Seconded by Kate Hart Zayaitz. All in

favor. None opposed. December Finance Report Approval – Kate Hart Zayaitz

o The actual budget through 12/31/19 is $3904.58. Our goal for that time is $1500 so we are in great shape considering our total budget is $5000.

o The Holiday Luncheon brought in $1046 for our scholarship fund bringing the total to $4269.50. Municipal Reports

o Alburtis - Sharon Trexler As required, the Borough of Alburtis held their reorganization meeting on Monday, January 6 th.

There was one change within Council. Sherryann Oels did not run for re-election and John Aleszczyk was voted back into office. Mayor Kathleen Palmer swore in Vanessa Taggart, John Aleszczyk, Stephen Kaufman and Ron DeIaco to four year terms. Ron DeIaco remains as Council President, Steve Hill remains as Vice President and Kathleen Raines as 2nd Vice President.

Contractors have begun the sewer line dig and replace project on Quarry Road and will continue to Front Street and then to Franklin Street. The project consists of replacing 1,300 linear ft. of sewer pipe, 10 manholes and 250 ft installation of sanitary sewer force main

o Emmaus – Teri Sorg –McManamon – no reporto Macungie – Robert Glisson

Chris Boehm retired at the end of 2019 and Robert started December 16 to begin taking over for Chris. He is retired from the Marines and has a son in the Marines as well. He has a long background in municipal experience.

The borough’s streetscape program is continuing with the second and third phases which include new streetlights. The first phase was the installation of bump-outs with decorative plantings.

There have been preliminary inquiries for high-density housing within a portion of the Brookside Golf Course. The space is zoned for low-density by right. However, a proposed sketch plan contains a mix of single and townhomes of approximately 90 homes. In order to achieve this a developer must get a Special Exception through the Zoning Hearing Board.

o Lower Macungie – Bruce Beitel – no reporto Upper Milford –Edward Carter – no reporto Lehigh County – Virginia Haas

The 2020 Census is coming quickly! Some important dates to note are March 12 when postcards will start to arrive, as invitations to respond. You can also take the census online 2020census.gov then reminders will follow the end of March and April.

April 1 is the official Census Day! In June and July Census takers will go door-to-door to those who have not responded online or

via email. July 31st is the last day to complete the count. Please continue to help spread the word on how important it is to completethe forms! It is

estimated that every person represents approximately $2093 so it’s very important we get people counted!

Community Reports o Lehigh County Authority – Liesel Gross – no reporto East Penn School District –Kristen Campbell

The board is in very preliminary steps for the budget process for 2021. They’ve passed a resolution not to exceed the index of 3%. It’s challenging because they’re continually looking to grow and develop their programs and therefore students but the challenge is to stay within the index.

There are multiple groups looking into later start time for high school and middle school students. The current schedule of nine 42 minutes periods was first developed in the 1960s and hasn’t really changed since then. There has been a survey administered to students, parents, and teachers to gauge priorities and values as it relates to the school day/schedule. So far the primary values are relationships and flexibility.

Recently 300 Eyer Middle School students participated in ROCKathon. It’s a fundraiser for Justin W. Jennings Foundation which provides a vacation home for families who have someone going through cancer treatment. They raised $27,000.

The High School will be doing Hello Dolly from March 18 through March 22. The district is welcoming new students for Kindergarten registration on March 23. Please share

this information with parents as the date seems to sneak up on people quickly! The board approved property on North St that had been owned by Phoebe then Wesley Works.

It’s 34,000 sq ft adjacent to Jefferson Elementary, which adds to the flexibility of parking to avoid the necessity of street parking.

o Wildlands Conservancy – Scott Cope Applications are available for seasonal positions and internships. They’d like to emphasize

diversifying their workforce and would encourage your help in doing so.o Emmaus Main Street Partners

SnowBlast is this weekend Saturday February 1 from 12-5pm on the Triangle. It’s hosted by Emmaus Arts Commission and Emmaus Main Street Partners works the Beverage Bar where we will be selling Funk and Yergey beers and a mixed drink from Triple Sun Spirits.

Soup Crawl | Saturday February 29 | 12-4pm | $15 presale and $20 day of Lucky Bucks Bingo with Emmaus Historical Society | Sunday March 15 | 2-5pm | $25/tickets We have the opportunity to go on WDIY again and Teri Sorg-McManamon will be the guest!

Committee Reports o Programs / Events

Holiday Luncheon recap Everyone really enjoyed the holiday luncheon and appreciated that the raffle

went quickly since many people have things to do before the holidays. Tentative February District Attorney Luncheon at Legend of Allentown March 18 – Community Policing at Parkland Manor April 15 – Smooth-On May – Grow with Google? June – Dorney Park reschedule?

o Membership – Marian Magee Marian is looking for someone to serve as her co-chair

o Scholarship – Kate Hart- Zayaitz

The counseling office sent some correspondence recently in an effort to transfer things to digital efforts. We will meet in April to decide the winners and do the presentations. Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported the fundraisers.

o Restaurant Week – Larry Delhagen We are behind in terms of getting restaurants signed up but we aren’t worried. We are going to

have our kickoff event at Yergey Brewing.

Chamber Reports o Public Policy - Michele McGrath

There is amendment on 5G legislation now. They are setting rules on how municipalities work with AT&T and Verizon. The House bill is financially in favor of the provider and therefore the local, small municipalities are a bit upset.

o Board of Governors – Jeff McElhaney There is no Board of Governors meeting in January since Economic Outlook is Tuesday January

28. Snow Ball gala is coming up on Saturday February 8 to raise funds for Pediatric Cancer

Foundation for the Lehigh Valley. We are going to adopt a weather policy that if the East Penn School District is on a two-hour

delay or school is cancelled, we will also cancel our meetings. Ashley will send an email but you can also check on WFMZ.

o Chamber Liaison Report – Ashley Lorah President’s Roundtable with Rich Thompson of Factory LLC | Wednesday February 12 | 11:30-

1pm President’s Roundtable with Dr Brian Nester of LVHN | Wednesday February 19 | 11:30-1pm Sales Summit Part III by Ambassadors Council | Friday February 21 | 11:30-1pm Winter Manufacturing Summit | Thursday February 27 | 3:45-6pm

New/Old BusinessAdjourn Next Meeting: Tuesday February 25 @ Lower Macungie Community Center