Alisher Aminov
LEBANON, Pa. — The Lebanon City Council met Monday to appoint a new Emergency Management Coordinator, fill an unexpired term to the Board of Health, pass an amending resolution, and vote on three bills on final reading.
The Lebanon City Council met Monday to review a short agenda consisting of two communications items, one resolution, and three bills voted for on final reading.
Mayor Sherry Capello informed the Council of her recommendation that the recently retired and current Chairperson of the City Council, Joe Morales, be appointed as the City of Lebanon’s Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC). Morales recently retired as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services and has offered to fill the position on a volunteer basis.
Mayor Capello stressed the importance of this position. She said it is vital that the City refrain from using their fire or police chiefs as the EMC because it would conflict with their other duties during an emergency.
Morales has agreed to step into the job on a volunteer basis to keep his elected position on the City Council. It is illegal for a Councilperson to receive additional compensation from the governmental body to which they have been elected.
Mayor Capello said that the City had not had an EMC for several years after the departure of Richard Kuhner from the position.
Mayor Capello also informed the Council of her appointment of Cheryl Feeman to the Board of Health to fill the unexpired term of Sandra Melusky, effective January 18, 2023.
Mayor Capello said that Melusky, a retired nurse, had occupied the position on the board for 14 years and chose to step down for personal reasons. During her retirement from the post, Meluskey recommended that Feeman, also a retired nurse, assume the position after her.
In other business:
The City Council reviewed and voted on Res.31, which amended bill No. 5 of the 2022-2023 legislative session, which was the proposed 2023 fiscal budget. The amendment is to fix a line of expenditures that was misaligned in the budget.
Mayor Capello stressed that the budget copy presented to the Council and the public was correct. This was simply a typographical error.
The Council also reviewed bill No. 8 on final reading. This bill will allow the City of Lebanon to rent various areas in the City Hall for public and private use.
The Council also reviewed bill No. 9 on final reading. This bill will allow the City to establish two new monthly rental parking lots on 10th and Water and CNL & Gannon. The City is currently not charging for parking in these areas but would like to do so in the future.
Additionally, the Council reviewed bill No. 10 on final reading. This bill is to authorize the adoption and execution of the Second Amendment to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement entered into by Annville Township, City of Lebanon, Cleona Borough Authority, North Cornwall Township, North Lebanon Township, and South Lebanon Township.
This agreement is specifically regarding the Lebanon Area Regional Pollution Reduction Plan, which includes the annual stormwater drain fee – for more information, click here.
The next Pre-City Council meeting will be on February 23 at 4:45 PM, and the City Council meeting will be on February 27 at 6:30 in the Frank Dixon Council Chamber at 735 Cumberland St. All are welcome to attend.
Author: Amaury Abreu
