Lebanon City Council updates building codes, fills board vacancies

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Appointments to boards and commissions along with an update of ordinances governing buildings and property highlighted an unusually long agenda at the Monday, Oct. 27, monthly meeting of Lebanon City Council.

Council passed a comprehensive package of 11 related ordinances designed to bring the city into compliance with the 2018 Pennsylvania Construction Code, which in turn is based upon the 2018 International Building Code adopted by the commonwealth.

Among other areas, the new or amended ordinances cover fees, building maintenance, new construction, demolition, historic buildings, mechanical systems, plumbing, fuel gas and gas-fired appliances, energy conservation, fire and explosion hazards, carbon monoxide alarms, and utilities.

The ordinances were passed last month on first reading, meaning that they became effective with Monday’s vote.

In other business, Mayor Sherry Capello and council approved a number of appointments and re-appointments to city boards and commissions.

Aria Karmazin was reappointed chair of the city planning commission for a four-year term. Karmazin has served since 2014. The commission reviews and makes recommendations on land development and subdivision plans, updates the city’s comprehensive plan, and advises the mayor and council on matters related to zoning and land development.

Amanda Forteza was appointed to the city’s zoning hearing board, and Jose Torres was appointed as an alternate. Forteza will fill the unexpired term of Beckie Dreibelbis, who resigned.

Damian Foster was reappointed to the city’s Fire and Police Civil Service Commission, which conducts examinations of applicants for appointments as police officers and career firefighters.

November is budget month

Coming up with an annual city budget requires more work and special meetings for the mayor and council. For the fiscal year 2026 spending plan, the following budget-related meetings, all open to the public, have been set:

• Thursday, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m. – Budget hearing
• Monday, Nov. 10, 4:45 p.m. – Budget hearing
• Thursday, Nov. 13, 4:45 p.m. – Special council meeting to introduce the required ordinance adopting the FY 2026 budget
• Thursday, Nov. 20, 4:45 p.m. – Pre-council meeting
• Monday, Nov. 24, 6:30 p.m. – November council meeting

All budget-related meetings will be held in the City Hall multi-purpose room, 735 Cumberland St., first floor, Lebanon.

Dog park opening getting closer

Capello spoke briefly about a possible opening date of the new city dog park at Coleman Park.

The mayor said the park “is still under the control of the contractor. I believe there’s an inspection coming up soon.” Punch list items are still being addressed, she said.

“We’re waiting for the grass roots to further establish themselves. … What we’re considering doing is opening up for limited hours for the rest of this year, and that way we won’t turn it into a muddy mess … and then next year open it for regular hours.”

Capello said the annual fee for up to two dogs per owner will be $30 for city residents and $45 for non-city residents. Each additional dog will cost $10. She added that a day pass might be considered.

The dog park will be open to the public from dawn to dusk. All dogs will have to be registered and have a “paw pass,” licensed, leashed, and properly vaccinated and immunized, according to the mayor.

After discussion, council passed an ordinance on first reading establishing fees and park rules as outlined by the mayor.

Other business

In other city business:

• With the 2025 fiscal year 75% complete as of Sept. 30, Capello reported that city receipts and expenditures were at 94% and 70%, respectively, of budget projections.
• In a 4-to-1 vote, council passed an ordinance amending the public health code to regulate “special tobacco and e-cigarette establishments and hookah establishments.” State law already regulates the sale of such products to minors. The city ordinance adds a prohibition against unaccompanied minors being in such establishments. Councilman Sean Maguire cast the lone “no” vote, saying he thought the ordinance was superfluous.
• Director of administration/assistant to the mayor Melissa Quinones notified council that minimum pension plan contributions for 2026 will be $972,684 for police and $461,566 for firefighters. The amounts are based on a formula used by the Pennsylvania Auditor General.
• Quinones reported that the non-uniformed employees’ pension fund is overfunded, so no contribution for 2026 will be required.
• Council passed a resolution ratifying a labor contract between the city and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Workers covering 2026 through 2029. Base salaries for covered employees will increase 4%, 3.75%, 3.75%, and 4% each year. The bargaining unit consists of city garage employees, crossing guards, and code enforcement officers.

Next Lebanon City Council meetings

City Council’s next pre-council planning meeting will be on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 4:45 p.m. The next regular monthly council meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m.

Both meetings are open to the public and will be held in the City Hall multi-purpose room, 735 Cumberland St., first floor, Lebanon. Meetings are also streamed live on YouTube here.