Easton City Council Meeting – 02-12-25

Easton City Council meeting In which a new liquor license, an ordinance about Easton becoming a “Welcoming City”, a potential budget deficit, and the announcement of an ordinance introduction to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, and the creation of the Daniel E. Cohen Dog Park are discussed.

City of Easton, 6 pm

City Council Chambers, 3rd floor, Easton City Hall, 123 S. Third St, Easton, PA

Documented by: Laini Abraham
Posted on: Feb 14, 2025

man and a small black dog standing at a speaker's podium at a public meeting

Meeting Summary & Timestamps

CONTENTS

15:05

🔹 Meeting Start

  • 15:05 – Roll Call: Council members and mayor confirm attendance.
  • 15:28 – Public Hearing on Liquor License Transfer begins.

15:37

🍻 Liquor License Transfer Discussion

  • 15:37 – Attorney John Rogers introduces the liquor license transfer request for Square One gas station.
  • 16:31 – Plans for adding alcohol sales and seating for 30 are presented.
  • 18:51 – Security measures and ID verification for alcohol sales discussed.
  • 22:22 – Council expresses concerns about alcohol consumption near the store.
  • 24:32 – Amendment proposed to clarify zoning requirements for approval.
  • 26:28 – Confirmation of proper notice and advertising for the hearing.

29:47

📜 Easton City Council Business & Reports

  • 29:47 – Agenda Approval.
  • 31:08 – Economic Development Committee report highlights new grants and business projects.
  • 33:30 – Councilman Pintabone mentions that he plans to introduce a resolution to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in the city.
  • 34:07 – Planning & Zoning updates, including March 5 meeting on zoning changes.
  • 37:01 – Outdoor dining program updates and parking space concerns.
  • 42:04 – Budget and Finance update, including a $1.2 million budget gap for 2026.
  • 53:36 – Discussion on the STMP program (Strategic Management Planning Program) grant funding.

54:53

🇺🇸 Immigration & Sanctuary City Debate among Easton City Council members and Chief Scalzo

  • 54:53 – Police Chief addresses concerns over potential Sanctuary City status.
  • 1:06:00 – Council members debate Easton’s role as a welcoming city.
  • 1:12:26 – Concerns over adding an ordinance that may complicate policing efforts.

1:33:11

🏡 Eminent Domain & Rock Church Property Dispute

  • 1:33:11 – Rock Church Pastor Samuel Santos speaks against the city’s eminent domain action on the historic Hooper House and adjacent Timothy House.
  • 1:40:38 – City Solicitor Joel Scheer explains the eminent domain legal process.

1:24:46

🐶 Naming of the Daniel E. Cohen Dog Park

  • 1:24:46 – Resolution naming Scott Park’s dog park after Daniel E. Cohen.
  • 1:27:19 – Danny Cohen (accompanied by Quincy) thanks the council.

1:30:32

📢 Public Comments & Final Business

  • 1:30:32 – Resolution approving a bridge project at Hugh Moore Park.
  • 1:30:58 – Downtown resident Artie Ravitz shares a public comment about the live streams of Council meetings being difficult to hear*
  • 1:33:11 – Rock Church pastor Samuel Santos speaks against the city’s eminent domain action on the historic Hooper House and adjacent Timothy House.
  • 1:44:01 – Public announcement about the Old Mecca Cafe ribbon-cutting event.
  • 1:44:32 – Meeting adjourned.

Link to agenda:

https://easton-pa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02122025-567