Ebensburg

Pennsylvania

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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Agenda

Date: Monday, October 23, 2023 Time: 6:30 p. m.

Council Members & Mayor

  • Borough Council: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice-President), Jeffrey Ball, Theresa Jacoby, Dave Kuhar, Robert Miller, Michael Owatt
  • Mayor: Randy Datsko

Agenda Items

Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance

  • Standard opening procedures.

Public Comments

  • Members of the public are invited to comment on any item appearing on the agenda.

1. Consent Agenda

  • Items listed here are routine and will be acted upon by a single motion unless specific items are requested for separate discussion.
    • Item 6A: Approve report of Inframark for Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations.
    • Item 6B: Approve report of Inframark for Water Treatment Plant Operations.
    • Item 11E: Approve minutes of the September 25, 2023 regular monthly meeting.
    • Item 11F: Approve financial statement for September and quarterly transfers.
    • Item 11G: Approve payment of bills for October.
  • Recommended Action: Approve the consent agenda.

2. Appointments to Address Council

  • Standard item for appointments.

3. Consideration of Any Motion(s) to Amend Agenda

  • Standard item for agenda changes.

4. Mayor’s Report

  • Item 4A: Report on Police Department.

5. Council President Comments

  • Standard item for comments from the Council President.

6. Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Committee

  • Item 6A: Report from Inframark on Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations.
    • Recommended Action: Accept and approve report.
  • Item 6B: Report from Inframark on Water Treatment Plant Operations.
    • Recommended Action: Accept and approve report.
  • Item 6C: Operating Agreement between the Borough and Municipal Authority.
    • Current cost is $201,000/year; staff recommends a 10% increase to $221,100 annually due to increased costs. The rate has not changed since 2017.
    • Recommended Action: Approve Joint Resolution #2023-1 governing administrative support and increasing the rate to $221,100 annually.

7. Recreation Committee

  • Item 7A: Resolution #2023-11 authorizing submission of a grant through the Statewide Local Share Account Grant.
    • Borough will apply for a $50,000 grant for playground equipment at Memorial Field Playground.
    • Recommended Action: Approve Resolution #2023-11 authorizing the application and execution of required documents.

8. Street Committee

  • Item 8A: Sidewalk and Curbing Project 2023.
    • Bids awarded to CH & D Construction for $136,827. 88.
    • Start date changed to October 30, 2023; expected completion November 10, 2023.
    • Recommended Action: No action is required.
  • Item 8B: Pedestrian Crosswalk Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) for Julian and High Street.
    • Estimated construction cost is $50,000. Borough must provide financial commitment for construction and ongoing maintenance.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the Application and letter of commitment for RRFB construction on both sides of W. High Street at Julian Street.
  • Item 8C: Resolution #2023-12 authorizing submission of a grant through the Statewide Local Share Account Grant.
    • Borough will apply for a $50,000 grant for installation of two RRFBs at West High and Julian Streets.
    • Recommended Action: Approve Resolution #2023-12 authorizing the application and execution of required documents.

9. Administration Committee

  • Item 9A: 2024 Annual Budget.
    • Tentative 2023 budget compiled for review.
    • 2024 Operating Budget calls for revenues and expenditures of $6,881,360. General fund budget is balanced without a tax increase.
    • Budget Table:
      • General Fund: $2,529,760 (Revenues/Expenditures)
      • Water Fund: $2,181,600 (Revenues/Expenditures)
      • Wastewater Fund: $2,005,530 (Revenues/Expenditures)
      • Stormwater Fund: $230,500 (Revenues/Expenditures)
      • Total Operating Fund: $6,947,390 (Revenues/Expenditures)
    • General Fund budget reflects a 9. 1% increase over last year, primarily due to inflation, a new five-year garbage/recycling contract, and hiring an additional full-time police officer.
    • Water and Wastewater Fund budgets have minimal increase despite a new five-year contract with Inframark.
    • Recommended Action: Grant tentative approval to the 2024 annual budget and advertise for public inspection.

10. Diversity Committee

  • Standard committee item.

11. General Business

  • Item 11A: Ebensburg Municipal Airport.
    • RACRA requested an engineer to assess the existing hangar for rehabilitation feasibility. Initial review determined it could not be rehabilitated.
    • A second opinion from a structural engineer suggests the structure can be rehabilitated.
    • Meeting scheduled to discuss temporary measures to secure the structure in preparation for potential long-term repairs in 2024. Building will not be utilized prior to repairs.
    • Further evaluation needed concerning current location and ongoing use of fuel pumps.
    • Recommended Action: Dependent upon discussion.
  • Item 11B: Sale of a 2015 Ford Explorer.
    • Bids opened today; staff recommends sale to the highest bidder.
    • Recommended Action: Award the sale of the 2015 Ford Explorer to the highest bidder.
  • Item 11C: Lease for former Babcock Property.
    • Existing lease with Cambria County ends August 31, 2035. County requested extension until August 31, 2055 to insulate, heat, and connect water to their building.
    • Recommended Action: Award the revised lease with the county for a term of September 1, 2023 until August 31, 2055.
  • Item 11D: Legal Notice from Marcus & Mack.
    • Ms. Paula Teeter intends to commence a cause of action against the Borough for an accident allegedly occurring on July 19, 2023, near High and Center Streets. No police involvement or report exists. Information forwarded to insurance carrier.
    • Recommended Action: No Action Required.
  • Item 11E: Minutes of Previous Meeting(s).
    • Minutes of the September 25, 2023 regular meeting presented for review and approval.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the previous meetings.
  • Item 11F: Financial Statement and Quarterly Transfers.
    • Financial statement for September 2023 and third quarter transfers presented for approval.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the September 2023 financial statement and quarterly transfers.
  • Item 11G: Bills.
    • List of bills totaling $694,304. 06 for October 2023 submitted for approval.
    • Recommended Action: Approve payment of the bills as submitted.

12. Department Reports

  • Item 12A: Police Department. Chief Loughran submitted a written report on activities during the month.
  • Item 12B: Public Works Department. Director Josh Surkovich submitted a written report on activities during the month.
  • Item 12C: Community Development. Director Danea Koss submitted a written report on activities during the month.
  • Item 12D: Recreation Department. Director Dirk Johnson submitted a written report on activities during the month.
  • Item 12E: Codes Enforcement. A monthly codes enforcement report was forwarded to Council.
  • Item 12F: Ebensburg Municipal Authority. A copy of the minutes of the last municipal authority meeting is included in Council’s packet.
  • Item 12G: Ebensburg Planning Commission.
    • At their October 5, 2023 meeting, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Springer lot joiner for property at 618 Margaret Street from property obtained from 614 Margaret Street.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the Springer lot joiner at 618 Margaret Street.
  • Item 12H: Ebensburg Zoning Hearing Board.
    • A hearing was held on September 27, 2023, for a variance at the residence of Michale and Dawn Springer at 618 Margaret Street. Variance applied for rear and both side yard setbacks for fence construction. The Zoning Hearing Board approved the variance.
    • Recommended Action: No action required.

13. Media Comments/Questions

  • Representatives of the media are invited to comment and ask questions on any issues, whether or not on the agenda.

14. Public Comments

  • Members of the public are invited to comment on any issues, whether or not on the agenda.

15. Executive Session

  • Council will meet to discuss personnel matters.

16. Adjournment

  • Standard closing procedure.

Additional Information

  • Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure are available for public inspection the Thursday before each regularly scheduled meeting at the Borough office, located at 300 West High Street, Ebensburg, Pa.
  • Documents are also available for public inspection at the Borough office or at www. ebensburgpa. com.
  • In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special assistance is needed to participate in this meeting, please contact the Borough office (814) 472-8780 or eburg@ebensburgpa. com. Notification 48-hours before the meeting will enable the Borough to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility.
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