Ebensburg

Pennsylvania

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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Agenda

Date: Monday, November 21, 2022 Time: 6:30 p. m.

Borough Leadership

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

Agenda Items

1. Consent Agenda The following routine items will be acted upon by a single motion unless a council member requests separate discussion:

  • Item 6A & 6B: Approve reports from Inframark regarding Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operations.
  • Item 11D: Approve minutes from the October 24, 2022 regular meeting.
  • Item 11E: Approve the financial statement for October and quarterly transfers.
  • Item 11F: Approve payment of bills for November.

2. Appointments to Address Council

  • Public opportunity to speak on appointments.

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

4. Mayor’s Report

  • Item 4A: Report on the Police Department.

5. Council President Comments

6. Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Committee (Ball, Kuhar & Miller)

  • Item 6A: Accept and approve the Inframark report on Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations.
  • Item 6B: Accept and approve the Inframark report on Water Treatment Plant Operations.
  • Item 6C: High Street Water Line Replacement Project Update. Work began June 20, 2022, with substantial completion by September 29, 2022. Final completion is now expected by May 2023 to allow trench areas to settle. No action required.

7. Recreation Committee (Jacoby, Miller & Owatt)

8. Street Committee (Ball, Houser & Owatt)

9. Administration Committee (Houser, Jacoby & Kuhar)

  • Item 9A: AFSCME Labor Agreement
    • A tentative agreement has been reached. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at the end of 2022.
    • Key Terms:
      • Wage increases of 4%, 2. 5%, 3%, and 2. 5% over four years (Laborer I position increased to $22. 24/hr for 2023).
      • Uniform allowance increased from $500 to $600.
      • Dental coverage increased from $400 to $500.
      • Dependent health coverage reinstated for employees.
      • Employees hired after 1-1-2023 will join a Defined Contribution Plan instead of the Defined Benefit Plan.
      • Sick time accumulation capped at 120 days; retirement/disability payout increased to 90 days of pay ($40/day).
    • Recommended Action: Approve the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement for 2023-2026.
  • Item 9B: 2023 Annual Budget
    • The administrative committee has compiled a tentative budget for review.
    • Financial Overview:
      • Total Operating Fund Revenues and Expenditures: $6,673,705.
      • General Fund Budget reflects a 16. 5% increase over last year, primarily due to higher wages, benefits, and inflation.
      • Water Fund Budget increased by 13. 85% due to personnel costs and inflation.
      • Wastewater Fund Budget increased by 4. 4%.
    • Recommended Action: Grant tentative approval to the 2023 annual budget and advertise for public inspection.
  • Item 9C: Ordinance #665 Regarding 2023 Taxes
    • The Borough must pass an ordinance if the tax rate is increased.
    • Proposed Rates:
      • General purposes: 36. 75 mills for land, 11. 75 mills for improvements.
      • Stormwater management: 2. 5 mills for land.
      • Overall average tax rate: 16. 75 mills.
    • Recommended Action: Grant tentative approval to Ordinance #665 establishing the tax rate.
  • Item 9D: Salary Resolution
    • Establishes wages for borough employees for 2023.
    • AFSCME and FOP wages increase per labor contracts; non-union employees receive the same adjustment.
    • Office staff salaries recommended to increase to $18. 00 per hour to match regional averages.
    • One-time salary adjustment recommended for the Community Development Director, supported by the Ebensburg Mainstreet Partnership (reimbursing 50% of wages).
    • Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution #2022-16 establishing wages for 2023.

10. Diversity Committee (Kuhar & Houser)

11. General Business

  • Item 11A: Ordinance #664 regarding the revised Fireworks Law
    • Regulates consumer fireworks permits.
    • Exceptions/Prohibitions:
      • No one under 18 can purchase, possess, or use consumer fireworks.
      • Cannot be used on private/public property (streets, parks, etc. ) without owner permission.
      • Cannot be used from a vehicle or building.
      • Cannot be directed at another person.
      • Cannot be used by a person under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
      • Cannot be used within 150 feet of a building or vehicle owned by the user.
    • Recommended Action: Grant final approval to Ordinance #664.
  • Item 11B: Resolution #2022-17 implementing Act 57 of 2022
    • Implements Pennsylvania's Act 57, which amends the Local Tax Collection Law.
    • Provides waivers for additional fees due to unpaid real estate taxes if submitted within 12 months of a qualifying event (e. g. , purchasing a home and not receiving a bill).
    • Recommended Action: Approve Resolution #2022-17 requiring the Tax Collector to comply with Act 57.
  • Item 11C: Resolution #2022-18
    • Determines the value of a 2006 Case 580 Backhoe to be in excess of $1,000.
    • Authorizes advertisement or sale of the property.
    • Recommended Action: Approve Resolution #2022-18.
  • Item 11D: Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
    • Minutes from the October 24, 2022 regular meeting are presented for review and approval.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the minutes of the previous meeting(s).
  • Item 11E: Financial Statement
    • Financial statement for October 2022 and 3rd quarterly transfers presented for approval.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the October 2022 financial statement and quarterly transfers.
  • Item 11F: Bills
    • List of bills totaling $707,084. 98 for November 2022 submitted for approval.
    • Recommended Action: Approve payment of the bills as submitted.

12. Department Reports

  • Item 12A: Police Department: Written report from Chief Wyland on monthly activities.
  • Item 12B: Public Works Department: Written report from Director Josh Surkovich on monthly activities.
  • Item 12C: Community Development: Written report from Director Danea Koss on monthly activities.
  • Item 12D: Recreation Department: Written report from Director Dirk Johnson on monthly activities.
  • Item 12E: Codes Enforcement: Monthly codes enforcement report forwarded to Council.
  • Item 12F: Ebensburg Municipal Authority: Copy of minutes from the last municipal authority meeting included in Council’s packet.
  • Item 12G: Ebensburg Planning Commission
    • Recommended approval for a side lot addition with an exemption of the side yard setback for the property of David and Sandra Cuppett.
    • Location: From 701 West High Street to 706 Benjamin Franklin Highway.
    • Recommended Action: Approve the side lot addition.
  • Item 12H: Ebensburg Zoning Board
    • 1st Summit applied for a Special Exception before the Zoning Hearing Board.

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

  • Only if necessary with a specific reason stated beforehand.

16. Adjournment

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. Any documents subject to disclosure that are provided to members of the Borough Council regarding any item on this agenda are available for public inspection at the Borough office or at www. ebensburgpa. com.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance 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 to this meeting.

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