Agenda

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Agenda

Date: Monday, June 26, 2023 Time: 6:30 p. m.

Council Members & Leadership

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

Key Agenda Items & Decisions

Consent Agenda (Routine Approvals) The following items are considered routine and will be approved by a single motion unless a council member requests separate discussion:

• Approval of Inframark reports for Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operations.
• Approval of the minutes from the May 22, 2023 meeting.
• Approval of the financial statement for May and payment of bills for June.

Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Committee

• Electrical Services: The council is asked to approve a retainer agreement with Dodson Electric. This contract guarantees service within one hour of an initial call for a monthly fee of $150.
• Plant Operations: Reports from Inframark on wastewater and water treatment plant operations are up for acceptance.

Recreation Committee

• Dog Park Project: The council is asked to approve three contractor payment requests from Straw Construction:
  • Payment #2: $72,980. 83 (already reviewed and accepted by the Borough Engineer).
  • Payment #3: $95,377. 45 (contingent on engineer's review).
  • Payment #4: $26,403. 90 (contingent on engineer's review).

Street Committee

• High Street Waterline: Paving repairs are complete; no action is required.
• 2023 Street Paving Project: Bids were awarded to New Enterprise Corporation for $175,572. 30 on May 22, 2023. No start date has been set yet.
• Municipal Parking Lot: The current lease expires on August 31, 2023. A request to increase rent from $1,100 to $2,000 per month was received. The Streets Committee recommends not renewing the lease, as the new cost would significantly exceed the revenue generated (which was approximately $8,000 annually in recent years). This will be discussed in an executive session.

Administration Committee

• Police Chief Recruitment: The vacancy has been advertised, and twelve applications have been received. Interviews are being scheduled.
• 2024 Reorganization Meeting: The date needs to be set. Since January 1, 2024, falls on a Monday, the meeting can be held between January 2nd and January 8th.
• Police Officer Recruitment: The council is asked to approve several agreements for the hiring process:
  • Agility Testing: Agreement with Penn Highlands Police Academy.
  • Polygraph Testing: Appointment of Assured Polygraph Services Inc. at $300 per candidate.
  • Candidate Testing: Agreement with Police Consulting Services at ~$535 per candidate plus mileage.
  • Oral Interviews: Agreement with Police Consulting Services for a flat cost of $1,300.
  • Background Checks: Agreement with Police Consulting Services at $75 per hour plus mileage.
  • Psychological Testing: Approval for Dr. S. Hand to administer tests at $375 per applicant.

General Business

• Public Works Truck: The council is asked to approve the purchase of a Ford F-350 from Stuckey Ford for $63,114.
• Ebensburg Municipal Airport: RACRA requested a feasibility study on the existing hangar, which was deemed un-rehabilitable. RACRA has requested that the Borough raze or shore up the building and fund a new one (costing between $250,000 and $650,000), with plans to seek federal reimbursement. This will be discussed in an executive session.
• Financials: Approval of the May 2023 financial statement and payment of bills totaling $755,301. 64 for June 2023.

Department Reports

Written reports were submitted by the following department heads:

• Police Chief Wyland
• Public Works Director Josh Surkovich
• Community Development Director Danea Koss
• Recreation Director Dirk Johnson

Other Notices

• Executive Session: The council will meet to discuss legal and personnel matters.
• Accessibility: Residents requiring special assistance should contact the Borough office at (814) 472-8780 or eburg@ebensburgpa. com at least 48 hours before the meeting.