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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes — January 23, 2023

Meeting Details:

  • Date: Monday, January 23, 2023
  • Time: Called to order at 6:30 p. m. , adjourned at 7:18 p. m.
  • Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building
  • Presiding Officer: President Doug Tusing

Attendees

Present:

  • Doug Tusing (President)
  • Cecilia Houser (Vice President, via phone)
  • Robert Miller
  • Mike Owatt
  • Jeff Ball
  • Dave Kuhar
  • Theresa Jacoby

Others Present:

  • Kelly Cook, Borough Manager
  • Terry Wyland, Chief of Police
  • Danea Koss, Community Development Director
  • Dirk Johnson, Recreation Director
  • Josh Surkovich, Public Works Director
  • Phil Sutton, Ebensburg Rotary Club
  • Luke Byrne, Inframark
  • Katie Smolen, The Tribune Democrat

Absent:

  • Randy Datsko, Mayor
  • Blair Pawlowski, Solicitor

Audience: 3 members

Meeting Proceedings

A. Pledge of Allegiance

Recited at the start of the meeting.

B. Public Comments

None received.

C. Consent Agenda

Approved unanimously on motion by Ms. Jacoby, seconded by Mr. Kuhar:

  • Approve Inframark reports for Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant Operations.
  • Approve minutes from December 19, 2022 regular monthly meeting.
  • Approve financial statement for December and quarterly transfers.
  • Approve payment of bills for January.

D. Appointments to Address Council

None scheduled.

E. Mayor’s Report

No report provided (Mayor absent).

F. Council President’s Remarks

President Tusing shared a letter from the Dauntless Fire Company outlining their 2023 plans. He noted they often assist surrounding communities and expressed gratitude for their service.

Committee Reports & Business Items

G. Water/Wastewater Committee

  • Inframark submitted written reports on operations, projects, and activities at both wastewater and water treatment plants for council review.

H. Recreation Committee

No reports or items.

I. Street Committee

No reports or items.

J. Administration Committee – Manager’s Residency Amendment

  • Current manager agreement requires residency within 25-mile radius within one year of employment.
  • Due to housing market conditions, manager requested and received a one-year extension last January.
  • Still unable to comply; now requesting another one-year extension.
  • Issue deferred to executive session.

K. Diversity Committee

No reports or items.

L. General Business

1. Dog Park Project

  • Rotary Club secured $245,000 in funding for construction at 962 Rowena Drive.
  • Specifications complete; project to go out for bid this month, bids awarded next month.
  • Rotary will transfer funds to Borough before award issuance.
  • Borough staff will oversee project, handle paperwork for reimbursement agencies, and pay bills.
  • Motion: Put dog park project out for bid this month — passed unanimously (Mr. Owatt moved, Mr. Miller seconded).

2. Borough’s Contribution to Dog Park Drainage

  • Borough committed to installing necessary drainage prior to construction (not yet done).
  • Previously planned to use capital budget for pipes and in-house labor.
  • Estimated cost: $37,900. 00
  • Motion: Approve expenditure of $37,900 from capital budget for drainage — passed unanimously (Ms. Jacoby moved, Mr. Miller seconded).

3. Dog Control Agreement

  • Cambria County Humane Society requested borough enter agreement for dog control services.
  • Historically, borough designated part-time officer; recently handled by Police Department.
  • Borough receives only a few complaints annually.
  • Motion: Do NOT enter into agreement with Humane Society — passed unanimously (Mr. Miller moved, Mr. Ball seconded).

M. Department Reports

1. Police Department (Chief Wyland)

  • Recent enforcement of parking against traffic violations generated several complaints but appears effective and compliant.

2. Public Works Department (Mr. Surkovich)

  • Several water leaks discovered and repaired, including:
    • West & Horner Street
    • In front of Post Office
    • Others unspecified

3. Community Development (Ms. Koss)

  • Upcoming events:
    • WinterFest: February 4th
    • Art in Bloom: April 29th–30th
  • Main Street Membership renewals underway; free first year for new members.

4. Recreation Department (Mr. Johnson)

  • Working with Portage Ambulance Association to secure grant for AEDs for ballfields and Tennis Center.

N. Media Comments/Questions

  • Ms. Katie Smolen (Tribune Democrat) asked if the $37,900 drainage cost is included in the dog park bid.

O. Public Comments

  1. Mr. Bill Link (N. Spruce Street): Asked when borough webcams will be operational and about liability insurance impact for Dog Park.
  2. Mr. Mike Murphy (N. Spruce Street): Inquired about ongoing water issue on South Marion Street.
  3. Mr. Tom Bortel (E. Sample Street): Questioned council’s authority to award Dog Park funds before bids are received.

P. Executive Session

  • Entered at 6:57 p. m. , reopened public portion at 7:16 p. m.
  • Upon exit, Ms. Houser moved to approve additional one-year extension for borough manager to comply with residency requirement (seconded by Ms. Jacoby).

Roll Call Vote on Manager Extension

  • Yes: Houser, Ball, Kuhar, Jacoby, Tusing → 5 votes
  • No: Owatt, Miller → 2 votes
  • Result: Motion passed 5–2

Q. Adjournment

  • Ms. Jacoby moved to adjourn (seconded by Mr. Owatt).
  • Motion passed unanimously.
  • Meeting officially adjourned at 7:18 p. m.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director

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