Minutes
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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - January 22, 2024
Meeting Details:
- Date: Monday, January 22, 2024
- Time: 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building
- President: Doug Tusing
Attendance: Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice President), Jeff Ball, Dave Kuhar, Mike Murphy, Kelly Cook (Borough Manager)
Absent: Randy Datsko (Mayor), Theresa Jacoby, Robert Miller, Isaac Bradley (Junior Councilor), Abraham Remillard (Junior Councilor)
Key Decisions and Actions:
Consent Agenda
The following items were approved unanimously:
- Inframark reports for wastewater and water treatment plant operations
- Minutes from December 18, 2023 regular meeting and January 2, 2024 reorganization meeting
- Financial statement for December and quarterly transfers
- Payment of bills for January
Committee Assignments (2-year terms)
- Water, Wastewater & Stormwater: Ball, Miller & Murphy
- Recreation: Jacoby, Kuhar & Miller
- Streets: Ball, Houser & Murphy
- Administration: Houser, Jacoby & Kuhar
- Human Relations & Diversity: Houser & Kuhar
Recreation Committee
- Approved agreement with TranSystems for up to $2,200 to prepare grant applications for Lake Rowena dredging project
- Borough exploring potential grants through Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation
Street Committee
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB):
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation submitted plan for Julian and High Street
- Estimated cost: $52,747. 50
- Grant application pending; decision expected in March
- Council recommended waiting until spring to bid the project
Municipal Parking Lot:
- Lease assignment approved for Sara Williamson's property (now owned by Jack and Timothy Williamson)
- Rate: $1,300 per month
- All other lease conditions remain unchanged
General Business
Ebensburg Municipal Airport:
- Structural engineer report received regarding permanent hangar repairs needed for corrosion issues
- No cost estimate available yet; RACRA to review and provide recommendations
- Borough signed one-year lease extension with RACRA (expires end of 2023)
- Extension includes option for additional one-year term if both parties agree
Natural Gas Contract:
- Current supplier: Peoples's Natural Gas (contract expired end of 2023)
- Competitive pricing sought through APPI Energy program
- Awarded 36-month contract to Snyder Brothers, Inc. at $4. 33 per Dth
- Motion passed unanimously
Garbage Ordinance:
- Draft ordinance approved with the following changes:
- Allows larger garbage receptacles
- Requires lids on all garbage containers
- Maximum 24 hours before pickup day for placing cans at curb
- Same 24-hour removal period after pickup day
- Only contractor-supplied or borough-approved containers allowed
Department Reports
Police Department:
- Chief Loughran reported on winter weather parking and shoveling reminders
Public Works Department:
- Director Josh Surkovich reported on recent water line breaks and repairs
- S. West Street reopened
Community Development:
- Director Danea Koss provided updates on WinterFest, Art in Bloom, and Wheels & Wings events
Recreation Department:
- Director Dirk Johnson reported on WinterFest and popularity of cross-country ski rentals this season
Meeting Adjourned: 7:00 PM Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director