Minutes
Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes
Date: December 16, 2019
Time: 6:30 PM – 6:53 PM
Location: Ebensburg Municipal Building, 300 W. High Street, Ebensburg
Presiding: President Doug Tusing
Attendees
Council Members Present:
- Doug Tusing (President)
- Susan Barber (Vice President)
- Theresa Jacoby
- Scot May
- Dave Kuhar
- Cecilia Houser
- John Cobaugh
Others Present:
- Randy Datsko (Mayor)
- Daniel Penatzer (Borough Manager)
- Blair Pawlowski (Solicitor)
- Terry Wyland (Chief of Police)
- Jeff Evans (Public Works Director)
- Danea Koss (Community Development Director)
- Dirk Johnson (Recreation Director)
- Mark Pesto (The Tribune Democrat)
- Kristen Baudoux (The Mountaineer Herald)
Audience: 3 members
Meeting Highlights
Opening
- Pledge of Allegiance recited.
- No public comments received.
Consent Agenda (Approved unanimously)
Motion by Ms. Barber, seconded by Mr. Cobaugh:
- Approve minutes from November 25, 2019 meeting.
- Approve Financial Statement.
- Approve payment of bills.
Committee Reports
- Water/Wastewater: Report from Inframark included in packet; Mr. Mike Montgomery absent.
- Recreation & Street Committees: No reports.
Administration Committee – FOP Negotiations
Ms. Jacoby reported a tentative 4-year collective bargaining agreement with full-time police officers, expiring end of 2019. Key terms:
- Shifts vary in length; time off measured in hours, not days.
- Wage increases: 3% Year 1, 2. 5% Years 2–4.
- Minimum call-out pay increased from 2 to 3 hours.
- Employee healthcare contributions rise from 8% to 10%.
- Eye/dental benefit increases from $350/year to $400/year.
- Residency requirement raised from 10 to 15 air miles.
Motion by Ms. Jacoby, seconded by Mr. Kuhar — passed unanimously.
2020 Annual Budget
Tentative approval granted last month; final adoption approved unanimously on motion by Ms. Jacoby, seconded by Mr. Houser.
Budget Summary:
- General Fund: Revenues $2,149,240 | Expenditures $2,072,400 | Surplus $76,840
- Water Fund: Revenues $1,745,500 | Expenditures $1,726,250 | Surplus $19,250
- Wastewater Fund: Revenues $1,933,000 | Expenditures $1,867,960 | Surplus $65,040
- Stormwater Fund: Revenues $226,000 | Expenditures $226,000 | Surplus $0
- Total Operating Fund: Revenues $6,053,740 | Expenditures $5,892,610 | Surplus $161,130
No increase in real estate taxes. Budget advertised for public inspection.
Tax Resolution (Adopted unanimously)
Resolution 2019-09 sets 2020 tax rates:
- Real estate: 30. 75 mills on land, 8. 5 mills on buildings (general purposes)
- Stormwater: 2. 5 mills on land
Motion by Ms. Barber, seconded by Mr. Houser.
2020 Salary Resolution (Adopted unanimously)
Resolution #2019-10 establishes 2020 wages:
- AFSCME employees: +2. 5%
- Full-time police: +3%
- Non-union staff: +2. 5%
- Part-time police: +$1/hour
Motion by Ms. Barber, seconded by Mr. Kuhar.
General Business – Ogle Street House
Mr. Penatzer reported the house was razed using Act 152 grant funds from Cambria County Redevelopment Authority. Council intended to sell the land afterward, but no bids were received by November 15 deadline. Consensus: talk with neighbors after holidays to gauge interest.
Department Reports
- Police (Chief Wyland): Successful Christmas parade; handed out candy canes instead of parking tickets during holidays.
- Public Works (Mr. Evans): Addressed water leaks, high airport levels, and ongoing homeowner lateral testing.
- Community Development (Ms. Koss): Thanked Small Business Saturday shoppers and Dickens of a Christmas attendees. Main Street Partnership designed new Ebensburg map; Bud’s Auto Sales opening soon.
- Recreation (Mr. Johnson): Craft fair held; winter basketball leagues started.
Closing
- No media or public comments.
- Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Cobaugh, seconded by Ms. Barber — passed unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at 6:53 PM.
Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director