Documents Dec 16, 2024

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: December 16, 2024 Time: 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building

The regular monthly meeting was called to order by President Doug Tusing.

Present: Council members Doug Tusing, Cecilia Houser, Theresa Jacoby, Dave Kuhar (via phone), Robert Miller, Mike Murphy, Roy Lian, and Abe Remillard.
Absent: Council member Jeffrey Ball.
Others Present: Borough Manager Kelly Cook, Mayor Randy Datsko, Police Chief Joe Loughran, Community Development Director Danea Koss, Recreation Director Rebecca Williamson, Solicitor Matt Gribler, Luke Byrne (Inframark), and Julie Pittman (Mainline Newspapers).

Council President Comments

Mr. Tusing announced that 2024 marks the 200th Anniversary of Ebensburg Borough’s incorporation. Planning has begun to celebrate this historic milestone.

Water/Wastewater Committee

Inframark Reports: Written reports regarding operations, projects, and activities for both the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Water Treatment Plant were submitted for Council review.
Waterline Replacement Project: Mr. Miller reported the project is on schedule. Guyer Brothers has installed approximately 98% of the mainline and 85% of service installations. The contractor recently tested lines and prepared for a vault installation on Ann Street.
Stormwater Project: Construction began August 12, 2024, by A. Liberoni Construction. The 60” pipe is installed, and most work on North Beech is complete. Work on Highland Avenue is suspended until spring. The crew is currently installing pipes and inlets on North Julian toward Randolph. The project is estimated to take seven months to complete.

Street Committee

North Spruce Street: Following a recommendation from Borough Engineer TranSystems, the Council voted to make the 100 and 200 blocks of North Spruce Street one-way, going from north to south. Staff will coordinate with PennDOT and draft an ordinance to formalize this change.

Administration Committee

2025 Wage Resolution (#2024-14): The Council approved the resolution establishing wages for 2025. This includes adjustments for AFSCME and FOP employees per labor contracts, as well as a small additional increase for the Community Development Director.

General Business

Tax Collector Compensation: The Council approved an increase in compensation for the incoming Tax Collector effective in 2026 (since 2025 is an election year).
- Per-Parcel Rate: Increasing from $0. 75 to $2. 50 per parcel.
- Total Compensation: Expected to rise from ~$7,950 to $10,500 (a 23% increase).
- Tax Certification Fee: Increasing from $15. 00 to $20. 00.
2025 Fee Resolution (#2024-15): The Council adopted the resolution establishing fees for various services in 2025. Water meter and laborer fees were adjusted to reflect current costs, and the Borough will adopt the current FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates.

Appointments to Boards and Commissions The Council unanimously approved the following appointments:

Ebensburg Municipal Authority: Eric Rummel (5-year term, expires 12/2029).
Ebensburg Planning Commission:
- Rich Barber (4-year term, expires 12/2028).
- Jessica Lieb (4-year term, expires 12/2028).
- Greg Illig (4-year term, expires 12/2028).
Zoning Hearing Board: Barry Templeton (3-year term, expires 12/2027).
Ebensburg Recreation Board:
- Samantha Kemock (5-year term, expires 12/2029).
- Amber Mesoras (to fulfill unexpired term of Kristen Roberts, expires 12/2025).
Ebensburg Civil Service Commission: Tim Myers (alternate, expires 1/2/2025).
Ebensburg Vacancy Board: Charlie Moyer (Chairman, expires 12/2025).
Central Cambria Emergency Management Council: John Hawksworth and Chief Mike Sheehan (1-year terms, expire 12/2025).
Delegates: Borough Manager appointed as delegate to the Cambria/Somerset Council of Governments and the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency.
Alternates: CCSD Business Manager appointed as alternate to the Cambria County Tax Collection Committee; Danea Koss appointed as alternate to the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency.

2025 Meeting Schedule

Ambulance Association LSA Grant Application

The Council noted that during a Special Meeting on November 29, they approved Resolution #2024-13 to support and apply for a $274,341. 95 grant on behalf of the Ebensburg Area Ambulance Association.

Police Department: Chief Loughran reported participation in the "Shop with a Cop" program on December 17th at Walmart. The department was awarded a $40k grant in October to update reporting software; the kick-off meeting is scheduled for January 21st.
Public Works Department: Director Josh Surkovich provided a written report but was not present.
Community Development: Director Danea Koss reported on Small Business Saturday results, the Dickens of a Christmas wrap-up, and free metered parking for December.
Recreation Department: Director Rebecca Williamson reported 46 teams signed up for the winter basketball league. Other activities include monthly bingo, tiny tots, and updates on the Tennis Center. Repairs are being made to cardio equipment.

Mr. George Smith (517 W. Sample Street) expressed agreement with the Council’s decision to make North Spruce Street one-way.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Murphy and passed unanimously. The meeting ended at 7:00 PM.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director