Documents Dec 17, 2018

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - December 17, 2018

Meeting Details:

Attendance:

Present: Doug Tusing (President), Susan Barber (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Dave Kuhar, Cecilia Houser, John Cobaugh
Absent: Scot May
Others Present: Daniel Penatzer (Borough Manager), Blair Pawlowski (Solicitor), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Terry Wyland (Chief of Police), Danea Koss (Community Development Director), Dirk Johnson (Recreation Director), Jocelyn Brumbaugh (The Tribune Democrat)
Audience: 18 people

Public Comments & Rezoning Update

Council President Tusing corrected a previous statement, clarifying that the rezoning request would not be decided at this meeting.
The council needs more time to review items and will discuss the rezoning at the January meeting.

Consent Agenda (Approved Unanimously) The following items were approved as part of the consent agenda:

Approval of minutes from the November 26, 2018 regular meeting and the December 3, 2018 public hearing.
Approval of the Financial Statement.
Approval of payment of bills.
Scheduling for 2019 Council meetings: 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 pm, except May and December (held on the third Monday).
Designation of First National Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, and PLGIT as depositories for 2019.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Datsko announced he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and urged men aged 50 and over to get checked.

Water/Wastewater Committee Report

Plant supervisor Mark Wirfel reported on November operations:
- 42 million gallons of clean water returned to Howells Run.
- 13 tons of sludge sent to landfill.
- No excursions occurred during the month.

Administration Committee Reports

AFSCME Labor Agreement: Negotiations failed after seven sessions and a last best offer. No further sessions are scheduled.
FOP Supplemental Agreement: Approved a pay adjustment for Officer Huber, effective April 7, 2019. This does not set a precedent for future hires.
2019 Salary Resolution (Approved Unanimously):
- AFSCME wages remain at 2018 levels pending a new agreement.
- FOP agreement includes a 2. 5% increase.
- All non-union staff receive a 3. 0% increase.

General Business - Appointments (Approved Unanimously) The council approved numerous appointments to various boards and commissions, including:

Ebensburg Municipal Authority: Renee Martin-Nagle (5-year term, expires 12/2023)
Ebensburg Planning Commission: Bruce Hultman (4-year term, expires 12/2022)
Zoning Hearing Board: Barry Templeton (3-year term, expires 12/2021) and Harold Eckenrod as alternate (expires 12/2019)
Ebensburg Recreation Board: Philip Woo and Charles Marcinko (5-year terms, expire 12/2023)
Ebensburg Main Street Partnership: Matt Shuty (5-year term, expires 12/2023), Nick Damin (new 5-year term, expires 12/2023), and Jessica Lieb to complete a 5-year term (expires 12/2020)
Ebensburg Civil Service Commission: Tim Myers as alternate (expires 12/2019)
Ebensburg Vacancy Board: Charlie Moyer as Chairman (expires 12/2019)
Central Cambria Emergency Management Council: John Hawksworth and Chief Mike Sheehan (1-year terms, expire 12/2019)
Cambria/Somerset Council of Governments: Borough Manager as delegate
Cambria County Tax Collection Committee: Borough Manager as delegate and CCSD Business Manager as alternate
Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency: Tracy Strom as delegate and Borough Manager as alternate
Cambria County Sewage Enforcement Agency: Tracy Strom as delegate and Borough Manager as alternate

Sidewalk Ordinance #646 (Approved)

Final approval was granted for Ordinance #646, which amends where sidewalks are required within the borough.
Roll Call Vote: Tusing (Yes), Houser (Yes), Barber (Yes), Kuhar (Yes), Cobaugh (Yes), Jacoby (No).

2019 Fee Resolution (Approved Unanimously)

Resolution #2018-11 was adopted to establish fees for various services in 2019. No changes to existing fees were proposed.

Middle School Field Rezoning

A public hearing was held on December 3rd regarding a request to partially rezone the former middle school field.
The matter has been referred back to the planning commission for review on January 3rd. A legal opinion is being sought regarding spot zoning.

Truck Purchase (Approved Unanimously)

Approved the purchase of a new 2020 International truck with spreader and plow from Tri-County Motors in Johnstown.
Cost: $167,650.
The truck will not be delivered until summer 2019, at which time the 1999 truck will be advertised for sale.

Natural Gas Supplier (Approved Unanimously)

Approved a 3-year fixed-rate contract with Dominion Energy for the supply of natural gas.
Rate: $3. 99 per MCF (replacing the current supplier, American Power & Gas, at $5. 35 per MCF).

Department Reports

Police Department: Chief Wyland reported scheduling struggles due to an officer on long-term sick leave. The Turkey Trot had approximately 658 participants.
Public Works Department: Mr. Evans reported busy activity with sewer projects, fixing breaks, and marking water/sewer lines. Yard waste bins have been removed for winter.
Community Development Department: Ms. Koss thanked participants in "Dickens of a Christmas" and noted the January newsletter is being printed.
Recreation Department: Mr. Johnson reported "Breakfast with Santa" was successful with over 400 attendees. Basketball leagues will start in January with 50 teams and run through the end of March.

Public Comments

Ms. Donna Visa (209 E. Horner Street) asked if any council members had interests in the Central Commons LLC project.

Adjournment