Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: December 19, 2022 Time: 6:30 PM – 6:51 PM Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building

Attendance

• Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice President), Robert Miller, Mike Owatt, Jeff Ball, Dave Kuhar.
• Absent: Theresa Jacoby.
• Others Present: Kelly Cook (Borough Manager), Blair Pawlowski (Solicitor), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Danea Koss, Dirk Johnson, Jody Eberhart, Breanna Berkebile, and Katie Smolen.

Key Decisions & Reports

Budget Approval The Council approved the tentative 2023 Annual Budget. The budget is balanced with a total operating fund of $6,673,705 in both revenues and expenditures.

• Tax Increase: To balance the budget, the Council approved an increase in real estate taxes equivalent to 3. 75 mills. This is the first tax increase enacted by the Borough in 13 years.
• Fund Breakdown:
  • General Fund: $2,320,170 (Includes hiring an additional full-time police officer).
  • Water Fund: $2,137,795.
  • Wastewater Fund: $1,987,240.
  • Stormwater Fund: $228,500.

Ordinance #665 (Tax Rates) The Council granted final approval to Ordinance #665, establishing the following tax rates for 2023:

• General Purposes: 36. 75 mills for land valuation; 11. 75 mills for improvements.
• Stormwater Management: 2. 5 mills for land valuation.
• Overall Average Tax Rate: 16. 75 mills.

2023 Fee Resolution Resolution #2022-17 was adopted to establish fees for various services in 2023.

• Pavilion fees were increased based on Recreation Board recommendations.
• Fees for meters and laborers were adjusted to reflect current costs.
• Equipment rates will follow the current FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates.

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

• Gerald McMullen: Reappointed to Ebensburg Municipal Authority (5-year term, expires 12/2027).
• Bruce Hultman: Reappointed to Ebensburg Planning Commission (4-year term, expires 12/2026).
• Carol Rummel: Reappointed to Zoning Hearing Board (3-year term, expires 12/2025).
• Jamie Oravec: Reappointed to Ebensburg Recreation Board (5-year term, expires 12/2027).
• Tim Myers: Reappointed as alternate to Ebensburg Civil Service Commission (expires 12/2023).
• Charlie Moyer: Reappointed as Chairman of Ebensburg Vacancy Board (expires 12/2023).
• John Hawksworth & Chief Mike Sheehan: Appointed to Central Cambria Emergency Management Council (1-year terms, expires 12/2023).
• Borough Manager: Appointed as delegate to Cambria/Somerset Council of Governments, Cambria County Tax Collection Committee, and Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency.
• CCSD Business Manager: Appointed as alternate to Cambria County Tax Collection Committee.
• Danea Koss: Appointed as alternate to Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency.

Department & Committee Reports

• Water/Wastewater: Inframark submitted written reports on operations, projects, and activities for both plants.
• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Datsko reported that Police Chief Wyland was unable to attend but submitted a written report.
• Council President: Mr. Tusing warned residents of below-freezing temperatures and advised winterizing outdoor faucets and hose bibs.
• Community Development: Ms. Koss reported on the wrap-up of "Small Business Saturday" and "Dickens of a Christmas. " She announced that free metered parking in downtown Ebensburg began on the day of the meeting and continues through January 1st.
• Recreation Department: Mr. Johnson reported that Bingo will be held at the YPCC on December 30th.

Public Comments

• Mr. William Link (N. Spruce Street): Requested more publicity for regular meetings that do not occur on the fourth Monday of the month.
• Mr. Mike Murphy (N. Spruce Street): Asked about the status of an ongoing sewer issue on South Marion Street.