Ebensburg

Pennsylvania

Documents

Minutes

View original document →

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - December 21, 2020

Meeting Details:

  • Date: Monday, December 21, 2020
  • Time: Called to order at 6:32 p. m. via Zoom; Adjourned at 7:35 p. m.
  • Presiding: President Doug Tusing

Attendance:

  • Present: Council members Doug Tusing (President), Dave Kuhar (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Scot May, Mike Owatt, Cecilia Houser, and Will Westrick.
  • Absent: Jeff Ball.
  • Others Present: Mayor Randy Datsko, Borough Manager Daniel Penatzer, Solicitor Blair Pawlowski, and various department directors.

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:

  • Recording the hiring of Adam Kush as a tennis assistant (effective 12/11/2020).
  • Approving the minutes from the November 23, 2020 meeting.
  • Approving the Financial Statement.
  • Approving payment of bills (President Tusing abstained from voting on amounts owed to him).
  • Scheduling 2021 meetings for the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p. m. , with December held on the 3rd Monday.
  • Designating First National Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, AmeriServ Financial Bank, 1st Summit Bank, and PLGIT as depositories.

Committee Reports & Business

Council President’s Report

  • Zoning Amendment: President Tusing noted that the council voted too soon on a zoning amendment in November and stated it would be corrected.
  • COVID-19 Response: The borough recommends residents follow guidelines from the Department of Health and CDC. Police will enforce mandatory restrictions.

Water/Wastewater Committee

  • Inframark provided written reports for both wastewater and water treatment plant operations, which were included in council packets.

Street Committee

  • 2021 Sidewalk Project: The project involves West Sample, West Crawford, and West Horner Streets. Bids are being sought; if awarded in February, work will begin as soon as weather permits.
  • Tree Removal: Twenty-nine trees along the sidewalk project route will be removed. The council unanimously authorized seeking bids for this removal.

Administration Committee

  • Borough Manager Retirement: Nineteen applications were received for the Borough Manager position, and four interviews have been conducted. The committee plans to select a candidate in early January for a February 22nd start date.

Non-Uniform Pension Plan

  • Ordinance #658: The council unanimously granted final approval to this ordinance, which amends the non-uniform employee pension plan by creating a defined-contribution plan for new hires.

Diversity Committee

  • The committee is in talks with local universities to explore hosting diversity "TED Talks" in Ebensburg.

General Business

  • Zoning Amendment (Fences): Ordinance #659, which amends the Zoning Ordinance regarding front yard fences, was discussed. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 18th at 6:30 p. m. via teleconference. The council unanimously rescinded tentative approval of a previous ordinance (#660) and authorized advertising for the public hearing on Ordinance #659.
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council unanimously approved the following appointments:
    • Heather Abbs to the Ebensburg Municipal Authority (5-year term, expires 12/2025).
    • Jessica Lieb to the Ebensburg Planning Commission (4-year term, expires 12/2024).
    • Margaret Stephan to the Zoning Hearing Board (3-year term, expires 12/2023).
    • Nick Damin to the Ebensburg Planning Commission (4-year term, expires 12/2024).
    • Kristen McRoberts to the Ebensburg Recreation Board (5-year term, expires 12/2025).
    • Tim Myers as alternate on the Ebensburg Civil Service Commission (expires 12/2021).
    • Charlie Moyer as Chairman of the Ebensburg Vacancy Board (expires 12/2021).
    • John Hawksworth and Chief Mike Sheehan to the Central Cambria Emergency Management Council (1-year terms, expire 12/2021).
    • Borough Manager as delegate to the Cambria/Somerset Council of Governments.
    • Borough Manager as delegate to the Cambria County Tax Collection Committee.
    • CCSD Business Manager as alternate to the Cambria County Tax Collection Committee.
    • Tracy Strom as delegate to the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency.
    • Borough Manager as alternate to the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency.

Dog Law Officer

  • Officer Roberts' service ended earlier this year. The council deferred the appointment of a new dog law officer until the next meeting.

Department Reports

  • Police Department: Mayor Datsko reminded residents not to push snow into the streets.
  • Public Works Department: Mr. Evans provided updates on snow removal, maintenance, decorations, and water leaks.
  • Community Development Department: Ms. Koss thanked participants in Small Business Saturday, the Shop Small contest, and the decorating contest. She also thanked the Dauntless Fire Company for helping with a Roving Christmas parade. The Borough Newsletter is being printed and will arrive in mid-January.
  • Recreation Department: Mr. Johnson reported no updates on the skatepark discussion and confirmed that the YPCC and Tennis Center will be closed until January 4th.

Executive Session & Adjournment

  • The council entered an executive session at 7:05 p. m. to discuss the manager search process.
  • There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Kuhar and passed unanimously.
← Back to Documents