Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: February 28, 2022 Time: 6:30 p. m. – 7:19 p. m. Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building

Attendance

• Present: Doug Tusing (President), Dave Kuhar (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Robert Miller, Cecilia Houser, Mike Owatt, and Jeff Ball.
• Absent: Randy Datsko (Mayor).

Key Decisions and Updates

Ordinance #662: Tree Ordinance Update The Council approved a change to the Tree Ordinance. Instead of listing specific trees in the law, future updates to approved and prohibited tree lists will be handled by a simple Council resolution. This allows for easier maintenance of the lists based on advice from landscape professionals.

Ordinance #663: PENNVEST Loan for Waterline Project The Council authorized a loan guarantee of $1,505,765 from PENNVEST for the High Street Waterline replacement project.

• Loan Terms: 20 years at 1% interest for the first five years, then 1. 743% thereafter.
• Status: The motion to approve the ordinance was passed unanimously.

Resolution #2022-02: Grant for Dauntless Fire Company The Council approved an application for an $85,000 grant through the Statewide Local Share Account.

• Purpose: To refurbish and seal the floors at the Dauntless Fire Hall.
• Funding: The Fire Company is contributing $10,000 toward the project.
• Status: The motion to approve the resolution was passed unanimously.

Resolution #2022-03: Grant for Borough Swimming Pool The Council approved an application for a $300,000 grant through the Statewide Local Share Account.

• Purpose: For the rehabilitation of the Borough Swimming Pool.
• Status: The motion to approve the resolution was passed unanimously.

Committee and Department Reports

• Water/Wastewater: Written reports from Inframark on plant operations are available at the office and online.
• Street Committee: In addition to Ordinance #662, the Council approved a new list of trees for planting in tree lawns and those prohibited from the Borough right-of-way.
• Public Works: The department has been busy fixing water leaks and assisting with the CamTram waterline project.
• Community Development: Director Dana Koss reported on the success of the new WinterFest event, updates on "Art in Bloom," and other community activities.
• Recreation: Director Dirk Johnson reported on WinterFest, upcoming lifeguard certifications, and a Bingo event scheduled for March 11 to help fund the planned Dog Park.
• Police Department: Chief Wyland submitted a written report on department activities.

Public Comments

• Power Outage Response: Mr. Gerry McMullen noted that emergency generators successfully powered the Water/Sewer Plants during a recent outage and praised the response from the Dauntless Fire Company and Cambria County Emergency Management.
• Traffic Light Safety: Mr. Ron Springer suggested adding double-throw safety switches to traffic lights so they can be powered by a generator during future outages.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p. m. on a motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Ms. Jacoby.

Minutes Recorded by: Dana Koss, Community Development Director