Ebensburg

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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary

Date: April 22, 2024Time: 6:30 p. m. – 8:18 p. m. Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal BuildingPresiding: Doug Tusing, President

Attendance

  • Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice President), Jeff Ball, Theresa Jacoby, Dave Kuhar (via phone), Robert Miller, Mike Murphy, Isaac Bradley (Junior Councilor), Abraham Remillard (Junior Councilor)
  • Others Present: Kelly Cook (Borough Manager), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Joseph Loughran (Chief of Police), Dirk Johnson (Recreation Director), Danea Koss (Community Development Director), Luke Byrne (Inframark), Matt Gribler (Solicitor), Matt Churella (The Altoona Mirror), Julie Pittman (Mainline Newspapers)
  • Absent: Robert Miller (Note: Listed as both present and absent — likely an error in original document)
  • Audience: 4 members

Opening & Pledge

  • Meeting called to order at 6:30 p. m.
  • Pledge of Allegiance recited.

Public Comments

  • None received.

Consent Agenda (Approved Unanimously)

Motion by Ms. Houser, seconded by Mr. Ball:

  1. Approve Inframark report on Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations.
  2. Approve Inframark report on Water Treatment Plant Operations.
  3. Approve minutes from March 25, 2024 meeting.
  4. Approve financial statement for March and quarterly transfers.
  5. Approve payment of bills for April.

Appointments to Address Council

  • None scheduled.

Consideration of Agenda Amendments

  • None proposed.

Mayor’s Report

  • No report given.

Council President Comments

  • Mr. Tusing encouraged residents to vote in upcoming primary elections.

Water/Wastewater Committee Reports

  • Inframark submitted written reports on operations, projects, and activities at both wastewater and water treatment plants for council review.

Recreation Committee Updates

1. Lake Rowena Dredging & Grant Application

  • Application to be submitted to Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation in July; grants awarded in December.
  • Expanded scope includes pavilions, concession stand, restrooms, docks, pedestrian bridge, parking area, playground equipment.
  • Engineering costs not reimbursable under grant.
  • Motion to approve agreement with TranSystems Engineering (not exceeding $14,500) passed unanimously.

2. Tennis Center Moisture Problems

  • Ceiling membrane needed to prevent thermal barrier compromise.
  • Estimated repair cost: $150,000–$200,000.
  • Discussion tabled until May meeting for Rec Committee and Board to meet.

3. Resolution 2024-02

  • Updated pricing for playground equipment revitalization via Local Share grants.
  • Amount increased from $120,000 to $143,229.
  • Motion passed unanimously.

Street Committee

  • No updates or actions reported.

Administration Committee – Summer Hires

Mr. Kuhar reported hiring of the following summer employees:

Summer Public Works:

  • Tobey Becquet (3rd yr. )
  • Brock Martin (3rd yr. )
  • Bob Koscho (3rd yr. )
  • Jace Koss (3rd yr. )
  • Henry Bradley (2nd yr. )
  • Isaac Bradley (2nd yr. )
  • Sophie Becquet (1st yr. )
  • Alec Prokop (1st yr. )
  • William Tremel (1st yr. )
  • Benjamin Ream (1st yr. )
  • Carter Rummel (1st yr. )

Swimming Pool Manager:

  • Nolan Johnson (9th yr. )

Co-Head Lifeguards:

  • Abbey O’Brien (6th yr. )
  • Karson Johnson (6th yr. )

Lifeguards:

  • Jaylee Sikora (7th yr. )
  • Elizabeth Bopp (7th yr. )
  • Tessa Novotny (6th yr. )
  • Loralyn Simmers (5th yr. )
  • Jewel Sikora (4th yr. )
  • Maggie McCullough (3rd yr. )
  • Kayden Magulick (3rd yr. )
  • Maya Sirsikar (3rd yr. )
  • Gwendalyn Fodor (3rd yr. )
  • Naveen Sirsikar (3rd yr. )
  • Jemma Sikora (2nd yr. )
  • Broderick Ryan (2nd yr. )
  • Ian Estep (2nd yr. )
  • Victoria Griffith (2nd yr. )
  • Devan Wasser (2nd yr. )
  • Reagan Tronzo (1st yr. )
  • Keira Link (1st yr. )
  • Angus Ryan (1st yr. )
  • Alaina Long (1st yr. )
  • Rowyn Ruddek (1st yr. )
  • Aubrey Ruddek (1st yr. )

Pay Rates:

  • Public Works & Lifeguards: $10. 50/hour
  • Head Lifeguard: $11. 50/hour
  • Pool Manager: $14. 50/hour

Human Relations & Diversity Committee

  • No reports or actions.

General Business

1. Ebensburg Municipal Airport

  • Structural engineers Diviney & Associates prepared plans for Hangar repairs.
  • Joseph Maintenance Services provided estimate of $15,552; RACRA intends to contract with them.
  • Motion to engage Diviney & Associates to inspect work and ensure compliance with engineering drawings passed unanimously.
  • RACRA seeks Runway Lighting Design Agreement to apply for federal funding — motion passed unanimously.
  • RACRA also seeks Design Agreements for Bipartisan Infrastructure-funded projects (fencing, obstruction removal) — motion passed unanimously.

2. Ordinance #670 – Compliance with Unit Debt Act

  • Final approval granted for Borough to incur lease rental debt under Pennsylvania Local Government Unit Debt Act.
  • Loan amount: $3,389,310 for Stormwater Project.
  • Motion passed unanimously.

3. Planning Commission Vacancy

  • Vacancy existed for several months; Borough received appointment request.
  • Motion to appoint Greg Illig to Planning Commission (term ending December 2024) passed unanimously.

4. Municipal Parking Lot

  • Current lease expires August 2024; property listed for sale.
  • Potential buyer proposed new long-term lease or acquisition offer.
  • Council agreed to discuss further in executive session.

Department Reports

Police Department

  • Chief Loughran reported receipt of two tactical plate carrier vests via 1889 Foundation grant.
  • Additional training scheduled for week of May 6th.

Public Works Department

  • Director Josh Surkovich provided written report (details not summarized).

Community Development

  • Director Danea Koss reported on:
    • New mural installation downtown (end of May).
    • Upcoming events: Art in Bloom, Memorial Day, Cambria County Borough’s Association dinner meeting.

Recreation Department

  • Director Dirk Johnson updated on:
    • Upcoming Bingo event and Red Cross blood drive.
    • Certification for new/returning lifeguards scheduled.

Ebensburg Planning Commission & Zoning Hearing Board

  • Both reported no business.

Media Comments/Questions

  • None received.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Bill Grady and Rod Davis (RACRA treasurer/president) asked if borough confirmed all adjoining property owners approved tree removal/pruning near airport.

Executive Session

  • Entered at 7:06 p. m. , exited at 8:16 p. m.
  • Upon exit:
    • Motion to reject lease offer from potential buyer of Municipal Parking Lot — passed unanimously.
    • Motion to order appraisal for Municipal Parking Lot — passed unanimously.

Adjournment

  • Motion to adjourn made by Ms. Jacoby, seconded by Mr. Murphy — passed unanimously.
  • Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p. m.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director

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