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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: April 28, 2025 Time: 6:30 PM – 7:04 PM Location: Ebensburg Municipal Building, 300 W. High Street

Attendance and Opening

The regular monthly meeting was called to order by Council President Doug Tusing.

Present:

  • Doug Tusing (President)
  • Cecilia Houser (Vice President)
  • Jeffrey Ball
  • Theresa Jacoby
  • Robert Miller
  • Mike Murphy
  • Susan Kuhar
  • Roy Lian (Junior Councilor)

Absent:

  • Abe Remillard (Junior Councilor)

Others Present:

  • Kelly Cook (Borough Manager)
  • Randy Datsko (Mayor, via phone)
  • Joe Loughran (Chief of Police)
  • Danea Koss (Community Development Director)
  • Rebecca Williamson (Recreation Director)
  • Matt Gribler (Solicitor)
  • Luke Byrne (Inframark)
  • Matt Koenigsberg & Renee Schoop (Gannet Fleming TranSystems)
  • Dave Petrosky (Ebensburg Pickleball Club)
  • Julie Pittman (The Mountaineer Herald)

Key Reports and Updates

Council President’s Report

  • Council President Tusing welcomed new council member Susan Kuhar.
  • He thanked attendees for the 200th Anniversary Celebration of Ebensburg Borough’s Incorporation held the previous day.
  • He acknowledged State Rep. Frank Burns for issuing a proclamation recognizing the borough's milestone anniversary, which is now available at the Borough office.

Water/Wastewater Committee

  • Inframark Reports: Written reports regarding operations, projects, and activities for both the Wastewater and Water Treatment Plants were submitted for council review.
  • Waterline Replacement Project: Mr. Miller reported the project is on schedule. Guyer Brothers has installed 100% of the main line (including Lovell Avenue) and 96% of service installations. The contractor is currently testing lines and preparing to install a vault on Ann Street; restoration will begin upon completion.
  • Stormwater Project: Mr. Miller reported that A. Liberoni Construction received substantial completion, except for unplanned work on Highland Avenue. The Authority suggested Liberoni subcontract with Guyer Brothers to finish the work.

Recreation Committee

  • GTRP Grant: Ms. Jacoby reported on a proposed application for a Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) grant. The goal is to convert two of the three basketball courts at Memorial Field into pickleball courts. A 15% match is required, and the Recreation Director will provide an estimate for the next meeting.
    • Motion: Ms. Jacoby moved to approve staff proceeding with the application. Passed unanimously.
  • Lake Rowena Revitalization: Ms. Jacoby reported the borough was awarded a grant for $4,093,234.20 to dredge Lake Rowena and fund other improvements (bank stabilization, new docks, playground equipment, concession stand, etc.).
    • Motion: Ms. Jacoby moved to accept the grant offer and authorize staff to prepare specifications and solicit bids. Passed unanimously.
    • Borough Manager Cook thanked Borough Engineer Matt Koenigsberg for his efforts in securing the grant.

Street Committee

  • Parking Enforcement: Ms. Houser reported that council voted in January to move from metered parking to free two-hour parking. Staff is working with police on implementation details. Cambria County Commissioners requested their spots remain unchanged, to be used for permit and 4-hour court business parking only.
  • Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB): Due to high traffic on High Street, the borough received a Local Share Account Grant of $52,747.00 for an RRFB. Two bids were received:
    • M and B Services: $96,471. 18
    • Kuharchik Construction: $109,888. 50
    • Motion: Ms. Houser moved to approve the low bid from M and B Services, LLC. Passed unanimously.

Administration Committee

  • Billing Clerk: Ms. Jacoby noted that Ms. Tammy Young has accepted the position of Billing Clerk and is working alongside current clerk Rose Myers until her retirement in mid-June.
  • Summer Hires: The following applicants were hired for summer employment:
    • Public Works: Bob Koscho (4th year), Noah Bagley, Sophie Becquet, Alec Prokop, Carter Rummel, William Tremel (all 2nd year); Max Bradley, Sam Tremel, Theodore Gallagher (1st year).
    • Landscaper: Matt Evans (1st year).
    • Summer Intern: Summer Koss (1st year).
    • Swimming Pool Manager: Abbey O’Brien (7th year).
    • Head Lifeguard: Kayden Magulick (4th year).
    • Returning Lifeguards: Loralyn Simmers (6th year); Maya Sirsikar, Naveen Sirsikar, Gwen Fodor, Maggie McCullough (4th year); Brode Ryan, Jemma Sikora, Vickie Griffiths, Ian Estep (3rd year); Gus Ryan, Regan Tronzo, Ally Kabo (2nd year).
    • New Lifeguard Hires: Maddy Wandel, Bryn Wandel, Elle Conrad, Bella Mesoras, Izzy O’Brien, Kendel Magulick, Allie Mogan.
    • Limited Hours: Aubrey Kabo, Jaycee Kleinstuber, Karlee Nileski, Joey McFadden, Isaac Oravec.

General Business

Ordinance #674 (Stray/Feral Cats)

  • Ms. Cook reported on a proposed ordinance prohibiting residents from feeding stray or feral cats if it causes a nuisance or health/safety hazard. Residents who choose to feed cats would be responsible for vaccinations and ensuring the cats are spayed/neutered.
    • Motion: Ms. Jacoby moved for final approval of Ordinance #674. Passed unanimously.

SRO for Holy Name School

  • Ms. Cook reported that Holy Name approved the School Resource Officer (SRO) agreement. Officers completed training on April 25, 2025. A slight delay pushed the start date back, but operations through May will provide feedback for a potential 2025-26 school year agreement.

Skills Machines and Zoning

  • Ms. Cook reported the Planning Commission will review zoning ordinances for skills machines ("gaming parlors"), vape/tobacco shops, CBD shops, and potential marijuana dispensaries. Council discussed resurrecting an "Amusement Tax" for these devices. Staff will research how other municipalities handle this and report back in May.

Resolution #2025-01

  • Ms. Cook reported on a resolution supporting the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (Amercia250PA).
    • Motion: Ms. Jacoby moved to approve Resolution #2025-01. Passed unanimously.

Recreation Board Vacancies

  • Ms. Cook reported that Melanie Boland and Ashley Bobby submitted statements of interest for Recreation Board vacancies. Both candidates are recommended for approval.
    • Motion: Ms. Jacoby moved to appoint Melanie Boland to fulfill the unexpired term of Jamie Oravec (expiring 12/2026) and Ashley Bobby to fulfill the unexpired term of Kristen McRoberts (expiring 12/2025). Passed unanimously.

Department Reports

  • Police: Chief Loughran reported the new SRO will soon start at Holy Name. A PennDOT permit has been submitted for street closures during the upcoming Wheels & Wings event.
  • Public Works: Mr. Surkovich provided a written report on last month’s activities.
  • Community Development: Director Danea Koss reported upcoming events: Art in Bloom, Brighten Up the Burg Clean-Up Day, Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, and Historic Ebensburg District Signage placement.
  • Recreation: Director Rebecca Williamson reported on pesticide applicator certification, swimming pool preparations, and the softball field project. Mr. Richard Nikolishen volunteered to tend to all three ballfields at Memorial Field Complex.
  • Building Permits/Codes Enforcement: A monthly report was forwarded to council.
  • Ebensburg Municipal Authority: Minutes from the last meeting are included in the council packet.
  • Planning Commission & Zoning Hearing Board: No reports.

Public Comments

  • Mr. Pat Lauer (313 E. Horner Street) noted stray cats in his neighborhood and suspected a neighbor was feeding them. He was advised that enforcement would be handled by the Borough Police Department.

Adjournment

There being no further business, Ms. Jacoby made a motion to adjourn. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:04 PM.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director

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