Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary

Date: June 28, 2021

Attendance and Opening

The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p. m. by Council President Doug Tusing.

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

Key Agenda Items and Decisions

Consent Agenda The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:

• Approval of minutes from the May 24, 2021 meeting.
• Approval of the financial statement.
• Approval of bill payments.

Street Committee Updates

• 2021 Sidewalk Project: Ameron Construction is nearing completion of curbing and sidewalks on West Horner Street. Excavation has begun on West Crawford. The project is on schedule for completion by July 31, 2021.
• 2021 Paving Project: Bids were opened on June 22. The council unanimously awarded the contract to New Enterprise for a total of $538,870. 33.
• Center and High Street Signal: Audio parts for the crosswalk signal have been ordered but will take nearly two months to arrive.
• Traffic Issue: Council member Scot May requested "No Parking" signs be placed on the 90-degree turn of Triumph Street near Memorial Fields to resolve traffic issues caused by parking on both sides.

Administration Committee

• Employee Promotion: Following an Executive Session, the council unanimously voted to promote employee Josh Surkovich from Laborer I to Laborer II. This promotion is effective as of the next pay period and includes a raise of $11,793. 60 per year.
• AFSCME Grievance Settlement: The council unanimously accepted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the use of outside contractors for snow removal. The agreement allows for contractor use under specific circumstances and requires a payment of $100. 00 to union employees for each instance. Council member Scot May recused himself from this vote.

General Business

• Lake Rowena Dredging: The council approved a proposal from CDI-LR Kimball for an initial investigation into dredging options. The fee for this investigation is $2,250. 00.
• Energy Contract: The council approved a four-year contract with Engie for energy supply, expiring in December 2025. The rate is set at $0. 05899/kWh.
• High Street Waterline Replacement: The Ebensburg Municipal Authority is applying for funding from PENNVEST to replace cast iron water mains on High Street. The council approved a letter stating the project is consistent with borough policies.
• Ebensburg Airport: The council approved a bid from Quaker Sales for taxiway rehabilitation and apron rehabilitation. The total cost is $504,044. 95. No borough funds are being used for this project.

Department Reports

Written reports were submitted by the Police, Public Works, Community Development, and Recreation departments.

Executive Session

The council entered an Executive Session at 7:22 p. m. to discuss the employee promotion and the AFSCME MOU regarding snow removal contractors. The session ended at 7:50 p. m.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p. m. following a motion by Ms. Jacoby.