Documents Jul 28, 2025

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - July 28, 2025

Meeting Details:

Council Members Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice President), Jeffrey Ball, Theresa Jacoby, Susan Kuhar, Robert Miller, Mike Murphy, Roy Lian (Junior Councilor), Abe Remillard (Junior Councilor).
Others Present: Kelly Cook (Borough Manager), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Joe Loughran (Chief of Police), Josh Surkovich (Public Works Director), Danea Koss (Community Development Director), Matt Gribler (Solicitor), Luke Byrne (Inframark), Gerry McMullen (Municipal Authority), John Cobaugh (American Legion), Phil Rice (American Legion), Bob Slebodnick (Ebensburg VFW), Brandon Kopp (Ebensburg VFW), Matt Churella (The Altoona Mirror), Julie Pittman (The Mountaineer Journal).
Audience: 14 people.

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

VFW Post 4963 Request Brandon Kopp read a letter requesting an exception for non-profit organizations from the proposed mechanical device tax.

Mayor's Report

Mayor Datsko reminded residents that signs are not permitted on utility poles anywhere in the borough.

Council President's Report

Council President Tusing announced the retirement of long-time employee Rose Myers after 15 years of service.
Ms. Tammy Young has taken over the position vacated by Myers.

Water/Wastewater Committee Updates

Inframark Reports: Written reports on operations, projects, and activities for both the wastewater and water treatment plants were submitted.
Waterline Replacement Project: Guyer Brothers has nearly completed the project and is working on punch-list items, expected to be finished in a few weeks.
Stormwater Project: A. Liberioni Construction received substantial completion, except for work on Highland Avenue, which is expected to finish by the end of the week.

Recreation Committee (YPCC)

The YPCC is experiencing moisture problems similar to those at the Tennis Center.
A repair involving lining the ceiling with a membrane is estimated to cost $61,750.
The council agreed to put this repair out for bid, with bids to be opened at the August meeting.

Street Committee

Parking Enforcement: The council voted to move from metered parking to free two-hour parking. Staff is developing an implementation plan with Borough Police and will provide a recommendation next month.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB): A contract was awarded to M and B Services, LLC. The project is expected to begin shortly and be completed within 30 days.

General Business

Municipal League Summit: Doug Tusing was appointed as a voting delegate for the resolutions committee at the Municipal League annual Leadership Summit in October.
Transient Retailer’s Ordinance: The council decided to revise the ordinance to focus only on door-to-door solicitation.
Gaming License Ordinance: The council tabled discussion on this ordinance until the state decides how to proceed with its own tax on gaming devices.
Zoning Ordinance Changes: The council referred a matter to the County and Borough Planning Commission regarding changes to zoning for commercial uses like gaming parlors, hookah bars, marijuana dispensaries, and vape shops.
Zoning Map Change: The council referred a matter to the Planning Commission to change the zoning for the north side of High Street (between Beech and Spruce Streets) from Residential Multi Household (RMH) to Mixed Village Commercial (MX/VC).
Penn Eben Park: The council directed the borough manager to have an arborist check the health of trees between the gazebo and an adjacent building.
Borough Pool Property: The council directed the borough engineer to assess vegetation along the stream behind the pool to prevent future flooding.
Planning Commission Appointment: Brian Hurtack was appointed to the Planning Commission to fill an unexpired term until December 2028.

Police Department: Reported an incident-free Downtown Shutdown and Homecoming weekend. Holy Name was pleased with the new School Resource Officer.
Public Works Department: Reported on event preparation, street repairs, and a tree that fell on Alton Street.
Community Development Department: Reported on the time capsule opening, Homecoming weekend wrap-up, Potatofest updates, and a meeting with the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies.
Recreation Department: Director Rebecca Williamson was on vacation.
Codes Enforcement: Issued 9 violations this month (6 for shrubs/vegetation, 1 nuisance vehicle/junk, 1 feral cat, and 1 junk on property).

The council entered an executive session at 7:31 p. m. to discuss a personnel matter and exited at 8:07 p. m.