Documents Aug 25, 2025

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Summary

Date: Monday, August 25, 2025 Time: 6:30 p. m. – 7:23 p. m. Location: Ebensburg Municipal Building, 300 W. High Street

Council Members Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice President), Jeffrey Ball, Theresa Jacoby, Susan Kuhar, Mike Murphy, and Roy Lian (Junior Councilor).
Others Present: Borough Manager Kelly Cook, Mayor Randy Datsko, Police Chief Joe Loughran, Acting Public Works Director Jerry Puroban, Recreation Director Rebecca Williamson, Solicitor Matt Gribler, and representatives from the Altoona Mirror and Mountaineer Journal.

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

Reports from Inframark regarding Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant operations.
Minutes from the July 28 regular meeting and the August 14 special meeting.
The financial statement for July.
Payment of bills for August.

Ordinance Updates

Transient Retailer’s Ordinance (No. 677): The council tentatively approved a new ordinance to regulate transient retail businesses, including door-to-door solicitation. This replaces the outdated Ordinance No. 439.
Zoning for Commercial Uses (No. 675): A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 22 at 5:30 PM to discuss regulations for gaming parlors, hookah bars, marijuana dispensaries, CBD stores, vape shops, and tobacco stores.
Zoning Map Changes (No. 676): A public hearing is also scheduled for Monday, September 22 at 5:30 PM regarding a proposal to change the zoning map for specific blocks of W. High Street, N. Marion, and W. Sample Street from Residential Multi-Household to Mixed Village Commercial.

Grants & Funding

Community Foundation Grant: The council unanimously accepted a Small Town Challenge Fund Grant. Ebensburg was selected as one of four communities to receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $25,000 for a community endowment. The borough must raise a minimum of $10,000 in donations to qualify.

Personnel & Administration

Acting Public Works Director: Jerry Puroban’s pay was approved to increase to $29. 81 per hour (approx. $62,000 salary) while serving in this acting role.
Public Works Director Search: Staff recommended advertising the permanent vacancy for Public Works Director with a salary range of $65,000 to $85,000.

Public Requests & Community Issues

Chickens: The council unanimously approved Chrissy Kauffman’s request to keep 4 hens at 609 E. Crawford Street.
Regional Police Study: The council unanimously approved participation in a regional police study conducted by the state to analyze combining multiple departments into a single regional force.

Water/Wastewater Committee

Waterline Replacement: Guyer Brothers has essentially completed the project and is working on punch-list items.
Stormwater Project: A. Liberoni Construction received substantial completion and has finished most restoration work.
Billing Error: An error was found in water/sewer billing; the Municipal Authority is currently correcting it.

Recreation Committee

YPCC Moisture Issues: The YPCC is experiencing worsening moisture problems. Sport Interior was the only bidder for a ceiling liner membrane to fix the issue, and their bid was accepted.

Street Committee

Parking Enforcement: The council voted in January to move away from metered parking. Staff is researching "MeterFeeder" for future payments, but the topic was tabled until September for more research.
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB): A contract was awarded to M and B Services, LLC. Construction began last week, with hopes for the beacon to be operational by the first full week in September.

Department Reports

Codes Enforcement: 18 property violations were issued this month, including issues with high grass, shrubs, junk vehicles, and fowl.
Recreation: Labor Day is the last day for the pool to be open.