Documents Aug 27, 2018

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - August 27, 2018

Meeting Details:

Attendees:

Council Present: Doug Tusing (President), Susan Barber (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Scot May, Dave Kuhar, Cecilia Houser, John Cobaugh
Others Present: Mayor Randy Datsko, Borough Manager Daniel Penatzer, Solicitor Blair Pawlowski, Police Chief Terry Wyland, Public Works Director Jeff Evans, Plant Supervisor Mark Wirfel, Community Development Director Danea Koss, Recreation Director Dirk Johnson, and representatives from local media.
Audience: 24 residents

Ed Bishop (318 W. Triumph St): Expressed concerns about poor paving quality after sewer line replacements and damage to trees from utility trimming. He also asked if the alley behind Triumph Street would be repaved.
Pat Kelly (624 E. Sample St): Complained about paying an $8 monthly stormwater fee without receiving any benefits, as there are no planned stormwater projects in her area.
Randy Passanita (617 E. Sample St): Requested confirmation on the sidewalk project schedule.
Linda Eckenrode (on behalf of Jessica Link, W. Sample St): Expressed displeasure with how the meeting was conducted.
June Fether (Arbor Street): Asked for signage guidelines for future B&Bs in residential areas and later thanked the council for their professionalism.
Mike Owatt (612 North Caroline St): Reiterated his frustration and concerns regarding the proposed sidewalk project on N. Caroline Street.

Stormwater System: Council President Tusing noted the borough has an inadequate system and is in the middle of a $9 million state-mandated sewer project.
Project Status: The wastewater project is 10% complete in the southern sections.
Notifications & Compliance:
- 41 notices were mailed to customers in the initial notification area (Hillcrest and Industrial Park). Five customers have not made required repairs, and water termination notices have been sent.
- In the second notification area (Crestwood, Lovell, New Germany Road, Emerald), 486 notices were issued. As of August 15th, 184 had not made repairs. Of those, 33 have contracted work and 13 are complete. Remaining customers will receive termination notices after October 31st.
Borough Properties: All borough-owned properties successfully tested, with three exceptions: the rental house at the pool (pipe bursting needed after pool season), Memorial Field, and the borough garage.

E. Sample Street: A motion to accept a new alignment of sidewalks passed unanimously (6-0, with Barber abstaining).
W. Triumph Street: A motion to keep sidewalks as-is without adding extra sidewalk on the north side passed (5-2, with May and Cobaugh voting no).
W. Sample Street: A motion to delete sidewalks in the 500-600 block failed due to lack of a second.
N. West Street & W. Crawford Street: Council consensus was not to install sidewalks on these streets up to Bishop Carroll.
N. Caroline Street: Mr. Penatzer asked for a decision on adding sidewalks up to Bolton Street. There were no objections from council, and he offered to speak with residents for feedback.

B&B Ordinance (Ordinance #644): A motion to grant final approval for an ordinance allowing Bed & Breakfasts in all zoning districts where residential occupancy is already permitted passed unanimously.
Crestwood Estates Right-of-Way: A motion to waive the borough's interest in a right-of-way between New Germany Road and a borough-owned parcel passed unanimously.

Police Department: Reported a successful drug take-back night (139 lbs of drugs collected) and noted large crowds at the Downtown Shutdown and Homecoming. Residents were advised to lock their cars due to thefts from unlocked vehicles.
Public Works Department: Reported on ongoing sewer project work, DAF system maintenance, and water purchases from Johnstown and sales to Nanty Glo.
Community Development Department: Reported success with the Downtown Shutdown and Homecoming. The final Concert in the Park is scheduled for Friday, August 31st. Nearly 300 applications were received for PotatoFest, with around 220 accepted. A Volunteer Appreciation Night and Happy Hour will be held on Thursday, September 20th.
Recreation Department: Reported on the Tennis Center Open House, pool schedule updates, and an upcoming Pooch Pool Party on September 9th to benefit the Cambria County Humane Society.
Ebensburg Planning Commission: No report.

AFSCME Labor Agreement: Negotiations for the renewal of the labor agreement (expiring end of 2018) are ongoing, with one more meeting expected on September 11th.
2019 Annual Budget: Staff will begin work in September. A tentative budget is expected for council review at the October meeting, with final adoption planned for November.

The council entered an executive session at 8:42 p. m. to discuss the lease of the bottom floor of the YPCC (Youth and Parent Counseling Center).

Meeting Adjourned: 8:59 PM Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director