Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: September 22, 2025 Time: 6:30 p. m. – 7:07 p. m. Location: Community Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building

Attendance and Opening

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

• Present: Council members Doug Tusing, Cecilia Houser, Theresa Jacoby, Susan Kuhar, Robert Miller, Mike Murphy, and Junior Councilor Roy Lian.
• Absent: Jeff Ball.
• Others in Attendance: Borough Manager Kelly Cook, Mayor Randy Datsko, Police Chief Joe Loughran, and various department directors.
• Audience: 18 residents attended.

Consent Agenda

A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Ms. Houser and seconded by Mr. Murphy. The following items were approved:

• Reports from Inframark regarding Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant operations.
• Minutes from the August 25, 2025 meeting.
• The financial statement for August.
• Payment of bills for September.

Committee Reports and Updates

Water/Wastewater Committee

• Inframark Reports: Written reports on operations and projects for both the wastewater and water treatment plants were submitted for review.
• Waterline Replacement: Guyer Brothers has essentially completed the project and is finishing outstanding items. An inspection will be scheduled soon.
• Stormwater Project: A. Liberoni Construction received substantial completion. Most restoration is done, with an inspection scheduled for later in the week.

Recreation Committee

• YPCC Moisture Issues: Ms. Jacoby reported worsening moisture problems at the YPCC. A bid from Sports Interiors was accepted last month, with work scheduled to begin in late October and finish in early November.

Street Committee

• Parking Enforcement: Staff are evaluating four different business models for parking management and will provide recommendations in the future.
• Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB): A contract was awarded to M and B Services, LLC. Construction began last week, but a required pole is not expected until mid-October. Once the pole arrives, the contractor will schedule one day to complete the job.

Administration Committee

• 2026 Budget: Department heads have begun preparing the budget for 2026.
• Employee Pension Plans: The Council approved several actions regarding the 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) and state aid distribution:
  • Action #1: Adopted MMO for the non-uniformed plan at $79,179.
  • Action #2: Adopted MMO for the uniformed plan at $46,036.
  • Action #3: Adopted MMO for the defined contribution plan at $24,539.
  • Action #4: Authorized distribution of the State aid check to respective pension plans.
  • Action #5 & #6: Established an employee contribution rate of 5% (unchanged) for both the non-uniformed and uniformed pension plans.

General Business and Ordinances

Transient Retailer’s Ordinance (#677)

• This ordinance regulates transient retail businesses, including door-to-door solicitation, establishing fees and penalties, and repeals prior Ordinance #439.
• Decision: Final approval was granted unanimously on a motion by Ms. Houser, seconded by Mr. Miller.

Zoning Ordinance (#675)

• This proposed ordinance regulates the location of certain commercial uses, including gaming parlors, hookah bars, marijuana dispensaries, CBD stores, vape shops, and tobacco stores.
• Decision: Tentative approval was granted unanimously on a motion by Ms. Jacoby, seconded by Ms. Houser.

Zoning Map Change (Ordinance No. 676)

• The Borough proposed changing the zoning map for specific blocks of W. High Street, N. Marion, and Sample Street from Residential Multi Household (RMH) to Mixed Village Commercial (MX/VC).
• Decision: The proposed change was denied unanimously on a motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Murphy.

VFW Banner Request

• The Ebensburg VFW requested to replace current banners with "Hometown Heroes" banners around Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.
• Clarification: Mr. Brandon Kopp clarified the banners would be placed on utility poles rather than lamp posts.
• Decision: The request was approved unanimously on a motion by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mr. Murphy.

Water and Wastewater Billing Software

• The current Munilink software is becoming outdated and will lose security support in June 2026. The new software costs $10,093. 75 with an annual fee of approximately $18,500.
• Decision: The purchase of the Munilink software from LB Water Service was approved unanimously on a motion by Ms. Houser, seconded by Ms. Jacoby.

Department Reports

• Police: Chief Loughran reported on department trainings, PotatoFest staffing, and participation in the "Shop with a Cop" event.
• Public Works: Acting Director Jerry Poruban provided updates on Guyer Brothers assistance, PotatoFest prep, leak detection, and the East High Street Peoples Gas project.
• Community Development: Director Danea Koss reported on PotatoFest, the Time Capsule burial, Trick-or-Treat, Halloween window painting, and the Ebensburg Endowment Fund.
• Recreation: Director Rebecca Williamson reported on the Pooch Pool Party and upcoming events like the Halloween Party, tennis/basketball clinics, and facility winterization.
• Building Permit Enforcement: A monthly report was forwarded to the Council.
• Codes Enforcement: Ms. Cook reported 3 property violations were issued (2 for nuisance junk, 1 for nuisance junk and property maintenance).

Public Comments

Mr. Brandon Kopp mentioned the VFW might be interested in dropping off Halloween treat bags to be distributed at the YPCC Halloween party instead of during Trick-or-Treating.

Adjournment

There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Jacoby and seconded by Ms. Houser. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p. m.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director