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Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - September 23, 2019

Meeting Details:

  • Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
  • Time: 6:30 p. m. to 7:06 p. m.
  • Location: Ebensburg Municipal Building, 300 W. High Street, Ebensburg
  • Presiding: Council President Doug Tusing

Attendees:

  • Council Members Present: Doug Tusing (President), Susan Barber (Vice President), Cecilia Houser, Scot May, John Cobaugh, Theresa Jacoby, Dave Kuhar
  • Others Present: Dan Penatzer (Borough Manager), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Blair Pawlowski (Solicitor), Terry Wyland (Chief of Police), Jeff Evans (Public Works Director), Danea Koss (Community Development Director), Mike Montgomery (Wastewater Plant Supervisor), and representatives from local media.
  • Audience: 8 members

Consent Agenda

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included:

  • Confirmation that Samantha Fulcherio was hired as a tennis assistant effective August 26, 2019.
  • Approval of the minutes from the August 26, 2019 meeting.
  • Approval of the Financial Statement.
  • Approval of payment of bills.

Committee Reports & Updates

Water/Wastewater Committee:

  • Wastewater Plant Operations: Mr. Mike Montgomery reported on activities at the water treatment plant.
  • Sewer Project: Mr. Kuhar reported that work on sewer mains and laterals is complete, with testing finished except for one manhole. A walk-through inspection began on September 18th.
    • Street and yard restoration is ongoing. Sippel will perform remaining base work on streets.
    • After a joint meeting, it was agreed that Quaker Sales would begin top coating on September 25th.
    • Sewer-related street repairs are expected to take 7-10 days.

Delinquencies:

  • Mr. Kuhar reported that the borough bills customers a total of $3,960,000 annually for water, sewer, garbage, and stormwater fees.
  • The total amount delinquent beyond 120 days is only $6,564.
  • Ms. Rose Myers was thanked for her diligence in applying rules and regulations.

Street Committee:

  • Street Resurfacing: Mr. Cobaugh reported that street milling and resurfacing south of High Street has been delayed by utility projects.
    • Sippel still has small sections requiring base repair.
    • Gas-related work along West Lloyd Street is not yet complete but will be finished this week.
    • A second crew from Quaker Sales is scheduled to begin milling south of High Street on October 2nd. They are confident in completing all milling and paving prior to October 31st.
  • Triumph Street Sidewalk: Ms. Houser reported that PennDOT approved updated plans for two handicap ramps on Triumph Street at South Center Street.
    • Excavation occurred on September 19th.
    • Concerns were raised about the steep grades at the intersection, which may make compliance impossible and create a dangerous ramp. PennDOT has been asked to inspect the area before concrete is poured.

Administration Committee:

  • Employee Pension Plans: Ms. Barber reported on routine actions for employee pension plans, including the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO).
    • The council adopted the MMO calculation for the non-uniformed pension plan at $135,396.
    • The council adopted the MMO calculation for the uniformed pension plan at $37,396.
    • Resolution #2019-04 was adopted, establishing an employee contribution rate of 3% (unchanged) for the non-uniformed pension plan for 2020.
    • Resolution #2019-05 was adopted, establishing an employee contribution rate of 3% (unchanged) for the uniformed pension plan for 2020.
    • Resolution #2019-06 was adopted, authorizing the distribution of the State aid check to the respective employee pension plans.
    • The NET COST FOR BOTH PLANS for 2020 is projected to be $67,396.

General Business:

  • 2019 Audit: Ms. Jacoby reported that regulations require the auditor to be designated prior to the end of each year. The council unanimously adopted Resolution #2019-07, appointing Wessel & Company as the auditor for 2019.
  • Pension Audit: Mr. Kuhar reported that the Auditor General performs audits of municipal pension plans every three to four years. Audits for January 2016 – December 2018 were provided to the council.
    • There are no findings in the police pension plan.
    • There are two findings in the non-uniformed plan that require adjustment.
    • An AG 385 payroll certification form submitted in 2017 omitted a new employee, resulting in an underpayment of state aid to the borough in the amount of $3,059. This has been corrected.
    • That omission also contributed to an understated payroll and an underpayment on the 2018 MMO. The borough is required to pay the pension plan the balance of what should have been due under the 2018 MMO, plus interest.
    • Mr. Kuhar made a motion to approve a transfer to the non-uniformed pension plan in the amount of $7,046 plus interest to correct the 2018 underpayment. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Main Street Partnership: Ms. Houser reported that Mr. Scott Cunningham has resigned from the Main Street Partnership. The council unanimously appointed Justin Yahner to complete his unexpired term, which expires in December 2020.

Department Reports:

  • Police Department: Chief Wyland reported on last month's activities, including recertifying all parking meters, an update on the American Legion County Fair, and reminding residents not to run red lights.
  • Public Works Department: Mr. Evans reported on public works activities, including no issues at the water plant and scheduled updates required by DEP, lead and copper sampling, leak repairs, and placement of the sewer lateral at the rental house.
  • Community Development Department: Ms. Koss reported that Ebensburg’s Historic District nomination had been approved and the district has been added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 2019. She thanked volunteers and main street members for their help with Volunteer Appreciation Night and Main Street Happy Hour. She also announced that PotatoFest would take place on Saturday, September 28th, and the Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat would be on Sunday, October 27th at 1 pm.
  • Recreation Department: Mr. Johnson reported that Saint Francis University and Mount Aloysius College will use the Tennis Center for their men’s and women’s programs. The Basketball league will start on October 5th with 25 teams signed up. The Ebensburg Rotary Club is interested in having a Dog Park constructed on a parcel of land along the Ghost Town Trail, across from the YPCC.
  • Ebensburg Planning Commission: The commission reviewed the initial subdivision and land development application for the proposed Dollar General store. Many issues remain unresolved, and a revised plan will be submitted for the Commission’s consideration.
  • Ebensburg Zoning Board:
    • Approved a setback variance for a proposed garage at 418 South Cherry Street.
    • Approved a special exception for a daycare to be operated at a residence at 724 North Spruce Street.

Public Comments:

  • Mr. Mike Illig asked if the handicap ramps have to be to code.
  • Mr. Ed Cernic, Cambria County Controller, presented the County’s 11th Annual Edition of the Citizen’s Financial Report.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 PM upon a motion by Mr. Cobaugh, seconded by Ms. Jacoby.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director

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