Documents Sep 23, 2024

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: September 23, 2024 Time: 6:30 p. m. – 7:00 p. m. Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building

Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser (Vice President), Dave Kuhar, Mike Murphy, Jeff Ball, Theresa Jacoby, Robert Miller.
Absent: Randy Datsko (Mayor).
Others Present: Kelly Cook (Borough Manager), Chris Bopp (Police Officer), Danea Koss (Community Development Director), Rebecca Williamson (Recreation Director), Luke Byrne (Inframark), Matt Gribler (Solicitor), and media representatives from The Altoona Mirror and Mainline Newspapers.

A motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Ms. Houser and passed unanimously. The approved items included:

Water/Wastewater Committee

Inframark submitted written reports regarding operations and projects at both the wastewater and water treatment plants.
Wastewater Replacement Project: Mr. Miller reported the project is on schedule, with Guyer Brothers having installed approximately 80% of the mainline and 50% of service installations.
Stormwater Project: Construction began August 12, 2024, by A. Liberoni Construction. The contractor is currently installing 60” pipe on North Julian and North Beech Streets. The project is estimated to take seven months to complete.

Recreation Committee

Pool Bids: Ms. Jacoby reported receiving one bid from Avalotis Corporation for $198,750 for the second phase of borough pool renovations. The council unanimously approved this bid.

Street Committee

West Triumph Street Loading Zone: Laurel Medical Solutions requested a loading zone adjacent to their property between West Ogle St. and South West Street due to safety hazards from tractor-trailer deliveries. The council voted to table this item to ensure proper procedures are followed.
Spruce Street Traffic: Mr. Murphy inquired about the process for making Spruce Street one-way from Crawford to West High Street.

Administration Committee

Budget: Department heads are preparing the 2025 budget, with a draft expected for review at next month’s meeting.
Hiring: Robert Yahnert and Gabe Forst were hired as full-time Public Works Laborers I at $22. 79/hour. Alexa Miller was hired as a part-time Tennis Center employee at $8. 50/hour.

Ordinance #670: Garbage Ordinance

The council granted final approval for an ordinance prohibiting garbage and recycling receptacles from being placed in public roadways.

Lock Boxes for Fire Department Use

It was determined that existing fire codes already authorize the fire chief to specify lock box requirements. No new ordinance is needed; the Fire Chief will issue a letter outlining requirements for new or renovated structures.

Lease Agreements

Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies: The tenant requested a three-year lease renewal starting October 1, 2024, at the current rate of $1,117. 38/month. Discussion was deferred to an executive session.
Cambria County Child Development Corporation: The tenant requested a three-year lease renewal at an increased rate of $1,666. 94/month. Discussion was deferred to an executive session.

Noise Complaint

A follow-up on a complaint regarding waste receptacles being emptied during quiet hours was reviewed. Solicitor Gribler confirmed that garbage removal is considered an "essential service" under the noise ordinance, so no violation occurred.

Police Department: Officer Bopp reported 310 calls in August. A shelter-in-place order was issued due to a swatting call in the southeast quadrant; this incident remains under investigation. The department received a $40k grant for an upgraded reporting management system.
Public Works Department: The street sweeper is operational but limited by ongoing construction.
Community Development: Director Danea Koss highlighted upcoming events including Potatofest, Fall Foliage Ride on the Trail, and the Halloween Parade. Cambria Elementary art students will paint downtown storefront windows for Halloween.
Recreation Department: New scoreboards were installed at Lions and Lake Fields in memory of Luke Trotz and Justin Yahner. Upcoming events at the YPCC include a Blood Drive, Senior Fair, Bingo Night, and a Halloween Party on October 27.

Media/Public Comment: Luke Byrne (Inframark) suggested installing Knox Boxes at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants.
Executive Session: The council entered executive session at 6:57 p. m. to discuss a real estate matter and reopened to the public at 7:00 p. m.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p. m. following a motion by Ms. Jacoby.

Minutes Recorded By: Danea Koss, Community Development Director