Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes

Date: September 27, 2021 Time: 6:30 p. m. – 7:27 p. m. Location: Community Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building

Attendance

• Council Members Present: Doug Tusing (President), Dave Kuhar (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Scot May, Cecilia Houser, Mike Owatt, Jeff Ball, and Will Westrick (Junior Councilor).
• Others Present: Kelly Cook (Borough Manager), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Blair Pawlowski (Solicitor), Danea Koss (Community Development Director), Dirk Johnson (Recreation Director), Jeff Evans (Public Works Director), Gerry McMullen (Municipal Authority), Kristin Baudoux (The Mountaineer Herald), and Katie Smolen (The Tribune Democrat).

Key Decisions & Reports

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

• Approval of the minutes from the August 23, 2021 meeting.
• Approval of the financial statement.
• Approval of bill payments.

Water/Wastewater Committee

• Operations: Written reports for both the wastewater and water treatment plants were provided by Inframark.

Street Committee

• 2021 Paving Project: New Enterprise was awarded the paving contract. Work commenced on September 13, 2021, and is expected to be completed before the September 28 deadline.
• Act 50 of 2021: The council granted tentative approval to Ordinance #659. This ordinance establishes procedures for managing requests to place small wireless facilities (like 5G equipment) in the public right-of-way.
• Resolution 2021-03: The council approved a design manual to regulate small wireless facilities, ensuring they do not negatively impact the borough's aesthetics.
• Winter Parking Regulations: A proposal was made to change parking restrictions on non-PennDOT roads from "No Parking between 2 AM and 6 AM" to "No Parking between 2 PM and 6 PM. " This change is intended to facilitate snow plowing and will take effect on December 1.

Administration Committee

• 2021 Budget: Preliminary budget numbers are being prepared by the Borough Manager. The committee will meet on October 5 to compile a tentative budget for council review in October, with final adoption expected in November.
• Employee Pension Plans: The council adopted the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) calculations for 2021:
  • Non-uniformed plan: $132,396
  • Uniformed plan: $55,407
  • Defined contribution plan: $6,038
• Employee Contributions: Resolution #2021-04 and #2021-05 were adopted, maintaining the employee contribution rate at 3% for both non-uniformed and uniformed plans.
• Part-time Employee: Tracy Brunatti was hired to clean the borough offices and tennis center at a rate of $10. 50/hour.

General Business

• Noise Ordinance: The PLCB approved a Noise Exemption Petition for the borough. This exemption is valid until September 22, 2026.

Lease Agreements

• Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies: A one-year lease renewal was approved, effective October 1, 2021, at the current rate of $1,117. 38 per month.
• Cambria County Child Development Corporation: A three-year lease renewal was approved, effective October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2024, at the current rate of $1,666. 94 per month.
• Land Merger: The council approved a land merger for the property at 726 N. Marian Street, following a recommendation from the Planning Commission.

Department Reports

• Police Department: Chief Wyland reported on ongoing unemployment scam investigations and noted that the delivery of a new cruiser has been delayed. He also confirmed that PotatoFest was successful with no reported incidents.
• Public Works Department: Director Jeff Evans reported on leak detection efforts and upcoming plans for Christmas decorations.
• Community Development: Director Danea Koss reported on the success of the 30th annual PotatoFest and listed upcoming events, including Volunteer Appreciation Night, Fall Foliage Ride, Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat, and Dickens of a Christmas. She also noted the opening of three new businesses: Ax’d Up Axe Throwing Lounge, Drayer Physical Therapy, and Hometown Retirement Specialists.
• Recreation Department: Director Dirk Johnson reported on the status of the pool closure and a softball tournament at Memorial Field, which will conclude on October 17.

Other Information

• Tree Recommendations: Borough Manager Kelly Cook is working with an urban forester to update the list of recommended trees for residents. She also inquired about delaying tree planting until spring to avoid using an outside contractor.

Public Comments

• Pat Henry (128 Hickory Street): Requested that the borough maintain Hickory Street through the winter.
• Bill Link (725 N. Spruce Street): Commended the PotatoFest Committee and Main Street Partnership. He also expressed concern about Peoples Gas potentially tearing up recently paved streets.
• Gerry McMullen (214 W. Lloyd Street): Suggested the council consider amending the agenda to comply with new Sunshine Law requirements.

Executive Session & Adjournment The council entered an executive session at 7:11 p. m. to discuss a real estate matter related to a meeting with DCNR staff. The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p. m.