Documents Sep 28, 2020

Minutes

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - September 28, 2020

Meeting Details:

Attendance:

Present: Doug Tusing (President), Dave Kuhar (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Scot May, Cecilia Houser, Mike Owatt
Absent: Jeff Ball
Others Present: Daniel Penatzer (Borough Manager), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Blair Pawlowski (Solicitor), Danea Koss, Dirk Johnson, Kristen Baudoux, Phil Sutton

The following items were approved unanimously on a motion by Ms. Jacoby:

Approval of Malia Kutchman’s part-time hire at the tennis center (effective August 27, 2020).
Approval of the minutes from the August 24, 2020 meeting.
Approval of the Financial Statement and quarterly transfers.
Approval of bill payments.
Approval of the taxiway improvement project design.

Plant Operations: Inframark provided written reports for both wastewater and water treatment plants.
Water Line Project: A project to replace 600 feet of water line on North Spruce Street (between Horner and Milton Streets) was approved. This addresses leaks on a 1½” line serving two customers. The work must be finished before street resurfacing in 2021.
Sewer Projects: Two small sewer line projects were approved for bidding:
- East Ogle Street: A 200-foot line in rear yards serving four properties.
- North Marian Street: A 200-foot new main installation to provide service where the existing line is too low.
- Both projects must be completed prior to street resurfacing in 2021.

Sidewalk Project: Primary work is complete, except for two blocks on East Sample Street. A punch-list of minor secondary work has been shared with the contractor.
Street Resurfacing: Milling and resurfacing in the northeast quadrant is expected to begin in early October.
Sidewalk Ordinance: Tentative approval was granted for Ordinance #655. This amends the requirement for sidewalks on West Sample Street (south side of 500 and 600 blocks between West and Marian Streets).

Borough Manager Retirement: Borough Manager Daniel Penatzer will retire on March 6, 2021. The administration committee has met to discuss the search process and will meet in executive session to continue this discussion.
Tennis Center: Confirmed that Malia Kutchman was hired part-time on August 27, 2020.
2021 Budget: Preliminary budget members are being prepared. The administration committee will meet on October 12th to compile a tentative budget for Council review in November. Final adoption is expected at the November meeting.

Gender-Neutral Code Revisions: Tentative approval was granted for Ordinance #656. This ordinance directs that all Borough ordinances and resolutions be edited to replace gender-specific terms with gender-neutral language to promote equity and inclusion.
Garbage/Recycling Bids: The current contract expires at the end of 2020. Bids were opened on October 8th (note: minutes recorded in September, likely referring to future bids or a typo in the source text regarding the date).
- Contract Award: A motion was made to award the contract to Pro Disposal for a 3-year period beginning January 1, 2021. The motion passed unanimously.
- Bid Comparison:
  - Pro Disposal: $146,280. 00 (2021), $146,280. 00 (2022), $149,780. 00 (2023). Includes free spring clean-up.
  - Waste Management: $317,872. 80 (2021), $330,592. 80 (2022).
  - Burgmeier Hauling: $169,622. 58 (2021), $174,711. 26 (2022).
- Customer Charge: The current charge of $18. 50/mo will not be adjusted as the annualized cost increase is less than $1,400.
- Recycling Viability: Pro Disposal operates the only functional recycling site in Cambria County. They accept recyclables from Waste Management and the county program but have limited storage when market prices are poor.

Ordinance #654: Final approval was granted for an ordinance banning outdoor burning, with the exception of recreational fires.
Vote: The motion passed 5-1 (Mr. Jacoby voted No).

Financial Impact: The impact on Borough finances has been minimal. Revenue losses at the YPCC, tennis center, and pool were offset by reduced expenses. Water and wastewater revenues saw more significant shortfalls due to business closures.
CARES Act Grant: The Borough applied for $375,240 under the governmental portion of the program.
- Eligible Costs: $364,778 for "front line" police personnel costs and $10,462 for increased cleaning/sanitizing supplies.
- Resolution: Resolution 2020-12 authorizing the application was adopted unanimously.

Location: Lake Rowena property.
Plan: The Rotary Club proposed the park. Council approved the site plan and the Borough’s commitment to provide water service, stormwater drainage, and long-term maintenance. These commitments qualify as local matching funds for grants.
Status: Motion to approve the site plan passed unanimously.

Rezoning Request: A request is pending to rezone the former middle school field from single-household residential to multi-household residential.
Public Hearing: Scheduled for Monday, October 5th at 6:30 pm at the YPCC.

Front Yard Fences: The Zoning Hearing Board denied a variance for a front yard fence under Section 607 of the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant requested an amendment to the ordinance due to alleged violations.
Action: Council referred the request to the planning commission for review and recommendation at the October meeting.

Police Department: No report.
Public Works Department: A leak on Wilmore Road was found and repaired.
Community Development Department:
- Concerts in the Park: Concluded on September 25th with nine total concerts.
- Spud Stroll: Held on September 26th as a modified PotatoFest due to Covid-19 restrictions. It was well-attended with no large-scale gatherings.
- Fall Foliage Ride: Scheduled for Sunday, October 11th on the Ghost Town Trail, weather permitting.
Recreation Department: No report.
Ebensburg Zoning Board: A lot merger at 320 East High Street was tentatively approved last month but tabled by the planning commission because the plan had not been submitted. It is scheduled for consideration again on October 1st.

Mr. Bill Link (725 N. Spruce Street) commented that hosting the meeting via Zoom was a good idea.

The Council entered executive session at 7:40 pm to discuss the search process for a new Borough Manager.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm on a motion by Ms. Jacoby, seconded by Mr. Owatt.

Minutes Recorded by: Danea Koss, Community Development Director