Borough Meeting Minutes - Aug 11 2022
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Borough Council Meeting Summary (August 11, 2022)
The Hollidaysburg Borough Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. President Joseph A. Pompa called the meeting to order.
Attendance
- Present: Council members Joseph A. Pompa, Brady Leahey, Michele Baker, James Mielnik, and Sean Burke.
- Absent: Councilmen Walter Kalista III and Jeffrey Ketner; Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett; Mayor Dodson.
- Also Present: Borough Manager James Gehret, Solicitor Nathan Karn, Borough Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Building Code Official Gerald Harbison, Director of Community Relations Melanie Ramsey, Sgt. Richard Oldham.
Key Agenda Items & Decisions
Minutes Approval
- The minutes from the July 14, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously (5–0) on a motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Leahey.
Reports
- Manager’s Report: No additions to agenda binder or financial report.
- Planning & Zoning (Mr. Harbison): Received update on comprehensive plan process; consultant Gannett Fleming requested a 4-month extension to complete draft — council agreed.
- Community Relations (Ms. Ramsey): Farmers Market and Downtown LIVE! Concerts ongoing; requested council vote to register Hollidaysburg Farmers Market at markets.farmland.org.
- Fire Marshal & Mayor Reports: Both officials absent.
Public Comment Highlights
- Richard Latker (703 Allegheny St): Announced Republican Tea Party annual event at Legion Park; updated on Community Watchdog activities.
- Laurah Zeek (315 Mulberry St): Discussed sidewalk accessibility for wheelchairs.
- J.S. Vipond (1001 Church St): Addressed Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department mortgage, police hiring, and officer count.
- Regis Nale (204 BelAire Rd): Raised concerns about comprehensive plan delay and shortage of school crossing guards.
- Jim Fitch (109 Bel Aire Rd): Noted no police officer or chief hired yet.
- Mark Slonaker (President, Phoenix VFD): Reported on department’s recent activity.
Open Agenda Items
- Mr. Leahey requested sidewalk update.
- Mr. Mielnik raised flooding/runoff water issues.
Resolutions Passed
Resolution No. 2022-27: Consent Agenda Approval
Approved bill list #8 totaling $117,799.62 and three Certificates of Appropriateness for historic district projects:
a. 408 Penn Street – Carport Recommendations (Chris Cook)
- Seek HARB recommendation to remove/replace roof or remove completely.
- Requires professional structural analysis.
- Applicant working under agreement to address deficiencies.
- Structure classified as “Contributing” in Historic District.
b. 106 Wayne Street – Business Signage (Canal Place Shoppes & Liberty Hall – Don Delozier)
- Install attached 18”x60” sign above porch door.
- Install attached 30”x48” sign on north wall above ramp.
- Install 24”x30” free-standing sign on north side of Wayne Street driveway.
- Structure classified as “Significant” in Historic District.
c. 620 Walnut Street – Partial Porch Enclosure (Stacey L. Parris)
- Enclose 6-foot portion of front porch facing Clark Street for closet extension.
- Must match existing siding.
- Complies with R2 Zoning Regulations.
- Requires UCC building permit.
- Structure is “contributing” in Historic District.
Motion by Mr. Ketner, seconded by Ms. Baker — passed 5–0.
Resolution No. 2022-28: Appoint Towing Company
Appointed Burchfield as the official towing company for the Borough’s employee parking lot.
Motion by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Ms. Baker — passed 5–0.
Approval of Funds Release to Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD)
Approved release of $27,950.00 to reimburse PVFD for expenditures through July 5, 2022.
- Condition: PVFD must provide documentation back to January 2019.
- Motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Leahey — passed 5–0.
Executive Session
At 7:35 PM, President Pompa announced an executive session to discuss litigation. Council did not return to regular meeting afterward.
Signatures
- Adopted by: Joseph A. Pompa, President
- Attested by: Patricia J. Duron, Borough Secretary
All resolutions were duly adopted on August 11, 2022.