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Borough Meeting Minutes - May 11

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Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM – 7:55 PM
Location: Council Chambers, Hollidaysburg Borough

Call to Order & Attendance

  • Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by President Joseph A. Pompa.
  • Quorum present: Council members Joseph A. Pompa, Michele Baker, James Mielnik, Walter Kalista III, Brady Leahey, Sean Burke.
  • Also attending: Borough Manager James Gehret, Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Mayor Joseph Dodson, Building Code Official Gerald Harbison, Solicitor Nathan W. Karn Sr. , Chief Christopher Storm, Director of Community Relations Melanie Ramsey, Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett.
  • Absent: Councilman Jeffrey Ketner.
  • Stenographer JoNell Snider present for public hearing.

Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence

Led by President Pompa.

Approval of Previous Minutes (April 13, 2023)

  • Motion to approve made by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Leahey.
  • Passed unanimously: 6–0.

Public Hearing: Ordinance No. 906 – Stormwater Update

  • Purpose: Adopt updated stormwater ordinance.
  • Stenographer JoNell Snider recorded comments and process.

Reports from Officials

Manager’s/Financial Report (James Gehret)

  • Reports available in agenda binder.
  • Update on Hollidaysburg Borough (Water) Authority meeting regarding mineral rights extraction — clarified that the Borough Authority owns mineral rights, not the Borough itself.

Planning/Zoning (Gerald Harbison)

  • Billboard will be erected on Blair Street.

Fire Marshal Report (Amy Hazlett)

  • Monthly report presented.

Director of Community Relations & Events (Melanie Ramsey)

  • Upcoming events:
    • Allegheny Street Cruise In: May 26, 2023 at 6 PM.
    • Memorial Day Parade (date not specified).

Chief of Police Report

  • Monthly activity report presented.

Mayor’s Report (Joseph Dodson)

  • Invited all residents to attend the Memorial Day Parade.

Public Comment Section

Residents spoke on various issues:

  • Jim Fitch (109 Bel Aire Road): Speeding concerns; suggested new sidewalks and traffic control devices.
  • Shaun Leydig (211 Newry Street): Supported hiring another police officer, street sweeping, summer maintenance on Allegheny Street.
  • Joel Koss (420 Wayne Street): Chimney Rocks maintenance.
  • Elda Jean Boose (121 Bedford Street): Stormwater management and speeding on Bedford Street.
  • Steve Albright (421 Bedford Street): Hiring ninth police officer, vehicle logo on Borough trucks, tree on Garber Street.

Open Agenda Item

  • Ms. Baker: Flooding in Gaysport.

Resolution No. 2023-14: Consent Agenda Approval

Approved unanimously (6–0) after motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Kalista.

Includes:

  • Bill List No. 5 (May 11, 2023): $102,041. 91 in expenses approved from duly appropriated funds.

  • Four Certificates of Appropriateness/Zoning Permits Approved:

    • A. 303 N. Montgomery Street – Remodeling and addition by Ducat Capital, LLC
      → Enclose rear porch for kitchen expansion with wood siding matching house
      → Replace windows
      → Repair roof where needed

    • B. 213 Mulberry Street – Replace front porch shingles and install vinyl soffit (Tom Makowiecki for David Consiglio)
      → Retroactive approval for front porch roof shingles and vinyl soffit

    • C. 408 Allegheny Street – Business signage for Penncrest Bank
      → Replace existing wall-mounted sign and ATM sign
      → Updated company design

    • D. 413 Clark Street – Repoint house brick (Matt Butler for Robert Rea)
      → Exterior brick repointing
      → Complies with R-2 zoning regulations

Resolution adopted May 11, 2023.

Dangerous Structure Report & Order – 117 Franklin Street

  • Motion to accept repair order made by Mr. Kalista, seconded by Ms. Baker.
  • Passed: 4 votes in favor (only attendees eligible to vote).

Update on Comprehensive Plan

  • Consultant Gannett Fleming has draft ready for public comment period.

Water Discharge Into the Streets

  • Discussion item to be removed from future agendas.

Stormwater/Bedford Street Update

  • All grant funding applications submitted (per Mr. Gehret).

Contract Awards

Paving Contract

  • Awarded to Grannas Brothers.
  • Motion by Mr. Kalista, seconded by Mr. Burke. Passed 6–0.

Stone & Blacktop Contract

  • Awarded to Grannas Brothers.
  • Motion by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Ms. Baker. Passed 6–0.

Appointment: Interim Zoning Officer

  • Patricia J. Duron appointed as interim zoning officer.
  • Motion by Mr. Burke, seconded by Ms. Baker. Passed 6–0.

Adjournment

  • Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM by President Pompa.

Attested by:
Patricia J. Duron, Borough Secretary
Joseph A. Pompa, President

Note: Page numbering in original document skips from Page 3 to Page 7 — likely a formatting error or missing pages.

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