Borough Meeting Minutes - May 12

Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary (May 12, 2022)

The Hollidaysburg Borough Council met on Thursday, May 12, 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, Jeffrey Ketner, Brady Leahey, Sean Burke, Michele Baker, Walter Kalista III, James Mielnik; Mayor Dodson.
• Also Present: Borough Manager James Gehret, Sergeant Richard Oldham, Attorney Jeff Muriceak, Borough Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Building Code Official Gerald Harbison, Director of Community Relations and Events Melanie Ramsey.
• Absent: Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett, Solicitor Nathan Karn.

Key Decisions & Reports

Approval of Previous Minutes

• The minutes from the April 14, 2022 meeting were approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Ms. Baker.

Financial & Administrative Reports

• Manager’s Report: Borough Manager Gehret had no additions to his report or the financial report in the agenda binder.
• Planning & Zoning Report: Mr. Harbison’s monthly report was in the binder; no questions were asked.
• Community Relations & Events: Ms. Summer event plans were updated.
• Fire Marshal Report: Fire Marshal Hazlett was absent.
• Mayor’s Report: Mayor Dodson thanked the police department for an outstanding job.

Public Comment

• Richard Latker (703 Allegheny Street, Hollidaysburg Community Watchdog): Discussed borough funding statutes for the volunteer fire department.

Open Agenda Items

• Mr. Leahey requested adding discussions on sidewalks, Old Canal Inn’s past request, and the street sweeper to the next agenda.
• President Pompa requested continuing discussion on water discharge into borough streets next month.

Resolution No. 2022-18: Consent Agenda Approval

• Approved bill list #5 totaling $112,010.60 and three Certificates of Appropriateness (7-0 vote).
  • Certificate Details:
    • 909 Allegheny Street (Matt & Anne Davis): Remodeling including replacing porch roofs with copper, gutters/downspouts with copper, capping window pediments with new flashing, repairing porch floor/railings, and rebuilding porch identically (contributing structure in Historic District).
    • 401 Blair Street: Window repair/restoration at Municipal Building.

Resolution No. 2022-19: Awarding Stone & Blacktop Contracts

• Awarded contracts unanimously (7-0):
  • Stone Contract: Grannas Bros. for $21,951. 25.
  • Blacktop Contract: New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. for $23,585. 50.
• Motion made by Mr. Ketner, seconded by Mr. Kalista.

Other Discussions

• Borough Sidewalks: Mr. Gehret reported a grant application for sidewalk repairs will be completed for June meeting approval, including consideration of borough’s funding contribution.
• Water Discharge into Streets: Mr. Harbison noted no resolution yet on some properties; investigations continue.
• 211 Allegheny Street Dangerous Structure Repairs: Mr. Harbison advised the owner will start repairs soon.
• Street Lights on Cherry Alley: Council decided to take no action on installing two lights near 415 N. Montgomery Street.
• Cohen Law Group Proposal: Council approved (7-0) hiring Cohen Law Group to represent the borough in negotiating the Comcast Cable Franchise Agreement. Motion by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Mr. Kalista.
• Second Shift Dispatch Evaluation: Council agreed the new Chief of Police (when hired) will evaluate and recommend regarding second shift dispatch.

Adjournment

• President Pompa adjourned the meeting at 7:25 PM.

Minutes attested by Patricia J. Duron, Borough Secretary.