# Borough Meeting Minutes - October 12

- Summary: Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Council Chambers, Hollidaysburg Borough Call to Order & Attendance Meeting called to order…
- Source: HollidaysburgPA.org
- Published: 2023-10-12
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:49:35.826Z
- Source URL: https://hollidaysburgpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Oct-12-2023.pdf
- Content URL: https://hollidaysburg.ebensburg.site/document/borough-meeting-minutes-october-12/
- Content note: This portable copy is not the official record and may include an automated convenience summary. Verify important details in the original document.

Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Location: Council Chambers, Hollidaysburg Borough Call to Order & Attendance Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by President Pompa. Quorum present: Michele Baker, James Mielnik, Sean Burke, Brady Leahey, Walter Kalista, III. Also attending: Borough Manager James Gehret, Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Solicitor Nathan Karn, Mayor Joseph Dodson, Police Chief Chris Storm, Director of Community Relations and Events Melanie Ramsey, Planning/Zoning Administrator Andrew Holodnik, Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett. Absent: Councilman Jeffrey Ketner. Pledge of Allegiance & Moment of Silence Led by President Pompa. Approval of Previous Minutes (September 14, 2023) Motion to approve made by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Ms. Baker. Approved unanimously (6–0). Manager’s/Financial Report New seasonal decorations being purchased; sample Christmas decoration hung at Blair County Courthouse. Finance Report through September included in agenda. Borough achieved improved bond rating this year. Planning/Zoning Update Mr. Holodnik warned about unpermitted building/zoning projects. Emphasized need for permits before starting any work in the Borough. Director of Community Relations & Events Report Ms. Ramsey reported success of Tuesday Farmers Markets and concerts. Invited residents to Pumpkinfest on October 14th. Fire Marshal Report October is Fire Prevention Month. Reminder to display house numbers clearly. Chief of Police Report September police report presented. 14 candidates scheduled for police officer testing on October 21st. Mayor’s Report Mayor Dodson thanked police department and Ms. Ramsey. Presented check to Ms. Public Comment Highlights Jim Fitch (Bel Aire Road): Speeding concerns, municipal distress status. Richard Latker (Allegheny St. , Community Watchdog): Opposed Phoenix Fire Dept. grant application and connector bridge project involving Diamond Supply purchase. Shaun Leydig (Newry St. ): Discussed police budget, suggested stipends for officers, mentioned ISO rating. Andre Holsey (Blair County NAACP): Raised concerns about lack of transparency in Borough Council. Greg Werstil (Scotch Valley Rd. ): Requested zoning change to allow surplus sales. Mark Slonaker (PVFD): Presented monthly fire department report. Elda Boose (Bedford St. ): Spoke about Gaysport flooding, CDBG funds, urged against rezone of Stowell Farm. Regis Nale (Spruce St. ): Criticized comprehensive plan update process. Bill Kitt (Hawthorne Dr. ): Noted blighted properties in Borough. Open Agenda Items Ms. Baker: Flooding in Gaysport. Mr. Kalista: Blighted properties. Mr. Burke: Zoning issue regarding merchandise sales on Scotch Valley Road. Mr. Leahey: NAACP’s concerns with Borough Council. Mayor Dodson: Purchase of speed monitoring devices (speed humps, signs). Resolution No. 2023-24: Consent Agenda Approval Approved Bill List No. 10 totaling $674,257. 78 for accounts payable and appropriated expenses. Approved Certificates of Appropriateness/Zoning Permits for: A. 309 Allegheny Street – Business Signage (Becki Hollen) Hang 12"x18" shingle sign from bracket. Structure is contributing within Historic District. B. 208 N. Montgomery Street – Deck Top & Railings (Kenneth & Ellen Estep) Replace deck top and railings with composite material. Structure is contributing within Historic District. C. 616 Mulberry Street – Railing (Kirk & Kayla Durbin) Replace rusted cast iron railing with wood. Structure is significant within Historic District. D. 807 Walnut Street – Garage (David Foreman) Construct new garage (25' x 21'). Remove stone wall, install driveway where wall was. Structure is contributing within Historic District. E. 912 Walnut Street – Window Replacement (David Montrella) Replace six existing windows with vinyl. Structure is contributing within Historic District. F. 407 Walnut Street – Window Replacement (Matthew Mathias) Remove two vinyl windows on first floor west end (kitchen). Brick openings to match existing bricks/mortar. Replace north-side kitchen window with smaller vinyl to match existing. Motion carried 6–0. Resolution No. 2023-28: ISC Agreement Extension Motion to extend ISC Agreement for two more years. Made by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Ms. Baker. Approved unanimously. Discussion: Public Agenda for Borough Council Meetings Item tabled per motion by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Mr. Burke. All in favor. Discussion: Street Parking Near Presbyterian Home Motion to eliminate first on-street parking space closest to garage entrance/exit. Made by Mr. Leahey, seconded by Mr. Kalista. Carried unanimously. Preliminary Budget for 2024 Presented at October 4, 2023 Work Session. Recommended for final consideration. Final numbers ready for November Council Meeting. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM by President Pompa. Prepared by: Patricia J. Duron, Borough Secretary