Borough Meeting Minutes - Sep 8 2022

Borough Council Meeting Summary (September 8, 2022)

The Hollidaysburg Borough Council met on Thursday, September 8, 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, Walter Kalista III, Jeffrey Ketner, and Sean Burke (via telephone).
• Also Present: Borough Manager James Gehret, Solicitor Nathan Karn, Borough Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Building Code Official Gerald Harbison, Director of Community Relations and Events Melanie Ramsey, Sgt. Richard Oldham, and Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett.
• Absent: Mayor Dodson.

Key Discussions & Decisions

Minutes Approval

• The minutes from the August 3 and August 11, 2022 meetings were reviewed and approved unanimously (7-0).

Manager’s Report

• LED Street Lights: 12 new LED street lights were installed. Two complaints about brightness were received; Penelec will allow one-time wattage reduction for affected properties.

Planning & Zoning

• The extension deadline for Gannett Fleming’s Comprehensive Plan Update was revised to November 30 or December 1, pending Council vote.

Community Relations & Events

• Ms. Ramsey provided updates on ongoing Farmers Market and Downtown LIVE! Concerts.

Fire Marshal Report

• Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett presented her monthly report.

Audit Report

• Mr. Bradley from Young, Oakes and Brown Co. presented highlights of the Borough’s 2021 Audit Report.

Public Comment

• Richard Latker (703 Allegheny St.): Updated on Community Watchdog activities and criticized the Comprehensive Plan update process.
• Jim Fitch (109 Bel Aire Rd.): Discussed how long unfinished agenda items remain on the agenda.
• Joel Koss (420 Wayne St.): Complained about overgrowth at Chimney Rocks.
• Mark Slonaker (Phoenix Volunteer Fire Dept.): Reported on department activity over the past month.
• Elda Brown (128 Bedford St.): Discussed flooding in Gaysport.
• Regis Nale (204 BelAire Rd.) & Adam Cruse (1308 Walnut St.): Both discussed stormwater runoff and flooding issues, expressing confidence in the Borough’s ability to manage them.

Open Agenda Discussions

• Multiple council members (Leahey, Mielnik, Ketner, Baker, Kalista) discussed stormwater runoff mediation and the comprehensive plan update timeline.

Resolution No. 2022-29: Consent Agenda

Approved unanimously (7-0), this resolution included:

• Approval of Bill List No. 9 totaling $203,702.49 for accounts payable and owed expenses.
• Approval of one Certificate of Appropriateness for properties at 313, 315, 317, and 319 Wayne Street to install a metal roof over existing shingles on two apartment buildings (also listed as 324–326 Allegheny Street). The project complies with C-2 Zoning District regulations and requires a UCC Building/Zoning Permit.
• Acceptance of the 2022 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) filings for both Uniformed and Non-Uniformed Pension Plans.

Additional Items Approved

• Fireworks Permit: Approved for Epic Pyrotechnics LLC (6-1 vote).
• Solar Powered Speed Monitoring Device: Approved purchase of TC 400 Device (7-0 vote).
• HASD Request: Approved use of Borough Council Chambers as a media site during school evacuations (7-0 vote).

Other Discussions

• Stormwater Runoff: Continued discussion on borough-wide stormwater issues.
• Sidewalks: Discussion on sidewalk repairs and grant applications.
• Street Sweeper: Update presented by Mr. Gehret and Mr. Leahey.
• Gannett Fleming Contract Extension: Motion to extend contract until November 30, 2022, passed unanimously (7-0).

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM by President Pompa.

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Document signed by Patricia J. Duron, Borough Secretary.