January 2 & 11

Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary (January 2 & 11, 2024)

Call to Order and Attendance

• Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM on January 2, 2024, by Mayor Dodson.
• Quorum present including Council members: Sean Burke, Jeffrey Ketner, Brady Leahey, Walter Kalista III, David Jacobs, William Kitt, Clay Gingrich.
• Also attending: Borough Secretary Patricia J. Duron, Attorney Nathan Karn, Police Chief Chris Storm, Director of Community Relations Melanie Ramsey, Planning/Zoning Administrator Andrew Holodnik, Fire Marshal Amy Hazlett.

Pledge and Oaths

• Mayor Dodson led Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence.
• Oaths administered to newly elected council members:
  • Ward 1: David Jacobs
  • Ward 3: Clay Gingrich
  • Ward 5: William Kitt
  • Ward 7: Jeffrey Ketner

Public Comment Highlights

• Regis Nale (202 Spruce St): Criticized Comp Plan Update process.
• Richard Latker (703 Allegheny St, Community Watchdog): Suggested reorganizing Council; criticized public agenda and Borough’s solicitor.
• Shaun Leydig (407 Beaver St): Welcomed new council; discussed Inglenook/Jackson Street parking, requested Borough purchase police car canopy, mentioned trees in Sweet Cherry CT and snowplows.
• Gerard Nale (109 Bedford St): Welcomed new council; thanked them for stormwater management efforts in Gaysport.

Election of Officers (Jan 2)

• President: Sean Burke elected after William Kitt declined nomination.
• Vice President: Brady Leahey elected.
• President Pro Tempore: Clay Gingrich elected.

Resolutions Passed (Jan 2)

• Resolution No. 2024-1: Appointed First National Bank (224 Allegheny St, Hollidaysburg) as Borough depository for 2024. Unanimously passed.
• Resolution No. 2024-2: Appointed Evey Black Attorneys LLC as Borough’s law firm for 2024. Unanimously passed.
• Resolution No. 2024-3: Appointed Stiffler McGraw & Associates as consulting engineers for 2024. Unanimously passed.
• Resolution No. 2024-4: Appointed Young, Oakes, Brown & Company (Altoona PA) as auditors for fiscal year ending Dec 31, 2024. Unanimously passed.

Executive Session and Recess (Jan 2)

• Council recessed at 6:45 PM to reconvene Jan 11, 2024, at 6:15 PM for executive session on personnel.
• Reconvened Jan 11 at 6:55 PM after executive session (no action taken). Adjourned at 6:57 PM.

Additional Discussions and Actions (Jan 11)

• Stormwater Update/Gaysport/Property Purchase: ARPA H2O Grant awarded — $690K. Project status update provided.
• Interim Borough Manager: Discussed appointment; meeting recessed for executive session on personnel.
• Jackson Farm Drive Parking: Mayor Dodson requested allowing parking between Holliday Hills Circle (west) and Dead End. Current prohibition added March 2023; further discussion planned to amend Traffic Code.
• Wayne Street Permit Parking: Discussion held regarding permit parking ordinance.
• WWTP Operator Hire: Motion by Mr. Kalista to hire WWTP Operator or Operator in Training — passed unanimously (seconded by Leahey).
• Parking Meter Enforcement Officer: Motion by Mr. Ketner to accept resignation and approve new hire — passed unanimously (seconded by Kitt).

Signatures

• Minutes attested by Patricia J. Duron, Borough Secretary.