Meeting Minutes - January 13, 2025

Meeting Overview

The Altoona City Council met on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 6:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers of the City of Altoona Training Facility (1320 Washington Avenue). The meeting was televised live on Public Access Channel 14.

Attendees:

• Present: Mayor Pacifico, and Council members Beatty, Butterbaugh, Clinich, Ellis, Ickes, and Kelley.
• Absent: None reported.

Public Comment

Several residents addressed the council regarding local issues:

• Devin Saylor (1409 13th Street): Thanked the council for his appointment to the City’s Planning Commission.
• Louise Burkholder (2042 Broad Avenue): Opposed new sidewalks and tree removal/replacement in front of her home due to an upcoming project on Broad Avenue.
• Charles LeMarc (310 Lexington Avenue): Provided a photo of Orchard Park.
• Shasta Langenbacher (2524 Oak Avenue): Stated that while more housing is needed, parks and building relationships with kids in neighborhoods are also priorities.
• Timothy Smith (524 Rosehill Drive): Urged the council to vote to return a specific area to a park, threatening legal action otherwise.

Resolutions Passed

The council passed several resolutions by consent vote (7-0, with Councilman Kelley abstaining from item m). Key appointments and actions included:

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the December 2, 2024 meeting.
• Board Appointments (5-Year Terms):
  • Dave Hess to the Altoona Code Appeals Board.
  • Bill Neugebauer to the Altoona Water Authority.
  • Mayor Matt Pacifico to the Altoona Parking Authority.
• Board Appointments (4-Year Terms):
  • Dave Albright to the Altoona City Planning Commission.
  • Peter Folen to the Altoona City Planning Commission.
  • Don Belsey and Ted Beam (alternate) to the Civil Service Board.
  • Joe Eckels and Stu Sellers to the Electrical & Plumbing Examiners Board.
• Housing Authority: Norman Young reappointed to the Altoona Housing Authority (term expires Jan 2030).
• Demolition Contract: Awarded to Earthmovers Unlimited, Inc. for the demolition of 1916 10th Street in Altoona. The cost is $11,487. 00, payable from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Blighted Property Program Funds.
• Easement Agreement: Authorized an agreement with The Jaffa Improvement Association for the installation and maintenance of a Bus Lane in front of 2200 Broad Avenue.
• Grant Application: Authorized the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority to apply for grants through the PA Department of Community & Economic Development for a shared municipal services program regarding Uniform Building Code Enforcement.
• City Manager: Christopher McGuire was appointed as City Manager, and his formal Employment Agreement was approved.
• Records: Authorized the destruction of City public records in accordance with state manuals.

Ordinances

Two ordinances were introduced and adopted:

1. Ordinance on Vacation of Alley: Authorizes the vacation and abandonment of a portion of a 15-foot alley situated between 18th Avenue and 19th Avenue, leading from 8th Street to 10th Street. It also authorizes the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Quit Claim Deed to Brittany N. Podelco to relinquish city interest in the unopened alley.
2. Ordinance No. 5821: Establishes and authorizes participation in the Cambria County Building Codes Enforcement Agency, delegating municipal powers thereto.

City Manager Updates & Announcements

• ARPA Allocations: The City Manager thanked staff for meeting deadlines on ARPA allocations and keeping projects moving.
• Fire Response: Thanks were extended to all City departments for their response to the large fire on 13th Avenue between 11th and 12th Street.
• Police Department: Councilwoman Clinich commended the Altoona Police Department for the capture of Luigi Mangione and praised their handling of the situation.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P. M. by Mayor Pacifico.