Meeting Minutes - June 9, 2025

Meeting Overview

The Altoona City Council convened on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:00 P. M. in the Council Chambers of the City of Altoona Training Facility. The meeting was televised on Public Access Channel 14 and re-broadcast the following day.

Attendance:

• Present: Council members Beatty, Butterbaugh, Clinich, Ellis, Ickes, and Mayor Pacifico.
• Absent: Council member Kelley.

Presentations & Public Comment

• 4th of July Memorial Race: Phyllis Baker (Community Engagement/Development Director) and Frank Kopriva (Executive Program Director, Blair Regional YMCA) presented on the upcoming race.
• Water Authority Loan: Attorney Jens Damgaard and Brad Kelly (AWA Director of Wastewater Operations) reviewed a power point regarding the City Ordinance approving a guaranty for an Altoona Water Authority Pennvest loan for Sanitary Sewer System/CSO Screen Replacement.
• Public Comment: Bill Scully (321 Maple Avenue) raised concerns regarding downtown issues, specifically the homeless population, restroom availability, and parking issues involving Heritage Plaza and alleys.

Resolutions & Approvals

The Council approved the following resolutions:

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the May 12, 2025 meeting.
• Collective Bargaining Agreement: Approved the agreement between the City of Altoona and AFSCME AFL-CIO (Local 2188 Union) for School Crossing Guards, covering January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027.
• Winter Maintenance Agreement: Authorized an agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for winter maintenance from Winter 2025-2026 through Winter 2029-2030.
• Street Reconstruction: Awarded the 2025 Capital Street Reconstruction Project to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. , Inc. for $1,217,006. 11.
• Demolition Bids: Awarded bids to G&R Excavating & Demolition and Leckey’s Demolition Service for various properties, including:
  • 127 6th Avenue ($13,940. 00)
  • 131 E. 5th Avenue ($19,480. 00)
  • 915 6th Avenue ($18,940. 00)
  • 1002 3rd Avenue ($16,530. 00)
  • 2105 Washington Avenue ($11,500. 00)
  • 1006 20th Avenue ($22,900. 00)
• Grant Amendment: Amended the 2021 HOME-ARP Grant to allocate an additional $1,344. 00 for administration.
• Police Services Contract: Approved a contract with the Altoona Housing Authority for police services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Committee Appointments

The Council appointed the following individuals to the Blighted Property Review Committee:

• Two-Year Terms (Expire Jan 2027):
  • Councilman Butterbaugh
  • Allen Thompson (Redevelopment Authority Member)
  • Drew Brennan (Planning Commission Member)
• One-Year Terms (Expire Jan 2026):
  • Matthew Zupon
  • Devon Henniger

Repository Bids

The Council reviewed bids for property located at various addresses on Walton Avenue, 18th Street, and 8th Avenue.

• Approved: Bids submitted by Ralph M. Smith II ($100. 00 and $900. 00), Chris Weidley ($200. 00).
• Rejected: The bid submitted by Julian Vaughn ($800. 40) for 1811 8th Avenue did not pass the vote.

Discussion Items

• Street Cuts Ordinance: Vice-Mayor Ellis proposed a change to the ordinance regarding street cuts. The proposal would prevent contractors from moving to the next block until the current block is brought up to an acceptable standard. Council members Ickes and Butterbaugh expressed support for the idea, noting that infrastructure updates (such as those by the Water Authority and Peoples Gas) are necessary but disruptive.
• Blighted Property Committee: Councilman Beatty noted that while there should be one person on the committee with relevant work experience, the specific applicant for that role was not recommended.
• Heritage Plaza Beautification: Councilwoman Clinich thanked several organizations for their contributions to planting flowers and beautifying Heritage Plaza, including the Women’s Club of Altoona, Rotary Clubs, Blair Regional YMCA, and Tipsy Tulip Flower Shop.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Pacifico at 7:08 P. M.