Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2026

Meeting Overview

The Altoona City Council met on Monday, March 9, 2026, 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.

Attendees:

• Present: Mayor Pacifico, and Council members Beatty, Butterbaugh, Clinich, Ellis, Ickes, and Kelley.
• City Clerk: Linda Rickens Schellhammer (took the roll call).

Public Comment Highlights

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment, focusing heavily on proposed fees for events, police presence, and ordinances regarding homelessness.

• Event Fees & Police Costs: Multiple speakers (Devin Saylor, Bob Kutz, Bridget Jackson, Michael Allison) objected to charging fees for police services and downtown events. They argued this restricts free speech, criminalizes poverty, and negatively impacts long-standing traditions like the Labor Day Cruise In.
• Homelessness & Housing:
  • Caleb Hogan and Sherry Elle criticized proposed urban camping ordinances as taxing the homeless.
  • Steve Geis, Mary Ann Sinisi, and Councilman Ickes discussed the need for better coordination with social service agencies. The City is exploring a "Homeless Coordinator" role to help move individuals from shelters to housing more effectively.
  • Councilman Beatty highlighted recent efforts, including the creation of tiny houses at Cricket Knoll, rehabilitation of three houses, and funding for the shelter on Beale Avenue.
• Other Issues:
  • Tim Baker raised concerns about rent increases (citing a jump from $750 to $1,200) and suggested rent control policies.
  • Carol Taylor defended freedom of speech regarding protests, specifically mentioning the upcoming "No Kings" rally.
  • Dwight Kennedy requested the Council reconsider new proposed terms for events and return to previous terms.

Resolutions & Official Actions

The Council reviewed and acted on several resolutions:

• Minutes Approval: Approved the minutes from the February 9, 2026 meeting.
• Fee Resolution (Tabled): A resolution to amend and re-state Fee Resolution 0004-26 was tabled. This resolution would have removed Altoona Parking Authority monthly lot fees and added new fees for Public Events, Law Enforcement/Traffic, Clean-Up/Damage Repair, and Downtown Parking. It also proposed removing the Heritage Plaza Rental Fee and Non-Profit Waiver.
• 8th Street Sidewalk & ADA Ramps Project:
  • Awarded the base bid items to Big Rock Paving, LLC for $638,265. 00, payable from CDBG Funds.
  • Awarded additional work items to Big Rock Paving, LLC for $106,479. 00, payable from Capital Funds.
• Housing Authority Disposition: Approved the Altoona Housing Authority’s application to the Special Applications Center (SAC) for the disposal/sale of a scattered site public housing property at 1477 Washington Avenue.
• Election Polling Places: Approved agreements with the County of Blair for polling places at the City Training Facility and Fire Stations No. 1, 2, and 3.
• Repository Bid: Approved a bid submitted by J’s Modern Remodeling LLC for $4,160. 00.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Pacifico at 7:40 P. M.