Altoona

Pennsylvania

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Meeting Minutes - September 8, 2025

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Meeting Overview

The Altoona City Council met on Monday, September 8, 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.

Attendees:

  • Present: Mayor Pacifico, and Council members Beatty, Butterbaugh, Clinich, Ellis, Ickes, and Kelley (via phone).
  • Staff: City Manager Chris McGuire, City Clerk Linda Rickens Schellhammer, and Finance Director Jim Gehret.

Public Comment

Residents raised the following concerns:

  • Bonita Shreve (1413 Ivyside Drive): Expressed opposition to the expenditure of taxpayer money on the upcoming Pride Parade in downtown Altoona. She also opposed police presence at the event and suggested moving the parade back to Penn State Altoona.
  • Tom Meyers (1115 27th Avenue): Reported improper street cuts by the gas company in his neighborhood, citing potential OSHA violations and a lack of shoring for a 3-foot deep hole. The Council directed staff to investigate these safety concerns.

Presentations

  • 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO): Finance Director Jim Gehret noted that the MMO certification is due by September 30th. The amount is determined by actuarial numbers based on 2025 data for Police, Fire, and Non-Uniformed staff.

Resolutions Passed

The Council approved the following items via consent vote (7-0), with the exception of item J:

  • a) Minutes: Approved the minutes from the August 11, 2025 meeting.
  • b) IAFF Contract: Approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Altoona and IAFF Local 299 Firefighters for the period January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030.
  • c) Equipment Replacement: Awarded a contract to Clark Contractors, Inc. for the replacement of a steam boiler at Central Blair Recreation and rooftop cooling units at Booker T. Washington Building.
    • Amount: $180,978. 06
    • Funding: EECBG Grant Funds and 2025 Capital Budget Funds.
  • d) & e) Dollar General Development: Authorized easements for the development at 404 East 25th Avenue, including a vacation of an existing utility easement and the installation of sidewalks outside the public right-of-way.
  • f) Bridge Project: Authorized documents for the West Chestnut Avenue Bridge over Mill Run Project, with 5% of funding ($120,000. 00) coming from the City’s Highway Aid Account.
  • g) Payroll Services: Approved a Payroll and Human Capital Management Services Agreement with Paycom Payroll, LLC.
    • Amount: $57,551. 06
  • h) Demolition (309 14th Street): Awarded a bid to Leckey’s Demolition Service.
    • Amount: $16,500. 00
  • i) Demolition (2617 6th Avenue): Awarded a bid to G&R Excavating & Demolition.
    • Amount: $12,210. 40

Item J (Rejected):

  • Repository Bid: A bid of $808. 00 from Yamel Quintana for property at 1508-10 13th Avenue was not passed (Vote: 0-7). Councilman Butterbaugh requested a separate vote on this item, which failed.

Ordinances Adopted

The following ordinances were read into the record and passed by a 7-0 vote:

  1. Fire Prevention (Ordinance No. 5832): Amends Chapter 358 of the City Code to adopt portions of the 2021 International Fire Code.
    • Introduced by Vice-Mayor Ellis; Motion by Councilman Butterbaugh.
  2. Subdivision of Land (Ordinance No. 5832): Amends Chapter 640 to repeal and replace the current text regarding land development.
    • Introduced by Councilman Butterbaugh; Seconded by Mayor Pacifico.
  3. Zoning (Ordinance No. 5833): Amends Chapter 800 to repeal and replace the current text regarding zoning regulations.
    • Introduced by Councilman Beatty; Motion by Councilwoman Clinich.
  4. Water Authority Debt (Ordinance No. 5840): Authorizes a guaranty agreement between the City of Altoona, the Altoona Water Authority, and PENNVEST to secure debt obligations for the water system.
    • Introduced by Councilman Beatty; Motion by Councilwoman Clinich.

City Manager Updates & Announcements

  • IAFF Contract: City Manager McGuire thanked staff members Christina Notarfrancesco and Holly Buchanan, as well as IAFF Local 299 President Patrick Miller, for their good-faith negotiations in finalizing the firefighter contract.
  • Garfield Park: Councilman Butterbaugh thanked the Public Works Department for improvements to Garfield Park, specifically noting the new trails.

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

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