151  City Council Meeting Minutes - February 12, 2024  City Council Chambers, City Building, 161 West Scribner Avenue, DuBois, Pennsylvania on Monday, February 12,2 2024, at6p p.m.; Council convened: att theirr regular City Council Meetingy with Mayor Pat Reasingeri int the Chair. Other Council Membersp present were. James Aughenbaugh, Shane Dietz, Elliot Gelfanda and Jennifer. Jackson. Also present were: Interim City Manager/City Engineer/Public Works Director, Chris Nasuti;1 Interim Solicitor, Tom Breth; Redevelopment. Authority Director,. Joe Mitchell; Code Enforcement Officer, Zac Lawhead; Police Chief Blaine Clark; Lisa LaBrasca Becker, Treasurer; and Administrative The meetingy was calledt to ordera até 6p p.m. andt the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Reasinger. Council meti in Executive Session priort tot tonight's meetingto discuss legal andj personnel issues. "A group ofs several local businesses have gottent together toi plana ane event that will goi into thei time slot oft the cancelled Community Days. An number ofl local non-profits: ands groups thati include DuBOisLIVE, Invictus, the Chamber of Commerce, NAFCO, TurnAbout Boxing: andt thel Downtown DuBois organization whoi isg goingto acta as the point of contact;t there willl be ane event, a celebration willl happen. The details arey yett tol be determined. There has been: supportf from thel local electedi leaders from the county level, the managerial folks ath bothi the City: ands Sandy Township that have offered resourcest tol help- -human power, equipment- - SO we cans say there willl be: ane event. We wantedt toa addi that positiver notet to the Reasinger added, "Anyone who wantst tol help, send ane email toi ifQduboispa.goy or geti int touchy with "My commenti isn't regarding any onel linei item ont the: agenda, butj justt the agenda: as a whole the wayi it iss structured. Ifeell like Councilh has been dealingv witha al lota andI don'tfeell like we're closingt thel loop on some things. Maybey you're doings somet things, but we'rer not beingi informed. I'm hopingthath how the agendai iss structured, whetheri it needst to bea al legal update or old business.. For example, youl had: asked Mr. Bretht to give al legal opinion one elected officials being on committees and commissions. Since then, you (Reasinger)H haver resignedf fromi Redevelopment. Authority. I'm assuming! he (Breth)r recommended you dot that, buty we,i it didn'to come out what that legal pointy was sot that's one thing. Iknowt that Chris handed outt thez 2022 auditf forr review, butI Ihaven't heard Council's comments ont that, any feedback. Also, Iknow.youl hadr mentioned: abouti financial institutions and doing some thingst there, l'm hopingy you can! keep us updated ont theset things) you: are talkinga about ort that you are askingt the Solicitor tor make recommendations about. Ofcourse,) your mentioned! it'sap process ont thet termination ofthe former Gelfand asked Breth, "When we: aski for legal opinions, aret there certain ones we can share and others that shouldn'tbes shared?" Brethr replied, "You: aref freei tos share any oft the legal opinions Thave provided youto date. Obviously, there'sal legal opinion with respectt to ap personnelr matter. Thatp personnel matter would be confidential: ands shouldr notb bes shared. Absentt there! being somer restriction, like a confidential personnelr matter, almosta allo oft the legal opinionsl Igivey you- andI givet them toy youi in writing- -you're free tor release." Nasutis said, "We willa address themi inc detail,t theyy willl bei int ther minutes andi theywillbe "Tvel been speakingtoa a lot ofp people: as far as Community Days, even! before the announcement: about Community Days, about doinga an Arts Festival. We usedi tol have one years ago. Maybet that could! be part oft that ors something: separate. Idon'tknowi ifthat was parto of what they are goingt to do." "Speakingto) your comments: about arts, I'm President of North Appalachian Film Collective. We'rel here with Shawn! backingh him up. We do arts already. That's actually whaty we'ret tryingt to do. We'ret tryingto bringf filmr making andr musict tot this festival. We started out asaf film group, but wet focus now more on artistici functioningi int this areas since: 2015. Wel have experience putting one events onas shoe-string! budget, usually under $1,000.00. We'veh had somep pretty successful events; wez actually hosted events att the City park. Wei feel confidenti that we can help Shawno outa andt thet town... having! local: artists featured as much  Secretary, Korbis Slocum.  Executive! Session (legal andj personneli issues) Public Comments onA Agendal Items Only Shawnl Lesky-I DuBoisLVE  City."  Shirley! Dahrouge: atD Downtown! DuBois." Kristen) Vida- - Chestnut Avenue  manager,! guess thet manager, So what thatp process involves. Thank) you."  ont the website." Melissa Keen- SandyTownship  Perrylangill-7155 S. Brady Street, SandyTownship  asp possible; some historical ands some current."    152  City Council Meeting Minutes- - February 12, 2024 (continued)  Lesky added," "Allt these organizations' bring different ideas andt things tot the table. None oft them! has "Myi initial comment was goingt tol bel how disappointedl wast that Community Days was being put on pause, butl I've alteredi it. lami now! happy to! hear thati there will be ana alternative celebration. Ithink many families markt this ont their calendars andl looki forwardt toi it. They've! been particpatinginitforso years. Not onlyt that, but different organizations have booths int thep parka and definitely need those monies to! benefitt their projects throughout the year. We'vel had sor many changesi in our community over the lasti few years- - churches beingo closed, restaurants being closed, shortened! business hours. Therei isa divisiona among our residents inr regardst to the charges facing ouri former City Manager, apprehensioni in regards tot the consolidation effort. Wel havea always comet together as onei int the City parkf for many years, bei it ont thel ballfield, sitting onl lawn chairs during Musici int the Park, or walkingt the park while honoringt the firemen during Community Days. Now, moret than ever, wer need to gather andr remember how greaty wea are asad community. When we work, pray andp play together, thisi is what unites us. Thisis what wer needa asac community to move forward. Thank) you, Shawn, for stepping up." "It's beenj justali little over ay year nows since the bigt train crashi in East Palestine, Ohio. I'm sure everybody's: aware oft that. Itwas al huge hazardous materials spill. Iwas curious and there's probably firemeni int ther room, ist there any kindo ofe experts wel havei inl DuBois, there'sp probably notr much going on with thet traint tracks but going up and downi thei interstate right here, there'sal lot of nastys stufft that goes upa and downt that! highway. Aret there expertsy with the City ort thet fire department, how: are) you Assistant Fire Chiefl Leol Brooks addressed the question. "The countyi is goingt to contracta a private group Mechlinga asked,' "Ift there's ana accident ors something andy youg got toi it, it's goingtot take them awhile to get there. Cant they communicate with your how tor move: forward ont that?" Brookst replied, "Wel havea level ofh hazmatt training. We're operations level whichl honestlyi isn'tr much. We'rer not even to gor neari itif we don't! knowy what the substancei is. We'llo contactt thema ands givet them allt thei information wel have. Every firet truckh hasa ap pretty thickh handbook that has any information, any chemicaly youd cani thinko of, 50 Regarding City property, Gelfand: said, "Scott couidt telly yout ther measures Public' Worksh hasi inp place to protectt the Reservoir. Theyl have allk kinds ofe equipment set up outt there andi it's readyt to bet usedi inc case ofas spill ont thel Interstate top prevent things from goingi intot the Reservoir ori ifthings geti int the Reservoir tol havei ito cleared." Nasuti added, "There's also as secondary source ofv water. Wec cans shut that source of Kristen Vida: askeds Solicitor Brethi if! his lawi firm is involved with the East Palastine situation. Breth confirmedi thatt theya arei involvedi int thel litigation, representingt the community ands schooi districts affected byt thet train derailment. "That's not goingt tol helpy you, buti it'sal legitimate, very: serious  been agreed ond ora acted on. Everythingisupf ford consideration."  Debi Mechling- - Monroe Street  Charlie Mechling- Monroe Street  prepared,"  thati takes care ofa alll hazmat incidentst throughout the county.  that's what wec do."  watert totally off." situation." Approval of Minutes  City Council MeetingMinutes- L January22,2024  The motion was madeb by Aughenbaugh: ands seconded by. Jackson that Council approve the City Council Meeting Minutes ofJ January: 22, 2024, as presented. Roll call was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; The motions wast madel by. Jackson: ands seconded by Gelfandt to pay the Auto Draft Check Registerby Checkl ID datedF February 8,2 2024, int the amount of$ $39,304.45. Roild call was asf follows: Jackson,) yea; The motion was madel by. Jackson: ands seconded! by Aughenbaugh toj payt the General Fund Purchase OrderL Listing! by Vendor Name datedF February 8,2 2024, in the amount of$ $399,322.00. Roll call was as follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh,yea; Reasinger,yea. Motion passed 5-0. Ther motion was madeb by Aughenbaugh ands seconded by Dietzi to pay the PennVEST Check Register By Checkl IDC datedF February 9,2 2024, int the amount of$ $87,257-76. Roll call wasa ast follows: Jackson,yea; Gelfand,) yea; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger,yea. Motionp passed 5-0.  Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger,yea. Motion passed5-0.  Registry ofl Invoices  Gelfand,) yea; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger,) yea. Motion passed5 5-0.    153  City Council Meeting Minutes - February 12, ,2024(continued)  Donationi tol Neighborhoodi Fund- -Mike Arblaster, Domtar Natural Gas Contract, UGI Energy Services - Billl Deter  Thisi item willl bere-scheduled.  Deter, al DuBois: resident, ise employed by UGIE Energy Services, alsol knowna as Open! Flow Energy, which has beenan natural gas supplieri int the: areai for over 30 years. Theya are the current suppliert to1 the City of DuBois atac cost of$ $2.980/Dt. The contractis duet toe expire in March. Deter presentedt three price  options:  12r months (April2 2024 -March: 2025) 13 months (April2 2024 -April2025) 211 months (April2024- - December2 2025)  $2.915/Dt $2.925/Dt $2.980/Dt  Nasuti has reached outt to Shawn Arbaugh of SandyTownship. Their current ratei is $4-98. The rates are very advantageous rightr now. My recommendationt to Council, after: speaking with Shawn and others, is tol locki ini for thez 21 months att the $2.980, ffyou are comfortabie with that. Ther motion was made! by Aughenbaugh and seconded! by. Jackson to approve renewingt the Natural Gas Contract with UGIE Energy Services fori the: 21-month period Aprilz 2024-December 2025 att the rate of$2.980/Dt. DuBoisr resident Gregg Gillaugh asked," "Do wel have any other bids currently ont thet table fort the rates!" Nasutir replied,' "No." Gillaugh asked, "Are wep planning ong gettinga any competitive! bidst tos see what other entities wouldo offer?" Nasutir replied, "f we woulda approvei itt tonight, no." Roll callv was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh,yea; Reasinger,yea. Ken! Kane and! Kenny! Kane of Generations Forestry discussedi thet forest aroundt the Watershed. Ken startedv working ont the Watershedi in 1983 and has an over5 5oyearrelationship. Overt thep past 15 years, theyl have builta as strongr relationship witht theF PAC Game Commission: and PAI Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)V who ownl land aroundt the Watershed. That relationship savedt the Cityi in excess of$ $50,000.001 for treatingt thes spongyr moth, formerly known ast theg gypsyr moth. Ken said, There'sal lot ofthings donel behind the scenes professionally top protectt the water. Water quality is most Gelfand asked Keni tos speakt tot the decisiont to clear cut rathert than selective cut. "That cut was done because leavesf from the maturet trees were gettingi into thet treatment: system and causingt the staffalot Kenny discussedi the goals forz 2024. "We aret targetingt to get the shadei intolerant hostt trees tol bet the seed sourcet to allowf forr regeneration. We wantahealthy diversef forest. The recommendationi is an overstory removall harvest top promote the accelerated; growth oft the desired hardwoodi regeneration." Reasinger asked! Kennyt to explains sequestering carbon. "Inar mature forest, thes sequestering: slows down. Whent thatis done, it'sj just carbons storage. We'rei int that biologically mature forest, sor nowis ist the time where wer need to! be promoting regeneration." Melissal Keen askedv what happens tot thet treest that are cut. Kennyr replied, "Theya are alll being utilized. Everything from the papermill tot thes sawmill to Aherbicide. sprayi isa alsor recommended: for2 20241 tot targett the non-desirable: species and promote the "None oft the recommendations willa affectt the Operating! budget," Nasutis said. "Any proceeds wel have willl bef for capital projects, forestr management. Iwill! be coming! backt toy you att the next meeting with Nasutib began, "j justy wantedt tos sprinkle inab bit ofg goodr news. With allt the projects we've done att the Water Treatment Plant and att the Reservoiri itselfv withi thel loggers, we'ver reduced our unaccountable water tou under: 20%. We've also had our Reservoir: supply watert tested for "forever chemicals" or PFAS.I  Motionp passed5-0.  Anderson Creek Watershed- - Forest Management Planl Recommendations  important."  ofp problems... andH how much! labori itv was takingt to keept that clean."  veneerlogs"  regeneration oft the desirables species. recommendations' with howt top proceed." DuBois Public Water System Update  aml happy tor report we areu undert the reportingl limits."    154  City Council Meeting Minutes - February: 12,2024 (continued)  Community Days wonderfule event."  Gelfand! hada askedi thist tob bep put ont the: agenda after! hearingt the news about Community Days being paused. "lam gladto! hear the communityi iss stepping upt to celebrate the City, itsr residents andt the area. lwantt tot thankt theD DuBoist firement for allt their effortst throughout the yearst to givet the communitya Jackson added, "dI like tot thankt thet fire department for allt they ever did. It was ag greatt thing and, Assistant Fire Chief Brookss spoke. "Just SO everybodyl knows, wey were extremely disappointed we weren't ablet to doi it. We explored alla avenues, anything we couldo do. Itj just didn't come together. We hopet to doi itr nexty year." Aughenbaugh explained," "After Community Days, it(planning)s startedr right back upa again fort thet following, year. Ittakest that much planning." Authorization for Redevelopment. Authority to Sell1 19 North Brady Street Nasutis said, "The Redevelopment, Authority! has askedf for your authorization based ont the recommendation: from their Solicitory witht this! beingab blighted buildingi int the Redevelopment: Zone." Jackson: said," "Twould! likei tos see this tabled. lwould like tos see about getting some deed restrictions put intot the property that Redevelopment: is selling ast toi fundst that they! have, whatg goesi into the property. i thinkt there shouldb bea aj plang goingahead. IfTom couldg giveL us a legal opinion ont that." Brethr replied, "I'dr needal little more direction on what specifically you'rel looking for, butl I'db bel happy to dot that." Gelfanda asked what the selling price was. Mitchell answered,' "The selling price isj just $1.00. We do veta all oft the: applications that comei in, thep proposals. We do put deed restrictions ont the buildings thata are sold. They must bes startedv within sixr months. We: actually gave thema al little bit moret time ont this project because ofthes size ofthep project. Anybody that we dot turna al building over tol has to demonstrate that they understand the undertaking theya are assuming, theyi have to demonstrate that theyl havet thei funds available tos substantially: start the! building and the end usei iss something: allowable fori the: zoningof wheret the buildingis." Jackson askedi ift thati is verbal orwritten. She voiced concern about another Reasinger askedE Brethf for hisi input. "Whatiwould doi isv work with. Joe and find out what restrictions they currently! havei inp place and reviewt them with Councila andi ift there are additional restrictions that you're! legally permittedt toi impose. We can certainly workv with. Joei top pass those alongtot the Redevelopment, Authority ands seei iftheir Solicitor agrees, they can! be added." Jackson asked, "Howa are wet truly vettingy whati theyl havet top puth into thel building" Mitchell replied, "The purchaser didp provide a written plan. I'd be! happyt tos sharei ity with youi ify you'd like. Itwill bea ar residential and commercial: mixedi use. Itc complies witha all thez zoningr regulations. He did! haver multiple contractors int theret that gave! himp pricingt that hep provided. Thel Redevelopment. Authority felt very gooda aboutt the homework! he did beforer makingt the proposal. We dids showt thel buildingt tot five differenti individuals. He was the only onet that came back withap plant that was acceptable. It'swithin ther restriction ofs sale that we, the Redevelopment, Authority cant taket the building! backifhe does not hit his benchmarks. Gelfanda asked, "Goingf forward, wheny youh have a planp presentedf fort thel buildings can we get those?" Mitchell replied, "Yes. This was actually something different. Our Solicitor camea across, because ofthe blighteds statue ofthel buildinga andi itl lies withiny what) he considers the redevelopment: areai that this building specifically wouldr requiret that Council give permission. Typically, int thej past, ithas not. It's The motion was madel by Dietz and secondedb by Aughenbaughi to approve the authorization ofthe Redevelopment. Authority tos sell1 19! N. Brady Street witht the current deed restrictions inp place. Rollo call was asf follows: Jackson, nay; Gelfand, nay; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger,y yea. Motion passed Sandy Township Vs. City of DuBois Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Nasutie explained, "Sandy Township'sl lawsuit remains dormant. Att their meeting of February5 5,2 2024, SandyT Township Supervisors authorized their Solicitort to workwith Mr. Breth on an asr needed basis. The motion wasr madel by. Jackson ands seconded by Gelfandt to authorize! Interim Solicitor Bretht to work witht the SandyT Township Solicitor ont the court case. Roll cally was asf follows: Jackson,) yea; Gelfand, yea;  hopefully, we'lls seey youa againi int thei future."  location that has noth been completed.  something aboutt the! Redevelopment Authority'sAct.  3-2.  Theya asked that wer reciprocate and dot the same."  Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger,yea. Motion passed 5-0.    155  City Council Meeting Minutes - February 12, 2024 (continued)  Recommendation: toa appoint Ericl McCoy, RobertI Iddings and' Teddy Klarkt tot thel Watershed Committee With nor response tot the: advertising of vacants seats ont the committee, ther motion was madeb by Aughenbaugh ands seconded by. Jackson to appoint Eric McCoy, Robert Iddings andTeddy Klarktot the Watershed Committee. Roll call was asi follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh, Requestf from SandyT Township for Sewer Tap of5E EDUS- Commonwealth Charter Academy, Developac Nasutie explained, "Thisi isf for5E EDUSV whichi ist fives sewer taps. We do havet the capacity: for this. We need top provide this letter sot they get their approval from DEP. Iwouldi recommend approval oft thatr request." Aughenbaugh: asked the cost ofe eachs sewert tap. Nasutir replied, "$2,700.00." [$1,626.00 corrected] lt's differenti in the Townshipt thani itisi int the City." Gelfand asked, "Who pays for that?" Nasuti answered, Ther motion wasr madel by Aughenbaugh ands seconded by Dietz to approvet ther request for5E EDUS fortl the Commonwealth Charter Academy. Roll call was as follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz, yea; Resolution: 2024-0377- A Authorizing Amendment of STMP, Phasez 2 Grantf for Consolidation "This is what we discussed: at our consolidation: meeting. Changingt the STMP Grant fromi the forensic auditt tot thes special counself forl labor negotiations, pensions, ando otheri itemsi int that capacity. We needto havea ar resolution. Sandy Township didt that att their meeting onF February5, 2024. Wer need to dot the Ther motion was madel by. Jackson ands seconded by Aughenbaugh: to approve authorization toa amendt the STMP2 Grant as explained. Roll call was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugn, Manager Shirley Dahrouge announced the: 21st Annual Spring Clean-Up Dayi in downtown DuBois and surrounding: area, including Sandy Township, on Saturday, April2 20, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. tor noon. Residentsi interestedi inh helpingy witht the clean-up should complete ana application whichy willl be available soon onb botht thel Facebook page andy website: aty adoumtomdhhaicon Itinvolves cleaning up Thez 20231 rate sheet isincluded in Council's packet. There wasa a significanti increasei inz 2023. Please review thei information: and give comments: andi recommendationst to Nasuti fori the next meeting. Interim! Solicitor Breth didi not have: adequate time tor review thisi item. Her requestedi ditbep put ont the Thisi ist tor replacet the waterline on West Washington Avenue from Brady Streett to. Jared Streeta and on High Streetf from Washington. Avenuei to Weber Avenue. The motion wasr made! by Aughenbaugh: and secondedb by Dietzi toa approve advertising for bids fort thev waterline project. Roll call was asf follows: Jackson,) yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasingeryyea. Motion passed5 5-0. This ist tor replacet thet traffics signals, poles, crosswalks, controllers andi re-timing and coordinating the signals oft the downtown: area. Reasinger askedi ifthaty was 100%1 funding. Nasuti replied, "lti is 80%. We pay 20%." When: askedy whatt the cost tot the Cityy will be, Nasutis said," "$140,000.00. It'sint the budget." Ther motion was madel by. Jackson and seconded! by Gelfandt to approve advertising for bids fort thet traffic signal project. Roll caily was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh,yea; Thisi isat two-year contract tor repairp pavement for any utility digs wel have. The motion was madel by Aughenbaugh: and seconded! by Gelfand to approve advertising for bids forb bituminous pavementr repair and patching. Roll call was asf follows: Jackson,yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh,yea;  yea; Reasinger,yea. Motion passed5 5-0.  Road  "Sandy Township! but! believe Sandy collects that from the developer."  Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger, yea. Motion passed 5-0.  samet tonight."  yea; Reasinger,yea. Motion passed5 5-0.  Downtown DuBois- 21t Annual Community: Spring Clean-Up  litter and debrisi int the area. 2024 City Pool Rates  Sandy Township Section1 1081 Loan agendaf for ther next Councilr meeting. Authorization' to advertise for Bids West Washington Avenue) Waterline (CDBG Funding)  Bradys Street/ParkAvenuel Traffic Signal (Greenlight-Go Funding)  Reasinger,) yea. Motionp passed5-0. 2024-2025 Bituminous Pavement Repairande Patching  Reasinger,yea. Motionp passed 5-0.    156  City Council Meeting Minutes - February 12, 2024(continued)  20242025-Concretel Repaira andF Patching  Thisi isat two-year contracti to repair concretei fora any digs affectings sidewalks, curbs, etc. Thei motion was made by Jackson and seconded by Dietz to approvea advertising for bids for concrete repair andp patching. Roll cally was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugn, yea; Reasinger, yea. Because Waste Management: now providesar recyclingt trucka atr no cost, itisr recommendedi the City's10- year-oid truck be advertised- fors sale on! Municibid. The motion was made! by Aughenbaugh: and: seconded byJ Jacksont toa advertiset the sale ofther recyclingt truck. Roll call was ast follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand,  Motion passed5 5-0.  Authorization" to Advertiset to Sellt thel RecyclingTruck  yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugn,; yea; Reasinger,yea. Motion passed5 5-0.  Proclamation: Februaryi 15, 2024, as Day ofHope Reasinger readt thep proclamation:  PROCLAMATION DaysthopPreciamaton  HEREAS esidertspand-  4a948983P4  VHEREAS Amesicens absicwwlhvwsadarsrsiaAww  S6rbfedmtnunties- aEmMneegpmemcNaneyotnsEre  mPernsyivgria Sncs age51034:  ncausco leading  2222 thesaas  asleurichnato prcvide esy-içiinbsr  Prevehsonis sdesis  WOPTHEREFORE, Atfk-apifdatbeligelppiAACHARANE theitye  DAV:ORHOPE  pbogetgiREeEommry.naywe aueitiepeyises naryin heer.ofc orko   9H422  gfuic  Gityct  Hy  Layg  R  Elr Gelfand,  ATTST: Sbt. Sbcen GFYOEDUEDIS/PENNSYIVANIA.    157  City Council Meeting Minutes- February 12, 2024 (continued)  Ther motion wasi madeb by. Jackson ands seconded! by Gelfand tor recognize February1 15, 2024, ast the Day of Hope. Roll cally was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh,) yea; Reasinger,y yea. The DuBois Areal Historical Society, Inc., has seti the datet fort this year's Lantern' Walk on Saturday, October 5,2024, beginning at5 5:00 p.m. and continuingto: approximately 9:00 p.m. Nasutis statedi itisag great event This Council Billy willa amend Chapter 425, Articlel IV, Section 425-31oft the Code of Ordinances oft the City of DuBoist tor remove parkingrestrictions: on! Robinson Street from West! Long Avenuet tol HowardA Avenue. The motion was made! by Aughenbaugh: ands seconded by Gelfandt to acceptt thet first readingofCouncil Billl No. 1981. Roll call was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand, yea; Dietz, yea; Aughenbaugh,yea;  Motion passed5 5-0.  16th Spirit of DuBois Lantern' Walk- - October 5,2 2024  and  First Reading of Council Billl No. 1981- Robinson! Street Parking  Reasinger,) yea. Motion passed 5-0. Public Comments Shirley Dahrouge- -Downtown DuBois  "Jennifer. Jackson, your comment about thes skill games andy vettingt the: sale of our downtown properties. We: are very concerned! because we! have seen al hugei increasei int the skill gamel locations and with that has come somer not-so-good activity. Ihave! beent talking with Chief Clark and State Rep Mike Armanini andy wei feel somethingr needst tol be done, both atal local and county levely witht this problem that has developed overt time. Idof feelt thata as part oft the vetting oft the sale oft these locations we needt tol be lookingi ini further tot their business plant tos see what they plan on puttingi int thereb because whent they're beings solds specifically: for skilledg games, I'drather: seei that noth bes sold andr retained for someone elset that "mg goingt toa agreev with Shirley. I'm on! her boarda and its seems likei in DuBoisr rightr now therei is, every time you clicky your heelst together, there'sa another gaming place int the City of DuBois and it'sreallys scary att this point. Iknow the police officers arer runningt to allt the different placest tryingt to solvet the problems buty you're getting some questionable clientele comingt to these places andl Ithink wer really need tol look att that. Iknow: asad downtown community, as DuBois Downtown: association, we'rel lookinga andi it'sreally My secondt thingis, on# #20 (BidA Authorizations), how aret thosel bids goingt tol be opened? Will therel bea specialr meeting ora anything like that? Int the past they've been atv works sessions butr now we don'thave work: sessions." Nasuti replied, "We've: always openedt them, since I'vel been here anyhow, at 11:00 a.m. Itu usedt tol be: at1 11:00 ont the day oft they works sessions, butr nowi it's at1 11:00 onl Thursday. Itwillg giver me timei tor review them- -it'sap public bid opening; we dol have people show up. Igetto do my investigation Tryzna said, "Community Days. I'mi hearing al Jot ofp positivet things. P'd alsol like tos see Council take more ofar role, too. Idon't! know! how, ifwe're goingt to havei itint thep park ori isit different places. Iknow ast the (Downtown! DuBois) boardh here, wet talked abouti Long Avenue and! blockingit it off. Of course, we'd have to come backt toy yout toa actually geta approval ont that. With support from Council, would we get City workers tol help out? There was al lot ofrumors goinga around: aboutt that, Council never approved City workers andy whatever else. Wheny yous get ons socialr media it's very questionable, some oft thet things you see. Do wel havet to come to Councila and: ask fors something? Is there some willingness from workers from the Cityt to help out withs some oft theset things, too, like int the past." Nasutir responded, "r met with Shirleya aboutt the downtown events) youy wantt tol have, closingt the streets and getting assistance. She sentr meal letter; we'llh havei it oni fort ther nextr meeting! herei inF February to discuss." "The nexti issue," Tryznal began,' "is allr moneyt that comes int tot the City of DuBoisi ist taxpayer money. I don'to carei ifitg goes tot the Water Fund, the General Fund, the Fire Department, Community Days...i it's around here. Iknow thei firemen has! helped, since 1888, they've! been here and! been helpfuli int the City of DuBois to fightf fires ande everything else and, it'sr not against them, butt there'sal lot ofs stuff out ons social mediaa abouta al lot off fundst that werei int thet fire departments' coffer without Council knowing. Ijust want tos seer moret transparency! because that is taxpayer money nor matter what. Ifitg goest tot thema andt they're not usingi it, its shouid come! backi tot thet taxpayers to use in any other way. There is, supposedly, fundsi in theref for Community Days right now. Idon't! know! how that would! be used or wouldi it be considered. I just wantt tos say, allr money comingi int tot the City ofD DuBois, even thoughi itis giveni in thel budget, it's taxpayerr money. P'di like tos see al lot moret transparency betweent the fire departments and Council and everything else. It'srumorsi allt thet time. There'sar rumor rightr nowt that thei fire department has hired an  actuallyi isi interestedi ini improving ando contributing positively to our community.  Ronl Tryzna -South Avenue  ac concer.  andl have arecommendation: for Councilt thef following Monday."    158  City Council Meeting Minutes- - February 12, 2024 (continued)  Ron Tryzna- -S SouthA Avenue (continued)  attomey andt theyl have! him onr retainer. Aret they using our Solicitor as an: attomey," Bretht replied, "'il dispelt that rumor. Absolutely not. Nothing: against thet firemen." Tryzna continued, "Now, who'sp paying for that? Taxpayers? Idon't know. Ijust wantt tok know what's truea and what'sf false." Nasutir responded, "As fara ast thatr rumor, Ihave not heardt that rumor. They haver not notified ust they're! hiring an attorney. Ifthey want tos geta access to City funds, justl like any other department herer right now, theys submita a requisition, we'llre review that, itv will geta approved andt theni it will get paid. They're! being operated! like every other department. We sat downy witht the fire department, had ag good discussion, they've! been very open withu us sharing allt thei information" they! have ont their accounts." Tryzna said,' "There'salotof rumors flyinga around." Nasutir replied, "1d can'to controlt the rumors." Tryzna continued, "Socialr mediai is the worstp part ofit. That'swhyl I'm bringings some oftheset things upl here. Ifwe can disprove them, let's disprovet them." Nasuti said," "I cant telle everybodyt they're operating, sharing everybit ofi information with usa andt they're operating like every other department withint the City. Wes get their monthly reportr tnow." Reasinger. added, "They usedt to get one lumps sum check. It's nott that way. We retaint that and, as they need ther money, wep payt the bilisi fort them. We didn't change the budget." Tryzna: asked," "Has allfunds been shown? Iknowy you've! had trouble gettingi information1 from S&T Bank. Ist there any funds anywhere else... CDs, mutualf funds?" Nasutit replied,' "We'rei investigating that. Ibelieve wel have Dahrouge said, "ld dov want to clarify...t the downtown organization as wez are moving forward witht this newo community event, wea aret takingt the proper procedures anda arrangingi fort the donations anda all that information willl be: availablet tot the publica asi itis isr received. Wev willl keep everyonei informed ofwhat we takei it, what wet take out. With our5 501C(3) we are capable andy we: are opening ar new account specifically fort thats SO we'rev working with oura accountant tor make surei it's handled properly. Iwant to assure "Ir noticedy you'rei interestedi int the skill games. Ijust wantedi tor remindt that the Planning Commission did present an Ordinancet for discussiona at Councili fort taxingt thes skill games andi it was pretty well thought out. There were a couple ofs situations wheret they wantedt tot tweaki itb buti it'sag good Ordinance. Since then, itseemsl like wev were more up oni itt thant the Stateb becauser rightr nowt therei isal Billi int the State legislature fort that veryt thing. Whatl I want tok knowi is, ffwec didi itv who hast the upper hand? Ifweh have somethingt that coincides with the State ori isi inc conflict witht the State... it'ss something! you shouldt think of. It) broughth back tor mind thes situation that! happened on! Long Avenue withi thes stealing, remember that? The guy was arrested: for stealingf from the skill games. Thet thingt that gotr mei interested was the amount ofr money thaty wasi int thatr machine- $5,000.00 was taken allegedly and thet totala amount that was giveni is over $7,000.00. That'sal lot ofr money." Lawhead: said," "That's within two weeks." Moore continued, "Thel last timel lwas familiar witht that particulars site, it's morel like residential. There are good reasonsf for maybe! having change inc occupancy eveni ifi it's int the same groupt thati is covered undert the Ordinancet the registered orp permitted. Ihave believedi int that fory year. Those aret thingst that whenv we have the! bigger community they can! help. I'ms suggestingy yout takei that Ordinance out and reviewi it." "lj just had a couple oft thoughts. Wast therea al balancef from Community Days moneyl last year?" Mitchell responded, "Weg gave at finalr reportt to Councila att the end ofI lasty year ofa allt the expenses, income, deposits and what's ini the account. Furthermore, the Financial Officer oft the City has access to viewt thata account ona areal-timel basis." Mechlingthen asked," "Cani thoser monies be usedt to start offt this year's celebration?" Nasutir replied,' "We'llh havet toi looki intot that. Ican'ta answert that. Idon't know! how those monies werer raised, ifthey were donated fundsf for as specifice event. We'lll have tot talk tot the attorney andi find out." Mechling asked,' "Sincet theyv were taxpayer dollarst that were tos got toward.." Nasutisaid, "I don'tk knowt that they weret taxpayer dollars. We'll check intot that." Brooks: said,' "We raise all our moneyt through donations: andt through corporates sponsors." Bob Swope added, "That'sthep partp people don't understand. Ai lot ofthatr money was donated, was fundraisers. The City didn't pay ust to dot that. Some ofitv was. Nota all oft thei fire department's moneyi is Cityr money. It'sf fundraisers, donations. We raise boots during Community Days. That'sh how we get ther moneyt top pay fort that. The City doesn't give ust the moneyt to doi it." Mechling responded,' "Ik knowt there'snormally money that's gathered passing the boot andt therey was a mailingt that peoples sent money in." Swoper replied,' "That's donations. That'sr not taxpayer money." Mechlingresponded, "Donations. Itc came from thet taxpayersi is what I'm saying." One other question to Council... the $15,000.00 per quarter from Advanced Garbage which amountsto $60,000.00: a) year. At one time, that was earmarked for Community Days. Isitstill" Reasinger replied, "Itg goes int the General Fund." Mechlinginquired, "Event thoughy whent they started doingt the donationsi it was earmarked that way? We can change it?" Nasutie explained, "Allt the checks wer received aret tot the  received everythingt to date, butv we arei investigating."  because it's been al bigd discussion with our organization takingt this on."  Nancy Moore - Green Ridge. Drive  Deb Mechling - Monroe Street    159  City Council Meeting Minutes- February 12, 2024(continued)  Deb Mechling-Monroe: Street City ofD DuBois." Mechling continued, tos support that."  "At onet time, different businesses: sponsored the different events,  it can  the differentr musicalg groups. Dida all oft thatg go away?" Reasinger replied, "Ther new group doingi certainly ask any businesst to donatet tot their cause. Absolutely- lwould expect the business community Dahrouge said, "lj justy want tos sort of defend the fire department on what everybody is doing witht the donations. People made those donations towardst the! DuBois Volunteer Fire Department event. Just as we are now putting ont this event. Iknow personallyl lwould! hate tos see come next yeart the Fire Department: say, We wanty whatevery youy profited' tog got towards whatt they put on. Therefore, we aren't entitled tos say, 'Sincey you'rer not goingt tol holdt thist this yeart that money should! be passed overtou us. We're putting on ouro own new eventf fort the year. It'sr not Community Days. It'sar new event. Thati is specifically fort them. Thosef fundraisers were specifically for thate event andi fort that organization. So,l personally feeli it would bev wrongt to even pursue pullingv what theyy worked hardf for allt these years." Mechlings said, "didn't knowy whaty would happen witht thatr money withi the consolidation." Gillaugh added," "When) yous solicit donations under the guise ofh holding: ane eventt thet following) year andt that'st the reasonb behindy your donation, isi ita actuallyl legalt tos spend the money ons something else orv withholdi it and not usei it: fort that event? Wel have TurnAbout Boxing, ar non-profit. Ifisay,' 'Oh, I'm goingto solicit funds fromi the entire community ofD DuBoisf forthis event andl decide I'm not goingt to doi it', canldo whatever Iwanty witht that money att that point? Ordoldefraud the public? Iknowt that wasn'tt thei intent ofit. That moneyr must! beu used for somethingr relatedt tot thep purposei ity was solicited fori from thep public. We dealt witht this witht the Pennsylvania State Golden Boxing The! IRS suspendedt their non-profit andi that'sfor "Just ont the: skills of chance games, ast far ast regulating that you'ves gott tol looka att the zoning and everythinge else. Restricting! businesses isa slippery slope,l would say, asf far as what you can and cannot do. Thati is something that's goingt tol bel looked ato on what we cana and do! legally, from that perspective." "First, Iwould! liket tos see more openness betweeni the fire department andi the Council going forward. lt'sanews set ofr rules that we're: starting. It'sjustI learning everything. There'snoi illy will. lt'sjustr maybea change inh howt things are done. I'mg glads someone is taking on Community Days. I'ms sadt that they'renot "If anyone! has any event they wanti to notify City Councila about, theyy want thei Mayort to come or any of ust to come attend or wantL ust top publisht fort the publict to come,! let us! know. Reach out to me orany of Thereb being nof furtherb business tot transact, ther motion was madel by Aughenbaugh ands seconded by Jacksont that Council adjourn. Roll call was asf follows: Roll call was asf follows: Jackson, yea; Gelfand,) yea;  fivey years." Council Comments CouncimanAughenbaugh Councilwoman Jackson  havingi it, butitisv whati iti isa andy your move: forward."  Councilman Gelfand  these guys. I'd be happyt to promotei it ora attend, ifp possible."  Adjourn  Dietz,) yea; Aughenbaugh, yea; Reasinger,y yea. Motion passed 5-0.  ATTEST:_ 4sth Slocum APPROVED:  pank