BLAIRSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 21, 2024 1. The meeting was called to order at 5:32 P.M. by President John Bertolino. 2. Moment of Silence 3. Pledge to the Flag 4. Roll Call: The Council Members present included Mr. John Bertolino, Mr. David Janusek, Ms. Kaitlyn Sagely, Mr. Jeffery Marshall, and Mr. Robert Startari. Mr. Albert Dettorre arrived at 6:20 P.M. Others in attendance included Chief Louis Sacco, Mr. Patrick Dougherty, Solicitor, Mr. Michael Meyer, Engineer, and Mrs. Jody Poorbaugh, Manager/Secretary. Mayor Ronald Evanko, and Mr. David Fairman, Public Works Manager were not present. 5. Additions to the Agenda: a. Amotion was made to add hiring a casual part-time laborer and to discuss the District Representative for the Emergency Authority under new business. 6. Resident & Taxpayer Public Comments: a. Mrs. Joy Fairbanks spoke regarding Bicentennial projects. The otters are returning to the river. Mr. Jack Mayer is to create a realistic Otter that people will want to take a picture with. It will be seven feet long and five feet tall and it b. Mrs. Olivia Seich spoke regarding 137 West Campbell Street. The Borough crew is cutting the grass, and the permit will expire in August. Mr. Dougherty will be made of cement. to file action in the Common Pleas Court later this year. 7. Approval of Minutes: a. Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Ms. Sagely to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on April 16, 2024. Approved 5/0. 8. Mayor's Report - None 1 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 9. Police Report: a. Radios were installed in the cars. The new car has a vehicle camera. The Chief is putting a policy in place and will train the Officers. The vehicle will be C. Adiscussion was held on the ordinance for chalking tires to see if a vehicle has not moved for 72 hours. Case law states that all vehicles must have the tires chalked not just certain ones. Vehicles must be registered, operatable d. Mr. Dettorre explained that the 2023 Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony was held in Blairsville this year. He thanked Chief Sacco and everyone that participated in making it an incredibly special event. This is the same as a e. .Amotion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Janusek to accept put in service after the training is completed. b. All Law Enforcement communications are encrypted. and inspected. Memorial Day Ceremony and should be recognized. the Police Report. Approved 6/0. 10.Borough Manager/secretanes Report: a. Was given to the Board for review. b. Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Marshall to accept the Borough Manager/>ecretanes Report. Approved 6/0. 11.Public Works Manager's Report - None 12.Treasurer's Report: a. Financial Report - Cash on hand in the General Fund after the bills have been paid is $200,561.98. The Highway Aid Fund has $131,524.62. b. Accounts Payables - Was presented in the amount of $37,984.80. C. Amotion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Mr. Marshall to approve the Treasurer's Report and to pay the bills totaling $37,984.80. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino No 2 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 13.Planning/Zoning Report: a. 344 East Chestnut Street-Amotion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Marshall to grant a variance to install a fence on the property line at 344 East Chestnut Street. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Marshall Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino No b. 140 Old Main - Amotion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Marshall to grant a variance to install a fence to be placed directly on the property line rather than the two-foot setback at 140 Old Main Street, Ms. Kaitlyn Sagely is the owner. Approved 5/0/1. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Mr. Janusek Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino No Abstained Ms. Sagely 14.Engineers Report: a. Trek Grand View Pointe - Response to Supinka & Supinka regarding outstanding escrow amount still owed - Was discussed in Executive Session. b. Grant - Engergy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Fixed Award Grant Program - No word yet. 15.Animal Control Report: a. Adiscussion was held regarding stray cats. The shelters are not taking any cats currently. This is happening in all Municipalities throughout Pennsylvania. Mrs. Olivia Seich offered to help if a program can be found to trap the cats. 3 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 16.Blairsville Community Development Report: a. They will be looking into incentives for members from the local county and state entities. 17.Police/Fire Committee Reports: a. There was a 100-gallon diesel spill into the Walmart parking lot on May 21, 2024. The load shifted and a large piece of steel punctured the tank. Mr. Barberich created an earth & dam to keep the diesel from getting into the b. The Fire Company has around sixteen to eighteen active members. There is ar real possibility that there could be an alarm that no one will show up to. storm drain. 18.Fiscal Committee Reports: a. Ameeting will be held in June or July of 2024. 19.Streets/Capital Improvement Committee Report - None 20.Parks & Recreation Committee Reports: a. Memberships are up. C. New AC was installed. b. The Food Truck Festival was a success. There was a lot of traffic in town. 21.Insurance Committee Report - None 22.Personnel Committee Report - None 23.Shade Tree = None 24.Parking Authority Report - The Parking Authority met on May 6, 2024. The committee recommends that currently no parking changes need to be made on Maple Avenue. 4 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 25.Code Enforcement - The Police Department and Borough Staff are dealing with any code issues. 26.Code Appeal Board - None 27.Zoning Hearing Board - None 28.Civil Service Commission Report - None 29.Blairsville Municipal Authority Minutes: a. The Council was given the minutes of the Blairsville Municipal Authority regular meeting minutes held on March 26, 2024, for their review. 30.Unfinished Business: a. Street Lighting - Evans Avenue = None b. Recreation Position - This position was readvertised as an administrative position and the applicants are currently being reviewed. C. Municipal Emergency Service Authority Ordinance - This matter was tabled. 31.New Business: a. Otter Statue - Concrete b. Ordinance 715-Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Ms. Sagely to advertise Ordinance 715, Placing statues, ornaments, permanent fixtures on Borough owned property. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino No 5 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 32.New Business (continued): a. Resolution 179-Amotion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to adopt Resolution 179, the Indiana County 2023 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Mr. Janusek Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino No b. Resolution 180-Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Janusek to adopt Resolution 180, the Flood Mitigation Program Grant for the East Campbell Street Drainage Project. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Dettorre Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino No Vacation policy - Manager - A discussion was held on vacation and sick time for the manager. The manager will receive 70 hours of vacation with a payout at the current rate. The manager will also receive 162 hours of sick time with a payout at a rate of $20.00 per day. A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Marshall to adopt the Manager's vacation and sick time policy. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino No 6 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2024 33.New Business (continued): d. Amotion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to authorize the Manger to hire a part-time temporary casual laborer as needed to cut grass and maintain lawn care. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Ms. Sagely Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino No 34.Executive Session - The Council went into an executive session at 6:00 P.M. and came out at 6:40 P.M. Legal and personnel issues were discussed. 35.Adjourment t-Amotion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 P.M. dry Attest p 7