MINUTES  :  APPROVED  Regular Meeting February 14,2023 7:00P.M.  The regular monthly meeting of the Meyersdale Borough Council was called to order by President Folk, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Baer, Mr. Boyce, Mr. Folk, Mrs. Gnagey, Mr. Parisi, and Mayor Smith were present. Solicitor Valentine was present via telephone. Mr. Baker was absent, but was available by telephone if necessary. Brion Reiber, Street Foreman, and Matt Wright, Police Chief were also present. Mr. Baer made the motion to approve the minutes oft the January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting as presented. Mr. Mr. Boyce made the motion to accept the financial report and pay the bills as presented. Mr. Ackerman  February 14, 2023 at 7:00P.M.  MINUTES:  Boyce seconded. Motion passed. FINANCIAL REPORT/) BILLS: seconded. Motion passed. GUESTS: There were no pre-registered guests. PUBLICCOMMENT:  A.) Meyersdale Renaissance (Report was moved up the Agenda to accommodate Mrs. Kelly) Mrs. Wendy Kelly reported that the big screen TV was tested at the Elks Club on February 19, 2023. She asked if there is space in the Community Center to store the equipment. The Meyersdale Renaissance is partnering with the Meyersdale Area Merchants Association to apply for grant funds for businesses to acquire security cameras. Proceeds from the Oktoberfest event will be B.) Mr. Brad Steinbiser from The EADS Group was present to report that funds have been acquired to install amuch needed sewer line in the upper Broadway Street area. Permission for street closure during construction was requested. Mr. Boyce made the motion to allow the closure of the roadway during working hours during construction. Mr. Ackerman seconded. Motion passed. Because this is sucha small scale project, the closure will be for just ai few weeks. Accommodations will be made for local C.) Mrs. Deb Kolb was present to report that she is a member oft the Friends oft the Library and in that capacity she is working on purchasing a defibrillator unit for the library. Mrs. Kolb asked Council to consider purchasing a unit for the Community Center.. Thej price for a unit ranges from $1,800.00t to $2,100.00. Chief Wright indicated that the police department should have a unit in the Police station andi ini the vehicles. After some discussion, Mr. Parisi volunteered to do grant research and Chief Wright volunteered  used to offset the cost.  traffic.  to contact the hospital to see if funding is available.  Regular Meeting February 14, 2023 Page1    D.) Mrs. Barbara Sigler, Meyers Avenue was present to reporta a problem she has been experiencing with trash pickup. Accordingt to Mrs. Sigler, she cleaned up a problem area int the Morgan Toole parking lot and put this trash with hers only to have the trash hauler not pick up one of her bags of trash. Mrs. Sigler reported that she aired her trash complaint as well as ap pot] hole issue over Facebook and the pothole was fixed immediately: Mrs. Sigler claims that the trash hauler will pick up anything and everything from the neighbors property, but does not pick up all ofk her trash. Mr. Parisi volunteered to contact Harbaugh  Trucking regarding her complaint. PRESIDENT'S! REPORT: NoI report was given. MAYOR'SI REPORT: No report was given. ENGINEERS REPORT: No report was given. SOLICITOR'S! REPORT: Solicitor Valentine reported on the following:  Mayor Smith reported $732.19 in fines. A monthly statistics report was read. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTO COORDINATOR:  Due to being ill, Solicitor Valentine waived providing a detailed report until the March 2023 regular meeting. He was unable to work out a meeting with] Ed from PMCA due to scheduling conflicts. Council will be AZoning Hearing for Mr. James Rubright, Jr. has been scheduled. Council will be notified via e-mail  notified via e-mail when a date has been agreed upon.  regarding the date and time. CODE ENFORCEMENT: NoI report was given. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Municipal Authority Street Foreman  Mrs. Gnagey reported that al lot of work is being done to try and meett the DEP CAP report. Solicitor Valentine reported that a complaint tol DEP made by a resident has been resolved. Mr. Reiber reported that the community center furnace has not been working properly. Darr Construction was called on several occasions and cannot find the problem. After some discussion, Mr. Parisi volunteered to reach out tol Darr Construction andi ift they are unable to: fix the furnace, then a plumber will be contacted. President Folk complimented the street crew on the work they have been doing with snow removal and street Mrs. Gnagey reported that the flag att the pavilion is ini need of replacement. Mr. Reiber will remove the tattered flag and the Secretary will make contact with the local State Representative to obtain a new flag.  maintenance.  Regular Meeting February 14,2023 Page 2    Meyersdale Area Merchants Association  Mrs. Teri Foster reported on a meeting to be held on February 15,2023. Jeffrey Dick willl be the guest speaker. Mrs. Teri Foster was present with a report regarding the Sesquicentennial 150th anniversary celebration for Mrs. Gnagey reported that the Parks & Recreation Committee willl be holding at teen dance on February 19, The group will begin holding meetings the 4th Thursday of eachi month at the Elks Club. The first two orders of  MAMA is looking tol hold a job fair and hold PA Smart courses.  Public Library Meyersdale. (see attached). Parks & Recreation  2023 from 61 PM to 9PM. A movie showing will also be available. business willl be the Memorial Day luminaries and planning for the Easter Egg Hunt.  Meyersdale Renaissance Report was given under Public Comment COUNCIL MEMBERS - STANDING COMMITTEES POLICE/PUBLIC: SAFETY PERSONNEL No report was given. FINANCE No report was given. REFUSE No report was given. STREBIBUILDINGS FLOODCONTROL No report was given. FARMERSMARKET No report was given. UNFINISHED BUSINESSS: A.) Patrolman police agrementhandbook C.) Meyers Avenue access road  Chief Wright réported that the police force is getting better, but that the officers need to put in more time. Mayor Smith agreed and reported that there will be an officer coming back which will enhance police coverage.  It was reported that some pot! holes have been temporarily fixed with cold patch.  Mayor Smith: reported that the document has not been signed.  Mr. Parisi reported that he had the opportunity to speak briefly witht two of the Somerset County  Regular Meeting February 14, 2023 Page3    Commissioners and was hopeful that a meeting can be scheduled before the March Council meeting. The Secretary reported that a check ini the amount of $1,478.70 was received from the perpetrators insurance company for the damages to the Welcome tol Meyersdale sign. Level Acres in Springs, PA Mr. Boyce made the motion to share the cost of the RAVE Emergency Notification System ($625.00) with the Meyersdale Municipal Authority. Mr. Baer seconded. Motion passed with Mrs. Gnagey abstaining. Al letter from Mr. John McDowell, owner ofai former manufacturing building on Sixth Avenue requested Mr.. Ackerman made the motion to grant a 60 day extension. Mr. Parisi seconded. Motion passed. The Secretary was asked to contact PAI Municipal Code Alliance regarding their decision. PMCAis Mrs. Gnagey made the motion to grant thel Elks Lodge permission to use the uptown park gazebo for the Annual Flag Day ceremony on June 14,2023 and to waive the $70.00 rental fee. Mr. Parisi seconded. Mrs. Gnagey suggested that landlords be notified when at tenant is delinquent inj paying a refuse bill after one quarter. Mr. Ackerman suggested billingt the landlord for the services. After some discussion, Council decided that a copy of the penalty notice will be sent to the landlord as a notification that the billi is due and that steps will be taken toj place a municipal lien against the property if the accounti is Mayor Smith reported that the new. Dodge Durango police vehicle is ready forj pickup at Tri-Star Motors. Three written estimates were obtained for the upfit package as follows:  NEW BUSINESS: A.) Announcements  will be instructed toj proceed with the: repairs. B.) RAVE Emergency notification system (See Abstention Memorandum attached)  C.) Correspondence from John McDowell - Request for extension an extension to make repairs to the structure. (See attached) to use their discretion as to the expiration oft the 60 day period.  D.) Use of gazebo for Flag] Day ceremony  Motion passed. E.) Landlord notifications  not paid. F.). Police Vehicle  East Coast Emergency. Lighting, Inc. 2001 Meco Drive Millstone Township, NJ 08535 Team Force, Inc. 482 Railroad St. Windber, PA 15963  $15,249.00 $17,342.40  Regular Meeting February: 14, 2023 Page4    Blackout Tinting 57971 Rt. 981 Latrobe, PA 15650  $13,639.00  Ity was reported that all the estimates include the cost ofac console costing approximately $900.00. The Vehicle originally was not tol be equipped with a console, but it has arrived in with a console installed. Thisi is ani item that will not needt tol be includedi in the upfit package, therefore the estimates are Approximately over by $900.00. Mr. Parisi made the motion to accept the lowest quote from Blackout Tinting for the upfit package. Mr. Ackerman seconded. Motion passed. There was discussion on how the vehicle and upfit package would be paid for. There is $25,000.00 set aside in the contingency: fund to offset the cost of the vehicle. Council discussed the possibilities off financing the balance of $32,000.00. Mrs. Gnagey asked ift the balance could be taken from the refuse account. Solicitor Valentine advised that this was not possible. After some discussion, Council decided that the Secretary was to obtain quotes from local banks for financing. The results willl be presented att the February 22,2 2023 Special/Workshop: meeting. Mrs. Gnagey reported that it was her understanding that the Goals for 2023 were tol be added tot the  G.) Goals for 2023  Agenda, however they were not. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: There were no additional items for discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION: There was no executive session. ADJOURNMENT  Mr. Ackerman made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM. Mr. Baer seconded. Motion passed.  Pbiin C.aekmaw  Patricia C. Ackerman Borough Secretary  Regular Meeting February 14,2023 Pages    MEYERSDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY  210 Center Street, P.O. Box 98 Meyersdale, PA 15552 Phone: (814) 634-0512 Fax: (814)634-8103 meyersdatelbrany.orgy  February 3, 2023  Dear Fellow Community Member,  Asy your may already be aware, the Borough of Meyersdale will marki its 150th anniversary, or Sesquicentennial, in2024. Latei in. January our Meyersdale Public Library hosted two' brainstorming sessions," during whicha number ofi interested individuals gathered to begin tossing around ideas of how we might maker next year one At this point therei is talk of a possible "birthday party" dinner. Ift the logistics can be worked out, Sesquicentennial t-shirts and mugs might be offered, or a special parade may be organized. Thei ideas ofa Meyersdale theme song," town-wide scavenger hunt, andt time capsule burial havel been mentioned. Here att the library, we hope to sponsor a Centennial Essay Contest for youth; offer slide shows anda at few new online PAI POWER Library collections featuring some of the countless old photographs we've acquired from Thel New Republic newspaper; and maybe even publish a memory bookf featuring some of thesei images that Yeta as thel Meyersdale Centennial Committee notedi in preparing for our borough's 100th anniversary celebration in 1974, "The success ofa any project depends almoste entirely on the cooperation of the Citizens of The Community ifitis a community project." Al half century later, this still holds true. Thus at this point many discussions revolve aroundi integrating the upcoming 150th celebration into the things folksi in! Meyersdale normally doi ini the course of a year: the Maple Festival, Alumni Weekend, our Independence Day celebration, the County Fair, etc. Almost any organization or business can puta al little Meyersdale150th pompi into its typical activities during 2024! Businesses might participate in Sesquicentennial window-decorating: events or sell #Meyersdale150th souvenirs? Groups such as the Elks, American Legion, Moose and Fire Department can consider ways they, too, can geti involved. Andi of course there's our Meyersdale Areal Historical Society, Merchants' and Ministerial Associations, and School District. Those of us whor met during the recent Sesquicentennial brainstorming gatherings have set another meeting for Monday, March 13h, beginning at6 6 p.m. at the library. All are invited and welcome to attend! Organizations and businesses are especially encouraged to have ar representative present tos see how we can all come together to celebrate this community milestone.. As that 1974 Centennial Committee pointed out, al handful of people can't do ita alone. Ther more individuals, businesses and organizations who contribute, the bigger and  tore remember ina and around the community we all call "home."  are so reflective of our community's past.  better our 150th anniversary celebration willl become! Wel lookf forward to seeing all of you on! March 13th.  Thel Initial Brainstormers" &. Jennifer Hurl)  (Katie Billy, Denise Gehringer, Madolin Edwards, Debl Kolb, Linda McDonougn, Chelsey Tressler, Terri Foster    MEYERSDALE PUB_IC LIBRARY  Library Report for February, 2023  Thel library was busyi inz 2022! Our Pennsylvania Rooms staff created several new collections in PAF Photos & Documents. (From there, theyy were harvested into the Digital Public Library of America.) Collections include Maple Festival Memories, our library's history, and oral histories oft thet tornado outbreak of 1998. We willl be hosting programs one each oft theset topicst this year - especially appropriate for the Thel library had approximately: 13,000 visits during its approximately: 2,600 service hoursi inz 2022. While ther majority of our visitors were! Somerset County residents, our Pennsylvania Room (archive) Aso of1 12/31/2022, wel had almost 30,000 items inc our catalog. Almost 13,000 physical items were checked out during the year. We do not yet have af fullt tally ofe electronic items used, but that usage! has clearly increasedi from past years. There were 1,500s sessions of public computer use, and countless Currently, we are looking aheadt tor next year's Meyersdale 150th Anniversary. We have hostedt two brainstorming sessions and have another planned for March: 13a at6p.m. We have launcheda a weekly community events newsletter. We also have thousands ofp photos and negatives from the now-closed New Republic newspaper, which are being sorteda and digitized by our newly-launched "The Way We Were Club." (New members are welcome!) We hopet too dor more int the way of community outreach Thankst tog grants received through the Community! Foundation for the Alleghenies, we have ane energy efficiency upgrade inp process funded! by the Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, and wel have upgraded our security camera system with funds from the Somerset County Community Fund. Inc conjunction with the security grant, we will holda a program aboutp personal safety and crime prevention and addi materials We are now trying to better promote the non-book resources that may be checked out oft the library. We have Take-and-Make: STEM project kits anda ay variety ofe educational toys, games, ande electronics Preschool! Story Hour isg goingy well, and we have resumed holding, our LEGO Club fory youthg grades K-5. We wouldl like tos starta a Magna-Tile building club (those are always popular with young people gett to use them) but lack sufficient quantity- we've createdav wishl list ofa additional Magna- Tiles we'dl love to  tornado remembrance, asi it willl bet the 25th Anniversary. documented visitors from 18 others states.  more uses ofc our Wi-Fi.  with those materials.  ont thats subject to our collection. cataloged and available to borrow.  have!  Wea are grateful fort thes support wer receivef from community members.  Respectfully submitted, builatc Terri Foster    Conflict of] Interest Abstention Memorandum  TO: Borough Secretary, Patricia C. Ackerman Meyersdale Borough, Somerset County, Pennsylvania FROM: rnGnapy DATE: 2/14/23  council member  Pursuant to Pennsylvania's" "Public Official and Employee Ethics Law" (65) PA CSA 1101 ets seq), Ihereby  declare that I am requiredt to abstain regarding the following issue/ motion:  Rase shard  withboo  akramen  My conflict/reason for abstaining is as follows: In Boand  S  NOTE: Section 1103 (J) requires the following procedure:  "Any public official or public employee, who in the discharge of his official duties, would be required to vote on a matter that would resulti in a conflict ofi interest shall abstain from voting and, prior to the vote being taken, publicly announce and disclose the nature of his interest as a public record in a written memorandum filed with the person responsible for recording the minutes for the meeting at which the vote ist taken...." (Please note that State Ethics Commission requires a public official to complete a form every time he has a  conflict ofi interest).  ABSTENTIONI MEMORANDUMA (Saved on shortcutt tol Patty)    Sixth Avenue 156- Meyersdale Borough -SOM Property ID 260013230 - Time  Extension Request Mon 1/23/2023 10:47.AM:  John' V. McDowell vamcdowel@gmal.om>  To: Ed Maz- PMCA codes@pacodealanceallance.com>Patricia. Ackerman msogpehcmatoN Please consider this email to be a formal request to extend the required clean up at the property Mr. Mazurkiewicz was kind enough to send photos detailing the issue at hand. These helped us better understand the issues of most concern, and realize that a consistent onsite presence is required to maintain our status. We are committed to addressing these items. Our plan ist to make progress, weekly, ont the items that remain and improve the condition oft the property. The willi include dumpsters, hauling of debris not suitable for landfill, and addressing the building issues. Wel have addressed: some issues referenced in the original Order, securing the build, maintaining the mowing and overgrown vegetation; but have these items remaining. Wea also recognize that our neglect has put us in this position and we are committed to maintaining Wel know we are in no position to request sucha an extension, however, we ask for leniency as wel look: Isaw.t the former manager oft the building over the holidays and he mentioned using as specific trash company that was Borough approved. Iflcould make a request, does the Borough: still recommenda  located at Sixth Avenue, Meyersdale Borough, Meyersdale, PA.  the building and grounds, moving forward. toi improve our position there. singlet trash/dumpster service? Thanks. John V. McDowell  https:lloutiook! -sAewawwmaNE 1/1    MEYERSDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL Regular Meeting 242023 Special Meeting  GUEST SIGNIN  PLEASE PRINT NAME Tom Deetz 27A ChcRE BA4 Sbwbsin 4 Jacek Rolagury SRhHEngSAZ Mshie Wolelk TLDTatco bowo Slyh  ADDRESS  TOPIC MMA hibray  334olagu ST Iheerseble 201 Pwt s7 KIeshE L3 Cay 306osbvay st myraalg  WDAIS  A1H 131 t  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. 23 24  GUESTS MUST STAND WHILE SPEAKING  GUEST SIGNINONEXCEL