BLAIRSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER1 19,2 2024 1. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 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. Jeffrey Marshall, and Mr. Robert Startari. Othersin attendance included Mayor Ronald Evanko, Chief Louis Sacco, Mr. Patrick Dougherty, Solicitor, Mr. Michael Meyer, Engineer, and Mrs.J Jody Poorbaugh, Manager/Secretary. Mr. David Fairman was not present. 5. Additions to the Agenda-N None 6. Rotary Check Presentation: a. Mrs. Smyth attended the Rotary Meeting to discuss the vision for the Recreation b. The Blairsville Rotary presented the Recreation Center with a check in the amount of $8,000.00 to purchase playground equipment. This was a very Ms. Alyssa Constantino worked to get all the equipment from the supplier at a d. Money raised through fundraising is given back to the children. Two Steeler Center. generous donation. better price and shipping rate. tickets will be raffled off to raise money. 7. Executive Session The Council went into an executive session at 5:36 P.M. and came out at 5:51 P.M. Legal issues were discussed. 1 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November1 19, 2024 8. Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to authorize the solicitor to do a title search on 137W. Campbell Street. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Marshall Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino No 9. Resident & Taxpayer Public Comments -None 10. .Approval of the Minutes: a. Amotion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on October 15, 2024.A Approved 6/0. 11.Mayor's Report: a. Was given toi the Board for review. Mayor's Report. Approved 6/0. b. Amotion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Marshall to accept the 2 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 12. Police Report: a. Mr. Dettorre stated that Mr. Logan Cusimano tested successful in allt three phases. Mr. Cusimano is currently working as a part-time Officer for Blairsville and at full-time Officer forl IUP. He will be ablet to start full-time in early December. b. Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded byl Ms. Sagely to hire Mr. Logan Cusimano as at full-time Police Officer for Blairsville Police Department. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Marshall Mr.. Janusek Mr. Dettorre Mr. Bertolino No C. Chief Sacco met with engineer to go over plans for upgrading the safety and security of the Borough Building/Police Station. Application will be made through the LSA grant for d. Worked on ARC Grant, contacting and meeting with software companies. e. Officers participated in Operation Safe Stop through the traffic safety grant. Operation Safe Stopi is a proactive approach to educating the public that passing a stopped school bus, when children are loading or unloading, is both dangerous and illegal. Our department worked with Smith Bus Company and Penndot on the details. The department participated and worked along withi the Blairsville Support Group Against Drugs, Blairsville Reality Tour, and the Armstrong, Indiana, Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission for the DEAI National Drug Take Back Day. People dropped off expired and unused over the counter and prescription medications for destruction. In total, the Police Department took back forty-two pounds of medication. The department, along withi the Fire Department and Citizens Ambulance, took part ina a First Responder Appreciation Dayt they held at and was sponsored by Tractor Supply h. Amotion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to accept the Police the funding. Report. Approved 6/0. 3 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 13. Borough Manager/Secretaries Report: a. Continue to work with the Police Department regarding code violations. b. Continue to work with Mr. John Reilly and personnel committee regarding the Laborer's and Police Contracts. Atentative agreement has been reached with . Continue to work oni information fori the upcoming grant application from ARC. Chief Sacco and Mrs. Poorbaugh have met with ARC Representatives to answer ac couple of questions that they had regarding the grant. The application is due by e. The Borough received an LSA grant for a street sweeper int the amount of $200,000.00. Mrs. Poorbaugh has placed the order for the street sweeper. Mrs. Poorbaugh is waiting for1 the paperwork fort the grant. Once the paperwork has been signed and funds available the street sweeper will be delivered. f. Amotion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to accepti the both Unions. The contracts will be presented to the Boards. December 9, 2024. d. Working on budgets for 2025. Borough Manager/secretanes Report. Approved 6/0. 14. Public Works Manager Report-None 15. Treasurer's Report: a. Financial Statement - Cash on hand ini the General Fund after the bills have been paid is $119,536.13. The Highway Aid fund has $98,815.67. b. Accounts Payables - Was presented in the amount of $64,684.40. C. Amotion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Marshall to approve the Treasurer's Report and to pay the bills totaling $64,684.40. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Startari Mr. Marshall Mr. Janusek Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino No 4 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024. 16.F Planning/Zoning Report: a. The planning Commission met on November 5, 2024. Mr. Art Kromel and Mr. John Kelly presented a plani for a subdivision of two parcels owned by Mr. Kelly on East Ranson Avenue. The plan represents moving the dividing property line to adjust for proper alignment of structures on both properties. Since Mr. Kelly owns both parcels and proper setbacks are maintained, the Planning Commission recommends the Council approve the plan. b. Amotion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to approve the subdivision of two parcels owned by! Mr. John Kelly on East Ranson Avenue as recommended by the Planning Commission. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre No 17.Engineer's Report: a. Was given to the Board for Review. b. Resolution #181- -A Ar motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Marshall to adopt Resolution #181, an Authorized Official Resolution to request as Statewide Local Share. Assessment Grant of 1,000,000.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for the Blairsville Police Garage Project. Approved 6/0. Roll Call' Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino No 5 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 18. Engineer's Report (continued) Resolution #182-Ar motion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Ms. Sagely to adopt Resolution #182, an. Authorized Official Resolution that the Blairsville Borough hereby requests a Main Street grant of $50,000.00 from the Commonweatth, Financial Authority to be used for the Blairsville Park Plan. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Mr. Marshall Mr. Bertolino No d. Grandview Pointe- -Trek - Supinka and Remington Vernick Engineers response onoutstanding escrow- Was discussed ini the executive session. e. Grant Flood Mitigation Program - TractorSupply-s Submitted June 2024. 19. Animal Control: a. Mr. Dettorre reminded residents that all dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. They should only be out for short periods of time and must have fresh water. 20. Police/Fire Committee Report: a. The fire company responded to a severe traffic accident on Route 22 where the b. Breakfast with Santa Clause will be held on December 8, 2024, from 10:00 A. M. person had to be extricated. to1 1:00P P.M. 21. Fiscal Committee - None 22. Streets/Capital Improvement Committee Report: a. Sidewaks-Curenty working on sidewalk replacement program. An ordinance will be presented to the Council in December. 6 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November12, ,2024 23. Parks & Recreation Committee Report: a. Mr. Dettorre commented that the team is doing a great job at the Recreation Center. The gym is busy, and the place is clean. b. The Manager's report was given tot the Board for review. a. Additional cameras have been installed. (Handicap ramp access area, storage room off of gym, entrance out to the playground, cardio entrance. b. The new playground equipment has been ordered. Will take 10-14 weeks C. Mrs. Poorbaugh, Mrs. Constantino, Mrs. Smyth met with. Johnna, DCED, regarding grants fort the Recreation Center. We received al lot of valuable information. Mrs. Smyth is going to try to have a planning grant ready to be sent by November 14, 2024. The, grant would cover engineering fees to put together a renovationupgrade plan for1 the Recreation Center. d. The lock has been changed out at the Armory. A1 form will have to bei filled out for anyone having to have access toi the Armory. This wayy we can keep e. The front counter staff are doing an excellent jobi maintaining the daily toa arrive. The Borough Staffwill install. track of who has access. tasks that need to be completed. 24. Insurance Committee Report-None 25. Personnel Committee Report -N None 26. Shade Tree - None 27. Parking Authority Report-None 28. Code Appeal Board - Nothing 29. Code Enforcement-None 30. .Zoning Hearing Board 7 Blairsvitle Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 31.Civil Service Commission Report: a. Appointment Letter from. James Meighan - Mr. Meighan is currently av volunteer b. Amotion was made by! Mr. Startari and seconded by Ms. Sagely to waive the 30- dayv waiting period and to appoint Mr. James Meighan to the Civil Service with the Blairsvitle Fire Department. Commission. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr.Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Bertolino No 32. Blairsville Municipal Authority: a. The Council Members received a copy of the Blairsville Municipal Authority minutes oft the regular meeting held on September 26, 2024. b. Mandatory Water Conservation is still in effect. Currently buying water from High Ridge Water Authority. Occurring additional costs. Adrought surcharge Satellite Recycling Report-T The. Authority collected 980 pounds of recycling could be added to the utility bill. through Satellite Recycling for 2024. a. Street Lighting - Evans Ave Area-None 33. Unfinished Business: b. Indiana County Municipal Emergency Management Service - Draft ordinances were sent to each district & their Solicitors for review. Will be attending a District meeting on November 20, 2024. C. Tree Planting - Will be done ini the Spring. 8 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 34. New Business: a. Teamsters Contract- - Amotion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Startari to accept the Teamster Union Contract with the Police from January 2025- - December 2028. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Bertolino No b. Laborers Contract-A1 motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to accept the Laborers Union contract with the Nonuniform Employees from January 2025- - December 2028 which includes a 4% raise for 2025 and 2026, a 2.7% raise for 2027 and 2028. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Marshall Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino No C. Resolution 180 AI motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Marshall to adopt Resolution 180, that the Borough is requesting al Ready Local Government Grant of $50,000.00 from Appalachian Regional Commission for policy and procedure software, ordinance codification, and computer equipment. Approved 6/0. Roll Call' Vote: Yes Ms. Sagely Mr. Marshall Mr. Dettore Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino No 9 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 35. New Business (continued): a. Resolution 183-The grant application was prepared by Mr. Zach Dixon, Fire Chief and the Fire Department staff and the Borough Manager will submit it. Mr. Dixon said that the roof is 30 years old and has been repaired numerous times. TMR provided the assessment for this project. A motion was made by Mr. Janusek: and seconded by Ms. Sagely to adopt Resolution 183, that the Borough is requesting a Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant of $199,900.00 to be used for a new roof for the Blairsville Volunteer Fire Department. Approved. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Startari Mr. Marshall Mr. Dettorre Mr. Bertolino No b. Draft budget 2025- A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Janusek to advertise the 2025 draft budget which includes a 1 mil tax hike. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Mr. Dettorre Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino No C. Ordinance 716-A A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to advertise Ordinance 716 which is to establish the 2025 Tax Rate at 5.410 mills. Approved 6/0. Roll Call' Vote: Yes Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino No 10 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 36. New Business (continued): a. Hire Fulltime Public' Works Laborer-An motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Janusek to advertise to hire ai fulltime public works laborer. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Mr. Bertolino No 37. Executive Session - The Council went into an executive session at 6:28 P.M. and 38. Adjpurment-Amotion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:14 P.M. came out at 7:14 P.M Personnel issues were discussed. dahPniy Attest 11