JOHNSTOWN CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 6, 2024 City Council met in a stated session for the general transaction of business. Mayor Frank Janakovic called the Special Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Reverend King offered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The following members of Council were present for roll call: Reverend King, Mrs. Mock, Mayor. Janakovic, Mr. Amone, Mr. Capriotti (5). Ms. Huchel (1) was not present at the commencement oft the meeting. Melissa Komar, Interim Co-City Manager; Robert Statler, Interim Co-City Manager/Fire Chief; Nina Ndichu, Economic Development Director Absent: Mr. Britt (1). were also present. Art Martynuska, Thad Pawlowski, Kate Orff, SCAPE, were also in attendance. PUBLIC COMMENT-AGENDA ACTION ITEMS ONLY James Carthew, Chairman, Johnstown Planning Commission, was present to review Joseph Barr was also present to review the plans for the final design for the City's plans for the final design for the City's Main Street Project. Main Street Project. Barry Polster was in attendance. APRESENTATION ON CENTRAL PARK AND MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS WHICH ARE PARTOF THE RAISE GRANTIRON1 TO ARTS PROJECT, AWARDED IN: 2021. OVERVIEW/PROJECTCOSTS Nina Ndichu, Economic Development Director, provided an overview of thel RAISE Grant Project. Ms. Ndichu will prepare aj packet for Council members, which She indicated the goal oft the project is to strengthen the community and revitalize downtown. She clarified the City's Main Street and Central Park Project was allocated $8.2 million, and the ARPA funds were used al leverage to obtain the $24 million allocated for the City. Ms. Ndichu noted aj packet provided last month contained al breakdown of the costs. She also noted the will recap the goals and costs of the project. Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Stated Meeting, continued 3of5 was discussion regarding the monuments currently located in the park, creating a Mr. Pawlowski discussed feedback received regarding different options, which included no change to thej park but improvement of the streetscape, and then one stroll district and aj parking plan. that included at transformation of the park. PROJECTDESIGN Ms. Orff indicated, after community feedback, the project isi in the final design phase consisting of 180 pages, which includes an updated park and ready to hand over tot the City for construction administration, bidding, et cetera. Ms. Orffnoted that it was loud and clear that the people wanted traffic to remain one way, Johns to Clinton Street, the addition of a bike lane from Johns to Franklin Streets, stormwater improvements, and electriçal upgrades the length of Main Street, concrete sidewalks easy to maintain, and pedestrianizing Gazebo Park with three removal bollards on both sides with ai new surface. Ms. Orffi indicated a video oft the streetscape was made, which includes al bike lane on thel left, one-way traffic continuous, and a view of the park. The park includes a welcoming plaza, al lot of seating for events, a more spacious gazebo, beautifully sculpted lawn, and a paved area in front of gazebo. The water feature is located to the right of the new pavilion and a generous open lawn, which will There is a community room with pingpong and chess tables, lounge seating, a pavilion, a water feature, and aj path to monuments. A view from Main Street looking ini includes rock outcroppings of stone at no cost. A view from Gazebo into the park includes movable tables and chairs, and room for tents. Along Main Street within the park, therei is room for two ten-by-ten tents. A view of the edges shows picnic tables, lounge chairs, and catenary lighting. Ms. Orff discussed color options. The water feature includes five waterj jets in the ground that provides some sound and atmosphere. The flood monument and other memorials are nestled in a garden-like space with seating. Final cost estimates are being received from' Trophy Point, focusing on the corridor of Main Street and Central Park improvements is just below and at budget, which includes contingency profit for the selected contractor and an be sod and irrigated. There will be a tree canopy edge. overall escalation ofapproximately 7.3 percent. Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Stated Meeting, continued 5of5 Ms. Ndichu noted that stormwater infrastructure was addressed in the '80s, and EADS reviewed the drawing. Some oft the items mentioned were addressed, but she would revisit them. Ms. Orff will provide a clearer presentation of Ms. Huchel indicated there are other grants available for stormwater infrastructure. Reverend King requested additional information regarding the water feature. It was noted there was no fence around it, and kids, for instance, could walk in the water. Mr. Capriotti suggested the feature be enclosed due to liability reasons. Mayor Janakovic explained he was in favor of this feature as it would bring kids and parents downtown to use. Ms. Ndichu stated the water provides a cooling effect information. ona very hot day. QUESTIONS AND ANSWER SESSION Joseph Barr commented that the splash park in the West End is a lovely and exciting place. There was discussion regarding the difference between a splash park and splash pad. Mr. Pawlowski explained there is no separate splash pad in Central Park but only the water feature as] previously noted. Public Works will continue toi maintain Central Park. No specific times to visit or hang out at the park had Brad Clemenson, Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority and Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, inquired if grant money was available fora trail connection to Main Street. Ms. Ndichu reiterated that $1 million is available for trails. Mr. Clemenson noted the Conservation and Recreation Authority has obtained two grants toj paint share thel lane signs from the. Jim Mayer Trail into the City, and ai flood traill has been designed. He offered his There was discussion concerning inlet parking and accessibility for all to get around Mayor Janakovic thanked alli in attendance and all those involved in thel Main Street been set thus far. assistance if requested. downtown. Project. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Special Meeting concluded at 4:58 p.m.