JOHNSTOWN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 12, 2024 City Council met in a stated session for the general transaction of business. Mayor Reverend King offered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, The following members of Council were present fori roll call: Mr. Amone, Mr. Britt, Mayor Janakovic, Reverend King, Mrs. Mock (5). Ms. Huchel (1) was not present at the commencement oft the meeting. Ethan Imhoff, City Manager; Dennis R. Very, Esquire, Solicitor; Sara Williams, Executive Secretary; Richard Pritchard, Police Chief; Robert Statler, Fire Chief; Dave Williams, Codes Enforcement Manager; Theresa Rowe, DCED, Codes Administrative Assistant; Melissa Millard, Finance Director; Nina Ndichu, Economic Development Director; AND Jared Campagna, Public Frank Janakovic called the meeting to order at 5:58 p.m. Absent: Mr. Capriotti(1). Works Director, were: also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Amone made a motion to approve the! Regular Meeting Minutes of May 8, 2024. The motion was seconded by Mr. Britt and passed by the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Amone, Mr. Britt, Mayor. Janakovic, Reverend King, Mrs. Mock (5). Nays: None (0) PROCLAMATIONS.AWABDSHONORSRESOLUTIONSOPI RECOGNITION- Proclamation Recognizing Pride Month was: read into the record as follows: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex LGBTQI+ Pride Month is Whereas, LGBTQI+ communities in the City of. Johnstown contribute to the advancement and success of our community at large. The City of. Johnstown exists to serve, protect and work for the betterment of all ofi its citizens regardless of race, faith, creed, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics inherent in the identities of people. celebrated in. June every year since 1999. Wednesday June 12, 2024, Stated Meeting, continued 3of14 Now, Therefore, I, Frank J.. Janakovic, on behalf oft the. Johnstown City Council thank the NAACP and all other groups for their tremendous service inl hosting Johnstown's 2024 Juneteenth celebration. Johnstown City Council is ever grateful for the African-American community and their contributions in making our City excellent. Wecommit to creating a more united, equal and just home The proclamation was presented to Bruce Haselrig. There was ai round of applause. forall. PUBLIC COMMENT-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY Joseph Warhol, 24 Clover Street, Johnstown, addressed Council regarding the neighborhood partnership program and offered suggestions regarding partnering with the neighborhood he has lived in for over: 50 years. He commented on the high grass on a vacant property in his neighborhood that Mr. Warhol noted thej presence ofa dead cat on the street, the eighth or tenth one ini the last year. He stated there is no allocation of funds for animal control, and people are feeding cats that are starving thinking this is the right thing to do. This is only prolonging the cat's suffering. He inquired ift the City has "a few Mr. Warhol had concerns that al bullet went through a window next door ofa home, which he purchased for his daughter, that struck right above where she Hel had concerns for the Public Safety Building, which he stated was l"outdated" Mr. Warhol opined that money needed to be prioritized, and a' "glen in the park" is not a way tol help neighborhoods. The City should not start celebrating its John DeBartola, 1197 Bedford Street, Johnstown, thanked Council for the Pride Proclamation, as well as Sara and Theresa for their assistance. He noted ai free event of nonstop entertainment, which willl be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Central Park downtown. He welcomed Mr. Very as the Solicitor, noting the last time he was in front of has only been cut twice. bucks" to feed the cats, who cannot fend for themselves. slept. and lantiquated." award for excellence "because it's not excellent." Council Ms. Benjamin was the solicitor. Wednesday June 12, 2024, Stated Meeting, continued 5of14 Mr. Forcey indicated the yearly budget would be $500,000 per year forat total of$3 million given to. Johnstown for these programs moving forward. Hei referred to a car business on Route 56i in the West End that isi interested in ai façade grant. An email was sent to Ms. Ndichu regarding the request. Along with the City the program would be working with JRA, Visit Johnstown, and would also be updating wayfinding signage. The final application is due. June 20, 2024, followed by approval from DCED in August or September. He indicated DCED approved the concept. There was further discussion regarding the program being used for blight elimination. Mr. Forcey reiterated that funding for the program is not City money or taxpayer money, but funding contributed by businesses. There was further discussion regarding the role of the Main Street Manager. Mrs. Mock suggested the program focus more on neighborhoods as downtown as its own project. Mr. Forcey explained the role of DCED in the program. Mr. Forcey noted help would be received from Hosanna Industries who has a crew of 40 to 50j people who can put al house upi in five days. He referred to the homes as basic starter homes, up to three bedrooms, and would be built on the City's vacant lots around town. MAYOR: Mayor Frank Janakovic on behalf of Council commended the efforts of Mr. Imhoff to bring the City up to another level, which it had been striving for quite a while. Regarding a comment made previously, Mayor. Janakovic noted he, many businesses, and many legislators have been working hard to obtain grants, particularly for thel Public Safety Building. He noted recently receiving word from Senator Fetterman's office that he had submitted a grant in the amount of $3.8 million for the building, which would be added to the $2.5 million Mayor Janakovic reported welcoming the ABANA in Central Park recently, which is a group of artists and blacksmiths from across the world. The Mayor reported being invited to a meeting at CTC to meet with the Pennsylvania Auditor General to express the City's needs and concerns. allocated through ARPA. Wednesday June 12, 2024, Stated Meeting, continued 7of14 He stated JHA is currently accepting proposals for the space of the former medical clinic at the Connor Towers. Another medical facility is hopeful, and proposals are due by June 28, 2024. As the City's representative on the GJWA, Mr. Amone reported that as of May 2024, the City was 69.11 percent pressure tested, 16 service renewals completed,2 main repairs, and 1 new service was installed. The customer service department received 86 new service applications for property transfers, and 25 inactivated accounts were activated during this month. The filter inspection at Riverside Treatment Plant was completed, and the process of cleaning the lagoons will soon commence. Butterfly valves were switched and serviced on filters at Saltlick. Staff will begin a complete overhaul of filter four and DEP inspection. All reservoirs are: full and water quality is great. Mr. Amone will request that GJWA provide a water tap-in at the property when the housing program is commenced by Vision Together 2025. Mr. Amone noted his attendance at the Showcase for Commerce, and was informed there is nothing like that anywhere else in the United States. On June 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. a bridge dedication will be held the. American Legion, second floor. The public is welcome to attend. On Friday, June 14, 2024, Flag Day, the flag and flagpole will bei re-dedicated at thel Mound atop Mr. Arnone added that the Westmont Junior High women built four little libraries and provided them to the legion. One will be placed down by the park, one at the fire hall, one ini front of the legion, and onel by the Dale Fire Hall, and all will be maintained by the legion's auxiliary unit. thel Inclined Plane. Mr. Britt reported being "under the weather" for the last few weeks. He thanked Mr. Imhoffforthe pleasure ofworking withl him and hoped that "God continues to bless him." Mrs. Mock reported the West End Improvement Group has the community garden up and running and noted the addition of the new garden beds. She thanked the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Cambria County Adult Probation, and Public Works for their assistance. Wednesday June 12, 2024, Stated Meeting, continued 9of14 ORDINANCES FOR FINAL READ AND ADOPTION None. ORDINANCES FOR FIRSTREAD: None. RESOLUTIONS Resolution No. 105657 Al RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO: SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO PURCHASE A 2024 NEW: HOLLAND COMPACT! EXCAVATOR FROM: FORSHEYS Mr. Arnone made ai motion to approve. The motion was seconded by Mr. Britt and AG. AND INDUSTRIAL. passed by the following vote: Yeas: Mr. Amone, Mr. Britt, Mayor. Janakovic, Reverend King, Mrs. Mock, Ms. Huchel (6). Nays: None. NEW BUSINESS None OLDJ BUSINESS Mr. Amone thanked Mr. Campagna and the Public Works staff for doing the downspouts at City Hall, which resulted in a savings of $20,000. DEPARTMENT REPORTS 1. Code Enforcement Dave Williams, Code Enforcement Manager, reported 47 building permits issued, 201 code violations, 12 rental inspections for the month of May. To date around 380, 390 rentals are actually registered but the department has been finding vacant and rental properties that are: not registered. Five were at the magistrate last month, and 10to 15 are scheduled for this month. Wednesday June 12, 2024, Stated Meeting, continued 11of14 Mrs. Mock asked that the City Manager contact the 1889 Foundation regarding the LPRs and noted the Foundation is also requesting proven statistics. Mrs. Mock commented that District Attorney Greg Neugebauer provided a very informative letter to the Foundation explaining how LRPs work. Mayor Janakovic reported that he, Chief Pritchard, Chief Statler, and Mr. Imhoffi had a discussion in D.C. with Senators Fetterman and Casey and Representative Joyce who are supporting projects done in the City. 3. Fire Department Chief Statler reported the Department has been reviewing facilities including CamTran and a few other businesses. He noted the training site is in a holding The fire truck ordered two years ago should be delivered by the end of. June 2024. Hel hoped tol have it present at the next Council meeting for Council to review. A payment was made with block grant money last month for al ladder truck, and delivery time is three years. Chiefnoted that committee members are working on the details and work during their own time to make sure things Chief noted the Department isi in the process of changing over the computer systems, which is taking more time than thought initially. He reported the union did ai fundraiser for Operation Warm, which raises funds to distribute coats for kids this year. pattern while waiting for materials. are done properly. 4. Finance Melissa Millard introduced herself as the City's new Financel Director. She provided al brief] history ofh her professional background. She noted acting as Finance She referred Council members to information in their packets regarding a Revenue Expenditure Report as of the end of May 2024. She asked that members contact her with any questions or comments. Ms. Millard reported she has been reviewing all finances, meeting with department heads getting ready to submit a Capital Budget August 1, 2024. Director since April 24, 2024, Mr. Ritter's last day. Wednesday June 12, 2024, Stated Meeting, continued 13of14 Ms. Ndichu is looking to get an administrative login for SVGIS to have the capability to do any edits to any maps and information that would help the Shei indicated the Farmer's Market started Friday, May 31, 2024 and will run The Draft Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Action Plan is available on the website, City Hall, the Cambria County Public Library and the Johnstown Housing Mrs. Mock indicated ai meeting was to bel held for discussion of what is being spent and how it is being spent and see what items can be cut from the RAISE, grant. That meeting has not taken place. Ms. Ndichu explained what isi in the plan was based on public input, and any changes to the design will cost more money. Mr. Imhoff explained the full "bells and whistles version" oft the project was given, which is what should be scaled back. Council will be presented with aj plan that reflects the consensus that took place during the public input process. Any changes can bei made but would include a design cost. Mrs. Mock stated that could have been eliminated when it was less of an community. on Fridays all summer. Authority. impact, and "we have missed that boat." 6. Public Works Jared Campagna, Public Works Director, reported the bid opens tomorrow, June 13, 2024, for the paving project. He will provide additional information at the next meeting. Langhome Avenue will be a project for next year. Mayor Janakovic suggested review of the regulations concering when as street has been opened up, that pavement would include curb to the middle of the street and inquired how to hold some of these utilities accountable. Mr. Campagna explained that per the ordinance it is half a lane full restoration from center point of road to curb. He further explained that with sewer work, restoration costs are only for the sections that were dug. Mr. Arnone commented that the gas company did work in Moxham and did pave curb to curb. PUBLIC COMMENT: NON-AGENDA ITEMS Charlene Stanton, 184 Sell Street, Johnstown, addressed Council regarding public comment on an agenda item when the subject was not an agenda item, that she was denied freedom of speech when she signed up to speak on a non-agenda item and and also wanted to speak during public comment at that time. She