a BLAIRSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2025 1. The meeting was called to order at 5:31 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. Albert Dettorre, Mr. David Janusek, Ms. Kaitlyn Sagely, and Mr. Robert Startari. Mr. Jeffery Marshall, Council Member, and Mr. Michael Meyers, Engineer, were not present. Others in attendance included Mayor Ronald Evanko, Chief Louis Sacco, Mr. Patrick Dougherty, Solicitor, and Mrs. Jody Poorbaugh, Manager/Secretary 5. Additions to the Agenda - None 6. Resident & Taxpayer Public Comments - Mrs. Fairbanks spoke regarding the time capsule. 7. Approval of Minutes - A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Janusek to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 17, 2024. Approved 5/0. 8. Mayor's Report: a. Was given to the Board for review. b. A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to accept the Mayor's Report. Approved 5/0. 1 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 9. Police Report: a. Officers conducted traffic control and ground security for Blairsville's Annual Light up Night. b. Chief Sacco attended the Indiana County Public Safety Academy Meeting. C. Officers conducted traffic control for Blacklick Volunteer Fire Fighter Dan Shacreaw Procession. Again, our deepest sympathies go out to the Shacreaw Family and the Black Lick Volunteer Fire Department. d. All officers completed Mandatory In-Service Training and were recertified by the Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission. e. Chief Sacco met with the Indiana County Detectives Office, Indiana, and Clymer Police Departments in reference to implementing and coordinating the grant we received for the informant software system and laptops. f. A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to accept the Police Report. Approved 5/0. 10. Borough Manager's Secretaries Report: a. Was given to the Board for review. b. ARC Grant - Amount - $50,000.00 - Pending. C. A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Startarito accept the Borough Manager's Secretaries Report. Approved 5/0. 11. Treasurer's Report: a. The amount in the general fund after the bills are paid is $220,427.77. The Highway Aid Account has $78,322.14. b. Accounts Payables - Was presented in the amount of $28,549.31. C. A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Startari to accept the Treasurer's Report and to pay the bills totaling $28,549.31. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino 2 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 12. Planning/Zoning Report: a. Industrial Radiator in Serrell Park is requesting variances to build a new Welding Shop. The Planning Commission met on January 7, 2025, and to accommodate the request two variances are required. The first reduces the back setback from 50 feet to 25 feet. The two existing buildings that have already been constructed were granted this variance and are at 25 feet. The second variance is to reduce the required space between buildings from 25 feet to 22 feet 4 inches. After reviewing the plans, the Planning Commission recommends the variance be granted. b. A motion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Ms. Sagely to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation to grant the two variances that Industrial Radiator needs to build a Welding Shop. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Mr. Bertolino 13. Engineer's Report: a. LSA Grant - Police - Pending b. Main Street Matters Grant - Recreation Center - Pending C. Grandview Pointe - Trek - The Supinka & Remington and Vernick response on outstanding escrow was discussed in Executive Session. d. Grant Flood Mitigation Program (Tractor Supply) )-Submitted June 2024 14. Animal Control Report - None - 3 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 15. Blairsville Community Development Authority Report: a. Met with Planning Commission to discuss rezoning. b. Met with the Commissioners regarding the RFP. C. Sidewalk fund - need to set up a committee meeting with BCDA d. The Bicentennial Gala will be held on March 25, 2025. e. Selling Bicentennial banners and it will cost $150.00 to replace the metal banners. f. They will have bicentennial stickers to be placed on vehicles. 16. Police/Fire Committee Report: a. LSA Grant - Fire Department Roof - Pending b. Fire Chief Zach Dixon gave the Board a report on the fire calls and activities for the year 2024, for their review. C. Mr. Dettorre stated that the Conemaugh River is frozen, which has not happened in a long time. He wants all families to keep kids away from the river. The river is extremely dangerous right now. 17. Fiscal Committee Report - None 18.Streets/Capital Improvement Committee Report: a. Sidewalks - Need to set up a meeting to discuss the sidewalk replacement program. The Planning Commission should be involved in the process. 4 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 19. Parks & Recreation Committee Report: a. Main Street Matters Grant - Pending. b. Organizations in Indiana County are donating money. These donations will go toward upgrading the outdoor basketball court. 20. Insurance Committee = None 21. Personnel Committee Report - None 22. Shade Tree - None 23. Parking Authority = None 24. Code Enforcement: a. A discussion was held on snow removal. A notification will be sent out to all residents in the Borough to remind them that they must remove the snow from the sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall. Volunteers shoveled the entire length of North Walnut Street. 25. Code Appeal Board - None 26. Zoning Hearing Board - None 27. Civil Service Commission Report - None 28. Blairsville Municipal Authority: a. $4.00 Drought Surcharge -Will be on the water bills for several more months. b. The Council received copies of the minutes of the regular meeting held on November 21, 2024. 5 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 29. Unfinished Business: a. Street Lighting - Evans Avenue Area - None b. Indiana County Municipal Emergency Management Services Authority - A public meeting will be held on January 29, 2025. C. Tree Planting - None d. Mrs. Joy Fairbanks spoke during public comments, and she stated recently the IUP geology department used their ground penetrating equipment to try and locate the time capsule. They located a pile of rebar 2-3 feet away from the original dig site at the Armory building. It was encased in a vault. It was near the flagpole. They will try to look in the spring to see if they can locate it. 30. New Business: a. Time Capsule - Located on Armor Property. Mrs. Fairbanks spoke about this during public comments. b. Public Works Laborer - A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to hire Mr. Nicholas Pawlik as a full-time public works laborer. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino C. Administrative Assistant - A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Janusek to authorize Mrs. Poorbaugh to advertise for a full-time administrative assistant due to a retirement in the spring. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino 6 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 31. A discussion was held on hunting near River Vally Park. The hunters would have to abide by hunting laws. 32. Executive Session = The Council went into an executive session at 5:56 P.M. and came out at 6:41 P.M. Legal, personnel and contractual issues were discussed. 33.. Adjournment = A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 P.M. ley - mlyh Attest - 7 BFD Council Meeting Notes: 1-21-25 2024 Total Alarms: 350 Alarms (553, 857, 549 Report Runs) 42 Fires 84 Rescues (9 Water Rescue Runs, 5 Vehicle Entrapments) 50 Hazard Responses 93 Service/Good Intent calls 81 False Alarms 71% Aid Given, 17% Aid Received, 11% No Aid Given/Received. Significant Incidents Since September Council Meeting: MVCs: (Motor Vehicle Crash) 10-4-24 - R125 Extricated 1 from a Wreck on Old William Penn Highway. 10-4-24- R125 Extricated 1 from a UTV Wreck in the woods in Derry Township by using our Battery operated hydraulic rescue tools. 11-12-24 - E121 extricated 1 from an MVC on 22 at Indiana Ave. Fires: 9-27-24 - Passenger Vehicle Fire in Burrel Twp assisting Black Lick FD. 123 arrived first and extinguished the fire. 10-15-24 - Assisting Derry Boro with a house fire. Derry's crews knocked the fire quick and E123 crew assisted with salvage and overhaul work. 10-22-24 - Vehicle Fire against a garage on S Walnut. Homeowner kept it in check with a dry chem extinguisher, E123 arrived and extinguished. No damage done to a nearby garage. 4 Brush fires during peak brush fire season assisting other departments. 1-13-25 - Assisting Homer City FD with an attic fire E123 provided suppression and overhaul in the attic. Technical Rescues since June Meeting: 10-3-24 - Water Rescue team dispatched the Yellow Creek Lake for a boat fire with an occupant in distress. Local boater towed the boat to shore and Rescue teams were cancelled. 10-25-24 - 17 Month child old locked himself in a bathroom and jammed the door shut. R125 was able to enter through an exterior window to the bathroom and gain access to the child. Company business: BFD Council Meeting Notes: 1-21-25 R125 sold for $325,000 in late October. New rescue should arrived around July- September of this year. All matching granting opportunities are on hold this year SO we can attempt to maximize our down payment on the new Rescue Purchase. Applied to a zero-cost county-wide AFG Communications grant for new pagers with all the other FD's in the county. New Brush 122 is completely in serviçe and much appreciated. It was able to be put to work during the brush fires just before winter and worked very well. PLEASE encourage businesses to purchase Knox Boxes. We are working installing 2 more in the First due: The church on Newport Road and at Tractor Supply. We lost 4 members in December due to them moving out of the area. MEMBERSHIP is at an all-time low. Please consider volunteering or promoting the Volunteer Fire Service with incentives. Upcoming Major Purchases New Rescue 125 - $870,000 Building roofs need replaced. $150,000. Training: Drill nights every Monday Started Joint Drills the Second Monday of each Month open to all nearby FDs 1 of our divers recently acquired Ice Diver Certification, the first that we've ever had. 4 BWRT Members currency going through Swift Water Ice Rescue Training/Certification Process 2 members are attending Engine Company Operations and Truck Company Operations classes at Indiana County this spring each at 16 Hours. Events: 1st Brunch with Santa went well for the community, we will most likely continue doing this if our membership permits. Fundraising: Golf Bash - February 2. All tickets are sold out. Fish Frys start March 7 and continue every Friday through Lent. Please like/follow us on Facebook: Blairsville Volunteer Fire Department = It is the best way we have to communicate with the public and share information. The Young Mens Volunteer Fire Department of Blairsville Blairsville, PA This report was generated on 1/2/2025 3:38:15 PM 3reakdown by Major Incident Types for Date Range Zone(s): All Zones I Start Date: 01/01/2024 - End Date: 12/31/2024 Good Intent Call 27.71% False Alarm & False Call 8.86% Service Call 8.29% Severe Weather & Natural... 5.14% Hazardous Condition (No Fire) Fires 14.57% 11.14% Overpressure rupture,.. 0.29% Rescue & Emergency Medical Service 24% MAJOR INCIDENT TYPE # INCIDENTS % of TOTAL Fires 39 11.14% Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat no fire 1 0.29% Rescue & Emergency Mediçal Service 84 24% Hazardous Condition (No Fire) 51 14.57% Service Call 29 8.29% Good Intent Call 97 27.71% False Alar & False Call 31 88 86% Severe Weather & Natural Disaster 18 5.14% TOTAL 350 100% Only REVIEWED and/or LOCKED IMPORTED incidents are included. Summary results for a major incident type ANEE are the count is zero. Page . 1of The Young Mens Volunteer Fire Department of Blairsville Blairsville, PA This report was generated on 1/2/2025 3: 41:52 PM Count of Aid Given and Recelved for Incidents for Date Range Start Date 01/01/2024 1 End Date: 12/31/2024 Percentage of Aid Type 80 60 40 20 Mutual aidn received Automatic Mutual aid given Automatic aid given None aid received Percenlage AID TYPE TOTAL %OfTOTAL Mutual aid received 1 0.3% Automatic aid received 61 17.4% Mutual aid given 35 10.0% Automatic aid given 213 60.9% None 40 11:4% - emergencyreporting com Doci kd 549 Only REVIEWED incidents included Page # 10f1 1