March 10th, 2025, Meeting Minutes Meeting called to order at 7:06PM. Present at meeting Jane Pilch Council Member, Vice President Mike Peters, President Judy Scott. Dain Davis, Borough Consultant and Jeff Stover, Borough Solicitor. Lucas Parkes, Borough Engineer, Ken Patterson, Head of Maintenance. Guests Brian Hetrick and Tom Weyer with Alexandria Vol. Fire Department. Following the Pledge and Prayer A motion to accept the minutes as presented was made by Mike Peters, Jane Pilch, second all in favor, motion carried. Regarding the Finance Report, a motion to accept by Mike Peters with an addition of a check needed to be drafted for the Scout House in the amount of $1600, for the annual expenses. To be picked up from Leslie on Tuesday. Jane Pilch seconded the motion. All In favor motion carried. Representative Report, Ken Patterson shared they replaced the Stop Signs and other tasks of completion. Brian Hetrick and Tom Weyer with the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department attended to discuss the upcoming Huntingdon County Fireman's Convention to be held this summer in the Borough of Alexandria. They presented a well laid out plan of usage and are requesting permission and support of Council regarding Street Closures. In addition, use the Nature Park area at the base of Hartslog Street. Tom said they were in contact with Penn Dot for the proper permit that is required for Main Street. Brian stated they would like to set up a tent and food stand in various locations if permitted. President Scott needed to verify that no parking would be in the park area it was for the event gathering. Brian and Tom stated that is correct parking would be at the Firehall. They would like permission to contact PENELEC and add a meter to the power is already. Brian also requested a variance exception for the noise ordinance. Tom stated that it may not be necessary, but we would like a precaution just in case. President Scott that was respectful request, VP Peters and Jane Pilch agreed cordially an unofficial noise variance for the convention is not a problem. Vice President Peters stated we have plenty of time to get this on our website and advertise to have the public aware of the convention in July. The biggest thing is to have people know it is happening ahead of time. Tom mentioned on Saturday when they have the parade will run through the borough, entering onto Shelton Ave. to the Barree Road and returning on Main Street. VP Peters mentioned the Derry Run Project will not be started yet? President Scott, it is slated the end of August into September. Mid-Summer TBD. Campers will be in the field behind the Reform Church. The arrival of campers will begin on Tuesday the week of the convention. VP Mike Peters made a motion to accept the request and all the particulars as laid out in the letter presented by the Fire Department for the Huntingdon County Fireman's Convention to be held in Alexandria Borough. Jane Pilch seconded the motion, all in favor motion carried. President Scott moved to the Canal Street Playground Project with a request to Tom and Brian regarding the Fire Department. Currently Alexandria Borough stores the borough's Christmas Lights in the old garage at the Fire House. The playground has a shed that has a few items in it that will need to be relocated. Would the Fire Department be okay with the borough utilizing that space for those items? Pending Council approval. The shed would be removed, pending Council approval. Brian and Tom stated they feel it would be alright, but we would like to ask at their meeting. President Scott, of course, thank you. President Scott reported. PENELEC tree trimming took place as discussed at the previous meeting. President Scott presented petition to Jeff Stover with signatures for reduction of Council from a 7-member council to a 5-member council. Jeff Stover stated we only needed 5% of the electorate. Ordinance violations in the community are extreme. President Scott spoke directly with residence regarding violations. Canal Street Playground Security Camera quotes are not fiscally responsible for the borough to undertake. However, Trail cams are available and do not need a modem hard drive, they have an app with a minimal monthly fee. Less than $20 per month. Perhaps an anonymous donor would be willing to donate the cameras, and the borough covers the monthly fee. That is a strong suggestion to help with the vandalism problem. Jane Pilch asked what do they look like when they go on, do they have a light? Dain Davis answered stating his grandson just purchased one at Cabela's and there is no lights. President Scott stated we need to protect the work and the gifts the community has been given. Her question to the council was if a donation of camera was made is that something we would be willing to accept? Mike Peters asked, "would we be able to secure it? Yes, Scott replied. Jane also inquired who would be monitoring it? Scott replied, a member of the Council, the secretary, the treasurer, Lucas, Dain and Jeff, all assured us we can establish password limited nonpublic access. The only real need for review was if there were a problem. Location is discreetly safe and secure. Pres. Scott repeated that this is the most cost effective and non-committal way of a security camera without placing burden on future councils. Jane asked what you would do with the information if someone were caught on the camera. Jeff Stover replied, "You would turn the information over to the State Police. If it catches someone vandalizing. Jane asked about costs the borough would have to cover the expenses. Jeff stated, No. It is a criminal act it goes through the DA office. Landscaping on the playground. Dain Davis met with Jason Showalter the goal is to end up a very nice little park. What we are focusing on keeping the bid under $23,800. That is our bid limit. We are gathering costs on rubberized mulch. The rubber mulch does not deteriorate in the sun. Wood mulch need refreshed every 4 to 5 years. Dain and Lucas stated we are asking the council to focus on the mulch and removal of the shed for now. President Scott moved to equipment when we put the proposal together for the equipment a cost was given. Then in the fall when we went to place the order, they said you can't do that you need an entire new unit. Lucas Parkes explained to the council they wanted us to purchase all new equipment. That is not possible. So, creativity. We have someone to repair professionally our equipment. The only way to state this is a huge blessing! They need one warm day to coordinate with whomever we select to do the playground mulch. VP Peters made a motion to accept the anonymous donors to do the repairs up to $1000 as indicated. Jane seconded, all in favor motion carried. Security Cameras and Lights tables till the April meeting. Dain requested a motion to for the mulch. VP Peters made a motion to approve the solicitation for 3 phone bids to seek 3 phone bids and then we will accept the lowest bid. Bid must be responsive to the requirements of Canal Street Park and fall below $23,800. Jane seconded all in favor motion carries. VP Peters made a motion to remove all equipment from the Canal Park shed and place it with the Christmas Lights pending Fire Department approval and then advertise removal of shed free for haul away. Jane seconded, all in favor motion carried. Points of information Hometown Hero Banners' permission was submitted. President Scott mentioned she asked would underground wiring be possible for the upcoming Traffic Calming. TBD. Playground sensory equipment, creative aspects, asking the Scouts and the school if we provide materials would they be willing to create. Perhaps if the community is more involved with the creation of the playground an ownership is felt, and it is protected better. The park is a simple refurbish, but not for us. We are on a very restricted budget. It is a DCNR Park that needs to be done very well with the funds that we have been given. Jane was concerned that she did not want it to look like a daycare center. Dain assured Jane Council has the final say on whatever is placed in the playground. Lucas Parkes, Master Plan for the Melvin Lane Nature Park and river access. We have our maps and survey data, Judy shared concept plans for the Sam Monkhern regarding the plantings and pathways. He provided good information. We have made environmental clearance requests on any species involved, bog turtles, snakes, wet nose turtles, bats. Came back clean, the only thing is we are in a bat habitat, and we cannot cut down any trees during certain time periods. We have cleared up and there are no other major restrictions that way. The April 4th deadline for DCNR Grant is here and the Masterplan wrapped to a point that we have cost estimate and scope together SO that we may start pursuing construction dollars. President Scott requested council to meet on March 31st to review the Master Plan and Grant request. Lucas agreed that it would be needed. VP Peter made a motion for the March 31st meeting, Jane seconded all in favor motion carried. Advertise meeting in the Daily News. ECMS Ad, President Scott asked Dain to share. Dain stated he was bringing the council up to date on something council's is doing. Your advertisement was placed for an engineering firm. My goal is that the borough of Alexandria has a good firm that is willing to attend meetings and assist on all the PENNDOT projects that the borough may be a part of. It helps protect you. There are many good engineering firms in the Altoona area that would be good for you. However, you may be too small for most. Now the people in District 9 that I still know there are good people. They will take good care of you; they will protect you. Segment 1 trail connection. Lucas shared in the deeds and property lines and aerial images and finalizing the exact details and site photographs to be submitted for the final presentation Lucas said he would have it completed by March 215t, 2025. Dain and Jeff weighed in on the difficulty of the deed research. President Scott asked do you want me to reach out for information. Lucas stated it was needed at this time. Jane asked about the ownership of the property. Lucas explained the 2 property owners. That is the property itself is perfect for the trail mainly because the construction is going to be cleaned up. President Scott requested a motion to be made for SCI community Outreach Program to work on the dates submitted. VP Peters made the motion, , Jane seconded all in favor motion carried. Meeting adjourned 8:43PM