- BLAIRSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 18, 2025 1. The meeting was called to order by President John Bertolino at 5:30 P.M. 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, Mr. Jeffrey Marshall, and Mr. Robert Startari. Others in attendance included Mayor Ronald Evanko, Chief Louis Sacco, Mr. Patrick Dougherty, Solicitor, and Mrs. Jody Poorbaugh, Manager/Secretary, Mr. Michael Meyer, Engineer, was not present. 5. Additions to the Agenda - None 6. Executive Session - None 7. Resident & Taxpayer Public Comments: a. Hopeful Hearts Animal Rescue = Mrs. Olivia Seich was in on behalf of Hopeful Hearts Animal Rescue asking the Borough to address the feral and stray cat issue in town. Hopeful Hearts has offered to help with tackling this problem. They would like the Borough to adopt a Stray and Ferel Cat Ordinance. They would also like the Borough to help with funding and to secure and approve a garage or suitable area to temporarily house cats between transport and recovery after they are caught. The rescue would be responsible fori trapping, vetting, dental work, and vaccinations as well as spraying or neutering them. - 1 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 8. Public Comments (continued): b. Mr. Larry Broderick, 232 Evans Avenue spoke regarding the property Taxes. He wanted to know if the Borough raised the taxes and why. It was explained that the Borough has not raised taxes since 2019 and the reason for the taxi increase was inflation, cost of goods, police department, and general expenditures. Indiana County is independent of the Borough. Mr. Dettorre stated that the Council was trying to avoid a huge rate hike at one time. Taxes increased 1% for the Borough. Mr. Broderick also asked if the County is going to demand a fee from each resident when the new ambulance authority has taken over the ambulance service. It was explained that the Borough has 45 days after the fee rate is established for the Borough to remain in the Authority or not to remain. C. Mrs. Piper inquired about 137 West Campbell Street. The Council stated that the Borough is working to acquire the property. 9. Approval of Minutes: a. A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Marshal to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held February 18, 2025. Approved 6/0. 10. Mayor's Report: a. Was given to the Board for review. b. Ar motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to accept the Mayor's Report. Approved 6/0. 11. Police Report: a. Worked with IT on the new computer for body cameras. b. The Chief is designing and obtaining badges and patches for the department to commemorate Blairsville's Bicentennial this year. C. Transferring vital data from old reporting software to the new software system. d. Been approved for a mini grant through the Friends of Blairsville Communities to help pay for the commemorative badges and patches. 2 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 12. Police Report (continued): e. Working with Penndot, IUP Institute for Rural Health and Safety, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles to host a car seat collection on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Eagles donated $1,488.00 to purchase car seats. f. Completed and submitted the Emergency Action Plan for the Music Series this summer. g. Mr. Dettorre stated that the Police need to monitor the cars and trucks that are running the red light at Market and Walnut Streets. Chief Sacco will increase the visibility of Officers on Market and Walnut Streets. h. Mr. Janusek wants to get a meeting set up with Penndot regarding truck traffic on Market & Watnut Streets. i. Mr. Marshall suggested putting up cameras to help with monitoring. The Council Recessed the meeting at 6:01 P.M. to hold the public hearing. The Council Reconvened the meeting at 6:10 P.M. 13. Borough Manager/ecretanes Report: a. Arc Grant - Funds should be received the beginning of May. b. Street Sweeper was delivered. Sweeping to begin Mid-April depending on the weather. C. Staff continue to fill potholes as needed. d. Met with Several Homeowners regarding property issues. e. Sent ordinance violation letters for rubbish, garbage cans and building issues. f. Attended EMS meetings. g. Met with the office and field staff to address any issues or concerns. h. Spent time at the Recreation Center to overseeing operations. i. Met with the Foreman daily to review projects/jobs that need completed. - Met with the Fire Chief to discuss volunteer department incentives. k. Interviewed multiple applicants for different positions available in the Borough. . Met with Penndot Representatives. Met with Auditor for the Workers Compensation Audit. m. Completed pension reports for all entities. n. A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Marshall to accept the Borough Manager/secretares report. Approved 6/0. - 3 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 14. Treasurer's Report: a. Cash on hand in the General Fund after the bills have been paid is $146,212.14; the Highway Aid Account has $164,102.58. b. Accounts Payables - Was presented in the amount of $76,508.71. C. Ar motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to accept the Treasurer's Report and to pay the bills totaling $76,508.71. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Bertolino 15. Planning/Zoning Report - No meeting was held in March. 16. Engineer's Report: a. LSA Grant - Police = Pending b. Grandview Pointe - Trek - None C. Grant Flood Mitigation Program (Tractor Supply) - Submitted June 2024. 17. Animal Control Report - None 18. Blairsville Community Development Authority: a. Murphy Lot will transition to the Borough soon. b. The Fountain is almost complete. 4 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 19. Police & Fire Committee Report: a. LSA Grant - Fire Department Roof - Pending b. Storm calls on Sunday, March 16, 2025 were for trees and wires down. C. The St. Patrick Day Banquet will honor life members. Adam Dowdrick has given 20 years of service to the Fire Company. Donna Brad will also be honored as the first women to attain life membership. 20. Fiscal Committee Report - None 21.Streets/Capital Improvement Committee Report: a. Sidewalks - Currently putting together perimeters for funding and updating the sidewalk ordinance. b. Stop signs that are no longer reflective should be replaced. C. Maple Avenue Extension between Evans Avenue and Hill Street and Hill Street between indiana Avenue and Maple Avenue would like to have parking on one side only. 22. Parks & Recreation Committee Report: a. Main Street Matters Grant - Pending b. Painting continues. C. New Playground equipment will be installed within the next month depending on the weather. d. New equipment was ordered and will be here in about a month. 23.Insurance Committee - None 24. Personnel Committee Report - None 25.S Shade Tree - None 5 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 26. Parking Authority - None 27. Code Enforcement - None 28. Code Appeal Board - None 29. Zoning Hearing Board - None 30. Civil Service Commission Report = None 31. Blairsville Municipal Authority: a. The Council received copies of the Blairsville Municipal Authority regular meeting minutes held on January 22, 2025. b. The Drought Surcharge will be removed April 1, 2025. 32. Unfinished Business: a. Street Lighting - Evans Avenue - None b. Indiana County Municipal Emergency Management Service Authority - None C. Tree Planting - None d. 137 West Campbell Street - None 6 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 33. New Business: a. Tax Collector: i. Mr. Santoro is moving out of the Borough sometime in April 2025. He is asking to be kept on as tax collector until December 31, 2025, when his term expires. ii. A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to retain Mr. Jonathan Santoro as Tax Collector for the remainder of the 2025 tax year. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Marshall Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino b. Chicken Ordinance - A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. - Dettorre to advertise Ordinance 717 to define guidelines for raising and maintaining chickens within the Borough. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Bertolino - 7 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 18, 2025 34. New Business (continued): a. Sidewatk Ordinance 718 -In process. b. Vacate Alley - Virginia Avenue i. Joy and Bob Fairbanks and Jamie and Dan Kerr are requesting that the Borough vacate the paper alley known as Virginia Avenue that borders 50 and 75 Holland Drive in the Borough. ii. A motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to vacate the paper alley known as Virginia Avenue. Approved 6/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Janusek Mr. Marshall Mr. Bertolino C. Ms. Sagely stated that the Bicentennial Book is available. The books turned out great. The group did a great job. 35. Executive Session - The Councit went into an executive session at 6:45 P.M. and came out at 7:10 P.M. Legal and Personnel issues were discussed. 36. Adjournment - A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 P.M. dry Pnhyh Attest 8