BLAIRSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES APRIL 15, 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, and Mr. Robert Startari. Mr. Jeffrey Marshall, Mayor Ronald Evanko, and Mr. Michael Meyer, Engineer, were not present. Others in attendance included Chief Louis Sacco, Mr. Patrick Dougherty, Solicitor, and Mrs. Jody Poorbaugh, Borough Manager. 5. Additions to the Agenda - None 6. Resident and Taxpayer Public Comments: a. Mrs. Sheryl Miller, 44 East Ranson Avenue asked the Council if E. Ranson Avenue was zoned residential. She is questioning why Kettle Dad Barbecue is allowed to have a professional smoker in the backyard. It starts on Thursday and goes on all weekend. They are downwind from the smoke. The Solicitor will look at what is considered a low impact business and if they are allowed to sell food out of the house. Also, East Ranson Avenue is covered in potholes and would like them to be patched. b. Justin Rhea, 299 North Morrow Street is installing a fence in his backyard and was asking if the Council would grant a variance for a 6' gate facing the front yard instead of the 4'foot gate that is required by zoning regulations. The fence would be wood and would keep the dogs in and other dogs out. Mrs. Poorbaugh is to find out what the zoning ordinance says regarding fences and if it just states a 4' gate or 4'of fence across the front. - 1 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 7. Approval of Minutes: a. A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 18, 2025. Approved 5/0. b. Ar motion was made by Ms. Sagely and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearing held on March 18, 2025. Approved 5/0. 8. Mayor's Report - None 9. Police Report: a. Received a grant through the United States Deputy Sherriff's Association for Ballistic helmets. b. Conducted interviews for Police Secretary Position. C. Officers worked on traffic safety details in town and stepped-up patrols and enforcement on North and South Walnut Street. d. The Borough crew has been working on the bathroom and locker room in the pasement and has done an amazing job. On behalf of the department, would like to thank them for the work they have been doing. e. The department received a donation of seven light wire control pressure pad switch mounts for department rifies. f. Working on a grant to obtain optics for the sidearms. g. A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Ms. Sagely to accept the Police Report. Approved 5/0. 2 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 10. Borough Manager/ecretares Report: a. ARC Grant - The police procedures and policies software portion of the grant was denied. They have given the Borough and extension until April 25th to submit ar new proposal for another project. b. The Police Station renovations to the downstairs bathroom and locker room have been completed. The Public Works Crew did a great job with the renovations. C. The staff has completed some test runs with the street sweeper and it works great. A schedule will be put together for the street sweeping in town. Streets will be posted with no parking when we start to sweep. d. Completed several more interviews for the admin position. Moving forward with the hiring process for an applicant. e. We collected 620 pounds for satellite recycling in March. The next satellite recycling is set for May 9-11. f. Ar motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Startari to accept the Borough Manager/ecretanes Report. Approved 5/0. 11. Public Works Manager's Report - None 12. Treasurer's Report: a. Cash on hand in the General fund after the bills have been paid is $229,561.06. The Highway Aid Account has $150,152.06. b. Accounts Payables - Was presented to the Board in the amount of $59,924.63. C. A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to approve the Treasurer's Report and to pay the bills totaling $59,924.63. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino - 3 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 13. Planning/Zoning Report - None 14. Engineer's Report: a. LSA Grant - Police - No update. b. Grandview Pointe - Trek - No update. C. Grant Flood Mitigation Program (Tractor Supply) - No update. 15. Animal Control: a. Mr. Dettorre asked about codes regarding dogs being chained outside with no water on Evans Avenue & Chestnut Streets. Chief Sacco will consult with the Human Society. 16. Blairsville Community Development Authority Report: a. Will schedule a meeting with BCDA to discuss sidewalk ordinance & the sidewalk program. b. Time capsule is possibly under the window at the library. 17. Police/Fire Committee Report: a. LSA grant - Fire Department Grant - Pending. b. The last fish fry was held on Friday, April 18, 2025. C. The Fire Department responded to a couple of Major Collisions, but no one was seriously hurt. The intersections at Deans Diner, Tri-Star, Resort Plaza, and Indiana Avenue and Route 22 are extremely dangerous. Motorists need to be very diligent when going through these intersections. d. The Fire Department is still looking for Fire Personnel. 18. Fiscal Committee Report - None 19. Streets/Capital Improvement Committee Report: a. Sidewalks - Currently working on sidewalk replacement Program. b. Mr. Dettorre asked if a sidewalk could be built from Trek Development to downtown. C. Will have conversation with Pittman for a sidewalk out to Serrell Drive. 4 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 20. Parks & Recreation Committee Report: a. Main Street Matters Grant - Pending. b. The painting has been completed in both free weight rooms. The area to paint will be the stationary bike area and that hallway. C. The remodel of the entrance off the cardio room has been completed. d. The equipment ordered from Legend Fitness should arrive the week of May 12"h. e. The electric Panel was supposed to be shipped on April 3, Rogel will get the electric panel installed as soon as he receives it. He is also going to look at the pavilion electric, the basketball court electric for the lights. 21. Insurance Committee Report - None 22. Personnel Committee Report - None 23. Shade Tree - None 24. Parking Authority Report - None 25. Code Enforcement - None 26. Code Appeal Board - None 27. Zoning Hearing Board - None 28. Civil Service Commission Report - None 29. Blairsville Municipal Authority: a. Helen Hawkey, PA Coalition of Oral Health was at the meeting in March to discuss concerns regarding fluoride in the water. The information is on the website. b. The Board received copies of the Blairsville Municipal Authority regular meeting minutes held on February 26, 2025. 5 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 30. Unfinished Business: a. Street Lighting - Evans Avenue Area - None b. Indiana County Municipal Emergency Management Services Authority - None C. Tree Planting - None d. 137 West Campbell Street - Will get demolition quotes for the May Meeting. 31. New Business: a. Chicken Ordinance: a. A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Mr. Startari to adopt Ordinance 718, The Chicken Ordinance. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Bertolino b. Resolution 186 - Chicken Permit Fee: a. AI motion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to adopt Resolution 186 that sets the annual fee for the chicken permit. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Janusek Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino C. Rezone South Liberty Street Area Ordinance 719: a. A motion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Mr. Startari to adopt Ordinance 719 to rezone the South Liberty Street Area. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Janusek Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Bertolino 6 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 32. New Business/continued; a. Vacate Virginia Alley - Ordinance 720: a. A motion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Ms. Sagely to adopt Ordinance 720 to Vacate Virginia Alley in the Walnut Hill area. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino b. Sidewalk Ordinance 721 - No Discussion C. EE Bikes on sidewalks - The sidewalk ordinance needs to be modified or repealed, and a new ordinance needs to be adopted to cover motorized bikes, etc. d. Volunteer Fire Department Incentives: a. The maximum per year will be $600.00. b. Starting in 2025, after a 6-month period, the money would be received in July and January if you meet the threshold. The fire personnel would receive a minimum of $50.00 to be funded by the general account. e. PTI Police Officer Resignation: a. A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Ms. Sagely to accept the resignation of Part-time Police Officer Mr. Eric Bosco. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Startari Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Dettorre Mr. Bertolino - 7 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 33. New Business (continued): d. Police Testing FT Officer: a. A motion was made by Mr. Janusek and seconded by Ms. Sagely to advertise for part-time Officers and to do police testing for the possibility of a full-time Police Officer position. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Dettorre Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino b. Hire Staff: a. Public Works Manager: a. A motion was made by Mr. Dettorre and seconded by Ms. Sagely to hire Mr. Ryan Beasom as the new Public Works Manager beginning May 5, 2025. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Dettorre Ms. Sagely Mr. Janusek Mr. Startari Mr. Bertolino b. Police Secretary: a. A motion was made by Mr. Startari and seconded by Mr. Dettorre to hire Mrs. Jennifer Pryce as the part-time Police Secretary beginning Aprit 28, 2025. Approved 5/0. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Mr. Startari Mr. Dettorre Mr. Janusek Ms. Sagely Mr. Bertolino 8 Blairsville Borough Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 15, 2025 34. Executive Session - The Council went into an executive session at 6:00 P.M. and came out at 6.29 P.M. Personnel and Legal issues were discussed. 35.Adjournment - A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.M. drly Pnbah Secretary - 9