# Minutes

- Summary: Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - December 21, 2020 Meeting Details: Date: Monday, December 21, 2020 Time: Called to order at 6:32 p. m. via Zoom; Adjourned at 7:35 p. m. Presiding…
- Source: Ebensburg Borough
- Published: 2020-12-21
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:42:10.366Z
- Source URL: http://ebensburgpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Council-Minutes-December-2020.pdf
- Content URL: https://ebensburg.site/document/minutes-12-21-2020/
- Content note: This portable copy is not the official record and may include an automated convenience summary. Verify important details in the original document.

Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes - December 21, 2020 Meeting Details: Date: Monday, December 21, 2020 Time: Called to order at 6:32 p. m. via Zoom; Adjourned at 7:35 p. m. Presiding: President Doug Tusing Attendance: Present: Council members Doug Tusing (President), Dave Kuhar (Vice President), Theresa Jacoby, Scot May, Mike Owatt, Cecilia Houser, and Will Westrick. Absent: Jeff Ball. Others Present: Mayor Randy Datsko, Borough Manager Daniel Penatzer, Solicitor Blair Pawlowski, and various department directors. Consent Agenda The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included: Recording the hiring of Adam Kush as a tennis assistant (effective 12/11/2020). Approving the minutes from the November 23, 2020 meeting. Approving the Financial Statement. Approving payment of bills (President Tusing abstained from voting on amounts owed to him). Scheduling 2021 meetings for the 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p. m. , with December held on the 3rd Monday. Designating First National Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, AmeriServ Financial Bank, 1st Summit Bank, and PLGIT as depositories. Committee Reports & Business Council President’s Report Zoning Amendment: President Tusing noted that the council voted too soon on a zoning amendment in November and stated it would be corrected. COVID-19 Response: The borough recommends residents follow guidelines from the Department of Health and CDC. Police will enforce mandatory restrictions. Water/Wastewater Committee Inframark provided written reports for both wastewater and water treatment plant operations, which were included in council packets. Street Committee 2021 Sidewalk Project: The project involves West Sample, West Crawford, and West Horner Streets. Bids are being sought; if awarded in February, work will begin as soon as weather permits. Tree Removal: Twenty-nine trees along the sidewalk project route will be removed. The council unanimously authorized seeking bids for this removal. Administration Committee Borough Manager Retirement: Nineteen applications were received for the Borough Manager position, and four interviews have been conducted. The committee plans to select a candidate in early January for a February 22nd start date. Non-Uniform Pension Plan Ordinance #658: The council unanimously granted final approval to this ordinance, which amends the non-uniform employee pension plan by creating a defined-contribution plan for new hires. Diversity Committee The committee is in talks with local universities to explore hosting diversity "TED Talks" in Ebensburg. General Business Zoning Amendment (Fences): Ordinance #659, which amends the Zoning Ordinance regarding front yard fences, was discussed. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 18th at 6:30 p. m. via teleconference. The council unanimously rescinded tentative approval of a previous ordinance (#660) and authorized advertising for the public hearing on Ordinance #659. Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council unanimously approved the following appointments: Heather Abbs to the Ebensburg Municipal Authority (5-year term, expires 12/2025). Jessica Lieb to the Ebensburg Planning Commission (4-year term, expires 12/2024). Margaret Stephan to the Zoning Hearing Board (3-year term, expires 12/2023). Nick Damin to the Ebensburg Planning Commission (4-year term, expires 12/2024). Kristen McRoberts to the Ebensburg Recreation Board (5-year term, expires 12/2025). Tim Myers as alternate on the Ebensburg Civil Service Commission (expires 12/2021). Charlie Moyer as Chairman of the Ebensburg Vacancy Board (expires 12/2021). John Hawksworth and Chief Mike Sheehan to the Central Cambria Emergency Management Council (1-year terms, expire 12/2021). Borough Manager as delegate to the Cambria/Somerset Council of Governments. Borough Manager as delegate to the Cambria County Tax Collection Committee. CCSD Business Manager as alternate to the Cambria County Tax Collection Committee. Tracy Strom as delegate to the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency. Borough Manager as alternate to the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency. Dog Law Officer Officer Roberts' service ended earlier this year. The council deferred the appointment of a new dog law officer until the next meeting. Department Reports Police Department: Mayor Datsko reminded residents not to push snow into the streets. Public Works Department: Mr. Evans provided updates on snow removal, maintenance, decorations, and water leaks. Community Development Department: Ms. Koss thanked participants in Small Business Saturday, the Shop Small contest, and the decorating contest. She also thanked the Dauntless Fire Company for helping with a Roving Christmas parade. The Borough Newsletter is being printed and will arrive in mid-January. Recreation Department: Mr. Johnson reported no updates on the skatepark discussion and confirmed that the YPCC and Tennis Center will be closed until January 4th. Executive Session & Adjournment The council entered an executive session at 7:05 p. m. to discuss the manager search process. There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Kuhar and passed unanimously.