# Minutes

- Summary: Ebensburg Borough Council Meeting Minutes Summary Date: Monday, July 24, 2023 Time: 6:30 PM – 7:20 PM Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building Attendance Council Members Present: Doug…
- Source: Ebensburg Borough
- Published: 2023-07-24
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:42:10.366Z
- Source URL: https://ebensburgpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Council-Minutes-July-2023.pdf
- Content URL: https://ebensburg.site/document/minutes-7-24-2023/
- 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 Summary Date: Monday, July 24, 2023 Time: 6:30 PM – 7:20 PM Location: Council Room, Ebensburg Municipal Building Attendance Council Members Present: Doug Tusing (President), Cecilia Houser, Jeff Ball, Theresa Jacoby, Bob Miller, Mike Owatt. Others Present: Kelly Cook (Borough Manager), Randy Datsko (Mayor), Robert Sapp (Acting Chief of Police), Matt Gribler (Solicitor), Luke Byrne & Gerry Schupe (Inframark), Breanne Berkebile (The Mountaineer Journal), Katie Smolen (The Tribune Democrat). Key Decisions and Reports Consent Agenda The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included: Reports from Inframark regarding Wastewater and Water Treatment Plant operations. Approval of minutes from the June 26, 2023 regular meeting and the July 10, 2023 special meeting. Approval of financial statements for June and the second quarter. Approval of July bill payments. Street Committee: Municipal Parking Lot Lease Issue: The current lease for the municipal parking lot is set to expire on August 31, 2023. The owners requested a rent increase from $1,100 to $2,000 per month. Negotiation: After negotiations, the owners agreed to a rate of $1,300 per month for one year. Financial Impact: This new rate totals $15,600 annually, which exceeds the revenue generated by the lot. Recent revenues were $8,553. 59 (2020), $7,524. 97 (2021), and $8,023. 77 (2022). Decision: The council voted 4-2 to approve a one-year lease extension at $1,300/month to support local businesses. Votes: Yes (Tusing, Ball, Houser, Jacoby); No (Owatt, Miller). Administration Committee: Police Department New Chief of Police: The Borough has extended a conditional employment offer to Joseph Loughran with an initial salary of $80,000. He is expected to start by mid-August pending background checks. Officer Recruitment: Applications for a full-time officer position are due August 7. Testing and interviews are scheduled for August 19 and 24. Medical Testing: The council unanimously approved medical testing for applicants conducted by Dr. Magley at a rate of $75. 00 per applicant. General Business: Ebensburg Municipal Airport Hangar Status: A structural engineer determined the existing hangar cannot be rehabilitated. RACRA (the fuel supplier) requested the Borough raze or shore up the building to continue operations. New Hangar Costs: Building a new hangar is estimated between $250,000 and $650,000. RACRA requested Borough funding while they seek federal reimbursement, though funds are not guaranteed. Lease Extension: RACRA intends to exercise a five-year optional lease extension. Staff recommended granting a 60-day extension to allow time for this decision. Executive Session (6:52 PM – 7:18 PM) The council met in closed session to discuss personnel and real estate matters. Upon reconvening: Joe Loughran’s Benefits: A motion was made to add one week of paid vacation to Mr. Loughran’s benefits in lieu of health insurance. The motion passed unanimously. RACRA Lease Extension: A motion was made to table the request from RACRA to extend the period in which they can exercise their 5-year lease option. The motion passed unanimously. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM.