The following is a brief summary of the July council meeting brief:
Visitors
- Over 100 visitors attended the meeting seeking a dialogue with borough officials regarding the electric bill. Visitor Rob Brough requested a town hall meeting so the borough can fully explain the Ellwood Electric Department as well as take steps toward solutions regarding customer service and high electric bills. Council President Connie MacDonald set a date of Monday, Aug. 1. This was a continuation of last Monday’s meeting where over 50 residents attended.
Awards/Recognitions
- Council commended the Ellwood City girls softball team for winning their Class AA section, claiming the WPIAL title and going undefeated until their final game in the post-season. Head coach Gary Rozanski and about half a dozen members of the team were present.
New Business*
Borough manager Bob Villella was authorized to waive electric bill late fees for those on a payment plan for July’s billing.
Resolutions
- A motion was passed amending the electric fees and rates for the Ellwood City Hospital, applying a discount of 5.83 percent. No discount was applied to the Purchased Power Adjustment (PPA).
- A motion was passed to reimburse PennDot for the design, construction and inspection costs associated with curb ramps on State Route 65 from Second Street to Woodside Avenue.
- A motion was passed authorizing the submission of a grant application to DCED through the Multimodal Transportation Fund Program for the Ellwood City Revitalization and Economic Redevelopment Phase II Project.
Finance
- A motion was passed exonerated taxes for the following properties (to be demolished): 807 Wayne Ave., 443 13th St., 1226 13th St., 510 Bridge St., 418 Sixth St.
Health/Public Safety
- Since no bids were received, a motion was passed to re-advertise bids for the sale of a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria.
- A motion was passed to purchase a 2017 Pierce Enforcer Pumper fire truck from Glick Fire Equipment Company in the amount of $593,363.47 to be paid from a 2016 Bond Issue.
- A motion was passed advertising an amendment to the traffic ordinance re-establishing an unmetered parking lot located at the rear of the Municipal Building.
Public Works/Utilities
- A motion was passed advertising bids for the sale of the following vehicles: 1995 Chevy, 1997 Chevy and 2001 Dodge Dakota
- A motion was passed to purchase 32 utility poles from Thomasson Co. at the cost of $9,072 to be paid from the Electric Fund.
Parks/Recreation
- A motion was passed to accept the Master Site Plan for Ewing Park and Stiefel Park.
Administration/Personnel
- A motion was passed adopting a policy regarding the police canine/handlers.
- A motion was passed adopting the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Council members Judi Dici and Marilyn Mancini voted no.*
Community/Development/Buildings
- A motion was passed advertising an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. This is effectively the new zoning ordinance that was advertised at a public hearing in June. Dici voted no.
- A motion to award a proposal from Motta Heating and Air Conditioning for the installation of heating and cooling at the Ellwood City Area Family Center at a cost of $23,005 was pulled prior to the meeting. It would have been paid from the Marcellus Shale Fund.
Correction [10 a.m.]: Mancini voted no to the regulations along with Dici.
Correction [noon]: Dici and Mancini vote no to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations for the police department, not the canine policy.
Update: added 8:30 a.m.
This current council thinks they are smarter than the people they represent. That’s the bottom line. Their entire demeanor was troubling from the way they talked to individuals, the way they rush through questions without providing answers, and even how they rush through votes with no process for accountability. The only accountability is election time.