Ellwood City Borough Council April Meeting Brief

The following is a brief summary of the Ellwood City borough council meeting held on Monday, April 16:

Visitors

Council approved a suggestion from Kathy Brenner to install two Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible swings, one in Ewing Park and one in Heritage Park on Pittsburgh Circle. Brenner said the swings typically cost between $1,300 to $2,000. Coincidentally, Mayor Anthony J. Court said a local business owner approached him to donate a ADA accessible swing. Council approved the donation and agreed to purchase a second swing. However, a motion will wait until May when council has a specific price to approve.

Ordinances

A motion was passed designating no parking on Ellwood Avenue (south side) from College Street to North Street. Council member George Celli voted no, believing it would set a dangerous precedent as most of the streets in Ewing Park are narrow and council “will be inundated with requests” for one-side only parking.

Resolutions

Council adopted a resolution opposing HB 1405 and HB 2030. The resolution passed 4-2, with Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera voting no and council president Judi Dici absent.

Health/Public Safety

A motion was passed rescinding a motion from the February meeting requiring the Relay for Life Committee to reimburse the borough $550 for costs associated with the event.
A motion was passed approving the Halloween and Christmas parades.
A motion was passed authorizing the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department to provide a controlled burn of the area located behind the backstop at Merit Book Park to eliminate poison ivy and oak.

Public Works/Utilities

A motion was passed contracting National Gunite of Johnstown, PA, to repair a sewer pipe on 105 Sixth Street at a cost of $78,040 to be paid from the 2016 Bond Issue.
A motion was passed approving the purchase of a portable meter tester from Powermetrix in the amount of $19.380 to be paid from the 2017 Bond Issue.

Parks/Recreation

A motion was passed allowing the Christmas in the Park Committee to use Ewing Park provided all displays are taken down the second weekend of January. The motion originally stipulated the first weekend but Celli suggested this be pushed back as the weather in January could make removing the displays difficult.
A motion was passed advertising an amendment to the Park Ordinance allowing for reservations to begin April 1.

Community Development/Buildings

A motion was passed scheduling a public hearing for Monday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. relative to the Zoning Ordinance amendments.

New Business

A motion was passed approving a proposal from Lutz, Briggs, Schultz & Associates to re-side the existing stucco walls at the Ellwood City Fire Station in the amount of $18,498 to be paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund.

Mayor’s Report