Borough Approves Liquor License Transfer to El Canelo IX, LLC; Mayor Names New K9 Officer

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve the intermunicipal transfer of restaurant liquor license #R-17325 to El Canelo IX, LLC.

El Canelo opened in Ellwood City at 1226 Lawrence Ave in October and has been serving Mexican food in Lawrence County since 2001.

The manager of the restaurant, Antonio Porras, said at a January 10 council meeting that the license will be a great addition to help serve delicious beverages at the Ellwood City location.

Porras said the transfer follows a decision to temporarily close the West State Street location because a lack of staffing.

In other council news:

Mayor Anthony Court announced that the Ellwood City Police Department will be picking it’s K9. On February 9. He said the new officer would be named “Justice.” According to Court, the police dog makes a big difference when it comes to drug arrests and the department is excited to add the K9 to their team.

Motions passed:

• • A motion to approve the Minutes of the Public Hearings (2) held 12/13/21, and the Regular Meeting held 12/20/21, as submitted.
  • A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 1/11/22, in the amount of $178,308.44, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 1/12/22, in the amount of $218,987.87.
  • A motion to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted.
  • A motion to adopt an Ordinance, as submitted, repealing the Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Regulations.
  • A motion to make the following appointments:
    • Zoning Hearing Board Alternate: Frank Lordi Jr, 727 Crescent Avenue, 3 year term
    • Ellwood City Planning Commission: Sherri Greco, 610 Madison Ave, 4 year term
    • Board of Health: Brad Ovial, 866 Constitution Ave, term expires 12/31/23 and Caleb Cragle, 845 Perry Street, term expires 12/31/25
    • Civil Service Commission Alternates: Sherri Greco, 610 Madison Ave and Ralph Chiappetta, 311 North Street, 6 year terms.
  • A motion to authorize a donation in the amount of $2500 to the EC Area Historical Society to help preserve historical photos.  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
  • A motion to adopt the 2022 IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate of 58.5 cents per mile.
  • A motion to approve the 2022 monthly transfer in the amount of $120,833.33 to the General Fund from the Electric Fund.
  • A motion to transfer $47,475 to the Electric Capital Reserve Fund from the Electric Fund.  The Electric Usage Sold in 2021 was 47,475,239 kwh.  Borough Ordinance #2211, Section 38: Purchase Power Adjustment states that one mill (.001) per kilowatt hour is charged for the purpose of capital improvements.  This entry shall be reflected on the books for 2021.
  • A motion to approve the donation in the amount of $100 to the Lawrence Co. Tourist Promotion Agency.  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
  • A motion to authorize the Police Sergeant to sell (4) Colt AR-15, .223 caliber semi-automatic rifles for $500 each, as described by their serial numbers: LBD 020327, LBD 021407, LGC 027082, LGC 027078.The revenue generated by the sale of the rifles will be placed in the Drug Investigation Fund.
  • A motion to authorize the Police Sergeant to sell (1) Glock, .45 caliber duty pistol for $300, as described by its serial number: KHS796. The revenue generated by the sale of the pistol will be placed in the Drug Investigation Fund.

• A motion to approve the quote from ISVUS in the amount of $15,953 to upfit the new police canine vehicle.  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote in the amount of $41,445 from Shults Ford for the purchase of a 2022 Ford F250.  This amount will be paid from the 2017 Bond Issue.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Girls Softball to use the Girl’s field at Stiefel Park, February – November, Sundays – Saturdays, 4-10pm and the SW corner of the multipurpose field, April – November, Mondays -Fridays, 4-10pm.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Girls Softball to use the Women’s field and the Men’s field at Stiefel Park, July 15 – 17 from 6am – 11pm.
• A motion to approve the request by the Penn-Ohio Softball Assn. (POSA) to use the Men’s field at Stiefel Park, May – September, Mondays -Thursdays, 6-11pm.
• A motion to approve the Local #964 Clerical Contract for the period 1/1/22 to 12/31/25, as outlined in the terms submitted.
• A motion to approve the Local #964 Laborers’ Contract for the period 1/1/22 to 12/31/25, as outlined in the terms submitted.
• A motion to approve the 2022 fee schedule submitted by Utility Engineers for electrical engineering services.
• A motion to establish the wage for the following Non-Union full-time employee retroactive with the first pay in January, 2022 as follows: Public Works Director: Hourly rate: $38.963; Annual Base: $81,042.
• A motion to approve the sewer tap in for Donna Cole, 1468 Mercer Rd, (N. Sewickley Twp.), for 1 tap, 1 EDU, $1,000.
• A motion to exclude the Borough from the Beaver County Community Development Block Grant Entitlement Program and continue to receive funds from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development as an entitlement community under Act 179.
• A motion to approve the payment in the amount of $6500 to the PA Chiefs of Police Assn. for Livescan and CPIN maintenance fees for 2022.  This amount will be paid from the General Fund.

Announcements:

• Borough residents may drop off live Christmas trees (decorations removed) at Stiefel Park now through January 31
• Picnic shelter reservations will begin on the fourth Monday in February (Feb. 28) for Borough residents and beginning on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 28) for non-Borough residents.