Council Approves YMCA Swimming Pool Management Agreement with No Cost Increase to Community

Ellwood City Borough Council approved the 2024 YMCA swimming pool management agreement for $13,800.

Borough Manager Kevin Swogger said there will be no cost increase for community members to use the pool this year and the borough will be releasing more details regarding the pool’s 2024 season as well as activities planned including youth parties and featured DJs.

Swogger said the borough is also working on securing the America250PA grant, which helps organizations conducting projects that improve the community and engages volunteers. Projects could include community cleanups, park improvements, revitalization efforts, river sweeps, graffiti abatement, murals, etc. The project must engage community volunteers and be held on July 20, 2024 National Pennsylvania Day. Last year the borough and group of volunteers constructed flower pots with topiaries on Lawrence Avenue. Swogger said the borough is currently brainstorming ideas for the project and if awarded the mini-grant will be seeking volunteers again this year.

Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court announced that since his time in office, there have been 645 drug arrests-two recent arrests in Ellport that involved the Lawrence County Task Force and the office of Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamencusa. Court thanked Lamencusa and his office for its dedication to reducing drug activity in Ellwood City and the county.

Other motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Reorganizational Meeting held 1/2/24 and the Regular Meeting held 1/16/24.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 2/9/24, in the amount of $819,950.85, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 2/14/24, in the amount of $306,120.86.
• A motion to approve the departmental reports.
• A motion to adopt a resolution giving the EC Area Baseball Federation (ECABF), EC Recreational Fastpitch, and EC Lil Angels Softball Association first opportunity to request use of the fields at Rosanna Playground, Merit Book Park and Lil Angels Field in Stiefel Park, respectively.
• A motion to appoint John Fraser to the Civil Service Commission for a term that expires 12/31/27.
• A motion to approve the following 2024 Budget Modifications:

• A motion to exonerate the tax collector from further collection of the 2023 real estate taxes charged to her. The tax collector has accounted for all monies as either collected, exonerated or liened in accordance with her report.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Public Library to close Lawrence Avenue from 4th Street to 6th Street and use the Community Plaza on August 16 from 5-8 p.m. for a wine and food truck fundraiser. It is also requested to approve suspending Part 6, Chapter 606, of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to open containers. This suspension only applies to participants of the library fundraiser event. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to award the bid for the Roadway Replacement Project, specifically Madison Avenue (Phase I)(March St to Wampum Avenue) to Cam-Rahn Cortez Construction (Wampum, PA) at a cost of $46,815.00. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to advertise for bids for the Roadway Replacement Project, specifically Madison Avenue (Phase II)(March St to Wampum Avenue).
• A motion to authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare/advertise bids for the Stiefel Park Access Road & Parking Lot Paving Project.
• A motion to authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare/advertise bids for the 2024 Street Paving Program.
• A motion to approve the quote by Thomasson Company in the amount of $20,720 for the purchase (replacement) of (28) 45’ utility poles. This amount will be paid from the Electric Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote by Kendall Electric in the amount of $26,100 + S&H for the purchase (replacement) of 100 LED Street Lights. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the request by Evan’s Monumental Gifts to use Ewing Park in the area of the Bocce courts, on August 17 from 12-8 p.m. for a carnival themed fundraiser.
• A motion to approve the request by the LHS Boys Tennis Team to use the Ewing Park Tennis Courts March 1 – May 15 from 3-5:30 p.m.
• A motion to approve the request by the LHS Girls Softball Team (Varsity & JV) to use the Women’s Softball Field in Stiefel Park March 1 – June 15 from 3-8 p.m.
• A motion to approve the request by Boy Scout Troop #806 to camp at shelter #8 on April 19 & 20 during the Earth Day Festivities and to have a small campfire.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Public Library to utilize the Borough’s parking lot at 4th Street and Lawrence Avenue on May 18 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. for a “Touch a Truck” event.
• A motion to approve the travel request of Devin Marshall to attend Basic 2 Lineworker Training in Columbus, OH. July 15-18 and August 12-15. The total cost will be $5,035. This amount will be paid from the Electric Fund.
• A motion to accept the resignation of Ptl. Scott Hedland effective 1/23/24, his last day of employment.
• A motion to approve the 2024 YMCA Playground Program Agreement, as submitted. The cost for the YMCA to manage the playground program is $4,000. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to establish the 2024 employee hourly billing rates as follows:

• A motion to authorize the employment of Chelcy Gordon as Clerk IV in the Utility Department, contingent upon the successful completion of all background checks. The rate of pay is $20.70/hour (85% of full rate of $24.35). Note: Councilwoman Jan Williams voted “No.”
• A motion to approve the Lot Consolidation (6 lots into 1) of Robert & Peri Malcolm, 911 Border Avenue.
• A motion to advertise an ordinance removing from the plan of lots a portion of Beechwood Blvd and a portion of an unopened cul-de-sac in the area of 879 Beechwood Blvd (Brian & Connie Striegel).

Announcements:

• Picnic shelter reservations will begin on the fourth Monday in February (Feb. 26) (in order to reserve a shelter, residents must appear in person on Feb. 26 at the Utility Billing Window. No call ins will be accepted) for Borough residents and beginning on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 25) for non-Borough residents.
• Finance Committee Meeting – March 7 at 10 a.m.
• A public hearing will be held on March 18 at 5:45 p.m. concerning an ordinance removing from the plan of lots a portion of Beechwood Blvd and a portion of an unopened cul-de-sac in the area of 879 Beechwood Blvd (Brian & Connie Striegel).
• Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2nd Annual Easter Eggstravaganza will take place on Saturday March 30th at 11 a.m. in Ewing Park. Those interested can find more details in the Chamber’s Event listing on Facebook by clicking here.