Ellwood City Borough Council Approves Numerous Upcoming Annual Events

Ellwood City Borough Council passed motions to approve numerous upcoming annual events that will be held on Borough property including Wander Ellwood, Dog Days of Summer, The Ellwood City Arts, Crafts & Foods Festival, and many others (please see motions passed below for details) during the January 21 Regular Meeting.

Council also received an update on the Wampum Pump Station Project. Borough Manager Kevin Swogger announced that the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project is about 93 percent completed.

The Borough had announced the start of the project in October of 2023 in an effort to improve the infrastructure in the area. The project is a sewer upgrade for multiple existing sewer transport lines in the wooded area East of Wampum Ave. The tentative construction completion date of the project is April 2025.

Swogger also said that sewer system improvement overall is being explored by borough employees.

Those interested in the Military Banners Program and obtaining a banner, still have a chance to do so as Swogger announced that despite any rumors, the program is still underway.

He also said that the Ellwood City Community Garden is already planning for the upcoming growing season and the group is looking for volunteers. Interested parties can contact the Borough or Ellwood City Community Garden for more information.

Motions passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting held 12/2/24 and the Regular Meeting held 12/16/24, as submitted.
• A motion to rescind the motion made at the Regular Meeting held 12/16/24 to “approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 12/12/24, in the amount of $83,393.65, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 12/12/24, in the amount of $283,278.90. Roll call vote. All in favor with Ms. Williams abstaining from Item #24- 01016/Invoice #2626928. Motion carried.”
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 1/16/25 (replaces 12/12/24), in the amount of $687,997.93, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 12/12/24, in the amount of $283,278.90.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 1/16/25, in the amount of $1,169,421.35, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 1/15/25, in the amount of $196,535.92.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, establishing a stop intersection on Orchard Avenue at North Street (northbound & southbound).
• A motion to adopt a Resolution amending the application fee for Subdivisions, Variances, Conditional Uses & Special Exceptions from $250 + legal fees to $750 + legal fees.
• 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 approve the donation in the amount of $2,500 to the EC Area Historical Society. This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to adopt the 2025 IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rate of 70 cents per mile.
• A motion to approve the 2025 monthly transfer in the amount of $120,833.33 to the General Fund from the Electric Fund. The Electric Usage Sold in 2024 was 47,173,174 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. Therefore, a motion to transfer $47,173 to the Electric Capital Reserve Fund from the Electric Fund. This entry shall be reflected on the books for 2024.
• A motion to approve the quote in the amount of $57,026.81 (Costar Pricing) from Jim Shorkey Auto Group for the purchase of a 2025 Chevy Tahoe (Police). This amount will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing a stop intersection on Haig Street at Madison Avenue (northbound & southbound).
• A motion to approve the request by Evan’s Monumental Gifts to use the grassy areas of Ewing Park and the bocce court on August 16 for a carnival fundraiser.
• A motion to approve the request by ECABF to use the men’s field in Stiefel Park April 1-October 31 from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun – Sat. and Rosannah playground April 1-October 31 from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun – Sat.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Girls Softball to use the Lil Angels field in Stiefel Park March 1 – October 31 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Mon – Fri, the Southwest Corner of the Multipurpose field at Stiefel Park March 1 -October 31 from 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., Mon-Fri, the Men’s Field and Women’s Field at Stiefel Park July 11, 12, 13 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• A motion to approve the request by the Masonic Lodge 599, to hold the annual Wine & Bourbon Walk May I0 on Lawrence Avenue from 4th- 8th Street from noon – 4 p.m. and to utilize the gravel lot in the 500 block of Lawrence Avenue to park food trucks during the event. Further, to approve suspending Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol. This suspension only applies to participants of the Wine & Bourbon Walk event. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. AH necessary Borough, State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold the “Wander Ellwood” event on June 11, July 16, and August 13 from 5-9 p.m., and September 10 from 5-8 p.m. It is also requested to approve suspending Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol. This suspension only applies to participants of the “Wander Ellwood” event. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary Borough, State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to approve the request by the Ellwood City Farmers’ Market to use the Beaver Avenue parking lot, Saturdays from June 7 – October 11 from 8 a.m. – noon.
• A motion to approve the request by Reeds Services to use Ewing Park and all facilities for the 5th annual “Dog Days of Summer” event on June 16-June 22 (actual days are June 20-22). It is further requested to suspend Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol in Ewing Park. This suspension only applies to participants of the “Dog Days of Summer K-9 Benefit” event held June 20-22. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary Borough, State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to approve the request by the Arts, Crafts & Foods Festival Committee to use Ewing Park and all facilities including the swimming pool and tennis court parking lots from June 29 – July 7. The actual days of the Festival are July 4, 5, 6. It is further requested to approve suspending Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol in Ewing Park. This suspension only applies to participants of the EC Arts, Crafts, Food Festival event held July 4, 5, 6. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary Borough, State and County permits shall be in place for this event.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Recreational Fastpitch Softball to use Merit Book from March 1-October 31, M-F, 4-9 p.m.
• A motion to approve the request by the LHS Girls Softball to use the Women’s field, at Stiefel Park from March 1-June 15, Sun – Sat, 3-8 p.m.
• A motion to approve the 2025 fee schedule as submitted by Waltz Consultants for sewage enforcement activity.
• A motion to approve the request by Kevin Swogger, Borough Manager to attend the NextEra Public Power Conference in Boca Raton, Florida February 9-12. The Borough will reimburse him up to $500 for expenses to attend the conference. This amount will be paid from the Electric Fund. Motion passed 8-1 with Councilwoman Jan Williams voting “No.”
• A motion to approve the following sewer tap: Aldi, 230 SR 288 (Franklin Twp.), 1 tap, $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.

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. 24) for Borough residents and beginning on the fourth Monday in March (Mar. 24) for non-Borough residents.
• Ellwood City Revitalization’s Winter Wine and Brew Fest will be held Saturday, Jan 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Son’s of Italy. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.