Ellwood City Council Recognizes Borough Employees for Contributions to Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) Initiative

Ellwood City Borough Council President, Brad Ovial, presented commendations to two borough employees for their work on the recent Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) initiative during Council’s recent regular meeting.

Ovial handed over certificates of appreciation to Borough Manager Kevin Swogger and Rhiannon Schnell, secretary for public works and code enforcement. Schnell served as the community partner for the initiative and along with Swogger was an integral part of the application and planning process as well as seeing the program through to the end.

Swogger said that more than $2.5 million worth of NO COST services were provided to the community.

“It didn’t cost the taxpayers a cent,” he said.

Swogger thanked the community for $13,200 in monetary donations, which helped offset costs of tools, supplies, and tour buses for some of the event’s initiatives.

167 military personnel made Ellwood City home for the two-week initiative that served the community from July 23-Aug 1.

Stay tuned to Ellwoodcity.org for a wrap-up of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) initiative including a photo gallery and more impact numbers from the mission.

From left: Council President Brad Ovial; Rhiannon Schnell; Borough Manager Kevin Swogger; Mayor Anthony Court

In other council news:

Motions Passed:

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting held 7/8/25 and the Regular Meeting held 7/21/25.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 8/14/25, in the amount of $589,850.56, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 8/15/25, in the amount of $300,887.00.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, appointing Amy McKinney as the Fair Housing Officer.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, appointing Rebecca Shaffer as the Section 504 Housing Officer.
• A motion to approve the payment in the amount of $13,287 to Witmer Public Safety Group for firefighting gear. This amount will be paid from the General Fund. Reimbursement in the amount of $13,287 will come from the EMS Grant.
• A motion to approve the Agreement, as submitted, with the Ellwood City Area School District relative to school crossing guard services.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Fall Fest/Car Cruise on September 27 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is further requested to close Lawrence Avenue from 4th to 11th Street beginning at 8 a.m. It is also requested to approve suspending Part I 0, Chapter I 066, 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 “Fall Fest/Car Cruise” 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 approve the request by the EC Parade Committee to hold the Halloween Parade October 25 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
• A motion to approve the request by Bell Memorial Church
• to hold a block party September 20 from 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. It is further requested to close College Street from Line Avenue to Buchanan Way for this event.
• A motion to approve Change Order #2-2 in the amount of
• $11,588.21 from Penn Ohio Electrical Co. relative to the Wampum Avenue Pump Station Project. This Change Order is for electronic sensors, SCADA programming and reimbursement to EC Borough for services rendered. This
• will result in net zero changes as the remaining allowance balance of ($38,411.79) will be credited back to the Borough, showing a negative credit change order.
• A motion to approve the travel request by Anthony Court and Jan Williams, to attend the PSAB Fall Conference in State College, PA October 3-5. The cost is $380 plus lodging, meals, and mileage. This will be paid from the General Fund.
• A motion to approve the employment of Casey Prell as a part­ time Paramedic at the rate of $21.0 I/hour.
• A motion to authorize the hiring of Ronald Van Hom as a school crossing guard at the rate of $15.00/hour, contingent upon successful completion of all background checks and clearances.
• A motion to approve the monthly pension benefit of James Lutz (Municipal Employees’ Plan), as submitted by the Actuary.
• A motion to approve an Agreement with the Ellwood City Area School District, as submitted, regarding special event police details at various School District activities.

Announcements:

• Trick or Treat will be held October 31, 6-8 p.m.
• Fall cleanup will be held on October 4 from 8 a.m. to noon at 1210 Factory Avenue. Cost is $10 per passenger vehicle.