Council Approves Agreement with ECBFPO to Upgrade Women’s Softball Field at Stiefel Park

Ellwood City Borough Council voted to approve an agreement with the Ellwood City Ball Fields Project Organization (ECBFPO) delineating respective roles and responsibilities relative to upgrades to the Women’s Softball field at Stiefel Park.

The agreement states that ECBFPO has proposed to undertake and fund, at no cost to the Borough, certain renovations and improvements to the women’s softball field at Stiefel Park and to donate the completed improvements to the Borough as a gift.

The Ellwood City Area School District’s (ECASD) Board of Directors recently approved Stiefel Park as Location for 2026-2027 Girls Softball Team’s Season. They also voted to disclaim interest in funds raised by the ECBFPO and consent to the Organization’s donation of these funds to the Borough of Ellwood City for the upgrades to Stiefel Park paving the way for the Borough to begin work on the field.

Borough Manager Jeff Foley said he expects work to begin asap.

Stay tuned to Ellwoodcity.org for more updates on the project scope and timeline.

Both the ECASD and the Borough hope the upgrades can be completed before the start of the softball season.

Manager’s Report

Foley said the Fall Clean-up was very successful with more than 600 vehicles (15% of the residents) and 25 30-yard containers of disposed items.  He reported that last year’s cleanup included 80 vehicles.

“Thank you to our Borough employees that assisted with the clean-up and who worked to promote it,” Foley said.

Foley said the Wastewater storm water/sewer separation project in Ewing Park is moving along.  Foley reported having several meetings with PENNVEST and Michael Baker over the past several months.  He said work will occur in 2027.

He said he has been working with local political figures and community members to keep the Hospital Project a priority.

“The local political figures do understand how important a 24-hour emergency care facility is to our community.”

He said work has been in progress since June to finalize the 2027 Budget.

“We are working on improving services and reducing costs,” he said.

Foley reported that the Borough will be filing liens against property for unpaid Code Enforcement and Utility Bills.

“This will improve our collection process with delinquent accounts.”

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Anthony Court recognized two police officers on behalf of himself and Sgt Michael McBride. Officer Trent Young, who has reached his 6-month probationary period, and Officer David Samsa who recently certified as an instructor in the EVOC Instructor Training course at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).

Court said the police department is pleased with Young.

“He has performed very well in his duties, and I recommend that his position be made permanent by Council,” Court said.

Court said the department is proud of Samsa in his completion of training.

An Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) is a training and certification program for EMS, fire, and law enforcement personnel. It covers defensive driving, vehicle dynamics, and closed-course practical maneuvers. The successful completion of this program permits the participants to train police officers in the standardized Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) approved emergency vehicle operations course from the Act 120 Program. Samsa can now train other police personnel in defensive driving operation.

“I’m told that this has the potential to reduce municipal insurance premiums and also lowers incidents of patrol vehicular accidents,” Court said.

Motions passed

• A motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting held 9/14/26 and the Regular Meeting held 9/21/26 as submitted.
• A motion to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 10/16/26, in the amount of $645,745.68, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 10/16/26, in the amount of $541,480.06.
• A motion to approve the Departmental Reports.
• A motion to adopt an amendment to the traffic ordinance, as submitted, establishing 90-minute parking on Eighth Street (west side) beginning 39′ from Crescent Avenue for a distance of 104′ north, Sundays only from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• A motion to adopt an amendment to the Sign Ordinance, as submitted, specifically with regard the maintenance of existing signs.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the submission of the 2026 CDBG grant application in the amount of $126,421 for Street Improvements, Housing Rehabilitation and Program Administration and further to authorize the Council President to sign any and all documents relative to the same.
• A motion to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, authorizing the distribution of $340,226.10 received in Pension State Aid for 2026 as follows: Firemen’s Pension Plan $26,171.24; Municipal Pension Plan $153,728.00; and Police Pension Plan $160,326.86. Therefore, $51,224.76 is owed to the Firemen’s Plan, $0 is owed to the Municipal Employees Plan and $331,839.14 is owed to the Police Plan. Further, it is moved that these balances be paid by the General Fund by December 31, 2026.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Children’s Center to close First Street from Spring Avenue to Pittsburgh Circle on October 30 from 9:45 a.m to 10:45 a.m. for a Halloween Parade.
• A motion to approve the request by the EC Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a “Let There Be Lights” event December 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. on Lawrence Avenue. It is further requested to close Lawrence Avenue from 4th – 6th Street at 4 p.m. for the event. Also, 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 “Let There Be Lights” 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 Christmas Parade December 5 beginning at 3:30 p.m.
• A motion to approve the quote, as submitted, by Laurel Ford (Windber, PA) in the amount of $43,990 (Costar pricing) for the purchase of a 2026 Ford Interceptor SUV police vehicle. This amount will be paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to approve the quote, as submitted, by West Penn Vehicle Specialists (Johnstown, PA) in the amount of $20,024.12 (Costar pricing) for the upfitting of a 2026 Ford Interceptor SUV police vehicle. This amount will be paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to award the bid for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Storm and Sanitary Separation CCTV Inspection Project to Robinson Pipe Cleaning in the amount of $127,135.00. This amount will be paid from the General Capital Reserve Fund.
• A motion to advertise an ordinance repealing Chapter 1020 Streets Generally, Section 1020.01 Street Lights & Luminaries and Section 1020.99 Penalty from the Book of Codified Ordinances.
• A motion to approve the monthly pension benefit of Dean Schuller (Municipal Employees’ Plan), as submitted by the Actuary.
• A motion to post/advertise the position of Equipment Operator in the Public Works Department.
• A motion to accept the resignation/retirement of Randy Gatto, Public Works Director, effective January 5, 2027, his last day of employment.
• A motion to accept the requested termination of services provided by D.L. Pella Consulting for Code Enforcement/Grant Activities, effective 12/31/26.

Notes

At the Regular Council Meeting held 8/17/26 Council accepted the offer from Everest Infrastructure Partners, Inc., amending the easement agreement currently in place to reflect a lump sum payment to the Borough in the amount of$654,900 in exchange for Everest Infrastructure Partners to incorporate the assignment of the current ground rent and future revenue share to Everest, as well as amend the term of the easement to a Fifty (50) year term from the day of closing of the amendment. The revenue was to be deposited into the Park Improvement Fund. However, on 10/2/26 the Borough received notification that the Investment Committee of Everest Infrastructure Partners, Inc. did not approve of the payment of$654,900 to the Borough. Therefore, the Borough will not be receiving the $654,900 but will continue to receive the revenue share (rent) as previously agreed.

Announcements

• Halloween Parade will be held October 31 at 3:30 p.m.
• Trick or Treat will be held October 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.