2026-04-14 Council Minutes
MILLHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL
225 EAST MAIN STREET
P.O. BOX 421
MILLHEIM, PA 16854
(CENTRE COUNTY)
PHONE (814)-349-5350 FAX (814)-349-5733
REGULAR MEETING
April 14, 2026
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Cecilia Gallup and Marissa Evankovich. Also in attendance, Mayor Nickelaus Engle, Denise Immel, Borough Secretary,Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer. Absent Solicitor John Miller and Beth Cottrell.
Citizenspresent: Mark Engle, Nick Hettinger, Kathy Highbaugh, Seth Gordon, Ang Smith, Greta Haney, Susan Haney, Lew Bryson, Shara Tritsch and Tammy Myers.
Citizens input: Richard Gallup questioned the proper procedure to have an abandoned and neglected building addressed. Solicitor Miller recommended to file a formal complaint to the code office
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the March 10 2026, council minutes and the March 10, 2026 town hall minutes, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the March 2026 financials as presented, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission reports:
The Code Enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or comments. No reports from HARB or Planning Commission.
Employee Report
We are gearing up for street sweeping, first time using our recently purchased replacement brooms for the machines. We should get about 3.5 years on the brooms until they need replaced. A big thank you to Boy Scoutt Troop 88, they spent a weekend back at the swimming pool cleaning up and spreading mulch. They went above and beyond. The Borough supplied material and Troop 88 got everything done. Time has been spent helping out at the sewer plant trying to get operations back to normal. Meanwhile a main sewer line blockage occurred at 120 West Main Street. With the help of Robinsons Septic Service, the blockage caused by baby wipes was removed. Hauling and delivering pallets of water to the office for water jug distribution has become a weekly event. Winter equipment will be serviced and stored while prepping our summer equipment for use. Mowing season has hit, along with road patching, berm repair, fixing damaged street signs and repairing water meters and MXU’s. Spring cleanup is set to start the last week of April.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to pay invoice #9005460 in the amount of $3,550.00 to ARRO for professional services that have been prorated for February, reimbursement to Jodi Muther for waiver renewal PWSIDZ, and invoice #1459150 NPDES Chapter 102 permit in the amount of $500.00 seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
Reserve Fund Transfer:
A report was prepared by Treasurer Cim Besecker showing balances in our accounts and the current expenses and anticipated expenses for the sewer account. A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to transfer $100,000.00 from the water reserves account to the sewer account to cover repair expenses, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Engineering services:
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to appoint Rettew as our engineer of record, going forward, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
USDA grants for discussion:
USDA has emergency grant funding available for both water and waste water. These grants require a full plan for remediation or repair to be part of the application. DEP can evaluate the media at the water plant for assistance in this process. Our local representatives have been aware of the situations at both of the plants. Emergency grant funding timeline is approximately a 90 day turn around.
Park Hours:
Current signage at Soldiers and Sailors Park states closing at 9:00 PM. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to order new signage with hours listed as dawn to dusk and number signs for pavilions, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
Marcon contract:
Marcon has presented us with a new roof maintenance contract, offering a yearly or bi-annual inspection. The contract is automatically renewed on a yearly basis unless written notice is sent. Robert Zeigler made a motion authorizing Katie Blume to sign the contract for a yearly inspection at the cost of $750.00, seconded by Ceciia Gallup. Motion passed.
Service Hours:
The Borough has received a request from Penns Valley High School to assist in a day of service for their 11th and 12th grade students by allowing them to complete community service within the borough on May 20th, 2026. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to assist in the day of service, provided proof of insurance or signed waivers were obtained, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Letter of Resignation:
We have received a letter of resignation from planning committee member Gonzalo Rubio. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to accept Mr. Rubio’s’ resignation, seconded by Marissa Evankovich. Motion passed.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure updates:
Equalization Tank:
Rettew has reviewed the information available from the previous engineer relating to the equalization tank. No PA DEP permit application was submitted which is a requirement by DEP. A cursory review of the information revealed that the tank design does not appear to meet PA DEP standards. The system will require mixing and aeration of the contents, along with some portion of control to allow for its usage in emergency situations. Rettew will prepare a proposal for the completion of the permits, necessary redesign and administration of the construction for the purchased components.
Rettew obtained pricing for temporary equalization tanks if the Borough requires this for full restart of the water treatment plant or if flows exceed the hydraulic capacity of the sewer plant. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to rent 3 temporary frack tanks at $4,000.00 per month with a $6,000.00 pick up and delivery fee, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Rettew has prepared the Annual chapter 94 wastewater overload report.
Multimodal bridge project:
Rettew will request reports from Buchart Horn and prepare a proposal for completion of the project.
Jodi Muthler reported that Roberts Filter has visited our water plant three (3) times, Media replacement is recommended. There also appears to be some structural damage to the tanks. Rettew will work with Roberts Filter and DEP to navigate this issue. We currently use Philips Creek and Elk Creek as our water sources, Ms. Muthler would like to explore the option of using the well off of Walter Street as a third option for water.
Katie Blume announced that Jodi Muthler would be giving a tour of both the water and sewer plants on Wednesday, April 22 beginning at 5:30 PM. Time and date were confirmed with Ms. Muthle.
Park and Rec updates
Names interest:
One name has been submitted for consideration, four (4) additional names are needed before the East Penns Valley Recreation Authority can be created.
Grant resolution:
Heather House, representing the Penns Valley Penguins swim team, is gathering information to submit a Greenways Trails and Recreation Program grant thru DCED in the amount of $250,000.00 to be used for repair and rehabilitation of the pool at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park. She is requesting the Millheim Borough sign the required resolution requesting the grant. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to authorize the signing of the resolution, seconded Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
We received to estimates for an ADA port a potty for the pool. Robison Septic 275.00 plus tax per month and Brannon’s port a potty at $140.00 per month. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to use Brannon’s to supply the port a potty, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion passed.
BAI has submitted various solar options that would be available to power Soldiers and Sailors Park electrical needs.
Secretary’s report:
Amend 02/20/2026 minutes:
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to amend the motion made by Robert Zeigler on 02/20/2026 to pay invoice #12977 in the amount of $2,000.00 to Buchart Horn for professional services on raw water main replacement, seconded by Cecilia Gallup, to seconded by Beth Cottrell, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. Minutes will be corrected.
Millheim Borough has received a request from the community coordinator of Centre County government to help promote a spring job fair being held on April, 23, 2026. A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to email the information to borough residents, seconded by Rober Zeigler. Motion passed.
Brush and leaf collection dates:
Brush collection will be the week of April, 27, 2026 and leaf collection the week of May 04, 2026
Our road crew is requesting permission to purchase a tri axle load of cold patch. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler for the purchase of a tri axle load of cold patch seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to adjourn, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM.
___________________________
_Denise Immel, Borough Secretary