2026-08-11 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
august 11, 2026
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Cecilia Gallup, Marissa Evankovich and Robert Zeigler. Also in attendance, Mayor Nickelaus Engle, Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer and Solicitor John Miller, Absent: Denise Immel, Borough Secretary, Beth Cottrell and ARRO
Citizenspresent: Kathy Highbaugh, Tammy Myers, Amber May and Michele Aukerman for Rettew.
Citizens input: none
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the July 14, 2026 council minutes with the spelling correction of Marissa’s name, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the July 2026 financials as presented, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. 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.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to amended the agenda to include Budget Dates under new business, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve payment of invoice 33834 to RETTEW for professional services rendered thru May 29, 2026 on equalizer tank in the amount of $3,119.50, and invoice number F-002872 in the amount of $8,258.88 to Field Force for services rendered at the water plant seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the purchase of cutters for the two (2) Liberty pumps from PSI Pumping in the amount of $$3,600.00, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Ballfield usage request:
A request has been submitted from Greyson Wolfe asking permission to use the ballfield beginning the end of August thru the spring season. The team carries liability insurance and will add the Borough as an additional insured. A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the request and have Solicitor Miller draft a lease agreement, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. Solicitor Miller will need dates and name of organization to draft the lease.
Kuharick maintenance agreement:
The 2026 Traffic signal maintenance agreement rate from Kuharick was presented to council for approval. Rober Zeigler requested we ask Kuharick if better rate could be received if a 3-year contract was signed. Decision tabled until September meeting.
Suicide Prevention Month:
A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to adopt Resolution 2026-04 designating September 2026 as suicide awareness and prevention month and September 10, 2026 as suicide awareness and prevention day, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
New ordinances for initial discussion:
Three (3) proposed ordinances or updates to ordinances were presented to council member for discussion. One ordinance pertained to define and add specific requirements for data center and data center accessory uses. An ordinance was presented that would amend the borough’s zoning to provide regulations for various warehousing usage and truck terminal usage. An ordinance was presented that would amend the zoning ordinance by modifying definitions for solar photovoltaic systems and amending by incorporating new sections to permit certain solar photovoltaic as accessory uses in any zoning district and adding provisions for the permitting of certain solar photovoltaic systems. Council members will review and provide feedback. President Blume will work with Code Enforcement and solicitor for input.
2027 Budget dates:
A motion was made by Marissa Evankovich to hold 2027 budget meeting on September 21, 2026 beginning at 6:00 PM, September 22, 2026 beginning at 5:00 PM and October 05, 2026 at 5:00 PM if needed, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. A request will be sent to Rettew and Arro requesting their attendance at the meetings. Robert Zeigler requested Rettew provide 3 categories of recommended work:
1 Work that’s needs to be completed as soon as possible
2 Work that is not immediately necessary
3 Work that can be postponed for a period of time
Focus on project that need done in 2027
Old Action Items
Water and Sewer updates: no report
Infrastructure updates:
WWTP Corrective Action Plan:
As a result of the 2025 Chapter 94 Report demonstrating an existing organic overload, the Borough is required to submit a Corrective Action Plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to address the apparent overload and provide for a program/schedule for the control of new connections.
In discussions with the wastewater plant operations team, the primary corrective action has been
and will continue to be increased influent sampling frequency beyond the minimal sampling required
by the plant’s NPDES permit.
RETTEW is working with the operations team to prepare a single corrective action plan addressing
the issues noted by the DEP with respect to wet weather flows and organic loading.
Water and Wastewater System Capital Improvement Program:
RETTEW met with the Borough at its July 24th work session to discuss an overview of the current state of the water and wastewater systems. RETTEW is preparing a memo to the Borough of next steps for both systems to identify critical needs. As part of that effort, RETTEW is preparing a proposal to the Borough to assist Borough staff and operations team in developing a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that identifies needs and priority levels and provides estimated project costs and recommended time frames for implementation. This document will also assist the Borough in planning its financial resources including grants.
Rettew had an informal conversation with a representative from PENNVEST to get their thoughts on how to approach funding a capital project. There is grant money available and PENNVEST takes into
account current debt, operations costs, and revenue to determine a project’s prioritization.
PENNVEST is willing to come to a Borough meeting to provide an overview of the funding program
to Council.
WWTP Equalization Tank:
The WQM Part II Permit application for the proposed 131,000-gallon equalization tank was submitted
to the PA DEP on July 16th and is currently under review.
RETTEW is able to provide on-going support as needed for the temporary equalization tanks (frac
tanks) that can be used until the permit is issued and the new tank is constructed.
Phillips Creek Reservoir Dam:
RETTEW provided a copy of the memo summarizing the structural inspection of the dam to the
Borough’s insurance company on July 27th. Doty & Hench is requesting a timeline for completing the
recommended repairs.
The next step will be to set up a call with the PA DEP Division of Dam Safety to review the findings
and discuss the next steps.
Mill Race Bridge Replacement:
RETTEW is working with the structural engineer to prepare the preliminary design of the bridges. We
recommend a site visit with Borough personnel to review options for re-constructing the Elk Street
bridge due to the bridge’s skew and variable width.
Park and Rec Updates:
Marissa Evankovich provided the following update from the parks and recreation committee, the committee would like to have the Request for Bds (RFB) issued as soon as possible, they will be working with Rettew to have an RFB prepared and ready to present to Council for approval at the September meeting.
Clear Water Conservatory has funds available for planting and related improvements for Soldiers and Sailors Park. Amber May will work with Marissa Evankovich to connect the Penn State volunteers with Clearwater so they can coordinate the project.
Robert Zeigler reported that the Center Street lot project will be going out for bids soon.
Alley Between 169 and 169 ½:
According to our Solicitor this is a private matter between Kuppel’s Garage and Roger Boob, the property owners. The two parties would each own 50% of the alley. Our solicitor advised the Borough not to become involved in the matter.
Tabled invoice:
Discussion was held on the Buchart Horn invoice number 130636 in the amount of $1,100.00 for services rendered on the equalization tank through March 28, 2026. Per our solicitor’s recommendation we will request that Buchart Horn provide a detailed description of the work completed that corresponds to the invoice. Payment will not be made at this time, Buchart Horn needs to supply the documentation for the invoice to be considered for payment.
Secretary’s Report
Smith Pletcher Legion in Centre Hall has pledged $15,000.00 to the Borough for repairs to the pool.
A motion was made by Cecilia to adjourn, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:53 PM.
___________________________
Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer