2025-01-14 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
January 14, 2025
Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Cecilia Gallup, Beth Cottrell and Nickelaus Engle. Also in attendance Denise Immel Borough Secretary, Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer and John Segursky representing Buchart Horn. Absent: Katie Blume, Mayor Steve Myers and Solicitor John Miller.
Citizens present: Kathy Highbaugh, Amber May and Amanda Snyder
Citizens input:
Amanda Snyder requested the Borough evaluate East Poplar Street by placing DO NOT ENTER signs at the intersections of Sugar Aly, Maple Aly and Church Street allies where they intersect with East Poplar Street. Also signage signifying East Poplar as a one way street headed east to prevent people leaving the fire hall parking lot from entering and head west.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the December 10, 2024 minutes, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the December 2024 financials, seconded by Beth Cottrell. 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.
Employee Report:
December was spent time keeping up with maintenance on equipment and odds and ends in the shop. A few snow storms passed through that were handled well. Aside from snow storms and snow cleanup the Borough building had some lighting replaced. The Fountain Park gazebo getting stuck by a car damaging the east side. Insurance companies have been notified, it will be decided whether to repair or replace. Maintenance crew believes it would cost more to fix the current one compared to getting a new one.
New Action Items
Centre County Long-Range Planning:
Greg Kausch, Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization, was present at the meeting to seek council input on areas of long term needs within the Borough. Items mentioned included the replacement of the Mill Street Bridge, the drainage issues Faced by resident on Penn Street and the drainage issues the borough has experienced on East Main Street. The borough is also looking at sidewalks, both repair and installation and the possibility of designated bike paths or ATV designated streets or allies.
Invoices: None
Hook up charge appeal:
The Borough received a letter of appeal on the decision from the meeting in December. The letter stated various reasons for asking for an exception. Council held discussion on the letter and agreed to uphold the original decision. Nickelaus Engle made a motion to deny the appeal, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion carried.
SEO appointment:
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to reappoint Laron Horner as our Sewer Enforcement Officer and accept the fee schedule for 2025, also reappoint Justin Dashem, Penns valley Code Enforcement as our Alternate Sewer Enforcement Officer, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion carried.
Old Christmas Decorations:
A resident has expressed interest in purchasing our old Christmas wreaths. Questions were raised that could not be answered by council members and the resident was not present to take questions. Cecilia Gallup will follow up with said resident.
Planning Commission report ideas:
Nickelaus Engle questioned not having an active planning commission. Suggested a couple of ways to engage the planning commission – by forwarding emails from Centre County Planning for review and possible attendance at the Penns Valley Regional Planning meetings. Robert Zeigler to contact planning commission and arrange a meeting.
Zoning Hearing Board appointment:
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-01 reappointing William Wolfe for a term of three years, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion carried.
Town Hall meetings:
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to assign the topic of Community Engagement to the town hall meeting scheduled to be held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on February 11, 2025, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion carried.
Maple Aly and Race Street safety:
With the accident taking place at the East Main Street intersection and Maple Aly, Nickelaus Engle requested a review of streets and allies within the borough to determine if visibility adequate to safely enter roads. Cim Besecker will work with road crew in assessing.
Property lease on Park Road:
Lease was reviewed. No changes were suggested to the lease. Council questioned if there would be any other use than the grazing of cattle.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure update:
DCED Multimodal Grant – Bridge Project:
The plan is to have bidding documents completed and ready for winter bidding with construction starting in early spring.
WWTP Project – Equalization Tank:
No bids were received. Mr. Segursky spoke with the supplier of the tank and they are now certified through COSTARS. He received a proposal from them for review. There is additional site work that would need to be done but it would be a smaller project if the tank is separated. Mr. Segursky will contact grant administrator to check if they will be agreeable to the purchase of tank thru Co-Stars
Raw Water Main Replacement:
Base mapping is completed, Buchart Horn is moving forward with design documents. This project is approximately 70% complete and will be ready for spring construction.
Tax collector fee:
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to approve the tax collectors request to increase the tax certification fee to $20.00 and the duplicate bill fee to $4.00 unifying the Penns Valley Area School District tax collector fees, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion carried. Denise Immel will notify Solicitor Miller for an amended ordinance.
Kathy Highbaugh reported that the books for 2024 are officially closed, only 8 properties were turned over to the county for collection totaling $921.33.
VCBA updates: none
Laundromat engineering request:
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to authorize Robert Zeigler to sign a letter stating that the Millheim Borough water and sewer has the capacity to sustain the proposed laundromat, seconded by Beth Cottrell.
Water Street Property:
It is understood that the residents surrounding the Center Street property are not in favor of a dog park. Nickelaus Engle suggested we look at other uses, possible something similar to Fountain Park.
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to adjourn, Seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
_________________________
Denise Immel, Secretary