2025/06/20 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

June 20, 2025

Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Nickelaus Engle and Robert Zeigler. Also in attendance Denise Immel, Borough Secretary, Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer.  Absent: Beth Cottrell, Cecilia Gallup, Solicitor John Miller and Mayor Steve Myers

Citizens present:   Amber May, Tammy Myers, Kathy Highbaugh, Lew and Catherine Bryson, Stephanie Hettinger, M. Kochendarfer, Heather Dellorzo, Georgiana Cole-Archer, Michelle Johnson and Andrea Ferich.

Citizens input: see Pool

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the June 10, 2025 council minutes and the

June 10, 2025 town hall minutes as presented, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.

Old Action Items

Invoices:

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to pay invoice #128027 in the amount of $5,000.00 to Buchart Horn for services rendered on the raw water main replacement project, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.

DGLVR renewal:

A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to authorize Katie Blume to sign the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance project amendment #1 granting the extension of the completion date to October 31, 2025, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.

New Action Items

Pool discussion:

Barry Kuppel –  Penns Valley Park and Recreation Association has been self-sufficient, what is the average grant that would be available. Has anyone approached the Penns Valley School District for support?

Michelle Johnson reply – yes in the last couple of years the PVPRA has been self-sufficient with current weather conditions she feels if pool had it been able to open it would have been self-sufficient this year as well. Membership support has been amazing. Nothing official has been presented to the school district.

Tammy Myers questioned the cost to operate the pool.

Georgiana Cole- Archer – operating expenses for last year $62,912.62, direct operating expenses $58,560.00, balance in check book at end of season $3,494.00 current balance around $22,000.00.

Receive a small monthly payment form the Wise Endowment fund. Balance does not reflect the check recently received from the Lions Club.

Catherine Bryson – What are the expenses for immediate needs – $100,000.00 for a new liner and approximately $20,000.00 for mechanical issues. Are grant opportunities better for a municipality or an authority?  There are approximately 12 grants available thru DCED and DCNR most will require a cash match only a few will use in kind as the participation of organization.

Andrea Ferich offered the assistance of Penns Valley Conservation Association in landscaping, conservation planning and in applying for DCNR grants. DCNR grant opportunities open in January. Can a business make a tax deductible contribution?  Answer is unknown. Ms. Blume will do research.

Kathy Highbaugh – What has the response been from neighboring municipalities in form an authority?

Darryl Shaffer from Haines Township, Eric Miller from Miles Township are showing interest. Bob Fox from Penn Township is on vacation so no discussion has been held.

What is the turnaround time on grants?

Smaller grants will move thru faster than larger grants, Time frames vary with every grant.

Stephanie Hettinger, Penns Valley Penguins team coach- Bob Miller had no idea of the number of participants on the swim team and there are numerous residents in Penns Valley that do not know there is a public pool available for use. A better job needs to be done to get the word out.

Pools close because of financial issues and structures becoming unstable, an indoor pool would cost 1.8 million dollars.

Lew Bryson-Who and when can the authority start and could members be added at a later date?

 It is always best to have an odd number of members. It depends how the municipal authority is written as to whether new member could be added.

Tammy Myers – Why can’t the current PVPRA continue?

Per the proposed sales agreement PVPRA will continue to operate the pool for at least 2 years. An authority would be able to broaden the recreation facilities as well as apply for grant funding.

Concern of the borough residents taxes increasing to pay for the pool.

A municipal authority cannot be a taxing authority, has the capability of applying for grants for upkeep and some grants may also cover payroll for management.

Heather House PVPRA is working on obtaining some smaller grants.

PVPRA (Millheim Pool) is grandfathered, they must be careful what is changed at the facility, and it is believed changes to the facility of over 25% would affect the grandfathered status. I this status is lost they then have to follow all current guidelines and rules significantly increasing the dollars required to reopen the pool.

Marnie Swartz was here to show her support for the pool.

A reminder was given that the topic of Town Hall scheduled for July 08 at 6PM would be Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park (Pool).

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to adjourn, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.

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Denise Immel, Borough Secretary