City Council

BOROUGH OF AKRON COUNCIL MEETING- NOVEMBER 1, 2021 Council Members present- Nathan Imhoff, President, Justin Gehman, Vice-President; Thomas J. Murray, Sr.; Kleon Zimmerman, Paul Swangren, Jr.; Randall Justice, Michael Morris. Others present- Mayor John McBeth, Susan Davidson, Borough Manager; Sean Molchany, Assistant Borough Manager; Tom Burnett, Tina Mast Burnett, Jean Putt, Kevin Wolford, Frederick Yochum, Jason Smith, Penny Talbert, Susan Miller, Ed Miller, Menno Wiebe, carl Laws Landes, John Taylor. Zoom- Karen Lowrie Roll Call Thomas J. Murray- Present Kleon Zimmerman-Present Paul Swangren, Jr.-Present Randall Justice-Present Michael Morris-Present Justin Gehman, Vice-President-Present Nathan Imhoff, President- Present Mayor John McBeth-Present Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:10 p.m. Nathan Imhoff welcomed the visitors to the meeting. Most of the visitors at the meeting were present to support the Ephrata Public Library. Nathan Imhoff mentioned that Council will be discussing the 2022 budget this evening and the Ephrata Library donation will be part of that discussion. At this time the meeting was opened to visitors 1) Tom Burnett stated to Council to go back to the 2019 support amount 2) Tina Mast Burnett, 724 Fulton Street, Akron mentioned she is willing to pay even more to support the library and sees a lot or people using the library 3) Jean Putt, 23 Meadowview Street, Akron mentioned that the Ephrata Library is a treasure and a bargain for taxpayers and highly recommend for children 4) Nancy Lewis, Evergreen Drive mentioned we need to pull together as a community and the library is important 5) Kevin Wolford supports the library 6) Frederick Yochum mentioned he was present to support the library and to ask Council to go back to the previous donation amount 7) Jason Smith, Eshelman Drive asked Council to give the amount from 2020. 8) Penny Talbert, Akron resident was present to support the library 9) Susan Miller 1013 Main Street, Akron was present to support the library 1  10) Ed Miller was present to support the library and shared how the library helped him get a job and over the years has checked out thousands of books 11) Menno Wiebe, Main Street was present to support the library 12) Carl Laws Landes mentioned to Council that the State recommends funding at $5.00 per capita for municipalities 13) Karen Lowrie (Zoom) High Street, supports the library and is at the library at least once a week Also mentioned it is important for people to have access to great programs and resources Nathan Imhoff thanked everyone who came out in support of the library. Mike Morris passed out information packets for the Ephrata Library. 2022 Proposed Budget Borough Council, Mayor and Borough Managers reviewed the proposed 2022 budget including the General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund and Highway Aid Fund. Ephrata National Bank proposed loan for Uniform unfunded liability. At this time Nathan Imhoff turned the meeting over to Justin Gehman. Council reviewed the interest rates from Ephrata National Bank for a 5 year loan to pay the unfunded Uniform Liability. This item will be on the agenda for the November 8, 2021 Council meeting. Susan Davidson also contacted Fulton Bank to get loan rates and is waiting for those numbers. At this time the meeting was handed over the Nathan Imhoff, President of Council. Council, Mayor and Managers discussed 2022 Capital Projects. Staff will make changes to the proposed budget and send to Council and Mayor and the proposed budget will be on the agenda for the November 8, 2021 meeting. New Business/ Old Business Paul Swangren, Jr. made a motion to approve the temporary signs for the Akron Grace EC Craft Show. Michael Morris seconded the motion. Paul Swangren, Jr. amended the motion approving the temporary signs if they comply with Section 19 part 1 of the Akron Borough Zoning Ordinance. Michael Morris amended the seconded motion. Motion carried. Paul Swangren, Jr. mentioned that other items for the November 8, 2021 agenda should include the $16,000.00 for police radios, engineering firm, loan motion, rental rates and house rental rates. Paul also thanked Tom Murray, Sr and staff for their work on the proposed budget. 2 Randall Justice mentioned that the Akron Mennonite Church is seeking grant money for their Memorial Garden and has requested a support letter from the Borough. Paul Swangren, Jr. made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Justin Gehman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Susan Davidson Borough Secretary SD 3