Du Bois council approves PEnnvest payment, awards contracts and OKs manager-sharing deal with Sandy Township

At its March 25 meeting the Du Bois City Council approved several budget and procurement actions and an intergovernmental agreement with Sandy Township.

Finance and payments: Council approved an auto-draft registry payment of $5,230.44 and a general fund disbursement of $315,247.24 after motions and roll-call-style votes.

Major debt/payment: The council approved a PEnnvest-related payment listed in the meeting as $1,638,950.22; the motion was made, seconded and carried by roll call.

Contract awards and procurement: The council authorized issuing bids for 2024 pavement markings and for chemicals used by the water plant, sewer plant and pool. The council recommended awarding the West Washington Avenue waterline construction contract to Smith (pending federal SAM clearance), approved a two-year concrete contract to Clear Run Construction (amount reported in the record as $845.30 as presented), and awarded a two-year bituminous patching contract to BK Asphalt at $73 per square yard for 2024–2025.

Resolutions and projects: The council adopted Resolution 2024-0379 authorizing issuance of debt with Sandy Township via a Section 108 (CDBG) loan for a road/sewer project after the solicitor flagged red-line language about prior ratification and noted the project appears complete. The council also adopted Resolution 2024-0380 to apply to a DCNR program for a year-round restroom at Juniata Lake Park.

Shared services: Council approved an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Sandy Township to have Sean Arbaugh serve as manager for both municipalities and to have the Du Bois engineering services shared; the agreement was described as effective April 22 with an additional cost to each municipality of $15,000.

Items tabled or noted: The Downtown Du Bois funding request (an amended ask of $20,000 plus matching funds) was tabled until the contract can be reviewed by staff; council directed that the item return after review.

Votes at a glance (select items shown in meeting record): approve minutes (voice roll call recorded as 'Yes' by listed members); approve auto-draft $5,230.44 (approved); approve general fund $315,247.24 (approved); approve PENNVEST payment $1,638,950.22 (approved); adopt Res. 2024-0379 (approved); adopt Res. 2024-0380 (approved); adopt intergovernmental cooperation agreement (approved).

Next steps: Contracts pending federal clearance will not proceed until required federal approvals are documented; the Downtown support request will return after the contract review, and staff will post facility reservation schedules as directed.