[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6321907,"mediaKeyId","2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954","parentId",2348568,"title","Bellefonte Borough Council approves several actions; RACP waterfront forms and cooperative agreements move forward","audioSeconds",4010,"startMs",3338000,"endMs",7348000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954&start=3338&end=7348","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954/thumbnail_3338000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6321907/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-Borough-Council-approves-several-actions-RACP-waterfront-forms-and-cooperative-agreements-move-forward","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321907-50c7c300aa12e2c16b86e97ecbed4fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650336&Signature=L-jZC7olckFesvcBg8RdAn9jC56WgN587qaZuQjuITlmzvnmoWju1GLWrQwA1HeiSa-r~JvV2JsQPW3dGcmXrfMnkb9Yvf~Tj~iLlh8tfIEcC2ua8jSRw3yi7kOnNWnw2AT7duutkUiP4LcYU2ngNpM~yLXvf8qSqnMJebToz77tsesG1rAWTKO0E~RkB55dRAbMxcM5jjKDPgNAmTABO4-DNVjBPeyzZEfOGSLDPiifpQJD3Her2TsO0r9THCWoa4BnDJlH7KSVl~AdsiKp-QiPsJJgXIvlVByyA4DXTeJDVM6vYJfzY~EwCs~RF8Pq8yY3NB4441dSTLYKrfTBzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellefonte, PA","date","2025-02-19T17:30:18Z","article","Bellefonte Borough Council members recorded a series of votes on Feb. 15 on consent items, grant and cooperative‑agreement actions, budget and procurement procedures, and police policy updates. Several motions were unanimous or near‑unanimous; two measures carried with recorded minority votes.

Why it matters: The council approved administrative steps that affect municipal capital projects, grant administration and contracts and formalized updated police policies that will govern department conduct.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to move items not on the agenda to an earlier position for public comment: unanimous (roll call vote: all present voted yes). No further action beyond procedural change.

- Motion to table the executive session and move it to March 3, 2025: recorded and approved by roll call (vote recorded as yes by a majority present).

- Consent agenda (routine items): passed unanimously by roll call.

- RACP funding forms for waterfront redevelopment (approval to submit and sign contingent on updated cooperative agreements): passed 7–2 (motion carried). The motion included a request that borough staff review and update cooperative agreements before signing.

- Paving bid process: council authorized staff to open bids, review, adjust to the budget and approve the lowest responsible bidder; unanimous.

- Ordinance amendment (Chapter 108 police section): motion to advertise amendment for council vote on March 3, 2025; passed unanimously.

- Resolution adopting updated Bellefonte Police Department policies (Resolution No. 021882025‑01): passed by roll call (unanimous vote recorded in the meeting minutes).

- Request for proposals (RFP) for grant writing services (authorization to issue an RFP): passed 6–3 (motion carried). The motion authorizes staff to advertise and solicit proposals for grant writing; council members debated whether to retain in‑house capacity.

- Cooperative agreement assistance for the former Sutton Engineering property (Belfonte Works): council approved contingent assistance and directed staff to have the cooperative agreement reviewed and updated by the borough solicitor; unanimous.

What the motions mean: The RACP waterfront and Sutton Engineering cooperative‑agreement approvals move both projects into a phase where borough staff and solicitors will finalize formal agreements prior to execution, and the paving bid authorization allows staff to reconcile bid totals with the borough budget before awarding contracts. The police policies resolution finalizes an updated policies manual for the department; the advertised ordinance will be considered at the March 3 meeting.

Notable dissent and follow‑up: Two votes split 7–2 and 6–3; council members questioned timelines and asked staff to return with corrected cooperative‑agreement language and to confirm budget line items for the grant‑writing RFP. The council instructed staff to post the Center County transportation update and authorized follow‑up reporting in several instances.

Ending: Council did not take final construction or funding actions that evening but authorized staff and solicitors to move forward on contracts, cooperative agreements and procurements; several items will return to council for final approval at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellefonte Borough Council Work Session and Meeting 02/18/25 | C-NET Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Bellefonte Borough Council members recorded a series of votes on Feb. 15 on consent items, grant and cooperative‑agreement actions, budget and procurement procedures, and police policy updates.","taxTitle","Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321922,"CATA outlines options to maintain Bee Line service for Bellefonte and Benner Township",1917,189000,2106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954&start=189&end=2106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954/thumbnail_189000.jpg","/articles/6321922/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/CATA-outlines-options-to-maintain-Bee-Line-service-for-Bellefonte-and-Benner-Township","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321922-1c822279fcaddc974be5e466e0175c29/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650336&Signature=WjaYrIyFuamAX~QiK3iAmq2h7cqdzrrEnOKAwOclYS0Vn9xssaQLykLq0yjTJs8H3EE~GKUxaYIeJ2TECQyoYL1ifllYGfUIldrIgrb0YvNmSa37G2Z3iNNWkh3j75cqvtLgUdZ0bPw8LPgsPc1NRS6CfATfyT25rY2mO6eB~oWmZn2Aw2W7wXvrD2Neu1OPrGvgvlObcXuCqnn~p1cISOehaig1uGw9QVZP3s7XoAxRhYlSbm5AtxgwDDrlbn3UVYkgOx7sEub1QwUnQYMdOk38M~L~RkdPQbvhwPf7MIyEUM-VcWxcCkfkZN3BB0KmaiLGQ1SmNKavYsYp6SPwBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CATA representatives told the Bellefonte Borough Council at a Feb. 15 work session that the agency can continue operating the Bee Line point‑to‑point service through June and outlined options — from the current all‑day single‑vehicle schedule to an expanded evening schedule or a full fixed‑route circulator — along with preliminary cost estimates and legal limits on service outside CATA's authority.

The discussion matters because the borough has given CATA notice it may end the contract in June, and the Bee Line provides local connections plus free transfers to CATA's regional buses at the Nittany Mall.

Dave Virgil, a CATA representative, said the Bee Line is a small‑vehicle, fully accessible, point‑to‑point service that uses 20 designated pick‑up/drop‑off points in Bellefonte and Benner Township. \"This is an example of the pick up points that we established,\" Virgil said, adding that the design asks riders to walk to one of those points and reserve trips by phone (reservations available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day before). The service currently operates roughly 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on one vehicle and has carried nearly 2,000 rides since July, Virgil said. \"The fare for this service again is $4 for passengers,\" he said.

CATA presented three basic scenarios and preliminary cost math. At the current 6 a.m.–6 p.m. service level (about 3,120 annual hours at roughly $55.90 per contractor hour), CATA estimated roughly $174,000 in contractor costs. Using last year's subsidy proportions, Virgil said federal and state sources would cover about 62 percent (about $108,000), fares would bring in just under $23,000, and the remaining local share would be \"just over $52,000\" split between Bellefonte and Benner Township. Extending service to 8 p.m. would raise annual hours to about 3,600, increase total operating cost to roughly $203,000 and push the local requirement to about $61,000 before updated subsidy calculations, CATA said. Virgil emphasized that the figures are preliminary: \"We put the numbers together fairly quickly ... they are preliminary and I think you'll find they don't add up. So they're in there just to give you a sense of proportion.\"

CATA recommended keeping the pick‑up‑point, reservation model rather than returning to on‑demand, door‑to‑door operation like Katago, citing efficiency. Virgil said the reservation approach lets the contractor \"pack\" trips and provide more rides per hour. He also said fares currently cover closer to 18 percent of operating costs (higher than the 13 percent projected last year), which reduces the local share once final accounting is complete.

Council members asked about the split between riders who used the service only inside Bellefonte versus those who traveled to transfer at the Nittany Mall. Virgil said he did not have precise percentages at the meeting but that early data showed many trips were commuter connections to the Nittany Mall; CATA committed to return with more specific ridership breakdowns before the council's next meeting.

CATA also presented a higher‑cost option: operating a fixed‑route circulator looping through Bellefonte. Doing that work with CATA-employed, union drivers would raise hourly operating costs to about $158 per hour, CATA said, making an estimated annual operating cost in the range of a half million dollars plus an additional paratransit obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Virgil said that ADA paratransit requirement could add at least another $75,000. \"It would require at least a hundred and $30,000 from the borough to subsidize something like this,\" he said, and CATA's recommendation was to defer fixed‑route service until ridership is higher.

The presentation addressed service beyond the authority area. Virgil said CATA is chartered by five member municipalities in the Centre Region and cannot operate outside its service area without municipal permission or contract: \"If you wanted those service those areas served, Spring Township would have to pass a resolution, giving us legal permission to operate there. And there would also be a financial match commitment that would go with that.\" He suggested that private destinations (for example, health centers or markets in Spring Township) might contribute funds to cover costs or to secure permission from the host township.

The CATA team also discussed the possibility of Bellefonte joining CATA as a member jurisdiction. Virgil said that has not been done before and that the first step would be to define desired services and commission an independent study so elected officials can determine what membership would entail before the CATA board and current member municipalities would consider approval.

Council members pressed for follow‑up figures and asked CATA to provide updated percentage subsidies and a ridership breakdown showing local versus regional trips. Virgil said CATA would provide those numbers and advised the council that if they wished to renew service they should pass a resolution promptly because CATA needs a decision in advance of final contracting for the upcoming budget year.

Ending: CATA left the council with a near‑term deadline for a contract decision and promised more detailed ridership and cost figures. The council did not take a formal vote on funding the Bee Line during the meeting.

","CATA representatives told the Bellefonte Borough Council at a Feb. 15 work session that the agency can continue operating the Bee Line point‑to‑point service through June and outlined options — from the current all‑day single‑vehicle schedule to an expanded evening schedule or a full fixed‑route circulator — along with preliminary cost estimates and legal limits on service outside CATA's authority.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321913,"Bellefonte police brief council on new cell‑phone driving law and enforcement timeline",604,5160000,5764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954&start=5160&end=5764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","/articles/6321913/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-police-brief-council-on-new-cellphone-driving-law-and-enforcement-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321913-b5bc4398922b74b4dff3afda4e4e9568/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650336&Signature=LNl0GjQNSQfKw5RrVE0hv-XtCfnsDs-WapbLIIZ9YByHzSuTo0LmbWpyXeqr0b2ufAspk-~dsZ5DLayFqtT9Ho4dkse95HlCnaeBIGXGh7zQBQEhZxzMf9J5-9NSK9stktm8v9QEoRysU4GoiCrSIKdF36Z8WF4~HfbR-CgtnODJmxKj9Tv1tdqVlpfwwMghh0cbi6dF~IrtNWnoFsipKYikTffDPCQJXVLE7PewJyypsgIEqAJu2NPYZp7ExdBaUcENmfQgexPvnM03PeR2wwpaRawM09kbfBImC5QBCV8fVFeVBxtLnh5CYYU84U7pXg1jvNrT~uvhz~wk1oCZkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte's police chief briefed council members at their Feb. 15 meeting on recent changes to Pennsylvania law governing use of cell phones while driving, known by supporters as the Paul Miller law (Senate Bill 37), and explained the department's public‑education and enforcement timeline.

The briefing matters because the law alters when and how drivers may use interactive wireless devices and will allow primary enforcement for device use once the statutory phase‑in ends.

Chief Whitmer said the law expands the definition of \"driving\" and removes the prior allowance for using a device while the vehicle is temporarily stopped in traffic. \"If you're stopped at a stop sign, traffic light, and a traffic jam, you can use your device — now what it's saying is, not anymore. You have to pull off the road, out of the flow of traffic,\" Whitmer said. He summarized the legal framework by reference to Pennsylvania Title 75 and noted the change is commonly referred to as the Paul Miller law (Senate Bill 37).

Whitmer outlined a phased enforcement approach: starting June 5, 2025, officers may stop drivers and issue warnings for unlawful use of interactive wireless devices; monetary fines and citations may begin after a one‑year educational period, on June 5, 2026. He described permissible uses and exceptions the statute lists, including emergency communications with law enforcement or medical services. Whitmer also explained changes in enforcement burden: officers will now record device use and drivers may need to justify certain uses (for example, an emergency call) if stopped.

Council members asked about outreach to the public and to students. Whitmer said the department will prepare materials for the borough newsletter and asked staff to add an informational page or subsection to the police section of the borough website. He encouraged the council to share the educational materials with the school district; council members asked specifically that information be provided to high school students as well.

Ending: Chief Whitmer urged education and outreach ahead of the enforcement phase and the council agreed to post educational materials on the borough website and to coordinate outreach to schools. No ordinance change was proposed at the meeting.

","Police Chief Whitmer summarized changes under the Paul Miller law (Senate Bill 37) and explained enforcement and a one‑year warning period before monetary fines begin; the law tightens when drivers may use interactive wireless devices and shifts the burden of proof for exemptions in some cases.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6321918,"Engineers and council discuss Airport Road and Parkview Boulevard signal plans, crosswalk safety for new elementary school",1137,2183000,3320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954&start=2183&end=3320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2348568-e1ab00087c38be5ace23e2e6e8703954/thumbnail_2183000.jpg","/articles/6321918/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Engineers-and-council-discuss-Airport-Road-and-Parkview-Boulevard-signal-plans-crosswalk-safety-for-new-elementary-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6321918-dfd8be5f783fcf745a3aa3d1cc04e509/orig.mp4?Expires=1776650336&Signature=NGZ97Dg15SQi5ddEfWI9jm1zRhI-6CyWxfmB5R-qwWShQJK33g1kkXs4dDou6NQEFa-uS9QlpSuezRIKrCMJ4-pPh4DjKV7Vbd1iyEwtXVC4z-xPcoQ0a2ZcIXrLgJxpYf5znkwz9LN4L-NgV0uwWZOjUtyM18~CRVgJUXY3orLSBLYGrPDsjgBS1okfaw~kAuJVSP0mFPRgErq4THwKdwu66iJgiIr0QUduXZwuQp-Bwiqnx0PuuittePOr0J73hWTKEqL~~WzNM-XSnA7CDIsmI-I7Rz3eX7Xj-cJP-f5a6q0sfxTyoKyB86TiJ6brDkfWw0lQQ1e1ihaEWProOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An engineering update on Feb. 15 walked Bellefonte Borough Council members through planned traffic signals and pedestrian crossings at Airport Road and Parkview Boulevard associated with a new elementary school and the Parkview Heights/Zion Road intersection.

The matter is significant because the signalized crossings lie adjacent to school property and several council members and residents flagged existing pedestrian safety concerns at wide, angled intersections used by students and other walkers.

Nick Shaffer, the borough's project engineer, said the Airport Road intersection will receive a traffic signal and a single crosswalk with pedestrian countdown timers. \"The crossing will have countdown pedestrian timers ... that will give the pedestrian that's crossing an idea of how long they have to cross,\" Shaffer said, adding that the signal will stop Airport Road traffic while pedestrians cross.

Shaffer and staff also discussed the Zion Road/Parkview Boulevard intersection, which earlier studies found warranted a signal. For that crossing, engineers plan a leading pedestrian interval that gives walkers a head start before turning traffic moves. Shaffer said borough staff discussed audible pedestrian signals (a beeping or chirping tone activated at the push button) and that PennDOT is considering a new requirement for audible signals on new installations. \"We have asked PennDOT if they're gonna require it here. I haven't heard back from them at this point yet, but we will install if they want them,\" Shaffer said.

Council members and residents pressed for additional measures to improve safety. Ideas discussed included stamped (textured/colored) crosswalks to increase visibility, \"no turn on red\" signage or blank‑out signs on mast arms to prevent right turns during pedestrian phases, rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) and high‑visibility fluorescent signage. Engineers said PennDOT will not permit RRFBs at signalized intersections (they are allowed at unsignalized or mid‑block crossings) and that stamped crosswalks and additional signage remain possible with PennDOT and school district approval. Shaffer said the design team will evaluate adding audible signals and could recommend a leading pedestrian interval at the Airport Road signal as well.

Council members also discussed sidewalk extensions and the possibility of inserting a sidewalk on the west side of Parkview Boulevard. Staff noted the project could be packaged with multiple grant programs and identified DCED's Safe Walks / Safe Routes to School and multimodal grant programs, as well as Green Light Go, as potential funding sources. One council member observed that including sidewalk work could strengthen a multimodal grant application.

Staff asked the council whether it wanted to include sidewalks in the project scope so the design and funding strategy could reflect that preference. Several council members and attendees urged more safety measures near the school, with one resident calling the existing Airport Road crossing \"very hazardous\" and asking the borough to pursue the most protective options feasible.

Ending: Engineers and staff said they will continue design coordination with PennDOT and the school district, explore stamped crosswalks and additional signage, and follow up on audible‑signal requirements and grant packaging; no council vote was required at the meeting.","Council heard a staff briefing and engineer commentary on signalization and crosswalk design near the new elementary school site; topics included countdown timers, leading pedestrian intervals, audible signals, stamped crosswalks, sidewalks, and grant opportunities such as DCED Safe Walks and Green Light Go.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellefonte Borough Council approves several actions; RACP waterfront forms and cooperative agreements move forward

CATA outlines options to maintain Bee Line service for Bellefonte and Benner Township

Bellefonte police brief council on new cell‑phone driving law and enforcement timeline

Engineers and council discuss Airport Road and Parkview Boulevard signal plans, crosswalk safety for new elementary school