[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6086559,"mediaKeyId","2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29","parentId",2895066,"title","Council adopts updated police policies, moves to advertise ordinance change on sergeants’ classification","audioSeconds",790,"startMs",1604000,"endMs",2394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29&start=1604&end=2394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29/thumbnail_1604000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086559/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Council-adopts-updated-police-policies-moves-to-advertise-ordinance-change-on-sergeants-classification","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086559-9e4d000bc115832ff0b50cc2962e6bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173127&Signature=d35Ecu66CR7jwSEKDIiA6HxwGNL7OEfkuvzCuSpIQJGMVJKkdxbuXlvZCcX5SeWJTrR9ux1C~OkuGAzeXuVtXGBrNnHn9lkaxZLo4GHxuA9GJsIytpdJ7B2bEsHnNggvnt0ILWVm833qjG8Fwcpdkc6XbmNo45LmORo0RJLqoL-LpdCWoLxDIhcaTPBkNrmWGXhdT14MyxPFo1xkJAAB1JmOjrDwz5bOF8UvEx5YKvlz3Dw8hGQUZjvXYVVoP3EmKemlku2w5dIjCOFbUwxajphcEL~VEpyb4i7CAzGWTOZ-jOwCA7E-fEU2NpfNw3Cx~MDhZBO1Toocaz-lnDkztg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bellefonte, PA","date","2025-04-08T12:53:53.413Z","article","Bellefonte Borough Council approved an updated set of police-department policies (Resolution 04072025-01) and voted to advertise an amendment to borough ordinance Chapter 108 so council can vote on the ordinance change at its April 21 meeting.

The updated policies were presented as a resolution (04072025-01) and approved by roll-call vote. Council also voted to authorize advertising an amendment to Chapter 108, as requested by Chief Whitmer, so the ordinance language can be considered at the April 21 meeting.

During discussion Chief Whitmer said the borough ordinance and the police collective bargaining agreement treat the sergeant position inconsistently: the borough ordinance lists sergeants as line officers (outside collective bargaining) while the police contract lists sergeants under collective bargaining. The chief asked council to remove the sergeant position from the borough ordinance and retain it in the collective bargaining agreement because having the classification appear in both places creates legal and administrative confusion; he said removing the ordinance language would align with how the department has long administered the classification and that removing the position from the ordinance would likely require arbitration if attempted through contract change.

Council members asked clarifying questions about whether the borough code or the municipal collective-bargaining definitions should prevail and sought to ensure the amendment would not conflict with state law; the chief and council agreed they were referring to borough ordinances and the police collective-bargaining contract specifically. Council voted to advertise the ordinance amendment for a formal vote at the April 21 meeting.

The meeting also included council approval to establish a promotion eligibility list and a separate eligibility list for the police department for 2025; both items were moved and approved by roll-call vote. Those eligibility lists were requested by Chief Whitmer and will be used for future promotional and hiring processes within the police department.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bellefonte Borough Council Meeting 04/07/25 | C-NET Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Council adopted Resolution 04072025-01 updating police department policies, agreed to advertise an amendment to Chapter 108 for council vote on April 21, and discussed whether the sergeant classification should remain governed by collective bargaining or by borough ordinance.","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},6086562,"Bellefonte opens bids for Spring Street stamped crosswalks; lower bid at $64,393",130,1930000,2060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29&start=1930&end=2060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29/thumbnail_1930000.jpg","/articles/6086562/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-opens-bids-for-Spring-Street-stamped-crosswalks-lower-bid-at-64393","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086562-504d582449ddbec831994d8e76a5676f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173127&Signature=oBFRxNshtFT-rhZXIz57xqCY~jl4uKJ4SxH2ewi~F-XKKEiEw3ntqijB17x9PEIIrojPZhAbawyrkB5vRSRmR0drRSXN2QidnKuo1OdZ1H2xvh9KzMF8ApN6GZkyK4cXn4y1C1et9Pe60GOEjWTMKTseH5dJyC2h7Qhe8sMOYNy8O6xyFMS04Ljjy-VgKo9mDsI45sqrBDJRFcDaIlXJMEG4j56RLZ9uyO76UQS~~mua5iARswLSXY6Ii6-ps9mrA~WLOmLMMGvhlfta9SRc9ZBMJgXLHopW1ttlNqGZyGeCQ5AhR8m7c-o0Bl5PKvk9HNy5y1n5KfRyI6pjXt1jFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte Borough Council opened sealed bids April 7 for the stamped crosswalks that are the final phase of the Spring Street streetscape project and authorized staff to review the proposals and select the low bidder.

Two bids were read aloud at the meeting. Laurel Asphalt submitted a bid of $93,183.20; Pavement Impressions Inc. submitted a bid of $64,393.40. Council asked staff to review the bids, confirm responsiveness to the bid specifications and select the low, responsible bidder for the project, using previously identified Centre County liquid-fuels funds as the expected source of payment for the work.

A motion to direct staff to review the bids and select the low bidder passed on a roll-call vote. Council members said the crosswalks are part of the streetscape project that has already been completed on Spring Street and noted that paving is scheduled later; the crosswalk work is the final phase before paving.

Staff will return with a contract recommendation after administrative review of the bids and verification of required insurance, bonding and compliance with the bid documents.","Council opened two bids for the final crosswalk phase of the Spring Street streetscape: Laurel Asphalt ($93,183.20) and Pavement Impressions Inc. ($64,393.40); council authorized staff to review bids and select the low bidder.",{"_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},6086567,"Council approves Sunnyside Paddle Park submerged-lands license",1101,1491000,2592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29&start=1491&end=2592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","/articles/6086567/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-Sunnyside-Paddle-Park-submerged-lands-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086567-0766c65fbd3d5c5fdd8317feeb6fb40c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173127&Signature=ALMsyFWKK18G~Jphz6vUKiBqaBlQTqLIprjcHLXn8GyrDjLV9j0MwqjsXUyhxEaa49jYgNJT0IsOiaUYEorMlnwFr9S0NyB6Nl6yNnnQnx2takX3nZzu3KwEcGIfIweHLCQZvPxsQv-8BmsTJzxtRL0KUdHPe2ipRDkL31irc3Hw8S9~BgYAxJbsYiGy3PsybKpstGKL4W4TC8tKZf3IG53rTUjevhEJCtbplUon22hV40Trk3405MQ0EktFUumpM4VpNjYzIE9B~UCVrpHo~-eqpOZlnRHmlSzuYq5WjBT7WlNM15i-fQokjtKzH9WrkuDE8IAnIxXkxY2-VX3Gkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte Borough Council approved a submerged-lands license agreement for the Sunnyside Paddle Park during its April 7 meeting.

A motion to approve the Sunnyside Paddle Park Submerged Lands License Agreement was made and seconded; council adopted the agreement by roll-call vote.

During the meeting a staff member noted that DEP file number E1404224-006 is associated with the license and that the permit would allow a kayaking slalom course (the meeting referenced a 31-gate course). Council members indicated the licensing and permitting paperwork was in order and voted to approve the license agreement.

The approval was taken as part of current and old business; the borough clerk will retain the signed license with the borough records and the DEP file will be handled through the appropriate state permitting channels.

No amendments or funding decisions were required at the meeting; council members did not discuss changes to the river access or program operations beyond approving the license agreement.","Bellefonte council approved the Sunnyside Paddle Park submerged-lands license agreement and referenced DEP file E1404224-006 for a kayaking slalom course.",{"_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},6086570,"Council asks staff for short-term rental permit report after fees exceed budget",87,1395000,1482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29&start=1395&end=1482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29/thumbnail_1395000.jpg","/articles/6086570/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Council-asks-staff-for-short-term-rental-permit-report-after-fees-exceed-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086570-e4b98101aa941e76e51e05eb7a91c2db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173127&Signature=MWwTg45dmsyFpS11kU5z7IeCbHuh6roRrkDWL4Zvz0qhIQuunY09Jm~N8KTVhXSCGm8myBnMyUqT9Ib~fqTHdC05rd13RiBpgdr-bK5e~fmyuuZbkFPC0ZiP5mt9fC7pmckojR5m1D-rbEC5C9aWDY3ekFAySV2NLe6ZD9uDr3Y1rWvXqA8giFEiV9HlTsQhodzM3lIj84Ch5gzYB~Umrcywmr6vaelYXHAiFohvQUHh~1qPy9l7kulMWOwZ07WGN0FIPOknRe0NaMemDnNhYXXCVp52xnC~Q5AF~Pd1la8MUprYXlDtJB02iMTp896wanr0eodNVDJyeSiY5Lf1cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte Borough Council asked borough staff to report back on short-term rental activity after an internal budget report showed revenue from short-term rental fees had already exceeded the year’s budgeted amount.

Council member Joanne Costevesi said she noticed in the borough’s budget-versus-actual report that short-term rental fees were “over 100% of income received” for the year and asked Gina (borough staff) to provide a follow-up showing how many short-term rentals had renewed permits, how many permits remained outstanding and whether any operators had closed their listings.

Council did not take formal action beyond requesting the report. Costevesi said the information would help the council better understand the market and whether the borough’s permit and enforcement workload or fee structure needs adjustment.

Town staff said the borough issues an annual consumer-confidence water report and that other routine reports are published on the borough or program websites; no timetable for the short-term rental report was set during the meeting.

Council members did not propose changes to the short-term rental ordinance at the meeting; they limited their action to requesting data from staff for later consideration.","Council flagged short-term rental fee income already above budget and asked borough staff for a report on renewals, outstanding permits and closures.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6086578,"Bellefonte council approves free public-accommodations training from state agency",479,660000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29&start=660&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2895066-13bc211b738d919af84fc21e8f61bf29/thumbnail_660000.jpg","/articles/6086578/Bellefonte/Centre-County/Pennsylvania/Bellefonte-council-approves-free-public-accommodations-training-from-state-agency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086578-9b6a77558747906420f359d6846d5ead/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173127&Signature=al0iZQBRW4GLCZ88qkzj97TOsePN12pjhLmwZgm6MUTIKL-uLxpkgXpPgqlpjqvvHN-SVTomFbkIi2z1fcudad1Cq3WVPQMol9N4sTtYu~nBh~RlHcs9519nIWWI829io0Bm8kU73j0LnyKzBehPzKqfO4v9F9AKNUUnRZsYdJ7jcKOnWSzY~BEm0T2mNs54pUg03ccM0CrSlnGpEnuGtm2uSwS-gYbWviaaJ0M8aQFvPBU65-X5RBnXywWZwevKmdzGEN6Aw~T0GFLklvLv7WZ0434kuNmDE9-Yzp8ukMYxm4kNKEKTH957PMWaJAGRLt5-QVVU3cDl5TiCy7f-bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bellefonte Borough Council voted April 7 to arrange a free public-accommodations training offered by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Centre County Business & Industry Chamber (CBICC).

Council member Joanne Costevesi moved that administration coordinate with the PHRC to schedule a training “in person, hybrid, or virtual” and that the borough secure a recording option so staff and council members who cannot attend live can view the session later. The motion was seconded by Rita Purnell and passed in a roll-call vote.

The training will cover state and federal protections for public accommodations, with emphasis on reasonable accommodations and accessibility for people with disabilities and on First Amendment limitations for public speech, Costevesi said. “And it is totally free,” she added during her remarks.

Council discussed delivery options — in-person, hybrid with a recorded session, or fully virtual — and asked administration to work with Costevesi to set time and format. No date or venue was set at the meeting; council members indicated they will decide logistics after staff follow-up with the PHRC.

The action came during the communications portion of the meeting after the PHRC and CBICC offered to provide the training at no charge. The borough clerk will place the training arrangement as an administrative follow-up and notify council members once scheduling details are confirmed.

Costevesi said the training would be helpful given recent questions about allowable speech and activities in borough parks and other public settings.

The motion passed unanimously in a roll-call vote.","Council voted to contact the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to set up free training on public accommodations, accessibility and First Amendment limits for council, staff and local businesses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts updated police policies, moves to advertise ordinance change on sergeants’ classification

Bellefonte opens bids for Spring Street stamped crosswalks; lower bid at $64,393

Council approves Sunnyside Paddle Park submerged-lands license

Council asks staff for short-term rental permit report after fees exceed budget

Bellefonte council approves free public-accommodations training from state agency