[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6501353,"mediaKeyId","5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05","parentId",5597444,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves minutes, snowmobile trail request, code enforcement appointment and police search committee","audioSeconds",248,"startMs",4568000,"endMs",4816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05&start=4568&end=4816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05/thumbnail_4568000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6501353/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-minutes-snowmobile-trail-request-code-enforcement-appointment-and-police-search-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501353-02317c49febc7c1b519cd0794c7e1310/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188372&Signature=aF5P7PazLd7Jx~WXHLPNKt5wRX5~igGJbWHn3n9-6~X4-ouXuO6e7HDvlH7Y9W9eHcLVRFQ8OClsIKch8t86vK97j1Y0D1fj76YXzJXjb64dlC~lxlFDOLZbZ-bFWYeb4xl~ep0FIhfmbJpEJXSCKflklsoqyopJ2wLW-nzXdPxCY~UdOhMzLAowZn-4wSzWx2aUzBfV6LUl0dIdVp9unO11sGn2AlP4UCtxjML7mjXrPqqqAre6VnpOTg7-JgLA3sZy~VCTyZmDd-67tG0wrPwbzoVEJZIPSaM3qDpDudwx-LcnGBJBB-DiUv~FtGFDT8KM-In-2jegdZbcOQtwIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Of St. Marys, PA","date","2025-08-18T22:53:38Z","article","A summary of formal actions taken during the St. Mary's City Council meeting on Aug. 18, 2025.

1) Approval of minutes
- Motion: Approve minutes for July.
- Mover: Ned. Second: Joe.
- Outcome: Passed (voice vote recorded as “Aye;” council recorded the motion as approved).
- Notes: Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.

2) Resolution 2059 — PennDOT snowmobile trail crossing request
- Motion: Direct city staff to submit a letter to PennDOT supporting a study to permit a trail crossing of West Creek Road on behalf of the Snowmobile Association.
- Mover: Steve. Second: Shane.
- Outcome: Passed (voice vote recorded as “Aye;” resolution number cited as 2059 in meeting record).
- Notes: Staff said the Snowmobile Association would carry trail liability insurance and cover signage and maintenance costs; PennDOT requested municipal concurrence for the study.

3) Appointment — Chief Code Enforcement Officer
- Motion: Appoint Ted Polinski as Chief Code Enforcement Officer for the City of St. Mary's.
- Mover: Tony. Second: Ned.
- Outcome: Passed (voice vote recorded as “Aye”).
- Notes: Staff presented Polinski's background of nearly 18 years enforcing city codes and over 20 years of experience with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

4) Creation of chief of police search committee
- Motion: Form a three-member council committee to review candidates and guide the replacement process for the city's chief of police.
- Mover: Steve. Second: Tony.
- Outcome: Passed (voice vote recorded as “Aye”).
- Notes: Council subsequently appointed Steve, Tony and Joe to the three-member committee (motion by Jerry, seconded by Shane; approved by voice vote).

5) Adjournment
- Motion: Adjourn.
- Mover: Tony. Second: Shane.
- Outcome: Passed (voice vote).

No roll-call tallies with named yes/no votes were recorded in the transcript for these motions; outcomes were announced by the presiding officer as approved. No other final actions (ordinance adoptions or budget votes) were recorded during the meeting’s substantive discussions described in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting Monday, 8-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","At its Aug. 18 meeting St. Mary's City Council approved the July minutes, passed a resolution supporting a PennDOT study for a snowmobile trail crossing, appointed a chief code enforcement officer and created a three-member committee to search for a new police chief.","taxTitle","Saint Marys, Elk County, Pennsylvania","taxId",60987,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6501357,"St. Mary's staff propose $311,686 CDBG application for sidewalks, accessible park bathrooms and demolition; turf field project flagged",1080,4833000,5913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05&start=4833&end=5913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05/thumbnail_4833000.jpg","/articles/6501357/Pennsylvania/St-Marys-staff-propose-311686-CDBG-application-for-sidewalks-accessible-park-bathrooms-and-demolition-turf-field-project-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501357-e644187edf3a0559a2410768778f7465/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188372&Signature=QTvHFY-QdLtKnHFJ~ZUQ4ikuT29tzmqXkGFkO4TDP1gQGJfpzOz2EQCVHBWfuWOWyHxstMLC0zqiv7fYNWgWDFD9xhqJ4ej3VhzsGUFRqxhgEIBbowhCuuMUzlQKxts-bUlMiJHVZjGzeamkUaCToHHzWUCW05oqU~4p~ciEB2vUDzUZOo1ox-fIgMhRlNdWtootN04PErSTSGNpGXb0CdgAheZuQmpYBmHBjvR-yVapRY4Zi7PZI4d~4Q8BWHNMDObd4-HCT97f~FO4tm6X1CtIuR0ULIojgIBJyh~rMbHO-tWfRhEKeTsc3409L5XreneFjFwfrmB5GYPC1e0J5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told council on Aug. 18 that St. Mary's 2025 CDBG allocation is $311,686. Staff recommended several candidate projects for next year’s federal block grant application and discussed eligibility concerns raised by the state administering agency.

What was presented
- Allocation and program: Staff said the city's 2025 CDBG allocation is $311,686, a small increase from 2024. The city may use up to 18% of total award for administrative costs; staff proposed using 17% for administration to allow some flexibility.
- Proposed projects: (1) South Michael Street sidewalk rehabilitation (targeting low- and moderate-income property owners and continuing the city sidewalk program started in prior years); (2) restroom accessibility improvements for the upper park (near Wolf Avenue) — primarily interior renovations to make restrooms ADA-compliant; (3) a demolition project to address a vacant/abandoned property tied to slum-and-blight removal (tentative, pending owner status or tax-sale outcome); and (4) the administration line for staff costs at 17% of the award.

Turf/Challenger Field application: staff recommended against including a request to install synthetic turf at the Challenger Field in the CDBG application because the state agency (DCD/DCED) questioned whether the project would meet a federal CDBG national objective (benefit to low- and moderate-income persons or other eligible categories). Staff said the city would pursue further discussion with the state and recommended that the Little League investigate alternate grant sources such as DCNR recreational grants.

Fair-share and multi-jurisdiction concerns
Staff explained the “fair share” principle: when a facility serves participants from multiple municipalities, the state may look for proportionate contributions from those other municipalities. Staff recommended gathering sign-up and residency data from the Little League to document whether the project predominantly benefits St. Mary's residents and to determine any required intermunicipal contributions.

Next steps
- Staff recommended collecting participant residency data and talking with the state agency to confirm eligibility before including the turf project in the CDBG submission.
- For the projects recommended for funding, staff said they will proceed with the grant application process and public hearing requirements if the council concurs.

Ending: No formal CDBG award decision was made at the meeting; staff will gather additional data and consult with the state agency before finalizing the application.","Staff presented the city's 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation of $311,686 and recommended sidewalk rehabilitation, park bathroom accessibility improvements, a demolition project and administrative funds; installation of turf at the Challenger Field was not recommended pending state review of eligibility.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6501361,"St. Mary's reviews $3.3M–$5.3M pool replacement options; residents urge repair, not replacement",947,616000,1563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05&start=616&end=1563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5597444-93394ca8405437d38cd8dca0c57f8d05/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6501361/Pennsylvania/St-Marys-reviews-33M53M-pool-replacement-options-residents-urge-repair-not-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501361-96ec77550eca86e840fe82044af3152b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188373&Signature=U~eCXZyPRp3xHRJr16AvFMoB4ng-4rwVqh1Qs-kKjfw6pwB1gja0zdLDk2IDY8VzTJwTlBUG1~57GBGIgRSYXT0jzKIO8Xh4elTONf8DQBJAtlM6jbFOI9h-Z~fywgiKVITgEly-rqYjVyy0d~lora0YlAcaiIrMjvCnBJU5kENwiaDqx0TQKrD28DIwxi1LWOIWi2N7qOVTnovwHh9BDkBkJuiRRH4Aat4bx53u7Ak-jO2vYSr6Jv~COkd37W~FeHVul4iTiKAqoUf2zzfF9TkOE3tblCzqY4I4P8wTKuQod868tB8MQ4Gd-KfjmX7BJ2m8ID5m7Bn62RpOUCuOpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants working for Councilman Hunsaker presented three replacement options for the St. Mary's public pool at the council meeting on Aug. 18, each designed to fit roughly within a $5 million budget window and range from a splash-park-focused option to a larger pool with slides and lap lanes.

The presenter, George Dinis, said the firm developed three new designs after community meetings and surveys. The options are: (1) a combined pool and splash pad with about 3,500 square feet of pool water plus an 800-square-foot splash pad (a little over 4,000 square feet of water surface) with an estimated cost just under $5,000,000; (2) a destination splash park only (no standing water) at about $3,300,000; and (3) a larger, six-lane, 25-yard pool of roughly 5,000 square feet with a water slide and multiple activity zones, estimated at about $5,300,000 in today’s dollars. Dinis said cost estimates assume reuse of the existing bathhouse with a $500,000 allowance for upgrades; full replacement of the bathhouse would raise costs.

Why it matters: Council members and members of the public said any project must consider not only construction cost but ongoing maintenance, staffing and the pool’s role in community programming. Several residents and council members pushed the city to consider refurbishing the existing facility rather than replacing it, arguing capacity and community use could be harmed by a smaller footprint.

Key details from the presentation
- Lifespan and scope: Dinis said many outdoor pools typically require significant work after roughly 30–40 years; the current St. Mary's pool is about 60 years old and had a renovation roughly 20 years ago. The consultant provided an example timeline: select a design team in September 2025, complete design by April 2026, bid in May–June 2026, begin construction August 2026 and aim for a 2027 opening if funding and schedule align.
- Equipment and systems: Dinis said pool estimates include pool mechanical systems (filtration, pumps, chemical feed) and pool heating for options that include standing water; splash park heating is optional but recommended as a small allowance in the figures.
- Cost nuances: Dinis said splash-park vertical features often last 15–20 years and splash decks typically 20–30 years; project estimates are presented in today's dollars and would need escalation if construction starts in later fiscal years.
- Refurbishment estimate: The consultant said reinforcing the existing pool shell (for example, installing new stainless-steel components) might be possible in the $3 million–$4 million range, but when deck replacement, diving-board compliance work, slide refurbishment and other repairs are included, renovation costs could approach those of a new facility.

Council and public reaction
- Several council members questioned long-term operating costs and staffing. One council member noted maintenance and chemical costs rise with pool size and suggested a smaller pool with fewer lap lanes would reduce ongoing expenses.
- Residents who spoke during public comment urged keeping the pool’s current footprint or refurbishing rather than building a smaller facility. Sarah DeMour, a resident, said the pool is central to her family’s summer routine and that broken heaters and reduced hours have depressed attendance: “If you fix the water and fix the hours, I do think your numbers would rise.”
- Molly Redinger, who said she attends the pool nearly every nice day, encouraged officials to inspect peak-day capacity (she cited “Sunday night swims” that filled the pool) before choosing a smaller design.
- Other speakers stressed the pool’s role for organized programs such as the Boys & Girls Club and asked that any reduction in capacity not impair those uses.

Budget and attendance figures cited in the meeting
- Presentation figures: Option 2 (splash park) ~ $3,300,000; Option 1 (pool + splash pad) just under $5,000,000; Option 3 (larger pool) about $5,300,000 (all in today’s dollars, per presenter).
- Consultant’s refurbishment estimate: roughly $3,000,000–$4,000,000 for pool shell reinforcement, with additional costs expected for deck and slide refurbishment.
- Operating figures discussed during the meeting: a study excerpt shown to council listed current annual pool expenses at $182,741 and an average daily cost of about $22.01 when the facility is open. One participant referenced a higher seasonal shortfall figure; the transcript shows conflicting figures and council members asked staff for clearer accounting.

Next steps mentioned in the meeting
- The consultant suggested issuing an RFQ to select a design team if the council decides to pursue replacement; the design fee is typically negotiated as a percentage of estimated construction cost.
- Council members repeatedly emphasized that funding sources, ongoing operating budgets and community input would determine a path forward. Several suggested pursuing additional data (attendance by residence, detailed cost/maintenance forecasts) and exploring fundraising and grant options before committing to a design or a referendum.

Ending: At the end of the discussion council members asked staff and the consultant to collect additional data and confirm options for phased or staged work, including whether components (such as piping or mechanical allowances) could be installed now to allow future expansion to a splash pad or other features without full reconstruction.","Consultants presented three pool replacement options costing roughly $3.3 million to $5.3 million and a timeline targeting 2027; residents and several council members urged the city consider refurbishing the existing pool and raised concerns about operating costs, attendance and staffing.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: council approves minutes, snowmobile trail request, code enforcement appointment and police search committee

St. Mary's staff propose $311,686 CDBG application for sidewalks, accessible park bathrooms and demolition; turf field project flagged

St. Mary's reviews $3.3M–$5.3M pool replacement options; residents urge repair, not replacement