Altoona council approves most consent items, rejects $777 repository bid; introduces PMHIC membership and 2026 budget ordinance

Altoona City Council approved most consent-agenda items at its Nov. 10 meeting and then rejected a separate repository bid.

Clerk/city staff read several consent items into the record, including approval of minutes from Oct. 14, 2025; a three-year collective bargaining agreement between the city and FOP Mountain City Lodge No. 8 for Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028; a demolition bid award for 111 6th Avenue to G and R Excavating of Tyrone in the amount of $12,578; and authorization to apply to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Financing Authority for a Pennsylvania Local Share Account statewide grant of $252,694 for replacement of fire hoses and nozzles. The clerk also read a repository bid of $777 submitted by Mr. Rands of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for property at 3127/33 7th Avenue.

Council took a consent vote on the listed items excluding item d; the clerk announced the roll-call results and stated, "And the consent move passes 7 to 0."

The council then took a separate vote on the $777 repository bid. The record shows each council member voting "No," and the clerk announced, "And the vote does not pass."

Council members introduced two ordinances: an ordinance authorizing the city to join the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative (PMHIC), introduced by Vice Mayor Ellis, and an ordinance appropriating sums for municipal government in 2026 (the 2026 budget ordinance), introduced by Councilman Ickes. Those ordinances were introduced for consideration and will proceed through the council's formal adoption process.

The city manager reported no updates. A council member requested details on the police contract and staff agreed to provide follow-up information.

Next steps: introduced ordinances will follow the council's normal ordinance process; staff will provide requested contract and audit detail to council and media as arranged.