Bellefonte council approves paving list, parking rules advertisement, event alcohol exception and other routine actions

At its Feb. 2 meeting, the Bellefonte Borough Council approved a package of routine and operational actions by voice votes.

Key votes and outcomes: - Consent agenda: approved by voice vote (routine items). - 2026 proposed street paving list: the Streets, Infrastructure and Public Works Committee recommendation to send the paving list out for bid was approved by council following clarification requests about specific segments (North Spring, Lynn and Lamb Street) and utility coordination with Columbia Gas. - Parking prohibitions amendment: council authorized advertisement of an amendment to ordinance 530 (vehicles and traffic) relating to parking prohibitions. - Alcohol at special events amendment: council authorized advertisement of a draft amendment to Chapter 249 (possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages) to permit controlled alcohol consumption within borough‑approved special events subject to wristbands, ID checks and designated areas; memos from Pat McCool (cruise committee) and Chief Whitmer were cited as background. - Snow emergency certification: council certified a snow emergency effective Jan. 24, 2026, to preserve eligibility for state/federal assistance; staff noted it remains in effect until the emergency is lifted (staff referenced Feb. 28 as the day it was lifted). - Council chambers remodel: council approved engaging Paul Downes' cabinet makers to evaluate council chamber layout and accessibility and provide preliminary cost estimates (any contract subject to future council approval and budget availability). - E‑bike trainings: council approved holding one or two trainings (staff/council/police first, then public) at Bellefonte Elementary School. - Records retention: council approved the police department's written directive to update the records retention and disposition schedule (directive number 20220206‑1).

All motions described in the transcript were approved by voice vote with "Aye" called and the chair stating "Motion passes." The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.