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Saint Marys council adopts annual resolutions, authorizes study of truck engine brakes
Summary
Saint Marys City Council approved a package of routine annual resolutions — including designation of a fair housing officer and signatory authority for the mayor and city manager — amended the employee travel-per-diem policy, and authorized a PennDOT feasibility study into heavy-truck engine ("Jake") brake use on South Michael Street.
Saint Marys City Council voted unanimously to adopt routine annual measures and to request a PennDOT study of heavy-truck engine braking on a busy city corridor.
The council approved Resolution 26-01 to assign a fair-housing officer required to maintain Community Development Block Grant eligibility and identified Matthew as the intended officer. Council also adopted Resolution 26-02 authorizing the mayor and the city manager to sign agreements with Commonwealth departments and agencies, and Resolution 26-03 to align employee business-travel meal reimbursements with U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates.
Council moved, seconded and approved the package of resolutions after brief staff explanations. City Manager Joe told the council that the signatory resolution is an annual housekeeping item that allows the mayor and the manager (who also serves as city secretary) to execute routine agreements.
On traffic and public-safety concerns, the council authorized Resolution 26-04 to ask the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to assess the feasibility of restricting or otherwise addressing the use of engine-retarder (Jake) brakes on South Michael Street, described in discussion as roughly the 900 block down toward the post office. Council and staff discussed geographic scope and whether the study should extend toward Averyville; members noted PennDOT would evaluate grade steepness and other engineering factors. A long-time trucker who spoke during council discussion cautioned against restricting Jake brakes, calling them a factory-installed safety device and noting past court challenges in other municipalities.
The motions carried on voice votes. Staff said any regulatory response would require follow-up studies and potential changes to state or local processes; PennDOT's review was presented as a fact-finding step rather than a policy change.
The council adjourned after routine announcements.
