Bradford City Council is continuing with making strides forward
in beautifying the city, approving a grant application at Tuesday’s
council meeting that would fancy up the U.S Route 219 northbound
exit at Elm Street.

If approved, the ,15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department
of Community and Economic Development would go towards new signs,
plants and traffic island improvements near the “gateway” entrance
to the city.

Along with an aesthetic improvement, council voted to apply for
a grant for physical improvements to the Callahan Park ice
rink.

A ,10,000 grant is being sought for the repair of pump room
walls, the reinsulation of refrigerant lines and the installation
of a new sump pump.

And to help keep the enforcement of the city’s codes and
ordinances moving efficiently, council is applying for a grant for
,5,000 to purchase computer equipment for the code enforcement
office.

The money would assist with the purchase of two laptop computers
and printers to be used in the code enforcement officers’ vehicles,
according to the resolution passed at the meeting.

In other business, council heard from a few city residents who
were complaining that current ordinances are not being
enforced.

Jefferson Street resident Andy Ackler asked, “What’s going to be
done with landlords not taking care of their property?”

He explained he had his home assessed before he began
renovations, and then he put ,30,000 of improvements into the home.
He had it assessed again, and found out that despite the
improvements, the value of his home had decreased from the first
assessment because of the neighborhood.

“You’re not alone,” said Mayor Tom Riel. “There’s a lot of
people in that situation.”

He and Councilman Ross Neidich have been meeting with code
enforcement about that situation. Riel said there will be
“tightening up” of ordinance enforcement coming soon.

Main Street resident Dave Newman asked what had happened to the
“pedestrian targets” – the signs from the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation that were placed at crosswalks reminding
motorists to stop for pedestrians.

Gary Alcock, head of the public works department, said the
program to maintain those signs was voluntary and business owners
had to be willing to put the signs out in the morning and take them
in at night.

“If they get left out all night they get stolen,” Alcock said,
explaining the one from a crosswalk near Fairway Ford was found
near the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

In other matters, Riel announced that a work session will be
held at 6:15 p.m. Sept. 9, prior to the next council meeting, on a
proposed graffiti ordinance.