SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to renew the intergovernmental agreement with the Department of Corrections establishing the Prison Rape Elimination Act Hotline for the county jail.
The DOC operates a Control Center for the reporting of allegations of sexual abuse at county correctional facilities, which is staffed around the clock and can receive telephone calls 24/7.
In addition, the DOC will establish a telephone line at the Control Center and provide that number to the county.
“We have had this agreement for quite a few years. ever since its inception,” said Commissioner Cliff Lane, who conducted the brief meeting in the absence of Chairman Al Pingie.
According to the National PREA Resource Center, “the PREA was passed in 2003 with unanimous support from both parties in Congress. The purpose of the act was to provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in federal, state and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.”
More than seven years ago, the Bureau of Justice Assistance funded the National PREA Resource Center to continue federally-funded education and technical assistance to the states and localities, as well as a one-stop resource for important research and tools for those personnel in corrections to comply with the federal standards that were developed in 2009 and became effective in 2012.
In other matters, invoices for Liquid Fuels projects were approved for Bradford City and two townships. The $11,311 approved for the city represents payment for a 2017 project. For Keating Township, the $27,933 is payment for an eligible project from 2015-2017. Liberty Township will receive $8,759 for 2017 project.
Two County Aid applications also received the nod. Hamlin Township will use its $3,026 to purchase sand and salt, while Norwich Township plans to use its $2,751 to purchase anti-skid material.
Chief Assessor Angie Tennies explained the two requests for real estate tax exemptions for the 2017 tax year. She said that the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corp. is the owner of vacant property at 54 Jefferson St., which could be considered for a future rehabilitation project. Its assessed value is listed at $11,130.
The McKean County Redevelopment Authority, a political subdivision of the state, requested the same tax status for 2017 for property it owns at 72-74 Fraley St. in Kane Borough’s Second Ward. Both requests were granted.
Commissioners also approved several appointments. Teresa Wilcox as named to the Department of Human Services Advisory Board for three years.
County Planning Director Jeremy Morey was appointed 504 Officer for the county. In this position, Morey will hear grievances from any person or persons who believe they have been discriminated against or denied equal opportunity or access to programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.
The list of approved holidays for 2018 was also adopted.
