SMETHPORT — McKean County commissioners granted their approval Tuesday morning for the distribution of 2019 Community Development Block Grant entitlement funds to several municipalities.
In fact, commissioners approved numerous resolutions related to the federal CDBG program.
The following grants awards were approved: $70,000 to Eldred Borough and $37,683 to Foster Township, both for the LMI Housing Rehabilitation Program; $30,000 to Foster Township for LMI Kenmar Acres water lateral installations; and $58,000 to McKean County for the Spot Demolition Program for county non-entitlement municipalities.
The commissioners resolved on behalf of Bradford Township for CDBG funds for two projects, too: $78,371 for the township’s Housing Rehabilitation Program and $10,000 for the township’s Spot Demolition Program.
In other news, county aid was approved for $1,242 to Lewis Run Borough for patchwork on Chris Drive and Julie Lane.
Commissioners also passed two resolutions related to an administrative agreement with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the City of Bradford for the university’s engineering and computer information technology building project.
Commissioner Carol Duffy explained after the meeting that the county is serving as a pass-through for a $1 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant the university is using toward a new facility to be built for its increasing STEM-based programs.
The university has previously indicated the building would house engineering labs and shops, computer labs, classrooms and more.
The county officials also adopted an ordinance related to the county’s participation in the Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool.
McKean is one of certain counties that contributes financially to a Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool, which provides a joint risk management pool to assist members in preventing and reducing costs and injuries to county property and to persons or property which could lead to claims being made to members of the pool.
Commissioners agreed to adopt a debt ordinance for a series 2019 bond for the series 2011, 2012 and 2013 bonds. Commissioner Cliff Lane explained after the meeting that the county was looking at refinancing, and they are talking about taking out a new loan.
Commissioners approved three Department of Human Services contracts/agreements: one with Stan Pecora as review officer at a rate of $1,000 per month, one for foster care with Synita Nagy and one with Hoffman Homes for Youth for child welfare services.
They also approved a collective bargaining agreement — for the county detectives — between the county and Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers Local Union 110, effective Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2023. A contract was approved between the county and Service Employees International Union Local 668-911, too.
The next commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 27. It will be held on a Wednesday — a different day of the week than they would normally meet.
