As the end of the year grows closer, Bradford City Council is preparing to pay bills in 2025.
At Tuesday’s meeting, council approved permission for the solicitor to prepare documents for the 2025 tax anticipation borrowing of $850,000. The measure is taken annually to cover expenses at the beginning of the calendar year, prior to when tax revenue begins to come into city coffers.
At the beginning of the meeting, Tim Pecora, who oversees accounts and finance, spoke briefly about the firefighters’ pension. He said the cost of living adjustments will be made in accordance with the consumer price index of 2.44%.
Also at the meeting, council approved a certificate of appropriateness to ShellyBean’s Sweets for a sign at 62 Main St., the former location of Waffled Up.
An agreement for workers’ compensation insurance was renewed with AmTrust North America at a cost of $233,017, which is 16.73% higher than it is in the current year. The plan covers City of Bradford employees.
Council approved payment of $124,400 to Air Cleaning Systems for the city’s fire department. Much of the funds will come from a grant, while the city is responsible for a 5% match.
Also approved were the purchase of outdoor cameras and a 10-year licensing agreement for American Refining Group at the crosswalk on North Kendall Avenue. ARG will reimburse the cost.
A Main Street microgrant application was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The maximum amount available is $50,000 and the funds could be used for improvements, software upgrades or marketing and promotions. An application for funding for the Main Street facade grant program was made as well.
Council declined the sale of four properties from the tax repository, as they were beyond the scope of renovations: 402 South Ave., 418 Congress St., 67 East Ave. and 64 East Ave.
The sale of 13 properties from the repository was approved, contingent upon approval of the McKean County commissioners and Bradford City School Board. Those are as follows: 106 Rockland Ave. to Kenneth and Robyne Hadden; 62 S. Kendall Ave., to Josh Everly; 62 State, 9 Rochester, 19 Leigh and 58 State streets, 18 Blaisdell, 38 Cole and 114 South avenues, and 19 Avenue B, all to the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corp.; 86 East Ave. to Cody Lunn; 9 Harris Court to Bill and Tina Thomas; and 5 Longfellow Ave. to Randall Brummer.
Council also approved a measure that would allow the advertisement for bids for demolition of property once the proper paperwork is completed.
The next council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 26.
