Commissioners look to DCED for $161,761 for homeless costs / By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—The McKean County Commissioners voted Tuesday morning to apply for $161,761 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program.

In the enabling resolution the commissioners referred to the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) act of 2009, which authorizes the funding of programs for homeless.

On hand from the Bradford YWCA were executive secretary Stephanie Ford and homeless program coordinator Joelle Wolters. They thanked the commissioners for having partnered with the YWCA, and noted, “For 20 years the YWCA has provided resources including financial help, emergency housing and in-depth case management to our county’s residents.”

The YWCA will be responsible for providing the matching funds required by the ESG grant program.

Bids were opened for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades in the Court House. Of the two offers received, Mazza Mechanical Services, Olean, was the apparent low bidder, with a combined bid of $480,000.

The commissioners voted not to award a contract until the July 7 meeting, and to have the bid vetted by architects and the maintenance director in the meantime. Senior designer Joseph F. Wagner was on hand from R.W. Larson, architects for the project.

The HVAC work is intended to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort in the court room, and the administration and office wings of the first floor of the court house.

Liquid Fuel distribution amounts for 2014 were approved, with the amounts for the county’s 22 municipalities listed. A total of $125,000 will be doled out, based on population and miles of roads. Amounts ranged from $16,992 (Bradford City) to $1,112 (Sergeant Township).

The allotment for Port Allegany Borough is $4,732, and $9,222 will go to Liberty Township.

An offer of $250 from Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise was accepted, for purchase of the property at 315 Chase Street, Kane, from the county repository of unsold property. The sale was recommended by Angelia Tennies, tax claim director.

Commissioner chairman Joe DeMott said the building had been damaged by fire some time ago, and part of the roof is missing. The revitalization group plans to have it demolished.

A resolution adopted by the commissioners amended one that had been adopted in 1996 establishing a Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Account. It changes the Local Hazardous Chemical Fee from $50 to $75. The change had been requested by the McKean County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Another resolution adopted by the commissioners updates the rate schedule for the recovery of costs of materials and services used in the abatement of fires and hazardous materials emergency incidents.

Disposable items reimbursement charges will be 125 percent of replacement costs, according to the resolution. Fees for firefighting engines, tankers, rescue/utility units and ambulances will be $300 per hour, and the county spill containment truck fee will be $150 per hour.

A $21,373 change order, adding to the $140,864 total approved for Verizon’s replacement of some of their equipment at the 911 Center, was approved. The reason given for the increase was that more of the equipment belatedly had been found to be incompatible with the new gear. In answer to a press question, DeMott said the consultant, MCM Consulting Group, had not noticed the incompatibility initially.

The planned construction of a “self support tower” project for McKean County 911 spawned a resolution authorizing a contract with Keystone Consultants, Carnegie, for engineering, for $23,150, and another covering project management and engineering services by MCM Consulting, for $35,000.

The commissioners approved payments of $61,762 to the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) for the medical assistance transportation program as a fourth quarter advance; $6,250 to the Office of Human Services for their fourth quarter budget allotment for fiscal 2013-14; and $49,727 to the YWCA of Emergency Solutions Grant funds for the program they administer for the county, from public welfare grants money.

A tax refund was approved for Michael J. Lombardo of Grand Island, N.Y., because of a court settlement. He had paid the taxes at discount, and was found to be entitled to refunds of $22.66 from the county, $6.51 from Liberty Township and $.97 in fire protection millage.

The commissioners approved pacts with 31 service providers, as requested by the Department of Human Services.

Mike Montecalvo was appointed to the McKean County Hospital Authority for a five-year term that began June 1.

Bradford City Council member Brad Mangel spoke during the general public comments period to thank the commissioners for the county’s action to correct a 911-location error, thus making sure emergency assistance would be directed properly.