CDBG fund use plan okayed / By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—The McKean County Commissioners adopted six formal resolutions and handled routine business at their meeting last Tuesday morning.

The heftiest resolution was Resolution 16 of 2014, titled 2014 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, prepared by the McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (MCHRA), which administers the county’s CDBG Program.

Commissioner chairman Joe DeMott termed the three-year plan “very interesting reading” and “well written.” It covers the 20 “entitlement municipalities” of the county—all the boroughs and all townships but one. Not included are Bradford City and Bradford Township.

The plan lists the CDBG funding each municipality has received, going back about 30 years. Also listed are what public safety, water, sanitation and other services are available in each municipality, and various needs seen there. Blight is a major topic.

There is also a summary that lists goals seen by MCHRA.

Resolution 17 of 2014 is the annual declaration of the county’s policy of non-discrimination in housing, in compliance with federal and state legislation.

Resolution 18 of 2014 deals with displacement. It states that the county will seek to avoid involuntary displacement of residents, in any of its programs. If unavoidable displacement should occur, the county would carry out relocation assistance.

Resolution 19 or 2014, also annual declaration, reiterates the county’s goal of .awarding to minority members and women 0.5 percent of its grant-funded contracts. The measure relates to CDBG-assisted programs and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program..

DeMott said there is no annual report that the commissioners see concerning success or failure in meeting the 0.5 percent goal.

Resolution 20 of 2014 is the McKean County 2014 HOME Grant Program. It allocates $500,000 to a homeowner rehabilitation program in Foster Township. Fourteen low-to-moderate income (LMI) homeowners will be assisted.

Emphasis will be on blighted homes along U.S. and state routes in the township. Beyond that, applicants’ income and need will be considered.

Resolution 21 of 2014 appoints 55 voting machine inspectors to serve in the November 4 general election.

911 director Andrew Johnson reported on his findings concerning the pre-qualifications packets from five firms, and the three bids for provision of the components of the towers, opened at the October 13 meeting.

Johnson announced that the pre-qualifications material submitted showed all five companies to be qualified to be considered for the construction of the new communications tower on Prospect Hill.

As for the components vendors, the apparent low bidder was offering a lighter weight material. Johnson said he and MCM Consulting are awaiting additional information as to whether the lighter weight material will be appropriate for the project.

The commissioners voted to delay the decision on the tower components bids until their next meeting, to be held Monday, November 10, and to have Johnson notify the bidders of that.

Invoices approved for payment were one from the YWCA in the amount of $9,048, an advance payment for the second quarter of fiscal 2014-15, the homeless assistance program; from the Area Transportation Authority (ATA) $148. 918 covering the same three-months; Bradford City, $16,992, paying for their completed 2014 liquid fuel program; and Eldred Township, $6,831, also for a completed 2014 project.

A county aid application from Hamilton Township was approved, allocating $2,041 to a future township project.

The commissioners also approved agreements with four service providers, at the request of the Department of Human Services.