By DANIELLA LANGIANESE
Star News Staff Reporter
It was a busy meeting for the Bradford City Council on Tuesday night; with multiple motions to appoint interim positions, accepting resignations, authorizing the applications for multiple grants, city repairs and the appointment of a new Bradford City firefighter.
The City Council passed an ordinance ending the requirement for property sale inspections in the City of Bradford.
Reil commented that most individuals who are purchasing a home would already have their own property inspection completed before purchase. Riel noted that within a month or two portions of this ordinance may be re-enacted to address homes bought through tax sales or out of the county tax repository.
The Council approved a motion to appoint Pat Shannon as the interim director of Public Works, replacing Chip Comilla. Additionally, Pat Goff was named as the interim Parks Director, also replacing Comilla.
The council accepted the resignation of Bradford City Police Department patrol officer Mitch Hayden, effective May 29.
City Administrator Eric Taylor appointed Austin Coleman as a full-time firefighter and EMT — As Coleman shook Taylor’s hand the crowd gave Taylor a round of applause.
The council also approved motions for a number of grants:
● Authorizing the filing of a greenways, trails and recreation program grant in the amount of $150,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for the phase two improvements at Callahan Park.
● Authorizing the filing of two grant applications, not to exceed $10,000, for the McKean County Act 152 Demolition Funds for blighted properties; the city will match 25 percent of the total demolition cost.
● An application was filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $475,000 HOME Program grant to aid in the undertaking of housing rehabilitation activities for qualified homeowners within Bradford’s Third Ward.
● Council applied for a $100,000 grant from the McKean County Recovery Grant program to the McKean County Commissioners for the second phase of improvements at Callahan Park.
● On April 25, the Bradford City Council received approval of a $309,092 Community Development Block Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
In other news, officers of the City of Bradford approved the execution of a lease agreement with Brian Volpe, DMD for the rental of fourth-floor office space in the Old City Hall building.
Additionally, the Council approved lease agreements with Servco Services Inc. and Tricia Zurat in the Robert P. Habgood Jr. Business Development Center.
The City approved to I.D. Booth’s proposal for renovations to the rental property at 160 Elm Street, apartment 6 in the amount of $1,651.95 for bathroom upgrades as well as a payment in the amount of $3,300 from the Chestnut MTC account to Earth-Works for repairs to the Chestnut Street parking lots, on both ends of the building.
In addition, payments were approved to Bradford Fairway Ford for police vehicle repair; to ESI, Inc. for a service agreement with the Bradford City Fire Department; to the Pennsylvania State Police for computer alert support; to Environmental Consultants & Affiliates Network LLC for Lead Paint Renovator training; to ABM Facility Support Services LLC in the amount of $29,860 for a contractual breakage fee.
A quote in the amount of $5,454.54 from TV Services was accepted and approved to demolish 91 High Street, as it has been deemed beyond economical repair. The cost of this demolition will be paid through Act 52 funds.
The board approved special event waiver for this year’s Festa Italiana, scheduled on August 8, 9 and 10, from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Festival Way with the following conditions; alcoholic beverages are limited to beer and malt beverages, all alcoholic beverages must be served in plastic containers, and no glasses, glass bottles or cans will be permitted outside of licensed establishments.
The next City of Bradford Council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11 at City Hall.
