FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — County commissioners tabled the formation of the new Venango County Economic Development Authority until their December meeting.
The decision to postpone it came because the board isn’t solidified yet, according to Commissioner Albert “Chip” Abramovic.
“We didn’t want to put the next step in until all seven board members are on there,” Abramovic said.
The authority was first proposed over the summer with the county hoping the authority will help increase economic development within the county.
“We are working to develop a unified voice in the county with the hope of bettering the county’s economics,” Abramovic said in August. “The state prefers to deal with a county-level group as opposed to several smaller ones.”
After the authority is voted on, paperwork will need to be submitted to the state, and it will be easier to do that if all seven members are appointed at the same time, according to Abramovic.
CDBG APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS APPROVED
The commissioners also approved the 2017 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application submission.
Projects included in the submission include $93,294.00 to Cranberry Township to rehabilitate houses; $90,006.00 for the Cornplanter Square Building to make it Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant; $73,861.00 to the Venango Conservation District for the building of a Environmental Education Trail at the County Park that will be ADA compliant; $58,346.00 to Sugarcreek Borough to pave Shufftsall Street; $24,900.00 to Sugarcreek Borough for various demolition of depleted properties; and $16,750.00 in Barkeyville for an ADA compliance project.
Monies spent on administration include $39,600.00 for the county, $9,249.00 for Sugarcreek Borough, and $10,366.00 for Cranberry Township, although that could go up because of the complexity of the project in Cranberry Township.
OTHER PLANNING COMMISSION RELATED BUSINESS
In other Planning Commission Related Business, the commissioners:
Approved a program income re-use plan policy. The policy is a requirement of the CDBG program when demolition work is done that could generate program income of more than $35,000.00. That income won’t be taken away from the funds if it is used for valid program activity.
Approved a Language Access Plan for the Cranberry Township rehabilitation project and appointed Erik Johnson as the Language Access Coordinator. The plan is needed because there will be some door-to-door discussions with residents, and there is the possibility that not all residents will be English proficient. The plan is a copy of the Language Access Plan used by the courts.
Approved a grant application to PennDOT in the amount of $45,000.00 with a $5,000.00 county match with, if granted, the money being used to do an Air Cargo Feasibility Study. If approved, the study would look into whether or not there is a market to turn the airport into an air cargo hub. If it is determined that there is a market, upgrades to the runway at the airport would be needed.
Approved a professional contract with Frank B. Taylor Engineering to assist the county if any county bridge needs to be fixed.
Approved a review fee reimbursement agreement with Hards Fabrication and Welding.
Approved the Fiscal Year 2018 Liquid Fuels Municipal Aid Awards
OTHER BUSINESS
In other business, the commissioners:
Acting as the Elections Board, ratified the results of last week’s election. The Election Board thanked the all poll workers and student poll workers for the time they put into the election.
Approved contracts with SealMaster Pavement Products to purchase a sealing for the airport and Equipment and Caldwell Signage Solutions to redo the sign in front of the airport.
Ratified a PennDOT Bureau of Aviation Letter for Grant Request for ARFF Rescue Equipment (fire suits for the firefighters at the airport.
Agreed to a contract with Dennis Baker Construction for snow removal.
Approved a Hazardous Materials Response Fund Grant.
Approved a MCP Contract for RCAD GIS Services.
Approved a contract with Spectrum for internet services at Judge Kirkland’s office.
Set the 2018 Commissioner Board Public Meetings and Workshops schedule and approved the 2018 Venango County Holidays schedule. Meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the courthouse annex.
Appointed Barrie Brancato to the Venango County Land Bank.
Ratified a purchase agreement with Cardiac Science, a license agreement with LegalEdge Software, and a contract with Jamestown Roofing, Inc. (to finish up the Manor roof with the money coming from UPMC to fix up the building).
Approved a contract with Comstar for telephones.
PERSONNEL TRANSACTIONS
New Hires
Shani Alcorn, Correction Officer, October 8; James Smith, Service Coordinator III PIC Unit, October 16; and Ashley Rodgers, Department Clerk III Human Services Clerical, October 16
Promotions
Kandra Hillard from Service Coordinator I in Children & Youth Services (CYS) to Service Coordinator II in CYS effective November 6
End of Probation
Mark Godfrey, Corrections Officer, October 17
Separation of Employment
Allison Harle, Assistant Public Defender, October 4; Frederic Mays, Maintenance Worker III Department of Maintenance, October 27; Le Bush, Correction Officer, October 19; Charles Donella, Corrections Monitor, November 1; Christopher Gibson, Corrections Officer, October 2; Amanda Keener, Corrections Officer, October 10; Scot Sampsell, Corrections Monitor, November 8; Justin Shears, Corrections Officer, October 13; Phillip Delay, Service Coordinator III in PIC Unit, November 17; Tiffany Morrow, Service Coordinator II in PIC Unit, November 16; and Jay Poindexter, Service Coordinator III in PIC Unit, November 1.
VOLUNTARY DEMOTION/TRANSFER
Jeremy Tidd from Service Coordinator III in PIC Unit to Aging Care Manager II in Older Adult Services effective October 16, 2017, to fill a newly created position ratified at the September Salary Board Meeting through October 27, 2017. At the completion of the two-week assignment, Tidd filled a vacancy left by a separating employee
RELATED: No Tax Increase in Venango Co. Budget; Document Available for Inspection
