FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — The Franklin City Council gave its final approval to the fiscal year (FY) 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application while also revising a portion of the FY 2016 CDBG budget.

(Photo: Venango County Public Safety Director Tim Dunkle presents Franklin mayor Doug Baker with his certification as the emergency management coordinator for the City of Franklin. Photo by Chris Rossetti)

The FY 2019 budget total is $298,505.00 with the vast majority of the funds, $210,000.00 going towards street improvement projects.

The street improvement (milling and paving) projects will include the 1300 block of Buffalo Street ($45,560.00), 14th Street between Liberty Street and Elk Street ($20,645.00), Elk Street between South Park Street and 11th Street ($40,040.00), Ninth Street between Liberty Street and Buffalo Street ($22,855.00) and Eagle Street between 12th Street and 15th Street ($77,892.00) while also including $3,008.00 for associated costs like pavement markings, etc.

Additional funding in the amount of $34,775.00 will be used for demolition and clearance projects on Erie Street (313 Erie Street and $319 Erie Street), and 18 percent of the funding or $53,730.00 will be used for administrative fees.

In addition to approving the FY 2019 CDBG application, the Council also approved a slight revision to monies for the FY 2016 CDBG program that totaled $7,880.77.

“The following budget revisions are necessary to complete the remaining project under the City’s FY 2016 CDBG program,” Shelia Boughner wrote in a memo to the Council.

Money was taken from the Franklin Avenue and Otter Street street improvement budget and from the accessibility improvements to City Hall and moved into the clearance and demolition budget.

It was $1,101.29 from the street improvement budget and $6,779.48 from the accessibility budget.

“These transfers will close out those completed street and accessibility projects and add $7,880.77 to the clearance and demolition budget, which along with FY 2018 monies will fund the two demolitions currently underway by Bert Klapec, Inc.,” Boughner wrote.

BAKER AWARDED CERTIFICATE AS LOCAL MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY COORDINATOR

Franklin Mayor Doug Baker was awarded a certificate from Tim Dunkle, Venango County Public Safety Director, for completion of his course to be Franklin’s emergency management coordinator.

Baker had to take classes in order to become certified. He received the basic certification.

LIBERTY AND 12TH STREET INTERSECTION DISCUSSED

Fire Chief Jim Wetzel, sitting in for City Manager Tracy Jamieson, during the City Manager’s report brought up the 12th and Liberty Street intersection saying PennDOT is thinking of holding a public meeting to discuss possible fixes to the intersection.

Proposals floating out there could include the loss of 15 to 32 parking spaces in the vicinity both on Liberty Street and 12th Street.

Some of the proposals include a roundabout, four lanes of traffic with signals and three lanes of traffic with signals.

The roundabout would be the most expensive of the options and would also cost 30 to 32 parking spots.

Baker said the intersection is a deceptively dangerous one.

“Losing parking spaces would be a cause of concern,” Mike Dulaney, who was recently elected a Venango County Commissioner, said.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business the council:

• Awarded the Anti-Skid material contract to Cooperstown Sand and Gravel Company in the amount of $8.75 per ton. Cooperstown Sand and Gravel was the lower of two bidders, as Hasbrouck Sand and Gravel submitted a proposal of $9.75 per ton delivered. While Franklin sought an estimate from IA Construction, it did not receive a reply from the company.
• Approved a proposal from First United National Bank for a tax anticipation note in the amount of $450,000.00 with a 1.5 percent interest rates over six months.
• Accepted a grant in the amount of $75,672.00 to replace the roof at the Franklin Public Library. The funds were made available through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education, Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The City will be required to assist the project library in administering the project and properly executing the public bidding process
• Received a letter from Dulaney stating his intentions to resign from Council effective Dec. 31, 2019, in order for him to become a Venango County Commissioner. Under the City’s Home rule charter, the Council has 45 days from his resignation to replace him or by Feb. 14, 2020. As Dulaney’s seat is an at-large seat, anyone in the City who meets the requirements for the office may apply for the seat. More details on how to apply and when the application deadline will be discussed at the Dec. 2 council meeting.