Kittanning Council Pinpoints More Road Problems
As well as discussion from borough council members, Kittanning Borough also received a complaint from a Woodward Avenue resident about the condition of Campbell Street - who said the street looked and felt like “an exploded minefield.”
by Jonathan Weaver
Discussion on Borough street conditions was held even before the public meeting, when Community Development Division Director Jennifer Bellas held a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public hearing.
The first public hearing was held to gather community input as to the needs of the local area, and how the estimated- $82,161 should be used.
“One of the national objectives of the CDBG program is the benefit of low-to-moderate income persons,” Bellas said. “For initial planning purposes, we are going to assume your 2015 year allocation is going to be that of your 2014 year allocation or slightly less.”
Borough Council members already had about 20 areas of interest on their three-year plan of projects –including renovating the Community Park playground, reconstructing several streets, sidewalks or curbs, and constructing a roof to cover the John P. Murtha Amphitheatre-
Of the estimated-$82,161, about $67,400 was available for a project last year with the remaining funds – totaling 15 percent – going toward administration fees through the County Planning and Development office.
Last year, the $82,161 went toward Borough-wide housing rehabilitation, but from 2009-2013, more than $400,000 went toward the Market Street Revitalization Project in the downtown Business District.
“Not including your 2014 project, we don’t have any open projects at this time – so we have expended everything through your 2013 year. Your 2014 contract hasn’t come through yet,” Bellas said.
“I’m hoping we get that contract in the next couple months, but I can’t guarantee that.”
Bellas received a telephone call from Councilwoman Betsy Wilt and an e-mail from Councilwoman Joie Pryde urging for reconstruction of Campbell Street – which is part of the three-year plan.
“If that’s the Borough’s wishes to use CDBG funds for Campbell, we’ll need to provide a current estimate of the income of those residents affected – we’ll need to get an accurate number of households and have to do an income survey,” Bellas said.
A Woodward Avenue resident also submitted a complaint from regarding Campbell Street - particularly that the estimated-80 potholes looked and felt like “an exploded minefield.”
After a meeting with residents in March, Councilman David Croyle also recommended adding Orchard Avenue to the list of streets to be paved. He estimated more than 10 households are affected by the poor street conditions
Another of the three-year plan items included ongoing dedication to the Market Street Revitalization Project, but Phase II funds have already been secured and the project has been bid.
A pre-construction meeting was held with the contractor June 23.
Council members approved bridge loan financing not to exceed $500,000 to cover project invoices as they are presented by contractors.
Bellas explained that the Borough must front project costs to receive multimodal reimbursement. The contract – which is in-excess of the loan – would be used as collateral.
“The multimodal funding is a reimbursement grant, meaning you would have to front those costs and wait for reimbursement from PennDOT,” Bellas said. “Past PennDOT experience says that it can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks.
“I don’t want the Borough to use General Funds, get strapped and then wait for those reimbursements.”
The bridge loan financing was unanimously approved by all council members.
Prior to the loan agreement, a special meeting will need to be held.
Because of a second public hearing tentatively scheduled for October, Borough Council members will have to select a project or projects to use the money for by a September public meeting.
All projects must be completed within three years.
Submission deadlines have not yet been announced, but Bellas assumed the application would be due in November/December.
Since 1984, Kittanning Borough has received more than $3.37 million in grant funds.
The most in a single year – more than $136,000 in 1995 – was used toward four storm sewer projects - sanitary lateral removal along Arch Street, construction along Orr Avenue, diversion along Jacob Street and rehabilitation along Walnut Street.
Kittanning Borough | jweaver July 7, 2015
2 Comments
Other Links to this Post
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
By sbmworker, July 7, 2015 @ 7:40 AM
I watched this meeting on TV last night. Let’s not forget Buzz Kline’s attack on Company 110! Buzz, you really need a life. Spending it all on attacking another FD, is really a waste. 110 is a great FD, great response, and great crew! I always thought FD’s were to work together. Obviously not the case with Kitt 4 and 6. Get over it and move on Buzz! Same goes for Kittanning Council. Giving a two week notice, really? Kudos to you Dave for objecting to this and at least saying 30 days, time for them to meet and get it put together!
By ktown_kid, July 7, 2015 @ 11:38 AM
No sense in fixing any roads in kittanning because lack of common sense due to nobody checking with public utility companies to see what their maintenance schedules are. almost every road that has been paved, has been cut on within weeks or months due to this. An emergency repair is one thing but normal maintenance is lack of common sense of the people who run this town.