Franklin public meetings in 2020

Council

City Council approved the FY-2020 Community Development Block Grant application for milling and paving projects. The body also established the 2021 meeting schedule and discussed potential capital projects for year-end funds.

• Approved $304,077 for CDBG projects including paving on Buffalo, 14th, Elk, Ninth, Otter, 13th, and 15th Streets
• Established 2021 meeting dates for the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. (with exceptions for July, September, and November)
• Discussed potential funding for parking meters, City Hall upgrades, salt bin repairs, and Riverfront Park courts
• Reported that 13 vacant lots acquired through demolition are out for bid until Oct. 21

City Council

The City Council held the final public hearing on the FY-2020 CDBG program, which allocates $304,077 for street improvements. The proposed uses include milling and paving on seven streets, associated curb ramps, and administration costs. No public or council comments were made, and the hearing was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

• Held final public hearing on FY-2020 CDBG allocation of $304,077
• Proposed $236,393 for milling and paving on seven streets
• Proposed $12,000 for associated curb ramps (if funding permits)
• Proposed $951 for delivery costs
• Proposed $54,733 for administration (18%)
• No public comments received
• No council comments received
• Hearing adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

City Council

The City Council will meet to discuss the 2021 budget and the tentative approval of FY-20 CDBG projects. The body will also address municipal obligations and local event scheduling.

• Tentative approval of FY-20 CDBG Projects
• 2021 Minimum Municipal Obligation
• 2021 Budget Discussion
• Halloween Trick or Treat Hours
• Park and Parade Assembly Requests

The council tentatively approved using all FY-2020 CDBG project funds ($249,344) for street milling and paving on seven streets, with a final public hearing set for Oct. 5, 2020. It also approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Wesleyan Methodist Church parsonage, set Trick or Treat hours, approved park event requests, and authorized purchase of two solar radar speed signs. All votes were unanimous.

• Tentatively approved FY-2020 CDBG street improvements for seven streets (unanimous)
• Set final CDBG public hearing for Oct. 5, 2020 at 7 p.m. (unanimous)
• Issued Certificate of Appropriateness for 1333 Buffalo St. parsonage with HARB stipulation (unanimous)
• Approved Trick or Treat hours 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 (unanimous)
• Approved Franklin Fine Arts Council drive-thru trick-or-treat Oct. 31 (unanimous)
• Approved Barrow-Civic Theatre Christmas tree event with regular fees (unanimous)
• Approved Franklin On Ice Weekend Feb. 5, 2021 (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of two solar radar speed signs for $5,839 (unanimous)

Special Council

The Franklin City Council awarded the CDBG Street Improvements Project bid to IA Construction Corp. for $103,423.35, covering the 1200, 1300, and 1400 blocks of Otter Street. The motion passed unanimously. The bid is unit-priced, so the final amount may vary, with $115,000 available in funding.

• Awarded CDBG Street Improvements Project bid to IA Construction Corp. for $103,423.35 (unanimous)
• Noted two bids received: IA Construction ($103,423.35) and Glenn O. Hawbaker ($125,389.20)

City Council

City Council will conduct a final public hearing regarding the CDBG-CV Program. The body will also consider the approval of the CDBG-CV application submission.

• CDBG-CV Program Final Public Hearing
• Approval of CDBG-CV Application Submission
• Certificates of Appropriateness
• Parade and Park Requests

The council unanimously approved the FY-2020 Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) application, totaling $193,732, for submission. It also approved a $96,127 addition to the Professional Building facade project, two change orders for the Buffalo Street bus shelter project, and a special meeting for Aug. 24 to award a paving contract. The meeting included several other routine approvals and reports.

• Approved FY-2020 CDBG-CV application totaling $193,732 (unanimous)
• Approved $96,127 addition to Professional Building facade project by Whalen Contracting (unanimous)
• Approved two change orders for Buffalo Street bus shelter project, pending DCED approval (unanimous)
• Approved straight paving for Otter Street blocks without speed humps, with rubber hump reinstallation (unanimous)
• Scheduled special meeting for Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. to award paving contract (unanimous)
• Approved Certificate of Appropriateness for porch decking at 1440 Elk St. (unanimous)
• Approved Franklin Alliance Church baptismal service at Riverfront Park on Aug. 16 (unanimous)
• Approved agenda, minutes, and bills as presented (unanimous)

Meeting

The General Authority of the City of Franklin is meeting to discuss water and sewer operations. The body will review project closeouts and specific property requests. Reports include updates on the 9" St. WTP Roof and PennVEST application materials.

• Miller Hill Transmission Project Change Order #1 (+$15,419) and closeout
• Waterline Replacement Project Change Order #2 (-$85,830) and closeout
• Request to purchase 462 Wendy Way
• 858 Elk Street request
• PennVEST Application Materials for 864-15" St. CSO Project

City Council

The Franklin City Council will discuss preferred options for the 12th & Liberty St. intersection study. The body is also considering a bid award for the Bus Shelter and Pedestrian Access Project and a resolution for a Blight Remediation Grant.

• 12th & Liberty St. Intersection Study preferred options
• Bid award for Bus Shelter and Pedestrian Access Project
• Blight Remediation Grant authorizing resolution
• Trails to Ales request for sidewalk tables
• Request to place items on Municibid

Council endorsed the preferred options for the 12th & Liberty Street intersection study, which include a three-lane realignment to the south, one-way 12th Street between Liberty and Buffalo, and bike lanes. Council also awarded a $103,743 bid to GEM BLDG. Contractors & Development, Inc. for the Bus Shelter & Pedestrian Access Project, and approved a request from Trails to Ales for sidewalk tables with temporary alcohol consumption permission.

• Endorsed preferred 12th & Liberty intersection options (three-lane realignment south, one-way 12th St., bike lanes)
• Awarded $103,743 bus shelter bid to GEM BLDG. Contractors & Development, Inc. (unanimous)
• Approved Trails to Ales request for six sidewalk tables with temporary alcohol consumption (unanimous)
• Issued Certificates of Appropriateness for 117 Feldman Way, 1247 Liberty St., 416 15th St., 312 10th St. (unanimous)
• Approved sign at 1243 Liberty St., denied awning (unanimous)
• Authorized blight remediation grant application (up to $300,000) (unanimous)
• Approved three park use requests (Hometown Pride Showcase, Polk Center Strong rally, Recovery Celebration) (unanimous)
• Approved placing police vehicle items on Municibid (unanimous)

Meeting

The General Authority of the City of Franklin is reviewing operational reports for water and sewer projects. The body will consider a proposal for USG Interceptor cleaning and televising.

• 9th St. Clearwell repair and cleaning
• Uniontown Heights water meter
• 2nd Avenue road repairs and water line replacement
• USG Interceptor cleaning/televising proposal

Council

The City conducted a preliminary public hearing regarding the 2020 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the CDBG-CV CARES Act Program. The body discussed fund allocations and eligibility requirements for projects benefiting low-to-moderate income persons and pandemic response. Written comments will be accepted through June 18, 2020.

• 2020 CDBG allocation of $304,077
• CDBG-CV CARES Act allocation of $193,732
• CDBG-CV spending areas: quarantine/testing/treatment facilities, business assistance, and public services
• Final CDBG-CV public hearing planned for July 6, 2020
• Final 2020 CDBG program hearing planned for October 5, 2020

Meeting

The General Authority will meet to receive operational, project, and financial reports regarding the city's water and sewer systems. The meeting includes updates from staff and consultants Al Wodzianski and Kyle Fritz.

• Water operation and project reports
• Sewer operation and project reports
• Water and sewer financial reports

Council

City Council met via video conference to manage COVID-19 impacts, including budget reports and the cancellation of several public events. The body also approved requests for school banners and a summer meal program for children.

• Cancelled Memorial Day Parade, Flag Day Parade, July 4th events, and Movies in the Park through July
• Approved $193,732 in COVID-related Community Development Block Grant funds for public services and businesses
• Authorized meal pick-ups by Venango County Human Services at Atlantic Avenue, Third Street, and Riverfront Park
• Approved certificates of appropriateness for a fence and deck at 1102 Elk Street
• Permitted Franklin High School banners on bridges at Eighth Street, Allegheny Boulevard, and 13th Street

Council

City Council discussed financial measures to address revenue shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including staff layoffs and loan payment extensions. The body also approved several park requests and a land easement for a sewer project.

• Halted paving of 200 Block of Elk Street and 1200 Block of Buffalo Street to redirect $100,000 in Liquid Fuels funds
• Authorized potential extension of a $450,000 tax anticipation note payment to December 31, 2020
• Assigned easement rights on four properties to Franklin General Authority for the Chub Run Project on 15th Street
• Awarded a $500 bid to Mark Kolmetz for a used Street Department roller
• Approved multiple event requests for Bandstand Park, Riverfront Park, and local playgrounds

Council

City Council approved a Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note and a grant for the restoration of the Old Lutheran Church. The body also discussed traffic calming measures and scheduled interviews to fill a vacant council seat.

• Approved a $450,000 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note from First United National Bank at 1.5% interest
• $5,000 Historic Building Preservation Program grant for the Old Lutheran Church at 1101 Buffalo Street
• Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign at 1318 Liberty Street
• Ratified a $7,100.11 budget transfer for demolitions at 327 Pacific Street and 207 Liberty Street
• Approved a new agreement with IBEW for 2020-2023