Contractor Questions OECD
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
A local contractor has concerns about the way the Office of Community and Economic Development conducts business regarding home rehabilitation projects, and he brought those concerns to Bradford City Council Tuesday night.
Bob Baker of Baker General Contracting had questions about why he wasn’t getting bid announcements for projects, and also about how the projects are advertised and awarded.
The questions led to heated exchanges between Baker and OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews, and even prompted Mayor Tom Riel to bang his gavel and ask for order, and Councilman Rick Benton to scold people about being polite.
Andrews and City Solicitor Mark Hollenbeck explained that OECD is simply a conduit between the homeowners and the contractors and, therefore, the same rules that apply to bids for city-related projects do not apply to the home rehabilitation projects.
Eventually, Andrews said she would make sure bid announcements are sent to Baker, and he will be notified when the bids are opened. He also agreed to speak with Hollenbeck about questions regarding the awarding of contracts per the Third Class City Code, and why this does not apply.
Also Tuesday, council authorized the filing of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant application for improvements to the Kessel Athletic Complex. The project has already been approved by the state but, in order to receive the $2 million, the city must prepare and submit the grant application.
Council also approved a $5,000 façade improvement grant for the Bradford Area Public Library.
Work will include demolition of the existing wood-framed planter boxes, installation of PVC drainage, footers and masonry block foundation, new brick to match the existing building, matching concrete capstones, refurbishing planters and pad repairs near the entrance to the property.
The library is contributing $5,140 toward the project.
Council also agreed that a sign permit can be issued to Richard Young for Subway at 88 Main Street.
“It appears that Subway is going to open back up,” Riel said.
And, trick or treating hours have been set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 31.
That’s “half the time we were allotted when I was a kid,” Riel said.
WESB/WBRR News Director
A local contractor has concerns about the way the Office of Community and Economic Development conducts business regarding home rehabilitation projects, and he brought those concerns to Bradford City Council Tuesday night.
Bob Baker of Baker General Contracting had questions about why he wasn’t getting bid announcements for projects, and also about how the projects are advertised and awarded.
The questions led to heated exchanges between Baker and OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews, and even prompted Mayor Tom Riel to bang his gavel and ask for order, and Councilman Rick Benton to scold people about being polite.
Andrews and City Solicitor Mark Hollenbeck explained that OECD is simply a conduit between the homeowners and the contractors and, therefore, the same rules that apply to bids for city-related projects do not apply to the home rehabilitation projects.
Eventually, Andrews said she would make sure bid announcements are sent to Baker, and he will be notified when the bids are opened. He also agreed to speak with Hollenbeck about questions regarding the awarding of contracts per the Third Class City Code, and why this does not apply.
Also Tuesday, council authorized the filing of a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant application for improvements to the Kessel Athletic Complex. The project has already been approved by the state but, in order to receive the $2 million, the city must prepare and submit the grant application.
Council also approved a $5,000 façade improvement grant for the Bradford Area Public Library.
Work will include demolition of the existing wood-framed planter boxes, installation of PVC drainage, footers and masonry block foundation, new brick to match the existing building, matching concrete capstones, refurbishing planters and pad repairs near the entrance to the property.
The library is contributing $5,140 toward the project.
Council also agreed that a sign permit can be issued to Richard Young for Subway at 88 Main Street.
“It appears that Subway is going to open back up,” Riel said.
And, trick or treating hours have been set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 31.
That’s “half the time we were allotted when I was a kid,” Riel said.
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