City Looking Beyond 'Band-Aid Approach'
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford City Council has decided the “Band-Aid approach” to making necessary capital improvements isn’t working, so they are taking a new approach.
Council approved on first reading Tuesday a bond issue that would go toward a street restoration project, replacement of the floor at the Callahan Ice Rink and improvements to several buildings including the city fire station.*
City Clerk John Peterson explained that new borrowing would be $5.025 million, but the ordinance as it reads right now also includes refinancing of the city’s 2008 bonds, which brings the number up to $7.4 million. He said they won’t know until the next meeting whether the refinancing is feasible.
“It will depend on the bond market at that time (of the next meeting) if refinancing our 2008 bonds is feasible,” Peterson said.
He added that the city is looking at other funding opportunities for the projects listed in the ordinance. He explained, for example, that if they get a donation to replace the ice rink floor, the money allocated for that could go to another capital improvement project.
The measure would raise the millage by less than two mils, but would not necessarily mean a tax increase.
Mayor Tom Riel said the city is “pursuing many, many other avenues to increase revenues.”
Peterson added that the last capital improvement project undertaken by the city was after the last flood.
“Nobody complained (about) where their tax dollars were going because they were seeing it every single day,” Peterson said, adding that he applauds city council for looking into this option for improvements.
“You can put Band-Aids on stuff only so long,” he said.
Other improvements in the city are much closer to fruition.
Council on Tuesday approved one EDU from the city’s allotment for sewer line hookups for interior renovations at VFW Post 212 on Barbour Street for the construction of banquet facilities and restrooms. Council also approved four EDUs for expansion at Kelly’s Restaurant on Main Street. Owner Kelly Martin plans to expand her business. The state Department of Environmental Protection has granted the EDU requests because the projects qualify as revitalization.
Council also approved a Revolving Loan agreement for $25,000 with the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation to buy digital equipment for the second theater at the Main Street Moviehouse. The interest rate is 2 percent for a term of five years.
Also Tuesday, council authorized the Office of Community and Economic Development to advertise for bids for the construction of the Pine Street Pedestrian Bridge and Trailhead. Related to another improvement in the same neighborhood, council authorized a building permit for the painting of a mural on the rear of 20 Mechanic Street, which is owned by Joe Frombach. The mural will depict the four seasons and tie into the trail system once it’s completed.
And, council authorized the execution of a Community Tour Book Agreement between the city and CGI Communications, which will be made available on www.bradfordpa.com
*NOTE: "Exhibit A" of the bond issue ordinance breaks down the funding as:
~~Street Restoration Projects: $2 million
~~Ice Skating Rink Floor Replacement: $1.3 million
~~New Pumper for the fire department: $575,000
~~New Ambulance: $150,000
~~Capital Improvements to Municipal Buildings (fire station, city hall, DPW complex, and/or parks buildings): $1 million
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...
since 1947
WESB/WBRR News Director
Bradford City Council has decided the “Band-Aid approach” to making necessary capital improvements isn’t working, so they are taking a new approach.
Council approved on first reading Tuesday a bond issue that would go toward a street restoration project, replacement of the floor at the Callahan Ice Rink and improvements to several buildings including the city fire station.*
City Clerk John Peterson explained that new borrowing would be $5.025 million, but the ordinance as it reads right now also includes refinancing of the city’s 2008 bonds, which brings the number up to $7.4 million. He said they won’t know until the next meeting whether the refinancing is feasible.
“It will depend on the bond market at that time (of the next meeting) if refinancing our 2008 bonds is feasible,” Peterson said.
He added that the city is looking at other funding opportunities for the projects listed in the ordinance. He explained, for example, that if they get a donation to replace the ice rink floor, the money allocated for that could go to another capital improvement project.
The measure would raise the millage by less than two mils, but would not necessarily mean a tax increase.
Mayor Tom Riel said the city is “pursuing many, many other avenues to increase revenues.”
Peterson added that the last capital improvement project undertaken by the city was after the last flood.
“Nobody complained (about) where their tax dollars were going because they were seeing it every single day,” Peterson said, adding that he applauds city council for looking into this option for improvements.
“You can put Band-Aids on stuff only so long,” he said.
Other improvements in the city are much closer to fruition.
Council on Tuesday approved one EDU from the city’s allotment for sewer line hookups for interior renovations at VFW Post 212 on Barbour Street for the construction of banquet facilities and restrooms. Council also approved four EDUs for expansion at Kelly’s Restaurant on Main Street. Owner Kelly Martin plans to expand her business. The state Department of Environmental Protection has granted the EDU requests because the projects qualify as revitalization.
Council also approved a Revolving Loan agreement for $25,000 with the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation to buy digital equipment for the second theater at the Main Street Moviehouse. The interest rate is 2 percent for a term of five years.
Also Tuesday, council authorized the Office of Community and Economic Development to advertise for bids for the construction of the Pine Street Pedestrian Bridge and Trailhead. Related to another improvement in the same neighborhood, council authorized a building permit for the painting of a mural on the rear of 20 Mechanic Street, which is owned by Joe Frombach. The mural will depict the four seasons and tie into the trail system once it’s completed.
And, council authorized the execution of a Community Tour Book Agreement between the city and CGI Communications, which will be made available on www.bradfordpa.com
*NOTE: "Exhibit A" of the bond issue ordinance breaks down the funding as:
~~Street Restoration Projects: $2 million
~~Ice Skating Rink Floor Replacement: $1.3 million
~~New Pumper for the fire department: $575,000
~~New Ambulance: $150,000
~~Capital Improvements to Municipal Buildings (fire station, city hall, DPW complex, and/or parks buildings): $1 million
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...since 1947
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