More money is coming Centre County’s way for projects in wake of the Oct. 21 flooding that devastated parts of the area.
Robert Sweitzer, manager of the Centre County Conservation District, visited the Centre County board of commissioners meeting Dec. 27 to ask for a letter of support for federal funding for emergency watershed protection projects through the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
‘(A district conservation officer) evaluated 20 sites in the county, most of them in the Bald Eagle Valley area, to see if they would be eligible for this federal assistance money,’ said Sweitzer. ‘Two sites evaluated in the Coleville area were eligible for the funding and there are three more that are still awaiting on a final determination.’
Sweitzer said those sites include two in Bush Hollow and another in Runville.
According to Sweitzer, any funds secured through the program will be used for emergency watershed protection projects, in an effort to better protect low-lying areas in heavy precipitation events.
‘We don’t have a cost estimate yet,’ he said. ‘There are three other counties involved and determinations to be made as to what areas are eligible for the funding.’
Steve Dershem, the commissioner’s representative to the conservation district, said he assumes the amount available will be around $250,000.
Sweitzer said the federal program requires matching funds; however, he said he is confident the county can raise any necessary matching money through in-kind donations or hard dollar donations.
‘This will help landowners who have had flood issues in the past,’ said Centre County Chairman Commissioner Michael Pipe. ‘The flooding was devastating and we want to help those people keep from the same thing happening again.’
Sweitzer said the soonest the county would know about how much funding will be in January. The commissioners voted unanimously to send a letter in support of the federal funds.
In other business, the commissioners:
■ Approved 2017 liquid fuels allocations, including $9,605 to Haines Township to replace signage, $59,988 to Liberty Township to pave Railroad Street, $40,000 to Potter Township to pave Tusseyville Road, $9,584 to Spring Township to pave Blackhawk Road, $17,580 to Snow Shoe Borough to pave East Olive Street, and $50,000 to State College Borough for the construction of a pedestrian island at Park Avenue and McKee Street.
■ Approved a contract renewal between the county and Sullivan’s Mini Storage for two storage units at a rate of $209 per month per unit. The year-long contract total is $5,016.
■ Approved a contract renewal between the county and Automated Record Centre Inc. for storage, retrieval and disposal of county records. The contract total is $70,000 per year.
■ Approved a grant agreement between the county and the state Housing Finance Agency to provide rental assistance for families living in impacted areas and whose gross monthly income is between 176 percent and 200 percent of federal poverty income guidelines. The grant total is $60,000.
■ Authorized submission of the 2016 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement and Realty Transfer Tax Grant Application in support of expanding the existing Homemaker program for low-income individuals ages 18 to 59 in the county. The program will be implemented July 2017 through June 2018.
■ Renewed a grant application between the county and the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Centre County. The grant total is $120,570.
■ Approved a contract between the county and Stephanie VanHorn, Justin Miller, Charles Kroboth, Ron McGlaughlin, Steve Tialonas and Daniel McKendrick for court-appointed counsel at a contract total of $18,750 for each individual.
■ Approved an in-kind agreement between the county and Penn State Psychological Clinic for consultation services with Dr. Michael Wolff and staff. The purpose of this contract is to provide psychological consultation services for the professional staff at the Centre County Correctional Facility, as well as those incarcerated at CCCF. The cost for three hours per week for 45 weeks is $14,850 (in-kind) through the end of the year.
■ Approved an agreement between the county and the Student Restorative Justice Initiative projects. SRJI would like to participate in a two-fold project with CCCF, including a picture display in connection with Martin Luther King Day and a tour and meet-and-greet with a justice-involved person currently within the facility.
■ Approved an in-kind purchase of a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu sedan from Penn State University. The vehicle has 55,418 miles and will replace a probation department vehicle. The total cost is $9,130 inclusive.
■ Announced all Centre County government offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 2, in recognition of the New Year’s holiday.
