Uniontown identifies priorities to target with 2017 CDBG funding
Several members of city council discussed their thoughts on how the city’s allocated 2017 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding with the city redevelopment authority’s executive director before and during the authority’s regular meeting last week, tentatively deciding on estimated allotments for their city priorities.
Mayor Bernie Kasievich and council members Jared Billy and Ron Metros reported to authority Executive Director Mark Rafail what they’d like to see the city do with the $221,084 available in federally funded CDBG monies.
The three councilmen present agreed to allot about $36,000 for a breathing apparatus compressed air pump for the city fire department, roughly $100,000 for home rehabilitations, about $50,000 for Bailey Park and $35,000 (or whatever amount remains) for streets-related expenses.
“I’d say that sounds pretty reasonable,” Metros said.
“Next year, I want to see you guys develop, I want to see you do some home rehabs,” Billy said. “Anything else is just cream. The breathing apparatus, that’s knocked out of the way.”
Terms on council for both Billy and Metros are set to expire at the end of the year.
The authority held a public hearing on Sept. 27 to receive input for CDBG funding. Council is slated to approve the city’s CDBG application at its regular meeting on Wed., Nov. 1. The deadline for submission was originally Nov. 3 but was extended to Dec. 8.