Two blighted homes in Bradford City will be coming down.
Bradford City Council accepted bids at Tuesday’s meeting to demolish two properties: 24 Rochester St., which was deemed a public nuisance in July, and 1 Leigh St., which was deemed a public nuisance in October.
Earth-Works submitted the low bid of $2,960 to demolish 1 Leigh St. and take the debris to the McKean County Landfill; 6-V submitted the low bid of $4,870 to demolish 24 Rochester St. and take the debris to the landfill. The cost of the projects is paid through the city’s 2016 Community Development Block Grant program.
Council also passed on the second — and final — reading an amendment to an ordinance that increases ambulance service fees.
The all-inclusive Basic Life Support rate will be raised from $550 to $850, the all-inclusive rate for Advanced Life Support 1 will be raised from $700 to $1,100, and the all-inclusive rate for Advanced Life Support 2 will be raised from $900 to $1,350. Patients will pay an additional fee of $25 per mile, an increase from $12 per mile.
The all-inclusive rate for paramedic intercept services is set to increase from $475 to $575. The cost for motor vehicle accident or non-MVA dispatches with evaluation and possible treatment — currently $300 — and MVA or non-MVA dispatches with evaluation and administrations of drugs/oxygen — currently $350 — are set to be raised to $400 each.
Also at the meeting, council authorized the local Office of Economic and Community Development to apply for $1 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds to help with capital improvements at Bradford Regional Medical Center. The Bradford Hospital Foundation will provide matching funds required for the grant.
Council did not discuss what kind of capital improvements for which the funding is to be used.
They also approved quotes for a three-year tax-exempt lease agreement purchase of a 2018 four-wheel drive Ford Explorer Medic 1 vehicle. The city will purchase the vehicle for $28,470 from Tri-Star Ford and lights and equipment for the vehicle for $5,097.40 from Team Force Inc.
In other business, Dennis Morrisroe was appointed for a five-year term to the Bradford District Flood Control Authority.
Council held an executive session regarding personnel matters prior to the regular meeting.
The next regular meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 in city council chambers.
