Bradford City Council on Tuesday evening approved a third change order for Bob Cummins Construction Co. for the first phase of the Callahan Park recreation improvements project.

The additional work includes completing the replacement of the entire sidewalk system on the east side of the park, which will cost an additional $74,172.40. However, this addition to the project will maximize the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant funding available to the city for the project. The additional cost will be paid with Community Development Block Grants, DCNR, city and other funding available for project costs.

The total for this contract, with the new change order, is $989,075.90.

New playground equipment has been erected, the basketball court area has been resurfaced and work is ongoing on new pickleball courts at the park.

Council also approved the demolition of three properties within the city. With funds from the McKean County American Recovery Municipal Allocation Program for costs related to demolition and restoration of blighted properties, structures located at 59 South Ave. and 92 Summer St. will be demolished.

In addition, the city accepted the quote from McKan Trucking LLC in the amount of $6,149.76 and authorized the Office of Economic and Community Development to proceed with the demolition of 9 Thompson Ave. The cost of this demo will be paid through the city’s 2022 CDBG program.

During the meeting, council approved the adoption of the Fair Housing Policy in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and other applicable Fair Housing Laws. In addition, as a recipient of federal CDBG and HOME grant funding, the City of Bradford is required to appoint a fair housing officer to assist persons who feel they have been discriminated against in housing and to oversee the city’s fair housing activities.

Elaina Lucco of the Office of Economic and Community Development was unanimously approved for appointment to the position.

The city has received funding through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability And Rehabilitation Fund (PHARE) program to address emergency repairs in the residential areas. Council voted to accept quotes for the program, noting the grant payments to homeowners and contractors will be made contingent upon the submission of the final invoice for the approved repair work, and only after a final satisfactory inspection of work and council approval. OECD is further authorized to coordinate the grant application process, evaluation of quotes and disbursement of funds to ensure efficient and timely completion of the repair projects.

A resident spoke briefly about a complaint that she had made to the state Department of Environmental Protection concerning something leaking on Leigh Street. Department of Public Works Director Chip Comilla told council, after Mayor Tom Riel asked if he was aware of the situation, that Mark Cline of Cline Oil had come and removed the pipe and addressed the issue to DEP’s satisfaction. Comilla noted that the city “bermed” the area as well. He stated that there has been runoff in this area for years and that other residents had complained of it.

CNB Bank will be upgrading the current drive-through banking equipment and was granted certificate of appropriateness, issued to the building inspector who also issued a building permit.

The project includes the demolition of the existing drive through canopy, concrete islands, banking equipment and drive-through window. The design includes constructing two free standing drive-through kiosks with canopies, installation of new banking equipment and infilling of the existing drive through window. A small canopy is to be installed over the existing ATM machine at the building that was covered by the existing drive through canopy. The design brings an updated look to the traditional drive through canopy concept but proposes to use materials and colors that complement the current aesthetic of the existing building. The Historical Architectural Board of Review has approved the construction.

Members of council approved payment to Minich Electric in the amount of $1,280 for lighting repairs on U.S. Route 219, accepted a quote from T&S Contracting in the amount of $3,870 for parking lot repairs at the Habgood Center, and approved payment in the amount of $2,500 to Hannon Engineering P.C. for engineering fees for the bidding documents for the Bolivar Run Channel Improvements.