Several Bradford residents were in the gallery of Tuesday’s meeting of the Bradford City Council mainly to discuss three topics — the dedication of Elm Street Bridge to a deceased local veteran, the actions of a resident on Abbott Road and council members’ potential participation in local grassroots group, Save Bradford Hospital.

First to address the council was Bradford resident Ken DuBois, who presented a letter to each council member and secretary, to seek assistance with design and placement of sign brackets. The funds for the signs to memorialize the Elm Street Bridge in honor of fallen soldier James Keith Oxley, who lost his life during the battle of Quang Tri Province during the Vietnam War, have already been backed by the Veterans of Foreign Affairs Post 212 and the Bradford American Legion Post 108. Councilman Tom Riel, who led the Tuesday meeting in the excused absence of Mayor James McDonald, relayed to DuBois the council would take the request under advisement and respond once all council members have had the opportunity to review the request.

Next to the podium was Abbott Road resident Michelle Cleveland who presented a petition signed by neighborhood residents concerning a neighbor with alleged vulgar signs in her yard.

“We would like someone to do something if they can,” Cleveland said as she handed the petition to council members. “We have nine kids under 15 on that block alone and there is a bus stop right there in front of her house, so someone might want to alert the school district to expect in the next couple weeks when that bus drops off its elementary kids to maybe have an explanation ready for what (expletive) means, when the kids come home to ask.”

City Administrator Chris Lucco explained that city hall and city police have been keeping a close eye on the situation and although members of the city sympathize, there is no more legal action that can be taken at this point in time.

“I would like to assure you that up to this point, we have done everything within our legal ability to rectify the situation. Unfortunately, the United States Supreme Court dictates what people are allowed to do, more so than the city ordinance,” Lucco explained.

Last to speak in front of council during the meeting was resident Patricia Girard, who requested the additional presence and help of council members pertaining to the grassroots group called Save Bradford Hospital. She also encouraged city attorney Casey Graffius to attend the next Save the Bradford Hospital group meeting at the Bradford Library this week to answer legal questions members of the group could use assistance with.

Moving into new business, the council authorized the execution of a service agreement between the City of Bradford and the Town of Carrollton (N.Y.) Joint Fire District for acting in concert, jointly to provide pre-hospital emergency medical services to patients, with Bradford providing paramedic services when necessary and the Town of Carrollton providing basic life support care and patient transportation.

The council also approved the filing of two redevelopment assistance capital program grant applications to the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The first grant concerns the City of Bradford working with Bradford Regional Medical Center for a new roof and technological infrastructure while the second concerns the city working with Zippo Manufacturing Company’s Phase 3 Improvements to the Zippo Case Museum. Both grants sought are for $1 million, with each respective business agreeing to provide the match funding required for the grant.

The council also approved payments to Hennard Construction for roof repairs to the K9 enclosure for K-9 Duke, to Hull Electric for supplies and materials and to Blair Technology Solutions LLC for installation of a camera system for the enclosure.

A resolution was approved to exonerate the city treasurer from collecting $1,878.12 in 2022 City Property Taxes for seven tax parcels pursuant to a written request from Aug. 5, together with attached documentation from the County Assessment Office.

The next scheduled meeting of the Bradford City Council will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at City Hall on Kennedy Street.