Brenda Russell, a Pulaski County resident, told the Pulaski County Fiscal Court on Tuesday that the Somerset Pulaski County Scribe Response Fund has awarded four grants to county residents and is still accepting both applications and donations.

The fund, Russell said, was established after recent tornadoes and had initially focused on storm-related needs but has been broadened “to any type of crisis.” She said grants have paid for storage for household items during rebuilding, fencing and replacement appliances damaged by lightning. Russell said the fund is administered under the umbrella of God’s Food Pantry but maintains a separate account and doing-business-as name; checks should be made to “Somerset Pulaski County Scribe Response Fund.”

Russell also updated the court on the Oak Point Center project, a multi-year effort to renovate the former Palm Beach building. She said contractors have been hired and remediation to remove lead-based paint and asbestos will begin Sept. 22, requiring removal of the building’s many windows. Russell said remediation and window replacement are expected to take about three to four months, with renovations to follow. She added that one remaining grant is needed to complete the funding package and that separate fundraising is under way for an estimated $500,000 roof replacement.

The remarks came during the court’s newly moved public-comment period, which the presiding officer said had been advanced to avoid delaying people who had to return to work. No formal action by the court was recorded on the Scribe Response Fund or the Oak Point Center during the meeting.

Russell said the Scribe Response Fund board includes representatives from the city, the county, God’s Food Pantry and three at-large members.