Residents say Point Park athletic grant and MOU surprised council; borough staff, county and university exchange accounts
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Summary
Residents at the June 2 meeting said Point Park University obtained a $225,000 grant for improvements at GreenTree Park without timely notice to borough council; council members and a county representative said they only received documentation after the award and that the borough is negotiating revisions to a proposed MOU.
Residents told GreenTree Borough Council on Monday that Point Park University’s $225,000 grant for improvements at GreenTree Park proceeded without adequate notice to the borough and without a prior council vote on an agreement.
Christine Short, a longtime resident, said she reviewed past minutes and could not find evidence the borough had been given the memorandum of understanding that accompanied Point Park’s application. "When you ask them where they got the $225,000 grant money and why you weren't notified ... we did not have the ability ... it never came to us," Short said during public comment.
Council members said they had contacted county and Point Park representatives after learning of the award; Councilmember Baron said she met with Point Park on Aug. 23 and told them she did not have authorization to apply for grant funding on the borough’s behalf. A county representative (identified in the record as Mister Deasy) said Point Park did not contact the borough before filing the application, and that the award was contingent on the project proceeding and on later council approval.
Mayor Schenck and the borough solicitor said staff had reviewed an MOU after the award and that the borough has been working with Point Park on revisions. "We made some revisions to it. Some substantial revisions to it. So we need a meeting now to get back that revisions to Point Park," the mayor said, urging a follow-up meeting so the borough can deliver a counterproposal.
Council members said they had tried to solicit Point Park’s response to borough comments before the award but did not receive it in time. Staff said some communications came to the county office and were provided to the borough only after Point Park received the grant.
No formal council action was taken on the grant or any MOU at Monday’s meeting. Council directed staff and the solicitor to continue negotiations, review the MOU language, and schedule a follow-up meeting with Point Park and county representatives so council can consider any proposed agreement and, if appropriate, vote on a contract or MOU.
