Blair County Commissioners approve hazard-mitigation grant extension, county contracts and small housing repair payout

Blair County Commissioners on Aug. 7 approved an extension to the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and a one-year extension to the county's hazard mitigation planning contract, along with several routine county contracts and a small housing-repair payout.

The most substantive action was approval of a one-year extension for the federal fiscal year 2019 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). County staff requested the period of performance be changed from Aug. 5, 2025, to Aug. 5, 2026, and to authorize Mark Taylor to sign the grant paperwork. A county staff member explained the grant already lists Taylor as the signatory; commissioners voted to approve the extension and authorize his signature.

Commissioners also approved an amendment to a professional services agreement between the county Department of Emergency Services and the Blair County Planning Commission to extend the hazard mitigation plan contract for one year, from Aug. 5, 2025, through Aug. 6, 2026. That contract amendment was listed in the packet as related to the county's ongoing hazard mitigation planning work.

In social-services items, the board approved two fiscal-year 2025–26 purchase-of-service agreements and accompanying HIPAA business associate agreements for Blair County Children, Youth and Families (CYF): one with Dr. Terry O'Hara, PhD, and one with Professional Family Care Services Inc., both covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. County staff said Dr. O'Hara provides clinical services for the agency. Commissioners approved both agreements without additional discussion.

The board approved an Affordable Housing Trust Fund disbursement — described on the record as code-compliance repair assistance for window and siding replacement at 1006 Fifth Avenue, Altoona — not to exceed $5,000.

Separately, staff requested and the board approved submission of the 2025–26 application for the State Food Purchase Program to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The application was described as a pass-through grant for a local food program referenced in the packet.

Officials also ratified routine administrative items on the consent agenda and approved board meeting minutes for April 3, 2025. At the start of the meeting the chair announced an executive session had been held Aug. 4, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m. to discuss three open positions and other personnel topics. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for Aug. 14, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes): the board approved the April 3, 2025 meeting minutes; approved Resolution 373-2025 (ratification of listed warrants and personnel transactions) via the consent agenda; approved the FY 2025–26 purchase-of-service and HIPAA agreements with Dr. Terry O'Hara, PhD, and with Professional Family Care Services Inc.; approved the HMGP period-of-performance extension (Aug. 5, 2025 → Aug. 5, 2026) and authorized Mark Taylor to sign; approved the one-year amendment to the professional services agreement with the Blair County Planning Commission for the hazard mitigation plan; approved an Affordable Housing Trust Fund disbursement up to $5,000 for 1006 Fifth Avenue; and approved submission of the State Food Purchase Program application for 2025–26. All motions were seconded and carried on recorded voice votes of “aye.”