Blair County commissioners approve consent agenda, extend hazardous‑materials grant and sign multiple contracts

Blair County commissioners on Thursday approved a sweeping consent agenda and a series of contracts and grant actions, including an extension of the county's hazardous‑materials grant performance period and authorization to enter service agreements for records shredding, appraisals related to a sanitary‑sewer extension, a dam emergency action plan and county health‑care services.

The meeting, called to order at 10:02 a.m. by the Chair, began with routine procedural business and a consent agenda presented by county staff. The consent items included Resolution 103 of 2026, ratification of eight warrants, a budget transfer to cover MDJ D'Antonio and $500 for maintenance of county vehicles, and a letter of support to Congressman John Joyce for Hollidaysburg's application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund for the Allegheny Street storm‑sewer project. The board approved the consent agenda; one abstention was recorded on the payment to Blair Senior Services while the remainder passed.

Why it matters: The consent agenda packages routine but sometimes sizable expenditures and grant‑related actions that enable continuing projects, including stormwater and bridge work reimbursed largely from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund.

Major votes at a glance

- Hazardous‑Materials Response Fund (HMRF) extension: The board approved a no‑cost period‑of‑performance extension for the HMRF grant (Resolution 250 of 2025) between the County of Blair (on behalf of the Department of Emergency Services) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, extending the period to July 1, 2024–Dec. 31, 2026 to complete projects delayed by a government shutdown. Chris Redrickson, who presented the request, said the extension "allows us to finish projects that we couldn't do because of the government shutdown." The motion passed by voice vote.

- 2025 HMERP annual report/ESA entry: Commissioners approved entering the 2025 hazardous‑materials preparedness report (HMERP) into the state's Electronic Single Application (ESA); staff explained the ESA is the state's portal for grant applications. The entry serves as the HMRF grant application for July 2026–June 2027.

- Records management contract: The board authorized a one‑year, on‑call shredding agreement with Bergmeier Hauling Inc. (Bergmeier Shredding) for 03/01/2026–02/28/2027 at a $275 minimum charge, $0.40 per pound thereafter and a $68 service fee.

- Opioid trust report: Social services staff were authorized to submit the county participating subdivision report for 07/01/2025–12/31/2025 to the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust; staff said the report was largely status quo with committed and expended funds noted.

- Appraisal services for Reservoir Road sanitary sewer: Commissioners approved a master service agreement with Century Engineering LLC to provide appraisal and review appraisal services for two property acquisitions tied to the Reservoir Road sanitary‑sewer extension in Blair Township, estimated at about $5,001.29. Commissioners asked that only certified appraisers perform the work; staff confirmed Century has Pennsylvania‑certified appraisers on staff and noted the firm was recommended by PennDOT.

- Lakemont Park Dam emergency action plan: The board approved a $2,500 proposal with Gwynne Dobson and Foreman Inc. to prepare and submit an updated Lakemont Park Dam Emergency Action Plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection by Dec. 31, 2026.

- Health‑care services agreement: Commissioners approved a health‑care services agreement with Gloria Gates Care Center for Health LLC for an initial term of Dec. 1, 2025–March 31, 2027, with automatic annual renewal. Commissioner 2 asked whether the contractor would consider a non‑automatic renewal; staff replied auto‑renewal is used to avoid lapses in coverage and that alternatives were still being explored. Staff also said the contract contains an exit clause (30‑day notice).

- Audit engagement letter: The board signed the engagement/governance letter for the 2025 audit with the county's existing audit firm; commissioners noted the county limits auditors to six years and will issue an RFP after the 2027 audit.

Questions and clarifications raised

Commissioners pressed staff on two recurring operational issues. One commissioner asked whether appraisers for the Reservoir Road acquisitons were properly certified; staff responded that Century Engineering has Pennsylvania‑certified appraisers who will perform the work. On the health‑care services agreement, Commissioner 2 asked, "Did we ask if they would consider not auto‑renewing it?" Staff said alternatives are under review but that auto‑renewal is typical for medical contracts to prevent coverage gaps, and noted a 30‑day exit provision.

What happens next

All approved items will proceed to implementation per the terms discussed; the next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the same room. No agenda items were tabled for future action.

Quotes

"That just allows us to finish projects that we couldn't do because of the government shutdown," said Chris Redrickson, presenting the hazardous‑materials grant extension.

"Did we ask if they would consider not auto renewing it?" asked Commissioner 2 about the health‑care services agreement. Staff said alternatives are being explored and that the contract includes a 30‑day exit.

(Reporting based on the Blair County Board of Commissioners meeting transcript of March 5, 2026.)