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Finance Committee reviews $4M water-line bid, bridge rebid and multiple grant applications
Summary
At its March 9 meeting the Lancaster Finance Committee discussed a $4 million federal grant request for a water-line loop, a rebid for the 6th Avenue bridge with an increased engineer estimate of $2.55 million, and a suite of smaller grant applications for safety, accessibility and park restoration; no final votes were recorded in the minutes.
The Lancaster Finance Committee on March 9 reviewed several infrastructure and funding proposals, including a $4 million federal grant application to complete a water-line loop along State Route 188 toward Pleasantville and a re-advertisement for bids on the 6th Avenue bridge replacement.
SSD Woody told the committee the water-line project and accompanying $4 million grant request, routed through Congressman Balderson’s office, currently has no other identified funding source and would not move forward without the award. Mr. Carr said the bridge rebid followed a first solicitation that produced a single bid more than 20% above the engineer’s estimate; City Engineer Shonk said the engineer’s estimate was raised from $2.4 million to $2.55 million to attract qualifying bidders.
Committee members also discussed a proposed USDOT grant application described by Mr. Bizjak that would fund intersection devices designed to stop traffic briefly to allow emergency vehicles to clear intersections; Chief Schultz answered questions about outfitting both Lancaster Police Department and Lancaster Fire Department vehicles and confirmed the total grant request is $800,000 with no local match.
SSD Woody outlined two additional grant applications: a $500,000 Capital Budget grant for restoration work on the Rising Park Shelter House, and a $10,000 AARP grant to purchase portable handicapped ramps for local businesses lacking accessible entrances. Mr. Carr and others asked for design plans and additional cost details during the Arbor Valley Drive funding discussion, where Mr. Carr said Lancaster City Schools would contribute toward the Arbor Valley Drive improvement project and LDOT Superintendent Deitz provided additional design and pedestrian-safety information.
Law Director Hall briefed the committee on two ordinance items: Temp Ordinance #5-26 to add a temporary assistant prosecutor position to allow hiring and training while existing staff take semi-retirement and extended FMLA leave, and Temp Ordinance #6-26 to amend a lease with Park National Bank for city-owned property at Memorial Drive and Edgewood Avenue.
Stephanie Bosco announced that Casto received a $1 million state housing grant award, part of a new Department of Development program, and SSD Woody noted a Red Cross blood drive at City Hall the following day. The minutes record that the committee adjourned at 6:32 p.m.; a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Ailes and seconded by Mr. Sollie. The minutes do not record votes on the resolutions or ordinances discussed; next steps will depend on grant outcomes and subsequent council action.
