In follow up to a public hearing held earlier this month, Tyrone Borough Council has weighed in on how the municipality should use its 2005 Pennsylvania entitlement Community Development Block Grant funds.
The council discussed the expected $127,499 allocation at its Monday meeting, according to Finance Director Phyllis Garhart. After an initial public hearing on Feb. 4, Garhart said she would discuss the allocation of funds with Tyrone’s interim borough manager Sharon Dannaway, but it was ultimately up to borough council to decide what activities should be included in the borough’s application.
Yesterday, Garhart said the council has decided to take the bulk of the funding, $105,889, and use it for Reservoir Park under the public facility improvement category.
Garhart said some of the projects at the park could include improvements to the park pavilions to bring them into compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. The work would include replacing some of the tables and allowing ADA accessibility. Garhart also said projects could include the replacement of older playground equipment, wheelchair access leading to the restrooms and paving.
Garhart said the park project is considered a borough-wide benefit under the CDBG regulations.
She also noted council is expected to allocated $5,610 to Altoona Blair County Development Corporation for efforts associated with the I-99 Enterprise Zone. The borough typically makes such an allocation each year, although in past years the amount has been in the $6,000 range. Garhart also said $16,000 would be set aside to cover the costs of administration.
A second hearing will be held to detail the planned activities and funding levels. It is scheduled for March 2 at 4 p.m. at the municipal building. Garhart said council would likely take action at its March 14 meeting. The deadline for submitting the application to the Department of Community and Economic Development is April 8.
In other action on Monday night, council agreed to waive an eating and drinking license for the Tyrone Community Partnership after a request was made by its president, Ray Liddick, Jr. The request came after a recent inspection was conducted by code officer Tom Lang at the Partnership’s Tyrone Social Center.
Council also re-appointed Tom Riley to the Borough’s Zoning Hearing Board for term which runs through Dec. 31, 2007.
