Elk Co. Commissioners approve rebidding of Johnsonburg Borough project
RIDGWAY - At their meeting on March 21, the Elk County Commissioners revisited bids for the Second Avenue parking lot paving project in Johnsonburg that were tabled at the March 7 meeting.
According to Ryan Miller, ARS Engineering representative, “Unfortunately, we came across what I’ll call an anomaly on two of the three bidders. After consulting with the planning office and also reaching out to the county solicitor and in consultation with the borough, the borough has requested that the commissioners reject those bids that were received. We determined there was some miscommunication in an addendum that was sent out before the bids. In fairness to all, our plan is to immediately rebid this project, with bids to be opened at the April 4 commissioners meeting.”
Concerning the storm sewer project on Harrison Avenue in Johnsonburg, Miller commented, “The apparent low bidder was significantly less than the next low bidder, so we reached out to them. We were informed that a clerical error had been made on their part.” The low bidder then withdrew his bid, and Miller requested that the commissioners award the bid for that project to St. Marys Paving in the amount of $105,994. The request was unanimously approved.
A resolution recognizing the value of 4-H clubs was approved. Natalie Aiello, 4-H educator for the Elk and Cameron counties Penn State Cooperative Extension introduced recently hired Brandy Hollobaugh, who is the organizational leader for 4-H Stride for Stride Saddle Club. According to their website, Elk County 4-H clubs offer “educational programs in animal science, shooting sports, and arts and crafts. Our horse clubs offer opportunities for kids of all skill levels and interests. The 4-H members learn leadership, teamwork, and citizenship. We provide the best hands-on experience in the county with agricultural education.”
The resolution reads in part, “Whereas 4-H has helped 1,825 youth in Elk County to become confident, independent, resilient, and compassionate leaders as they learn by doing, we do hereby proclaim Mar. 13 to 19, 2024 as Pennsylvania 4-H week.”
Kara Dornish, an Elk County native and executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation, gave a presentation via Zoom to raise awareness of inheritable bleeding disorders.
According to Dornish the organization provides education, support groups, and assistance with medical bills along with transportation to and from treatment facilities. Each year, the foundation celebrates March as bleeding disorders awareness month to bring muchneeded attention to inheritable blood and bleeding disorders.
“This month really shines a light on patients and families who have hemophilia, rare factor disorders, von Willebrand disease, and platelet disorders,” Dornish said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), one in 100 people have a bleeding disorder, but many are undiagnosed and lack proper treatment.
Dornisch noted there are currently 31 families living in Elk County who receive services from the organization.
“I suspect there are many more who could use our support. And I thank the commissioners for helping us to shine a light on this issue,” Dornsih said.
For more information about the organization visit their website at www.wpbdf.org.
April has been designated as PA 811 Safe Digging Month. The 811 centers have over 52 years of service to the Commonwealth, and have received a million excavation notices in 2023, and sent notices to essential utility and construction crews to provide vital underground services and repair of critical infrastructure.
For information about safe digging, visit the Pennsylvania 811 website at www.paonecall.org.
Two bids were opened on behalf of Northern Tier 911 Consortium for maintenance of the 911 system in 10 counties including a bid from Mission Critical Partners for $1,056,698 and from Frontier Communications for $853,616.84.
Mike McCallister, director of Elk County Emergency Services, asked that awarding of the bid be tabled until the next commissioners meeting so that MCM Consulting can take the bids back to their engineers to review it and make a recommendation.
He explained that while Elk County is the fiduciary, the monies actually come through the state’s 911 budget for the payments.
“When the money comes to Elk County, because we’re the fiduciary, we cut the checks. That gives all of us economy of scale. So, (because) we’re not doing this individually we can get a greater bang for a buck by coming together as a redirect,” McCallister said.
Awarding of the bid was tabled.
A 20-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement between the County of Elk and the Pennsylvania State Police was requested by the department of Emergency Management. This was unanimously approved and allows communication between the state police and the 911 center directly, at no expense to the county.
A request by the Elk County Veterans Affairs office for four burial requisitions and three veteran headstone allowances was approved.
An independent contractor agreement between the commissioners and Diana Wolfe for cleaning at a local Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) office was approved as a new expense for the county. The rate will be $150 per month, two times per month, $1,800 per year.
The commissioners introduced Calvin Moore as the new Elk County IT/GIS Director, effective March 2, 2024.
An election update by Elk County Director of Elections Kim Frey and the spring 2024 Act 13 grant awards will follow in separate articles.
The next meeting of the Elk County Commissioners will be on Thursday, April 4 at 10 a.m. in the Thomas G. Wagner conference room of the courthouse annex.