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Consultants work to secure funding for multiple Williamsport projects

Economic development consultants are working for Williamsport on flood protection, public safety and other life improvements, trying to find congressionally-directed spending that is earmarked and other funding sources for major projects.

Keller Partners of Washington, D.C. this week presented a quarterly report to Williamsport City Council and the administration on their firm’s progress.

The official business done by council was voting to pass a resolution authorizing first renewal of the consultant agreement between the city and the firm.

Updates

It was announced that the mayor will be going on May 10 to Washington, D.C. to meet with a Congressional delegation. The purpose, according to Thomas Keller, principal in the firm, is to explore competitive grants and to continue to build on the relationships forged with federal officials on projects such as the levee rehabilitation, certification and accreditation.

The levee protects up to $5 billion in real estate in the greater Williamsport flood protection zone.

Along with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, federal redistricting of Pennsylvania had made the city represented in Congress by the U.S. Reps Dan Meuser and Glenn Thompson.

“It is very important to get the mayor as a representative of the city in front of these key federal decision-makers,” Keller said.

A risk assessment of the levee by Army Corps of Engineers to further identify weaknesses is estimated to cost $500,000 with half match cost as part of the risk assessment. Work could last from six to eight months.

Plans are in place to resubmit for a $550,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Justice.

It is a competitive grant under the “Connect and Protect” program, a law enforcement and behavioral health program.

The concept is to train law enforcement to work cross jurisdictionally with behavioral health professionals to improve outcomes with individuals with mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse.

When those individuals come into contact with the justice system the goal is to improve how law enforcement is able to manage this case and try to reduce the number of individuals who are going to jail.

Initially, Casey had included the funding request for the police in an appropriations bill that did not make it into a final bill and no municipalities received the funding, according to Slaughter. “We have made some adjustments that we hope will position us for the resubmission of the grant application,” he said.

Keller Partners is submitting another congressionally directed spending request for Senate and the House for the levee and for streetscape and beautification of Newberry section along Arch Street from the Abraham Howard Bridge to Dewey Avenue

“From discussions we feel very positive about the directions of these requests,” Keller said.

The firm has identified grants with Homeland Security, Justice and Transportation. As those grants roll out the firm will have eyes on those related to city funding needs.

Included in this are possible funds as a result of the bipartisan infrastructure law.

Keller thanked the city administration and named Slaughter and Jon Sander, city engineer, for continuing to identify needs of the city.

Council questions

Councilman Randall J. Allison said he heard there may be pre-mitigation grants available from the state Emergency Management Agency and was told that he was correct.

Allison also asked what impact the redistricting map had on the city. He was told that every decade redistricting is done and that resulted in U.S. Rep. Fred Keller’s seat being removed. Keller ultimately decided that he did not want to run against a fellow Republican. Williamsport can benefit from having two members of Congress representing the constituents with Thompson and Meuser.

Keller said the firm is working on those relationships as they relate to earmarking project funding.

Councilman Jon Mackey said in terms of the levee a statistic used frequently applies: “For every dollar spent on mitigation, you save $6 to $8 dollars on recovery costs.”

Mackey also urged the partners to pursue with vigor the Justice grant because he believed such crisis intervention for police was extremely important.

He asked why the initial grant request did not happen. He was told those in charge wanted to ensure the city had more resources to oversee administration of the grant other than the police administration.

Additionally, the grant administrators want to see a behavioral health specialist dedicated to being on a crisis intervention team.

Councilman Eric Beiter asked why the risk assessment of the levee by the Army Corps was necessary since there already have been engineering studies done to identify weaknesses such as cross pipes not draining properly and an I wall etc. (not be high or strong enough to withstand a major flood).

The risk assessment must take place while the city and county work on the deficiencies already identified.

The Corps does an annual inspection and a more in-depth inspection of the levee every five years. Keller Partners has advocated for a successful $5.6 million grant for portions of the levee on Lycoming Creek from the U.S. Economic Development Administration in a prior administration.

Keller Partners has been working with the Williamsport Municipal Water and Sanitary Authority on its replacement of water and sanitary delivery and discharge systems and two fresh water reservoirs.

The firm has not specifically been asked to assist on the transit end for the city but would be willing to explore any potential transit related funding sources.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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