Public Hearings Background Information
for
Savage Pumping Station Generator
Frostburg Water Treatment Plant Generator
Housing Buyout in Flood Plains
Bowling Green Water Project
Moss Avenue Water Project
and
Rawlings Water Project
Notice was given in the Cumberland Times-News on Saturday, May 2, 2015, that the
Allegany County Commissioners would sponsor Public Hearings:
To obtain the views of citizens on COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING NEEDS
To offer citizens the opportunity to discuss proposed projects
To provide input on other needs to be considered
To offer citizens the opportunity to review an application for funds for the second phase of the
BOWLING GREEN WATER PROJECT
To offer citizens the opportunity to review the progress of the following projects:
1. SAVAGE PUMPING STATION GENERATOR
2. FROSTBURG WATER TREATMENT PLANT GENERATOR
3. HOUSING BUYOUT IN FLOOD PLAINS
4. BOWLING GREEN WATER – FIRST PHASE
5. MOSS AVENUE WATER
6. RAWLINGS WATER
The hearings will be part of the Allegany County Commissioners’ Public Business Meeting on
Thursday, May 7, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. at the Allegany County Office Building, 701 Kelly Road –
Room 100, Cumberland.
The Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program is a Federally
sponsored program designed to assist local governments with activities directed toward
neighborhood and housing revitalization, economic development and improved community
facilities and services. CDBG funds are provided to the State of Maryland from the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Maryland’s CDBG program is
administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The
State of Maryland’s allocation of CDBG funds for FY-2016 is $7,019,706. Funds are made
available on a competitive basis to small political subdivisions not entitled to direct Federal
funding. The maximum CDBG funds available per political subdivision is $800,000.
The projects meet the National Block Grant objective of providing assistance to low and
moderate income households; i.e., those below 80 percent of the median income for Allegany
County and/or housing related projects. The projects are activities that will not result in
displacement. The Allegany County Commissioners, however, have anti-displacement and
relocation plans, as required.
The projects are also eligible activities for CDBG funds; specifically, they are either for
Acquisition of Real Property or Public Services. The activities that may be undertaken with
CDBG funds are:
Acquisition of Real Property
Public Facilities and Improvements and Privately Owned Utilities
Code Enforcement
Clearance, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Construction of Buildings Including Housing
Architectural Barrier Removal
Loss of Rental Income
Disposition of Real Property
Public Services
Payment of the Non-Federal Share
Relocation
Planning and Capacity Building
Program Administration Costs
Activities Carried Out Through Nonprofit Development Organizations
Economic Development Assistance to For-Profit Business
Additional Applicable Requirements-Activities Funded Under Section 105(a), (14), (15) & (17)
Technical Assistance
Housing Services
Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education
Microenterprise Assistance
In-Rem Housing
Homeownership Assistance
Interim Assistance
The first phase of the Bowling Green Water Project, the Moss Avenue Water Project, and the
Rawlings Water Project are projects that received CDBG funds via HUD.
For the second phase of the Bowling Green Water Project, the Allegany County
Commissioners propose to submit an application to the Maryland DHCD on or before the
June 5, 2015, deadline for a CDBG for $800,000. The Maryland DHCD will accept
applications for CDBG’s from eligible jurisdictions throughout the State. A draft application for
the Bowling Green Water Project – Phase 2 will be available for review at the Allegany
County Department of Economic and Community Development, 701 Kelly Road, Suite 400,
Cumberland, MD. This activity will meet the National Block Grant objective of providing
assistance to low and moderate income households.
The State of Maryland was also awarded $20 million under the Disaster Relief Appropriations
Act of 2013. It was to be used for disaster recovery projects due to Hurricane Sandy,
Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and the Derecho. Funding was only available to those
counties that received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for a specific storm event. The
funding was awarded to the State through the Maryland Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program.
These funds were targeted to disaster relief, long-term recovery activities, restoration of
infrastructure, public facilities, housing and economic revitalization. While all needs were
considered, the State prioritized applications for infrastructure projects that focused on
protecting vulnerable residents and vital infrastructure from future flooding. Projects had to
address direct or indirect impacts as a result of disasters.
The Savage Pumping Station Generator, the Frostburg Water Treatment Plant Generator,
and the Housing Buyout in Flood Plains are projects that are receiving CDBG funds via
disaster recovery relief funds.
Information and records for the Savage Pumping Station Generator, the Frostburg Water
Treatment Plant Generator, the Housing Buyout in Flood Plains, the Bowling Green Water
Project, the Moss Avenue Water Project and the Rawlings Water Project are available for
review at the Allegany County Department of Economic and Community Development, 701
Kelly Road, Suite 400, Cumberland.
Telephone 301-876-9513.
Email:
[email protected]. Advance notice is required.
Savage Pumping Station Generator
The Savage Pumping Station provides one-third of Frostburg’s raw water. There is currently,
however, no back-up emergency power generation for this station. This is despite the Savage
Pumping Station being located in a relatively remote area of Garrett County and being difficult
to access following large weather events. Further, during a regional power outage, restoration
to the Pumping Station would likely not be a priority. To ensure a consistent and safe source
of potable water for Frostburg residents, a generator is being installed as backup power for
the Savage Pumping Station.
Bids were advertised in the Cumberland Times News on December 19 and again on
December 31. An extensive MBE/DBE effort was made to make businesses aware of the
project. A pre-bid meeting was held on January 5 and was attended by 17 people
representing 9 companies. One bid was submitted and opened on February 5. Carl Belt,
Inc., was the lone bidder. A resolution to award the contract to Carl Belt, Inc., was approved
on February 19. Notice of award was issued on February 23. The estimated cost for this
project is $110,175 with $27,662.50 from a CDBG, $82,512.50 from the FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program. $2,150.46 of the work has been completed to date.
Frostburg Water Treatment Plant Generator
The Frostburg Water Treatment Plant treats approximately a million gallons of water daily for
13,300 residents within the City of Frostburg and several other communities of Allegany
County. The Frostburg Water Treatment Plant has been able to continue to treat water during
power outages in the past with the use of a diesel generator. This 40 year old generator,
however, has far exceeded its useful life, and maintenance has become increasingly difficult,
as replacement parts are no longer available. To ensure a reliable source of water is
available in northwestern Allegany County during power outages, a new generator is being
installed as backup power for the Frostburg Water Treatment Plant. The estimated cost for
this project is $139,245 with $31,229 from a CDBG, $97,271 from the FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program and $10,745 from the City of Frostburg.
Bids were advertised in the Cumberland Times News on December 19 and again on
December 31. An extensive MBE/DBE effort was made to make businesses aware of the
project. A pre-bid meeting was held on January 5 and was attended by 17 people
representing 9 companies. One bid was submitted and opened on February 5. Carl Belt,
Inc., was the lone bidder. A resolution to award the contract to Carl Belt, Inc., was approved
on February 19. Notice of award was issued on February 23. The estimated cost for this
project is $106,350 with $27,337.50 from a CDBG, $79,012.50 from the FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program. $2,659.59 of the work has been completed to date.
Housing Buyout in Flood Plains
Allegany County is in the process of purchasing seven houses that are located in mapped
floodplains which were impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Damages to the structures
from the natural hazard ranged from basement or crawlspace inundation to roof leakage. The
properties were selected from a list derived from the County’s Flood Buyout Program
inventory, currently consisting of more than 60 entries. The nominated properties were
selected from the Buyout Program list based on their location in a mapped floodplain, as well
as their assessed values, according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and
Taxation.
The estimated cost for this project is $300,000 with $240,000 from a CDBG, and possibly
$60,000 from an application made to the MEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Three houses on Valley Road and one in Locust Grove were appraised in September and the
appraisals were reviewed in October. The review appraisals confirmed all the original
appraisals. All the appraised values were accepted by the owners, except for one. In that
case, the owners paid for their own appraisal which came in higher. The owners agreed on
splitting the difference between the two appraised values. Through a title search, ownership
of one house on Valley Road was determined to be not legally clear. Except for this house, at
the January 15 public meeting, the Commissioners authorized purchasing all the houses and
advertising and accepting bids to demolish the houses. The purchase prices were $24,000
and $56,500 for two houses on Valley Road, and $12,000 for the one in Locust Grove. The
closings for the first two houses were done on March 31. The closing for the last house was
done April 7.
Three houses on Mulberry Avenue were appraised in March and the appraisals were
reviewed the same month. The review appraisals confirmed all the original appraisals. All the
appraised values were accepted by the owners, except for one. In that case, the owner said
the assessed value was higher. The owner agreed on splitting the difference between the two
values. At the April 9 public meeting, the Commissioners authorized purchasing all three
houses and advertising and accepting bids to demolish the houses. The purchase prices
were $38,000, $45,350 and $42,000. The Purchase Agreements for all three of these houses
have been signed. Before the closings can be scheduled, the Assistant County Attorney has
to review the Purchase Agreements and conduct title searches.
Bowling Green Water Project
The Bowling Green Water Project is proposed to be done in two phases. The first phase has
two components. The first component is the replacement of 605 feet of 4” transite pipe with 6”
PVC pipe on Marigold Street. The second component is the replacement of 2,122 feet of 4”
cast iron pipe with 8” PVC pipe on North Cresap Street, and extending the line another 743
feet. The extension will be on the same street, eliminating a gap.
The estimated cost for this phase of the project is $802,752 with $800,000 from a CDBG, and
the County providing $2,752.
Advertising for bids for this phase of the project was done March 1, 4, and 8, with four bids
opened March 31. The low bid was from Carl Belt, Inc., for $1,145,034. The bid exceeds the
available grant funding, so the scope of the project will be reduced to the grant amount
available. The Commissioners authorized the awarding of the contract to Carl Belt, Inc., at
their April 23 public meeting. A fourth of the construction will likely be completed by June 5.
The second phase has six components. All the components involve the installation of 6” PVC
pipe. The pipes are being installed on streets or alleys parallel to Route 220, to replace
galvanized pipe along Route 220. This avoids working now and in the future on the major
traffic artery. The first component is the replacement of about 400 feet of 2” galvanized pipe
on Mercury Street. This component will then continue down Mercury Street and then connect
behind houses on Route 220 to Wright Street, going another 1,215 feet. A second component
is going 2,060 feet down Alley “A”. A third component is going 1,460 feet down Alley “B”. A
fourth component is the replacement of about 325 feet of 4” cast iron pipe on Bowling Street.
A fifth component extends the existing 6” water line on Bunting Street another 390 feet. The
sixth and last component is 920 feet and will connect from the new end of the Bunting Street
water line down Alley “C.”
One hundred twenty-three new water meters will be installed, 55 in the first phase and 68 in
the second phase. Six fire hydrants will be installed, 2 in the first phase and 4 in the second
phase. Sewer repair will also be done in the first phase with 2,100 feet of cured-in-place pipe
lining. Miscellaneous sewer repairs will also be made if problems are uncovered during
construction.
The existing water lines to be replaced are heavily corroded in the case of iron pipes,
reducing the flow and resulting in rusty water. In the case of galvanized and transite pipes,
they often break. The water line on the upper part of North Cresap Street is fed by other
water lines, so eliminating the gap will complete a loop. The project overall will increase
volume, reliability, quality and fire protection for the neighborhood.
Moss Avenue Water Project
The Moss Avenue project was the replacement of 1,700 feet of a 6" cast iron water line with
an 8" PVC water line. There also are 750 feet of new water laterals. Also, an alternate
connection was made to a 20” water main on Route 220. The section of water line replaced
runs the length of Moss Avenue. Six houses are served directly by this water line. The
previous water line was heavily corroded, reducing the flow and resulting in rusty water. The
project has increased volume, reliability, quality and fire protection for the neighborhood and
the Allegany County Fairgrounds.
The estimated cost of the project is $335,000, which besides $170,000 in CDBG funding, is
to be paid for by a $150,000 Appalachian Regional Commission Grant and a $15,000 loan to
be paid by users of the system.
Advertising for bids for the project was done August 24, 2014, with bids being opened
September 23. The low bid was from Carl Belt, Inc., for $282,790. The Notice to Proceed was
given October 10. Construction was completed by the end of 2014 except for a water line relining. The re-lining was completed the week of April 13, 2015. Only punch list items are left
to complete on the project.
Rawlings Water Project
There was a water line that originally ended at American Woodmark in the Barton Business
Park. This is the starting point for this project. There are four phases to the Rawlings Water
project.
The first phase extended the water line further south on Route 220, going to Church Street
and installing water lines on 8 side streets. The side streets were First Street, Biers Lane,
Emily Street, Hawk Street, Merril Lane, Skipton Lane, Summerfield Lane and Miller Avenue.
8,893 linear feet of 8-inch diameter water line and 5,132 linear feet of 6-inch diameter water
line were installed. 27 fire hydrants and 105 meters were also installed.
Excavating Associates, Inc., Ellerslie, Maryland, was the low bidder for this phase in the
amount of $1,556,104. A pre-construction meeting was held December 6, 2012. Notice to
Proceed was given December 10, 2012. The completion date was November 1, 2013. The
final cost for this phase was $1,432,162.95. $800,000 was from a CDBG, $190,000 from a
USDA loan and $442,162.95 from a USDA grant.
Notices were mailed October 29, 2013, to 98 houses in this completed phase saying that they
could connect to the completed water system. Applications for grant assistance to connect
households were included and were due December 2, 2013. 14 applications were received
with 11 approved and 3 not qualifying. 8 of the 11 were connected on June 17 or 19. One
was connected August 29 and another December 18. The last approved application has not
yet been connected. A final notice to connect was mailed on June 25 to the 48 that still
haven’t connected. The 48 were part of the 100 that were mailed to October 29, 2013. The
final notice said starting August 1 they would start being billed for water whether they
connected or not. Currently, 58 have connected without grant assistance. This leaves 29 to
still connect, excluding the one to still be connected with grant assistance.
The second phase of the Rawlings Water project was to provide water to approximately 100
households served almost entirely by the existing Rawlings Heights Water Company. This
project extended the water line south on Route 220 from Church Street to Lilac Court. It also
included 8 side streets. These side streets are Llewellyn Avenue, Church Street, Rawlings
Lane, Lilac Court, Holly Drive, Blooming Fields Drive, Volunteer Drive and Meadow Dale
Drive. Approximately 7,400 linear feet of water line was constructed. Approximately 1,450
linear feet of 8-inch diameter water line and approximately 5,740 linear feet of 6-inch
diameter water line was installed. Nine fire hydrants and 98 meters were installed.
Lashley Construction, Co., Inc., Frostburg, Maryland, was the low bidder for this phase in the
amount of $963,527. A pre-construction meeting was held November 5, 2013. Notice to
Proceed was given December 9, 2013. The date of substantial completion was August 1,
2014. The final cost for this phase was $757,154.72 which was paid out of an $800,000
CDBG awarded for this phase of the project. This left $42,845.28 in CDBG funds to be spent,
which was spent for the fourth phase of this project, the pumping station.
Notices were mailed August 1, 2014, to 36 houses in this completed phase saying that they
could connect to the completed water system. Applications for grant assistance to connect
households were included and were due August 31, 2014. 12 applications were received with
9 approved and 1 not qualifying, and 2 needing more documents. 6 of the 9 were connected
by invoice dated December 18. Three have not been connected yet. Currently, 8 have
connected without grant assistance. This leaves 17 to still connect, excluding the five to still
be connected with grant assistance.
Notices were mailed August 19, 2014, to 62 residences in the trailer park in this completed
phase saying that they could connect to the water system. Applications for grant assistance
to connect households were included and were due August 31, 2014. 58 out of 62
applications have been received. 26 have been approved, 3 did not qualify, 6 are under
review, and 23 need more documents. The department of public works is going forward with
putting out to bid to be connected the 26 that have been approved.
Notices were sent on April 13 to 23 houses in phase 1 and phase 2 that have not yet
connected to the new water system. The notice reminds them that they can now connect and
that they will be billed for water starting August 1.
The third phase of the Rawlings Water project includes 17 streets overall. There are 5 streets
connecting to Route 220. These streets are Maple Lane, Rawlings Heights Drive, Sun Valley
Drive, Conda Way and Hansel Drive. Conda Way splits into North and South extensions.
Connecting to Maple Lane is Maple Lane Extension. Connecting to Rawlings Heights Drive is
Circle Drive and Lakewood Drive. Connecting to Conda Way is Rose Hill Drive, Marion Court,
and Mountain Club Avenue. Connecting Conda Way to Rawlings Heights are Woodlawn
Drive and White Oak Drive. Connecting to Mountain Club Avenue is Palmer Lane and at the
end of Mountain Club Avenue is Pinehurst Court and Augusta Drive. Approximately 20,750
linear feet of water line will be constructed. Approximately 5,050 linear feet of 8-inch diameter
water line and approximately 14,400 linear feet of 6-inch diameter water line will be installed.
A 421,000 gallon water storage tank will be constructed along with the installation of 32 fire
hydrants and 159 meters.
At the January 16, 2014, Public Meeting, the County Commissioners authorized the Utilities
Division to advertise for bids for the third phase of this project. The advertisement was made
March 23. April 22 the bids were opened. At the May 1 Public Meeting, the County
Commissioners authorized awarding the project to the low bidder, Lashley Construction, Co.,
Inc., Frostburg, Maryland, in the amount of $3,015,229.50. Notice to Proceed was given
August 1, 2014. Original completion date was July 31, 2015, but contractor will ask for an
extension due to approximately 15 inclement weather days. By the end of March, 27.9 % of
the third phase was completed.
This phase of the Rawlings Water project does not have CDBG funds. USDA awarded a
$461,000 loan and an $869,000 grant for the third phase of this project. Households that
qualify, however, will be given grants to connect to the water system when the construction is
over.
The fourth phase of the Rawlings Water project is the installation of new pumps at the
detention center pump station. These pumps will supply water to Rawlings. The project also
includes new controls, tank mixing, and electrical upgrades.
At the January 16, 2014, Public Meeting, the County Commissioners authorized the Utilities
Division to advertise for bids for the fourth phase of this project. The advertisement was made
June 29, July 6 and July 13. August 19 the bids were opened. Two bids were received. The
bids were Johnston Construction Company Dover PA for $358,536 and Carl Belt for
$295,000. At the September 25 Public Meeting, the County Commissioners authorized
awarding the project to the low bidder, Carl Belt. Notice to Proceed was given December 1,
2014. A Preconstruction Meeting was held February 9, 2015. Completion date is May 12,
2015.
The estimated cost of this project is $295,000, with $42,845.28 paid by CDBG funding, and
the rest by a $252,154.72 grant from USDA.