Commission provisionally signs off on $445,000 grant closeout letter for old school work

The Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission voted to sign, with a caveat, a draft closeout report for a governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity grant that funded work at the town’s old elementary school.

Malia Collins, speaking in her capacity as administrative director, told commissioners the town is on year three of a $445,000 GOEO grant used for demolition, window replacement, asbestos abatement and installation of fire-suppression systems at the old elementary school. Collins said most funds have been spent and she expects to close out the grant soon but needs a few outstanding invoice numbers to finalize the report.

Commissioner Marcia Haydenfeld moved that the Planning and Zoning Commission sign off on the grant expenditures and the draft letter, with the caveat that Collins be allowed time to answer missing-number questions; Commissioner Brian Whitney seconded. The motion carried as recorded during the meeting (three in favor, two opposed and one abstention noted in the roll call).

Commissioners asked that Collins circulate the finalized numbers to the commission so there is a clear paper trail before the report is submitted. Collins said she would have printed copies available for signatures before commissioners left the meeting.

Outcome: Commission approved signing the draft GOEO closeout letter with the condition that outstanding invoice details be provided to commissioners prior to submission.