Cortland hires consultant to help get grants | News, Sports, Jobs
CORTLAND – City Council on Tuesday approved hiring a consulting firm to help bring more grant money into the city.
Council approved an agreement with VAZA Consulting for a $ 3,255 monthly fee, not to exceed $ 39,060 total, for the yearlong contract. Mayor Deidre Petrosky can cancel the contract after six months if VAZA has not produced satisfactory results.
“There’s a lot of federal and state money that’s coming down the pike, and my department heads are excellent at writing the grants that we write all the time – we know all the little ins and outs and how to be successful – but these are new grants, ” Petrosky said. “In order to position the city of Cortland to get that money, I felt it was necessary to hire a professional firm to do this.”
Petrosky said VAZA utilizes partnerships with other agencies and the collaboration is what makes the company successful.
Dustin Pyles from VAZA spoke to council at its June 21 meeting at Petrosky’s request. Pyles said VAZA started by consulting for schools and now works with counties, townships and nonprofits.
Pyles said because “Funding doesn’t always just land in your lap,” VAZA thinks outside the box to get its clients grants.
VAZA has facilitated and supported more than $ 518 million in grants, according to its website.
On Tuesday, Cortland City Council President Kevin Piros said VAZA has a “Proven track record” of procuring grants. Council approved retaining the consultant 6-0, with John Picuri absent.
The consulting services are considered a “Sole source contract” which does not require competitive bidding, according to the legislation.
In other business, council approved the purchase of $ 5,867 worth of fire truck accessories from MES Warren Fire Equipment for the Cortland Fire Department’s new fire truck. The equipment will be purchased with a portion of a nearly ,000 15,000 equipment grant from the State of Ohio Fire Marshal Office.
Petrosky announced Cortland’s newly formed BOOM – Business Owners on Main – will hold a “Christmas in July” toy drive throughout the month. New, unwrapped toys will be collected to give away at Christmas through Margie Petrunia’s Angel Tree of Cortland. Toys can be dropped off at any participating business for a gift certificate or discount at that location. Businesses include Just Pizzelles, Dead Dales Comics, Cortland Main Street Coffee, Totally Dog and Special Edition Sports Cards.
Petrosky also reminded residents of the following dates:
Mosquito spraying will be tonight;
• E-waste drop-off will be 10 am to 1 pm July 16 at Willow Park. All electronics are free to drop off, except CRT monitors, printers and TVs, for which there will be fees;
The Cortland Street Fair runs from July 21 to 23;
• Limb and brush pick-up is the week of July 25.
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