The City of Warren is set to receive approximately $925,000 for the repair of a total of six blocks of roadway in the city.

Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz said that the West Fifth Avenue from Hickory Street to Laurel Street and Madison Avenue from Averill Street to Malvina Street are considered “federal aid routes.”

As a result of that designation, the city via PennDOT is being awarded over a $900,000 grant through the Federal Highway Administration.

Holtz told the Times Observer that the West Fifth portion of the work will be a traditional mill and overlay of the roadway along with required handicap accessible ramps.

The Madison Ave. project is much more involved.

“That is a concrete street,” Holtz said, and has a “larger scope.” Work will include taking up the concrete, he explained, laying a new gravel sub-base and then topping it with asphalt as well as the handicapped ramps that are required.

The work is anticipated to be completed in 2021.

PennDOT required the city to enter into a standard reimbursement agreement and Warren City Council debated that issue on Monday.

Mayor Maurice Cashman asked what would happen if the bids went past the allocated amount.

“We’ll actually revisit,” the scope, Holtz said, noting that a similar project to improve E. Fifth Ave. up to the schools from the same funding stream “didn’t have that problem.”

Councilman John Wortman raised repeated concern about language in the contract — which PennDOT won’t negotiate — that would appear to potentially leave the city on the hook for the funds.

City Engineer Chad Yurisic said that the city has to ultimately approve contracts so if the bids come in high the city would be able to not award the project.

“They are competitive funds,” Holtz said. “If you want PennDOT’s money, these are the terms you are going to take.”

City Manager Nancy Freenock noted that the city is not on “equal terms” negotiating with PennDOT but said PennDOT has worked collaboratively with the city on other projects.

Holtz said the city could use its budgeted paving funds to cover any excess. “To dismiss $930,000 for a few thousand over would not make sense,” he said.

Mayor Maurice Cashman said the funding source is funding “that we don’t have.

“(We have) always fallen behind on the paving side of the ledger,” he said.”If we have to put up $100,000 to get $925,000, it’s a win-win.

“You don’t just throw that away.”

Wortman emphasized his concern is “winding up in a contract (where we) have to pay money we don’t have” given the “up in the air status of the city budget.”

“PennDOT is not here to take you to the woodshed,” Cashman said. “They’re here to work with you. They want to do this project for us.”

Yurisic said the funds would come from PennDOT to the city, who will then pay the contractor.

Holtz said the state is “working hard to fast track this.”

Council entered into the agreement 6-1 with Wortman in opposition.