JOHNSTOWN - The Common Council must decide whether to put out a request for proposal for an administrator of a $750,000 economic development grant being sought to help a local business.

In reports to the council Monday night at City Hall, city Treasurer Michael Gifford said paperwork has come in on a proposed grant application. The council agreed Sept. 8 to file a $750,000 grant application with the state on behalf of the Fulton County Economic Development Corp., which is assisting yogurt manufacturer Fage USA with its proposed expansion at the Johnstown Industrial Park.

Gifford said the application needs to be signed by the city. He said the city must decide on whether to do an RFP to hire an administrator of the grant if it comes in. He said the council will consider putting out the RFP at its Oct. 19 meeting.

He said the administrator's fees would come out of the grant if it is received.

Gifford said the document has been reviewed by grant writer Nicholas Zabawsky, president of Orion Management Co. of Amsterdam, the EDC's consultant.

EDC officials have said Fage USA wants to expand its 114,000-square-foot building by adding a 25,000-square-foot warehouse. Fage USA opened a couple of years ago and has invested more than $100 million of its own money into its local operation. The plant employs 115 people - a figure that could jump to 150 jobs once the expansion is completed.

Among other reports to the council Monday, City Engineer Chad Kortz said the residential portion of the Sidewalk Replacement Program was concluding this week. After that, he said Department of Public Works crews will replace four business sidewalks over a two-week period.

"So far, it's went well," Kortz said.

The city engineer said the city will do a $6,000 asbestos removal project at 10 Washington St. sometime this winter, followed by demolition.

Kortz said a citywide cleanup will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 16 and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at a drop- off area behind the Johnstown Senior Citizens Center.

Mayor Sarah J. Slingerland reported City Hall will be closed Monday. The city's trick-or-treating will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.

Police Chief Gregory Horning said the council will need to pass a resolution to increase the speed limit around the former Jansen Avenue Elementary School back to 30 mph now that the building is not being used as a public school anymore.

Michelle Jones, director of the Johnstown Senior Citizens Center, reported the center will discuss emergency preparedness in a program at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com