Newly Elected Members Sworn in at Lock Haven City Council Organization of the 77th Legislative Session
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN – Lock Haven City Council met for its Organization of the 77th Legislative Session 2024-2025 on Monday night in Council Chambers. The agenda for the meeting was lengthy, covering topics ranging from the Oath of Office for newly elected Members of the Council, the election of the Vice President of the City Council, the appointment of the City Controller, appointments to a variety of city authorities, boards, and commissions, and the appointments of council members as liaison boards.
New Lock Haven City Council Members Tami Brannan (D), and Heather Alexander (D) took their oath of office during the meeting, and former Council Member Douglas Byerly was appointed as Lock Haven City Controller during the meeting after a roll call vote, which passed unanimously. As of December 29, 2023, Council member Jeffrey Brinker was sworn in for a four-year term.
The election of Vice President of Lock Haven City Council also took place during the meeting. Council Member Steve Stevenson received two nominations and after a roll call vote, was appointed to the position, as all council members voted unanimously in his favor.
The Office of the Clinton County Voter Registration declared that the position of City Controller was vacant, leading Former Council Member Douglas Byerly to submit a letter to the City Council for the position. City Council did a roll call vote, and all members voted in favor of Byerly for the position. Byerly took his Oath of Office and was officially appointed as the City Controller during the meeting. Byerly had expressed his interest in the vacant position in a letter sent to Council members, stating that having served two terms on the Lock Haven City Council in combination with his background in business and budgeting through his roles in several professional positions, he is a viable candidate for the position. “It is my desire to keep an active role in City affairs for Lock Haven and being involved in this role will allow me to serve the citizens of the City in a positive manner,” he said.
Also on the agenda for the meeting was the appointment of City Council Members as liaisons on various authorities, boards, and committees. The 2024 Council Liaison appointments are:
- City Planning Commission: Steve Stevenson
- Zoning Hearing Board: Steve Stevenson
- Commercial Loan Program Committee: Steve Stevenson
- Historic District Advisory Committee: Richard Conklin
- Veterans Park Committee: Richard Conklin and Steve Stevenson
- Clinton County Economic Partnership: Dr. Jeffrey Brinker
- Downtown Lock Haven Inc.: Steve Stevenson
- Lock Haven City Authority: Barbara Masorti
- Lock Haven Area Flood Protection Authority: Steve Stevenson
- City Redevelopment Authority: Barbara Masorti and Steve Stevenson
- Clinton County Sewer Authority: Richard Conklin
- Clinton County Waste Authority (Recycling): Dr. Jeffrey Brinker
- Code Enforcement Board of Appeals and Review: Steve Stevenson
- City Employees Retirement Board: Tami Brannan, Richard Conklin, Barbara Masorti, and Heather Alexander
- Police Pension Fund Board: Tami Brannan, Barbara Masorti, and Richard Conklin
- Summer Concert Series Committee: Mayor Joel Long, Richard Conklin, and Steve Stevenson
- Central Clinton County Council of Government (COG): Dr. Jeffrey Brinker
City Council Members were also appointed to the 2024 Subcommittee (Special) Committees. Council members Conklin, Alexander, and Masorti were appointed for Collective Bargaining. For Police Relations, Council Member Brinker, Alexander, and Brannon. For Airport Advisory, Council Members Stevenson and Masorti. For Public Works and Shade Trees is Council Member Stevenson, and for Authority Consolidations are Council Members Conklin, Masorti, and Brannan.
