LH City Council Authorizes Grant Application To Fund New Police Building, Approves Proclamation for EMS Week
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN – During its regular bi-weekly meeting on Monday evening, the Lock Haven City Council heard from the city’s planning department to request authorization to apply for $2 million in grant funding for the construction of a new police building. City Council also approved a proclamation designating May 19-25 as “EMS Week” to honor emergency services personnel. An update was provided concerning the 2024 patching project and sewer main replacement, and the resignation of a valued police officer was accepted.
Abigail Roberts of the city planning department was present at the meeting to present the request for permission to apply for $2 million in grant funding from the COVID-19 ARPA Capital Projects Fund. If awarded, these funds will go towards the cost of constructing a new police department for the Lock Haven City Police. The deadline for the grant application is April 20, and if successful, the funds are expected to be awarded in August 2024.
At its July 24, 2023 meeting, City Council directed staff to enter into a contract with Buchart Horn, Inc., the city-hired engineering and architectural firm, to pursue the construction of a new police building.
According to Roberts, the grant will help offset the cost of the project for city taxpayers, and if awarded, the $2 million in grant funds will be combined with the $1 million that has already been secured through Senator Casey’s Appropriation. Additionally, Roberts reported $1 million pending in the Local Share Account – Statewide Program.
“I have been working with Gregory Wilson, City Manager, Cyndi Walker, BCO, Director of Permits and Licensing, and Matt Rickard, Chief of Police, to find a path forward that creates a new building fit for our police force while also finding grants to offset the local taxpayer or borrowed funds that would be put in the project,” Roberts said in her request for authorization to apply for the grant.
On a motion made by Council member Masorti, seconded by Council member Brannan, the authorization to apply for the funding was approved by a majority vote, with Mayor Joel Long voting in opposition.
Next under “New Business” for the meeting was the consideration of Resolution No. 2024-17: Proclaiming May 19 through 25 as “EMS Week”, otherwise known as National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. With the Resolution passing unanimously, EMS Week will celebrate its 50th Anniversary this year.
City council received a letter from the Seven Mountains EMS Council encouraging them to sign a proclamation declaring the week of May 19 as EMS Week. The letter also highlighted some impressive data relating to emergency services in Clinton County.
Clinton County has 12 EMS agencies licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The county has 22 EMS vehicles which include 12 ambulances, one Advanced Life Support (ALS) Squad, and nine Quick Response Service (QRS) vehicles. In the calendar year 2023, approximately 5,400 EMS responses were initiated in Clinton County, with roughly 83% of those being for emergent, on-scene responses.
Next on the agenda was an update on a water line patching project and sewer main replacement in the city. City Manager Greg Wilson provided the update, reporting that there are over 75 patches in need of repair for stormwater, sewer, and water lines, not including regular potholes.
Wilson reported that a portion of the sewer main along Church Street (from Race Street to Grant Street) will be replaced as part of this year’s paving project, which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks. Once the sewer main replacement is complete, the city will request that Gwin, Dobson, and Foreman, the city-hired engineers, create bid documents for the patching and paving projects. Wilson stated that the properties affected by a leak in Castanea will be included in the project.
The acceptance of a resignation submitted by Lock Haven Police Department Officer Hunter Brooks was the last topic discussed at the meeting. Officer Brooks submitted his letter of resignation on April 4 and requested that it take effect on April 29, 2024.
In his resignation letter, Brooks stated, “It has been with great pleasure to be alongside individuals at Lock Haven Police Department. I will always appreciate the experience, knowledge, and training that I received during my time with this department and for giving me an opportunity to begin my law enforcement career. It has been a privilege working under your leadership as Chief of Police. It has also been an honor and privilege to serve and protect the City of Lock Haven.”
City Manager Greg Wilson said the city council accepts Brooks’ departure with a heavy heart and wishes him the best of luck in his law enforcement career. By unanimous vote, city council members approved Officer Brooks’ resignation.
