Lock Haven City Council Approves Key Business Loans, Acknowledges Police Chief Matthew Rickard’s Patriot Award Nomination, Provides Updates, and More
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— Lock Haven City Council members voted on loan applications for local businesses as well as a temporary closure of Sarah’s Alley during its meeting Monday night. City Manager Greg Wilson announced that Police Chief Matthew Rickard was nominated for the Patriot Award by Army Sergeant Brad Coder, and another announcement was made by Kasey Campbell, Director of Community Life, who provided information about the kickoff of “Go Joe 27”, with Newswatch 16’s Morning Meteorologist Joe Snedeker, who will make an appearance at the Summer Concert Series at the floating stage on Sunday, July 21, 2024, while TRIP the LIGHT performs. The meeting also included an update on the progress of the Ohl Reservoir project.
New business to be discussed by the council started with the approval of commercial loans from the City of Lock Haven for two businesses.
Luxe and Lace, LLC, a bridal and formal wear business, applied to the city’s Commercial Loan Program for funding for equipment, inventory, and renovations. The application requests $30,000.00 in loan funds, which will be repaid over a five-year period at a three percent interest rate.
City Planner Abbey Roberts presented the loan request and mentioned that the Commercial Loan Committee would consider it at their July 18 meeting. The Planning Department is asking for conditional approval of the loan due to the gap in City Council meetings between July and August.
The city council’s approval will be contingent upon the loan’s approval by the Commercial Loan Committee, which is advised by SEDA-COG. Their recommendation will be based on an extensive loan/credit review. The approval includes a first lien position and UCC filing on all equipment and inventory as collateral to secure the loan. Roberts reported that the Loan Committee has adequate funds to approve the loan.
Council member Barbara Masorti asked about the new business’s location prior to the roll call vote, and Roberts shared that the owners of Luxe and Lace, LLC, are looking at the space that previously hosted Liberty Tax at 123 Bellefonte Avenue.
The loan request for Luxe and Lace, LLC was approved on a motion made by Council member Brannan, seconded by Council member Conklin, and carried unanimously.
Two Maidens Tea Room and Cafe, located at 108 E. Main Street in downtown Lock Haven, requested the second commercial loan to be voted on at the city council meeting. The business crafts and blends its teas in-house “with a bit of magic and witchcraft,” as stated on its website. Owners Ali Arico and Aly Di Costanzo strive to provide tea that nourishes and supports daily life with a variety of powerful ingredients.
The already existing business is requesting loan funds in the amount of $28,000.00, which will be extended over three years at a three percent interest rate. The loan funds would be used for equipment, inventory, and refinancing. Council’s approval will be contingent upon the approval of the loan by the Commercial Loan Committee, which is advised by SEDA-COG and will make its recommendation based on an extensive loan/credit review.
According to Two Maidens’ owners, they are seeking funding to refinance the business’s expansion earlier this year and complete renovations to the back room. Renovating the back room would allow them to start offering bread commercially, as they have been developing recipes and are ready to expand their product line.
On a motion made by Council Member Masorti, seconded by Council Member Brannan, and carried unanimously, the council voted to approve the loan for Two Maidens conditionally, pending the loan committee’s review.
Other new business included a vote to approve a resolution allowing the temporary closure of Sarah’s Alley from East Main Street to Jordans Alley. The alley closure would allow Stella A’s restaurant to use the space for outdoor seating and dining from August 1 until October 31, 2024. On a motion made by Council member Conklin, seconded by Council member Stevenson, and carried unanimously, the resolution was approved.
City Manager Greg Wilson was happy to share that the plaque commemorating the 1986 dedication of the Veterans Bridge on N. Jay Street in Lock Haven has been restored by John Powell of Powell Metal Polishing. In June of this year, Powell took it upon himself to contact the State (PennDOT), the County, and the city to inquire about volunteering his time and expertise to restore the plaque, which is located near the entrance to the amphitheater facing the corner of N. Jay and E. Water Street. Powell volunteered his time to complete the restoration, and W & W Body Shop provided a clear coat to protect the plaque so that it will continue to shine for many years to come.
Powell’s efforts complement the ongoing refurbishments taking place at Veterans’ Park, located just across the street from the plaque. Harger Charities, the Arts Council, veterans’ organizations, and various donors are supporting the restoration of Veterans’ Park.
Wilson reported that because of the work Powell generously volunteered to do, the plaque looks as it did the day it was installed. City council members expressed their appreciation for the volunteer work to preserve and honor the Veteran’s Bridge dedication plaque.
The last “new business” to be discussed during the meeting was an announcement that Police Chief Matthew Rickard was nominated for the Patriot Award by Army Sergeant Brad Coder. Coder, who is also a patrolman for the Lock Haven Police Department, is a member of the Army National Guard 112th Infantry Regiment, Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made by employers and supervisors to support citizen warriors through various measures such as flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
A letter was sent to Chief Rickard by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) to notify him of the nomination. It states in part, “ Sergeant Coder nominated you for the Patriot Award because of your outstanding support of his role as a member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 2nd Battalion – 112th Infantry Regiment Stryker Brigade Combat Team.”
Wilson expressed that it was very kind of Sgt. Coder to nominate Chief Rickard for this recognition and stated that the city is “incredibly blessed” to have him as both a member of the police force and an active reservist. The council expressed that this is a great recognition for Chief Rickard and a positive reflection on the relationship between the police department and its members who also serve in the military.
Chief Rickard will be presented with the award at the Lock Haven Police Department on a date that is to be announced.
Next, Wilson provided an update on the progress of the Ohl Reservoir project. The project, except for the intake tower, has been turned back over to city operations. Hydroseeding has been completed, but some areas that started to grow have burned out due to extreme heat. The contractor is responsible for regrowth for one year and will return in September to reseed areas that didn’t take.
Extensive work has been completed, including significant excavation and construction. “I can tell you that the amount of work that went into that is just phenomenal for the excavation alone, let alone the construction that was done,” Wilson said.
The intake tower and the opening to the spillway are part of phase two and still need some work to be completed. The reservoir is now operational without needing to run the bypass. This completed phase represents $5,278,000.00 of the total $32M in planned improvements.
Finally, Kasey Campbell, Director of Community Life, reminded the community that Newswatch 16’s Morning Meteorologist, Joe Snedeker, will kick off “Go Joe 27” at the summer concert series on Sunday, July 21, at 6:00 p.m. before the concert begins. Snedeker will take to the roadways of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania in an initiative that aims to raise much-needed funds for St. Joseph’s Center in Scranton, PA. In the initiative’s 27th year, Go Joe is excited to celebrate the “Year of the Inflatables!”
Campbell shared that Woodward Township will be hosting a small festival for the kickoff the following day, Monday, July 22, from 4:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Lockport Boat Launch. Snedeker will do his live broadcast at the event kickoff, and from there, he will set out on his journey, making his next stops in Charlton, Avis, Jersey Shore, Linden, Newberry, Duboistown, South Williamsport, and Williamsport, respectively.
The next regular meeting of the Lock Haven City Council will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting is also available via live stream on Facebook and YouTube.
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