SEDA-COG Discusses CDBG Grant Program, Personnel Updates, Use Requests at City Council Meeting

LOCK HAVEN – City Council met Monday evening for their bi-monthly regular meeting.

Council heard from a representative of SEDA-COG regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Estimated funding for 2025 is $309,390 for the City of Lock Haven.

“Project review and selection will take place on June 2 during the City Council meeting,” the representative said while giving a rundown of the program.

“Water system improvements, sanitary sewer system improvements, storm system improvements, housing rehab, housing construction, recreation facilities, street and road improvements, historic preservation, code enforcement, utilities (other than water and sewer)” are some of the items allowed under the grant. “There are no match requirements for the City of Lock Haven.”

A large personnel update was also presented to council Monday evening.

Newly-hired Eric Young will be joining the police force as a probationary officer in June 2025. Newly-hired Landon Lose will be beginning the Act 120 Academy shortly, expecting to be on the police force around November.

Code Clerk Donna Jedrzejek is beginning her retirement on May 20 after nearly 36.5 years in service. Council offered their congratulations and well wishes on her retirement.

Director of Community Life Kasey Dumm has been certified as a Playground Safety Inspector by the National Recreation & Park Association.

In other news, Citizens Hose Company is requesting $18,240 in the form of a CDBG grant for various projects around the fire house. The total project cost is roughly $27,000.

A gentleman by the name of Mike Wolf will be holding a “Drones in Forest Management” demonstration at Ohl Watershed on June 18 for those working in the forestry profession.

Council voted unanimously to pass a request from Mark Karichner and Uncle Al’s to close North Vesper Street from Main to Jordans Alley, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., on specific Saturdays from July through October. The dates requested are July 19, August 2, August 16, and September 6, with rain dates being July 20, August 3, August 17, and September 7. They also requested the street closure to be in effect from October 17-19 during Commonwealth University-Lock Haven Homecoming.

The City intends to apply for the People, Parks, and Community Foundation Grant in the amount of $30,000 for the Lock Haven Conservation Project.

The Central Clinton County Water Filtration Authority sent a letter to City Manager Greg Wilson asking for “more intense monitoring” of the system.

“A major overhaul may be in the future for the pressure reducing valves on the city-owned transmission lines from the filtration plant that serves both Suburban and city lines,” councilwoman Barb Masorti read. “The authority gave suggestions to repair it or replace it.”

“Overall I think we had a very productive meeting,” Masorti said.