Donations, New Federal Overtime Rules, and Water Leaks in Castanea Township Discussed at Lock Haven City Council Meeting
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven City Council met on Monday evening to discuss donation allocations to local nonprofit organizations, a temporary alley closure in downtown Lock Haven, provide an update on the federal rules for overtime wages, and to provide updates regarding water leaks in Castanea Township.
The meeting began with the consideration of donations to the Annie Halenbake Ross Library, Downtown Lock Haven, the Clinton County SPCA’s Release Program and Dog Officer, Roads to Peace (Clinton County Women’s Center, Inc.), and the Clinton County Historical Society.
The City included a $35,000.00 budget for the Ross Library this year, and the library has requested an increase in funding of $38,000.00 to continue providing essential services to the community. Tammy Garrison, the library’s executive director, sent a letter to the city in early December 2023 requesting the funding increase. In her letter to the city, Garrison highlighted that the library has seen an increase in the number of people its staff members have helped, and she provided examples of ways the library has helped members of the community over the last year.
One example Garrison provided involved an older patron with mobility issues who needed assistance with purchasing a wheelchair online, as he was not skilled with computers. Thanks to a library staff member, the patron successfully navigated the process of placing an order for a wheelchair online. Another patron with limited English also received assistance in scanning and emailing an important document, showcasing the library staff’s dedication and personal touch with community members. In addition to these individual stories, the library also plays a crucial role in providing safe and enriching experiences for the community. When a preschool class from the YMCA became unexpectedly displaced, staff members at the library accommodated them by providing a safe space and holding an impromptu storytime for the students.
“These stories would not be possible without our knowledgeable and skilled staff with their years of experience and learning. Having them at the library would not be possible without the yearly allocation that the Ross Library receives from the city every year,” Garrison said before thanking the city for its past support and expressing hope that the city will be able to accommodate the increased funding request.
The Clinton County SPCA requested $10,000.00 for animal care and prevention programs; $5,000.00 would be allocated to the animal release program and $5,000.00 towards a dog officer position. The county’s SPCA Board of Directors sent a letter about the 2024 budget allocation request in hopes of continuing to provide care and shelter for homeless, surrendered, abused, and neglected animals in the county.
According to the letter, the SPCA has housed and cared for an average of 400 animals this year. Although the intake number has decreased, the standard expense to house the animals has not changed, as most are still in the shelter. This has put a financial strain on the organization as they still have to provide basic necessities such as vetting, food, and staff to care for the animals, which amounts to an average of $500 per day.
The letter highlighted the success of the Clinton County Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. This year alone, 464 stray and feral cats have been altered, bringing the total number to 4,500 since the program started. They also provided $50 discount vouchers to pet owners for spaying and neutering, resulting in 258 animals that will not continue to reproduce in the county.
During Monday night’s meeting, there was some discussion about the $5,000.00 donation that was given to the SPCA to be used for a dog officer position in 2023; however, according to the city council, the SPCA still does not have that position filled.
The City allocated $1,000.00 in the 2024 budget for the Clinton County Women’s Center, Inc. (Roads to Peace), and this year, according to the city’s 2024 Donations Worksheet, the organization requested “any” amount of funding possible.
In a letter requesting support from the city, Executive Director Leah Borow stated that in the 2022/2023 fiscal year, Roads to Peace provided services to 548 survivors, including 84 children. “Sadly, our services are greatly needed as these numbers are higher than the previous year,” Borrow reported before providing some positive news: Roads to Peace has just completed an audit, which revealed that during the past fiscal year, 87 cents of every dollar invested in their services went directly to programming. “So, when you invest in Roads to Peace, you know your money is going to directly support survivors in the community,” Borow said.
Borow closed her letter by stating, “A priority need is funding for personnel and operating expenses. This kind of funding allows us to stay properly staffed and keep the emergency shelter’s doors open.”
The City allocated $2,000.00 in the 2024 budget for the Clinton County Historical Society (CCHS), and they’ve requested support in the amount of $2,500.00.
In a letter sent to the city in December 2023, CCHS President Bonita Hannis outlined a few ways that the Historical Society adds value to the community and stated that the society has been dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of the community. Their efforts have resulted in several popular attractions, including a 1941 caboose and a newly added circa 1915 caboose at the Castanea Station property. The society also placed a kiosk on the property that provides information on local restaurants, attractions, and events for visitors using the Bald Eagle Valley Trail for hiking and biking. Additionally, the Clinton Model Railroad Club display at the station building nearby has been recognized as one of the best railroading experiences in the state. Hannis also mentioned the annual Wine in the Wilds event, which is organized by CCHS, which she reports has seen more visitors each year. With the support of the city council, the society aims to continue preserving and sharing the history of the community for years to come.
Council Member Steve Stevenson, seconded by Council Member Richard Conklin, moved to accept all of the budgeted donation amounts for the non-profits that had requested funding minus the $5,000.00 allocation for a dog officer until the SPCA fills that position. Upon roll call vote, approval was granted unanimously.
Under the “New Business” section of the agenda was the consideration of a Resolution to temporarily close Sarah’s Alley in downtown Lock Haven between East Main Street and Jordan’s Alley so that Stella A’s Bar and Grill can use the space for a private seating and dining area from May 6, 2024, until July 31, 2024. In an effort to support local businesses, the city council passed the Resolution by unanimous vote.
Also under “New Business” was an update on new overtime rules issued by the U.S. Department of Labor on April 23, 2024. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a new “Final Rule” regulation that will impact minimum salary requirements for employees, including those in municipal positions, to maintain their status under what is commonly called the “white collar” exemptions from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
As of July 1, 2024, the annual compensation rate will increase to $43,888, meaning that certain city positions, such as the City Manager and Chief of Police, will continue to be exempt from overtime requirements. However, starting July 1, 2025, the annual compensation rate will increase to $58,656, and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician, Planner I, and Director of Community Life will become eligible for overtime.
In a letter dated April 4, 2024, the Castanea Township Supervisors asked City Manager Greg Wilson and the City Council to follow up on specific locations in the township that have been impacted by water line breaks and leaks. The supervisors stated that many of the affected areas date back to last year when they were notified that no contractor was available to repair the issues. They listed 13 different addresses in Castanea that are currently being affected by the water issue and asked that repairs be completed by July 1, 2024. City Manager Greg Wilson reported during the April 15 City Council meeting that the water department would check those areas again to try to locate the source of the leak. He ensured that they would continue their efforts to find the source of the water on Mackey Avenue and Keller Street, where residents sustained water damage to their property.
According to Wilson, the city conducted leak detection in the areas of concern during the weeks of April 8-12 and April 15-19, 2024, during both daytime and nighttime. Upon investigation, city crews reported that they found no leaks coming from the city’s water mains on Mackey Avenue between W. Keller Street and W. Brown Street. Therefore, leak detection was focused on W. Keller Street at addresses 14, 117, 121, and 130. No leaks were detected on the water mains at any of those locations either however, the crews did find a large discharge coming from a sump pump located at 121 W. Keller Street, which was draining into the street. “There could be other sump pumps, but we didn’t see those; we just noticed that one discharges directly into the stream,” Wilson said during Monday night’s meeting.
In response to the letter sent by Castanea Township Supervisors, Wilson wrote, “In addition to permanent patching locations in Castanea, the city has more than 70 others to complete this year, including water and its own sanitary and storm street patches. That project is being assembled for bid by the city’s engineers at Gwin Dobson & Foreman and will be bid out this year,” Wilson said in his letter to Castanea Township Supervisors.
In closing, Wilson said in his letter that residents are encouraged to report a suspected leak during regular business hours to the utility billing office at (570) 893-5909. After hours, leaks can be reported to the county communications center (Department of Emergency Services) at its non-emergency number, (570) 748-2936.
The next regular meeting of the Lock Haven City Council will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 7 p.m. It will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook and can also be attended in person in the Council Chambers located at City Hall.
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