Street Closure Concerns, City Code Changes, and Requests Dominate Lock Haven Council Meeting
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— The Lock Haven City Council held its regular bi-weekly meeting Monday night after a public hearing about the 2024 Community Development Block Grant allocation. Several requests for the use of city-owned property were approved, and the council voted to approve changes to the Lock Haven City Code relating to vacant properties. The city’s Planning Department also announced that it is seeking members to join a steering committee for an Active Transportation Plan after receiving a $20,000 grant award for the project from PA WalkWorks.
Alex Di Costanzo, owner of White Knight’s Gameroom Inc. at 110 Main Street in downtown Lock Haven, opened up the public comment period during the meeting to address council members about street closures during the LH JAMS festival and their impact on his business.
“I was incredibly disappointed with LH JAMS and how they had these street closures set up and how it impacted my business downtown,” Di Costanzo said. “I was particularly upset with how the entire event was planned and how there was nothing in front of my business, my wife’s business, and several other businesses,” he added. Di Costanzo said he generally has no issue with street closures and believes they’re good for the community, but this year’s LH JAMS was an exception.
“The stage was set up bisecting the street and had everything, all the vendors, toward one side of that with the stage facing that way, cutting off our end of the street.” Di Costanzo expressed frustration about having no vendors set up around his end of the street, resulting in significantly less foot traffic and negatively impacting his regular customer’s ability to get to his storefront. “I was incredibly upset when I came in that day to see there were no vendors because, for my business, the street closures are not good,” he said. “I like them as a community member, but for my business, they deter my customers from coming to my store. My wife’s store, on the other hand, does great. She loves them and does really well during street closures.”
Di Costanzo emphasized his feeling that downtown businesses need to be consulted during the planning stages for events requiring a street closure. “They have a major impact on our businesses; whether they’re good or bad, they do have an impact,” he said. To resolve the issue, Di Costanzo suggested that the council consult with business owners during the planning process of an event to come up with a solution that benefits everyone.
City Mayor Joel Long apologized and suggested Di Costanzo check with the Clinton County Arts Council as they plan the annual LH JAMS event. Di Costanzo pointed out that his goal was to find a more comprehensive solution because the city council approves street closure requests for other events in addition to LH JAMS.
“I want the businesses to be thought of in general,” he said before explaining that although his business is not what he considers to be his livelihood, other downtown businesses serve as their owners’ sole source of income. “I do it because I love it, I love Lock Haven, and I want to have a business here. There are other people who have businesses downtown where it is their livelihood– every sales day counts. So anything that impacts those businesses, I feel we need to be part of the process.”
Next to address the city council was Bre Reynolds of South Fairview Street, who pointed out that “Happy Birthday America” is still painted on the crosswalks of Grove and Vesper Streets in downtown Lock Haven. “Happy Birthday America is still on the streets and you know, equal opportunity… if we’re upset about the pride flags,” she said. Mayor Joel Long assured Reynolds that the removal of the painting was included in the approval for the request to paint on the street.
Last, a gentleman wanted to address City Manager Greg Wilson specifically about previous statements made about the Piper Airport; however, Wilson was not present at the meeting.
After public comments, the council addressed three requests to use city-owned property. Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. submitted a request to use light poles downtown for festive fall decorations. The initiative invites local businesses to adorn the poles with creatively crafted scarecrows to create a family-friendly atmosphere in downtown Lock Haven beginning on Sunday, September 22. The request was approved on a motion made by council member Tami Brannan, seconded by council member Heather Alexander, and carried unanimously.
The Lock Haven branch of Living Hope Church requested permission to use Triangle Park and Memorial Park for Sunday church services from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Sunday, August 25, until Sunday, September 29, 2024. The request stems from unresolved issues with the church’s current location and the need for a place to hold services until those issues are resolved or a new venue is secured. The request was approved on a motion made by council member Barbara Masorti, seconded by council member Brannan, and carried unanimously.
The annual Farm-City Family Festival is slated for Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. The festival’s planning committee requested permission from the city to install an advertising sign at Hanna Park that is visible to vehicles traveling north on Route 120 to enhance awareness and attendance at this year’s event. Councilman Steve Stevenson highlighted the importance of placing the sign in a location that doesn’t negatively impact traffic but is still visible to drivers as they pass by. The request was approved on a motion made by council member Brinker, seconded by council member Conklin, and carried unanimously.
City Council members considered amending Chapter 376: “Registration of Vacant Buildings” of the existing Lock Haven City Code. The change focuses on registering properties in the city that are vacant or in foreclosure. The ordinance requires property owners and mortgage holders to register vacant or foreclosed properties in a database with the city, maintain them according to city standards, and pay a semi-annual fee. This ordinance is part of an effort by the city to ensure that properties are being managed and maintained and to prevent a decline in property values, crime, and neighborhood blight. Properties must be kept closed securely to prevent unauthorized access and be free of debris, graffiti, and overgrown vegetation. The ordinance was approved on a motion made by council member Stevenson, seconded by council member Masorti, and carried unanimously, and it takes effect immediately upon adoption.
With the ordinance’s adoption, the city also amended specific fees for registering vacant properties. Previously, vacant property fees ranged from $100 to $5,000 depending on the amount of time the property was considered vacant. According to the amended ordinance, the new fee will be a $350 flat rate plus a $75.00 officer site inspection fee, regardless of the length of time that the property was vacant. The city council voted unanimously to adopt the new schedule of charges and fees, effective immediately.
The City Council passed a resolution allowing certain park rules to be temporarily waived to accommodate the Boy Scouts of America Venture Crew 007 for the Bald Eagle District Camporee at Peddie Park in May 2025. Venture Crew 007, Susquehanna Council Scouts of America, had previously requested to use the park, which the Council approved during its August 5 meeting.
The resolution suspends several provisions of Chapter 298-16, “Prohibited Conduct,” in parks to permit the Scouts to engage in activities such as building campfires, operating vehicles within the park, and using tents for camping. The goal of these temporary rule changes is to facilitate a positive experience for the Scouts and ensure they can enjoy the Camporee without violating any city park regulations.
Council member Stevenson motioned to pass the resolution with an amendment specifying that no live trees are permitted to be cut down during the event. Council member Brannan seconded this motion, and upon a roll call vote, the resolution passed.
The City of Lock Haven recently solicited bids for a project funded by Keystone Grant funds to replace the HVAC system at the Annie Hallenbake Ross Library. Two companies submitted bids, with the lower of the two coming in at $61,592.00 from Redmond’s Complete Comfort, LLC. City-hired engineers Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc. recommended accepting this bid, stating that the cost is reasonable for the scope of work to be performed. The grant funds initially allocated to the project totaled $82,800.00, and since the bid amount of $61,592.00 is significantly less, any unexpected expenses will be covered through grant funds without additional costs to the city. Upon a roll call vote, the bid from Redmond’s Complete Comfort, LLC was accepted.
The City of Lock Haven’s Planning Department is calling for volunteers to join a new steering committee to develop an Active Transportation Plan. The PA WalkWorks Active Transportation Plan’s mission is to increase access to safe, accessible, active routes for walking or biking that connect residents to everyday destinations.
Boosted by a $20,000.00 award from PA WalkWorks, the Planning Department seeks to gather a diverse group of about 20 members. “We are looking for volunteers who represent a wide range of transportation network users,” City Planner and Development Coordinator Abigail Roberts said. Roberts explained that the Active Transportation Plan will provide space for community members to walk, bike, ride scooters, use mobility scooters, and skateboard, among other modes of transportation.
The Planning Department is seeking steering committee members in the following categories: public health, community groups, youth, seniors, individuals with disabilities, transit users, public safety, and anybody interested in getting around town safely and effectively. The steering committee will meet monthly, both in person and online, starting in November or December 2024. Interested participants can contact Abigail Roberts at aroberts@lockhavenpa.gov or 570-893-5903.
New business the city council discussed included a request from the Lock Haven Fire Department-Eastside Fire Rescue for a monetary donation for the annual Lock Haven Halloween parade, which is slated for Saturday, October 26, at 10:00 a.m. The parade route will begin at East Main and North Henderson Streets and end at Triangle Park, where Halloween festivities and refreshments will be set up for children. The fire department is seeking donations to purchase candy to hand out along the parade route, as well as snacks, prizes, and materials for children’s activities for the Halloween celebration at Triangle Park following the parade. Council member Stevenson motioned to donate $100 to the annual parade. Council member Brinker seconded the motion, and upon a roll call vote, the city approved the $100 donation.
An executive session was held after the regular city council meeting to discuss matters under Section 708 (A)(3) of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act.
The next Lock Haven City Council meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are held in council chambers at City Hall, 20 East Church Street in Lock Haven. Meetings are also available via live stream on YouTube and Facebook.
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