LH City Council Meeting Recap: Murals, Financial Allocations, Water Projects and More
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— The Lock Haven City Council met Monday evening, but the live stream broadcast of the meeting was unavailable due to technical difficulties. The Council approved engineering costs for the Castanea Dam removal project, adopted a Resolution to affirm its participation in the Sustainable Pennsylvania Certification Program, and provided notice of a settlement between the county’s real estate taxing bodies and the property owners of the former Susqueview building, all of which are discussed in a previous report about the September 23 meeting.
Moving on to “New Business”, the council members discussed an exciting upcoming mural project that will take place in Lock Haven. The City is gearing up to become the latest stop for “Dripped on the Road” (DOTR), a unique traveling artist residency. This artistic endeavor will bring vibrant murals and enriching cultural events to the community thanks to generous grants from the PA Council on the Arts and additional support from the Clinton County Visitors Bureau and Tourism Agency.
From October 1 to October 15, the DOTR group, consisting of three artists and two directors, will paint murals at four locations in Lock Haven: Haven Wash Station, the M&J Supply building, Roxy Theatre, and the Ross Library. Cyndi Walker, Director of Permits and Licensing, presented this exciting news during the City Council meeting on Monday night in the absence of Abbey Roberts, City Planner and Development Coordinator.
In addition to painting the murals, the DOTR team will host a series of events to involve the community. Here’s a lineup of the scheduled activities:
– Tuesday, October 8 – DOTR Documentary Showing at the Roxy Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:00 p.m.
– Friday, October 11 – DOTR Gallery Show and Artist Talk at The Station Gallery. The doors open at 6:00 p.m., with an artist talk beginning at 7:00 p.m.
– Monday, October 14 – DOTR Mural Tour at all mural sites beginning at 4:00 p.m. The tour ends at the Ross Library with a small reception to follow.
These events are open to all residents and aim to foster an appreciation for public art while offering unique opportunities to engage with the artists. The Lock Haven City Council encourages everyone to participate and spread the word about these exciting events. Updates and advertisements will be available on the “Lock Haven City” Facebook page and through local and regional news outlets.
Council Member Tami Brannan mentioned that she’s gotten a preview of the mural that will be painted at the Ross Library. “It’s going to be very cool. The artist that is painting that mural basically created a mock-up and said, ‘I’m going to come to your town and get to know your area first, and then I’m going to put in pieces of your town and city into this mural,’” she shared.
Next, the council briefly discussed the 2024 Fire Relief disbursement of $35,986.83 and the 2024 Pension State Aid disbursement of $381,593.86.
The City of Lock Haven will receive substantial financial support this month, bolstering the community’s fire services and municipal pension system. According to an announcement from Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor, $35,986.83 will be allocated to the Volunteer Fire Relief Associations (VFRA) serving Lock Haven. Authorized under Act 205 of 1984, this aid is based on the city’s population and the market value of real estate. The funds were scheduled to be directly deposited on September 18, 2024.
In addition, Lock Haven will receive $381,593.86 as part of the General Municipal Pension System State Aid, with the deposit scheduled for September 25, 2024. Also governed by Act 205 of 1984, this allocation is intended to support pension costs for police, paid firefighters, and non-uniformed employees.
In other news, the City received a request from the Lock Haven Area Flood Protection Authority for additional financial support to meet its ongoing and future obligations. In a letter dated September 12, 2024, Director Richard Marcinkevage highlighted the immediate need for an extra $1,000.00 to cover the Authority’s expenses for the remainder of the year. The Authority is currently facing budget shortfalls due to rising costs and increased staff time.
Looking ahead, the Authority also requested an increase in its 2025 budget allocation to $5,000.00. This early financial provision is sought to ensure they can meet their future commitments effectively.
Council Member Barbara Masorti clarified that this was a request to increase the city’s annual contribution from $4,000 to $5,000. Vice President Steve Stevenson explained that last year, the city had contributed $4,000, but the Flood Authority’s expenses exceeded that amount, so they’re now requesting a total of $5,000 upfront for the 2025 budget.
On a motion made by Council Member Stevenson, seconded by Council Member Masorti, and carried unanimously, the request was approved.
The council briefly discussed a letter from the Central Clinton County Water Filtration Authority (CCCWFA), in which the Authority pledged up to $400,000 for the Keller Dam Design Project. This funding aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the water supply systems for Lock Haven’s city and suburban areas.
During a meeting on August 28, 2024, the CCCWFA emphasized the importance of several critical projects for the water systems, regardless of the ongoing discussions about potentially merging the city and suburban water systems. The most urgent priority identified was the final design of Keller Dam. Completing this design is necessary before seeking approval and permits from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), which is required in order to apply for time-sensitive Federal funds.
To expedite the process, the Water Filtration Authority has pledged up to $400,000 toward the final design of Keller Dam. This contribution, combined with $350,000 previously offered by the Lock Haven City Authority, ensures that design work can start immediately and additional costs associated with bank or bond financing can be avoided.
Ultimately, the design costs will be shared between the city and suburban areas, but the collective funding efforts now will reduce overall expenses. By acting promptly, the CCCWFA aims to capture the available Federal funds and quicken the pace of essential water infrastructure upgrades.
The CCCWFA also requested a joint meeting to discuss the path forward for crucial water infrastructure projects in the Lock Haven area. These projects, deemed the most significant investments in local water infrastructure in three decades, impact all residents and require careful planning and funding strategies.
The City Council had proposed transferring oversight of the remaining water supply projects to the CCCWFA via an April 2, 2024, letter. However, on June 26, 2024, the CCCWFA board declined this proposal, citing that there was little justification to do so.
Given the substantial nature of the projects, CCCWFA emphasized the need for expedient action regardless of whether the city and suburban water systems consolidate.
To address these challenges, the CCCWFA requested a face-to-face meeting between the City Council, CCCWFA, the Suburban Water Authority, and the City Authority. This meeting aims to ensure transparent communication and effective collaboration. Tentative discussion points include project schedules, funding strategies, and regulatory requirements. The goal of the meeting is to streamline decision-making and ensure that all stakeholders are well-informed and in agreement on the best path forward.
After some discussion, the City Council said they are happy to participate in a meeting to discuss current and future water infrastructure projects in Lock Haven.
Lastly, the council announced an upcoming spaghetti dinner take-out event to benefit the Clinton County Historical Society (CCHS). The Sons and Daughters of Italy will prepare the spaghetti, and drive-thru pickup will be available on Wednesday, October 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 1 N. Henderson Street in Lock Haven, for a $10.00 donation. Tickets can be obtained by contacting a CCHS board member, visiting the Heisey House Museum, or calling CCHS at 570-748-7254.
The next regular Lock Haven City Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Meetings can be attended in person at City Hall or online via livestream on the “Lock Haven City” Facebook page linked below.
www.facebook.com/groups/cityoflockhaven/
