LH City Council Tackles Water Rates, Loan Approvals, Airport Updates, and More at Latest Meeting
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— At the Lock Haven City Council meeting on Monday, January 20, City Manager Greg Wilson presented a list of residents for appointment to various local committees and noted that vacancies still exist, including a spot in the Commercial Loan Program for someone with a banking background. Discussions included a funding request for renovations to the Mill Hall Aquatic Facility and the approval of commercial loans for JB Wrenchin’, LLC, and for Genie’s 3 Wishes Bakery, LLC. The council also reviewed a settlement with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to adjust water rates, aiming for equity across different customer types. Additionally, Wilson provided updates on projects at the Piper Memorial Airport, including Through The Fence access agreements and infrastructure improvements.
During the meeting, City Manager Greg Wilson presented a roster of 21 residents for appointment to 11 different Authorities, Boards, Committees, and Commissions in the City of Lock Haven. He pointed out that there are two remaining vacancies—one on the Annie Halenbake Ross Library Board and another in the Commercial Loan Program. Wilson emphasized that the Commercial Loan Program vacancy is to be occupied by someone with a background in banking specifically.
Residents who are interested in the Ross Library Board position can reach out to Board President Joshua Hudson by emailing ross1@rosslibrary.org, calling (570)-748-3321, or visiting the main desk at the library. Those interested in the Commercial Loan Program vacancy can contact the program’s director, Abbey Roberts, by emailing aroberts@lockhavenpa.gov.
Next, the council discussed a funding request from the Mill Hall Pool Committee, which was first presented at the January 6 City Council meeting. Mill Hall Borough Mayor Tom Bossert, along with Clinton County Recreation Advisory Committee members Bob Dwyer and Lenny Long, are seeking donations for necessary renovations to the Mill Hall aquatic facility, otherwise known as the Mill Hall pool. The group requested a contribution from the city for either this year or next.
During Monday night’s meeting, council member Jeff Brinker spoke in support of funding the facility, emphasizing its use by local swimming programs and the high school swim team. Council member Heather Alexander added that the pool is important for the community and pointed out that it has been useful for local daycare centers. Conversely, some council members were concerned about the city’s budget and its ability to provide funding this year. Council member Steve Stevenson recommended revisiting the discussion during the next budget season, as the city anticipates upcoming recreation expenses.
After some discussion, the council decided not to provide funding for the Mill Hall aquatic facility at this time and opted to table the discussion until they have more information about when the funds are needed.
During the “New Business” portion of the meeting, the council reviewed two commercial loan applications in need of approval. Abbey Roberts, City Planner and Development Coordinator, introduced both funding applications, the first of which was from JB Wrenchin’, LLC. The business sought a $45,000 loan through the city’s Commercial Loan Program, with a 3% interest rate to be repaid over five years, to help purchase new equipment, working capital, and inventory. After a thorough review on January 16, the city’s Commercial Loan Committee, advised by SEDA-COG, approved this loan.
The second commercial loan application came from Genie’s 3 Wishes Bakery, LLC, which the city’s Commercial Loan Program approved for a $17,500 loan after careful evaluation. This loan, also at a 3% interest rate for a five-year term, is intended for the purchase of new equipment. Roberts requested that the council formally approve the Loan Committee’s recommendations for both businesses, and the council voted unanimously to approve both loans.
In the “New Business” portion of the meeting, there was a discussion about the city’s settlement with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) regarding water rates. City Manager Greg Wilson explained that for about a year, the city has been in mediation with the PUC, the Office of Consumer Advocate, and other parties to address water rates for customers in the City of Lock Haven as well as in Wayne Township, Castanea Township, and Allison Township. The goal is to make water rates more equitable and reflect the cost of service for different customers, including residential, commercial, industrial, educational, and public health sectors.
Under the new rate structure, the average residential customer will see a 10% decrease in their quarterly water bill. Conversely, the average commercial customer will see a 19.7% increase and public health customers will face a 27.9% rise. Educational customers will see the most significant change with a 56% increase in rates.
This settlement, pending approval by the PA PUC, is expected to generate $210,000 annually. These funds will be used to update essential infrastructure like the Ohl and Keller Dams and to secure low-interest PENNVEST loans.
Rates for city residents have remained unchanged since 2011, but due to rising costs, changes are necessary to ensure safe, reliable water services. The new rate structure will remove minimum charge allowances, offering more equitable, cost-based rates for all customer classes.
The agreement has been submitted for approval, and detailed information about the new rates is available on the city’s website at www.lockhavenpa.gov/. The new rates are expected to take effect in billing cycles starting in April 2025.
Moving on to the Piper Memorial Airport, the City Manager provided an update on the Through The Fence (TTF) access agreements for hangar tenants. Wilson reported that the city received feedback from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which highlighted concerns mainly related to the revisions that tenants wanted in the TTF agreement. As a result, the city solicitor is preparing letters to inform those tenants about the FAA’s feedback and the necessary changes.
Wilson also mentioned that the city’s aviation engineer, McFarland Johnson, is updating the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to designate access points for both residential and commercial uses. The ALP update will also reflect the removal of two parcels of land: one is an approximately 1.25-acre area not connected to the airport, and the other is a 12-acre site approved by the city’s Planning Commission for solar development.
Other ongoing projects at the airport include the installation of a self-serve fuel system and the rehabilitation of the access road and parking, both of which have been submitted to the Bureau of Aviation (BOA) and the FAA for approval. These projects and the TTF agreements must be completed before the city can transfer airport management over to a new authority.
The City Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Meetings take place in person at City Hall in Council Chambers located at 20 E. Church Street, Lock Haven. Meetings are also live-streamed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@cityoflockhavenpa1348/streams.
