Security Bids, BEVT Trail Projects, and Grant Approvals: Clinton County Commissioner’s Meeting Highlights
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— During their voting session on Thursday, February 13, 2025, the Clinton County Commissioners opened a bid for security guard services. VetForce Security Inc. of Lock Haven submitted a bid to provide armed guards for 37.5 hours per week at a rate of $32 per hour. Additionally, a repository bid was opened for a property on Merlyn Drive in Bald Eagle Township. The commissioners also approved a $459,736 Homeland Security Grant agreement and an agreement for Phase III of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail (BEVT) project.
Commissioner Snyder opened the bid from VetForce Security Inc., located at 205 Prospect Street, Lock Haven, for security guard services. The bid proposed providing armed guards for 37.5 hours per week at $32.00 per hour, totaling $1,200.00 weekly. The service was proposed for a 52-week period, amounting to a total of $62,400.00. Commissioner Snyder made a motion to forward the bid to the county solicitor for review, which was seconded and approved.
The meeting also included the opening of repository bids, including one received on January 31, 2025, for a property on Merlyn Drive in Bald Eagle Township, which was accompanied by a Western Union check for $357.00. Commissioner Angela Harding motioned to forward this bid to the county solicitor for review, which was also seconded and approved.
The commissioners approved a State Homeland Security Grant Program Agreement, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Northcentral Task Force, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the federal fiscal year 2024. The agreement, with a performance period from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027, has a total grant amount of $459,736.00.
During Monday morning’s work session, Director of Planning/County Engineer Steve Gibson presented the commissioners with two sets of proposals for approval regarding Phases II and III of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail (BEVT) project. Gibson stated that Requests for Proposals (RFPs) had been issued for the installation of approximately 800 feet of split rail fencing. The lowest bid received, amounting to $3,900, was submitted by Lakeview Fencing Company, located in Howard. Gibson asked the board for approval to award this bid to initiate the project.
Commissioner Harding asked for clarification on the location of the fencing’s placement. Gibson explained that a few years ago, heavy rainfall had caused vegetation to shift, resulting in a steep drop-off near the border of Castanea Township and Wayne Township under US-220. As a safety measure, the plan is to install 800 feet of split rail fencing in that area.
Gibson also reported receiving three bids for engineering services for Phase III of the BEVT project, specifically for the installation of three single-span bridges in a section of the trail still in the design stage. He requested the board’s approval to award a $9,500 contract to Stiffler McGraw for the structural analysis of these bridges.
During Thursday’s voting session, while the Phase II split rail fencing structural analysis was not mentioned, the commissioners did approve an agreement between Clinton County and CDR Maguire for Project Alignment in Phase III of the BEVT.
The board approved county bills totaling $1,055,801.15 for the two-week period ending February 13, 2025. They also approved net payroll in the amount of $344,939.41 for the two-week period ending February 14, 2025.
Before the meeting adjourned, a brief announcement was made by County Treasurer Michelle Kunes regarding the repository bidding process. It was emphasized that even after the commissioners approve a bid, it is not finalized. The bid must also be approved by the relevant municipality and the school district before a deed can be created, and a single denial can halt the process.
With no other reports from elected officials, legislators, or the county commissioners, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting of the Clinton County Commissioners will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Meetings are held in-person in the Piper Building’s 2nd-floor conference room, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven, and they are also available via live stream on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page.
