Bailey Honored for Service to Lock Haven
By Scott Johnson
LOCK HAVEN – City Council at its last meeting of the year Monday night – in short order without much discussion – passed a no-tax-increase budget, increased sewer rates for users in the city, increased nonunion wage rates by a maximum of 2.55 percent (all for next year) and hired an engineer for storm-water management in the Sunset Pines area.
Despite those large issues, it was a proclamation to a long-time city employee who is retiring at the end of the year that stole the night.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to name the playground at South Summit and Linden streets as “Jack Bailey Playground at Hammermill Park.”
The proclamation notes Bailey has served the city at recreation director for more than 45 years and “has dedicated himself to the advancement of the recreational opportunities for the city and its residents.” The proclamation notes Bailey’s “unselfish efforts and contributions to the welfare of the city and its residents.”
Former city Mayor and Clinton County Commissioner Bill Eisemann, former City Council member June Houser and current County Commissioner Jeff Snyder were on hand for the occasion, along with family and friends in a packed City Hall.
”I appreciate everyone who has been on council (through the years). Here, tonight I know every one, except Mr. Mincer,” Bailey said. “You were my teacher,” Bill Mincer replied to laughter. ”It has been a pleasure working with you and even before when I knew you,” said Councilman Rick Conklin. “You leave a legacy… that will last for generations.
Meanwhile, City Manager Greg Wilson said, “To have your name on something means you are a good-deed-doer and that is what you are, a good-deed-doer.” A gathering of the many in attendance followed, including a cake that featured several pictures from Bailey’s four-decade-long service to the city, especially its children. Budget Regarding the budget, Wilson said little has changed since its first reading last month, except some revenues have gone up slightly and expenditures have decreased slightly since, meaning a net $27,000 increase in available 2020 funding. Specifically, the funds in the budget are: General Fund: $5.82 million Water Fund: $2.27 million Sewer Fund: $4.21 million Airport Fund: $274,000 Liquid Fuels Fund: $694,000. Taxes Taxes will hold steady in 2020 with vacant land (26.32 mills) and buildings/improvements (5.4 mills) taxed at different levels. The intention of the split-tier is to provide incentives land owners to build on vacant land.
Sewer rates
Sewer rates will increase by an average of 30 percent next year; the first since 2011, Wilson previously said the increase is due to the construction of the city’s new sewer plant. That plant also collects wastewater from many surrounding municipalities that also set their own sewer rates. Those other municipalities have already increased their rates due to the construction and the city’s rate is currently about $35 lower per quarter than its neighbors, Wilson said. ”The city delayed raising rates as long as long as possible but has now exhausted all reserve fund balance,” Wilson said, adding the city will now work on a plan to keep sewer rates more stable, “so they would not be all at once,” he said. Non-union wages The average will be a maximum of a 2.55 percent increase. The pay increase is mirrored after the increase to AFSCME union members of the city in its contract. He added both union and nonunion raises are met with an increase of 6 to 7 percent of the employee match for health and dental insurance premiums.
Council Member Doug Byerly cast the lone “no” vote. He said after the meeting he voted against the increase because while he agrees to the general hike across-the-board, he disagrees with merit increases to certain employees. “The timing of this is not good,” he said. Sunset Pines This issue was first raised in May. At that time a large contingent of people attended the meeting to discuss the lack of maintenance on Sylvan Road, leading to several large potholes and unsafe conditions for the public.
City Public Works Director Anthony Stopper said at the time his department would start to fix the holes with hot patch and engineering and designing storm-water management as temporary solutions. To that end, the city received bids for the work and the successful bid came from Humbert, Rowland & Grubic Inc. (HRG) for $73,500. Wilson said HRG’s bid was in the middle of all bids regarding cost, but led in the city’s system to evaluate bids.
