Lock Haven staff outline competitive CDBG-CV application, name sewer and housing projects under consideration

A city planning staff member said the City of Lock Haven will seek competitive Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds, telling attendees, "There remains approximately $54,000,000," and that the next public hearing is scheduled for June 20 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The staff member said the competitive round will prioritize public improvements and facilities, public services, housing-related activities, economic development and small-business assistance. "At least 70% of the city's CDBG CV funds must be used to meet this objective," the staff member said, describing the low- and moderate-income (LMI) national objective the city intends to meet.

The city noted ineligible activities for the program include political activity, routine operating expenses, maintenance and activities that fall under the general purpose of government. Staff explained other fundable objectives: elimination of slum and blight (which requires a municipal declaration and is capped at 30% of funds) and response to urgent needs (which requires a formal emergency declaration); staff said the city used the urgent-need objective in the first round of coronavirus funds alongside LMI targeting.

Staff identified two capital projects under consideration for this application: a sanitary-sewer rehabilitation on Irwin Street and a sanitary-sewer line on Susquehanna Avenue. The staff member said the city will likely submit only one of the two projects depending on eligibility, fundability and cost estimates.

The staff member reviewed recent uses of prior CDBG-CV funding, saying the city helped 17 local businesses with grant assistance and cited completed projects including a housing-rehabilitation project by the Quinte County Housing Coalition, East Water Street paving, and ongoing or planned work at Piper Harmon Playground and the Bridal Library roof.

An attendee raised a question about calendar listings in the timetable, noting that "June eleventh is a Saturday, and then June 25 is a Saturday," and asked whether the listed days would change; staff confirmed the calendar date on the agenda was correct. Staff instructed that written project suggestions be sent within five days after the meeting to the city office address given in the agenda packet for documentation and consideration.

The staff member said Section 504 annual-review materials and a copy of the adopted fair-housing resolution and notice are available at City Hall. The city also has developed an anti-displacement plan that staff said must be followed if a proposed activity could cause displacement; staff added the city does not intend to pursue displacement-prone activities.

The public hearing closed after staff invited comments on potential historical or environmental impacts for proposed projects. The staff member reiterated that a second public hearing will be held before the next council meeting on June 20 at 6:30 p.m. and thanked attendees.

Next steps: staff will finalize the application packet (not yet released), expect an application deadline in August (exact date not specified), and will accept written public comments for five days after the hearing.