Council approves AFSCME extension, ARP reimbursement draw and several contract appointments

At its meeting, the Lock Haven City Council approved multiple items by motions and roll-call votes, including labor and contract actions and a third ARP draw for reimbursement of infrastructure-related spending.

Labor extension: Staff explained that AFSCME Local 2834 requested a one-year extension to avoid negotiating in the same year as the police union; the proposed extension ties annual increases to the three-year Social Security Administration average or 2.9% minimum. Speaker 5 moved and the council approved Resolution 2022-22 to grant the extension.

Contracts and appointments: Council approved an amendment to the Wyndham Dawson Foreman agreement to add construction-phase services (inspection and recordkeeping). The council appointed CD Proctor to continue environmental reviews on CDBG projects (costs paid from CDBG funds) and appointed the recommended engineering consultant for CDBG work through 2024.

ARP reimbursement: Council adopted Resolution 2022-23 to request the third draw from the city's ARP allocation to reimburse eligible expenditures, including pressure-reducing valves and replacement of industrial water meters aged 15 or older. Staff noted a typographical error in the draft amounts but confirmed the intent to reimburse eligible costs.

Other actions: Council formed an EMS subcommittee to discuss staffing with fire and EMS leadership, approved appointments for auxiliary drivers (Dustin Council and Hunter Stover) so they may begin training, and took note of a liquor license ownership-change application for 205 North Grove Street and a Pennsylvania State Police allocation of $1,430.65. Staff also announced Patrolman Gage Fisher's resignation effective June 26 to take a position with the state police.

Why it matters: These actions affect city labor relations, capital and grant-funded projects, and emergency-service staffing. The ARP draw continues use of federal funds for local infrastructure projects; appointments to engineering and environmental consultants will steer CDBG-funded work.

What happens next: The AFSCME extension, contract amendments and appointments become effective immediately as council-approved; the ARP draw will be processed per federal guidance; the EMS subcommittee will meet to evaluate staffing issues and report back.