Council approves downtown events; requires masks at May 'time out' gathering

The Lock Haven City Council approved two downtown event requests on April 19 and attached a COVID-safety condition to one of them.

Casey Campbell, the city's director of community life, presented a homecoming parade request by Keystone Central and Lock Haven University for Oct. 21, 2021, including a closure of Main Street for the parade and use of Henderson Street for staging. Council moved and approved that request without additional conditions.

The council next considered a request from Downtown Lock Haven Inc. and the Clinton County Economic Partnership to use the East Main Street parking lot for a "time out" business-networking event on May 27, with setup beginning at 2:00 p.m. and the event scheduled for 5:30'7:30 p.m. Casey Campbell said the organization had submitted a COVID safety plan and that the parking lot (not including the sidewalk) measures about 12,265 square feet; under the state's guidance applied at the time, he calculated a 50% limit on maximum outside occupancy that would equal about 92 people.

Council members expressed concern about crowding and virus transmission. "I have real concerns about this," Council member Richard Morris said during the discussion. After debate, Councilman Metzger amended his motion to approve the request "contingent on the safety plan requiring people to wear masks to attend unless they're seated," applying restaurant-style rules for indoor seating exceptions. Metzger's amendment was accepted and the motion carried in the roll call vote (Council member Byerly yes; Council member Conklin reluctantly yes; Council member Missourdi yes; Council member Minster yes; Council member Morris no; Council member Stevenson yes; Mayor Long yes).

Casey Campbell noted the organization's plan included encouragement to wear masks and that the city would require clear signage and monitoring as part of the permit conditions. The council asked organizers to ensure RSVP management and monitoring to remain within occupancy and safety limits as state guidance evolves.

The council recorded the motions and vote and instructed staff to coordinate with event organizers on permit conditions and on any changes in public-health guidance ahead of the event.

The parade and the Downtown "time out" will proceed contingent on event organizers meeting the required public-safety conditions and any future state guidance in effect at the time of the events.