The Lock Haven City Council approved several resolutions and routine items in a meeting that combined public comment and formal votes.
On unfinished business, the council authorized staff to submit a "letter of no prejudice" to PENVest so the city can include an approximately $1,000,000 emergency water-supply ask in a fall loan application. Staff said that amount will be added to a $4,575,000 loan application, producing a total request of roughly $5,000,005.75; the letter must be submitted and confirmed by PENVest before the city may begin spending on the emergency supply.
Council also adopted Resolution 2023-30 confirming receipt of an arbitration award from a neutral arbiter in the Lock Haven Police Officers Association matter and directing that the award be integrated into the expired collective bargaining agreement; staff said retroactive pay and healthcare contributions have been provided and that the department is exploring a switch to 12-hour shifts to reduce overtime.
Other approved items included: an update to the personnel portion of the city code (Ordinance 2023-12) to align nonunion compensation and deduction language with contract language; renewal of the Wayne Township sludge-disposal agreement; approval of annual wastewater-treatment chemical procurement and related contract extensions; an updated lease agreement for Eastside Fire and Rescue with clarified utilities and content-insurance language; and a $2,500 budget placement for the Lock Haven Flood Protection Authority for FY2024. The council also accepted a $4,875 grant from DCED for a strategic management planning (STAMP) program.
Most votes were recorded by roll call and were affirmative as presented. Several items prompted questions about contract terms, prevailing-wage impacts on a police facility project and the timing of staff-produced specifications for capital projects; council members requested additional detail on those topics for future meetings.
The council moved on to community events and follow-up items after concluding the formal votes.