Council approves community grants, awards skate park contract and hires appraiser for utility valuation

Lock Haven City Council approved several funding and procurement items at the Aug. 7 meeting, including allocation of remaining civic contributions, a skate-park construction contract contingent on state review, and engagement of a financial advisor to appraise the water and wastewater utility.

Council voted to allocate the remaining uncommitted civic contribution funds (reported as $10,000) to Rose to Peace, a domestic violence and sexual assault services provider based in Lock Haven. The motion to award the funds passed by voice vote. "It was a very comprehensive application, and I think it's deserved," one council member said during the motion. Rose to Peace'''s executive director (Theo Boro) thanked council for the support and noted the organization has operated locally since 1979.

Bids for the skate park were opened Aug. 1. One responsive bid, from a company identified as Skatepark Supercross (TMC for Superdrug LLC), totaled $726,181.79. Council discussed bid advertising and timeline before voting to award the construction contract contingent on required state reviews and approvals.

Council also reviewed proposals for an appraisal of the water and wastewater utility. PFM (financial advisors) quoted $7,500 for a water appraisal and $7,500 for sewer. Some council members questioned whether that approach would duplicate the statutory valuation process used in a potential sale and whether the appraisal would be useful if the city is not selling the system. Nonetheless, council approved moving forward with PFM to obtain an independent appraisal as part of information-gathering.

Next steps: The Rose to Peace funding will be processed from the current year'''s unallocated civic line; the skate-park award will proceed subject to state reviews. The appraisal engagement with PFM will produce an opinion of value to inform any future sale or negotiation discussions.