City of Clinton settles lawsuit against Larson for $5.5M and updates personnel manual

In a pivotal meeting held on December 16, 2024, the Lock Haven City Council addressed significant developments that promise to reshape the city's governance and employee relations. The atmosphere in the council chamber was charged with anticipation as members gathered to discuss a long-standing legal matter and the introduction of a long-awaited personnel manual.

The council began by announcing a settlement agreement related to a lawsuit against Larson, initiated in March 2018. This legal action, now nearing resolution, involves a settlement amount of $5,585,000 owed to the city. The agreement, which has been formalized through a memorandum of understanding, allows the mayor and city manager to finalize the settlement, effectively closing the chapter on this contentious issue. The unanimous support from council members, including Council member Brandon and Mayor Long, underscored the importance of this resolution for the city’s financial health.

As the meeting progressed, another significant topic emerged: the introduction of a unified personnel manual, a project that has been in the making for over 70 years. City officials, with the assistance of a grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, have compiled a comprehensive manual that consolidates various employee rules and regulations into a single, accessible document. This initiative aims to streamline operations and ensure that all city employees are informed of their rights and responsibilities in a clear and organized manner.

The council members expressed their approval of this new manual, with one member noting the importance of having a structured policy in place after decades of outdated practices. The manual will be distributed to all city employees, who will be required to acknowledge receipt, marking a significant step forward in modernizing the city’s personnel policies.

As the meeting concluded, the council’s commitment to improving city governance and employee relations was evident. With the settlement agreement and the new personnel manual, Lock Haven is poised to enhance its operational efficiency and foster a more informed workforce, setting a positive tone for the future of the city.