[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6121051,"mediaKeyId","2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b","parentId",2703920,"title","Council approves routine funding and awards contracts for street, mowing and restoration work","audioSeconds",1177,"startMs",3163000,"endMs",4340000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b&start=3163&end=4340","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b/thumbnail_3163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121051/Warren-City/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-routine-funding-and-awards-contracts-for-street-mowing-and-restoration-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121051-d83906f5fca677afc57560af26d8b386/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202705&Signature=Ecpa10ArPxTi-ZCRskPXBdRvr2~VgrUx2nQYc5NfGHzeBdIxodMR-OEZqLZMHHFvuBQehEzqknXPrDsgWZNcXj3wti46Oi3BpPi4n-kZI7UUiNObrxuxIhgV732VVv9CqUZ5YcweTzbg2kahFetAk8J4b8IQBzF9mtX-XrYx6vuWHlcxTZlnVgWr7xOYV3MvqMx87kmvEYP87Y0QGtu3X4rM7s2RhvpKsycGEvsGgKuTGKnsrI75KTzHxxcldafidcQ3WBT2QwkuNsEvz-pssvE9E541DTzNZG28uaIFIn6JVz8RhOnUlfgqUrfjMKXnh1w7PVw3Rq-6GfF~TmXegQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Warren, Pennsylvania","date","2025-03-19T18:29:41Z","article","Warren City Council handled a series of funding resolutions and bid awards on March 12, approving a county liquid fuels allocation application, a Community Development Block Grant extension request, multiple public-works contracts and indemnification language for PennDOT special-event permits.

Liquid fuels allocation: City staff said the city’s 2025 county liquid fuels allocation is $12,288 and that the funds are used to reimburse salt purchases for snow and ice control. Council approved a resolution authorizing submission of the county liquid fuels allocation application; the resolution passed unanimously on roll call.

CDBG extension for FY2021 funds: Staff proposed a six-month extension request to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to allow use of federal FY2021 Community Development Block Grant dollars moved from an under-budget South Irving Street project to the Glenwood Street project. Staff said the activity period for the 2021 funds was set to expire on April 28, 2025, and council approved submission of the extension request unanimously.

Bid awards and public-works contracts: Council awarded the street-opening restoration contract (sole bidder) to Huber Blacktop. Council also confirmed multiple lowest responsive bidders for the city’s bi‑annual contracted improvements: Dirt Works LLC was awarded items 1–9 (sidewalk replacement, storm structures, concrete and related work) and Great Lakes was awarded tree and stump work items 10–12. Council awarded the 2025–2026 contracted mowing services to AMC Contracting & Consulting LLC, a longtime city contractor. Each bid award was approved on roll-call votes.

PennDOT indemnification for special events: Council approved an indemnification agreement required by PennDOT for special events that use state-controlled streets; the action authorizes staff to submit event notices and indemnification language for the Warren County Vets’ welcome home parade and the Warren Fourth of July Committee’s parade.

Votes at a glance: Liquid fuels allocation resolution — approved unanimously; CDBG FY2021 six‑month extension request — approved unanimously; Street-opening restoration contract (Huber Blacktop) — awarded unanimously; Contracted improvements (Dirt Works LLC, Great Lakes) — awarded unanimously; Contracted mowing services (AMC Contracting & Consulting LLC) — awarded unanimously; PennDOT indemnification for two parades — approved unanimously.

Ending: Councilors debated some unit‑price items and bid gaps (for example, bucket-truck unit rates) and asked staff to continue to solicit competitive bids in future cycles. No bid protests or contract challenges were reported at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 17, 2025 Warren City Council Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved a package of routine funding resolutions and public‑works contract awards at the March 12 meeting, including a liquid fuels allocation application, a DCED CDBG extension request and multiple public-works contract awards.","taxTitle","Warren City, Warren County, Pennsylvania","taxId",51995,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121053,"Council approves no-surface-drilling oil and gas lease allowing horizontal wells beneath city park",1456,6224000,7680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b&start=6224&end=7680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b/thumbnail_6224000.jpg","/articles/6121053/Warren-City/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/Council-approves-no-surface-drilling-oil-and-gas-lease-allowing-horizontal-wells-beneath-city-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121053-caaa4595adb90f6867b5957404b359fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202705&Signature=DELfbxIfSFqYo8oOizPSysrrkpnMvYwUi4J1c33OzcQ4KLWlCbnibRuqqLrmghrG-BSb5DPyjNblRVF8tvdmRRwRiK6kaEbo6FxrZWTwjJUqGy1HEo4~nUzXpwS0cnVfLYCrKWK1~VLNmuwO~Ry0d9qfFFI65NaDYyzYAci23LZ4TNe7gMv4I~oRwZXAnsoGmkzQikn~Gi7uY62a0TUUtnF0b~tKOjOdCNCIB6jd5RYm47URzPn8CiKbe~vOFP1ybolyXe6CctK6fR2YiGEvOeU8mp5gn4mhbsfJ0Q2EjC1qS4b1dkGrVmzF9zKJ4eVSIgmiX3cO~WQx5LRfLzmbcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren City Council approved a no-surface-drilling oil and gas lease on March 12 that permits horizontal drilling beneath a city-owned park while prohibiting any surface activity on the park itself.

The proposed lease covers mineral access related to parcel WN-499-861 (owned by John D. Branch) with drilling to occur from privately owned surface outside the park; the horizontal well would extend beneath Betts Park, identified in city records as WMN-811-11, city staff said. Under the lease terms presented in the council packet, no drilling equipment or operations are allowed on the park surface.

Nut graf: Councilors debated safety, permitting and timing before approving the agreement. Council asked how deep and how drilling would be regulated; staff and other speakers said that state environmental permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are required before drilling may proceed and that the city would receive a royalty for marketable materials extracted under the lease.

Councilors asked about safety, depth, and the definition of “horizontal” drilling and whether that is equivalent to hydraulic fracturing. Speakers and staff clarified that “horizontal drilling” is a directional technique and that hydraulic fracturing (also called “fracking”) is a separate step that may be part of some wells; they also said permitting and DEP oversight would apply. A council member read lease language and referred to a one-eighth royalty provision in the lease language (\"one-eighth of the value\"), and the city solicitor and staff said royalties are typically paid based on production reports and metering.

Public comments during the agenda item raised questions about whether the lease required planning-commission review and whether environmental and safety assurances had been provided; staff said permits are issued by the state and that lease execution is separate from permitting. Several councilors asked for additional technical briefings; one councilor asked for invited presentations by industry operations staff to explain safety and monitoring practices.

Ending: On roll call the motion to approve the no-surface-drilling lease passed 6–1 (Missus McCain voted no). The city will retain the lease royalty rights and will not permit surface operations on park property; staff said any drilling will require applicable DEP permits before field operations begin.","The council voted 6–1 to approve a no-surface-drilling oil and gas lease with John D. Branch that permits horizontal drilling under Betts Park while prohibiting surface operations on city-owned park land; the agreement includes a royalty provision and requires state permits before operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121055,"City applies for $500,000 DCNR grant to revitalize Mulberry Park; council adopts authorizing resolutions",537,3503000,4040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b&start=3503&end=4040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b/thumbnail_3503000.jpg","/articles/6121055/Warren-City/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/City-applies-for-500000-DCNR-grant-to-revitalize-Mulberry-Park-council-adopts-authorizing-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121055-e4e1df3b815b34e975aacd694d6b8c1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202705&Signature=QpK0looikijhCdCoF94ApC6OCIbkdZxHCjnohRNWyPVBYTiGWqAqk4C8i2LF15FEOAzDKvam2qDBppZsSSFw2CGqKXwFveA6upnJJxfG9fdWbmhZgn5xAcSRVWPYn82JUFJt-trktAQt-ch5PkEK2XLphVL7WC-utdImow1KZ5JGoTECMONSle6TPFR5aaH~Ez0tJ8jvGIPtSgYPO9yKtc8-0D2gbU-tJKOqh5zwtzfKmEbJZ6mAX4uVYk1jS2lcMhxtbFpVoPJ-cZZZ650ezLW9hBCkeHhqUCesYzFGF55KlDzWsATEhXYmIN04KNL41j4rGdqnMMSAauvtzXsyiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Warren City announced on March 12 that it will apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a $500,000 grant to revitalize Mulberry Park and address longstanding drainage and accessibility problems.

City staff said the project scope includes new playground equipment, a new pavilion, benches, sidewalks, grills, lighting, landscape trees and an ADA-accessible parking area. The proposal would also install drainage pipes and erosion- and settlement-control measures to remedy the park’s drainage issues, staff said.

Nut graf: The city’s engineering firm provided an opinion of probable cost of $1,113,296. DCNR grants typically require a 50% local match; the application requests $500,000 and identifies a city match to be included in the 2026 budget.

City staff told council the city’s matching funds would include $483,296 from the general fund included in the 2026 budget, and that the city had received a pledge of $130,000 from a local foundation and expects another $130,000 from an additional funder this spring. The pledged funds, if secured, would reduce the city’s general-fund match requirement to $353,296 in 2026, staff said. Construction under the grant would not occur until 2026 if the application is successful; DCNR awards are typically announced in early fall.

Council received public questions about fallback options if the grant is not awarded. Staff said a contingency or alternative plan has not been finalized and that the city would need to revisit funding and scope if DCNR funds are not secured. Councilor discussion also addressed proposed lighting, sight lines, fencing and off-street parking as part of the park design.

Ending: Council voted unanimously to adopt the two resolutions required by DCNR to submit the grant application. Staff said they will proceed with the DCNR application and circulate design materials and community feedback as the project advances toward engineering and permitting.

","Warren City will apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for a $500,000 grant to rehabilitate Mulberry Park, including ADA upgrades, new playground equipment, drainage fixes and an ADA parking area; council approved two required resolutions and pledged local matching funds in the 2026 budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121057,"Local detailer outlines growth plan, fleet program and community giveaways",1095,1435000,2530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b&start=1435&end=2530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b/thumbnail_1435000.jpg","/articles/6121057/Warren-City/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/Local-detailer-outlines-growth-plan-fleet-program-and-community-giveaways","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121057-3d4f683718546e86c514c5943465d0cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202705&Signature=NBBzM1AOPBO4mogwUtdlQQbgRAXzEW7V6GN44s0doX1R~x3zVTjGCJW0nYvtvrjvPw9x9ndBlJy1aeagA6c65j0NLGnQq3wyS5CvuaIL1n6jU30h1PViuK7wxxvOdDqfb6HGDD8zz9FMH4OtfL-u4bDMCAawX4ZPOrHWHz0DSlF2pnacfrZKzJP~spaGJ5vdbJk2vOs3mm5Fr4mWx7vKnlkhKyHagx2Dd4xWMaWTASiidbh3NGkZbiw~tjHzL3qiMCyf5vRZWD8yGqxJwKPWbv0HDhb-R7Uy8tACKtC~vdgj~O8NLrK1FiDrRmulj2ZUx~fxDKfRTKxfvQChpckiUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mitch Dinger, owner of Blackout Tint Detail LLC, told the Warren City Council on March 12 that his automotive and architectural window-film and detailing company has grown rapidly since launching in 2023 and that he plans a new facility and local hiring.

Dinger, a lifelong Warren resident, described the business’s origins as a weekend project operated from his parents’ garage and its expansion after he began leasing a bay at Warren Tire Center. He said Blackout offers a full range of detailing services and automotive, commercial and residential window films and that it completed 84 transactions from June through December 2023 and 366 transactions in calendar year 2024, with automotive window-film sales representing roughly half of last year’s business.

Dinger told councilors he has logged more than 650 vehicle window-tint services and installed more than 3,500 square feet of architectural film since opening. He described a “free Window Tint Wednesday” social-media giveaway that has produced thousands of organic views and dozens of prizes as one way he markets and gives back to the community.

Nut graf: The council heard the presentation as part of its business-and-community updates; Dinger asked the city to note his interest in redeveloping 1705 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Grassy Knoll site near Warren Tire Center, for a specialized detailing facility that he said could create two full-time jobs and add a fleet-service subscription product for local businesses.

Dinger said the planned facility would include dedicated bays for interiors, exteriors and window-film installation and a customer lobby with product displays. He described a proposed fleet program aimed at companies that operate multiple vehicles; the subscription service would offer routine detailing, discounted film installation and scheduled maintenance.

Council members asked about scheduling and operations. Dinger demonstrated his online booking system (a Square scheduling page linked from his website) and described a no-upfront-payment reservation system that pings him with customer details and notes. He said he sometimes handles drop-off and pickup without direct customer contact and that his site lists prices for common services.

Dinger also described philanthropic activity: donations of services to local fund-raisers, fair events and nonprofit groups and promotional presence at parades. He said he has worked with local businesses including Lather Salon, the adult probation office, the Warren school district central office and several regional employers.

Ending: Council members thanked Dinger for the presentation; several praised the local-business growth story and said they welcomed discussions about the 1705 Pennsylvania Avenue site if Dinger pursues a purchase and redevelopment. No formal city action was requested or taken on the business presentation.

","Mitch Dinger, owner of Blackout Tint Detail, told the Warren City Council that his mobile and bay-based detailing and window-films business expanded rapidly after opening in 2023 and outlined plans for a new facility and a fleet subscription service.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6121046,"Council pauses on letter opposing possible expansion of Game Commission land purchases; asks for verified data",1131,4884000,6015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b&start=4884&end=6015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703920-91ff31ec55a66ac70baa3dd2e36f4d3b/thumbnail_4884000.jpg","/articles/6121046/Warren-City/Warren-County/Pennsylvania/Council-pauses-on-letter-opposing-possible-expansion-of-Game-Commission-land-purchases-asks-for-verified-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121046-9bb07737515c7f19777dbb8ce5d9a993/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202705&Signature=hk8fxyfNZKtoXSd47UGZGEz5HxSuh~RB8IdS7dbaDDMXQ7~6JHKkq~v4hK-alCeKoaXKe59e7p~bCr7n0XDX9~yAFS7Zse8YYt47W7i6f7hR~sspfOoR66XNebXGy2ivrXJG9bRmEJMV~JIBIjnZLKBiHmeyA8sfU7-IODZFA7tBdzHN-BZ4TptYmAw~bsNo9GBk5awEQiGdfr8lw-Bd2q5xnUE-5E~xy9JNAuc1lr0bLnYX5c72~-4DnbHnsW0HLWCR~39UXDPJSXpuSRVmEBFVObqGvNxeBaILHlr7wAQNeRKUOvBz9Q9BK-h54NTmQ0fuGv6U1Wqt0g4Xi9jyjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Warren City Council on March 12 discussed a draft letter, prepared with county and business stakeholders, opposing a proposed legislative move to increase the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s per‑acre acquisition capacity. After public comment and council discussion about numbers and impacts, councilors agreed to delay endorsing the letter and asked staff to verify acreage and fiscal calculations.

Nut graf: The draft memorandum circulated by business and county stakeholders expressed concern that increased game-land acquisitions could shrink the county’s taxable base and affect municipal and school tax revenue. Several councilors and members of the public questioned numerical claims in the draft — in particular the acreage totals and the per‑acre purchase price referenced in media reports — and asked staff to confirm the figures before any city endorsement.

During the discussion, councilors noted published figures showing substantial public land holdings in Warren County (Allegheny National Forest and Pennsylvania Game Commission tracts were discussed) and requested clarity on how much county land is on tax rolls versus held by state or federal agencies. Public commenters urged the council to consider pilot payments or other fiscal mitigations if acquisitions increase; another commenter argued the draft should be revised to request payment-in-lieu-of-taxes from acquiring bodies rather than an absolute halt on acquisitions.

Ending: Given the factual questions raised, council agreed to table the letter, direct staff to verify acreage and valuation numbers, and return with a revised draft and supporting evidence before any city endorsement or signatures are collected. The item was not put to a vote on the draft language at this meeting.","Councilors asked staff to verify acreage and fiscal-impact figures before signing a proposed joint letter that would oppose legislation to increase Pennsylvania Game Commission acquisition powers; the item was tabled for further fact-checking and redrafting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves routine funding and awards contracts for street, mowing and restoration work

Council approves no-surface-drilling oil and gas lease allowing horizontal wells beneath city park

City applies for $500,000 DCNR grant to revitalize Mulberry Park; council adopts authorizing resolutions

Local detailer outlines growth plan, fleet program and community giveaways

Council pauses on letter opposing possible expansion of Game Commission land purchases; asks for verified data