[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6227322,"mediaKeyId","3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb","parentId",3493569,"title","Residents press commissioners for transparency on FanVest Mall negotiations; county cites nondisclosure and competition","audioSeconds",610,"startMs",2097000,"endMs",2707000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb&start=2097&end=2707","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb/thumbnail_2097000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227322/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-commissioners-for-transparency-on-FanVest-Mall-negotiations-county-cites-nondisclosure-and-competition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227322-4996d699d87e20851d0be304d6289ea9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221779&Signature=lcEVAQJbYhaZq70lr3z4B2x45JNxhXqMNbfHNgXFey6d5WNnDdWd9UaNf3VGdcvu-raUvHfQhZi768q8UTG~bbDfKIOqO0GclATE0LOzjNA~IV3J4~uSKSYAHDnvgWbiFk-Tj65c4AD1JhLaF1xhRoHrUeQdOIoQueipAT9iXSdjEA40KvvZ70fuwYQvs2RoUOYB73ePbt5~G6hq~P6aVV3V7Z~cCJP2~4rOcrl0zfe7JEuSnzXvqykIj7ke10tHN8ld0evlqp-mZhiAzke2OAqAT9tU9J2KDL-X0p5DOtvwwEuM~S2YgBOPFyNhTzX-h5~NK7L--1toS4K2HBHg2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-24T15:54:56.95Z","article","Public commenters from Muncie Township used the county’s public-comment period to press Lycoming County commissioners for information about ongoing negotiations involving FanVest and the Lycoming Mall property, asking whether FanVest or any of its subsidiaries had applied for or received additional county funding since a previously announced $5 million loan.

Terry Markley and other residents said they filed right-to-know requests seeking records about any new funding requests and asked the commissioners to disclose whether any requests had been made. Denise Hartley, Muncie Township supervisor, described seeking guidance on how to file narrower Right-to-Know (RTK) requests so the county can locate records more easily.

County officials and the commissioners explained options under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and the Office of Open Records guidance, and said that when requests are broad or ambiguous the county may respond that the request is too broad. The county solicitor advised requesters to be specific about date ranges and communication parties to aid searches.

Commissioners said the county had entered nondisclosure agreements as part of confidential negotiations and that disclosing certain pre-decisional communications can be restricted under the law. “We are not gonna jeopardize the negotiations of something this magnitude,” Commissioner Mark Messina said, adding commissioners had made the county the lead loan holder to protect the property.

On whether FanVest was asking for more county funding, one commissioner stated, “I would say at this point, they they personally are not requesting any money from the county.” That statement was delivered by a commissioner during the public comment exchange and was presented as the county’s current position; no formal vote or binding finding accompanied the remark. Commissioners also noted that economic-development funding related to large projects often involves multiple sources, including state and federal programs, and that some funding for projects in the county comes from Act 13 impact funds related to the gas industry.

Residents also raised concerns about nondisclosure agreements and asked whether NDAs have expiry limits; a commissioner answered that some NDAs were signed in April 2024 and defended limited disclosures as necessary to protect negotiations. County officials said that if documents responsive to properly framed RTK requests exist, they will be provided through the RTK process or via the Office of Open Records appeals process.

No formal county action or vote on additional funding was taken at the meeting; the comments were in the public-comment portion of the agenda.

Context: Commissioners and staff emphasized competition with other jurisdictions for large retail or development tenants, and that publicly revealing negotiation details can cause a potential tenant to withdraw. Several speakers framed Act 13 funds as a separate stream of economic-development dollars that does not come from the county’s general budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lycoming County Commissioners Meeting 5-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","Residents in public comment pressed Lycoming County commissioners for disclosure about whether FanVest had requested additional county funding for the Lycoming Mall property; commissioners said current negotiations are covered by nondisclosure agreements and that no county funding request was reported at the meeting.","taxTitle","Lycoming County, Pennsylvania","taxId",54753,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6227327,"Lycoming County proclaims Community Action Month; STEP Inc. highlights $12M in housing investments",293,289000,582000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb&start=289&end=582","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6227327/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Lycoming-County-proclaims-Community-Action-Month-STEP-Inc-highlights-12M-in-housing-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227327-798c8878024095d7e9350924ecb641d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221779&Signature=KRYwk8bcEUp1Xvacs8UvIEGDeV~zXrDbqCzQUNfpnQ1xmlvGOqdyAhCZw7ILV9awRjd9jfYj667vwCbqhcu69T9GyH~mWYIFzuTLk-bfeIIOZykSKPu0fdH8GoW~UFAhcWoPQx2smS3-L4xFOoA4VsRuiDT~Yj1~Yqp0Hj-QHCQdd3pxRIh~mun9f5CcYuSK3eFmGRv~rJ2OYlWfcoRZqM4uHNbV-Qaz0eZiYukn1B0okqTDwo0TEhu3MFuKkM86~GKVy~RtFsov5zYwgbxI9iVR9CSalRSA83dDyZ6IKjH1RV~b8cUIE5uVF6vbeIC1~U~Z6hb403YbmHK16-p0Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lycoming County commissioners on Wednesday proclaimed May 25 Community Action Month and presented the proclamation to STEP Incorporated, a local community action agency that county and STEP officials said has provided services across Lycoming and Clinton counties for nearly six decades.

STEP Incorporated’s president and CEO, Rochelle Abbott, told commissioners the agency served more than 19,000 individuals in 2024 and marked the 20th anniversary of the STEP Homes in Need program, which she said has completed 2,454 home-repair jobs at an average cost of about $17,000 and represents more than $12,000,000 invested in the county’s housing stock since the program began.

The proclamation recognizes local community action efforts and encourages residents to support agencies that provide economic and social services. “In 2024, we’ve served over 19,000 individuals,” Abbott said during remarks to the commissioners, adding that STEP coordinates funding from sources including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, a local affordable housing trust, and other grants.

Abbott also described an ARPA-funded aid program administered by STEP that she said has handled more than 300 requests since October and that the agency has made staffing changes to support growing summer program needs. She told the commissioners the program had supported 85 requests; Abbott said she did not have the full monthly figures available at the meeting.

Commissioners made brief remarks thanking STEP staff and board members for their work and accepted the proclamation; several commissioners and attendees posed for a photo with STEP staff.

Background: STEP’s Homes in Need program was created in partnership with county commissioners, Abbott said, and the agency provides a range of services including child and older-adult services and transportation supports. Abbott listed staff in attendance by name and role and offered to provide a letter of support the commissioners could sign for federal representatives in recognition of Community Action Month.

The commissioners did not take additional action related to county funding at the meeting; the proclamation and the presentation were ceremonial and intended to highlight STEP’s programs.","Lycoming County commissioners declared May 25 Community Action Month and recognized STEP Incorporated’s 59 years of service; STEP leaders outlined housing repairs, services and ARPA-funded aid delivered in the region.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6227311,"Lycoming County approves agreements for wetlands consulting, fire-protection maintenance, device management and regional 911 expansion",294,1233000,1527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb&start=1233&end=1527","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb/thumbnail_1233000.jpg","/articles/6227311/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Lycoming-County-approves-agreements-for-wetlands-consulting-fire-protection-maintenance-device-management-and-regional-911-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227311-484ef732c8fcce9eccb919b800910302/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221779&Signature=XZC-dEzgIXg-00p~3kSuXn4Gh97nyk8A9ep5IPFg8IrpwH6Xegnu41zCUra~3kISBr0BhOU5L-H-T~lIyoxmObEnB8SHLDguo912d4FZfGHiJdoMYzyHu~JBfJQT2wQm29ogbEJ0nrI754jnlNZi5U~CcKOb7pPwYwvzcUiLUf3IJnrJk4~E2MOAiOwEmHOG9BAvIg-eTG3UZW3FY2qArPkYitrEvT9KTXb209wDl55GhwEt7D0FfkhU2Sfd1yGextNs-sL8S20dZu~WYLtzi3xNmVOwCz2OzXSdO933FrzFPrMO0O0B9McwvNnkpaeIOWZAkrdhYNf50FVrSax5YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lycoming County commissioners voted to approve a batch of professional agreements and personnel actions during the meeting.

The board approved an as-needed agreement with Cedar Run Environmental Services at a rate of $125 per hour for wetland identification and guidance when projects encounter wetlands, the county said. The commissioners also approved an agreement with Kent Fire Protection to maintain and install fire-suppression systems on county equipment that requires those systems.

County staff approved a no-cost change agreement to bring Potter County into the county’s next-generation phone system region; staff said the move aligns Potter with the same regional dispatch alignment at no extra cost. Commissioners approved a Verizon device-management subscription at $450 per month under the county’s 2025 budget; staff said the new package is a better configuration and will save roughly $1,000 per year compared with the county’s prior arrangement.

Other approvals included a $50,000 agreement with Willow South Township for the Hidden Valley storm project, an appendix for additional services with a psychological services provider, and personnel actions and conditional job offers in planning, pre-release center and courts reported by staff. All motions for these items were made and passed by voice vote at the meeting.

The county did not provide contract numbers for each item in the public reading; staff presented the agreements as standard renewals or single-project contracts included on the meeting agenda.","Commissioners approved multiple professional agreements including an as-needed wetlands services contract, fire-protection maintenance, Verizon device-management subscription, and a no-cost change to include Potter County in the county’s next-generation phone region; several smaller agreements and personnel actions also passed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6227317,"Lycoming County opens six bids for Plunkett’s Creek habitat project; commissioners ratify $2.21 million in invoices",66,857000,923000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb&start=857&end=923","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3493569-46fc2fca59f78a0f62c3015d05d6b4fb/thumbnail_857000.jpg","/articles/6227317/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Lycoming-County-opens-six-bids-for-Plunketts-Creek-habitat-project-commissioners-ratify-221-million-in-invoices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227317-a09d4f20d196500d331ad4b2ce162998/orig.mp4?Expires=1775221779&Signature=TmrI9zGnh0EpbwjWGSCGB3qyTUtWDZYCc-FY~FaSw9D8xnI8-9sWeXc4RCo4RLQsYZT2HInTrAFSikELiOTo~-KEU77LNiXxvbJ1qeDZwIUD88pGVEL0rJZdLiXeNNyQWwSg-dqouJWuOKCflziFfyBKh3M6v4BbuCIid6lSIjXtM-rQwajcQnBjsz1SqanzkEKN2D35Cc3LuX2qvOOU8opduhf~UxUNvS5oMwtAdomMeB6RcSce3cjBloN9DgJMlRmvGzyzdbD-x717nQePimOoU1l2d8J5q1vLQMqeLouYyIW~FeSk4t4~fUhLpWj4xIJ63vtNQSost2w3xXns0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff reported six bids for the Plunkett’s Creek fish habitat enhancement project and commissioners ratified more than $2.2 million in invoices during the meeting.

A staff member identified the bids and amounts: Aquatic Resource Restoration Company — $130,000; Cornerstone Landscapes — $122,000; Kuz Excavating — $81,000; Darren Thompson Excavating — $115,500; Smith Excavating and Construction — $96,859.05; and Watson Excavating — $124,246. The county did not award the contract at the meeting; staff presented the bids for the record.

Separately, staff presented invoices to be paid through May 28, 2025, totaling $2,209,960.30. The presenter listed the fund distribution as: general fund 43.26%, other grants 32.88%, RMS 21.5%, and escrow 2.35%. The commissioners moved to accept the accounts payable and the motion passed by voice vote.

No protest or irregularity was recorded on the bid openings in the meeting transcript, and no award decision was made at the meeting. The accounts-payable ratification will proceed through the county’s payment process following approval.","County staff announced six bids for a Plunkett’s Creek fish habitat enhancement project; commissioners also ratified $2,209,960.30 in invoices to be paid, with funding drawn from multiple sources.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press commissioners for transparency on FanVest Mall negotiations; county cites nondisclosure and competition

Lycoming County proclaims Community Action Month; STEP Inc. highlights $12M in housing investments

Lycoming County approves agreements for wetlands consulting, fire-protection maintenance, device management and regional 911 expansion

Lycoming County opens six bids for Plunkett’s Creek habitat project; commissioners ratify $2.21 million in invoices