[{"_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",6159550,"mediaKeyId","5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8","parentId",5454233,"title","Committee reviews $4,000 EAP agreement offering three free counseling sessions per issue","audioSeconds",1332,"startMs",981000,"endMs",2313000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8&start=981&end=2313","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8/thumbnail_981000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159550/Williamsport/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Committee-reviews-4000-EAP-agreement-offering-three-free-counseling-sessions-per-issue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159550-af915bd3e09978683af29cedca60a31c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657053&Signature=lChUBTXhYrae3jSy5as39rMYoReCeEUT7vnLBCTh~b4762Qsc-pRPM26Vzvc5G1D8akOhzXHtI-V8AzWCq8Z15m835BrwK5zMRwwdoPa-jdoiHJ3kEXkGUeYHncK~Q5yHKOUrB8641OpT8SpXo1Njep1wvTStqSLvuNseEV13K2Opi-sfEGosXyjFeI1BxCajQ~mgE3Q5TpiKBfkZKf0QLmwVLrNVyjOoWgqWMiARPr4e1NKr9fSh6HqBtYEapEMi1aDCAm1QncRadnJjyaXPVOhqnFfWQ~AjIX6seZXLbmIyGpRTI4QgeklhIcWqZR6LsQM7yk-0J3UcODzAgXtSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-23T05:53:31Z","article","The City Council Finance Committee on July 22 reviewed an agreement to provide an employee assistance program (EAP) through ESI Employee Assistance Group, which human resources staff said would cost about $4,000 annually and is described as a no-cost service to employees (noting a per‑employee reference to $25 a year in committee remarks).

Donna Fuller, representing human resources, explained the proposed EAP would cover all employees and household members, offering three free counseling sessions per issue, unlimited online training courses, legal consultations and administrative‑referral capabilities. “They cover all the employees and anyone who lives in their house,” Fuller said. “They all get receive 3 free counseling sessions per issue.” She added the EAP provider would work with the city’s health insurer (Highmark) so services beyond the three sessions would roll into the health plan.

Fuller said the city’s insurance spending on mental health has risen: she cited a year-over-year increase and said the city’s mental-health insurance cost last year was $18,945 for the items ESI would address, and that 27 percent of employees used mental-health services via insurance last year, with higher percentages among spouses and dependents. Fuller said the EAP includes first-responder programs and trauma response; the EAP will provide aggregated monthly and quarterly usage reports but will not disclose individual identities except when an administrative referral is made.

Councilors asked for references and metrics to demonstrate possible cost savings to the city and effectiveness for employees. Councilor Liz Meeley said, “If we could prove that this is a benefit, but also likely to result in some savings that will be better received.” Committee members asked human resources to seek references from local employers that use the vendor and to prepare tracking metrics that could be used to measure changes in health‑insurance utilization if the agreement is approved.

No formal committee vote was recorded; Fuller said the program cost would be absorbed by individual departments if approved and that she would attempt to secure references and, where available, testimonials for the full council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Williamsport Finance Committee Meeting - 7/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","Human resources presented a proposed annual $4,000 employee assistance program (EAP) agreement with ESI Employee Assistance Group that would offer three free counseling sessions per issue to employees and household members.","taxTitle","Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania","taxId",54754,"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},6159555,"City seeks $300,000 multimodal grant for permanent bollards; committee raises durability concerns",676,518000,1194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8&start=518&end=1194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8/thumbnail_518000.jpg","/articles/6159555/Williamsport/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/City-seeks-300000-multimodal-grant-for-permanent-bollards-committee-raises-durability-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159555-a34029f3053c816844c5f7129d182d1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657053&Signature=kjb0J92-WGRJC6wv5UD8HfErk-oQcU23rmolDoAXPQVsmafh-zLLdgTw1qCpitjCYibZ41ZPHAU0JsXSdaElDroA1pNe3xSY0wrAT0PmfPeInjO3cOi9v56nhT278FeTxtpsgJd4lr5S0BMzLl-wJtfH7BQksT-P1kuw9KuKv0sJghdZmN79U2y7GC6QJMlbLoYwlofj-sJX9ud-ZpMoQPlMhrZiZx2-YjUolxLv1k85PQZouDZIrYj1LOlVI7w7jCD~HxXm1FZVWAw3x6b1FVJHbW4qAkg8UHsgB31y2awmZO3Nh5xk6k-V1ZBjhRlaHjlKriEAnACEMNETB9QNuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council Finance Committee discussed a resolution on July 22 to file an application with the Commonwealth (CFA) for up to $300,000 to install retractable bollards on West Fourth Street to support event closures such as First Friday.

Melanie Shut of the Community Development Office said the grant application would seek up to $300,000 for “retractable bollards that will be used for events such as First Friday.” Councilor Liz Meeley said she supports applying but raised concerns about product longevity after preliminary online research. “My fear is always for the city that it's terrific if we can get a grant to implement something, but if it fails 5 or 8 years down the road and cost us a $100,000 to repair, then we're not really further ahead than we were,” Meeley said.

Bonnie Katz asked whether the county has comparable bollards in place; committee members noted the county’s bollards appear to have been in place for years without frequent removal. Shut said the models under consideration include a lid and lock and that she would follow up with Streets & Parks staff to get details from the vendor and on any seals intended to prevent water intrusion.

Committee members also discussed alternative or “hybrid” solutions, such as fixtures that accept removable bollards, that might reduce long-term maintenance. Shut confirmed the CFA multimodal grant requires no local match and that $300,000 is anticipated to fully fund the project. She also noted the city has a Safe Streets for All planning grant aimed at pedestrian safety that will support grant applications for crosswalks and related improvements.

The committee requested additional vendor references, durability data, and comparisons with neighboring jurisdictions before taking formal action; no formal vote was recorded in the committee meeting.","The finance committee discussed filing an application to the Commonwealth for up to $300,000 to install retractable bollards for downtown event closures; members asked staff to research longevity, county installations, and possible hybrid solutions before formal action.",{"_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},6159559,"Finance committee reviews $110,374.66 vehicle purchases funded from liquid fuels",284,121000,405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8&start=121&end=405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6159559/Williamsport/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Finance-committee-reviews-11037466-vehicle-purchases-funded-from-liquid-fuels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159559-727b64107e092dd329c92d44394ffcea/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657053&Signature=bXNvRZZyOK~PfovR7K1dnCIpOoLmojJEY2pAegEJQwtV5fU8KPX5QBNuPImjoCn3c39WncF8onTcPOPkHvaC9rNs60he5AGF0~iOxom03TmzgCa~DoJoZ9MndCOxKsF1mhhzfXrvOpwof5JurI1BRQ7ilux6U~J2cB2EBzvizLsxfbiMHJ8OOXh9-75iTj4DbIoHtRXQRvsu9h3ElKbN9wYQOt0x~CT2U3LZOXYCuC8PPp1OWYx9jztpD8Lqojdz8h0FYXBHN4klehL~cmLNNrY-MFgOQ54cTsMrCxt7Wq3mGuaYo0OrhsyD8MEYWWnfNIbzy0snONERFPdMYp~k4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council Finance Committee on July 22 discussed a resolution to authorize the purchase of a 2024–2025 Ford F-350 foreman truck and a 2026 Ford Explorer for the Streets & Parks department, with a combined cost of $110,374.66 to come from the city’s liquid fuels capital projects.

Committee Chair Councilor Liz Meeley said the purchases are part of a fleet update “so things aren't nickel and dime in us.” A Streets & Parks staff member explained the F-350 will replace the foreman’s worn truck and the Explorer will replace a 2008 Ford Ranger that has served as a dispatch vehicle. “The truck is gonna be outfitted with a utility box,” the staff member said, adding that the Explorer will be used to transport multiple staff to trainings and events.

Meeley asked whether the purchases are drawn from excess liquid fuels funds or from the city's annual liquid fuels allocation; the staff member said the vehicles are funded from capital projects budgeted last year. The committee discussed timing and delivery; the staff member said the F-350 has already arrived and that both vehicles should be in service soon.

Members also discussed disposal and resale of the replaced vehicles. The staff member said the department will remove radios and equipment before selling decommissioned vehicles “through Municipal,” and that the department staggers sales to avoid flooding the market. Treasurer’s office staff member Kevin Mackey noted that proceeds from vehicle sales typically flow back into liquid fuels when the vehicles were funded from that source.

No formal vote or motion was recorded during the committee’s discussion; committee members indicated these items will move forward to the council agenda for additional consideration. The committee did not record an official approval or rejection in this meeting.

The discussion included these specific details: the replaced Ranger is a 2008 model; the combined purchase price is $110,374.66; outfitting includes a utility box and storage for tools; vendor arrangements include purchase through a Holidaysburg dealership and outfitting at Maxwell (as referenced by staff).","City finance committee discussed a resolution to buy a 2024–2025 Ford F-350 foreman truck and a 2026 Ford Explorer for Streets & Parks, funded from existing liquid fuels capital projects; committee discussion covered timing, disposition of replaced vehicles and outfitting costs, with no formal vote recorded in the meeting.",{"_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},6159545,"Councilors press county on residential LERDA renewal; city staff plan follow-up",513,2279000,2792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8&start=2279&end=2792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454233-b8cabd3b3fd982a5be37c075bb0a71d8/thumbnail_2279000.jpg","/articles/6159545/Williamsport/Lycoming-County/Pennsylvania/Councilors-press-county-on-residential-LERDA-renewal-city-staff-plan-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159545-a9464916244eab4f1135442835250f9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773657053&Signature=fEbnMg5wqXZUkTZaoPq2yfIlW1SnNiZZeR9yD6pEozwWwQTLAUGikk~xHqHTFeLRG5bPfU01KZxdDnezame0xiUfTySrgCA8nO0zjGPcKCP1~QzwSnqzK2yNzaG8J8-EBQo5FJg59k8OQAzyPRgxAH2BWoEmIooTnitwv8pfoaF0057ELhRVmzUJz5KU2LFsXQTNj8sKWEZCdhOzMNik7~B7gPD5zj0dO6-J2pHV97tRGkZImuqVfLzr5ntZetpv5MxvNkBAoK36704TixMTuCJxV256BlL0iy7V2nV6REpOu0XPPTtZxVzHRxdfCDs-vEkiwpye3VcrVGgsV5p1kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 22 Finance Committee meeting, Treasurer’s office staff member Kevin Mackey said the county has not responded to city requests to discuss renewal of a residential LERDA program. Mackey told the committee he has tried to arrange meetings and has not received a response from county officials.

Mackey said the city currently is the only jurisdiction within the county administering a residential LERDA, and that county officials have expressed concern privately about perceived unfairness when the city offers such an abatement while other jurisdictions do not. “I just keep pestering them to try and get them to discuss a residential LERDA with us,” Mackey said.

Councilor Liz Meeley said she wants a more robust city-level discussion of LERTA/LERDA and other incentives tied to redevelopment authority efforts. Staff said more residential abatement applications have been filed this year than in prior years; Mackey estimated roughly six to a dozen applications have come across his desk this year, though he did not provide an exact tally in the meeting.

Committee members discussed coordinating among community development, grants staff and council to assemble existing funding and programs that could be combined with tax abatements to encourage longer-term residency and investment. Meeley and other councilors asked staff to prepare documentation on recent LERDA applications and the scope of work for those projects for further committee or council review.

No formal action was recorded in the meeting; staff said they will follow up with the county and prepare materials for council consideration.","Committee members said the county has not engaged on renewing a residential LERDA (tax-abatement program); staff reported increased interest in the program this year and said they will compile case details for council discussion and potential next steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews $4,000 EAP agreement offering three free counseling sessions per issue

City seeks $300,000 multimodal grant for permanent bollards; committee raises durability concerns

Finance committee reviews $110,374.66 vehicle purchases funded from liquid fuels

Councilors press county on residential LERDA renewal; city staff plan follow-up