Council approves event closures, grants changes, ordinance updates and department rules; votes at a glance

Lock Haven City Council on Monday approved a package of routine and policy items, including street closures for a May 25 memorial celebration, airport event permits, a Community Development Block Grant modification, recycling ordinance language updates, a records-retention shredding checklist and other measures. Below are the council actions summarized.

Street closure for memorial celebration (East Water Street, May 25): The council approved a request from the Art Council and Milwaukee BMW to close East Water Street from Jay Grove Street on Sunday, May 25, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. for a memorial celebration at Efren’s Park featuring live music, vendors and fireworks. The council asked staff to ensure all permits and fire-department coordination (including fireworks permits) are complete before the event.

Sentimental Journey airport events (fly-in and fundraisers, June 17–21): The council approved the annual use requests from Sentimental Journey for a fly-in June 17–21 and two fundraisers. Staff said the Federal Aviation Administration implemented new non-aviation-use rules for general aviation airports and the city solicitor will review whether pancake breakfasts fall under those rules; if so the organizers must complete the FAA application process (the FAA application should be filed about 150 days before the event). The council’s approval was conditioned on completing required FAA-related paperwork, if applicable.

CDBG fiscal year 2021 modification: The council approved a modification to the city’s FY2021 CDBG program deleting an activity for the Ross Library that was not completed under the program and reallocating $11,975 to Tiger Park Improvements. Staff said the library proceeded without CDBG funds, so the activity must be deleted before the funds can be reallocated.

Recycling ordinance language update: The council approved an amendment to local recycling ordinance language to meet state review requirements. The update broadens coverage language from “multifamily dwellings and by commercial establishment” to “multifamily dwellings and municipal, commercial, industrial establishments, and at community events.” The ordinance defines “community events” as events with 100 or more individuals per day and gives examples such as parades, bazaars and picnics.

Records retention and shredding checklist: The council approved a resolution adopting a records-retention and disposition checklist consistent with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission retention and disposition guidebook. The resolution’s total number of boxes will be updated to match the actual inventory at the time of shredding; the council authorized staff and the police to be present when the shredding company destroys records.

Industrial user charge adjustment: The council approved a resolution to set the industrial user charge at the same per-thousand-gallon rate charged to municipalities. Council noted the rate per thousand gallons for the previous year was $3.07 and that the new rate will be $2.90 per thousand gallons.

Fire department relief-driver rule amendment: The council approved an amendment to local firefighter rules recommended by the Fire Advisory Board removing a sentence that had required relief drivers to hold a commercial driver license (CDL). Council and the fire chief explained federal guidelines changed in 2022 to require attendance at a truck drivers academy as part of obtaining a CDL but said firefighters remain exempt from certain CDL requirements when operating apparatus; the amendment restores the prior language used for part-time/relief drivers.

Tangent solar project waterline easement: The council approved an easement that preserves a 15-foot access strip for the city in the Tangent solar project layout so the city can access a water main if needed. Staff said Tangent had to rearrange its layout to avoid both a water main and a UGI gas main and the easement preserves city access.

Votes: Council recorded the motions, second(s) and roll-call voting on each item. Where the transcript recorded roll-call responses, the items carried with councilmembers recorded as voting in favor during roll call. The meeting record shows affirmative roll-call responses for the items summarized above. Where staff indicated a condition or outside approval (for example, FAA review for airport events), the council’s approval was made subject to completion of those external processes.