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Committee members ask questions about proposed 'Bird Town' resolution from Audubon
Summary
Committee members discussed a proposed resolution to recognize Williamsport as a Pennsylvania Audubon Council Bird Town. Members sought clarity on costs, commitments and who sponsored the item; no formal action was recorded and staff said they would pull more information for the next meeting.
During the January 28 finance committee meeting members discussed a proposed resolution titled along the lines of “the city of Williamsport to adopt initiatives to be recognized as a Pennsylvania Audubon Council Bird Town.”
Committee member Kevin Mackey asked for details: “The the bird count thing that is on the agenda, what is what is that about? Do you have any information on that?” The committee chair said he had not reviewed the item fully for the meeting but guessed the local Audubon Society had requested the designation and that the resolution likely asks the city to acknowledge the designation rather than obligate the city to spend money. The chair said, “My guess is that it has probably been introduced by the local Audubon Society. And, and then, you know, is, is just something that we are kind of committing to.”
Members raised questions about whether the resolution required any financial commitment; the chair and others said the draft resolution contained no dollar figures and appeared to be a non‑binding acknowledgment supporting Audubon’s Bird Town application. Several members said they supported the idea in principle but asked that economics and any potential commitments be clarified. The chair suggested that Hamler from economic development — listed on the regular agenda as the presenter — or city solicitor Austin White could provide specifics at the next meeting.
Committee members also discussed broader marketing and economic-development implications. One member suggested the city form a marketing committee with two council members, two administration representatives and outside business and nonprofit stakeholders to take advantage of such designations; the chair agreed to raise the idea with the mayor.
Why it matters: Bird Town designations are typically used to recognize local habitat and conservation actions and can be cited as part of quality‑of‑life and property‑value narratives. Committee members asked for clear documentation of whether the designation requires city commitments or funding before the resolution is advanced.
No formal vote or final action on the Bird Town resolution is recorded in the transcript; staff promised to bring fuller details to the next meeting.
