Lock Haven council adopts CDBG paperwork, enacts street-tree and sewer rules; approves park events with conditions

The Lock Haven City Council met in regular session and approved a package of routine and substantive items, including CDBG application documents, a new ordinance on care of street trees in rights-of-way, and updated local industrial pretreatment limits for the sewer system. Council also approved community event permits for a Main Street banner, a Zindell Park trail race and the annual Halloween parade, while directing staff to require additional safety documentation for the park race. The council heard a multi-stage schedule for public review of a draft active transportation plan and discussed a first reading of revised Ross Library board rules that drew questions about vague removal language.

The decisions matter because the CDBG resolutions clear the way for the city to seek federal funding for eligible projects; the street-tree and sewer ordinances change local regulatory responsibilities; and several event approvals hinge on staff review of safety plans that councilors said were not yet complete. Councilors also reviewed a DEP sewage inspection report showing no violations and discussed longer-term wastewater plant upgrades the city plans to seek financing for.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for the Aug. 4 regular meeting — motion passed (recorded votes: Council member Alexander: yes; Council member Brannon: yes; Council member Brinker: yes; Council member Conklin: yes; Council member Mazzorgi: yes; Council member Stevenson: yes; Mayor Law: yes).

- Resolution 2025-27: Banner permit for the library’s book sale, Sept. 1–13 — approved (unanimous vote recorded as above).

- Park permit (Real People Helping People) for a trail race in Zindell Park on Sept. 7 (8 a.m.–2 p.m.) — approved with condition that the organizer provide a trail map and confirm aid/rescue plans and insurance documentation before the event (vote recorded as unanimous).

- Annual Halloween parade (Fire Department) Oct. 25 and a $100 budget allocation toward parade costs — approved (unanimous vote recorded as above).

- Resolution 2025-28: CDBG submission certification — approved (unanimous).

- Resolution 2025-29: CDBG financial management plan (grant admin/contract/invoicing procedures) — approved (unanimous).

- Resolution 2025-30s: Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973) implementation plan — approved (unanimous).

- Resolution 2025-31: Fair housing resolution consistent with Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act) — approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance 2025-06 (second reading): Amend Chapter 346, streets and sidewalks — regulation of shade trees in city rights-of-way; enacted (vote recorded as unanimous).

- Ordinance 2025-07 (second reading): Amend Chapter 328, sewer and sewage disposal — update industrial pretreatment local limits based on engineering study and DEP review; enacted (vote recorded as unanimous).

- Resolution 2025-32: PUC/EPA lead and copper inventory/consent language for interconnections (city reports no lead or copper interconnects found); approved (unanimous).

- Ordinance 2025-08 (Ross Library board rules/first reading): moved forward on first reading for further review and second reading later (motion passed to advance; vote recorded as unanimous).

What the council asked and directed

- Zindell Park trail race: Council members said the event application lacked a map of the trails to be used and did not list aid/checkpoint locations. Staff reported the organizer provided insurance and some trail identifications but not the detailed map the city’s park-use process normally requires. Council approved the permit with an explicit direction that the organizer submit a map, identify aid/rescue stations, and complete any checklist items before the event.

- Active transportation plan: Staff said the draft — funded by a $20,000 WalkWorks grant plus county and city funds — would be posted for public review the next morning, with a community open house scheduled Thursday (5–7 p.m., open session 5:30–7 p.m.), Planning Commission review on Sept. 9 and City Council consideration on Sept. 22. Staff encouraged written comments by Aug. 29.

- Wastewater and DEP inspection: Council received the DEP inspection report noting no violations. Staff said the city plans a PENVEST application this fall for roughly $3.8 million (approximate figure discussed in the meeting) to fund equipment replacements including ultraviolet (UV) units and screen replacements; staff noted some UV components are aging and parts for the existing model are difficult to source.

Ross Library bylaws (first reading)

Council advanced revised rules from the Ross Library board to a second reading after debate. Several councilors and a library representative questioned language that would allow removal of a trustee for “demonstrated lack of experience or commitment to the mission,” calling that phrase too ambiguous and potentially subject to misuse. A councilor suggested the language could be covered by malfeasance or other established removal standards; the library representative said the language reflects model trustee standards used by other library boards. Councilors asked staff and the solicitor to review the wording for legal clarity before the second reading.

Other routine items and community reminders

Council approved the library’s request for book-sale banners and urged residents to donate books before the collection cutoff. Staff reminded property owners that most trees between sidewalk and curb are privately owned unless listed on the city’s inventory; the city retains ownership of trees it planted and will perform removals or trimming when it owns the tree. A property maintenance officer and other councilors reminded drivers to slow down with school starting soon and asked residents to use trash receptacles rather than placing refuse on downtown benches.

Meeting context and next steps

Most votes were unanimous and procedural; the council asked staff for follow-up on the Zindell Park event paperwork, for legal review of the Ross Library removal language ahead of second reading, and for public-review follow-up on the active transportation plan prior to the Planning Commission recommendation. The PENVEST application for wastewater plant upgrades was described as a fall action item staff will pursue.