Lancaster council approves EV charging grant application, several administrative resolutions and appointments

Lancaster City Council on Jan. 14 approved a package of administrative resolutions, appointments and an application for a state grant to add electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at city facilities.

The council voted to authorize filing an application for a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection alternative fuels incentive grant for up to $300,000 to install EV charging infrastructure at the police station and public parking facilities. Director Campbell described the planned project as “15 charging stations at the police station, 11 of which would serve city vehicles, two of those tier 3 rapid chargers, and four publicly available stations in the parking deck and two in front of the police station.” Director Campbell said the $300,000 grant would require a $356,000 city match drawn from the city’s proposed 2025 bond issue, for a total project cost of about $656,000.

Councilors asked about ongoing electricity costs and fleet plans. Director Campbell said the city has moved more of its fleet to EVs and is pursuing fleet-management arrangements that reduce ownership costs; he said the city-owned EV fleet had increased to roughly a dozen vehicles and that deploying charging infrastructure would speed replacement of fossil-fuel vehicles. The council approved the grant application.

Separately, the council approved a set of routine pension-related resolutions that update trustees, custodians and authorized signers for the fire, police and non-uniform pension plans; a resolution closing out a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant connected to the parks master plan; historic-district recommendations for two property-improvement applications; the conditional appointment of a new firefighter (Charles Wharton); and several board appointments and reappointments including an appointment to the downtown investment authority and reappointments to a commission. Those items were moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 5 (DEP EV grant application): Approved. Motion: authorize filing an application for up to $300,000 with a required city match (~$356,000) for charging infrastructure at police station and public parking. Director Campbell led the presentation. - Resolutions 2–4 (pension trust/custodian signatory updates for fire, police and non-uniform pension plans): Approved (administrative updates). - Resolution 6 (DCNR grant closeout tied to parks master plan): Approved. - Historic-district certificate requests for construction at 131 North Plum Street and revisions at 20 East Clay Street (Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority/Otterbein United Methodist Church): Approved, recommended by the historical commission. - Nominations/appointments: Alexandra Evertz appointed to downtown authority; reappointments and other commission appointments approved. - Resolution 7 (conditional appointment of firefighter Charles Wharton): Approved.

Councilors noted the grant is an opportunistic application that jump-starts the city’s broader EV strategy and that long-term costs and savings would depend on fleet choices, solar and other energy planning. The council also approved the administrative pension updates and other routine items without extended debate.

Ending: The council concluded its business after two public-comment periods; nonprofit partners and the mayor were urged to continue coordinating shelter and housing resources while the council pursues capital and grant opportunities for infrastructure projects.