Council reviews resolution to accept PennDOT reimbursement for buoys and waterway safety work at Dock Street Dam

City officials presented Resolution 30 of 2025, authorizing the city to negotiate a reimbursement agreement with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (through PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) to facilitate purchase and installation of permanent buoys and other waterway safety improvements at the Dock Street Dam.

Chief Enerlein told council that the resolution builds on a November 2024 intergovernmental agreement (Resolution 76 of 2024) and specifies a reimbursement mechanism of up to $2 million. He said the buoys would be permanently attached to bedrock so they do not require annual replacement, would be larger and more visible than existing regulatory buoys, and could provide something for boaters to grab if they lose power near the wide river current at that location.

Council members asked whether buoy installation would be tied to a separate bridge project; staff said some installation timing depends on an associated bridge project but that the city recently installed seasonal buoys and now seeks permanent, anchored buoys. Chief Enerlein said Fish and Boat Commission officials expect the improvements to increase boater confidence and could support tourism and fishing in the long term, although construction for the bridge project will temporarily limit access in some areas.

President Hill moved to add Resolution 30 of 2025 to the next legislative session agenda for a formal vote; the motion was placed on the record and no final vote occurred at the work session.

Next steps: staff will negotiate the reimbursement agreement and return to council for formal legislative consideration.