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Lock Haven Council adopts CDBG package, enacts street-tree and sewer rules and posts transportation plan for public review
Summary
The Lock Haven City Council approved a set of CDBG resolutions required for grant submission, enacted ordinances on street‑tree maintenance and industrial sewer discharge limits, scheduled public review for the Active Transportation Plan and advanced a controversial first reading of a library board conduct policy.
Lock Haven City Council on a routine agenda Tuesday approved multiple grant and regulatory measures, greenlighted community events and released a draft transportation plan for public comment.
City staff presented a package of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) documents required for submission to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development: Resolution 2025‑28 (application submission), Resolution 2025‑29 (CDBG financial management plan), Resolution 2025‑30 (Section 504 accessibility plan) and Resolution 2025‑31 (fair housing resolution). Council unanimously adopted the resolutions, which staff said confirm the city’s citizen‑participation process and set internal procedures for invoicing, contract approval and CDBG drawdowns administered with CDICOG.
In other votes, the council enacted Ordinance 2025‑06 (second reading) to add rules on the regulation and maintenance of shade trees in city rights‑of‑way and Ordinance 2025‑07 (second reading) to update industrial pretreatment and local discharge limits for commercial and industrial sewer customers based on an engineering study and DEP review. Both ordinances passed on roll‑call votes.
Council also approved Resolution 2025‑32, a regulatory consent that formalizes the city’s process for notifying the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission if any lead or copper service interconnects are discovered in the future; staff said no lead/copper interconnects were found in the city’s jurisdictional inventory.
Staff briefed the council on the Active Transportation Plan update, funded in part by a $20,000 grant plus local contributions. The draft will be posted online for public review; staff asked for comments by August 29 and scheduled a community open house and a planning commission review on Sept. 9, with council consideration expected Sept. 22.
The meeting included several routine community approvals: a banner permit for the Ross Library (Sept. 1–13), a conditional permit for a trail race at Zindell Park on Sept. 7 contingent on submission of a route map and paperwork, and approval of the annual Halloween parade (Oct. 25) with a $100 council contribution toward event costs.
A first reading of a proposed expansion to the Ross Library board policy generated extended discussion. Library representatives and several council members questioned an ambiguous clause that would allow removal of a board member for a "lack of experience and commitment to the mission," with several participants urging more precise language before final adoption. The item advanced on first reading for further work.
Staff presented the most recent DEP wastewater inspection report, which found no violations. Council members pressed on capital needs for the wastewater treatment plant, including replacement of nonworking UV units. Staff said the city will pursue a PennVEST application this fall for an estimated $3.8 million to cover UV replacement and other facility improvements (figure provided by staff during the meeting).
The meeting closed after routine announcements about tree‑ownership and trimming responsibilities, downtown cleanup and library book‑donation logistics.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 2025‑28 (CDBG application): Adopted (roll call; unanimous). - Resolution 2025‑29 (CDBG financial management plan): Adopted (roll call; unanimous). - Resolution 2025‑30 (Section 504 plan): Adopted (roll call; unanimous). - Resolution 2025‑31 (Fair housing resolution): Adopted (roll call; unanimous). - Ordinance 2025‑06 (Shade-tree regulation): Enacted (second reading; roll call). - Ordinance 2025‑07 (Sewer pretreatment/local limits): Enacted (second reading; roll call). - Resolution 2025‑32 (Lead/copper notification consent): Adopted (roll call).
Next steps: public comment period on the Active Transportation Plan ends Aug. 29; planning commission review Sept. 9; council consideration Sept. 22. The library board policy returns for further drafting before second reading.
