Lock Haven council approves transfer of fire station and several routine measures

Lock Haven’s City Council on Monday approved a series of routine actions and heard updates on infrastructure and grant planning.

The council voted to transfer ownership of the former city fire station at 122 East Church Street to East Side Fire Rescue, adopting Resolution 2024-26 after hearing from a trustee of the volunteer company. The trustee said the company “feels we’re already responsible for the building,” noting recent maintenance such as new LED lighting, a sealed parking lot and exterior painting. The trustee also proposed a reversion clause so that, if the volunteer company ever disbands, ownership would revert to the city.

Council members also approved the award of the 2025 garbage-removal contract to JJ Peters, the current provider. City staff reported two bids were received and that JJ Peters submitted the lower bid at $11,556 for the initial contract year; the agreement may be renewed for up to two years.

Other formal actions taken included:

- Approval of minutes from the Aug. 19 meeting (voice/roll-call recorded affirmatives).

- A special event permit for a guided mushroom/nature walk in Zindell Park on Sept. 28, with organizers required to stay on designated trails and complete park paperwork.

- Closure of East Water Street in front of Veterans Park on Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon for the park dedication, with staff confirming coordination with PennDOT, EMS and police for traffic and drop-off logistics.

- Adoption of a resolution to require City Council approval for certain decisions by the Lock Haven City Authority regarding water assets; staff said adopting the resolution allows preparation of a memorandum of understanding documenting council intent.

- Adoption of a county-requested “broadband-ready” resolution (Resolution 2024-27) signaling municipal support for Clinton County grant applications; council clarified the resolution is intended as a letter of support and does not itself expand service territory or change provider options.

- Appointment of GIS technician John Hart as the city’s representative on the state-certified safety committee.

Council members also received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) update: staff said no nonprofit applications were received by the deadline, and identified Spring Street, Stone Alley and Campark as potential projects pending cost estimates and utility coordination; staff said community feedback from a pickleball event will inform preliminary designs, with a final public hearing on Oct. 7 and council action scheduled for Oct. 21 if a project is selected. Staff added that, if awarded, a DCR (state) grant would use CDBG funds as a local match.

On infrastructure, staff updated the council on Keller Dam repairs, saying major rehabilitation is likely in 2026–27 but short-term resealing of joints and filling of voids is necessary now; staff described these interim fixes as temporary measures to keep the structure functioning until the larger project can proceed and said the filtration authority will be part of cost-sharing discussions though a formal budget is not yet available.

The meeting also included public comment from resident Joanne Bowes, who urged the council to include Erie Alley on the 2025 paving or maintenance list, citing large potholes she measured at “3 and a half to 4 and a half inches” deep, poor lighting and packed wheel-track ice that she said makes the alley hazardous for pedestrians and damages vehicle bumpers.

The council adjourned after completing the agenda items.

Votes at a glance (as recorded verbally in meeting): - Minutes (Aug. 19): carried (affirmative votes recorded from council members and mayor). - Zindell Park event permit: carried. - East Water Street closure (Veterans Park, 11/11/2024): carried. - Resolution on Lock Haven City Authority water-asset approvals (Resolution 2024-2025): carried. - Award of 2025 garbage services to JJ Peters ($11,556 initial award): carried. - Transfer of 122 East Church St. to East Side Fire Rescue (Resolution 2024-26): carried. - Broadband-ready resolution (Resolution 2024-27): carried. - Appointment of John Hart to state-certified safety committee: carried.

Next steps noted at the meeting: staff to draft an MOU reflecting council intent on authority oversight (expected in one to two weeks), present CDBG project estimates to council on Sept. 23, hold final public hearing Oct. 7 and seek council approval Oct. 21 if a project is selected, and continue engineering work and DEP coordination on Keller Dam interim repairs.