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LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City Council has taken its first major step to ensure a drainage system is constructed in Sunset Pines.
Council unanimously awarded a contract to HRI, Inc. for $610,117 for phase one of its multi-year plan to create a stormwater system in the development from scratch. The cost would be paid for through the city's liquid fuels fund, City Manager Greg Wilson said.
Wilson added, that council has pledged its liquid fuel funds to this project throughout its construction.
Phase 1 of the project will include work on Sylvan Drive from Hill Street to Campus View and Sylvan Drive from Campus View to Terrace Drive.
According to Public Works Director, Tony Stopper, the bid was one of two submitted to city engineer Mark Glenn of Gwin Dobson & Foreman.
"The others were just out of our price range," Stopper said.
In a letter addressed to council with his recommendation, Glenn noted that Sylvan Drive is one of the biggest pieces of the project.
"Sylvan Drive is the main roadway in the subdivision and where the major stormwater improvements are concentrated," he said.
HRI, Inc., based out of State College, has completed 50 infrastructure and utility projects for Gwin Dobson over the years and has the resources to complete the project, according to Glenn.
The contract was awarded unanimously by council, who were glad to see steps being taken for the project.
"I'm glad to see us technically getting boots on the ground here for this project," Councilman Rick Conklin said.
Stopper said an award letter and contract will be sent to HRI and a preconstruction meeting will be held at a later date to discuss start dates and a construction schedule.
Creating a stormwater system in Sunset Pines has been years in the making. Talks began in 2019 after residents of the subdivision attended a council meeting and expressed their frustration with the lack of a system.
Four other phases will follow the first and be completed in two-year increments, according to previous discussions. At last estimate, the project was expected to cost about $1.7 million.
In other business council:
-- Passed a resolution to have a "Welcome back LHU Students" banner placed downtown.
-- Adopted an ordinance which pledges to raise water rates if needed to meet the obligation of repaying debt service for a PennVEST loan. The loan was taken out to complete rehabilitation projects at Keller and Ohl reservoirs along with the creation of wells in Wayne Township.
-- Adopted an ordinance which prohibits tobacco and vapor in city parks and at the levee.
-- Appointed Councilman Steve Stevenson as a voting delegate to the Summit of the Pennsylvania Municipal League. Councilman Rick Conklin will serve as an alternate.
Mayor Joel Long was absent from the meeting held in council chambers and streamed live via the city's YouTube page.