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LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City Council approved taking steps in applying to the Pennsylvania Utility Commission for a water rate increase.
City Manager Gregory Wilson said the city hasn't approached the PUC about a rate change in 13 years.
"In order to go to the PUC we need to engage with a legal firm familiar with making PUC applications, as well as a financial analyst," Wilson said.
Council approved entering into an agreement with Eckert Seamans for legal services in filing for the rate increase for an amount not to exceed $248,850.
Wilson noted that Eckert Seamans already serves as the city's bond council.
It also approved entering into an agreement with Raftelis for financial services for an amount not to exceed $38,190.
"The city previously used Raftelis to do our rate study and they come highly recommended," Wilson said.
He added that the two entities have worked together in filing PUC applications for other municipalities.
The cost for these services will be paid for through water rate uses, specifically those within the city "since it's the city that has to go to the PUC," Wilson said.
The cost will come out to about $100 per customer in a year to compensate each agreement, he said.
Mayor Joel Long noted the Lock Haven City Authority is looking into a way to assist in the costs involved in approaching the PUC.
"I was at the city authority meeting and they did say something about helping with this cost," he said. "The committee was going to bring them an estimate before they vote on doing that."
Councilmember Barb Masorti, who serves on the authority committee, agreed that the agreements would be brought to the authority for its review.
In other business council:
-- Approved a change in the direction of the Halloween Parade, held by the Lock Haven Fire Department each year. This year's parade will take place Saturday, Oct. 28, at 9:30 a.m. The route will follow Main Street beginning at Henderson Street and end on the West Main Street side of Triangle Park. Auxiliary Driver Bob Neff told council the change comes after the parade has seen issues in directing participants to Hope Hose Fire Company. The party, typically held at the fire company along Church Street, will instead take place at Triangle Park.
-- Awarded the Green Light Go grant for engineering services to TransAssociates to upgrade traffic signals at the intersection of state Route 150, Barton Street and Second Avenue along with state Route 120, Fairview Street and Campus Drive. City Planner Abbey Roberts said TransAssociates has a good relationship with public works and is familiar with the traffic signals in the city.
-- Approved an ordinance to allow the disposal of old equipment from its current skatepark, as the city makes headway in the preparation and construction of its new one at Hoberman Park.
-- Received notice that the flashing light at South Jones and East Bald Eagle streets will be removed.
-- Approved a donation to the Clinton County Arts Council toward the Commonwealth University-Lock Haven's Parents' Day event.
Council's meeting was held Monday night at Hand In Hand Fire Company as city hall remains closed due to high bacteria levels in its HVAC system.
Wilson previously announced the system was cleaned thoroughly, with new samples sent out for testing. The earliest date the facility on Church Street could reopen is Sept.18.
Council's next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25, at the Jack Bailey Playground in Hoberman Park.