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LOCK HAVEN -- Lock Haven City Council took another step in its plan to renovate its current building at 20 E. Church St. this week.
On Monday night, council unanimously approved a schematic design submission for city hall renovations presented by city staff and Buchart Horn Architects.
The designs would include moving the city's police department from the basement of the facility to the second floor, and reconfiguring the first floor to house other offices such as its water, finance and code enforcement offices among others.
Mayor Joel Long said some of the designs and items included in the schematics were discussed by council's building committee prior to being presented that evening.
He added approval of the schematics was the next step after council previously approved to send out for bids for asbestos remediation in portions of the building.
"This is the next step to get moving on the project after the asbestos is done," he said.
Arlan Hollinger, of Buchart Horn, attended Monday's meeting virtually to provide a brief overview of the schematics.
Hollinger noted the main focus of the project is the second floor, which will be renovated and upgraded to include locker rooms and showers for the police department, as well as increasing security measures.
"Pretty much all the interior walls will be new" on the second floor, he said, noting the project includes building new walls from metal studs to drywall and also replacing the flooring and ceilings along with updates to the building's HVAC and electrical.
"Basically the whole entire floor except for the elevator lobby," he said.
The majority of the second floor will serve the police department, with a back room being utilized for administrative record storage. Hollinger said city staff will be able to access the storage room through a back stairwell with a keycard.
The first floor will also see adjustments, including secured double doors leading to city offices and window/counters for the water department and finance department.
The plans could either include the installation of a camera and buzzer system for city staff to let members of the public into the facility, or the city can retain its current security personnel.
Councilmember Jeff Brinker was the first to ask if city hall could have a system in place to allow the public access, while still keeping staff secure.
"I know we had talked about in the past what we're going to potentially do with security and whether or not we'll continue with security officers or have a door with a window aspect to have people come into our building and do their business," Brinker said.
Brinker stated the city budgets $50,000 to hire security personnel in its budget each year, meaning there was a potential cost savings if the facility were to have secure doors that can only be accessed once a staff member gives permission to someone who might be at the facility to pay a bill or handle other business.
"I think that would be a win-win for safety and the community to meet their needs going forward," he said.
Council member Rick Conklin said he would like to hear from the city's liability insurance carrier prior to making a solid decision on whether or not to change course in removing security personnel.
It was noted by Council member Barb Masorti whether or not council chooses to keep its security personnel, the schematics themselves don't change.
"We're not talking about changing anything about the design," she said.
Hollinger agreed.
"That's something we can tweak as we go. We have the schematics design here. I think the spaces and the size of the spaces have all been worked out so we're just looking to keep the process moving," he said. "We'll come back with a design development set that has a little more coordination."
Prior to its vote, City Planner Abbey Kling told council there was one item of note within the schematics related to the locker rooms and showers in the police department. She explained the showers are not ADA accessible, though every other aspect of the locker rooms are.
Kling explained the city will have to request a waiver for accessibility for the showers, adding Buchart Horn has experience in doing so.
Following council's discussion, a motion was made to approve the schematics and allow Buchart Horn and city staff to continue its work in developing plans for city hall renovations.