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Council elects new president, vice president

Randall J. Allison was elected president of City Council and Liz Miele as vice president Thursday night.

Their terms last through the end of the year, when a new mayor and council members are elected and a reorganizational session follows in January.

Allison thanked his colleagues on council and said the council would start working earlier than in November on the upcoming budget, as well as implement some new ideas in a transitional government.

“I can assure you we are not committed to just riding this year out,” said Allison, who declined to get into specifics about those plans but said they would involve financial issues and functioning of government.

Allison most recently served as council vice president.

The city is accepting resumes and letters of interest to fill a vacancy on council.

Council will interview three finalists on July 31 and elect one Aug. 1.

Council approved ratifying settlement agreements for certain employee claims covered by a prior city insurance carrier. Two employees reached settlement, City police Lts. Steve Helm and Fred Miller. A third, Officer Nikita Bonnell, is named in the resolution and in process, said Joseph Pawlak.

The Sun-Gazette has a right-to-know request into the administration to obtain the settlement terms. The public information officer of the city said Thursday an answer on whether those public documents are to be made available should be given soon.

One of the settlements for an officer is reportedly a six-figure insurance payment, according to a city employee familiar with the matter.

Council also authorized a formal memorandum of understanding between Lycoming County and the city to fund and manage continuing levee repairs of deficiencies identified.

As part of the recertification process, relief wells are to be installed in the next stage followed by correcting deficiencies found in cross pipes that provide outflow drainage.

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