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Williamsport City Council finalized an American Rescue Plan Act transfer of $175,000 for the continued improvement of Way's Garden.
The bulk of the transfer will go toward a replacement fence around the park perimeter.
The Way's Garden Commission also is working on its own and using county donations and private donations for improving sidewalk access and getting a fountain operating, said Paul Nyman, garden commission member last week.
A small amount of money also will be transferred to get tools and begin to revive the community garden at Lose Park in the 900 block of Memorial Avenue. Along with that, volunteers with Transitional Living Center, women who are
rehabilitating and who do community service, and Salvation Army Red Shield, which oversee a community garden near UPMC, Williamsport campus, and feed that neighborhood with nutritious vegetables, have committed to assist, Mayor Derek Slaughter said.
Council approved a Major League Baseball lease agreement of last year as a formality with some minor language changes to include parking arrangements for the Williamsport Crosscutters and food leftover use.
The upcoming 2023 lease agreements will be separated going forward between MLB and the Crosscutters to streamline and clean up the process, Slaughter said.
Council approved an agreement with the SEDA-Council of Governments which is assisting in the management of Community Development Block Grant filings to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It ensures further compliance between the city and with the CDBG program administered by HUD, said August "Skip" Memmi, city director of the department of community and economic development.
Council further approved demolition for 351 Rear Market St., to make into a parking lot; 613 E. Third St., which will become retail space and a showroom for antiques; a certificate of appropriateness for 349 Pine St., to replace a patio roof and build a larger stage for entertainment purpose; a land development for 3600 West Fourth St., for three buildings related to the STEP share ride program, with a conditional approval that includes landscape barrier and permit-related issues.
A resolution authorizing a memorandum of understanding between the city and Williamsport Waves swim team was approved. The $10 membership fee will be waived for the members this year only and reenacted in future years due to the team spending money to go to other pools during the pandemic and repair of the leak and other repairs made for the Memorial Park Pool, which is scheduled to open for the upcoming summer swim season.
Also approved were aggregate bids for the City of Williamsport streets and parks (public works) department as presented by Scott Livermore, public works director.
Council also approved the appointment of Steve Smith to the Williamsport Civil Service Board. The term ends Jan. 2, 2024. Steve Smith, 825 Franklin St., who is appointed to a staggering term ending Jan. 2, 2024 and the reappointment of Thomas McDermott for a one-year term to the Redevelopment Authority. The term ends May 11, 2024.