LOCK HAVEN — With spring and summer just around the corner, Lock Haven City Council approved a wide range of use requests.

Among the requests were the second reading for street closures related to the Clinton County Arts Council’s annual LH JAMS Music and Arts Festival.

The request included the closure of Main Street from Jay to Vesper from 3 p.m. Aug. 8 to midnight on Aug. 9 and the closure of Grove Street from Jordans Alley to Church Street.

The original request, which was reviewed by council on March 3, included the closure of Willards Alley — which runs between Church and Main. Council elected to table that portion of the request while Police Chief Matthew Rickard reviewed the safest way to block the alley while not causing issues with traffic or inhibiting pedestrian safety.

On Monday night, City Manager Gregory Wilson said Rickard had the opportunity to review the request and recommended the alley remain open.

“As people come down the alley, usually it’s several people in a row… it would be difficult for people to make space to turn around to get back out,” Wilson said. “We do have some temporary stop signs we can put up at the intersection of Grove and Willard, as well, if that would be the wish of council.”

Council Member Tami Brannan asked if the alley could be blocked off at both sides, with a warning sign placed ahead to ensure motorists can turn around.

“What Steve (Getz) has written out here makes a ton of sense and I believe there’s a safety risk,” Brannan said. “I understand this point of view, I just wanted to make sure we’re doing everything to make it as safe as possible.”

Getz, who serves as the CCAC’s president and director of LH JAMS, told council on Monday night he was deeply concerned about pedestrian safety. He previously expressed these concerns at council’s first meeting in March.

“I am seriously concerned about somebody getting injured there,” he said, noting the arts council provides insurance during the event.

“I’m just pointing out that I see this as a serious problem. I’m coming, not just as somebody who is president of the arts council and director of Jams, but I see that somebody could get injured,” he said. “The stop signs are better than nothing. But, again, you’re relying on people to stop. You are bringing a vehicle into an open festival area.”

Council Member Barbara Masorti suggested the city place some sort of barricade or warning sign on either side of the alleys entrances to ensure pedestrians are aware of possible vehicle traffic.

“If we have cars stopping and some kind of barricade to mark it off so it’s obvious to pedestrians to pay attention,” she said.

Ultimately, council settled on approving the placement of stop signs with warning barricades for pedestrians.

Council unanimously approved all other parts of the LH JAMS request, except for permitting chalk artists to place artwork on Grove Street.

Wilson warned council if it were approved as-is, it would be going against its Resolution 2021-3 — which was passed in June 2024 and prohibits the placement of decorations, decals, logos, images, words or phrases on city streets.

“That would need some deliberation by council on whether or not you were to make an exception,” Wilson said.

The resolution, he said, specifically notes council can pass a resolution to permit such placements — however it would be considered council’s own speech per the previously passed resolution.

“The only exception you provided is that the city may, upon its own resolution, place decals, decorations or logos. But you would need to adopt a resolution saying that it is council’s speech,” he said.

Council Member Steve Stevenson motioned to approve all requests, except the one related to chalk art and directed city staff to draft a resolution to be considered at its next meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Rick Conklin and approved unanimously.

Council considered other use requests on Monday night that included:

— Approved, on second reading, street closure requests from Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. for its annual Final Friday street closures (May 30, July 25 and Sept. 26); Best of Clinton County Festival and Parade (June 21); the use of light poles downtown for Scarecrow displays from Sept. 1-Nov. 4; the use of the Main Street parking lot, Triangle Park, Fallon and Sarah’s Alley for Moonlight Market on Main on Oct. 5; holiday decorations including planters, lights and garlands on light poles, holiday decor and Santa Hut in Fallon Alley from Nov. 4-Jan. 9; and the closure of Main Street on Nov. 29 for the annual Haven Holidays parade. New to the request was the use of Triangle Park on Sept. 20 for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Banner Ceremony.

— Approved the use of Peddie Park by the Clinton County Special Olympics softball team from April to October. Wilson noted the city keeps a schedule for the special olympics and others who utilize the park to ensure there is no overlap.

— Approved the use of Triangle Park by Roads to Peace from April 1-7 for Child Abuse Awareness Month.

— Approved the use of the airport for the annual Wings Over Piper to be held July 31-Aug. 2.

— Approved, on first reading, the closure of Main Street on Sept. 25 for Keystone Central School District’s annual Homecoming Parade and a request for a banner to be hung across Main Street.

— Approved the closure of Main Street on Oct. 25 for the Lock Haven Fire Department’s annual Halloween Parade. Council also approved the use of Triangle Park following the parade.