Columbia council to spend $26,000 for radios for borough staff

When: Columbia Council meeting, July 11.

What happened: The council voted unanimously to spend up to $26,000 to buy 10 portable radios for borough staff. The radios will be purchased through the same contract being used to buy police radios at a substantial discount.

Background: At the June 13 meeting, council approved a $75,000 purchase of 25 dual-band police radios that, for the first time, would allow Columbia police officers to communicate directly with officers across the Susquehanna River in York County without the need to be patched in, which causes delays. That purchase takes advantage of a discount that shaved $75,000 off the total cost.

Rationale: Borough Manager Mark Stivers said that, after approval of the police radio purchase, officials determined the need to keep radio equipment consistent with the borough’s public works and code compliance departments and emergency management coordinator. This would allow public works crews to talk to York County during joint special events or if the Route 462/Veterans Memorial Bridge would be closed for any reason.

[Source: LNP]  

Lancaster Republican Lawmakers will likely reject recreational marijuana proposals, but a local Democrat says ‘the time for legalization is now’

Supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana use say the introduction of several bills this session in the Legislature hints at progress in their efforts. Still, many legislators from Lancaster County will likely oppose any marijuana-related bills brought to a vote.

One who supports approving adult use of marijuana, state Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El, supported reduced penalties for marijuana possession when he served on Lancaster City Council and now hopes to reform marijuana policy statewide.

Republicans Scott Martin and Ryan Aument do not support recreational use.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/lancaster-republican-lawmakers-will-likely-reject-recreational-marijuana-proposals-but-a-local-democrat-says-the/article_b7133b9a-20ef-11ee-91bd-77b608a7320c.html 

New candidate enters race for council; Nate Roach to run alongside Aimie Kellers and Brad Chambers

 

Columbia Borough Council Work Session - July 6, 2023

 

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - July 11, 2023

 

The meeting packet is HERE.

The 400 block of Avenue K is closed; here's why

Shortly before 3 p.m. today (7/10/23), Columbia Borough issued a notice that Avenue K is closed and to avoid the area. Here's why:

Two houses, 154 and 156 South 5th Street (at the corner of Avenue K), were demolished today. The properties were severely damaged in a July 22, 2022 fire.

Only the upper part of the 400 block of Avenue K, from Pleasant Avenue to 5th Street, is closed.

Debris from today's demolition at 154 and 156 South 5th Street, as seen from the 400 block of Avenue K

The Lancaster County Land Bank Authority plans to have four new rental units built on the site, according to LNP HERE. The Authority will use $500,000 of $2.2 million for Lancaster County from the state’s Housing Trust Fund.

The houses as they appeared two days after the fire 

NAWCC Public Day at the Lancaster Convention Center - Saturday, July 15