City Council

CITY OF I LPENNSYLvKE S . A I' RE o g. cao IA 111111111M11111111. 111 bps 1111111111111•1= 11• 11111 1871 m m A I A CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PUBLIC INPUT ON PENDING LEGISLATION RESOLUTIONS MINUTES ORDINANCE PRESENTATIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS PUBLIC DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT  CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 RESOLUTIONS Temporarily suspending Section 20- 4 of the Wilkes- Barre Code of Ordinances pertaining to the open consumption of alcoholic beverages for the Osterhout Rooftop Party on October 3, 2025. Designating Mayor George C. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 904, 760. 00 along with any or all other project documents, related to the City of Wilkes- Barre Downtown Public Square Pathways Improvements project, if the application is approved. Designating Mayor George C. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 96, 000. 00 along with any or all other project documents, related to the City of Wilkes- Barre Computer Infrastructure Upgrades project, if the application is approved. Designating Mayor George C. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 354, 000. 00 along with any or all other project documents, related to the Luzerne County River Common Millenium Circle Improvements project, if the application is approved. Designating Mayor George C. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 500, 000. 00 along with any or all other project documents, related to the Wilkes University Nursing Simulation Lab Equipment project, if the application is approved. Designating Mayor George C. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 200, 000. 00 along with any or all other project documents, related to the Allied Services Elevator Modernization project, if the application is approved.  CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 RESOLUTIONS( CONTINUED) Designating Mayor George C. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 52, 000. 00 along with any or all other project documents, related to the City of Wilkes- Barre Police Department Digital Message Boards project, if the application is approved. Authorizing the proper city officials to execute any and all necessary documents related to securing a Five Hundred Thousand Dollar($ 500, 000. 00) no interest loan, payable of a five 5) year term, to help assist with the costs related to the Stormwater Repair Project located in the area of Conyngham Avenue. MINUTES Of the Regular Meeting of City Council of August 14, 2025. Of the General Municipal Authority of July 22, 2025. Of the Zoning Hearing Board of July 16, 2025. Of the Traffic Committee Meeting of July 24, 2025. ORDINANCES FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 5 OF 2025— AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VII. OF CHAPTER 29 OF THE WILKES- BARRE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED" RESERVED PARKING PROGRAM". ( SECOND AND FINAL READING)  CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9th, 2025 The City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre met in Regular Session on September 9th, 2025, at 5: 53 p. m. ( immediatelyfollowing the work session), in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 40 East Market Street, Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania. The meeting was organized with Chairperson Tony Brooks in the Chair. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given. Jessica McClay gave the opening prayer. Roll Call: Barrett Excused Belusko Present Mirin Present McClay, Vice Chairperson - Present Brooks, Chairperson Present Also present: George C. Brown, Mayor Charlie McCormick, Administrator Tony Thomas, City Controller Maureen Collins, Assistant City Attorney Cathy Payne, City Clerk Tracy Smith, Assistant City Clerk Lisa Sanfilippo, Administrative Assistant City Clerk Cathy Payne read a statement outlining Council' s Rules and Procedures. The Chairperson asked if there was anyone wishing to address Council on pending legislation. PUBLIC INPUT ON PENDING LEGISLATION Angel Mathis, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council to say she is pleased to see that the city has applied for various grants, and encouraging Council to say yes to all the applications. Sam Troy, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to using grant money to address the homeless situation and having a gun buyback program. 1  Mr. Brooks reminded Mr. Troy that this is only the first round of grant applications. John Suchoski, Almond Lane, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to using the grant money to improve the surrounding neighborhoods, multiple empty store fronts, commercial properties not being sold, helping business owners revamp their properties, and Millennium Circle being a County property. Mrs. McClay asked Mr. Suchoski what commercial building he was referring to. Mr. Suchoski said he was referring to the First National Bank Building. Mrs. McClay said that property was sold in March of this year. Mayor Brown said that property was sold for$ 450, 000. 00 to a developer who also owns the Mary Steigmaier Building. The Mayor explained that there are certain stipulations on LSA grants and the City of Wilkes- Barre is only a pass through. CONSENT AGENDA ( RESOLUTIONS/ MINUTES) Resolution No. R0035- 25 to and including the minutes appeared on the Consent Agenda. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION NO. R003 5- 2 5 Resolved, that the City Council of the City of Wilkes= Barre hereby directs that the provisions of Section 20- 4 of the Wilkes- Barre Code of Ordinances pertaining to the open consumption of alcoholic beverages be temporarily suspended and not enforced for the following event: Event: Osterhout Rooftop Party Sponsor: The Osterhout Free Library Designated Area: Rooftop and 4th Floor of Inter- Modal Parking Garage Date: October 3, 2025 Time: Duration of Party Limitation: The suspension shall only apply to malted and brewed beverages and not to wine and liquors. The within temporary suspension applies only to the above- referenced event. All other regulations related to intoxicating beverages in the City of Wilkes- Barre shall remain 2 in full force and effect. A copy of this resolution shall be provided to the Wilkes- Barre Police Department. RESOLUTION NO. R0036- 25 Be It Resolved, that the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 904, 760. 00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the City of Wilkes- Barre Downtown Public Square Pathways Improvements project. The funding will be used for pathway improvements, which will benefit the various events that are held throughout the year of Public Square. The Farmers Market, which runs from June to October each year, brings food, crafts, and music to our downtown. Also, the Fine Arts Fiesta, a week- long festival on the Square, brings live performances and art exhibits to our residents and visitors. Additionally, the permanent stage has resulted in Public Square being used more frequently for different types of events. Lastly, Public Square is the central point of city' s parades as well as numerous block parties and holiday celebrations. Be It Further Resolved, that the Applicant does hereby designate George C. Brown, Mayor, and Tony Thomas, City Controller, as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant along with any or all other project documents, related to the City of Wilkes- Barre Downtown Public Square Pathways improvement project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualify City Clerk of the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre at a regular meeting held September 9, 2025 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the City of Wilkes- Barre and remains in effect as of this date. In Witness Thereof, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the City of Wilkes- Barre, this 9th day of September 2025. RESOLUTION NO. R0037- 25 Be It Resolved, that the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 96, 000. 00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the City of Wilkes- Barre Computer Infrastructure Upgrades project. The funding will be used for the purchase of information technology( IT) hardware, licensing, network cabling, and racking equipment to allow all employes to work on a unified and standard level of technology. Be It Further Resolved, that the Applicant does hereby designate George C. Brown, Mayor and Tony Thomas, City Controller as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant along with any or all other project 3 documents, related to the City of Wilkes- Barre Computer Infrastructure Upgrades project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualify City Clerk of the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre at a regular meeting held September 9, 2025 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the City of Wilkes- Barre and remains in effect as of this date. In Witness Thereof, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the City of Wilkes- Barre, this 9th day of September 2025. RESOLUTION NO. R0038- 25 Be It Resolved, that the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 354, 000. 00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the Luzerne County River Common Millennium Circle Improvements project. The funding will be used for lighting and fountain improvements at the River Common Millennium Circle. Be It Further Resolved, that the Applicant does hereby designate George C. Brown, Mayor and Tony Thomas, City Controller as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant along with any or all other project documents, related to the Luzerne County River Commons Millennium Circle Improvements project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualify City Clerk of the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre at a regular meeting held September 9, 2025 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the City of Wilkes- Barre and remains in effect as of this date. In Witness Thereof, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the City of Wilkes- Barre, this 9th day of September 2025. RESOLUTION NO. R0039- 25 Be It Resolved, that the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 500, 000. 00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the Wilkes University Nursing Simulation Lab Equipment project. The funding will be used to purchase equipment, fixtures, and furnishings for its new nursing simulation lab, which is a key initiative in expanding the university' s accelerated nursing program to address the nursing shortage crisis. 4  Be It Further Resolved, that the Applicant does hereby designate George C. Brown, Mayor and Tony Thomas, City Controller as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant along with any or all other project documents, related to the Wilkes University Nursing Simulation Lab Equipment project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualify City Clerk of the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre at a regular meeting held September 9, 2025 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the City of Wilkes- Barre and remains in effect as of this date. In Witness Thereof, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the City of Wilkes- Barre, this 9th day of September 2025. RESOLUTION NO. R0040- 25 Be It Resolved, that the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 200, 000. 00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the Allied Services Elevator Modernization project. The funding will be used to modernize an aging elevator, which is necessary for senior residents and staff to move about the center city skilled nursing facility safely and efficiently. Be It Further Resolved, that the Applicant does hereby designate George C. Brown, Mayor and Tony Thomas, City Controller as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant along with any or all other project documents, related to the Allied Services Elevator Modernization project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualify City Clerk of the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre at a regular meeting held September 9, 2025 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the City of Wilkes- Barre and remains in effect as of this date. In Witness Thereof, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the City of Wilkes- Barre, this 9th day of September 2025. RESOLUTION NO. R0041- 25 Be It Resolved, that the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant of$ 52, 000. 00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the City of 5 Wilkes- Barre Police Department Digital Message Boards project. The funding will be used for the purchase of digital message boards that can display emergency notifications, public service announcements, and traffic data to assist in traffic control and public safety. Be It Further Resolved, that the Applicant does hereby designate George C. Brown, Mayor and Tony Thomas, City Controller as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the City of Wilkes- Barre and the Commonwealth Financing Authority to facilitate and assist in obtaining the requested grant along with any or all other project documents, related to the City of Wilkes- Barre Police Department Digital Message Boards, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualify City Clerk of the City of Wilkes- Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, hereby certify that the forgoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution duly adopted by a majority vote of the City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre at a regular meeting held September 9, 2025 and said Resolution has been recorded in the Minutes of the City of Wilkes- Barre and remains in effect as of this date. In Witness Thereof, I affix my hand and attach the seal of the City of Wilkes- Barre, this 9th day of September 2025. RESOLUTION NO. R0042- 25 Resolved, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to execute any and all necessary documents related to securing a Five Hundred Thousand Dollar ($ 500, 000. 00) no interest loan, payable over a five ( 5) year term, to help assist with the costs related to the Stormwater Repair Project located in the area of Conyngham Avenue. MINUTES Of the Regular Meeting of City Council of August 14, 2025. Of the General Municipal Authority of July 22, 2025. Of the Zoning Hearing Board of July 16, 2025. Of the Traffic Committee Meeting of July 24, 2025 Mrs. McClay moved to adopt the Consent Agenda ( Resolutions/ Minutes). The motion was seconded by Mr. Mirin and adopted by the following yea and nay vote: Yeas Belusko, McClay, Mirin, and Brooks ( Chairperson) - 4- being a majority of the members elected to City Council. 6  Nays none. Absent- Barrett- 1. ORDINANCES FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 5 of 2025 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE VII. OF CHAPTER 29 OF THE WILKES_ BARRE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED " RESERVED PARKING PROGRAM." Mr. Belusko moved to adopt the Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mirin and adopted by the following yea and nay vote: Yeas Belusko, Mirin, McClay, and Brooks ( Chairperson) - 4- being a majority of the members elected to City Council. Nays none. Absent- Barrett- 1. PRESENTATIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mrs. McClay asked if the administration and health department would continue walking through the neighborhoods ( looking for violations). Mayor Brown said that the administration and health department would continue doing that. PUBLIC DISCUSSION Angel Mathis, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to President Trump' s budget cuts, large appliances that were not picked up, parking issues, housing and homelessness. Mayor Brown said some of the problems within the city are the out-of-town landlords. The Mayor said the city is still uncertain what effect President Trump' s cuts will have on the city. He did sit down with State Representative Rob Breshanan to voice his concerns. 7  Linda Joseph, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to her concerns regarding the former Stanton Lanes property and issues in Rolling Mill Hill section. ( food trucks, abandoned vehicles, cars parked in front yards). Mayor Brown said he would reach out to Reverend Brewster, who owns the former Stanton Lanes, for an update. Bill DeLucca, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to Dana Street getting paved, Code Enforcement not doing their job, and people living in an abandoned vehicle at a dilapidated property at 118 Hickory Street. Mr. Brooks said he agrees with how long it is taking to get Dana Street paved. He said 118 Hickory Street has been reported multiple times and to just keep reporting it. Liz Perrella, 415 N. Washington St, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council to thank the Health Department( Roxanne Bush) for the cleanup of the property across the street, issues with landlords on her street, multiple properties on North Washington Street being used as half-way houses, North Washington Street being paved, and ifgrants available to homeowners will be available again. Mrs. McClay said she is aware of those halfway houses, and she has reported them to the administration. Mr. Brooks said the city did have a grant for homeowners that was funded from the American Rescue Plan, but the money has run out. The state has a program that is currently pending the budget being passed. John Suchoski, Almond Lane, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to the County applying for their own LSA grants, and pave cuts( not being followed up on). Mr. Brooks said the LSA grant issue would be on a state level. Mayor Brown said there is someone internal that oversees the pave cuts, but since there are 620 streets in the city, sometimes pave cuts take the utility companies time to complete them all. The Mayor told Mr. Suchoski that if he has an issue with the person who oversees the pave cuts, then he can give him a call to discuss it. Sam Troy, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to the empty Sterling lot, thanking Mr. Mirin for his help, the garbage trucks leaving a leaching trail, the grant amounts, the gun buyback program, and how nice the hanging baskets look throughout the downtown area. Mayor Brown said he did discuss the gun buy back program with the Police Chief. The problem is the bad people using guns are not going to bring their guns in for money. 8  Mr. Brooks wished a Happy Birthday to fellow council member Jessica McClay. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6: 58 p. m. Tony Bro s Chairman ATTEST: 477, Cathy Pay =, City rk 9