City Council

CITY OF WILKES- RARRE PENNSYLVANIA Ni.11LKs m 9 0 1871 S Y I.v P VA, IL A E D A CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 9, 2025 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL MINUTES PRESENTATIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS PUBLIC DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT  CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 9, 2025 MINUTES Of the Planning Commission meeting of June 18, 2025. Of the Traffic Committee meeting of August 28, 2025. Of the General Municipal Authority of September 23, 2025. Of the Regular Session of City Council of September 25, 2025.  CITY COUNCIL October 9, 2025 The City Council of the City of Wilkes- Barre met in Regular Session on October 9, 2025 at 6: 00 p. m., in City Council Chambers, City Hall, Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of general business. The meeting was organized with Chairperson Tony Brooks in the Chair. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was given. Mr. Brooks read the opening prayer. Roll Call: Barrett present Belusko present Mirin present McClay, Vice Chairperson - present Brooks, Chairperson present Also Present: Tony Thomas, Controller Tim Henry, City Attorney Cathy Payne, City Clerk Lisa Sanfilippo, Administrative Assistant Tracy Smith, Assistant City Clerk City Clerk Cathy Payne read a statement outlining Council' s Rules and Procedures. MINUTES Of the Planning Commission meeting of June 18, 2025. Of the Traffic Committee meeting of August 28, 2025. Of the General Municipal Authority of September 23, 2025. Of the Regular Session of City Council of September 25, 2025. 1  Mr. Barrett moved to adopt the Minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Belusko and adopted by the following yea and nay vote: Yeas Barrett Belusko, Mirin, McClay, and Brooks— 5— being all of the members elected to City Council. Nays none. PRESENTATIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mr. Belusko distributed the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority' s report on catch basins ( cleaned and repaired) and street cleaning. Mr. Barrett reported a catch basin caving in on East Main Street( in front of Dr. Andrews' Office). Mr. Barrett commended the Administration on the renovations at the BOG. Mr. Mirin said there has been an issue lately with school buses parking on city streets.He said he would like to add school buses to the city ordinance and not allow them to park on city streets overnight. He mentioned that several local boroughs ( Forty Fort and Plymouth) have an ordinance prohibiting them. Attorney Henry said he will look at it. Mrs. McClay gave an update on the e- bikes' ordinance. She said that she is going to hold off on it a little longer because the State is looking to change their laws regarding age limit. Mrs. McClay asked Mr. Belusko if the WVSA could add Darling Street to the list for regular stormwater maintenance. Mr. Belusko said if it is not draining because of leaves and debris that would be the city' s responsibility. Mrs. McClay said she thinks it is happening because there are not enough storm drains. She added that the city does have it on their list for regular maintenance. Mr. Brooks asked if the e- bike ordinance will cover quads. Mrs. McClay said it does not, but they are not allowed to be on the streets as it is. She said she ( S could still add them to the Ordinance. 2  PUBLIC DISCUSSION Angel Mathis, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to lack of a state budget and the shutdown of the federal government( effects on the city), street signs being vandalized( Airy Street and the corner of Stanton and Grove Streets) and homelessness/ housing issues. Mr. Brooks said that the mayor is working on how code blue can be done in another place now that Keystone Missions is closed. William Delucco, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to the condition of Dana Street between Hazle Street and Park Avenue. Karen Giles, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to school buses parking on Wilkes- Barre city streets( day and night). Mr. Barrett said a few years ago there was a problem with tractor- trailers parking on the city streets, and an Ordinance waspassed. He suggested looking at ordinances that prohibit commercial vehicles in general. Mr. Mirin said this is a problem with STA, not the school district. Sam Troy, Wilkes- Barre, PA appeared before Council relative to no agenda items, the Planters Peanuts Building( up for sale), monitoring of LSA grants, gun buyback program, homeless situation and the 2026 budget. Mrs. McClay told Mr. Troy that LSA grants have checks and balances.The money is not distributed unless receipts are submitted. LSA money was granted for the Planters Peanuts Building, but the work must be done in order to receive it. Mr. Belusko said they can only draw on the LSA money. Attorney Henry said that one concern of the gun buyback program is that you have to be able to do the buy, so you must have money in order to do it. There being no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 6: 28 p. m. Tony Brooks irperso ATTEST: Cathy Payne, Cit / lerk 3