City Council

CITY OF WILKES-BARRE PENNSYLVANIA ITV COUNCIL G NDA CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 20, 2025 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL PUBLIC INPUT ON PENDING LEGISLATION CONSENT AGENDA (RESOLUTIONS/MINUTES) CONSENT AGENDA (ORDINANCES) PRESENTATIONS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS PUBLIC DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT  CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 20, 2025 CONSENT AGENDA {RESOLUTIONS/MINUTES) RESOLUTIONS 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 Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant of $500,000.00 to be used for the Wilkes University Nursing Simulation Lab Equipment- Phase 2 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, 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 Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant of $400,000.00 to be used for the King's College Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center 3 rd Floor Improvement 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 Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant of $984,497.00 to be used for the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center Improvement Project, if the application is approved. MINUTES Of the Regular Session of City Council of November 6, 2025. Of the Planning Commission of October 15, 2025. Of the Zoning Hearing Board of October 15, 2025. Of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority of September 16, 2025.  CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 20, 2025 CONSENT AGENDA (ORDINANCES) FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 6 OF 2025-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE V. OF CHAPTER 29 BY REPEALING SEC. 29-103 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WILKES­ BARRE ENTITLED "TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES" AND ENACTING A NEW SEC. 29-103. (SECOND AND FINAL READING) FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 7 OF 2025-AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA ADOPTING THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET (2026). (FIRST READING) FILE OF COUNCIL NO. 8 OF 2025-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARE CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED "SEWERS". (ANNUAL RENTAL AND MAINTENANCE FEE FOR PERSON WITHIN THE CITY) (FIRST READING)  Resolution No: ------ Wilkes-Barre, PA'---------- BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre.· BE IT RESOLVED; that the City of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Statewide 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 - Phase 2 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. 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 - Phase 2 project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualified 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 November 20, 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 20th day ofNovember, 2025. City of Wilkes-Barre Luzerne County Submitted by _________________________ ROLL CALL  Resolution No: ------ Wilkes-Barre, PA-------- BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre: BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant of $400,000.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the King's College Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center 3 rd Floor Improvement project. 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 King's College Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center 3 rd Floor Improvement project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualified 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 November 20, 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 20th day of November, 2025. City of Wilkes-Barre Luzerne County Submitted by ________________________ ROLL CALL  Resolution No: ------ Wilkes-Barre, PA,__________ BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre.· BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County hereby requests a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant of $984,497.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be used for the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center Improvement project. 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 Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center Improvement project, if the application is approved. I, Cathy Payne, duly qualified 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 November 20, 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 20th day of November, 2025. City of Wilkes-Barre Luzerne County Submitted by ________________________ ROLL CALL  FILE OF COUNCIL NO.--------- of2025 Presented in City Council __________, _20_2_5 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE V. OF CHAPTER 29 BY REPEALING SEC. 29- 103. OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE ENTITLED "TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES" AND ENACTING A NEW SEC. 29-103. WHEREAS, The City of Wilkes-Barre finds it necessary to regulate the parking of large vehicles and trailers to reduce public safety hazards and maintain the quality of residential neighborhoods, thereby preserving the value of property in those districts. In many areas of the city, the street design predates the manufacturing and licensing of certain vehicles and trailers. These vehicles and trailers create safety hazards by encroaching into the abutting lane and moving traffic across the center lane. Such parking and obstructions, besides being a public safety issue, impedes the free flow of traffic. Parked close to an intersection, such vehicles and trailers, negatively impact the distance and safety for vehicles entering the street. Certain vehicles and trailers parked in residential areas generate complaints from residents related to traffic impediments, safety hazards, and noise. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE THAT SEC. 29-103 . OF CHAPTER 29 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WILKES­ BARRE ENTITLED "TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLES" IS HEREBY REPEALED AND AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: ARTICLE V. PARKING, STOPPING AND STANDING Sec. 29-103. Prohibiting the parking or standing oftrucks and tractor trailors within the city. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings. Any word which is not specifically defined herein shall have its ordinary, plain meaning. Bus shall mean a motor Vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or, a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or limousine, designed to transport more than fifteen (15) passengers, including the driver. Motor Home shall mean a motor vehicle designed or adapted for use as a mobile dwelling or office, except a motor vehicle equipped with a truck camper. Oversized Vehicle shall mean a motor vehicle that has a Class 5 license or above, or any equivalent license or above, or with a gross vehicle weight of over 11,000 pounds. Recreational Trailer shall mean a trailer designed or adopted and used exclusively for recreational purposes. School Bus shall mean a motor vehicle which is designed to carry eleven (11) passengers or more, including the driver, and is used for the transportation of pre­ primary, primary or secondary school students to or from public, private or parochial schools or events related to such schools or school-related activities. Trailer shall mean a vehicle designed to be towed by a motor vehicle. Truck shall mean any large commercial motor vehicle which is or may be used for attaching or pulling a trailer. This term shall also refer to any large commercial motor vehicle, dump truck, tri-axel vehicle, tractor trailer, and/or any heavy motor vehicle designed for carrying or pulling heavy loads. Truck Camper A structure designed, used or maintained primarily to be located or affixed to a motor vehicle to provide a mobile dwelling, sleeping space, office or commercial space. Truck Trailer shall mean any motor vehicle which attaches to a trailer and which is primarily used for the transportation of materials, and which, when in combination or on their own, total thirty (30) feet or more. This term is commonly referred to as a "tractor trailer" or an "18 wheel" vehicle. This term is not meant to include vehicles which are making local deliveries in permitted areas. (b) Prohibitions. It shall be unlawful for any person to park, or allow to remain parked, on any street or parts of streets, the following: buses, motor homes, oversized vehicles, recreational trailers, school buses, trailers, trucks, truck campers, and truck trailer within the City limits. (c) Exceptions. The provisions of this article shall not apply to vehicles owned or utilized by the City of Wilkes-Barre; vehicles engaged in the work of a public utility; vehicles of service companies, contactors, repairmen, delivery trucks or others actually engaged in working operations in the vicinity during the actual period of such between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  (d) Penalties. Violations of this section shall be deemed a summary offense. Failure to adhere to these requirements shall result in a fine of one hundred ($100.00) dollars if paid within seventy-two (72) hours; one hundred twenty-five ($125.00) dollars if paid after seventy­ two (72) hours but within five (5) days; one hundred fifty ($150.00) dollars if paid after five (5) days but within ten (10) days; one hundred seventy-five ($175.00) dollars if paid after ten (10) days but within thirty (30) days and two hundred ($200.00) dollars if paid after thirty (30) days. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any part of this ordinance is declared to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall be unaffected thereby. It is the intention of the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre that this ordinance would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid part not been included. REPEALER. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. All ordinances not specifically amended hereby remain in full force and effect. Passed finally by the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre on _____ ______-7 2025. This ordinance shall become effective ten (10) days after final passage by the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre. Attest: Cathy Payne, City Clerk  FILE OF COUNCIL Presented in Council on November 20, 2025 No. of 2025 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA ADOPTING THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED GENERAL FUND BUDGET. Now, Therefore, It Is Hereby Ordered and Enacted by the City Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre That the Mayor's Proposed General Fund Budget For 2026 is hereby adopted as follows: Section 1. The Mayor's proposed budget for calendar year 2026 is hereby adopted without changes. A copy of the proposed budget is available for review at the Office of the City Clerk during normal business hours or on the City's website. Section 2. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any part of this ordinance is declared to be unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall be unaffected thereby. It is the intention of the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre that this ordinance would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid part not been included. Section 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. All ordinances not specifically amended hereby remain in full force and effect. Section 4. Passed finally by the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre on _____, 2025. Section 5. This ordinance shall become effective on January 1, 2026. Attest: Cathy Payne, City Clerk  FILE OF COUNCIL Presented in City Council on October 9, 2025 No.______ of 2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE II. OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED "SEWERS." WHEREAS, it is the desire and intention of the City Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre to pass legislation within the City of Wilkes-Barre by amending Chapter 30 of the Wilkes-Barre Code of Ordinances. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILKES-BARRE THAT ARTICLE II. OF CHAPTER 30 ENTITLED "SEWERS" IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: CHAPTER 30. UTILITIES ARTICLE II. SEWERS Sec. 30-19. Annual rental and maintenance fee for persons within city. (b) Residential and small, unmetered commercial establishments. The annual sewer rental and maintenance fee for all residential properties, whether or metered, and small unmetered commercial establishments which are located within the legal boundaries of the city shall be computed on a flat rate basis according to the following schedule: Classification Annual Rent Average domestic home $100.00 First unit in multiple unit dwelling $100.00 Each additional unit in Multiple unit dwelling $100.00 Small commercial establishments $100.00  Flat rate customers will be given the option at the time of annual billing to pay the annual rent in full, less a discount of three (3%) percent if payment is received no later than thirty (30) days from the mailing date. From thirty (30) days through sixty (60) days of mailing bills shall be paid at face value. Bills paid after sixty (60) days of mailing shall be subject to six (6%) percent penalty plus interest at a rate of one (1%) percent per month, not to exceed a maximum of twelve (12%) percent and all other fees and costs related to collection of the Years aforementioned shall be paid by the customer. (c) Nonresidential and/or commercial metered properties. The annual sewer and maintenance fee in respect to all non-residential properties served by a metered water supply shall be computed on the basis of gallonage of water usage, per quarter year, at the following rates: Consumption First 15,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons. $3.00 Next 185,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons. $2.20 Next 1,800,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons. $1.60 Next 6,000,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons: $1.12 All over 8,000,000 gallons per quarter, per 1,000 gallons: $.60 Minimum annual charge: $200.00 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any part of this ordinance is declared to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining provisions shall be unaffected thereby. It is the intention of the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre that this ordinance would have been adopted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid part not been included. REPEALER. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith be and the same are hereby repealed. All ordinances not specifically amended hereby remain in full force and effect.  Passed finally by the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre on _____ ----------" 2025. This ordinance shall become effective ten (10) days after final passage by the Council of the City of Wilkes-Barre. Attest: Cathy Payne, City Clerk