[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6307218,"mediaKeyId","2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4","parentId",2434434,"title","Council reviews two RCAP grant requests: $1M for recovery/residential project and $750K for Wilkes University nursing-simulation expansion","audioSeconds",526,"startMs",392165,"endMs",918285,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4&start=392&end=918","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4/thumbnail_392165.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307218/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Council-reviews-two-RCAP-grant-requests-1M-for-recoveryresidential-project-and-750K-for-Wilkes-University-nursing-simulation-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307218-c804ebabc7034da02bc854b6db573cdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194579&Signature=kZqZ14C5no9LWQ-ndPvH7M4RJYh~WXSlrkMn6SMyuZyCHRO8niKbUeyvY7o-w8n~frXnZwyju-yE88hFEwfwKXsuO3tSfyugrZ0HE6kwXrqBrM5zZdZr2t5ceHH~S7OYHS09dzz126iwzrGS1TtuqU1V9tddLdEUn6M37qdvr3kkhg87Xqrht9N-dlSApP1YHN~FQRVnnMaR2ojt7OsPfPfuM3pxcpAwOo7C2KOVEpHigIJ6D6nhvhjHn-GCyD1DoScD-3bPc9UpaS0UTzaFKwRclgh3I9P8Owh8uKamdvBY3Q0ynZAQLSoZZduvnXfiaAKa~6z3BjmkIGrhxpjW~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T18:56:55Z","article","Council reviewed two proposed RCAP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) grant authorizations that the city would be asked to execute, with final action scheduled at the Thursday voting session.

The first is a $1,000,000 RCAP award redirected from the city of Pittston to support a private project at 300 Courtwright Avenue operated by Just Always Believe LLC and Resurrection of NEPA LLC. Chris Cawley, who identified himself as working on project management and grant financing, said the site was a former assisted-living facility that closed after a sprinkler leak and that the plan is to convert the building into \"about a 99 bed, detox slash what we call the residential\" facility. Cawley said construction was expected to be completed by May 1 and that, after required approvals and licensing, operations could begin toward the end of the year. He said the project is for-profit and includes private investment \"about, I would say about, about a million, 1.7.\"

The second RCAP item is a $750,000 request for phase 1 of an expansion of Wilkes University’s nursing simulation laboratory. Mike Wood, identified as representing Wilkes, described the need created by the university’s accelerated nursing cohort: \"It takes about 90 minutes\" for a student to be tested on a simulated patient and the additional cohorts have created a bottleneck. Wood said phase 1 would add four SAMI (simulated patient) units and that the full expansion will likely be done in at least three phases, with a total cost estimated at \"about $3,000,000.\" He told council the $750,000 RCAP is aimed at addressing the immediate testing-capacity pinch point.

City staff told the council that the RCAP awards require a dollar-for-dollar match for the $1,000,000 category; a presenter clarified that the RCAP award must be matched by the project. A separate funding program (LSA) was noted as not requiring a match. Both RCAP requests were presented for council consideration and will be acted on at the Thursday voting session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Wilkes-Barre Council Work Session 2.25.25","oneSentenceSummary","Council reviewed two RCAP grant authorizations: $1,000,000 for a private detox/residential conversion at 300 Courtwright Ave and $750,000 for phase 1 of Wilkes University’s nursing simulation expansion.","taxTitle","Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania","taxId",56675,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6307228,"Wilkes-Barre council holds first reading of food cart and food truck ordinance; hours, distance and enforcement debated",1488,25060,1513820,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4&start=25&end=1513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4/thumbnail_25060.jpg","/articles/6307228/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Wilkes-Barre-council-holds-first-reading-of-food-cart-and-food-truck-ordinance-hours-distance-and-enforcement-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307228-447245a322a7fd546141c860043b7df9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194579&Signature=AuweG3kOZYqNm7PzJQ5dD7LY56iy37Y9VE16b30rCGhglC02b2lf-xPO2Yp-LoZlntNd5HAaFQD-iwVReMoawXb5dp05vU~yWmDYiVjBJL0U96~fgB~2bg~inmhe0LNbD1SjkCKYlj1F4yULA-H1HcmoURFf2Hp0KNV3u9djaeZzaWSrdGavUz322H4yUwCIGPwiv8ic0OMfCqq-BIW3vFDfEI-~b9JqPWFaly6XgLnnMlrRqg9pdXDJNUhjbu~yH2-wjwgmnE~NeExXFwpArXjQBuJL7Q5aoQ3N7DAOBC7J-UwY0U2igpiVehepJx0QTunHcoMukTviDSb9cOh2CA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wilkes-Barre council held a first reading of an ordinance to add Article 5 to Chapter 11 of the city code to regulate food carts and food trucks, with a final vote scheduled for the Thursday voting session.

The draft ordinance sets operating hours at 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., reduces the required distance from a restaurant from 100 feet to 50 feet in several subsections, and includes limits on music and lighting. Council members and staff debated whether the later closing time would create noise and enforcement difficulties in residential areas and whether the downtown should be treated differently from other commercial zones.

Councilwoman McClay, who proposed moving morning hours earlier to allow breakfast service and cited other municipalities’ approaches, said, \"we just kind of want to be fair to everyone.\" She noted that Scranton allows food trucks in downtown areas and that some trucks get busy late when bars close. The council identified the downtown zone in discussion as bounded by River Street, Penn Avenue, North Hampton and Union streets; the ordinance would continue to bar food trucks from residential districts.

Members raised enforcement concerns if violations occur after City Hall hours. A council member noted that enforcement would rely on police when city staff are not available. The draft also addresses repetitive music and laser lights; separate city noise rules remain in force.

City Attorney Tim Henry told the meeting that a revised, final version of the ordinance would be posted on the city's website by 10 a.m. the next day and that the council would take the item up for a vote at the Thursday 6:00 p.m. voting session. He added that paper copies would be available from the city clerk's office for those without computer access.

Next steps: the ordinance returns to the council for a vote Thursday evening; staff indicated the posted draft likely will differ from the work-session text after the discussion.","Wilkes-Barre council held a first reading of an ordinance to add Article 5 to Chapter 11 of the city code, proposing hours, spacing and noise limits for food carts and food trucks and scheduling a final vote for Thursday.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6307213,"Council to consider reappointment of Bill Murtha and appointments to Board of Health",267,221855,488870,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4&start=221&end=488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4/thumbnail_221855.jpg","/articles/6307213/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Council-to-consider-reappointment-of-Bill-Murtha-and-appointments-to-Board-of-Health","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307213-78c6e38b7d25c45d3772c8088c066afb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194579&Signature=jOg70KGBk9YFNY3H7ATBTein-BqSphNo45Uyu6pnaQwYukXblLUV5j0mf7QWKMjfcWsVvNJqwe5wR6SZxoiTX29qo5BNtw9g2b4WJSDmxiCKxtX-K0JzhSoHOqKCOnHCTfOZPuRm07hOTNCQrR8IO00HlfQOf3edP2vwNo9Zl-rhpsMM6WBb8jnhysmIEoZ~7QyV6uk-YfgERPa8dMDRuiH-4wKd3t19Fc~DJGG3PVl-ITAMtyYQ3PQtzWQdJO0BfN22lkHU2VuhvHZ6Pf0byvBzUCvhLc4VK5AEwdGhJP~eucqNCLaBQc~vDCHaBc96EQC7BI2~XWGyc1cHVqsvBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council discussed three nominations that will go to a vote at the Thursday council session.

The council was asked to reappoint Bill Murtha to the Fire Civil Service Commission. Murtha was described by a presenter as a retired fire assistant chief who has previously served on the commission and helped update hiring processes. The presenter characterized the reappointment as \"a no brainer\" and said Murtha is \"a great asset.\" The presenter noted Murtha had called to say he could not attend the work session.

The council also discussed two Board of Health nominations: Delphine Torbic, described as a former city health department employee and registered nurse with roughly 20 years’ experience, and Michael Demerra, described as a senior manager with responsibility at Geisinger hospitals in the area who advanced from a clinical role. The nominee Michael Demerra was said to work out of South Wilkes-Barre with broader regional responsibility. Council members present expressed support and called both nominees \"eminently qualified.\"

All three nominations will be formally considered at the council's Thursday voting session.","Council discussed reappointing Bill Murtha to the Fire Civil Service Commission and appointing Delphine Torbic and Michael Demerra to the Board of Health; appointments will be voted at the Thursday session.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6307224,"Council to amend license proration: new businesses get anniversary annual licenses rather than April 30 renewals",248,773890,1022410,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4&start=773&end=1022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2434434-101b033d8d91d2237592919307eb3ea4/thumbnail_773890.jpg","/articles/6307224/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Council-to-amend-license-proration-new-businesses-get-anniversary-annual-licenses-rather-than-April-30-renewals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307224-ec96fe6442d74f8b217bf68183766123/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194579&Signature=C9UH4glzb4mCxX5z9BAN~BSwdCyYUnFeCE305lHHO0JJ~UktcKRa9vLT5d~g4TlrhhZAaVcsVuBNBsv8jrM8-VK4ctQd3wvHLuJcuXqAs1adO~DBgWejae6TF27NPnE6i4n6ASjcN~dTPfFyzQMdNXTQ1TnE84aM~IIqiggEViQZKw60QZsoCx6uZkBRdw7dhAYzW6AcHIsJ~Lk8wW0PeMK4ZK4pY2tFs3opzpzxtXaFL0EaoT4EZzDd8yKVdnUa~M8OItK529NH72vTAe9l~3UnZ-Lt6GTruoxI9nJ9dZQSkb5CPYMInhc4sxk0RlZ366gLJSO35ba7HlNBwKbefA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council reviewed a draft amendment to Article 6 of Chapter 28 of the Wilkes-Barre Code that would change how business license terms are calculated. Under the proposed change, licenses would become effective for one year from the opening date of the business rather than all licenses expiring on April 30 each year.

City staff said the amendment is intended to spread inspection and renewal workloads so inspectors are not required to process a large volume of renewals at the same time. Under the current practice, a business licensed late in the year might have been charged a prorated fee; the proposal would eliminate prorating because each license would be valid for a full year from issue.

Council members noted the change would apply to restaurants and other licensed businesses and that the food truck ordinance’s annual-license provision would be consistent with this amendment. No vote was taken at the work session; the measure will proceed to the council voting session on Thursday.","Council considered amending Article 6 of Chapter 28 of the Wilkes-Barre Code to make business licenses anniversary-based rather than all due April 30, eliminating prorating and easing inspection workload.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews two RCAP grant requests: $1M for recovery/residential project and $750K for Wilkes University nursing-simulation expansion

Wilkes-Barre council holds first reading of food cart and food truck ordinance; hours, distance and enforcement debated

Council to consider reappointment of Bill Murtha and appointments to Board of Health

Council to amend license proration: new businesses get anniversary annual licenses rather than April 30 renewals