[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6161485,"mediaKeyId","5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3","parentId",5441767,"title","Hazleton resident voices air-quality concerns over Alterra project; infrastructure committee to revisit","audioSeconds",51,"startMs",1679000,"endMs",1730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3&start=1679&end=1730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3/thumbnail_1679000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161485/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Hazleton-resident-voices-air-quality-concerns-over-Alterra-project-infrastructure-committee-to-revisit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161485-6e5b66a74bb1de205cf9f66a99c283ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171284&Signature=CLjIls-H4k8cga6I-As3S5TPHZ724zZbIowBtcLf0kLGIUMY2DUghufo34qH7n4~sNaNZ2USFK55q00UdmUWahGk86XcwmqfA-AHTv~FrpABLFMLvXtxpzETUuTDQGJ4Dy~VCoMmbna4Te61wqABi03~FQK9xNPCRzcaQooL9w5IDgJ8kjooXQ7cZ1xnghf8~5ectHX6xxEGRks9uxxMjnydm9lAPiBd~woEvoqzspVLWzRpgkr8Vve-qsXzHqb~KkgItbMor1jYtyjAEqi2K3C6s3B1GLseqPeorejIK7RUjTRzS9v4HbJswJFuYRikvVvCCgqKp8hWIq4wVcRKIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Luzerne County, PA","date","2025-07-22T21:40:17Z","article","During the public-comment portion of the meeting, a Hazleton resident raised concerns about air quality related to a proposed Alterra project and asked whether the community could petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

\"I was just concerned about the Alterra project. And, I know they've applied for the permit, but, I just wanted to state that I'm concerned about the air quality,\" the caller identified as Erica Bridal said, adding, \"I don't know if there's any way to petition the EPA based on their ruling.\"

A council member (Miss Rydell) replied that the infrastructure committee has been taking up the matter and had deferred a vote, advising the resident to watch for the committee's next meeting and to submit additional comments at that time: \"We have been taking that conversation up in our infrastructure committee, and I know they deferred a... vote on it until, I believe, your next meeting.\" No committee decision was recorded at the council meeting; the exchange occurred during public comment and the council did not take a final vote on the project at that session.

The resident's remarks were recorded during the non‑agenda public-comment period; the record shows the infrastructure committee will consider the topic again. The council did not provide legal guidance on petitioning federal regulators during the meeting; the caller's question about an EPA petition was noted but not resolved in the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Luzerne County Council Meeting 7/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","A Hazleton resident told council she is concerned about air quality related to the Alterra project and asked about petitioning the EPA; council staff said the infrastructure committee is continuing review and deferred a vote until the next committee meeting.","taxTitle","Luzerne County, Pennsylvania","taxId",18154,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161490,"Council amends AFSCME MOU language, approves agreement 10-1",164,425000,589000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3&start=425&end=589","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3/thumbnail_425000.jpg","/articles/6161490/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Council-amends-AFSCME-MOU-language-approves-agreement-10-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161490-94676f2a3fff518538b61a29f969980a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171284&Signature=FZDpOaXg3b5KoWC-sPpdlw-ZRWJWfsFxYK8dJNUB91kTCy5Jtv2rCP86b0e~X4MzDZ3a2Nc314AefTtlZ1vG6qbFVMOwUT5scUHUYxX5eCn5vAt-fhxuECKTXFpNBTLVQ-4Jo89YkQusXIzs33~CJ5UNeP~v~Fc1vvX7TEufIAmVFI7CgNK2oH5v1noxT66pVrs1xg1ilhBueAgd8vtQzjMwW4xDuaWZ6IRgo9SqctXZFjRFSwk6dThjenyymdNbZc4Vbcdf5knrjji0mxZifWqRfmryrohPMjKQm3KZOPwxqHF8rX2kysNMFtdzWghez5Toq0TswG1gpp6ousRVTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Luzerne County Council members amended language in a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the county and AFSCME District Council 87 and approved the amended agreement in the voting session.

On the question of the AFSCME MOU, Attorney Skene asked the council to amend the resolution to replace the phrase \"court appointed\" with the word \"residual.\" \"For both of these ... I would just ask that we do an amendment to the resolution to allow us to put in residual and not court appointed,\" Attorney Skene said. Council members moved and seconded the amendment and approved it unanimously.

After the amendment passed, the council took a roll-call vote on the amended MOU. The roll call returned 10 yes votes and one no vote; Mister Haas cast the lone dissent. The chair announced, \"10 to 1, it passes.\"

The transcript records no further debate about substantive contract terms during the voting session. The amendment and the MOU will be implemented according to the agreement text as amended; council members indicated the change was procedural wording approved by the attorney and by the council.

The action was recorded as a formal vote during the voting session; the amended MOU passed on the roll call.","Luzerne County Council amended a proposed memorandum of understanding with AFSCME District Council 87 to replace the phrase \"court appointed\" with \"residual,\" passed the amendment unanimously, and later approved the amended MOU by a 10-1 vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161495,"CLA audit: Luzerne County receives unmodified opinion; pension funded ratio near peer average",927,2777000,3704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3&start=2777&end=3704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","/articles/6161495/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/CLA-audit-Luzerne-County-receives-unmodified-opinion-pension-funded-ratio-near-peer-average","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161495-b91619b1e3132319a7aa64431d21bfe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171284&Signature=MnNTy1znzuvL4Te7smtc~2VUjtkEDRsaVxzRURCaugNdGZk5qXxQTM0D7iUZqBcRDvUqvOCAXAp4y4unNknkEwPGEWLz7CLIhozBHcXNrMJvvk3izonoqATqAUfVgapFc8lYbj1LF~tVQUCYwWh9MCfuWaCaic7PPaRyqma~9Luk1Nk-7REw8LtliJTz5yUoxi-tcoDXnKEhKaK1i7e7BnQp8RzJYNA0zeMihHocOimrBxILWJTjiZa16bkl9w9Q8bzNG3sr5h4xYLo6fSTes49ROHgnZcpi27h2H0VJ840MmzJpOBeUp9URJlltnyvZup8GZC6~IzdBOYNXvFKahA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auditors from CLA told Luzerne County Council they issued an unmodified (clean) audit opinion for the county’s financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, and identified no material weaknesses in internal controls. Remy Omasour, a CLA principal, presented highlights and industry trends and answered council questions.

\"We issued our audit opinion on the financial statements June 30, in line with the requirements and statue,\" Remy Omasour said, concluding the audit work that CLA performed this year. The audit found no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies required to be reported to governance.

Omasour told the council the county’s pension plan was about 77% funded, which he described as in line with national averages: \"The pension plan is funded about 77%. On average across the country, it is about 78 to 80% is what we typically see.\" He also noted changes the Governmental Accounting Standards Board has issued that will increase disclosure and transparency, including new requirements to disclose concentrations and compensated-absence liabilities.

On cash and reserves, the auditors said fund balance and reserves are within best-practice guidance. Omasour cited Government Finance Officers Association guidance that recommends at least two months of expenditures on hand and noted the county’s position was approximately 2.8 months, which he described as \"right in line with where the GFOA likes you to be.\" He also recapped larger items that affected the financial statements, including ARPA-funded projects, opioid-related receipts, and short-term tax anticipation notes of about $11 million that were issued and repaid during the year.

Council members praised the audit work. Council member Mister Thornton told CLA, \"Fingers crossed. And thank you for complying with the June 30 deadline.\" Another council member thanked the county finance staff by name for their work during the audit.

CLA also discussed federal reporting initiatives. Omasour said the Federal Data Transparency Act (FDTA) will require digitized reporting of governmental financials into a database similar to corporate EDGAR filings and counseled local governments to begin planning for digital disclosure.

No formal policy action was taken at the meeting; CLA’s audit was presented for council information and the report will be part of the county’s public records.","Auditors from CLA delivered an unmodified (clean) opinion on Luzerne County’s financial statements for the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, highlighted a pension funded ratio near national averages, discussed GASB and federal reporting trends, and noted that fund balance matches best-practice guidance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161500,"Luzerne County council agrees to pursue amendment to residency rule for division heads",264,2451000,2715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3&start=2451&end=2715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5441767-b589607e7d30f384bca9302b2a04cdd3/thumbnail_2451000.jpg","/articles/6161500/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Luzerne-County-council-agrees-to-pursue-amendment-to-residency-rule-for-division-heads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161500-cfa9e2098556dc899fccc6dd884d1443/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171284&Signature=nDyMRWbKjgskeXzMUExsNKbltybuy1NtC1-j8p6WapuHv-pGw4b5qW7ZC2qusdQeiIELaap3yCPH3I36f165ZVOLPaUEESyBZyoKBIWL0-jFGhDUBNoH42G0gaUnq5-iflAiqfgwH5zjdkqSJvqDUvfUUAr5067WHIYqB1wdvnPmbu-oymZKIR23td94G~TgjCB82TxULAqRS922Uq-crOkO0CKwuyMLBDY3KB~QuAQnxsPp3ISFlnqU5fXk8XhtiDVdxfWFuWwulAYF0qntglMHqU90FV3ppA7wyprC3Aekvcf20Nb-UBiHw1dv5lCE~ZHSDymiMmb~EZf2zaW67w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Luzerne County Council members discussed and agreed to pursue an amendment that would remove a five-year residency provision from the county personnel code for certain division-head and management positions. Council member Mister Haas proposed striking the sentence that requires continued employment after five years of county residency and asked that the amendment be placed on the agenda for the next voting session so the public can review it.

Council members said the change is intended to widen the pool of qualified applicants and reduce politics in hiring. \"I think I made the case pretty succinctly last meeting,\" Mister Haas said, adding later, \"So on the introduction, I would just remove the 5 years component from the new from the new change.\"

The proposal drew no formal vote in the work session but council leadership said the amendment would be introduced for formal consideration at the council's next voting session so it can be posted publicly and decided in a public meeting. That was presented as the next procedural step; no ordinance change took effect at the work session.

Supporters said removing the clause would increase competition for senior positions and might attract candidates who live outside the county but work in the region. A council member asked for the precise text to be removed; the change identified was the clause beginning \"after the employment has attained 5 years of continued employment with the county.\" The chair confirmed the amendment would be drafted and placed on the upcoming voting-session agenda for a public vote.

Council members emphasized procedural fairness: the amendment will be posted in advance and voted in a voting session where the public may comment before any final action. No formal motion to adopt the ordinance change was taken during the work session; the matter was set up to return for a public vote.

If the council adopts the amendment at the voting session, the personnel code language requiring the five-year residency component would be removed as described by the proposed text. Until then, the residency requirement remains unchanged.

The discussion lasted several minutes and was the first item on the work-session agenda.","Council members debated removing a five-year residency requirement for certain management positions and agreed to bring a clean amendment back for a public vote at the next voting session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hazleton resident voices air-quality concerns over Alterra project; infrastructure committee to revisit

Council amends AFSCME MOU language, approves agreement 10-1

CLA audit: Luzerne County receives unmodified opinion; pension funded ratio near peer average

Luzerne County council agrees to pursue amendment to residency rule for division heads