Council approves consent agenda; resolution on fire department auxiliary building on agenda amid funding questions

The Wilkes‑Barre City Council on April 24 approved the consent agenda, which council members said included a resolution related to an auxiliary or storage building to serve fire operations at the Hollenbach Park station. The vote was recorded as affirmative by council members present.

Resident Sam Troy raised several questions during public comment about the fire‑department project on the council’s agenda, asking whether the Office of the State Fire Commissioner grant program was being used and how much of the cost would come from the city’s general fund. Troy referenced a $49,000 figure and asked whether the project might incur additional costs beyond the listed amount.

Mayor George Brown responded that the city had selected “the lowest responsible bidder,” and…