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 that Chief Delaney applies for state grants when they become available. Brown said the additional structure is intended to relieve cramped storage at the Hollenbach Park station and allow equipment such as boats and trailers to be stored outside. Brown also described recent staffing and station changes: the city reopened a station in the Rolling Mill Hill area about two years ago and now operates three stations, and the administration has worked to fill vacancies in the fire department.

Nut graf: A resolution connected to fire department storage needs was on the agenda and included on the consent agenda the council approved; public commenters pressed the council for clarity on grant use and the share of costs that would affect city taxpayers.

Council procedure and the vote: Council President called for a motion and second for the consent agenda, after which members answered “yes” during the roll call. The meeting record shows affirmative votes by Mr. Barrett, Mr. Belishko, Mr. Merritt, Mrs. McClay and Mr. Brooks. The mover and seconder for the consent agenda are not specified in the transcript.

Pending items and appointments: Council members and the mayor noted the agenda included one resolution and an appointment to the parking authority. The appointment’s final disposition is not specified in the transcript. The resolution related to the auxiliary building appeared to be included on the consent agenda the council approved; the transcript does not include a line‑item vote or a complete funding breakdown for the project.

Mayor Brown said grant applications are handled by Chief Delaney when the Office of the State Fire Commissioner or similar programs release funding opportunities; he said “we apply for them” and that the city receives some but not all grants for which it applies. Troy’s questions about whether the $49,000 represented the full cost and whether additional expenses could be charged to the city were recorded but not resolved in detail during the meeting.

Ending: Council approved the consent agenda and moved on to other business. The transcript records public questions and mayoral answers but does not include supporting documents or a detailed budget breakdown for the auxiliary building; those documents would clarify the grant amount, the city’s share and any contingency language.