Wilkes‑Barre council previews multiple local‑share grant applications for ambulance, campus security, park lighting and downtown improvements

Wilkes‑Barre officials on Sept. 23 reviewed six proposed Luzerne County Local Share Assessment grant applications to the Commonwealth Financing Authority that would fund emergency services, campus security, park lighting, a backup generator, downtown building upgrades and computer replacements for a local nonprofit.

The grants, discussed at a City Council work session that the mayor said will be voted on at the regular meeting Thursday, would pay for: an advanced life‑support ambulance ($367,472); a follow‑up campus security camera and emergency phone installation at King’s College (amount discussed as $476,045); lighting for the Wyoming Valley Challenger baseball field ($185,000); a backup generator for the Cole Street complex ($346,500); Penn Plaza revitalization including doors, HVAC and sidewalk work ($300,250); and 12 Windows‑11‑compatible computers for Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug Services ($10,000).

Why it matters: The requests cover public‑safety equipment for first responders, technology and physical upgrades meant to improve campus and nonprofit operations, and park and downtown infrastructure that city officials said will affect access, safety and local activity.

Chief Delaney, speaking about the ambulance request, said the department makes “about 8,000 calls a year” and described the vehicle being replaced as a 2018 model with about 97,000 miles. “These ambulances just idle…they're used really, really hard and they save a lot of lives,” he said, adding that post‑COVID prices have increased and vehicles now cost roughly $100,000 more than before the pandemic. Delaney also described the hydraulic stretcher systems as a large, ergonomics‑driven expense that reduces back injuries for medics.

King’s College representative Tom Butchko told councilors the college is revisiting a previous request after an earlier $600,000 application was only awarded $200,000. The current scope described resumed plans for perimeter cameras and additional security equipment; Butchko said the project would also add 30 cameras monitored around the clock and five emergency blue‑light stations already approved in the first phase.

Representatives for the Wyoming Valley Challenger baseball league described rapidly rising participation and the operational need for field lighting to allow later start times during heat advisories and to reduce roster sizes by permitting more games in the evenings. “Last year we were up to 138 kids,” said Larry Lowe, who described divisions from minor through senior and said lighting would allow games to be rescheduled rather than canceled during extreme heat advisories.

City staff described the Cole Street complex generator as a backup command center asset that would allow departments to continue operations and support a second‑floor tenant during extended outages. City officials said the Penn Plaza funds would replace entry doors, install energy‑efficient HVAC and repair sidewalks and trees to improve accessibility and pedestrian safety. Wyoming Valley Alcohol & Drug Services staff said their computers are not Windows 11‑compatible and noted security and recordkeeping concerns when older systems lose vendor support.

None of the items carried recorded votes at the work session; the mayor opened the discussion by noting this is a work session “to go over items on the agenda that will be voted on on Thursday.” Councilors asked clarifying questions about scopes, ownership of properties and equipment features; staff and outside representatives answered specifics about camera counts, scheduling and equipment warranties.

What’s next: Councilors indicated these grant applications will be placed on the Thursday regular meeting agenda for formal consideration and vote. If approved, staff said funds would be used only for the purposes described in each application.