Wilkes-Barre council approves slate of grant applications and adopts parking ordinance

Wilkes-Barre City Council on Sept. 9 approved a set of authorizations to apply for Luzerne County local-share assessment grants and adopted an ordinance updating the cityReserve Parking Program, with all members present voting in favor.

The council designated Mayor George D. Brown and Controller Tony Thomas as the officials authorized to execute agreements with the Commonwealth Financing Authority and Luzerne County for multiple Local Share Account (LSA) grant applications. The authorizations approved in the consent agenda include requests for funds for downtown pathways, Wilkes Universitynursing-simulation equipment, Allied Services elevator work, River Common Millennium Circle lights and other projects.

Why it matters: the approvals let the city and partner organizations seek state-administered local-share funding that, if awarded, would pay for capital improvements around downtown and for nonprofit infrastructure. Several projects require further state or county approvals and, in some cases, matching or pledged contributions by private partners.

Most significant items approved

- Downtown public square pathways: authorization to pursue a Luzerne County LSA grant of $904,760 for improvements to the downtown public squarepathways.

- Wilkes University Nursing Simulation Lab: authorization to seek a $500,000 LSA grant to buy simulation equipment for Wilkes UniversityMike Wood, representing Wilkes University, told council the school has about "200 nurses" in its traditional and accelerated programs and said "74%" of graduates continue to practice in Pennsylvania. Wood said the project is part of a larger $1.2 million effort to revamp the simulation center and that the university received a $750,000 RCAP for phase 1.

- Allied Services elevator replacement: authorization to apply for a $200,000 LSA grant toward modernization of an elevator at Allied Services' 80 East North Hampton Street facility. Jim Brogna, representing Allied Services, said the current bid for the elevator replacement is $357,000 and that "Allied Services Foundation pledges the additional 157,000, so it's roughly a 56, 44% split." Brogna described the facility as a 92-bed nursing home with additional apartment capacity.

- Luzerne County River Common Millennium Circle improvements: authorization for a $354,000 LSA grant request to fund lighting and related work for the River Common archways.

- Wilkes-Barre Police digital message boards: authorization to seek a $52,000 LSA grant for digital message boards to display traffic speeds and public-safety messages.

- Computer infrastructure upgrades: authorization to pursue a $96,000 LSA grant for city computer infrastructure upgrades.

- Cunningham Avenue stormwater repair loan: the council authorized city officials to execute documents to secure a $500,000 no-interest loan from Luzerne County payable over five years to cover completed stormwater repairs off Cunningham Avenue; city officials said the work is finished and the loan needs council approval so funds can be released.

Council action and voting

The list of grant authorizations and related agreements was approved on a unanimous consent motion. The consent motion to take the resolutions and minutes as presented was made by Councilwoman Maclay and seconded by Councilman Merren. The roll-call votes recorded "yes" from Councilman Belishko, Councilman Merren, Councilwoman Maclay and Councilman Brooks. An ordinance amending Article 7 of Chapter 29 of the Wilkes-Barre Code of Ordinances (Reserve Parking Program) was considered on second and final reading and adopted on the same vote (motion by Councilman Belishko, second by Councilman Merren).

Discussion highlights and conditions

Most items were taken on the consent agenda with limited council debate. Wilkes Universityrepresentative Mike Wood answered two council questions about the nursing programconfirming the student count and saying that qualifying on simulators is required before students treat patients. Allied Services' Jim Brogna provided the elevator bid figure and said the foundation would cover the remainder of the cost if the LSA award is approved.

Public comment at the meeting included multiple speakers who urged the council to prioritize local needs such as homelessness and neighborhood investments when applying for LSA funds. Sam Troy and other commenters questioned whether some institutional applicants should receive local-share money instead of neighborhood-focused projects. Angel Mathis and others voiced support for the Wilkes University and Allied requests based on workforce and service considerations.

What comes next

Each LSA application must be reviewed and approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority or the state program that distributes Local Share Account funding; the council's vote authorizes city staff and the named officials to sign application and project documents but does not guarantee awards. The council scheduled its next meeting for Sept. 23.

Votes at a glance: key items approved on Sept. 9 (outcome: approved)

- LSA grant application, downtown public square pathways: $904,760 (authorized to apply; outcome: approved by council to pursue). - LSA grant application, Wilkes University Nursing Simulation Lab Equipment: $500,000 (authorized to apply; outcome: approved by council to pursue). - LSA grant application, Allied Services Elevator Authorization Project: $200,000 (authorized to apply; outcome: approved by council to pursue). - LSA grant application, River Common Millennium Circle improvements: $354,000 (authorized to apply; outcome: approved by council to pursue). - LSA grant application, Police Department digital message boards: $52,000 (authorized to apply; outcome: approved by council to pursue). - LSA grant application, Computer Infrastructure Upgrades: $96,000 (authorized to apply; outcome: approved by council to pursue). - Authorization to accept Luzerne County no-interest loan: $500,000 over five years for Cunningham Avenue stormwater repairs (authorized; outcome: approved). - Ordinance No. 5 of 2025, amendment to Article 7, Chapter 29 (Reserve Parking Program): second and final reading adopted.

Reporting note: the council recorded votes by roll call for the consent agenda and ordinance; one council member was excused from the session.