Votes at a glance: Lackawanna County commissioners approve payables, grants, contracts and appointments on July 16, 2025

This summary lists formal actions taken by the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners at its July 16, 2025 meeting. All motions recorded in the meeting transcript were approved by voice vote (commissioners responded “aye”); transcript passages did not record roll‑call tallies by member.

1) Payables approved (Resolution 25‑0184) - Action: Approval of current payables. - Details: County general fund checks 388283–389010 totaling $3,708,273.88; electronic fund transfers (including payroll) totaling $6,113,925.57. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: resolution read at 00:40:43; vote recorded immediately after.

2) Household hazardous waste service agreement (Resolution 25‑0168) - Action: Approve and enter into agreement with MXI Environmental Services LLC for a county household hazardous waste collection event. - Details: Event scheduled 09/28/2025 at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain; preregistration opens Aug. 1; accepted materials listed (pesticides, oil‑based paint, pool cleaner, motor oil, gas, light bulbs, fire extinguishers); free to residents; county receives approximately 50% reimbursement via DEP grant. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: presentation by Nicole Shapiro, director of environmental sustainability, at 00:42:58.

3) On‑demand GIS technical support contract (Resolution 25‑0169) - Action: Accept proposal from Geograph IT/EBA Engineering for on‑demand GIS technical support. - Details: Services split among assessor’s office, emergency services, and planning and economic development; contract immediate start through 12/31/2025; not to exceed $63,900. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Director Patrick Tobin presented at 00:44:31.

4) Facade easement to preserve Lenape mural (Resolution 25‑0171) - Action: Enter into façade easement agreement with Scranton Tomorrow and property owners Arthur Russo and Tara Collier Russo to protect the Lenape mural. - Details: Easement filed with Recorder of Deeds; protection term referenced as 40 years; mural located at 130 North Washington Avenue, Scranton. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Presentation by Maria McGuire, Director of Arts and Culture, at 00:46:10.

5) Provider contracts for Office of Behavioral Health, Intellectual Disabilities and Early Intervention (Resolution 25‑0173) - Action: Approve provider contracts for FY 25/26. - Details: Providers listed in the reading included Developmental Fitness Company, Direction LLC, and 1L1 Well LLC (as read in transcript). County staff described these as in‑home and community support services supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; county said approval expands provider choice and will not increase county costs. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Presentation by Director of Behavioral Health (Mickey Droschman) at 00:48:30.

6) Retroactive provider contract approval (Resolution 25‑0174) - Action: Retroactive approval to Direction LLC for FY 24/25. - Details: Direction LLC provided services in May–June that otherwise would not have been available; recommended for retroactive approval. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Director Droschman reported at 00:50:12.

7) RCAP grant acceptance on behalf of Friendship House (Resolution 25‑0175) - Action: Authorize county to accept an RCAP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) award on behalf of Friendship House. - Details: State award $250,000 for purchase/renovation for recovery services; Friendship House previously had a $1,000,000 award for the same project; county to serve as eligible applicant and accept an administrative fee for grant administration; no net cost to county was stated. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Director Krista Magnotta presented at 00:51:59.

8) Ratify PCCD indigent defense program grant award (Resolution 25‑0176) - Action: Ratify submission and acceptance of Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) funds for the Public Defender’s Office. - Details: Total award increased to $200,937 (original award $98,000 plus $102,000 supplemental); funds for a paralegal and part‑time investigator; no cost to county. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Director Magnotta reported at 00:53:23.

9) Office of Youth and Family Services professional services (Resolution 25‑0179) - Action: Approve FY 25/26 professional service agreements. - Details: Provider list included ACE of NEPA, Catherine McAuley Center, Catholic Social Services, Cesar Mateo, FCI, The Language Experts, Friendship House, JusticeWorks, Infomatrix, Outreach, Northern Tier Research, and Service Access and Management. These are annual renewals reimbursed at 80% by the state. If all providers bill maximum amounts, the county share was stated as $1,093,631. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Director Carrie Browning presented at 00:54:42.

10) Office of Youth and Family Services retroactive and related contracts (related resolutions include 25‑0174 and 25‑0182) - Action: Additional provider and detention arrangements approved. - Details: Resolution 25‑0182 approved foster care and group home provider renewals (KidsPeace, Loftus Vergari, Marakee, Pathway to Everyday Life) reimbursed at 80%. Resolution 25‑0183 approved a detention center agreement with Northampton County at a per‑diem rate of $415/day for two beds (reimbursed at 50% by the state). - Outcome: Approved by voice votes. - Transcript provenance: Director Browning presented these items between 00:56:00 and 01:00:00.

11) Appointments to the Auxiliary Board of Assessment Appeals (Resolution 25‑0177) - Action: Appoint alternates to the county auxiliary board of assessment appeals. - Details: Paul Marks (Roaring Brook Township) and Linda Martinez (Clark Summit) appointed to terms beginning immediately and expiring 12/31/2025. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Presented by Director Pat Tobin at 01:01:11.

12) Sale of surplus roads/bridges equipment (purchase awards) - Action: Award sealed‑bid sales for three surplus vehicles/equipment. - Details: 2007 Sterling dump truck to Mark Akins, $3,850; 2010 Mack dump truck to Gary Kozowski, $46,778.77; 2012 Eager Beaver trailer to Center RV Inc., $3,000. Purchasing director reported sealed bids and vendor visits. - Outcome: Approved by voice vote. - Transcript provenance: Joe Wexler, director of purchasing, presented at 01:02:00.

Meeting note: The transcript shows recurring language for motions and approvals (motion/second, then “All those in favor say aye.” Most votes were recorded by voice only; no roll‑call tallies appear in the transcript. If a reader needs the certified roll call or the signed resolutions, county clerk records are the official record.