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Commissioners approve grant applications, contracts and community programs; vote sheet
Summary
At the Nov. 19 meeting the board approved a package of resolutions: payables, a DEP reimbursement grant application, a three-year toxicology contract, a one-time $75,000 loan to Meals on Wheels of NEPA, LSA grant submissions, MOUs for anti-scam and SHARE housing programs, BJA and drug-endangered-children agreements, snowplow contracts, intergovernmental domestic-relations agreements, and a film-clip license for a documentary.
The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of resolutions and agreements at its Nov. 19 meeting covering contracts, grant applications, intergovernmental MOUs and community programs.
Key items approved included: - Resolution 25-0285 (payables): approval of general fund payables and electronic fund transfers totaling amounts read into the record. - Resolution 25-0277 (DEP grant): authorization to submit a Pennsylvania DEP household hazardous waste reimbursement application for $20,634.28 through the Office of Environmental Sustainability. - Resolution 25-0279 (Northern Tier Research): a three-year fixed-price professional services agreement for toxicology laboratory services to serve Community Corrections and Human Resources through 12/31/2028; Purchasing Director Joseph Wexler spoke in support. - Resolution 25-0278 (Meals on Wheels loan): a one-time, no-interest $75,000 loan to Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Pennsylvania with repayment within 15 days of receipt of outstanding state funds, intended to prevent service disruption amid a state budget impasse; Economic Development Director Kristen Magnotta outlined the repayment plan and the nonprofit’s service volume. - Resolution 25-0280 (Local Share Account submissions): authorization to submit nine LSA statewide grant applications to the Department of Community and Economic Development; county receives a 2% administration fee to process applications. - Resolution 25-0287 (Silver Shield MOU): purchase of 25 Silver Shield anti-scam licenses ($45 each, $1,125 total) to distribute to older-adult victims through the Area Agency on Aging’s protective services unit. - Resolution 25-0286 (SHARE MOU): participation in the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging SHARE subsidy program to expand shared housing options and issue rental subsidy payments to approved home hosts. - Resolution 25-0281 (BJA grant): ratification of a Bureau of Justice Assistance application for a community-based violence intervention and prevention initiative led by the District Attorney’s Office. - Resolution 25-0282 (National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children): agreement to work with the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children to support children affected by caregiver substance use. - Resolution 25-0291 (snowplowing): retroactive approval of snowplowing agreements (11/01/2025–10/31/2026) with local contractors to support county roadways during inclement weather; county cited staff shortages and ongoing recruitment for CDL drivers. - Resolution 25-0292 (film clip license): a license permitting Monke Films LLC to use 5–10 minutes of clips from The Trouble with Cali for a documentary about that film.
Why it matters: Together these resolutions fund or enable ongoing county services (public safety, aging supports, environmental programs), address urgent nonprofit cashflow risks and set operational arrangements for the coming year. Several items involve state grant processes and reimbursement flows tied to deadlines.
What’s next: Staff and relevant departments will execute approved agreements; several grants have upcoming deadlines (e.g., LSA statewide closes Nov. 30), and the Meals on Wheels loan includes prompt repayment contingent on state funds.
